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Behind the Receptionist's Desk
Brenda Dempsey’s boss hates her, and the office bully has it out for her. But as a receptionist at Bay View Animal Clinic, no two days are the same, with the variety of animals and owners that come through the front door.
Behind the Receptionist’s Desk brings to life the humor and heartbreak of having and loving a pet. From big dogs to neurotic cats, exotic birds and bearded dragons, the animal clinic action is non-stop. Sweet golden retrievers, sassy tabby cats and colorful birds all come to be seen at Bay View Animal Clinic, along with pet owners who offer their own challenges for the staff.
Brenda works to silence self-doubt as she struggles to manage relationships with a difficult co-worker and boss, along with increasing obligations from the family she truly loves. She shares her joys, her fears and tears as she faces the challenges beyond and Behind the Receptionist’s Desk.
Behind the Receptionist’s Desk brings to life the humor and heartbreak of having and loving a pet. From big dogs to neurotic cats, exotic birds and bearded dragons, the animal clinic action is non-stop. Sweet golden retrievers, sassy tabby cats and colorful birds all come to be seen at Bay View Animal Clinic, along with pet owners who offer their own challenges for the staff.
Brenda works to silence self-doubt as she struggles to manage relationships with a difficult co-worker and boss, along with increasing obligations from the family she truly loves. She shares her joys, her fears and tears as she faces the challenges beyond and Behind the Receptionist’s Desk.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2024
I loved this book! I especially enjoyed reading about Brenda’s struggle navigating how to support a partner through depression and the hardships that can bring. I thought this book was well written and would recommend it!
April 16, 2024
I read the final draft of my mothers book last year, and now it is OFFICIALLY OUT. It is a relatable story of womanhood and trying to figure out where to go in your life. Give it a read this summer 💓
June 6, 2026
I am completely flabbergasted by the sheer depth of this book. Going into it, I expected a collection of cute, lighthearted stories about what happens at a veterinary clinic.
I was so wrong and I couldn't be happier about it! Instead, I was dropped right into the complex, daily life of Brenda. She is a veterinary clinic receptionist, a mother of two girls, a wife, and a daughter. We get a front-row seat as she navigates the daily chaos of the clinic, dealing with all kinds of clients, office politics, and a grumpy boss.
But what makes this story truly remarkable is how beautifully it explores her personal life. Brenda loves her husband deeply and is trying her best to be supportive while he figures out his next steps after closing the family business.
The book handles the heavy realities of their financial struggles, the everyday challenges of motherhood, and the realistic strain that work-life stress can place on a marriage. On top of all that, Brenda is also navigating the emotional toll of dealing with her father’s health issues.
This story is an absolute roller-coaster of emotions. One minute you are laughing out loud, the next your eyes are welling up with tears, and the next you are fiercely angry at the office bully.
Overall, this was an incredibly refreshing, fun, and deeply moving read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful story or a perfect palate cleanser between books!
**Just a little note, my 84 yr old mother stole the book from me the day after I got it. She devoured it and thoroughly loved it!**
I was so wrong and I couldn't be happier about it! Instead, I was dropped right into the complex, daily life of Brenda. She is a veterinary clinic receptionist, a mother of two girls, a wife, and a daughter. We get a front-row seat as she navigates the daily chaos of the clinic, dealing with all kinds of clients, office politics, and a grumpy boss.
But what makes this story truly remarkable is how beautifully it explores her personal life. Brenda loves her husband deeply and is trying her best to be supportive while he figures out his next steps after closing the family business.
The book handles the heavy realities of their financial struggles, the everyday challenges of motherhood, and the realistic strain that work-life stress can place on a marriage. On top of all that, Brenda is also navigating the emotional toll of dealing with her father’s health issues.
This story is an absolute roller-coaster of emotions. One minute you are laughing out loud, the next your eyes are welling up with tears, and the next you are fiercely angry at the office bully.
Overall, this was an incredibly refreshing, fun, and deeply moving read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful story or a perfect palate cleanser between books!
**Just a little note, my 84 yr old mother stole the book from me the day after I got it. She devoured it and thoroughly loved it!**
May 15, 2026
I enjoyed this book a lot! I have never felt so much rage throughout an entire book like I did with this one. Brenda puts up with so much that would have made me snap. Between the boss who hates her (everybody loves him) and the office bully who puts down everybody in the vet office so she looks innocent. Definitely wouldn't have been able to put up with that kind of work atmosphere. Aside from dealing with all the work drama, Brenda must help her husband deal with the loss of the only job he's ever known. I absolutely LOVED the daughters, Alice and Rose. Their banter and just all around innocent way of helping their mom without knowing what they were doing for her. And if that isn't too much for Brenda, her own dad has some serious health issues he comes face to face with. Will Brenda ever get a break?!? I can't wait to read the followup book to find out
There was so much humor with all of the pets and their owners. Most of these scenarios were very believable and I felt connected to many of their situations. I felt all the emotions, happiness, humor, anger and sadness.
I was given a free copy to read and willingly leave this review. Definitely recommend this unexpected gem of a read!
There was so much humor with all of the pets and their owners. Most of these scenarios were very believable and I felt connected to many of their situations. I felt all the emotions, happiness, humor, anger and sadness.
I was given a free copy to read and willingly leave this review. Definitely recommend this unexpected gem of a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2026
Fun, Comedic, Heartfelt
This book was such a fun and great read. It was full of comedy and heartfelt moments with some drama sprinkled that made me feel frustrated for the female main character, Brenda. I loved the unique setting that gave a glimpse of what it’s like to work in a veterinary office. Knowing the author worked it a veterinary office, it made me wonder how close to the truth some of the crazy encounters in the story were.
This book was such a fun and great read. It was full of comedy and heartfelt moments with some drama sprinkled that made me feel frustrated for the female main character, Brenda. I loved the unique setting that gave a glimpse of what it’s like to work in a veterinary office. Knowing the author worked it a veterinary office, it made me wonder how close to the truth some of the crazy encounters in the story were.
February 28, 2025
Loved this book! The characters are so well written that you feel like you actually know them. I had many monents of wanting to tell Dr. Kincaid where to shove it or of just wanting to give Brenda a big ole hug. Definitely put this one on your summer reading list!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews