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Introducing Rescued Hearts, a new series from USA Today Bestselling Author Leah Atwood. Join the women of Hope House Women’s Shelter as they find love…with the help of a dog.

A lot can happen in ten years.

Rachel Goodman can testify to that. She’s been engaged, left at the altar, changed jobs, and moved three thousand miles away from friends and family to take the director position of Hope House Women’s Shelter. Throughout it all, Roxie, her golden retriever mix, has been her faithful companion and friend.

A trip to the vet brings a scary diagnosis for Roxie, but it also introduces Rachel to Aaron Bradley. He understands what Rachel feels—he walked that road five years ago. They have an instant connection but can that sustain them into love?

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2019

168 people are currently reading
59 people want to read

About the author

Leah Atwood

94 books124 followers
Leah is a small-town girl at heart and currently lives in a rural town in South Louisiana, though Maryland will always be home. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in International Business but gave up a career in sales and marketing to follow love, a decision she's never regretted.

Always a dreamer, she loves to think of times gone by and discover what the American West was really like as the frontier was bring tamed. Because time-travel doesn't really exist, she uses her stories as an outlet to transport back in time and experience the days of old. Never one to ignore inspiration, she is also branching out into contemporary romance.

Her works have reached best-seller status and have topped the categories of Western and Inspirational Romance. She gives thanks to God for blessing her with the amazing opportunity to share her faith in a way to inspire people and bring a smile to their faces.



10 Random Facts about Leah

1) Her favorite book is A Moveable Feast
2) She was once in a governor's inaugural parade
3) Her daughter and she share the same initials
4) Diet soda is her coffee. Every morning must with a glass of the fizzy beverage.
5) On the day of her daughter's birth, Leah's family was so excited they ran out to the car and locked all the keys inside the house. Her husband had to break in the house through a window before they could leave for the hospital
6) She loves to garden despite her black thumb
7) When Leah was a kid, she and her cousin would write their own songs
8) Her favorite movie is Gone with the Wind
9) Holidays bring out her inner child
10) She has a mild obsession with anything pumpkin

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5 stars
81 (56%)
4 stars
43 (29%)
3 stars
18 (12%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Megan Hamsher.
81 reviews33 followers
February 6, 2020
Love at ten Veterinary Hospital

Roxie is #1 in Rescued Hearts series by C.F. author Leah Atwood.

Rachel is attempting to get her stubborn pooch out of the car at the vet.
What she didn't know was that they guy who was carrying a carrier with a cat named Fifi would change her life forever.
What Aaron didn't know was that Roxie's diagnosis -which was the same as his previous dog, Chance -would change his life forever.
And folks at the women's shelter. Hope House that make you think twice about your own life.

I look forward to reading tell other books in this series!
1,842 reviews24 followers
July 19, 2019
Roxie’s story

I very much enjoyed this book. Dogs are special to me also. I love how a really scary thing, the cancer that Roxie had, was used by God to bring two people together. I can’t wait to see what happens with Luna! Very well done!
204 reviews1 follower
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August 26, 2025
I always feel bad rating these books for my church book club. It's like leaving a bad review at a McDonald's because they don't have steak. So, this time, I'm not rating the book at all. It is what it is: a sweet, predictable Christian romance.

Rachel, the director of a domestic violence shelter, lives alone with her dog, Roxie. Roxie has been Rachel's best friend since her fiance dumped her the day before their wedding 10 years ago, leaving Rachel with severe trust issues. One day, Rachel discovers a growth on Roxie's leg. At the vet's office, she meets a handsome man named Aaron.

She soon discovers the growth is cancer and Roxie will lose her leg. Rachel turns to an on-line group for dog lovers for support -- a group that Aaron actually started when his own dog had cancer. Aaron remembers her and they connect, first as fellow dog lovers, but then love grows.

People who like Christian romance and Hallmark movies will love this book. I just prefer more mystery and a complex story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4,589 reviews33 followers
October 2, 2021
What is there not to like about a story with a determined dog? I’m sorry but not liking animals would be a deal breaker for me so I’m glad that Rachel and Aaron have their love of animals in common. More than that, they have a love for people. Leah Atwood has tackled two tough topics in this book, love and care of a seriously ill pet and abuse. Rachel needs that steady love from Roxie when she gets home from her work with abused women. Aaron is also exactly the calming influence she needs for support. While you might need a tissue in spots, it is overall a confirming story of love, both for animals and people. I look forward to the rest of the series.
30 reviews
March 12, 2020
A Faith-filled Story of Love

