Second Chance

by Elizabeth Wrenn

Every woman needs a best friend…

And Deena Munger needs one more than most. Faced with an almost empty nest, a marriage that's as stale as week-old bread, and hot flushes that are driving her mad, no wonder she feels running away. Despite her twenty extra pounds, Deena feels invisible and wonders when she started to disappear. And how come she never even noticed.Until the day Heloise enters her life.To the astonishment of her family, Deena volunteers to raise a Guide dog-and suddenly her world is turned upside down. Can this messy, boisterous, playful Labrador puppy show her the way out of the darkness? Seeing really is believing…

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Chick Lit, Animals, Womens Fiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Joselle173 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice lil novel about a woman approaching 50 who has two teenagers and one kid in college and a husband who works an awful lot. Deena has been a stay at home mom/wife her whole adult life and is now experiencing some life-crisis. So she decides to take in a puppy and train it for the first year for a program called K-9 Eyes for the Blind. The novel is about rediscovering yourself and maybe a reminder to the reader to try and not lose yourself in the first place. One passage from the novel really jumped out at me:

(scene: Deena has decided to fly out of town sans kids/hubby to visit an old college friend. They're talking in her friend's kitchen the night of her arrival. Deena starts talking about what it's like having Heloise, the puppy she's training for K-9 eyes.)

"Since I've had Heloise I've felt what it's like to be out there again."

"What do you mean? Like, out of the house?"

"More than that. People - strangers - look me in the eye, talk to me, because I have this adorable dog in a green jacket who's going to be this really vital partner to someone one day. So it's the dog they look at, but then they look at me, like I'm something. Someone." My voice cracked and Elaine gently took my hand. "I guess because they know I'll have to give her up, or because they think I know what I'm doing -- I don't know." I took a deep breath and looked at my friend, my voice strong now. "I don't think I've ever really experienced this before. This visibility and...respect. I have to say, as hard as raising her has been, and it's been a lot more work than I thought it would be, being a full-time mother is a hell of a lot harder. But rarely does anyone look at a mother with that kind of respect and awe." ...

"Elaine, I've had to learn so much since my kids were born -- it's like the most intense college. YOu have to learn about behavior, psychology, physiology, medicine, logistical planning, engineering, nutrition, brain development - shit! Everything! But we don't graduate to anything. No one ever hands you a diploma. no marching across a stage somewhere with a go-get-'em song playing. In fact, it's the opposite. It's like the elevator music that's been in the background the past twenty years of your life just kind of fades out, and you look up, and everyone's gone."

...."Heloise I will have loved and cared for and taught and learned from for a year, year and a half, by the time she's recalled. You do that with your kids for eighteen years."...."I wish I had a dollar for every time a complete stranger has stoped me, looked at Heloise, and asked, 'How are you ever going to give her up?' I doubt any of those people would ever stop and ask a mother that."

[Dana Nucera · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so basic and fluffy that I don't know how I managed to finish it. Oh wait, I know why I finished it....I love dogs. The dog was the best part of the book. Other than that I should have put it down and moved onto something else. I can't relate to housewives, or women that spend their life taking care of a family to the point of ad nausea. Taking care of a family doesn't mean you do every single thing for them so they don't have to learn to do anything themselves....and let yourself go at the same time. How a woman reaches the age of 50 without expressing herself is a bit ridiculous, in my opinion. And the ending.....well without giving anything away, was extremely predictable. There are way too many other books out there to read, move on and pick up something with a more substance.

[Kayla Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one the best books I've ever read. Wrenn's writing is descriptive and funny, even when she's dealing with some not so fun themes. I identified with the main character, even though I'm a good 15 years younger. There is something about stay-at-home moms losing themselves...it's normal, and I wish more women would reach out find this too is just another phase in our complex, dynamic lives.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cheesy but a good story about a midlife crisis. It takes writing talent to make the reader fall in love with a dog without being able to see it!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Deena Munger, the transformation to underappreciated housewife was subtle and gradual. Approaching 50, Deena feels she has lost sight of who she is, other than mom to 3 teens and wife to her doctor husband who works too many hours. She decides to raise a puppy for K-9 Eyes for the Blind. While raising Heloise, she rediscovers herself and the love she has lost from her husband. This was an entertaining read.

[Monica Zebold-Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Easy read. Nice diversion from my current classic’s book.
Midlife crisis of 50 year old wife and mother; predictable. But since I love dogs, the raising of a Guide Dog for the Blind was interesting and a positive co-story line. I think any woman who has been a mom and wife experiences the same challenges as the main character did with her children growing up and leaving the nest, and in the reacquaintance with your husband.

[Joyce Peak · Rating 3 out of 5]

A middle aged woman gave herself, her wants, needs, desires to her husband and family and became more and more miserable as an individual. She decides to take a puppy to train for sight to the blind individuals. This was too predictable. I could guess what would happen next at each turn and be correct. It wasn't badly written, just not my type of book.

[Toni Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I did not particularly enjoy this book. I was irritated by the way the character was being treated by her family and how she had lost her identity. I think it was just that the material was a little close to home. The story did get better by mid-point and I was satisfied with the way the story ended. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite book but it was a good, quick read.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story about a woman who feels stuck in her life and instead of going all crazy she finds a new task that helps not only her but so many others: she raises a therapy dog and that comes with so many wonderful, heartwarming, funny moments that the book was an absolute enjoyment.

[Shereen Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming story about a woman who feels stuck in her life and instead of going all crazy she finds a new task that helps not only her but so many others: she raises a therapy dog and that comes with so many wonderful, heartwarming. a nice read,,

[Dina Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I felt like this book was about me especially since the main character and I share the same name. You do start wondering who you are after being every thing to every one. I just think this was very poignant and well written.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a big fan of dogs, but this book may have changed my mind. Very inspiring, and very realistic. Enjoyed this book from start to finish.

[Annemie Candal]

Braaf meisje - originele titel second chance

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful feel-good story. I didn't want it to end!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Hilde Rijckaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

vlotte stijl, levensecht, 1 van de betere !

[BookNerdette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at our local Dollar General Store. I purchased at the same time “The Dwelling” book by Vinita Hampton Wright

Genre: Fiction Family Life Guide Dogs Middle-aged Women

My Rating : TWo ThuMBS uP!

My Opinion / Thoughts / on this book.
I picked this book up for a light day of reading. Thinking I would read of a woman who raises a pup and I would finish the book and hug my chi even closer to me. [all these thoughts in my minds eye] I began to read and was captivated.

Elizabeth Wrenn has done an awesome job – so much so I was surprised this was her first book. I too was taken back with the low price I paid for this book. It was so awesome! I connected with the character Deena from the beginning. I laughed out loud so much with this book {my family gave me strange looks}. I laugh so hard – I cryed. Now there are areas in the book where you will really cry. So just be safe and keep the kleenex handy.

Do you like Hallmark movies? IF so you will LOVE this book. It is so REAL, so TRUE – that is what makes it so funny. I identified with her in so many ways / with my teenager, my husband, my oh-god just NOT wanting it [sex] at times. The weight gain, the invisibility and the wanting to find ME.

I felt like Elizabeth wrote this book just for me. But I know there are others out there that will also relate to the character in this book. So grab this awesome read and receive the blessing I have experienced with it.

I don’t think I have went through or even touched Menopause / but I have passed through this phase of finding myself. After my daughter got old enough to begin school / I started back to work – then back to college and finally a few jobs {stepping stones} later I am where I am now| with a nice office job that pays the bills.

But anyway – the book is awesome! I highly recommend it!

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about a middle-aged woman who wants to do something for herself rather than spend the rest of her life playing second fiddle to her husband's career, looking after the home and keeping her teenage children organised. In order to find herself she applies to socialise a guide dog puppy for the first year of its life.

This sounds like it could be really mawkish and sugary, but in fact the book is far from it. It seems so realistic that the characters feel like people you know and that you see every day.

It has a lot to say about how women sacrifice themselves for husband and family, and how the woman as a person often doesn't emerge until middle age.

And of course there's a cute and naughty puppy around - what book wouldn't be better without a dog in it?

The book is funny, but also made me cry (twice!)and I would recommend it.

