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Ericka Waller
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Dog Days: A big-hearted, tender, funny novel about new beginnings Kindle Edition

by Ericka Waller (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,455 ratings

Discover the moving, life-affirming book club read about new beginnings and finding friendship in unexpected places; the perfect gift for dog lovers from the author of Goodbye Birdie Greenwing

'The perfect mix of humour and heartache' Good Housekeeping

'A charming, surprising and moving story' Clare Chambers, bestselling author of Small Pleasures

'Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant...laugh out loud funny and immensely moving' AJ Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird

_______________________________________________

George is angry at the world. His wife has died and now all he wants to do is sit in his underpants and shout at the cricket. The last thing he needs is his cake-baking neighbour Betty trying to rescue him. And then there's the dog, a dachshund puppy called Poppy. George doesn't want a dog - he wants a fight.

Dan is a counsellor with OCD who is great at helping other people - if only he were better at helping himself. His most meaningful relationship so far is with his labrador Fitz. But then comes a therapy session that will change his life.

Lizzie is living in a women's refuge with her son Lenny. Her body is covered in scars and she has shut herself off from everyone around her. But when she is forced to walk the refuge's fat terrier, Maud, a new life beckons - if she can keep her secret just a while longer...

Dog Days is a novel about those small but life-changing moments that only come when we pause to let the light in. It is about three people learning to make connections and find joy and comfort in living life off the leash.

__________________________________________________

Praise for Dog Days:


'Uplifting, full of charm and warmth' Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters

'If you read one book this year, make sure it's this one' 5-star reader review

'A soulful, lyrical tale... a treat.' Beth Morrey, bestselling author of Saving Missy

'Tender, humorous and hopeful' Lissa Evans, author of Small Bomb at Dimperley

'A book with a big heart' 5-star reader review

'Dog Days had me feeling all the emotions, it broke my heart and gently pieced it back together.' 5-star reader review

'Wonderful journey of three complicated characters and the dogs that saw them through their individual journeys' 5-star reader review

'A joy to read from start to finish.' 5-star reader review

'Perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us' 5-star reader review

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  1. Print length
    364 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Transworld Digital
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    4 Mar. 2021
  6. File size
    2.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

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Lissa Evans quote

Hazel Prior quote

Beth Morrey quote

Image of book

Product description

Review

If you enjoyed Beth Morrey's Saving Missy, you'll love this...both hilarious and moving. ― Woman and Home

A charming, surprising and moving story of three troubled characters' encounter with love, grief, healing.

― CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURES

Hilarious and moving, it recognises the unconditional love of dogs and their ability to make the world a better place ― WOMAN'S WEEKLY

The kind of charm readers will recall from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine... awelcome balm for anxious lockdown minds... the book is gentle but poignant, moving but uplifting, suffused with different kinds of love and loss. ― VANITY FAIR

Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant, Ericka Waller's wonderful debut is both laugh out loud funny and immensely moving. Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2021, Dog Days is an absolute delight. ― AJ Pearce, author of Dr Mrs Bird

[A] Touching and thoughtful debut novel ― RED

'Funny, sad, gritty and beautifully told, this story will make you look at life again and appreciate the small acts of kindness that make everything worthwhile. ― HAZEL PRIOR, author of Away with the Penguins

Easy to read and witty but full of pathos and sadness, this tightly plotted tale will bring you joy. ― BEST

'Moving, uplifting, full of charm and warmth, [Dog Days] gave me much paws for thought. Such great characterisation, too - by the end, George, Dan et al felt like family! ― EMMA STONEX, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS

A Russian doll of a book that twists and tugs each outer husk, revealing delicate and poignant inner layers. ― BETH MORREY, author of SAVING MISSY

About the Author

Ericka Waller lives in Brighton with her husband, three daughters, dogs and a hairless cat. Previously, she worked as a blogger and columnist. Her first novel, Dog Days, was widely praised by authors and reviewers alike. Goodbye Birdie Greenwing is her second novel.
Twitter: @erickawaller1 IG @erickawaller1
Website: www.erickawaller.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B088GY1GKH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 4 Mar. 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 364 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1473578456
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: 129,178 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,455 ratings

About the author

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Ericka Waller

Ericka Waller

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ericka Waller is 38 and lives in Brighton with three daughters, too many pets and a husband.

