Doggirl by Robin Brande

Release Date: May 2, 2011
Publisher: Ryer Publishing
Pages: 269
Review Source: eBook from author

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Riley Case has always been an expert with dogs--it's people she doesn't understand. But when the chance comes to use her talents as a dog trainer to help her high school drama department compete in a national contest, Riley has to set aside her shyness and fears, and finally let the world see what she can do. It's THE DOG WHISPERER meets GLEE as Riley and her dogs help put on a show no one will forget.

My Thoughts:
If you like dogs at all (even a tiny bit) stop what you're doing and buy this eBook. Seriously, if you have a soft spot for animals you are going to want to read this book. Robin Brande has written a story that will pull on your heartstrings. This is a sweet story about a girl named Riley who slowly overcomes her social anxieties, letting go of past hurts as she learns to fit in and trust people, instead of just relying on her dogs.

Riley's understanding of, and love for, her dogs is really special. If you believe in human-animal connections you will love reading about how much Riley cares for her animals and how well she knows them. The animal training aspect of the book is amazing. It is so cool what animals can do when they work with a trainer, and all the tricks described in the book sound amazing. It made me wish I could see the play performed in real life.

This is a great book for younger YAs because Riley is a younger teenage character, and the message her story presents is a great one. I think we can all relate to feeling like we don't fit in at one point or another, and Robin Brande addresses that issue in this book. Riley learns to accept herself and trust other people, and it is really lovely seeing such a sweet girl get her chance to shine. With Robin Brande's awesome conversational writing style I really felt like Riley was talking to me and telling me her story. This is just a really great heartwarming story, and it's definitely one to pick up if you're looking for something which addresses more serious issues like bullying and social anxiety while still remaining sweet and light.

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Find Doggirl by Robin Brande on Goodreads & buy a copy through Smashwords, Kindle, or Nook. A print edition will be available in late May.