Cat lovers rejoice! Here's a book that highlights the complex and sometimes even complicated relationships between a feline family and the human who loves them. It's sure to be a smiles and maybe some tears as well to readers whether they are cat fans or not.

Consisting of a series of short narratives about the feline family of author Gwen Cooper, this book delves into the relationships between humans and cats in a totally unique way. Five furry friends teach Gwen all about love, loyalty, expectations vs reality, overcoming challenges and much more. She tells of her adventures with the cats in a mostly lighthearted way (with even a bit of sarcasm and snark thrown in where appropriate) that readers will find charming. By the last page, if you're a cat owner, you'll want to go give your pet a snuggle, and if your not, you may consider becoming one so you too can experience the joys of cat-parenting.

I'm not a cat owner; I don't think my dog would appreciate sharing her territory. Yet, I still enjoyed this book. The stories were entertaining, and I really felt like I got a good grasp of the personalities of both the humans and cats interspersed throughout. I found myself smiling at silly cat antics and tearing up while reading about both human and cat grief. Overall, these stories were well-written and a joy to read.

My only criticism, and it's more an observation I think, is that a couple of the stories in this book seemed to be making mountains out of molehills. What I mean is that simple instances or series of instances were stretched into an entire story when a few simple paragraphs would have sufficed for the telling.

Bottom line: If you've read Homer's Odyssey, you'll be happy to know that Homer features in this collection as well. Even if you haven't, this is a quick solid set of cat tales and is a delight to read.

Frankly, I have not read Gwen Cooper`s bestseller "Homer`s Odyssey" before - I was simply intrigued by the subject. As a cat lover (not owner); I loved the stories about the five cats she has owned in her life. At times things got just a little bit confusing as the stories were not told chronologically so that cats that have already passed on came back to life.
But you got a great grasp about the personalities of her furry pets and how they enriched her life. And - most important - Cooper has a great way with words, some great similes made me smile.
Very much recommended for cat lovers...

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read an Advance Copy of this work.

I should admit, up front, my bias. Like author Gwen Cooper, I, too, live in a cat house – surrounded by, sustained by, enriched by, and in perpetual serfdom to a feline host. In my shopping and reading life I’ve always lamented that there seem to be more “dog people” than “cat people,” so Cooper’s book happily helps tilt the balance a bit. With excellent humor and tone she relates scenes that any cat lover can relate to: how cats know us as individuals, how we experience the joy of spoiling them in their short lives, how they coopt our possessions for their own use and see our sick in bed days as the “first step toward a permanent embrace of their lifestyle.” Twice the work made me cry for days I’ve not yet had to face with my own fur babies – but many times it made me laugh or reach out to a fellow cat lover and say, “Listen to this!” Especially pleasing is Cooper’s pushback against the “crazy cat lady” stereotype. She writes, “In my world—being in daily contact with any number of people who work in animal rescue—it almost isn’t even worth noting how many cats a person has until the number gets into double digits. And even then, so long as that number doesn’t climb much above a baker’s dozen, and you live in a home sufficiently large to give everyone their space, you’re probably okay.” I related to the cunning way her cats had pushed their feeding times back and back and back and her mixed feelings about simultaneously wanting to indulge her cats’ natural hunting instincts – but not wanting to endanger songbirds. Most of all, I wished I had her life as a stay at home cat mom and writer. I suppose I’ll have to settle for sharing this book with all of the cat lovers I know… and giving my cats a few extra treats tonight!

This book is a must read for cat lovers!. You can tell the author loves her cats and they have her well trained to their ways. Anyone who has ever been owned by a cat will love this book! This book would make a wonderful gift for the cat lover on your list. Thank you BenBella Books for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As a big cat lover myself I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I liked this writing and thought that the stories within made for a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is considering reading it!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is one that any cat lover will enjoy! I loved the stories, but wish there were more! I have read the author's previous books about her cats and have enjoyed each one! I cannot wait for her next book!

A delightful book for cat lovers. It was great to read about the various cat, Homer included, their antics and their stories.
I loved the style of writing and how each story made the cats come alive.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

My Life in a Cat House, is a delightful collection of 8 stories about the cats that shared a home with the author, a woman who grew up in a home with dogs.

Although the author never considered herself a "cat person" it just took just one special rescued kitten to change all that. Over the years the author has given a home to 5 cats, some who now have passed on. Her stories about Scarlett, Vashti, Homer (the blind cat who has a whole book dedicated to him), Fanny and Clayton, each with their own personalities and quirks, resonated with me in some way. From the lap cats, a 3-legged cat, a blind cat and the cat that taught himself to fetch like a dog, most stories reminded me of a cat that graced my life over the years.

I found it funny but true, how cat lovers rearrange their homes to accommodate their cats. Shoe boxes become home decor, tissue boxes on night stands, aspirin bottles and heating pads for aches and pains, all become amusement for our furry-feline friends. How it's never too much trouble for a cat-lover to put aside a good book or the laptop when the cat wants to snuggle on your lap. Then, of course, the more trying times like when the dreaded cat-carriers make their appearance for that trips to the vet. I found the stories to be lively and engaging, funny, sweet and sometimes sentimental. Cat-lovers will appreciate this collection of stories and most will be able to relate to their own personal experiences.

This book would make a great "mom's day" book or just a "thinking of you" book for the cat-lover in your life.