What a cute, lighthearted book about a dog trainer and her daily life. Life on the Leash follows Cora, owner of her own dog training company, as she maneuvers through her life filled with two legged and four legged friends. Any fans of dogs or training will enjoy this!

Beautiful girl who loves animals? Check. A-hole ex? Check. Hottie possible love interest? Check. Embarrassing work situation? Check. Beautiful best friend? Check. Dorky true love interest? Check.

It has all of the makings of a delightful little rom-com if it was a movie but its a little too predictable as chick-lit but still an adorable, quick read. Loving dogs is a must though to face this book.

Overall Grade: B-

Such a cute book! Having four dogs, I loved the training aspects in this book, as well as the passion the main character had for her dog and all dogs. Any dog lover will love this story!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

A cute look at the life of a dog lover, Life on the Leash was just that, cute. Cora has a self-made dog empire and a heart of gold. As she maneuvers her way through life she finds that her four legged friends are only part of her life story.

Life on the Leash was a very slow moving read. For the dog lover you will find enjoyable moments of puppy bliss but it wasn’t until about 75% in that we get to the meat of the story. Her “love triangle” was almost non exist as it took the backseat to her furry friends. I loved the ending. That was what redeemed the story for me. I would have loved to see more development between her male counter parts. With several storylines floating around it was hard to become vested in just one. The book was written well and I would take a second chance on this author.

*3.5 Stars!*

Victoria Schade is a new author on the scene. She’s written a couple of books about dogs, Bonding with Your Dog: A Trainer’s Secrets for Building a Better Relationship and Secrets of a Dog Trainer: Positive Problem Solving for a Well-Behaved Dog, but Life on the Leash is a fiction book and I really liked her voice and writing style.

CORA BELLAMY is a dog trainer who believes in treating dogs humanely while teaching them to do what it is you want them to do. She spends so much time with her dogs that her social life has suffered. Her last relationship didn’t end well, so she’s thrown herself into her business. Most everyone she works with loves her and her methods. But while dogs are man’s best friend, she begins craving a friend of the “man” variety.

When hot and successful CHARLIE GILL enters her life via his adorable dog, she is smitten. He says the right things, flirts and kisses her better than she’s ever been kissed before. But Charlie isn’t single and he keeps stringing her along, promising there will be a day when he leaves his live-in girlfriend.

ELI CRAWFORD is a good man with morals who knows how to treat women. While he really likes Cora, he accepts that he’s been friend-zoned. He’s there when she needs help and when her dogs need rescuing. Cora seems blind to the goodness that is Eli. She’s so wrapped up in the handsome Charlie that she can’t see all that Eli has to offer. That is until Charlie’s light goes dark and Cora sees Eli for all that he is; loyal, handsome, and kind. Unfortunately for Cora, Eli is done being used.

While I enjoyed Cora’s story and her desire to have the world adopt her views on humane training, I questioned the love triangle in this book. Cora is a woman with a heart of gold who would never dream of hurting an animal so I had a hard time accepting that she would willingly enter into and continue a relationship with someone who had a girlfriend. So while this added angst to the storyline, and at times tugged at my heart-strings, I was also conflicted by the apparent contrasting morals her character displayed.

I loved Eli! He was quirky, sensitive and had a heart of gold. His self-confidence was sexy and his self-preservation was endearing.

While reading Life on the Leash, I found myself laughing one minute, wanting to throw my Kindle across the room the next. Overall, I enjoyed the story and hope to read more from Victoria Schade in the future.

A beautifully written happy and light hearted story with a strong female lead. Over coming obstacles and adversity placed in her path.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a very family friendly happy novel and this one was perfect. Also if you are a dog lover then this is one for you

I actually finished this one last week, but am just getting around to reviewing it. Life on the Leash was just released yesterday and can be purchased at all the usual places.
This is Victoria Schade's first novel and if I find out that it's her last novel, I will probably cry. It's a story about a dog trainer who falls for a client who is already taken. The story also focuses on her attempt to become the host of a dog training show to show how to train dogs without force.
This was the book I needed to read at the time - fun, sweet and light-hearted. Of course, what initially attracted me to the book was the dog on the cover and the fact that the storyline involved dogs. I also loved the bit of romance, the characters and the hatred for another dog trainer that uses cruel and forceful means to train (based on the little bit I know about the dog training world and celebrity dog trainers, I can guess who that character was modeled after).
Overall, I loved this book and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who likes this type of book.

I still can't believe this is Victoria's debut novel!! I read it in one day and didn't want it to end. I fell in love with Cora (the main character) and loved the way Victoria wove her love of dogs into the story. This book has everything for a great women's fiction read - love, romance, dogs, friends and all set in Washington DC.

