On Valentine’s Day 2019, someone stole Steven Carino’s dog, Oliver, from his car. Having lost his mother at thirteen and grown up with an alcoholic father, he could always count on his dogs for comfort and company. But now, with his beloved Oliver missing, Steven felt utterly alone.

Then, the miracle. In a series of near-impossible coincidences, people from different walks of life crossed paths with Oliver and with Steven. Hardworking immigrants, wealthy suburbanites, car mechanics, deli workers, old friends, close relatives, street cops, gang members, a TV news reporter, social media followers around the world, and one very gifted hairdresser all played a part in Steven’s desperate journey to find Oliver. In the middle of it all, Steven realized that no one is ever truly alone--and that the power of community can be life-changing.

This book was sad at times, but it is ultimately uplifting. I love the author’s clear love for not just his dog, but his best friend. This book definitely made me shed a lot of tears, but in a great way!

Thank you #netgalley for giving me this book. This book was long published before #netgalley sent it to me. But I am still extremely grateful. I enjoyed this book however I feel it needed more editing. It was repetitive and long for a dog to be missing 7 days. I know some dog owners who never got their dogs back. 3 stars ⭐️

Great story about a man searching for his lost dog! It was so interesting to learn about the people they both came in contact with. The message of the book is quite powerful and something audiences would connect with.

This was an emotional read. The passion the author felt when his dog was stolen as well as the way people joined in the search for Oliver was touching. So, though the story was appealing, the writing was not done well. The book just rambled on and on at times. Overall, I loved Oliver and the story of how he touched the lives of so many people.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Thanks to #netgally for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. As an avid dog lover was delighted to receive this book. It's the true story of how Steve's gorgeous boy Oliver was stolen from him and his determination to do everything he could to find him and bring him home. Steven explains why/how his bond with his dogs is strong and it was heartwarming to see how many people rallied with Steve to support him through this devastating and emotional time. It was an emotional read for me also, imagining how it would feel if I was in a similar situation. A great read not only for dog lovers but for people who don't really understand the bonds between humans and their dogs who would like to try to gain more of an understanding of this bond. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #netgalley #stevenjcarino #oliver #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #thestorygraph #amazonkindle #bookqueen #bookstagram

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. And honestly? This has got to be the last time I choose a book because there is a damn dog on the cover. I so do not like when I have to post a less than glowing review after they were nice enough to let me read it but in this particular case, this book was not for me. In fact the whole way through, it was going to be two stars but the ending worked for me and there seemed to be some growth so there you have it...I upped it by two stars. I loved the actual story of Oliver and what happened and how the community was brought closer together but there were a couple of things i disliked enough to bring the rating down...as for actual storyline, there was way too much that had nothing to do with Oliver. I was reading about a dog, not what happened in the past that had nothing to do with that dog. I thought that when it came down to it, very little actually had to do with Oliver....this should have been a short story or a novella to me. Also, if there is one thing that will make me not want to spend too much time with another person, whether it is in print or in life, it is negativity and self hatred. In this particular case there was so much negativity coming from the author that I couldn't stand it sometimes. And if I never hear the words "Carino curse" again, it will be too soon.

Steven Carino's dog Oliver was stolen from his vehicle while he was buying a few cigars. He didn't remember if he correctly locked the door, since it was a relatively new one to him. He was heartbroken, Oliver was his best buddy ever since his mother died. It was hard to not get pulled into his stress and depression over losing Oliver.
His sisters and even workers and police in the neighborhood when Oliver was taken all kept an eye out for him.
I did feel it became a little repetitive, but there is just so much you can say about a missing dog. It was a community as well as family effort to search for Oliver.
I received an e-copy of the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.
The review I am leaving is my opinion and views as a dog lover

Oliver is a heartwarming true story about a man and his dog. In this novel, Steven Carino tells the story of how his dog Oliver was stolen and the events that unfolded after. When Steven returns to his car one day after leaving Oliver to quickly pop into a shop, he finds his beloved dog Oliver is missing. He instantly thinks the worst but is determined not to give up until Oliver is returned home.

I find it difficult to review non-fiction books as I don’t feel it is my place to comment on the content of the story. What I will say is that this was an emotional story that had me thinking what I would do if I ever lost my dog. It was wonderful to hear how the community seemed to come together and rally behind Carino and his search for Oliver. At times I felt the story dragged a little, providing an overload of information that I felt didn’t add much to the overall story. For example, the content surrounding Steven and his fate and belief in God, detracted from the story and I was always keen for the story to come back around to the search for Oliver.

A sweet book for lovers of non fiction and animals

Steven drives people to their destination for a living. One day, he takes Oliver with him but asks if the person if it is okay to have his dog in the front seat. Due to a long day of driving, Steven goes to a mall to buy a cigar. He will have it after dinner. When he comes back to his car, Oliver wasn’t there.After searching his car studiously, he knows Oliver isn’t there. His thoughts go to what happened to Oliver. He gets very upset widen thinking Oliver is gone. Did someone take him? Why? Oliver is Steven’s best friend and constant companion. Steven calls his sister as he knows that she will know what to do about Oliver. His sister makes flyers and calls the tv news to get Steven’s story about Oliver being taken and the offer of a reward. His sister also puts a picture of Oliver on Facebook besides him bing missing. Steven gets told that a person in a suv with a dog looking like Oliver is in Mount Vernon. I’m don’t want to tell anymore as I don’t want to spoil the story for you.

The author has written a heart wenching nonfiction nonfiction story. He is surprised how many people know about him and Oliver. The compassion and help he gets amazes him. He didn’t think people would understand his feelings about his dog. People actually looked for him. It’s an amazing and wonderful story to read. I would like to have everyone read this book.

This is an extremely easy read, and I prefer the physical over the audio book. The author reads his story, and I get it. However, there are professional narrators and I really believe one could have given Oliver a different experience and life.

This story while centered around a missing pet, becomes more. As the owner struggles with not finding his pet, he questions God, and speaks of a family curse, and while searching he learns several life lessons. I think what I took from this is to remember what is so important to someone else may seem comical but its not. Oliver brought a great deal to Stephen's life. He is more than a pet.

This would be a physical book I would recommend for families and pre YA.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

This story is how on Valentines day in 2019, a dog named Oliver was stolen from his owner, Steven's car.
Having lost his mother to cancer at the age of 13, and then growing up with an alcoholic father, Steven could always count on his dog for unconditional love.

With his sisters and friends support, Steven goes on a quest to find Oliver. Not only was this about a lost dog found, it was also a book about compassion, trust, love, kindness , about your tribe of people, your community and a strong faith.

I felt the Proverb telling a little too much in the story. At times ,it felt like it was an overdose of too much information. Which I would skim over, as I was more interested in Oliver and Steven's story, than his faith.

I would recommend this book to be read by anyone who is a animal lover, The book is a reminder that there are still some good people in this world.

I put off reading this because my heart is so soft when it comes to dog stories. Have tissues handy when you read this one. This is a sweet, sweet story of a man who had many losses in life. When his dog went missing, he cracked and felt totally failed and utterly hopeless. This is not only a story about a lost and found pup, it is a testimony of bearing up under loss, processing it, and moving on with your life. During his very intense and relentless search for Oliver, Carino finds his faith again in God and humanity through the people he meets and the help and kindness he receives. This is a Divine story, in every sense of the word. Many blessings to Carino and little Oliver.
Thank you to to Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski, Nelson Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley the opportunity to read and review this book, all comments are my own. This has to be the best book I have read in a long time - I could not put this down! The reader could feel the love and connection between the author Steven and his dog Oliver, I cried when Oliver was taken, the reader was there in the Denali when they searched for Oliver. What a great story - everyone should read this book. Fantastic!

Dog lovers, prepare a box of tissues for this one!

I felt compelled to read this as a dog lover and owner, and held my little guy Tanto as close as I possibly could throughout reading this entire book. I related so much to Steven, the key to his life getting better was when Oliver came into it. The same is true for me, my own dog having pulled me out of the dark trenches the day I got him.

The tale of Oliver being taken is interwoven with stories of Steven's mother's battle with cancer and her eventual death to the disease when he was thirteen, his tumultuous relationship with his unstable father, and his own self-destructive drinking habits. All of these stories between talking about the loss of Oliver really added more depth and layering to the overall book and made for a more engaging read.

I felt like I really got the opportunity to know Steven and came to understand why his relationship with Oliver was so important. As a dog owner, I could understand from the outset why Steven wanted so terribly to find his other half, but these additional stories of loss and grieving really added to why Oliver was so special to him, and it broke my heart.

This was both a tragic and uplifting story. A story that shows the power of what can happen when family, friends, and the community at large come together to conquer. A story that shows that if you just ask for help when you need it, you might be surprised at the strong show of support from those around you, especially strangers whom you've never encountered before.

Between chapters, I would find myself staring down at my own little guy and see his big brown eyes just looking up at me. I just couldn't imagine ever losing him or having him taken from me. Just like Oliver is to Steven, Tanto is my lifeline, and without him the world would be a much darker place.

This book is wonderful for dog owners and lovers everywhere. You'll cry, you'll smile, and you'll definitely give your dog some extra love and attention after reading it. This was a beautifully written and gorgeously constructed story.

“Oliver”, a memoir by Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski , tells the heartwarming story of how Carino and his dog, Oliver, are reunited after Oliver mysteriously “disappears” from Carino’s van. The book is equal parts a memoir about Steven’s life and how/why Oliver became so important to him and the people and events that lead to finding Oliver.

What I enjoyed about the book is that it shows how people will come together to help each other, which is particularly inspirational during given current times. Carino also shows how pets truly can be an integral part of one’s family. With that being said, I felt like the tone was very redundant and melodramatic. As a fellow dog parent, I can relate to his loss but I am concerned with how much Carino anthropomorphizes Oliver and his emotions.

As a high school teacher, I am always looking for memoirs as well as books about animals and inspirational stories. . Unfortunately, I would not recommend this to high school students because they would have a hard time relating to the adult Steven Carino (but I think they would identify with the child who has lost a parent or has a dysfunctional relationship with the surviving parent) . In addition, I would be concerned with how students would react to Carino’s unhealthy coping.

I would like to thank Netgalley for allowing me an advanced reader’s copy of the book.

Oliver is a cute puppy who fills his owner's life with lots of love. Steven had a journey of many losses: his mother, to whom he was very attached, died early and in a very painful way. His father started drinking, and the teenager Steven was loose in the world. He had professional problems and two broken marriages, and suddenly found himself with no job, no money, having to find a place to live after the end of his last relationship. And that is when Oliver came along, bringing love and joy to Steven´s life. But one day, Oliver is stolen from his car in a parking lot, and Steven sees his world crash down once more.

The comings and goings in time are well constructed and important to understanding the losses in Steven's life, and the beginning is very intriguing - how did it all happen? The help of everyone, including people he doesn't even know, is heart-warming, but there comes a time when the book starts to get tiring. In fact, the story is less about the puppy's disappearance, and more about the author's emotional development and his reconnection with God.

Thanks NetGalley and Nelson Books for this ARC.

I couldn't go back to sleep when I woke up at 3:30 a.m. I needed company. Then I remembered! I was 30% into my latest read, Oliver and it was a perfect time to see how it was going to turn out. . . .I was apprehensive, but both the pup and his owner were endearing people. I got lost in the story, lost in the book, and jumped when my alarm went off. "Ha! Too Late," I mumbled. My face was wet, tears melting all over my pillow. I had just finished, pondering the last pages. Such a great story, inspiring, affirming and consoling.

It's worthy of many re-reads, and I repent of my firm anti-pet stance. Not quite ready to go out and find one, but if one found me. . . .

A sincere thanks to Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski, Nelson Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

#Oliver #NetGalley

Oliver by Steven J. Carino

He was searching for a lost dog. He found much more than he hoped for.

This was a heart-warming story about a man and his dog. His dog was stolen and how much effort he, his family, and friends went to to find the dog. Well-written with many warm characters. I recommends this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

What a great heartwarming story about a man and his dog. A feel good story about a dog’s adventures. You will enjoy the situations Oliver finds himself in and cheer for Steve to get him back. A great story for all audiences.

Thank you NetGalley and Nelson Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Most importantly, a big thank you to NetGalley, Steven J. Carino, Alex Tresniowski and Nelson Books for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
Full transparency, I did not finish this title. I just couldn't. I understand Carino's main role is not 'author' by any means but this book was too redundant to get through. He lost his dog. He's angry. He's sad. Someone is nice to him. Rinse. Repeat. The story itself has a lot of potential but I give it 2 stars on execution.