She is an award winning blogger and columnist.

When not writing she can be found walking her dogs, reading in the bath or buying stuff off eBay.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,455 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an enjoyable, heartwarming read filled with emotion and well-rounded characters. The writing style is charming and witty, and customers appreciate the beautiful prose. They value the book's humor and insight, with one customer noting its profound understanding of the human condition, while another highlights the supportive role of the dogs in the story.

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EnjoymentHeartwarming storyCharacter developmentHumorWriting styleDog companionshipInsightBeauty
32 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and easy to read, with one customer noting it's a page turner.

"I loved this book. The characters are flawed and also very endearing, compellingly delineated. The dogs, of course, steal the show...." Read more

"...I have to say from start to finish it was a fantastic read. It wasn’t like other books I have read where you can almost predict the ending...." Read more

"Such a wonderful and beautifully written book. A story of three people trying to cope with daily life and struggles. All with a fur companion, a dog...." Read more

"...Very enjoyable, light hearted, emotional, sad, happy, real. A thoroughly good read." Read more

32 customers mention ‘Heartwarming story’30 positive2 negative

Customers find this book heartwarming and full of emotion, with one customer noting it's a mixture of happiness.

"...Very enjoyable, light hearted, emotional, sad, happy, real. A thoroughly good read." Read more

"...Very enjoyable. Sad and happy, grief and joy all interwoven xx" Read more

"...This book is so beautiful and poignant - I recommend it to anyone looking for a story full of heart and compassion...." Read more

"An easy, entertaining read. Loved it. Sad, funny and romantic. Have passed this on - a good recommendation." Read more

20 customers mention ‘Character development’20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters are well-rounded, with one customer particularly enjoying how George was portrayed.

"I loved this book. The characters are flawed and also very endearing, compellingly delineated. The dogs, of course, steal the show...." Read more

"...I enloyed how George was portrayed, and how he softened. The sadness of Daniel and Atticus broke my heart. Lizzie was a surprise package...." Read more

"...The characters in this book feel so real, their stories so deep and complex...." Read more

"...It follows 3 characters who are all going through something different, grief, mental health, trauma, love, loss and finding friendships with all the..." Read more

17 customers mention ‘Humor’17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it funny and written with charm and wit.

"...It's a funny, sad, uplifting story about love, loss, grief and acceptance. If that sounds pretentious - the book really isn't...." Read more

"...Despite the sadnesses in the novel, there is also much humour...." Read more

"...The writing is just beautiful and made me want to cry lots of times as I thought about the good and the bad things that happen to ordinary people..." Read more

"...Ericka Waller has written the most beautiful, heartfelt story that doesn’t shy away from packing some emotional punches...." Read more

12 customers mention ‘Writing style’12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style of the book, with one mentioning its gentle shape and another noting its ease of reading.

"...The dogs, of course, steal the show. Ericka Walker writes beautifully and the ease of reading is because she is such a master of her prose...." Read more

"Wow, this book was so good. Loved the writing and it was for me a page Turner as I needed to know the characters story...." Read more

"Such a wonderful and beautifully written book. A story of three people trying to cope with daily life and struggles. All with a fur companion, a dog...." Read more

"...The language and gentle shape of this book is a beautiful way of presenting some challenging issues, sophisticated but credible and endearing...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Dog companionship’9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of dog companionship, with one customer noting how supportive the animals are to their owners, and another highlighting their true healing power.

"...This book definitely supports the life view of the dog people but hopefully will be able to convert a few cat people..." Read more

"...Not only this, but the book perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us...." Read more

"...All with a fur companion, a dog. It was lovely to read how supportive the dogs were...." Read more

"...The dogs were all very amusing too." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Insight’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, with one customer noting it provides amazing insight into the human condition, while another describes it as compellingly delineated.

"...The characters are flawed and also very endearing, compellingly delineated. The dogs, of course, steal the show...." Read more

"...book is a beautiful way of presenting some challenging issues, sophisticated but credible and endearing...." Read more

"...So many emotional trials but delivered with love, total understanding and great humour...." Read more

"...A gentle page-turner with the most amazing insight into the human condition, successfully clothed as a satisfying, unputdownable read...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Beauty’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning its unique characters and foibles.