Life on the Leash

by Victoria Schade

If you want a fun, relaxing novel, try Victoria Schade’s Life on the Leash—especially if you like dogs and chick lit. Schade is an animal trainer, and Life on the Leash is her first novel. Her main character, Cora, left the corporate world to do what she loves—teach pet parents how to train their dogs in a loving fashion. Her clientele in Georgetown can afford her services, and she can afford to be choosy.

Cora tries to be professional in all of her sessions, but that is hard to do with flirtatious Charlie whose girlfriend is out of town. Complete this love triangle with Eli, the slightly geeky boy-next-door who works for one of her clients. Cora toys around with the idea of her own dog training show in opposition to one hosted by Doggie Dictator Boris Ershovich who claims to “fix” dogs through his harsh methods.

Life on the Leash made a light-hearted read in the wake of several suspense novels. I found myself chuckling at some of the characters’ antics, gasping at a few unwise decisions, and sympathizing with Cora’s pet friendly stances. I found myself wishing that a few of her tips and tricks could have been explained thoroughly, perhaps in an addendum so as not to interrupt the story.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Women’s Fiction

Notes: Expletives are sprinkled throughout the book.

Publication: September 18, 2018—Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster)

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

4 1/2 stars.

I loved it. Dogs? Check. Washington D.C.? Check. Sassy heroine? Check.

Lots of fun to be had reading this book, I really enjoyed it. I love reading about dog behavior in a conversational way, not in a dog training manual way. There was one technique that so interested me that I wished there was a glossary in the back.

I look forward to more from this author.

4.5 STARS

When I read the synopsis of this book, I thought "that sounds good and fun, I'll give it a try".  So, I downloaded the book from NetGalley and dove right in.  I was not disappointed.  It is such a fun and sweet book, especially if you like dogs.  Or love dogs, as I do.  It has warmth and heart, along with lots of fun loving and slightly naughty dogs.  It is the story of Cora, dog trainer who left corporate America behind to follow her dreams, and Eli, the dog loving friend of a friend.  I do not give any type of spoilers in my reviews. So, let's just say there is a lot that happens between them and other people and lots of dogs.

This book is a must read!!  You may even learn a tip or two to use on your own canine babies.  I know I did.

Fun and lighthearted story with quirky characters! I enjoyed this fast moving women's fiction. I love dogs too, so that helped! Cute story!

5 big old ginormous stars for this book from me! Any book that gives you chills at the end deserves a full sweep!

I loved everything about this book - not only did it appeal to my love of dogs but it was so, so much more. It was about the kindness and compassion of people like our main character, Cora, who have made such a difference in the lives of animals.

I have three rescue dogs myself, so this was especially close to my heart. The message here is an important one. It was also a realistic depiction of dog training with positive reinforcement instead of negativity and abuse.

But! It’s not just about dogs! We have a villain, two love interests, and a landscaping competition reality show. There was humor and depth and romance. I loved the comic relief from Cora’s roommate and best friend, Maggie. I adored Eli and his salsa dancing and giant heart. And the dogs - they all had their own personalities and were important characters!

I highly recommend this to animal lovers! You will not be disappointed!

A huge thank you to Gallery Books for my early copy. This one will be available September 18th!

Such a lovely story, it has humor which I love in my stories.Cora Bellamy is a dog trainer for the rich. She loves dogs and loves working with their owners to help them have a healthier, happier relationship.

She lives with her best friend, Maggie, and the love of her life, Fritz, a pit bull she rescued.I loved Cora, she is a fun heroine.This story was enjoyable and fast paced, and I didn't mind that it doesn't have a lot of romance!

Life on the Leash had me smiling all the time!If you are a dog lover and you are looking for something fun and refreshing this is great!

2.5 stars rounded up to three. This was a cute read about a dog trainer in DC as she navigates running her own business, finding a partner, and accepting opportunities as they come her way. There are some nice storylines about friendship and going after your dreams in this book.

Much of the book was predictable and felt like it could have been shorter to still tell the same story. There are also a few things Cora does that seem out of her character otherwise, and seemed to just be there to create drama and conflict in the story without really progressing anything. This was a fun end of summer read, but isn't likely to be a book I will be telling everyone about.

4.5 Stars

What a delightful, heartwarming story! I had so much fun reading Life on the Leash!

Victoria Schade has written a funny, refreshing, feel-good novel that is perfect for a lighthearted, quick read. Wait, did I mention there are dogs in the book??!! Oh, yes!! Lots of dogs, which is one of the main reasons that I picked this book up since I'm a huge dog lover and always have my 10-year-old black lab/pit bull mix Onyx right beside me (hogging the couch or bed) whenever I'm reading or writing my book reviews! There's also some romance going on in the book, and you just have to love a book with romance and dogs!

Cora Bellamy, the main character, is absolutely adorable! I love her! She is one of those book characters who you just want to be best friends with; I'm sure we've all encountered one or two of those along the way while reading, right? I love spending all my time with my dog, being covered with his kisses, and trying to get black dog hair off my clothes, so I think she and I would be great friends!

Cora used to be hugely successful in corporate America, but she left that world to follow her dreams to work with and help save dogs because of a passionate love for dogs she's had since she was a young girl. Now, she has a successful dog training business and blog that advocates dog behavioral training methods based on kindness, gentle corrections, and positive training instead of training dogs using aggression and fear. The excellent dog training advice throughout the book was just an added bonus and when I realized that Schade is a dog trainer, I appreciated it even more!

The other characters, people and pups alike, are fabulous too--even the few that you dislike because they are so well written and characterized! They range from wonderful, friendly, funny, silly, quirky, sad, despondent, sinister, egotistical, selfish, amazing, and drool-worthy!

Cora's rescue pit-bull, Fritz stole my heart with his loving affections and the way he made every rescue dog she brought home feel welcomed and safe. He's just the epitome of doggie friendship and is the way I wished everyone viewed rescue dogs and beautiful pits, who have such loving hearts and only fight and are aggressive if trained that way, as well as all rescue dogs, who are so loving and need a second chance at a loving, forever home!!

While Life on the Leash has its romantic moments and the ending was fantastic, what I loved the most was the emphasis on friendships throughout the book! Cora's best friend and roommate Maggie is always there to brush her off and give her a needed push, and Cora is there to do the same for Maggie. And her friend Eli is always around anytime Cora needs him and shows her what it really means to be a true friend, which is so much more than what she's getting out of the burgeoning relationship between her hot but very much taken client!

Life on the Leash is the perfect read for when you are looking for something a little lighter like I was when I read it! It will make you laugh, smile and if you are like me, you will even shed some tears over how some dog owners treat their own dogs, but that in no way ruined my enjoyment of this delightful book since that's, unfortunately, the sad truth.

I highly recommend dog lovers pick this one up! Actually, I think all animal lovers will be won over by Cora and her unadulterated love of dogs and the friends in her life! Definitely, don't miss this one because Schade has written a wonderful book full of heart, joy, and about taking second chances!

**Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for my ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. **

There are a couple of things that I love about Life of the Leash, right off the bat: 1. It's about dogs/pets (cause I love animals) and 2. It's set in the D.C. area (cause I live here).This book is the perfect blend of humor and romance!

Cora Bellamy runs a successful dog training business and blog. So between juggling her dog training, a client helps her prepare for an audition for an upcoming tv show--about dog training. So her life is a bit in shambles, preparing for that and juggling between all her clients.

There is one client, Charlie Gill, in particular, she starts to have a crush on. But Charlie is not who she thinks he is. He may be sexy on the outside, but this character was the worse! And then Cora meets a new friend, Eli Crawford. He's quirky and cute and ends up helping Cora in many of her binds. So spending more time with Eli, she finds herself falling in the 'more than friends' category. But does Eli feel the same? And what about Charlie.

Life on the Leash is a charming and humorous read that will delight all pet owners. It will have you routing for Cora and her happily ever after and also have you routing for all the dogs she cares for!

What a fun read! I loved Cora and all her dog training adventures! A great read if you're looking for something funny and entertaining!

Life on a Leash was a little more women's fiction than my normal read. I tend to lean more towards romance. It was a nice change. I am an animal lover. I loved that animals had such a big part in this book. This story is about Cora, a dog trainer. I really liked her and sometimes wanted to shake her, but that just make her more real. I want a friend like Josie to be my partner in crime. The story has a little love triangle. Overall, it was a fun, easy read. I look forward to more from this author.




I voluntarily read an early copy.

What a completely sweet and adorable story is Life On The Leash.

Victoria Schade is a new-to-me author, however she won't be for much longer. I will be reading more of her in the future.

She has given us a refreshing mix of humour, romance and flirty fun.

Cora being a dog trainer did make me miss my old girl who crossed the rainbow bridge last year, however the dogs made me remember what a terror pups could be lol.

I liked how the romance sort of played second fiddle to the dogs in this one too. I mean, yes, Cora is looking for love (in all the wrong places) however it might just find her where she isn't looking.

Some of the antics of the dogs and their humans had me in fits of giggles. And I just wanted Cora to get everything she wanted in life.

I really enjoyed Life On The Leash.