Two Dogs and a Book

The Taking of Jake Livingston  by  Ryan Douglass My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! From the cover, THE TAKING OF JAKE LIVINGSTON by Ryan Douglas sounded like a light ghost story. I was expecting the book to be like one from the Goosebumps series. It was quite different. The story was quite dark and violent. The character of Jake was well written and carried the story nicely. The plot was solid and kept my interest to the end. Don’t be fooled by the cover like I was, there are many uncomfortable scenes in this book. Some of those scenes were hard to read. You have been warned. If you decide to read this one, be prepared to be disturbed. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #thetakingofjakel

The Next Thing You Know  by  Jessica Strawser My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! Well, it has been a while since a book got me to tear up. THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW by Jessica Strawser just did that. It is a beautiful story of finding hope in love even when you think you have nothing left to live for. It is a sad story, but it does not stop at the sad part, it has a hopeful future. Great end! Loved it! #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #thenextthingyouknow #jessicastrawser #stmartinspress #bookreview View all my reviews

The Shadow House  by  Anna Downes My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I was afraid to read THE SHADOW HOUSE by Anna Downes… really, I was! I thought it would be a horror book and I get scared easily. The book does have an element of horror but for the most part, it is a tense mystery-thriller with a fantastic twist. I enjoyed the setting and the plot a lot and thought them clever. My fav character is Kit and I wished he would have been more involved in the story. Otherwise, it was a great read. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #theshadowhouse #annadownes #monitaurbooks #bookreview View all my reviews

And We Rise  by  Erica Martin My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! AND WE RISE by Erica Martin is a powerful book of poetry about the Civil Rights Movement. Each poem is about a date and event and delivers punch after punch. The pictures scattered throughout the book are thought-provoking. I pondered after each poem and let its meaning sink in me before moving to the next. We cannot erase the past, but we can learn from it and make changes. Everyone should read this one. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #andwerise #ericamartin #penguinteenca #vikingbooks #bookreview View all my reviews

Until We Meet  by  Camille Di Maio My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! UNTIL WE MEET by Camille Di Maio is an exquisite WWII historical romance. This novel has many themes such as feminism, friendship, courage, and love. As the battle is raging in Europe, three young women join the workforce at the Navy Yard in New York to support the war efforts while three young American soldiers go overseas to fight the Germans. Through correspondence, the two of them will develop a friendship that will be filled with hope, betrayal, forgiveness, and eventually love. This novel is beautifully written and well researched. It is an emotional and moving book that you cannot put down until the end. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #

What His Wife Knew  by  Jo Jakeman My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! WHAT HIS WIFE KNEW by Jo Jakeman is such an exhilarating thriller. The characters are awesomely written, and the plot is mind-blowing. I just could not put it down. The twist was a surprise, and the ending was satisfying. This thriller has many layers and reveals bit by bit the fantastic plot. This is a tense and expertly written thriller that does not disappoint. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #whathiswifeknew #jojakeman #penguincanada #vickingbooks #bookreview View all my reviews

Thick as Thieves  by  Sandra Brown My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I am never disappointed by Sandra Brown’s books. THICK AS THIEVES is no exception. This novel has it all: mystery, action, and love. It captured my attention right from the beginning and the ending was phenomenal. One of my fav books by this awesome author. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #thickasthieves #sandrabrown #grandcentralpublishing#bookreview View all my reviews

Buried in a Good Book  by  Tamara Berry My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I truly enjoyed BURIED IN A GOOD BOOK by Tamara Berry. This is the first book in a brand-new series entitled By The Book. The first book presented us with fantastic characters who are faced with an incredible mystery to resolve. I loved the budding relationship between Mystery Written Tess Harrow and Sheriff Victor Boyd. You cannot go wrong with a mystery that includes a cabin with no electricity and running water, a dead body or two, Bigfoot, animals on the prowl, and an ostentatious business owner who is running to be the next Sheriff. If you are a fan of witty cozy mystery novels, or even if you are not one but would like to read a good one, this is it. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bo

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel  by  Jason Reynolds My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff is a lyrical and thought-provoking graphic novel. The illustrations are fabulous and emotive. The story is shocking, heartbreaking, and poignant. Together, they deliver a powerful graphic novel that will move you. A must-read for sure. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #longwaydown #jasonreynolds #danicanovgorodoff #buddyread #bookreview View all my reviews

The Summer Getaway  by  Susan Mallery My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! OMG!! I don’t remember reading a book with more family drama than THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallery. I related to Robyn throughout the book. Her relationship with her children is very similar to mine. I had also a similar experience with a girlfriend who wanted to cheat on her husband. Fortunately, my gf listened to me and did not happen contrary to Robyn’s friend. Yikes, what a mess!! I also love how she found love again with a solid and decent man. Her relationship with her great-aunt was special and beautiful. Overall, this novel is a great read. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #Sponsored #HarlequinPublicityTeam #Harleq

