I cannot express how deep and heartwarming this book was - I actually didn’t want it to end and hope there will be a sequel. There were loose ends and the ending and I’d love to find out what happens to Marley and Meghan and Rosie’s family. The reader will fall in love with all the main characters especially the dogs!

Susan Wilson’s has such a touching way of using dogs in her stories. And even if you’re not a dog lover, here’s a warning: you may find yourself looking up the address of the nearest animal shelter after reading one of Wilson’s books.

This book is about survivors of both war and life. We have Rose who has spent years in prison for a death that was nothing more than an accident. Why was she convicted? Her rich, ruthless soon-to-be mother-in-law needed to punish Rose for killing her son. And Rose’s lack of funds made it hard to obtain competent representation.

While in prison, Rose is lucky enough to be chosen to train service dogs. While doing that work she meets Megan, a struggling, ex-soldier who is confined to a wheelchair. Shark, the dog Rose is training is going will be given to Meghan. Both women are struggling in their own way, yet the two find friendship in sharing. Rose’s family hasn’t talked to her since entering prison, and Megan is still trying to discover who she is now that her life has changed.

Though Rose has given up on anything but passing her time in prison, she is released. It seems a mysterious benefactor has had her case reviewed, plus she will be provided a job working as a project manager. At first, Rose is very confused and the job is unsettling. She will be working and staying at a very old and neglected house, located in an area with lots of history.

The chapters have the viewpoints of either Megan, Rose, or very short ones from two dogs that are in the book.

Megan and Rose maintain their friendship but in time something surfaces which might possibly jeopardize their relationship.

The reader is taken through two lives, how they merge, and how dogs play a part in that.

If you’ve read many of Wilson’s books, then you know the type of stories she writes. And, if you’re like me, you will keep coming back for more and more.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the opportunity to read and review this ARC, #TheDogILoved. The thoughts and opinions offered are not in any way altered by receiving the review copy.

What Concerned Me:
This is a very small concern: I can understand the relationship between Megan and Rose, but I’m not sure either character is fleshed out due to both sharing the spotlight.

What I Liked Most:
Wilson creates such wonderful relationships between humans and dogs. Though the descriptions of her characters aren’t terribly in-depth, I can always picture both dogs and people. They all come to life and tell believable, touching stories.

Amazing journey! Wonderfully written, full of raw emotion and very powerful. Impossible to put down until the very last sentence has been read

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

After spending years in prison for a crime she didn’t intend to commit, Rose Collins is suddenly free. Someone who knows about the good work she has done—training therapy dogs while serving time—has arranged for her early release. This mysterious benefactor has even set her up with a job in the coastal Massachusetts community of Gloucester, on the edge of Dogtown, a place of legend and, for the first time since Rosie's whole world came crashing down, hope. There she works to rebuild her life with the help of Shadow, a stray dog who appears one rainy night and refuses to leave Rose’s side

I am such a big dog lover, and any book that features a dog atomically has my heart. This was so touching and beautiful.

This story was filled with heartache, loss, redemption, and above all, hope. It was wonderful to read about the healing power of 'man's best friend'—the loyalty and unconditional love of a dog. As much as I appreciated how these dogs, Shark and Shadow, helped their person and how Rose and Meghan learned how to cope and overcome, there as always seemed to be this pervasive sadness that surrounded Rose's character. Although both women had altered considerably throughout their ordeals, there was a sorrow that clouded the uplifting message of Rose's tale that I could not quite shake. Yes, she was freed from prison, and yes, she found Shadow and learned how to live again, but inexplicably, I continued feeling a bit melancholy about her story. Poor Rose.

Regardless, it's a beautiful story and highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susan Wilson for an ARC of 'The Dog I Loved' in exchange for an honest review.

“The Dog I Loved” is the first book I have read by Susan Wilson, and I will be seeking out more! A story about growing up, friendship, starting over, and the amazing relationship one can have with a dog had me entranced from the start. An easy read I didn’t want to put down until I finished the very last page.

Ahhh...the healing power of animals. In this case, Author Susan Wilson demonstrates the healing power of dogs in her novel "The Dog I Loved."

This fictional story starts out describing two women and their very different lives. First there's Mary Rose Collins, the only daughter in a lower middle class Boston Irish family. Rosie was the perfect daughter--innocent, devoted and loyal. It was expected that she would always be the apple of her parents' eye, and that if anyone would get into trouble, it would have been one of her four older brothers. Rosie met and fell in love with Charles Montgomery Foster, a young man from a prestigious, wealthy family from the better side of Boston. Rosie's parents didn't approve of Charles, and Charles really didn't like her parents. So she reluctantly pulled away from her Irish family roots and neighborhood and began living Charles' lifestyle.

Charles' aristocratic mother--Cecily Foster-- felt Rosie wasn't good enough for her son, and did everything she could to break them up. Then, after the wedding of Charles' ex-fiancee, a tragic accident occurred and Charles was killed. Mrs. Foster used all her influence and power to have Rosie unjustly sentenced to a maximum security prison for Charles' death. The long days in prison turn into long years, until Rosie is recommended for a new program where inmates train dogs to be service dogs. Rosie's life began to turn around the day she met Shark, the puppy she would train to be a service dog for a military vet.

Meanwhile, the second main character in the story -- Captain Meghan Custer -- is dealing with her own issues. While serving three tours of duty in the Army in Afghanistan and Iraq, Meghan was in an accident that left her paralyzed and wheelchair bound. She now lives with her parents and feels like she's in her own prison because she must rely on them to do almost everything for her. It's a hard swallow to pill for an independent young woman who once commanded troops in some of the most dangerous war-torn areas.

Someone suggested to Meghan that she apply for a service dog. At first she resisted, but then eventually she had second thoughts and decided the dog would help her be independent again. She was accepted into the program and assigned to Shark, the puppy that Rosie is training.

For several weeks Meghan visits the prison and works with Rosie and Shark, to prepare Shark for his new life as a service dog. In the meantime, a friendship grows between Meghan and Rosie, both who have felt lonely and isolated from their peers. It's a bittersweet day for Rosie when Shark finally goes home with Meghan, but she feels like she has gained a friend.

Then unexpectedly one day, Rosie finds out she's being released from prison before her sentence is up. It turns out that a mysterious benefactor advocated for her, and after some investigation, the court decided to rule her trial a mistrial and release her from prison. The story goes on to describe how she copes with life outside prison and how she readjusts to having freedoms that she hadn't enjoyed for years.

Throughout the story, dogs play a very important role for the two main characters. They are not only companions, but also helpers. They even play a healing role, helping two women gain a new perspective on their lives after suffering for being in the "wrong place at the wrong time."

I don't think you need to be a dog lover to enjoy this story. Certainly, the lovable antics of the dogs in the story will put a smile on your face. But, I think their unconditional love will also deeply touch your heart.

I have read many of this author’s books and loved every one of them, and this one is no exception. Susan Wilson “gets” dogs in a way that few humans do. But she also “gets” women, and the underlying emotional complexities of many different cultures and classes. There is fine attention to emotional as well as physical detail in this wonderful novel, and I will be purchasing it when it is released to give to several friends. This book offers healing, as well as insight into dog behavior... and human behavior.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've read several of Susan Wilson's books and they are always interesting. She gets dog's behavior and obviously loves them. This was about service dogs and the difference they can make in someone's life. The characters are skillfully crafted and believable. The family dynamics and unmet expectations play a major part in this story. It's a good reminder of what happens when we judge people by our own standards instead of letting them be who they are. A great story.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
#TheDogILoved #NetGalley

Skip the "whodunit's" and "romcom's" and immerse yourself in this sweet and simple tale of loss, forgiveness and redemption. The title is misleading as The Dog I Loved is about several dogs, and they are the hero's (along with a disabled veteran) of the story. Rose has spent six years in jail for killing her fiance-an evil man who is the poster child for "justifiable homicide." Meghan is a service member who came home in a wheelchair. They meet when Rose participates in a therapy dog training program through her prison. Both Rose and Meghan have deep scars- physical and emotional-and they bond through Shark-the dog Rose trains to assist Meghan. The Dog I Loved is such a joy to read even with such dark circumstances. Susan Wilson adds some mysticism with the inclusion of Shadow-a dog who literally appears out of the shadows and recounts memories (there are chapters told from the dog's POV-some of the best parts of the novel!) from decades ago. This blend of fantasy and grim reality works beautifully in a way it might not have without the dogs. The Dog I Loved has Lifetime or Hallmark movie written all over it-I hope a film is in the works. I'd watch it again and again, and probably fall more in love with the dogs (and people) every time.

