What do you think?
Rate this book
North of Broken & Furever Home
Renley Nelsen's life is unravelling. She’s caught between midlife melancholy, her sons have drifted away, and her mother's mind is slipping beyond reach.
Sully, the youngest in a pack of abandoned dogs in Ontario's northern woods, knows only survival. Neglected and scarred, his distrust runs deep.
When Renley's closest friend begs her to join a dog rescue mission, she sees an escape. However, the broken animals—especially Sully—force her to confront more than she bargained for. As she works to save the pack, Renley discovers hidden strength and faces an impossible keep running or find the courage to claim the life she deserves.
Told from alternating perspectives between Renley and Sully, this is a story of mutual acceptance, where woman and dog must learn that healing demands the bravery to stay—when everything inside you wants to run.
Sully, the youngest in a pack of abandoned dogs in Ontario's northern woods, knows only survival. Neglected and scarred, his distrust runs deep.
When Renley's closest friend begs her to join a dog rescue mission, she sees an escape. However, the broken animals—especially Sully—force her to confront more than she bargained for. As she works to save the pack, Renley discovers hidden strength and faces an impossible keep running or find the courage to claim the life she deserves.
Told from alternating perspectives between Renley and Sully, this is a story of mutual acceptance, where woman and dog must learn that healing demands the bravery to stay—when everything inside you wants to run.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2026
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
North of Broken & Furever home by Holly B. Gutwillinger
My review:
Thanks to the author Holly B. Gutwillinger & Olivepresspublishing for this ARC.
NOB&FH is a dual narrative between the FMC Renley - a wife, mother & friend. And A dog. Renleys marriage to Jesse and her life is crumbling around her. This story features midlife melancholy and family ties fracturing. With this dual narrative, both Renley and the dog have to learn the key point - that healing requires the bravery to stay - even when everything inside you wants to run.
From the beginning I felt sorry for Renley - something as simple as misplacing keys - asking for help to recieve none.
And omg the dog POV (Sully) when i read the first chapter from Sully's POV I almost cried it was cute as hell. I feel sorry for that lil doggo.
Omg... I cried like such a girl at the bear scene 😭😭😭... so so sad.
And poor cash. This was such an emotional soppy read for me. But im glad if the positive ending.
5 stars ❤️
My review:
Thanks to the author Holly B. Gutwillinger & Olivepresspublishing for this ARC.
NOB&FH is a dual narrative between the FMC Renley - a wife, mother & friend. And A dog. Renleys marriage to Jesse and her life is crumbling around her. This story features midlife melancholy and family ties fracturing. With this dual narrative, both Renley and the dog have to learn the key point - that healing requires the bravery to stay - even when everything inside you wants to run.
From the beginning I felt sorry for Renley - something as simple as misplacing keys - asking for help to recieve none.
And omg the dog POV (Sully) when i read the first chapter from Sully's POV I almost cried it was cute as hell. I feel sorry for that lil doggo.
Omg... I cried like such a girl at the bear scene 😭😭😭... so so sad.
And poor cash. This was such an emotional soppy read for me. But im glad if the positive ending.
5 stars ❤️
January 16, 2026
The story alternates between Renley, a middle-aged woman navigating loss, identity, and a shifting family dynamic, and Sully, a young dog struggling to survive in a harsh, unforgiving world. This dual perspective is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Renley’s chapters are deeply relatable, filled with the exhaustion of caregiving, the ache of unfulfilled purpose, and the longing to belong to something meaningful. Sully’s voice, on the other hand, is raw, innocent, and heartbreaking, offering a powerful reminder of resilience and loyalty in the face of fear and abandonment.
The parallels between Renley’s internal struggles and Sully’s fight for survival are handled with care, reinforcing the novel’s central theme: healing often begins when we open ourselves to love again, especially the kind that asks for nothing in return.
Animal lovers will find this book especially moving, but the story resonates far beyond that audience. Anyone who has felt lost, unseen, or “north of broken” will recognize themselves in these pages.
North of Broken & Furever Home is a heartfelt, soul-soothing read about second chances, chosen family, and the profound ways humans and animals save one another. This book is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, finding a forever home starts with finding yourself.
The parallels between Renley’s internal struggles and Sully’s fight for survival are handled with care, reinforcing the novel’s central theme: healing often begins when we open ourselves to love again, especially the kind that asks for nothing in return.
Animal lovers will find this book especially moving, but the story resonates far beyond that audience. Anyone who has felt lost, unseen, or “north of broken” will recognize themselves in these pages.
North of Broken & Furever Home is a heartfelt, soul-soothing read about second chances, chosen family, and the profound ways humans and animals save one another. This book is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, finding a forever home starts with finding yourself.