The Lion's Den  by  Katherine St. John My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I found a copy of THE LION’S DEN by Katherine St. John at my local Dollarama. I have seen lots of posts for this book on IG so I bought it. I went blindly in this book. I had no idea what it was about, and I am glad I did that. This novel surprised me. The well-written characters are all despicable in each their own way. The two-timeline plot is expertly delivered. The ending is definitely surprising. This is a solid thriller and I recommend it. 💥Triggers: attempted rape, emotional manipulation, and gaslighting #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #thelionsden #katherinestjohn #grandcentralpublishing #bookreview

Looking For Jane  by  Heather Marshall My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! LOOKING FOR JANE by Heather Marshall is a tragic story of motherhood or, as the author says in the Author’s Note, “about wanting to be a mother or not wanting to be a mother and all the grey areas in between”. This work of fiction is inspired by true events and describes the life of Dr. Evelyn Taylor from when she was sent to a home for “fallen” women in 1960 to 2017 when she is reunited with her daughter. While at the St. Agnes’ Home for Unwed Mothers, Evelyn gave birth to a baby girl and was forced to give her for adoption. She vowed to find her one day. She became a doctor and worked with the Jane collective, an underground service started in Chicago, Illinois in 1969 that offered safe abortions until they became legal in Canada in 1988. This book was thought-provoking and changed my opinion on the pro-choice movement. This is a must-read. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #f

One Italian Summer  by  Rebecca Serle My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I read ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle while on the beaches of Cuba and it was a perfect vacation read. Kathy’s relationship with her mother warmed my heart. Having the opportunity to with her a bit longer after she passed, was very special. Rebecca Serle’s writing is beautiful and emotional. She writes characters that have depth and that are relatable. I also love how she brings the story full-circle and brings conclusion to it. This novel will make you ponder, smile, and warm your heart. Beautiful book. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #oneitaliansummer #rebeccaserle #atriabooks #simonschusterca #bookreview

The Golden Couple  by  Greer Hendricks My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen did not disappoint in THE GOLDEN COUPLE. The plot was well built, and the characters interesting. Marissa and Matthew Bishop met my definition of a golden couple: everything looks good on the surface, but there is turbulence underneath it. I enjoyed Avery Chambers’ unorthodox therapy methods and how she unraveled this presumed “all together” couple. I was caught in the story from the beginning and enjoyed it all the way to the end. The final twist was well delivered and surprised me. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was well done. I truly enjoyed this book. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #boo

The School of Mirrors  by  Eva Stachniak My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE SCHOOL OF MIRRORS by Eva Stachniak was such an emotional read. The novel takes place in France in the 17th century and depicted times when women were used, abused, and silenced. The story of Véronique becoming Louis XV’s courtesan at the age of thirteen was shocking. Her rejection by the King once she became pregnant was troubling. The separation of Véronique and her daughter Marie-Louise was heartbreaking. The narrative is sincere and does not hide the ugliness of those unsettled times. I said recently that I wanted to read more novels set in during the French revolution and this one was perfect for that. It has a “Les Misérables” feel to it but stood out as unique. If you love historical novels that have complex and emotional family tragedies, this one is for you. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #booki

Eagle & Crane  by  Suzanne Rindell My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! EAGLE & CRANE by Suzanne Rindell is a beautiful novel about friendship, family, and loyalty. This historical fiction takes place in the 30s and 40s and has a mystery aspect. The novel starts with the death of two Japanese-Americans who escaped a Japanese internment camp. An FBI agent tries to figure out why and how they died, and he will discover the story of a strong friendship between three young adults (Louis Thorn, Harry Yamada, and Ava Brooks), their involvement in a flying circus, and the complicated dynamics of their family connections. This book is well written, and the characters are believable. I truly enjoyed this read. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadia

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry  by  Fredrik Backman My rating:  2 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I am a huge fan of Fredrik Backman’s writing. His style is unique and original. He also has a way to bring all the emotions to the surface. Unfortunately, MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY did not capture my heart. The story was repetitive, and the fairy-tale aspect was confusing. I loved the concept of a close relationship between a grandmother and a granddaughter, but the story felt messy. This is not my fav book by Backman, but that won’t stop me to read all his books. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #mygrandmotheraskedmetotellyoushessorry #fredrikbackman #atriab

Blankets  by  Craig Thompson My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! The Pooches & Pages Book Club March book choice is BLANKETS by Craig Thompson. This coming-of-age novel has some profound themes of religion, first love, and finding oneself. It follows the life of Craig from child to adolescent years. We experience his confusion with faith, sin, and love. After meeting Raina, everything changes and this event leads him to make choices for his life and how he wants to live it. This book has been banned in some libraries as it was deemed pornographic by some for its depictions of the author’s first love and sexually abusive babysitter. I personally did not find it offensive. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story felt true. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #b