Although I don't own a dog, nor do I care for them all that much (but I don't dislike them either), I have read a couple of books centered around these animals and this one jumped out at me from the library shelf because he looks similar to my neighbor's dog. This was a light read, full of humor, a bit of drama, romance, and a little bit of suspense.
STORY SUMMARY
Jeff and his girlfriend Anna share a condo on Gamble Island, about a half hour ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. They've been a couple for 3 years and in that time, adopted a golden retriever whom they named Earnest.
Jeff is an architect who commutes by ferry to Seattle every day. Anna owns her own flower shop called Plant Parenthood and runs the shop from the old historic Victorian house in the downtown area of Gamble, that she grew up in with her grandmother. Her best friends, Joy, who owns a gift shop, and Lauren, who owns a hair salon, all rent a portion of the house as well.
Their landowner is a very wealthy but annoying woman named Mrs Blackmoore whom they jokingly call Mrs Scroogemore. The house remains very dear to Anna especially now that her grandmother has died.....it has a lot of memories for Anna and she hopes to continue to run her flower shop from it. Earnest spends his day with Anna at the flower shop. He loves Anna and Jeff and all three of them make up a cozy family unit. Anna and Jeff do plan on getting married and having children one day....as soon as they save up some money.
That dream is threatened one day by something that Jeff does....and now Anna feels she can no longer trust him. The house has always represented family, home, safety and security to her.
Earnest becomes confused when Jeff moves out after a big fight with Anna about the future of the house. Anna stays in the condo with Earnest and a mediator helps Jeff and Anna work out a schedule for them to share Earnest. Earnest becomes depressed and then one day gets hit by a car.
Earnest, unbeknownst to Anna and Jeff, is suffering from their breakup. They begin to realize it when Earnest stops enjoying all of his favorite things. Earnest is devoted to both of them and it is through his honesty, stubbornness, and wisdom, that helps Anna come to terms with her past, learn to live in the present, and embrace the future.
Will that future include Jeff?? and what's going to happen to Grammy's house??
MY THOUGHTS
I loved this book! Earnest is pivotal in this book. He has a role to play in Jeff and Anna's personal lives as well as in their lives as a couple and the author does a fantastic job with pointing out character flaws in each of the humans, getting them to change for each other.
I loved that while reading this book, it reminded me of how young children feel when their parents go through a break up. So many similar feelings and actions!
The dog character teaches the humans what is important in life.....I loved that. There are funny moments and sad moments. Dramatic pauses and romantic nuances. It is all done so well.
This story really shows the devotion of a canine to his humans!
Although I'm not a dog lover, I did indeed fall in love with Earnest.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
1 comment:
I've seen this book around. I'll have to borrow it from the library. I've also got a dog book in my Book Bag coming up: The Dog Who Saved Me.
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