Very cute book!
Jackson & Emma will have you so wrapped up in their story. I loved the writing & the way the story flowed. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Emma is twenty eight with a degree in psychology. She is educating students about support dogs. I love dogs and books about animals. I got bored with the dialogue and events.

I really enjoyed this second-chance story. It was extremely interesting and I really fell in love with the dogs and Matty. Yes, this story is about Jackson and Emma but, Matty just added so much to it.

Jackson broke Emma’s heart when he just up and left. She never thought she would see him again. But, when he appeared out of nowhere and didn’t recognize her, she knew that she didn’t mean as much to him as he did her. When Matty surprises her and Jackson finally realizes what’s happening, Emma knows that she has to guard her heart and be professional. She knows that he’ll be gone again and she’ll be worse than what she was 10 years ago.

No, Jackson never thought that he’d be back. The girl he left behind has probably moved on. She was never meant to stay in this little town. But, he dreams about her all the time. When he finds himself face-to-face with her, he knows he’s in the doghouse. But, he is going to have to deal with it and her … because of Matty. He knows he’s in trouble when all the old feelings come back but knows that he is not the one for her. He’s leaving. His life is with his brothers overseas. His sister and nephew may need him now but, he has to return to the military.
Matty is convinced that Bandit is exactly what Uncle Jackson needs. He’s afraid for him. He’s worried that something bad will happen to him. He has no choice but to confide in Emma and hope that she can convince him that Bandit, with his training, will help him. But, of course, the last thing that Uncle Jackson thinks he needs is an emotional support dog.

Matty really pulled on my heartstrings. The relationship between Jackson and Emma started off a little forced and then slowly took shape. Jackson seemed a little confusing to me. I felt like he came off as being “obligated” to his family and I couldn’t understand how he could be conflicted between staying with them or returning to the military. Emma was a determined woman who kept her eyes on the prize. There were times that I felt the commentary between her and Jackson was stunted, not natural and that drew me away from the story a little. But, all in all, I did enjoy the story. The story line was interesting, Matty was adorable and the dogs were just fun.

In the Dog House is a bit of a heavy read, as it deals with some very heavy subject matter. Overall, it's a good book with some moments of humor.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Of course, any story with dogs in it I am instantly in love with, but adding this great story along with it, makes a fantastic read.

In the Dog House is a cute quick read that tackles the issues surrounding PTSD and getting support for people suffering from it.

Emma has spent the last ten years after Jackson left her to join the Marines training to be a doctor and training emotional support animals. When Jackson comes back into town to take care of his nephew while his sister is in a coma, Emma never expects to connect with Jackson again.

Jackson left Emma ten years ago to join the army. Now that he's back and having issues with PTSD he doesn't know how to handle life outside of the service. When his nephew Matty tries to steal one of Emma's dogs to help Jackson with his nightmares Jackson and Emma are thrown together once again.

In the Dog House was a cute read, but kind of forgettable. The storyline was predictable and the pacing wasn't the best. Not a terrible story and if it's on sale it would be a good book to pick up for a quick read.

If there is one thing I simply ADORE in books like this, it's when the guy is taking care of a kid. Working to give the very best to that kid, whether it be a sibling or his own child, or another family member. I can't get enough of it. But now throw in the fact that Jackson is a Marine. Hottie alert! I whizzed through this book this afternoon. Perfect for summer reading lists. Also, how cute is that dog on the cover!

Thank you to Entangled (Bliss) Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

When Jackson returns home from the Marines to take of his nephew the last person he wants to run into is Emma. It may be ten years since he left her but she has been in his dreams. When he comes to her for help with his PTSD she sees the damaged man he is now. She has been able to help others so she knows she can help him is he just was not so stubborn. After all this time the spark is still there. Jackson has long term plans for the military. Emma has too much on her plate to date. Sometimes you find that one person who makes you feel whole. Great read!

Who doesn't love a good story about dogs and romance?!?!? A nice mix of characters gives this book a fun story, that you just want to keep reading. I will definitely look for more from this author.

I chose this book to read for several things: dogs & the 11 (not 10) year old precocious nephew. It didn’t disappoint and the story has multiple facets and elements other than romance.
Emma and Jackson were high school sweethearts but he breaks up and leaves her to join the marines thinking that with her determination to earn a degree, that he would only hold her back. When his older sister is badly hurt in an accident Jackson immediately takes a leave of absence to care for Matthew (Matty) and keep a vigil for his sister, Livvie.
Emma is an amazing character. With a paranoiac mother who kept her almost imprisoned at home, instead of being traumatized by her upbringing, she instead has an intense empathy and passion to help others overcome emotional trauma. Her dog shelter where she takes in strays and trains them to be EST dogs was just amazing (please tell me these do exist!)
When Emma discovers that Jackson suffers from PSTD that keeps him sleepless, it is her dogs (well one dog in particular) that saves the day (pun). But while the feelings between the 2 of them never diminished, Jackson has to overcome his feelings of inferiority (really! A hot, alpha male who is the best sniper in the Marines but who thinks that Emma is way too good for him) for he and Emma to find their HEA.
Bit of a rushed and abrupt ending but otherwise a good read.

