Review: Free to a Good Home
All Noelle has ever wanted is a home to call her own, and a family to fill it with, so she’s devastated when she discovers that she can’t have children and her marriage ends in divorce. With her self esteem at a low point, she agrees to take care of her ex-husband’s grouchy mother. Things seem to get worse when she finds out that her brother’s girlfriend is pregnant, and her boss puts pressure on her at work. Noelle meets a musician named Jasper, but that seems to be going nowhere fast. He seems flighty and he still has issues to resolve with a possessive old girlfriend. The only good thing in her life seems to be her dog.
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont is a cute, fun book. It spans a year in the life of veterinary technician Noelle, with a chapter for each month.
Noelle is an agreeable, earnest character, but she’s also very frustrating at times. She wanted to please everyone and allowed them to take advantage of her. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up for herself. She was also pretty quick to jump to conclusions and I found that frustrating too. Having said that, I really liked the way she grew and learned to love and trust as the book progressed.
Noelle’s ex-mother-in-law is a great character, too. She’s grouchy and crusty, but has to learn to accept help from someone she was cruel to in the past. Her growth was fun to watch as well.
The story in Free to a Good Home is sweet, but somewhat predictable. It’s not one that will stick with me for a long time, but I did enjoy it while I read it. I think it’s a great light summer read.
Review copy provided by Berkley Books. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
Oh….I really wanted this one. You know me and my animal love…LOL Thanks for the review Kathy
as much as I love dogs..
not sure this on is for me. my ability to put up with frustrating characters is limited. 🙂
I’ll admit it… the cover attracted me to this book. I’m on the wait list at my library. I think it sounds like a good summer read.
I love light summer reads…I’ll be reviewing this one soon. I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
Sometimes a nice predictable read fits the bill perfectly. Sounds cute!
I agree — this book was a light, fun read. Perfect for the summer!
Enjoyed your review. Sounds like an interesting book. From the title I was afraid it was about a lost dog and would be sad.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I’m thinking this would be a good book for me to read on a cross-country flight. Light and entertaining. Nice review!
It does sound like a good summer book. Thankfully, I had a kind mother in law. Good review as always.
I’m looking forward to reading this one soon. I’m glad to see you enjoyed it for the most part. I hope there are some funny interactions between Noelle and her ex-mother-in-law. That’s the part of the story that sounds most interesting to me.
It sounds like a good beach read.
I have been curious about this book since hearing about it. I am sorry to hear that it was somewhat predictable and that the main character was somewhat soft. I am thinking that I may skip this one, but I do thank you for your very honest review!
As I was reading your review I was thinking it sounded like a wonderful summer read (then you ended you review saying so – LOL)
I like that each chapter is a month.
I passed this one up in an effort to read what I have. The thing with the dog was what almost lured me in. Sometimes the dog (or cat) is the only thing that doesn’t annoy us in our day to day lives!
Thanks for the review! I think that I may search this one out from my library- you gotta love the library! That way if I don’t love it, I can just return it.
Thanks for the review Kathy…it does sound like it would be a good summer read.
the book sound cute and quite appealing.. =)
Oh, this sounds like one I’d really like! And I have this on my list to review… I need to make sure to get to it soon.
She sounds like someone who needs a backbone!! I don’t mind predictable books every once in a while and more so when an animal is involved! 😀
Sounds cute. Anyway, how bad can it be when it has a dog in it. 🙂
sounds like a nice light reading meal so to speak 🙂 how fun 🙂
Thanks for the nice review, Kathy. I love how many of your readers are suckers for a book with a dog, or many dogs! Happy summer!
Sometimes I just want a light, easy read centered around people. This one looks like it will fit that.
you got me with the cover. The dog looks so gorgeous.
This one does sound like a cute summer read!
Sadly, Noelle sounds a bit like me at times 😛
Kathy, I am coming back to read your review now that I’ve got mine written and ready to go for tomorrow. I liked this book. It really suited my mood. I think I probably have way too much of Noelle inside me, so she had more of my sympathies. I’m glad she grew stronger and more confident and that’s my aim as well.
Sounds interesting, I like the idea that each chapter is a month.
Not my normal cup of tea, but I do enjoy a light summer read. I liked your review, it was short and sweet. :o)
Dog love is sometimes the only kind you want 😉
Your honesty is so reliable. Your goodness is transparent.
It is nice to hear that she grows during the book.
I can’t wait to read this. I need a light summer read!
great review, it does sound like a nice summer read.
I’m glad Noelle eventually grew and learned a few lessons. I dislike characters who frustrate me and then never learn from their mistakes or ways. Thanks for the review!
I don’t mind a good, light read from time to time. This one sound pretty good.