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Who Rescued Who
Where can you turn when the world turns against you? When Elizabeth Barnes’ life fell apart she never imagined that she’d be rescued by a new friend on four paws.
The plan was simple: Elizabeth would ignore the fact that she was unjustly fired from her dream job, fly across the pond to settle an unexpected inheritance in her father’s home country and quickly return to reclaim her position among the Silicon Valley elite.
But when Elizabeth stumbles upon an abandoned puppy, she’s shocked to realize that her brief trip to England might turn into an extended stay. Her strict itinerary is upended completely by the pup’s dogged devotion, and soon the loveable puppy helps her to connect with a tight-knit community of new friends on two legs and four, from the aunt and uncle she didn't know existed, to a grumpy coffee shop owner to two very opinionated sheep. Along the way Elizabeth is confronted by long-kept family secrets, hard truths about her former life and a new romance that might lead her to question everything she knows about love. Because sometimes rescue magic happens on both ends of the leash.
The plan was simple: Elizabeth would ignore the fact that she was unjustly fired from her dream job, fly across the pond to settle an unexpected inheritance in her father’s home country and quickly return to reclaim her position among the Silicon Valley elite.
But when Elizabeth stumbles upon an abandoned puppy, she’s shocked to realize that her brief trip to England might turn into an extended stay. Her strict itinerary is upended completely by the pup’s dogged devotion, and soon the loveable puppy helps her to connect with a tight-knit community of new friends on two legs and four, from the aunt and uncle she didn't know existed, to a grumpy coffee shop owner to two very opinionated sheep. Along the way Elizabeth is confronted by long-kept family secrets, hard truths about her former life and a new romance that might lead her to question everything she knows about love. Because sometimes rescue magic happens on both ends of the leash.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2020
371 people are currently reading
4855 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Schade
15 books419 followersVictoria Schade has been a dog trainer and writer for over seventeen years. During that time her dog duties have included working behind the scenes on Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl as the lead animal wrangler, appearing on two seasons of the Animal Planet show Faithful Friends, writing dog training content and appearing in educational videos for NBC/Universal, Pet360, PawCulture and petMD, and writing two dog training books, Bonding With Your Dog and Secrets of a Dog Trainer.
Victoria shares her 1850’s always-in- need-of- renovations home with Millie the Smooth Brussels Griffon (who wants you to know that she is not a skinny pug), Olive the mixed breed dog, the occasional foster pup, and her incredibly tolerant husband, Tom.
Victoria shares her 1850’s always-in- need-of- renovations home with Millie the Smooth Brussels Griffon (who wants you to know that she is not a skinny pug), Olive the mixed breed dog, the occasional foster pup, and her incredibly tolerant husband, Tom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
April 21, 2025
Heartwarming, adorable, & a much needed feel-good escape!!
WHO RESCUED WHO by VICTORIA SCHADE is a charming, engaging, fun, cute, quick, and steadily paced read that was both emotional and humorous to read. What I really enjoyed most about the storyline is that it doesn’t immediately grab your attention; it grows on you as you get invested in these characters. There was just the right amount of character struggles, family secrets, romance, and self-discovery here to make it a lighthearted relaxing read without being overly heavy.
VICTORIA SCHADE delivers quite the realistic, entertaining, enjoyable, and uplifting rom-com here that was an absolute treat to read from start to finish. I so loved following Elizabeth (Bess) and watching her change into the person that she was meant to be with the help of her adorable four legged friend, family, and of course a noble, down to earth handsome gentleman.
Expected publication date: March 24, 2020.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Adorable, eye-catching, appealing, jovial, beautiful and an extremely effective & perfect representation to storyline.
Title: A heartfelt, meaningful and a perfect representation of the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, witty, genuine, engaging, captivating, humorous, fluid and charming.
Plot: Fun, delightful, sweet, lighthearted, personable, steadily-paced, enjoyable and entertaining.
Ending: A happy and satisfying ending.
Overall: 3.5 Stars! A romantic comedy that is packed full of heart and fabulous characters. I would recommend it!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy of this delightful book to read!
WHO RESCUED WHO by VICTORIA SCHADE is a charming, engaging, fun, cute, quick, and steadily paced read that was both emotional and humorous to read. What I really enjoyed most about the storyline is that it doesn’t immediately grab your attention; it grows on you as you get invested in these characters. There was just the right amount of character struggles, family secrets, romance, and self-discovery here to make it a lighthearted relaxing read without being overly heavy.
VICTORIA SCHADE delivers quite the realistic, entertaining, enjoyable, and uplifting rom-com here that was an absolute treat to read from start to finish. I so loved following Elizabeth (Bess) and watching her change into the person that she was meant to be with the help of her adorable four legged friend, family, and of course a noble, down to earth handsome gentleman.
Expected publication date: March 24, 2020.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Adorable, eye-catching, appealing, jovial, beautiful and an extremely effective & perfect representation to storyline.
Title: A heartfelt, meaningful and a perfect representation of the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, witty, genuine, engaging, captivating, humorous, fluid and charming.
Plot: Fun, delightful, sweet, lighthearted, personable, steadily-paced, enjoyable and entertaining.
Ending: A happy and satisfying ending.
Overall: 3.5 Stars! A romantic comedy that is packed full of heart and fabulous characters. I would recommend it!
Thank you so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy of this delightful book to read!
March 24, 2020
3.5 stars
How cute is that cover? How could you resist someone so adorable? Well, our main character here, Elizabeth thinks she can but...
Elizabeth, down on her luck, finds out she has family she didn't know about and they have some secrets. She makes a quick trip to her father's home in the English countryside, not expecting to stay long. She visits to see what secrets her father has packed away from her. What she finds is love in the most unexpected place.
Who Recused Who is a purrfect pick right now, with it's a heartwarming, uplifting and feel-good story. It has the characters with the biggest hearts and it's full of heart & humour. The story has a bit of romance, family secrets and the best part the love from and for those fur friends and family.
The story explores where your heart takes you, living your life not preforming it and those small moments in your life that matter. In the end, it was clear to me who rescued who and I felt rescued myself with these fur characters who brought some love and good memories back into my heart while reading it. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the publisher.
How cute is that cover? How could you resist someone so adorable? Well, our main character here, Elizabeth thinks she can but...
Elizabeth, down on her luck, finds out she has family she didn't know about and they have some secrets. She makes a quick trip to her father's home in the English countryside, not expecting to stay long. She visits to see what secrets her father has packed away from her. What she finds is love in the most unexpected place.
Who Recused Who is a purrfect pick right now, with it's a heartwarming, uplifting and feel-good story. It has the characters with the biggest hearts and it's full of heart & humour. The story has a bit of romance, family secrets and the best part the love from and for those fur friends and family.
The story explores where your heart takes you, living your life not preforming it and those small moments in your life that matter. In the end, it was clear to me who rescued who and I felt rescued myself with these fur characters who brought some love and good memories back into my heart while reading it. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the publisher.
March 26, 2020
Oh, this was so much fun, the perfect charming story for any dog or animal lover.
When Elizabeth’s father passes away, she travels to his family homestead in England, but she arrives with baggage. She’s lost her job and is feeling miffed with the world.
That is, until she rescues an adorable puppy, forges a relationship with her aunt and uncle, and falls in love with some sheep, more dogs, and a man, of course. All these things happening make it hard for her go back to California. Will she stay in England?
This book was sent to me with the yummiest package of English treats. I have traveled to England before, and I knew the chocolate was pretty spectacular, but wow. Yum. I found myself searching on line for how to get more of those goodies! Check out my instagram page for the treat picture!