Rose Collins ends up in prison, sentenced for 20 years, even though she didn’t commit murder like they said. Life in prison was difficult, until she was selected to train dogs as part of a prison rehab program. The first dog she trained, Shark, went to Meghan, an ex-soldier who is struggling after ending up in a wheelchair after an explosion ends her career. Little does Rose know how much meeting Meghan is going to change her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only does Meghan help win Rose’s release from prison, but she secretly helps her find purpose to her life. That helps Meghan as much as it helps Rose. Added bonus was the dogs and hearing their point of view in brief chapters! Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I truly loved this story! It is an emotional journey of a young lady who finds herself in a Women's Correctional Facility for manslaughter.
Rose needs to stay afloat in this lonely place. Can she spend twenty-five years here and survive?
When a new program comes to the prison, Rose applies and is accepted to train puppies to become service pets to folks in need. It is the answer to her prayers.
Shark is who gives Rose purpose and love each day.
Then comes the day he must go to his new owner. ( and the tears begin.)
But.... this is just the beginning of Rose's story as she eventually begins to move forward with her own life.
Anybody who loves dogs will not be able to put this novel down!
The feelings of each person and the dogs in this novel come through in beautiful detail.
It is seen and certainly true that a dog will bring out the best in a human and Susan Wilson has proven this! Excellent!

I absolutely loved the dog connection in this story and the how the author took historical context and wove the past and the present into a satisfying read.

Having recently finished “The Dog I Loved” by Susan Wilson, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

This was a wonderful story about new friendships made while learning to live with extreme emotional and physical challenges. The fact that 4-legged friends were such a large part of this storyline made it all the more heartwarming. It was a nice surprise, and not unbelievable, for their furry point of view to be expressed throughout the book. By the final chapter, I felt I knew all these characters, how their lives might continue and... will miss them.

I love reading dog stories and this was another one that i really enjoyed! A great story by a new author and I would definitely read more!! I highly recommend!!

This was a magnificent novel. Following Rosie through the beginning of her freedom was lovely. I really enjoyed learning Rosie's story bit by bit as the tale progressed.
The fact that Shark and Shadow has their own chapters dedicated to their own voice was beautiful.
I also loved the history of Dogtown and the connection Rosie starts to feel with those early settlers.
The relationships in this book were so realistic and raw. True pain wasn't skipped over, it was embraced.
This book was amazing to read. The ability of dogs to help in any circumstance is a gift. They're ability to be there for their people is something everyone should be able to experience. I loved this book and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Fabulous! The switching of characters was not hard to follow at all, and the blend between the two major characters was beautiful. I love that the author have the dogs in the story a voice as well. Trigger warning for those people who may have experienced domestic violence.

I loved this book. The characters both human and canine, come to life and are so real. the emotions and relationships are believable. Once I got into the story I could not put it down.

4.5 stars.
“The Dog I Loved”, by Susan Wilson, is a gripping foray into the historic human-dog relationship and a powerful tale about healing and redemption.
More focused on the human/canine bonding, and on service dogs in particular, with the refreshingly realistic and credible point of view of the canine characters, the novel features two women who form an unexpected friendship because of the dogs in their lives.
I liked that Susan Wilson doesn’t sugarcoat the severity of Meghan’s injuries, although I felt her physical characterization could have been less general/abstract.
I also enjoyed having an interracial romance, and I just hope Rosie and Tucker will have their HEA too.
Shark, Shadow and Spike are wonderful creatures, so committed to their humans, yet so earnest to have fun and behave like regular animals when not performing working functions.
I found this a completely absorbing story, with Rosie’s background slowly revealed and the Dogtown history.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I read it and then immediately read it again, slowly taking in every word. That, to me, is a sign of a special book. I have read several of Ms. Wilson’s books and I have enjoyed them but this one hit it out of the ballpark.
Rosie is in prison for accidental murder. She keeps to herself until she starts a prisoner rehabilitation program training service dog. She is released suddenly and is given a job overseeing the renovations of an old house.
Megan is a disabled vet in a wheelchair whose life is changed when she receives Rosie’s first dog. A friendship between the two women emerges.
Rosie’s story is revealed slowly. I love the first-person point of view by many of the characters especially the dogs. I think I loved it so much because this is my favorite type of story, first person by different characters.
I loved the history of Dogtown.
Ms. Wilson’s writing is fresh and easy to read. Thank you for writing this story and thank you Net Galley.