This was such a wonderful love story. I enjoyed it very much. The storyline was spot on and was well executed. “In the Dog House” is an amazing second chance romance, that had my emotions all over the place. You don’t want to miss out on this book. Truly a brilliant story that will pull at your heartstrings. Have to recommend!

After joining the Marines and leaving behind Emma, the woman he loved, Jackson finds himself back home taking care of his nephew and is besides himself when he runs into Emma. Though neither one is ready for any kind of commitment, the off the charts chemistry is still there and they find it more than difficult to denied the overwhelming attraction. Despite the interesting blurb, I wasn't able to resonate with the characters nor storyline. There just wasn’t enough progress and excitement for me to continue reading this, and unfortunately I have decided to dropped this.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It isn't just a sweet, feel good, second chance romance...it is much more and that is the reason I stayed late in the night and almost overslept in the morning. I had to finish it in almost one sitting. There is another story there, mental health, PTSD and dealing with setbacks also was present.
Writing style is good and all in all good reading material. I am looking forward of reading other books by this author

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I chose this book to read because I am a dog lover (and Mommy to two former rescues) and having Emma training rescue dogs for EST dogs and trying to establish a no-kill shelter was a big pull for me. Also with Jackson being a Marine was another. These two characters were just fantastic to watch grow together again ten years after their break-up. Also Aunt Pepita (Emma's aunt) and Matthew (Jackson's nephew) are two wonderful supporting cast members well besides the dogs of course.

This book contained dual POVs which was a big plus in helping to understand why Jackson broke up with Emma after high school. Being a sniper in the Marines, he is suffering from PTSD (which is something that I have never had.) So having his POV, was a BIG plus for me. To be able to see inside of the character's mind and understand his/her's actions, makes for a more enjoyable reading experience.

This was a clean, sweet romance that I highly recommend to anyone.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

This was sweet!! I liked the nuanced take to so many emotional issues & PTSD, and I thought the second chance romance was handled very well. The author managed to pack in quite a lot for such a short book.

Put a dog on the cover and I’m going to pick it up! I’m so glad I gave In the Dog House by Traci Hall a try, she’s a new to me author. Emma and Jackson are a wonderfully sweet second chance love story that also features an adorable eleven year old and a pack of beyond adorable EST dogs! The beautiful blend of emotion, humor, and education about EST animals created an engaging story that kept me turning the pages.

4.5 Stars
This is a book you do not want to pass up. It's packed with heart and feels along with humor. I just fell in love with the characters in this book. They instantly pull at the heartstrings. Another thing I loved about this book is that it's a second chance love story. Jackson and Emma were high school sweethearts and now fate has put them back into each others' orbits. Something that really stood out to me is the work Emma does with her EST dogs. It's something to be very proud of.. Emma's great aunt is a hoot and she brings quite a bit of humor to the book. This is my first book I've read by Traci Hall and I can promise you it won't be the last

This was my first book by Traci Hall. It won't be my last. I was charmed by this heartwarming tale of second chances. The characters are well developed and realistic and the dogs are adorable. I liked Emma from the get-go, admiring her devotion to the rescue dogs she trains and her determination to find them the right homes where they can use their emotional support skills for good. I understood her reluctance to open herself to Jackson again and admired her determination to help him and his nephew, even if it meant putting her heart at risk.

My heart ached for what Matty was going through. He's such an awesome kid. It took Jackson a bit longer to win me over but, of course, he did in the end. I really felt for him as he struggled with his PTSD, his sister's precarious health, and caring for his nephew while dealing with guilt for being on emergency leave and not with his military unit.

And then there's Emma's Aunt Pepita, a free spirit with sage advice who I absolutely adored. All in all, a well-rounded (two and four) legged cast that kept me entertained, touched my heart, and left me confident in and satisfied by the well-earned happily ever after.

I received this book from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing as an ARC for an honest review.

Jackson Hardy and Emma Mercer were high school sweethearts and each other's first loves. When Jackson follows through and leaves Emma to join the military, she expects that she will never see him again. Ten years later, Jackson now a career Marine, is called back to to care for his 10 year old nephew, Matthew (Matty), after his beloved sister gets into a car crash and put her into the ICU. When Emma, now a doctorate candidate who is also training emotional support dogs for people in need, run into each other at an event that Emma hosted at the local Middle school. Matty, Jackson’s nephew, attended her seminar about emotional support dogs and thought that one of these dogs could help his uncle with his bad dreams (PTSD).

This is a feel good read (but also heart wrenching at the same time) about two people who get a second chance at falling in love with each other. One of the main reasons I really thought this Romance novel was really intriguing and a great story was that it talked about the mental health of an active duty Marine and how the impacts of PTSD can affect your day to day “normal life” as a civilian. Traci was not afraid to integrate this topic into the story and I think it is so important. With opportunity to talk about mental health and how it really affects people, I believe lessens the stigma people have toward it if they hear, see or read about other talk about it openly.I was completely immersed into Emma and Jackson’s love story from the first page. They are both very likable characters as well as sweet Matty. Overall this book was extremely easy for me to read. I was able to speed through this book with ease as it it written well and has great dialog. Traci doesn't take long to describe things that has happened in the past with Emma and Jackson and what they have each gone through after high school. Which is something I enjoy.

This book is a solid ★★★★ read.