This is a heartwarming story of the unconditional love between a Christian woman and her dog. They go through a major health crisis for the dog. She meets a kind Christian man at the vet's office who helps her through the dog's health crisis. She and the man become close friends and story progresses on to a happy ending. I look forward to reading more enjoyable books from this author.
197 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2020
This was a great book about two people that loved both God and dogs.
They met when Roxie had to go to the Vet.
The book was very well written and I loved it.
It also had a happy and wonderful ending.
Profile Image for Debbie Desotell.
93 reviews10 followers
April 4, 2020
Very good. Roxie is the same kind of dog I have which I thought would make for a good book. It was that and more. All her animals are rescue dogs which I think is amazing. I just had to put down one of my dogs after about 14 years. If I ever get another dog, it will be a rescue dog.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,936 reviews30 followers
October 28, 2020
This is an overtly Christian story.
A sweet romance with great characters... and a pup!
The conflict is mostly fear and, of course, the cure is trust.

The setting is introduced as are the next characters in the series. I look forward to it.
Profile Image for Lynette.
112 reviews
February 3, 2020
Cute story! Love anything with dogs in it, and this one didn't disappoint. Sweet romance, not too much.
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2021
Beautiful Love Story

This is a great love story with adorable and heartfelt moments that will definitely touch your heart and make you smile always till the very end.
145 reviews
July 20, 2020
This book is about a girl with a dog. I enjoyed this one and it was a little different from the some of the books I read. I hope you read it also and enjoy it as much as me.
5,419 reviews67 followers
December 17, 2019
Roxie ( Rescued Hearts Book 1)

This is a very good story about love and faith in God and his plans and Rogue is a dog very loved and she survives cancer
Profile Image for Faith Posten.
314 reviews11 followers
August 9, 2019
Met at the Vet’s Office

Roxie, the gorgeous, Golden Retriever, has to go to the Vet because of a knot on her leg which surely is a cyst. Roxie loves the car ride, but wants no part of going inside without protest. Aaron helps get Roxie inside. Roxie reminds him of his own beautiful dog Chance who passed away a couple of years ago. Rachel doesn’t normally trust easily after her fiancé jilted her the day before their wedding 10 years ago. But Roxie takes to Aaron almost instantly which is very rare. So Rachel isn’t very trusting.

Because Dr. Scott is concerned about Roxie possibly having cancer, Rachel learns that Aaron’s dog went through the same thing some years ago. She really needs to get some support from someone who has walked that pathway. Aaron quickly becomes a good friend while working his way into her heart. A sweet story sure to warm your heart.
1,402 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2019
Leah Atwood’s book Roxie:
Rachel is worried about her best friend Roxie. When they get to the vets Rachel struggles to get her out of the car. When Aaron sees that Rachel needs help he goes to help her. The attraction these two have for each other is truly amazing. Aaron is a wonderful person, he is always willing to help Rachel and his church. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could. You will feel God working throughout this wonderful story.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,003 reviews21 followers
July 18, 2019
All you need is love

If you need a soul soothing story this is the one to choose. Though Rachel faces some of life's hardest events she holds on to Independence...and loneliness. She does a wonderful job helping other women as director of a shelter for hurting women and children and in God's time receives her own guidance and comfort. Having loved my own fur babies Roxie's story brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.
Profile Image for Amy Petrowich.
317 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2019
A four-legged matchmaker

Rachel and Aaron meet at a very difficult time in Rachel’s life. I loved his instant need to help her. Their “coincidental” meetings are so obviously a God-thing. I enjoyed the plot, the supporting characters, and the fact that it was realistic. It was messy and complex, yet it was beautiful and ordered.
Great book!!
2,237 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2019
Ebook

She’s a director at a woman shelter and loves her dog Roxie. Roxie goes to the vets and they meet Aaron. Aaron is god sent and helps her deal with Roxie cancer and amputation. He has been through it and helps her cope. He heals her heart and the trust the love that forms and welcome Bandit to their family.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
July 18, 2019
I Love Dogs and Romance

I love dogs and Romans and this story fits the bill.
The storyline was very interesting with a superb cast of characters.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romance.
3,666 reviews17 followers
September 16, 2019
I felt for Rachel and Aaron both having to deal with dogs with cancer. How wonderful that he was able to take such a tough time in his life and make a website that gave others information, hope, and a community to share their experiences and that it brought Aaron and Rachel together.
6 reviews
October 18, 2019
How animals help humans find love

I enjoyed this short book.
We had to put two dogs down, We never replaced them. We live in a townhouse and there are many dogs in the neighborhood so we still get our dog fix.
Good story how animals help heal broken hearts.
666 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2019
WOW!!!!!!!!

This was a really sweet love story. And I loved reading about Roxie. She was so brave, going through all she did.
938 reviews
August 12, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! Great from the first page to the last! I can hardly wait for more in the series!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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