In the Dog House is a heartwarming story of second chances & love. Emma is close to having her degree but lately her heart is more involved with her Emotional Support Dogs. When she catches a boy trying to break a dog out of its kennel, she assumes he just wants a dog & doesn’t realize what they are for. Once she talks to him & finds out what’s going on, her heart aches for him. She’s determines Ned not to open her heart to his uncle though. He was her boyfriend until he left her behind.

Jackson can’t believe his nephew was trying to steal a dog. He’s fine. He doesn’t have PTSD. As soon as his sister comes out of her coma, he’s heading back to the front. As time goes on, his nightmares are getting worse & he’s scaring his nephew. He’s determined not to talk to Emma or act on the attraction though.

This story isn’t just a typical romance. There is information about PTSD & emotional support dogs. There is a journey that Jackson has to go on to accept what his unconscious is trying to tell him. Emma has to make a decision about her career & what’s most important to her. The attraction between them was unwanted by both but was it stronger than them?

4.5 stars.
A quote:
She never, never should have kissed Jackson Hardy. Handsome soldier, a man of integrity, hardened by war, but kind and loving toward his family. A dangerous combination for any woman, especially one who’d loved him before.

"In the Dog House", by Traci Hall, is a very enjoyable and heartwarming story, with great characters and writing style, pacing and dialogue; and also a bunch of dogs each one with their own and special personality (I confess I lost track of most of them throughout the story, but Bandit kept me interested and curious from start to finish).
Jackson and Emma are lovable people dealing with real and serious issues and I felt connected to both of them. I loved watching their first love growing into something so deep and meaningful and the process of maturity which they both go through; their interactions and the fact they know each other so well and are so comfortable together is really sweet. Despite the years apart, the rekindling of their love is inevitable; and their chemistry and closeness is wonderfully written, full of companionship, empathy, small gestures and pleasures.
Jackson’s anguish as he feels "thorn between duty to country and family" and his integrity are impressive, and yet it is the vulnerability, hurt (for Livvie) and stubbornness what makes him human.
I loved the way Traci Hall portrayed PTSD, in such a poignant and realistic manner (lots of showing and no miracle cure!), giving a straightforward yet powerful insight into the illness’ effects on individuals and families.
Super busy Emma is a strong, compassionate heroine and Matthew, Aunt Pepita and even unwillingly absent Livvie are great side characters.

Thanks to the author and netgalley for an advanced readers review copy.

In the Dog House is a charmingly sweet romance, and you’d be forgiven thinking that’s all it was. Kudos to Traci Hall she manages to mingle romance and the importance of PTSD seamlessly. It’s well written and addresses the stigma around PTSD and the options available to assist with it. It’s also a really sweet romance about a childhood sweethearts who reunite. Thanks to a boy and a dog.


** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

As heartbreaking as it is when choices and circumstances keep two soul mates apart, a second chance with the other half of your heart is a precious gift. When his sister is in a devastating auto accident, Jackson takes leave from the Marines and returns home to care for his nephew, Matthew. Home, where he broke Emma's heart right after high school and enlisted. But Emma had big plans, so Jackson is surprised to find her still living in Kingston. He knowns he doesn’t deserve her and plans to keep his distance, although he's impressed with the work she does training emotional support dogs.

But you know what they say about best laid plans. Jackson isn’t even aware of the nightmares he has, but when they frighten Matty enough that Matty tries to “buy" a service dog from the lady that brought her dogs to his middle school, well, Jackson and Emma are right back in each other’s orbits. But Jackson is determined to deal with his issues on his own and plans to return to his unit just as soon as his sister is out of a coma and comes home.

This sweet, touching romance is my first by this author, and she had no trouble ticking all the boxes for me. Second chance romance, awesome dogs, a kid I wanted to wrap my arms around, a military hottie, a strong but generous and compassionate heroine, and an older adult, Aunt Pip, who offered equal parts comic relief and wisdom. I loved every second of this one and hated to see it end! This book actually has a wide audience appeal, because it’s so much more than a simple romance. As both Jackson and Emma sort out a few things individually, their experience offers lessons in making life choices, learning to accept help, and sacrificing to benefit others. With inspiring messages and a tame rating, readers age 13 to 103 will find a lot to love in this heartwarming read.