[Geokowgurl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story that made me laugh at how similar my life was to the main character, Deena Munger's. It also made me cry because of how close Deena's life was to mine as well! This is a "feel good" story about a woman who goes through "empty nest" syndrome as her kids grow up and move away. Deena can't seem to remember who she was before being a wife and a mother. She decides to raise a seeing eye dog and this is the story of how she finds herself and saves her marriage all from things learned from this beautiful Golden Lab Puppy, Heloise, as she grows and changes. I recommend this book to any woman who needs a little mid-life pick-me-up

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight. It will make you laugh and cry. Deena, who is experiencing some problems in her life and marriage, takes on the raising of a puppy for K9 Eyes for the blind. She ends up with a lab full of personality. , If you’ve ever owned or loved a dog you will associate with this one. For me it brought back lots of memories of a Labrador we had many years ago. Considering this is a first novel makes it all the more remarkable a feat. It was a joy to read. The characters and story are well developed and true to life. Treat yourself to this one. It’s not just for dog lovers.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is less about the raising of a guide dog and more about a middle aged woman who'd lost herself amongst all her many hats of mom, wife, friend, etc. Yes, it touches on the dog and it does play a major part in the book as it helps her to find herself but it's mostly about the woman in the throes of menopause and a mid-life crisis.

It has a very slow start. So slow that I almost gave up and put it away but I stuck with it and I'm so glad that I did. I was moved and I believe others will be, too. I strongly suggest this for a read. Give it a chance.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started off not really liking Deena. She’s a housewife but really is not happy with her life or her marriage and she does not treat her husband that well. But then we meet Heloise, the puppy she will be raising for K-9 Eyes for the Blind and I begin to like her a lot more. Her kids are bratty teenagers and I hope when my kids are that age they treat me with more respect. But by the end of the book I like Deena, Heloise and all the other characters in the book. Loved the epilogue and how it wrapped up things.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was basically chic-lit for middle-aged women. A pleasant light read about an overweight housewife in a mid-life crisis who volunteers to raise and train a puppy to becoming a seeing-eye dog for the blind. The experience of raising the dog of course teaches her lessons about life and love and leads her through a personal transformation and a better relationship with her husband and kids.

[Kris Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY slow start - it wasn't until around page 130 that I actually started connecting with any of the characters or really having any interest in what happened next. From that point though, there were enough developments to keep me interested. In the end, it's a book that I could come back to in a few years and probably connect with more solidly. It is a good reminder as a new mom to keep myself in sight and nuture myself as well as my family.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It really made me feel for the characters and be sympathetic towards them! I loved reading about everything that happened with Deena and Heloise too. It was nice to picture a loveable puppy and all her antics and how she grows up. It gives the reader an interesting inside look about what it's like to raise a seeing eye dog as well. Again, it was a great book and I would very much recommend it.

[Nieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good reading material. I enjoyed reading the whole book. Every married woman can relate to Deena 'Dee-licious' how she cope with her weight and her married life. You can change if you put your heart in it and stay focus, Her character really inspires me.

"we need to spend a little time, and money, on ourselves because life's too short"-Neil

"...fix what's wrong, or end it. But don't make what's wrong worse"-Kent

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a tear jerker book. I learned a lot about the K-9 seeing eye dogs. It was helpful to read about how a stay at home mommy who gave herself away to her husband and kids was able to reclaim her life. Some of the things she did I did not agree with but overall I enjoyed reading about her rebirth.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a 49 year old wife/mother who is in desperate need of finding herself. So she signs up to be a trainer for K-9 Eyes for the Blind and through her training her dog, she finds out who she is and how important family is to her. For a first novel for this author, this is a very well written book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is basically about a older lady 50 who lost her identity raising her family and now that they don't seem to need her she decides to volunteer to raise a puppy for the K9 for the blind . her family thinks she has lost her mind , but in the end they all come round . It dragged some but the characters were interesting .

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for dog books and stories of personal transformation, so this one really hit the mark. Super. Wrenn's descriptions of Heloise, the seeing eye dog puppy in training, reflect the depth of her research-- partway into writing this novel, she decided to raise a puppy for this career herself.