Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter

Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 400

Publisher - Harper Collins

Source - RAK

Blurb from Goodreads

Single, independent, crazy, aloof, on-the-shelf, lives alone...

It’s safer for Mia to play the part that people expect. She’s a good wife to her husband Tristan, a doting stepmother, she slips on her suit for work each morning like a new skin.

But beneath the surface, there’s another woman just clawing to get out...

When a shocking event shatters the conventional life she’s been so careful to build, Mia is faced with a choice. Does she live for a society that’s all too quick to judge, or does she live for herself?

And if that’s as an independent woman with a cat, then the world better get ready...

Fresh, funny and for anyone who’s ever felt astray, Cat Lady will help you belong – because a woman always lands on her feet.


My Review

Meet Mia, happily married, step mom and her and hubby have separate bedrooms - purely because he doesn't like her cat in the bed/bedroom and she won't lock her out. They also have his annoying ex wife who spends a ridiculous amount of time at their house making snide comments about Mia and her wee cat Pigeon. Mia also secretly goes to a pet grief support group and makes friends but her cat is alive, older but alive. Pigeon was there for Mia in one of the worst times and she will make sure she is always first. When something happens and shakes Mia's carefully constructed life she goes a bit off the rails, buckle in.

So I LOVED the first 3 quarters of this book, she made me laugh and obviously the poor folk grieving their wee animals, we know how heartbreaking that can be. It is good, well rounded and has chaos and drama, the shady bitchy ex, the husband and the unique individuals she works with. Los of lols and dramas and then the book has something happen and it always impacts my enjoyment of any story. I didn't see it coming and normally friends give me a heads up so I can prepare but I was totally blind and upset and even raging lol.

The book covers a range of themes and humour is infused so I really did enjoy it. Relationship issues, horrible snakey ex partners, bitchy work colleague, animal loss, grief, grief support group, stress, reactions to stress and grief, friendship, family and processing past family traumas. Many people will love this one and I did really like it, laughed and oh my God at a few scenes but the thing that I wasn't expecting really impacted my enjoyment. I have read her before and will read her again but animal lovers go in prepared, 3.5/5 for me.

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Someone To Look Up To by Jean Gill

Someone to Look Up To by Jean Gill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 204

Publisher - The 13th Sign

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

By IPPY and Global Ebook Award Winner Jean Gill A dog's life in the south of France. From puppyhood, Sirius the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has been trying to understand his humans and train them with kindness.

How this led to their divorce he has no idea. More misunderstandings take Sirius to Death Row in an animal shelter, as a so-called dangerous dog learning survival tricks from the other inmates. During the twilight barking, he is shocked to hear his brother's voice but the bitter-sweet reunion is short-lived. Doggedly, Sirius keeps the faith.

One day, his human will come.


My Review

These books have popped up a fair bit over the past few years, who doesn't love animals so the market is absolutely there for it. I have bought many of them but to be honest this is the first I have read where the story is told from the animal point of view in first person narration. Meet Sirius, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, pedigree no less and his siblings as they are prepared to go out in the world to their new owners. We see the world through his eyes, thoughts, feelings and observations with his human, fellow pups and then out with his new owners and growing up.

When I read the first chapter I wasn't sure if I was going to get on with this, told from the puppy point of view and interactions with his sibling(s) I just wasn't sure. However, we get a beautiful insight into the surroundings and the first chapter is literally the first look at what was relevant to Sirius at that time in his new wee life. The chapters are relatively short, which I do love as it aids dipping in and out frequently if having a busy day, I quickly found myself not wanting to put it down.

We get a unique insight, I felt, from a dogs point of view. From how we treat them, our expectations and orders/rules as humans, teachings and of course the old actions and consequences. There are parts of this book that, as an animal lover, will take you on an emotional roller coaster, there is humour as well but just a warning for your furry loving hearts. I wanted to head to my local shelter and give all the animals a big hug and help out, I will certainly be looking at animal charities and local animals in need after this. The loyalty of a dog is second to none and reading about Sirius and the other animals in this tale, ooft I think you need a swinging brick to not to be swept along on an emotional train. It also makes you look at how you interact with your animals differently, I have a moggy now not a k9 and she rules the roost anyway so no changes required.

It is a book I picked up not expecting too much if I am honest yet it en captures the readers heart and attention very quickly. I didn't want to put the book down because I had to know what was in store for Sirius, it is his story and he hints at was is to come, telling it in his own time. A lovely book with some dark spots and emotional sparks throughout, 4/5 for me. This is my first time reading this author, I will have a wee look and see what other offerings she has.

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