"...This book is so beautiful and poignant - I recommend it to anyone looking for a story full of heart and compassion...." Read more

"...Just beautiful. I’ve never experienced anything like it and I wish I could read another 364 pages of it’s beauty...." Read more

"...presenting some challenging issues, sophisticated but credible and endearing...." Read more

"A novel driven by very individual realistic characters, with foibles and uniqueness, and of course their dogs...." Read more

This is the only book you'll ever need!
5 out of 5 stars
This is the only book you'll ever need!
If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one. How do I even sum up something that is just pure perfection? Because that’s exactly what this book is. It’s touched my soul and will always have a place in my heart. The characters in this book feel so real, their stories so deep and complex. Even aside from the exceptional story, the author’s words made me forget time and space, sucking me into a whole new place, yet one that felt so familiar in so many ways. I could relate so hard to how these characters felt, and one particular scene took the breath from my lungs and made my eyes stream because it was so close to home. Not only this, but the book perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us. Just beautiful. I’ve never experienced anything like it and I wish I could read another 364 pages of it’s beauty. Thank you, Ericka, for writing this book and touching the hearts of so many. You deserve so much love for this.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • V. Joyce
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, full of the poignancy of living
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. The characters are flawed and also very endearing, compellingly delineated. The dogs, of course, steal the show. Ericka Walker writes beautifully and the ease of reading is because she is such a master of her prose. Despite the sadnesses in the novel, there is also much humour. The preciousness of life and love, in human and dog form, offers comfort to us all.
    I’ll be reading more of Ericka Walkers books, for sure!
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  • Toot Machine
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heed the heartbreaking
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is described as 'a heart-warming, heart-breaking novel'...don't overlook the heart-breaking warning.

    I loved loved loved this book. The characters are deeply flawed yet somehow still loveable and their journeys are captivating.

    I would give 5 stars. It deserves 5 stars really. But it also broke my heart and left me crying most unexpectedly on a Thursday afternoon so I'm docking a star. I might come back and add it back in once I've recovered.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Janie U
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent and beautiful writing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 August 2022
    Verified Purchase
    People are divided into those who love dogs and those who love cats. This book definitely supports the life view of the dog people but hopefully will be able to convert a few cat people (it's clear on which side of the debate I support!!).
    The book is 357 pages with lots of short chapters that flip between George, Dan and Lizzie. They are each dealing with life changing events and through the book we get to understand the support that they all receive from the dogs in their lives. Of course, the dogs represent much more than they first appear to - they get people together and provide comfort when needed.
    There is nothing complicated about the plot and you won't need to concentrate on the characters to get to know them. The best way to enjoy this book is to flow with it as they all experience their extreme ups and downs.
    I was hopeful all the way through that the story would be happy for all of them and there is plenty of joy but also some deep sadness as in real life.
    Surprisingly for fiction, this plot didn't feel contrived and nothing was convenient - things happened to these characters and they just had to deal with them whilst life goes on around them.
    The writing is just beautiful and made me want to cry lots of times as I thought about the good and the bad things that happen to ordinary people who don't deserve either extreme.
    Each character deals with a very deep crisis which develop in unpredictable ways. How the subjects are tackled serves as a reminder that everyone has something unique about them which can't be seen by others around them and often it is only with the support of kindness that people get through (kindness from dogs or humans!!)
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Intertwined lives, loves and some sadness.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book, it is very different from my usual books, and it took a few pages to get my interest.
    I loved the part that the dogs all played in each of the three main stories. I enloyed how George was portrayed, and how he softened. The sadness of Daniel and Atticus broke my heart. Lizzie was a surprise package.
    I look forward to future books from Ericka.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Sara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a buddy read with some of my lovely friends and we all absolutely adored it! Ericka Waller has written the most beautiful, heartfelt story that doesn’t shy away from packing some emotional punches. All of the characters are dealing with their own issues - bereavement, OCD, abuse histories, depression - and all of them are held together by their dogs and by each other. This book resonated with me so much having lived in the area where the book is set and spent many many hours walking on The Beacon. I have a dachshund called Poppy just like one of the main characters, and we are a Spurs household too, so the occasional mention of our favourite football team made me smile! This book is so beautiful and poignant - I recommend it to anyone looking for a story full of heart and compassion. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time to come and I’ve no doubt it will always bring a tear to my eye (in a good way). Just wonderful.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • kla715
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the book. I enjoyed reading it. But feel it should have had a trigger warning, as I wasn't prepared for the end.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Emily Quinn
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only book you'll ever need!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one.