*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

Received this book from Netgalley for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.


Overall I kinda liked this book. I felt that it was a little rushed in the fact that we don't get much background on the characters' previous relationship, which bugged me a little. How am I supposed to feel about them now, it I don't know anything about their past. It also rushed the part about Livvie, which I didn't understand, as it's central part of the story.

It was a cute idea, that fell a little flat for me.

Emma and Jackson first fell in love as teenagers in high school, but went their separate ways when he followed family tradition by joining the Marines. They meet again a decade later when he returns to the Seattle area to take care of his nephew after his sister is seriously injured in a car accident. Emma is working on her doctorate in psychology and training emotional support dogs when she finds out Jackson is suffering from PTSD. Despite his love for Emma, he plans to return to active duty after his sister recovers. The question becomes whether he can leave the family that he loves and Emma for a second time.

The premise of the story is good but it was really dragged out. Wasn’t a fan of the mixed signals Jackson was throwing.

Sad to say but I was ready for the story to come to the end.

You guys, i'm not sure about this one! I loved the premises of the story but for me it just fell flat. I think everyone who likes these types of books will love this, the characters are really lovely. But for me this wasn't the case of OMG I loved this book. It was good, and don't have anything else other then that to say.

This was a really good book....you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a simple chick lit, but it discusses serious issues such as PTSD, merits of support animals and mental health. The characters of Emma and Jackson were well written and as a reader I began to really care for them. I will definitely look for more books from this author and I hope she follows up this book , as I’d like to find out about some of the secondary characters

Emma runs a center where she trains dogs to be service dogs. When she catches Matty trying to steal one, she calls his uncle, her high school sweetheart to come get him. The boy was trying to take a dog to help his uncle suffering from PTSDs. Sparks fly, and the dogs are adorable. Highly recommend this one and had a hard time putting it down.

This is a wonderful book that will touch your hearts from beginning to end.
Jackson Hardy is a Marine, who has taken a leave of absence to take care of his nephew after his sister’s automobile accident. An accident that has left her in an induced coma.
Emma Mercer is the girl he left behind. Now a woman, working with emotional support dogs as well as a candidate for doctorate in psychology
The chemistry is still there and so is the hurt. Matty, the nephew, brings them together as he is helping her with the dogs. While Jackson is fighting with nightmares and PTSD as well as guilt, Emma tries to help.
Watching these two is at times heartbreaking and all you want to do is give them both a hug.
It’s an engaging story with complex characters that are imperfect but very likable.
Also it’s a story about the effects war has on those brave men and women willing to give up their lives to keep us safe. Individuals that we need to support and help as they return and immerse themselves back to civilian life. Thank you, Ms. Hall , for that reminder .
I was entrusted this copy by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is a sweet second chance love story that I just loved. Jackson, at age 18, dumped his high school love, Emma, and joined the marines. Ten years later, circumstances force him home to care for his nephew after his mother is in a car accident. When Jackson sees Emma again, he finds it difficult to face her, as he never stopped wanting her.

Emma's heart broke when Jackson left as a teen, but it breaks even more to see him struggle with PTSD, while actively in denial that it exists. The author wove a lot of great information about PTSD and emotional support dogs into the story. Throughout the novel, Jackson maintains that he is leaving to return to his unit just as soon as his sister is better. Because of this, he maintains his distance from Emma, even while reaching out to her. I enjoyed the push/pull in this book. I especially loved Emma and how she made a non traditional role for herself. Jackson is the perfect brooding and sexy marine, so the two of them together are wonderful, proving that you never forget your first love.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book, and it's out just in time to enjoy by the fire. I'm adding the author to my must read authors' list.

Emma and Jackson are High School sweethearts. Jackson leaves after graduation to join the marines. Years later he is forced to come home and take care of his nephew after his sisters accident. As Emma helps Jackson’s nephew they realize how much they need each other. This was a well written book it was a easy read with a few emotional moments.