February 26, 2026
Not my usual genre, but what a hallmark movie of a hug! I think Renley takes more of the blame for her marriage tension than she deserves… otherwise very cute and tender. I liked Sully’s perspective — he’s such a sweetheart. Three and a half stars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
received arc of book.
this is such a beautiful story of one woman's journey of self-discovery. be prepared to cry.
this is such a beautiful story of one woman's journey of self-discovery. be prepared to cry.
December 31, 2025
Thank you Olive Press Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge dog lover, so I was very excited to read about a dog with his own POV. I loved this book. It was very good. The dog POV was very enjoyable, as was the main characters.
March 2, 2026
3.5⭐️
One think I discovered in my 2025 reading life was how much I enjoyed POVs from animals and inanimate objects throughout the story.
In North of Broken & Furever Home you follow two stories. First you have Renley, a woman dealing with crippling anxiety, a dead end job and grieving the death of her beloved dog. She is struggling being an empty nester as her boys go away to school and her relationship with her husband is strained. Her only joy is her volunteer work at the local shelter but even then she questions her abilities.
Then you have Sully, a scared and timid pup trying to survive the wilderness with a pack of strays including his brother that feel he is more dead weight than helpful.
When their paths start to cross during a rescue mission that sees the dogs brought into the safety and comfort of the shelter, their instant connection helps to bring them both out of their shells and help them both find purpose.
A heart warming and sweet story of the power that animas bring into our lives and how important they become as members of our families.
One think I discovered in my 2025 reading life was how much I enjoyed POVs from animals and inanimate objects throughout the story.
In North of Broken & Furever Home you follow two stories. First you have Renley, a woman dealing with crippling anxiety, a dead end job and grieving the death of her beloved dog. She is struggling being an empty nester as her boys go away to school and her relationship with her husband is strained. Her only joy is her volunteer work at the local shelter but even then she questions her abilities.
Then you have Sully, a scared and timid pup trying to survive the wilderness with a pack of strays including his brother that feel he is more dead weight than helpful.
When their paths start to cross during a rescue mission that sees the dogs brought into the safety and comfort of the shelter, their instant connection helps to bring them both out of their shells and help them both find purpose.
A heart warming and sweet story of the power that animas bring into our lives and how important they become as members of our families.
February 22, 2026
The Review
What a powerful, heartfelt and compelling story. The balance of emotional depth and world building was astonishing, and the connection readers formed between the characters and the world itself was strong. The alternating POVs of both Renley and Sully was able to give readers a fresh perspective of the relationship between a pet and their pet parent, or in more broad terms animal and man.
The heart of this narrative was in the powerful themes and messaging behind these characters. From the close perspective on mental health and the special bond between people and their pets, to the struggles to find your own identity and find your footing in the world, these themes helped flesh out these characters greatly and keep readers both emotionally invested and engaged in their journey.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, entertaining, and memorable, author Holly B. Gutwillinger’s “North of Broken & Furever Home” is a must-read contemporary drama following family dynamics, a journey of identity, and heartfelt connection. The depth of heart and the rich, dynamic character development will keep readers glued to the page until the book’s final pages.
What a powerful, heartfelt and compelling story. The balance of emotional depth and world building was astonishing, and the connection readers formed between the characters and the world itself was strong. The alternating POVs of both Renley and Sully was able to give readers a fresh perspective of the relationship between a pet and their pet parent, or in more broad terms animal and man.
The heart of this narrative was in the powerful themes and messaging behind these characters. From the close perspective on mental health and the special bond between people and their pets, to the struggles to find your own identity and find your footing in the world, these themes helped flesh out these characters greatly and keep readers both emotionally invested and engaged in their journey.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, entertaining, and memorable, author Holly B. Gutwillinger’s “North of Broken & Furever Home” is a must-read contemporary drama following family dynamics, a journey of identity, and heartfelt connection. The depth of heart and the rich, dynamic character development will keep readers glued to the page until the book’s final pages.
February 17, 2026
In this novel, the author weaves together two parallel journeys of healing, one human, one canine into a story about loss, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to open your heart again.
The book features Renley, a woman navigating midlife restlessness, the ache of an emptying nest, and the lingering grief of losing her beloved dog. Her volunteer work at an animal shelter becomes more than just a way to fill time, it becomes a lifeline. Through Renley’s eyes, the author captures the often-unseen emotional labor of caregiving, the weight of always being “the dependable one,” and the longing to feel purposeful in a life that has begun to feel routine.
Running alongside Renley’s story is the heartbreaking and beautifully imagined perspective of Sully, a young stray dog trying to survive in a harsh world.
This is not just a “dog lover’s book.” It’s a story for anyone who has felt a little lost in their own life, who has struggled with grief, or who believes that love, whether between people or between humans and animals can be profoundly healing.
The book features Renley, a woman navigating midlife restlessness, the ache of an emptying nest, and the lingering grief of losing her beloved dog. Her volunteer work at an animal shelter becomes more than just a way to fill time, it becomes a lifeline. Through Renley’s eyes, the author captures the often-unseen emotional labor of caregiving, the weight of always being “the dependable one,” and the longing to feel purposeful in a life that has begun to feel routine.
Running alongside Renley’s story is the heartbreaking and beautifully imagined perspective of Sully, a young stray dog trying to survive in a harsh world.
This is not just a “dog lover’s book.” It’s a story for anyone who has felt a little lost in their own life, who has struggled with grief, or who believes that love, whether between people or between humans and animals can be profoundly healing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holly Gutwillinger’s North of Broken: Furever Home is a moving story about love and acceptance. Renley is a highly relatable middle-aged mother of two, a nearly empty-nester, struggling with anxiety, and frustrated at her job, but she finds joy in volunteering at the local shelter. Through Sully’s point-of-view, Gutwillinger writes with compassion about his experiences as a dog grieving for his mother and rescued by humans only to encounter a strange new world. The reader comes to love both characters and understand their individual struggles and their need for connection. North of Broken: Furever Home is a touching story of grief, belonging, friendship, and healing that will stay with you long after you have finished the last page. Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy with me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
North of Broken and Furever Home is a sweet, gentle story that will especially resonate with dog lovers.
The book moves between two timelines, following a woman finding her footing and Sully, an abandoned dog in Ontario’s northern woods. As the youngest of his pack, Sully must face the wilderness before being rescued and learning to adjust to life with humans. Reading his journey was especially moving for me, as I have a rescue who was found as a stray. Not knowing a dog’s history, their triggers, or what shaped them can be both challenging and emotional, and the book captures that perfectly.
While there are a few sad moments, at its heart this is a “who saved who” story. Tender, comforting, and full of love for animals, it’s a reminder of how deeply they can change our lives, often when we need it most.
The book moves between two timelines, following a woman finding her footing and Sully, an abandoned dog in Ontario’s northern woods. As the youngest of his pack, Sully must face the wilderness before being rescued and learning to adjust to life with humans. Reading his journey was especially moving for me, as I have a rescue who was found as a stray. Not knowing a dog’s history, their triggers, or what shaped them can be both challenging and emotional, and the book captures that perfectly.
While there are a few sad moments, at its heart this is a “who saved who” story. Tender, comforting, and full of love for animals, it’s a reminder of how deeply they can change our lives, often when we need it most.
February 3, 2026
As an animal lover, and someone who recently had to say goodbye to a beloved furbaby, this story felt incredibly special to me. I was truly honored to receive an ARC. Told through a dual perspective of both a woman and a dog, the narrative beautifully captures their individual growth, their deepening bond, and a shared journey of second chances. By the end, they rescue each other in the most tender way, and I’ll fully admit I shed more than a few tears. This book is wonderfully unique and genuinely beautiful, a story that stays with you long after the final page.
February 21, 2026
In North of Broken & Furever Home, Holly B. Gutwillinger explores the ways in which we are broken--and the ways in which we are healed. Renley Nelsen does not have a simple life: Her beloved dog companion has died, her sons are now both in university, she is emotionally abused and manipulated by her mother, and there is tension in communication between herself and her husband. She volunteers at an animal rescue shelter run by a close friend, but feels the rest of the staff is judging her. In addition, she worries that her mother's mental health issues will manifest in her own life. She is a woman struggling to come to terms with many things, and her issues, although unique, will resonate with readers.
The other protagonist is Sully, a homeless pup living in the northern bush; he has freedom, but also faces cold, hunger, pack disputes, predators, and the ever present danger of being hunted down hunted down as a danger to the nearly towns. Sully and the pack he joins, fleeing through the bush, brought back many memories of heartbreaking stories for me. I was also very pleased with the way she sees into the actions and reactions of the rescue dog: Many assume that the grateful dog will immediately turn into a loyal, submissive pet. The author teaches us here to respect the bewilderment, the anxiety, and the fears that the dog is experiencing. This is important.
The stories will merge in a moving and graceful way, but this does not mean the resolution will be easy. Moments of grace are often hard work, with much heartbreak along the way. For her understanding of human nature and canine nature, for an authentic and compelling story, I highly recommend North of Broken & Furever Home.
The other protagonist is Sully, a homeless pup living in the northern bush; he has freedom, but also faces cold, hunger, pack disputes, predators, and the ever present danger of being hunted down hunted down as a danger to the nearly towns. Sully and the pack he joins, fleeing through the bush, brought back many memories of heartbreaking stories for me. I was also very pleased with the way she sees into the actions and reactions of the rescue dog: Many assume that the grateful dog will immediately turn into a loyal, submissive pet. The author teaches us here to respect the bewilderment, the anxiety, and the fears that the dog is experiencing. This is important.
The stories will merge in a moving and graceful way, but this does not mean the resolution will be easy. Moments of grace are often hard work, with much heartbreak along the way. For her understanding of human nature and canine nature, for an authentic and compelling story, I highly recommend North of Broken & Furever Home.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews