Atticus: A Woman’s Journey with the World’s Worst Behaved Dog

Atticus: A Woman's Journey with the World's Worst Behaved Dog is a standalone book. If you've read other books by this author, you know she writes a fabulous hot, steamy, page turning book. This is going to be nothing like them, with the exception of page turning. This book really hit home in a lot of ways, I found a lot of similarities between Hazel and myself, the journey she went through to find herself. Be prepared this book is going to make you ugly cry, I would keep a box of Kleenex's handy. I was more prepared for the comedic stunts of a wayward dog. I can relate, I have a Newfoundland that sounds like it is Atticus's brother from another mother. Good to know I'm not the only one with a destructive attention seeking, bratty dog! The book will make you laugh and cry. The book is very well written and the story line flowed, it was impossible to put down- surprising since I only read romance. There is a minute amount in the book, but it's not the focus and something that doesn't happen until way into the book. I loved the friendship that developed between Hazel and Oley, that then included Bernard and others into the fold. Watching the dynamic between Oley and Hazel was very interesting as well as how Atticus helped change Hazel's life, and helped her to find herself. It is obvious the thought and attention that went into this book, as well as the depth of the book. As the relationships evolve (not romantic type) and you learn more of the backstory, it was hard to not despise Oley's children. All the other characters you meet it is hard not to like them. The characters and their interactions felt very real and the situations realistic. This book was outstanding and was an easy to give 5 star rating. Though I hope no more are written like this because I used over half a box of Kleenex ugly crying. You've been forewarned! Hope this helps! Happy Reading!!!

Hazel Roundtree adult life has not been easy. She dropped out of high school with 2 months left to follow some guy she thought she was in love with to only have him dump her shortly after. Too ashamed to go back home, she spends her life working in a bar, and getting drunk and high. At the bar she meets a guy and they end up getting married, only to be dumped by him after almost 7 years so he could move his new, younger girlfriend in. Luckily, her friend Charmin is letting her crash on her couch. While walking along one night drunk, Hazel sees this puppy in a ditch caught in barbed wire, scared and all skin and bones and knows she needs to help him. She walks to the vet in town and sits outside the door until the morning when Dr. Oley W. Peele shows up. Oley agrees to help the puppy they named Atticus, but Hazel has to pay the bill. Since she has no money, Oley agrees that she can do things around his business to pay off her debt. Just as Hazel is thinking her life is looking up, she finds herself homeless again and sleeps at the vet office on the floor. When Oley realizes what is happening, he agrees to let her stay at his farm in an old apartment over the garage and she can work every day at his office for pay. This is the start of a wonderful and new friendship. Together the two of them build this wonderful friendship and realize that they are a lot similar than they both originally thought. Over time they become closer and form their own unique family. Along the way they open their lives up to more people. Who knew a crazy, huge, NOT well behaved dog could give two people a second chance at living a normal life. I really enjoyed Hazel and Oley. They were two very withdrawn people who slowly came out of their shells and really started to live their lives. I also really loved Bernard. It was interesting seeing why a homeless person lives the way they do. Then there is Atticus.....OMG....I was cracking up with some of the things this dog has done. Such a big personality for such a big dog. Overall I really enjoyed this book. Make sure the tissues are around for the last third of the book because it will get very emotional but keep reading, because it was so worth it.

This book was very hard for me to read due to the fact that it brought home so many memories of my puppy that passed last December. Atticus has many traits that our boxer dog did too, and it was sad to read but also had me laughing at his antics, which were similar to our gorgeous dog. The smell of his feet for one! This is not just a dog story, so you do not have to be a dog lover to want to read this book. Although, I think Atticus will turn anybody over to the dog world as he was hilarious. This book had a little of everything to keep me turning the pages. There is angst, humor and a little love story as well. It is about self discovery and growth. It has life lessons that resonates within all of us. This novel is a little different from the books I have read from this author, but it is also the same. This is because she can write in any genre and has rich and purposeful characters. I loved watching Hazel come into her own, and come full circle with her life. I also adored the way she took on Atticus and got to have a companion with unconditional love. She opened her heart up to so much once she knew she was worthy. I admired the secondary characters in this story as well. They each played a part in helping Hazel flourish. I recommend this book, but bring the tissue box with you.