    How do I even sum up something that is just pure perfection? Because that’s exactly what this book is. It’s touched my soul and will always have a place in my heart. The characters in this book feel so real, their stories so deep and complex. Even aside from the exceptional story, the author’s words made me forget time and space, sucking me into a whole new place, yet one that felt so familiar in so many ways.

    I could relate so hard to how these characters felt, and one particular scene took the breath from my lungs and made my eyes stream because it was so close to home. Not only this, but the book perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us. Just beautiful.

    I’ve never experienced anything like it and I wish I could read another 364 pages of it’s beauty. Thank you, Ericka, for writing this book and touching the hearts of so many. You deserve so much love for this.
    Customer image
    Emily Quinn
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    This is the only book you'll ever need!

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 April 2022
    If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one.

    How do I even sum up something that is just pure perfection? Because that’s exactly what this book is. It’s touched my soul and will always have a place in my heart. The characters in this book feel so real, their stories so deep and complex. Even aside from the exceptional story, the author’s words made me forget time and space, sucking me into a whole new place, yet one that felt so familiar in so many ways.

    I could relate so hard to how these characters felt, and one particular scene took the breath from my lungs and made my eyes stream because it was so close to home. Not only this, but the book perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us. Just beautiful.

    I’ve never experienced anything like it and I wish I could read another 364 pages of it’s beauty. Thank you, Ericka, for writing this book and touching the hearts of so many. You deserve so much love for this.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 March 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, this book was so good. Loved the writing and it was for me a page Turner as I needed to know the characters story. It follows 3 characters who are all going through something different, grief, mental health, trauma, love, loss and finding friendships with all the help from dogs too. The dogs in the book were written really well as dogs really do help with everyday things and feelings, dogs know when something is up with there human, my dogs are the same! There was unexpected twists at the end that was shocking and sad and I think the author did very well at writing those scenes and I felt all the emotions. I also loved that it was based in Brighton as I live very close to Brighton so it was nice for it to be featured in a great book. I will definitely be recommending this book to all my bookish friends, and I can’t wait to read more of this Authors work. Thank you
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • daniela.damiani
    4.0 out of 5 stars In realtà sono storie umane che sgorgano e s'incrociano grazie alla presenza canina
    Reviewed in Italy on 3 December 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Mi è piaciuto il filo conduttore, ben scritto, a tratti un po' contorto nella descrizione dei caratteri
    Report
  • BookAddict
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 May 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Had I looked into the original meaning of dog days, I may have been better prepared for this novel. I got an invite from the publisher to read an early edıtion, indicating that, since I had enjoyed a previous romance that had dogs in it, I might enjoy this story.

    It ended up being a vast departure from my typical reading, but this crafty wordsmith somehow manages to mıne the magic in the mundane and breathe life into the pedestrian as she takes us into the lives of three canine companions and their very different humans, laying bąre every flaw and weakness and each little sçar.

    Written in a style that's of more an accounting or reporting, a reserved, impartial voice states the facts without embellishment. This only serves to highlight the emotional moments, making them that much more strıking and dynamic.

    Life is harđ but a dog loves unconditionally. Humans fail others and themselves but a dog is always loyal. Some circumstances and choices seem impossible to live with, but a dog will always do its best to soothe a bąttered soul.

    Poignant and heart breaķing, yet healing and inspiring, this unvarnished, authentic story is a powerful, extraordinary read and absolutely not to be missed.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read!
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    What more can I say then wow wow wow! I love the character development, And the way the story progress is and I must say I didn't really see the twist at the end! I'd left I cried, Definitely 1 of the best books of the year!
    Report
  • Chrysanthemum
    5.0 out of 5 stars All the tears, all the sun
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 August 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a funny, wry, deeply grief stricken, and lovingly generous and beautifully crafted book that also stars several perfect dogs.
    Report

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