Overall, Who Rescued Who is an adorable, heartwarming story. If you love animals, especially rescuing them, Victoria Schade gets you and has the same heart. Prepared to feel the warm fuzzies from this one. While it’s definitely a love story between humans and dogs, it’s also a love story of the human variety, too.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
When Elizabeth’s father passes away, she travels to his family homestead in England, but she arrives with baggage. She’s lost her job and is feeling miffed with the world.
That is, until she rescues an adorable puppy, forges a relationship with her aunt and uncle, and falls in love with some sheep, more dogs, and a man, of course. All these things happening make it hard for her go back to California. Will she stay in England?
This book was sent to me with the yummiest package of English treats. I have traveled to England before, and I knew the chocolate was pretty spectacular, but wow. Yum. I found myself searching on line for how to get more of those goodies! Check out my instagram page for the treat picture!
Overall, Who Rescued Who is an adorable, heartwarming story. If you love animals, especially rescuing them, Victoria Schade gets you and has the same heart. Prepared to feel the warm fuzzies from this one. While it’s definitely a love story between humans and dogs, it’s also a love story of the human variety, too.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 11, 2020
A big hearted book filled with hope, humor, and four-legged love! Victoria Shade swept me away with this adorable story, made me smile, and forget about the crazy World for a few hours. So if you’re looking for that perfect comfort read look no further. Elizabeth has lost her job and is feeling lost when she receives a phone call from an uncle she never knew she had. Her uncle informs her that since her father passed she is the owner of a parcel of land in the UK and he wants her to come see it. Elizabeth is intrigued, why has she never heard of this uncle? With nothing better to do she decides to head to the UK, meet her long lost uncle, sell the property, and quickly return to the US. She never expects to be charmed by her uncle and aunt, enchanted by a puppy, and enticed by a man.
Such a sweet satisfying story. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I loved the setting. Elizabeth (who her uncle preferred calling Bess) was such a likable character even though she was sometimes frustrating and a little selfish. She had a big heart and I loved watching her grow throughout the course of the story. There are so many sweet relationships in the story both between humans and humans, and humans and their furry friends. It was great to watch the relationship between Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle Bloom, seriously this book made me wish I had a long lost uncle somewhere out there. The romance in the story was a bit of a slow burn but so worth it. This is just a feel-good book that will give you the warm fuzzies.
This book in emojis 🐶 ☕️ 📱 🐑 🤳🏼 🍺 🐶
*** Big thank you to Berkeley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Such a sweet satisfying story. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I loved the setting. Elizabeth (who her uncle preferred calling Bess) was such a likable character even though she was sometimes frustrating and a little selfish. She had a big heart and I loved watching her grow throughout the course of the story. There are so many sweet relationships in the story both between humans and humans, and humans and their furry friends. It was great to watch the relationship between Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle Bloom, seriously this book made me wish I had a long lost uncle somewhere out there. The romance in the story was a bit of a slow burn but so worth it. This is just a feel-good book that will give you the warm fuzzies.
This book in emojis 🐶 ☕️ 📱 🐑 🤳🏼 🍺 🐶
*** Big thank you to Berkeley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
February 10, 2022
4.5 sweet happy romantic stars
This is such a feel good read. Life has dumped a pile on Elizabeth's life plans. She lives in the fast lane, demanding job, social media addict, no real friends (no time) no pets, no family. It's all about work, till there is no work. This girl doesn't know how to do free time, or how set her phone off. She receives a message from England, from a man claiming to be her uncle, claiming to hold her land, too bad she doesn't have an uncle right ?
The truth is a windy road, she must travel to learn who she really is and what she really desires in life.
Gods I love this author's work ! She writes such charming characters and dogs. I can't wait to get my hands on more from her
This is such a feel good read. Life has dumped a pile on Elizabeth's life plans. She lives in the fast lane, demanding job, social media addict, no real friends (no time) no pets, no family. It's all about work, till there is no work. This girl doesn't know how to do free time, or how set her phone off. She receives a message from England, from a man claiming to be her uncle, claiming to hold her land, too bad she doesn't have an uncle right ?
The truth is a windy road, she must travel to learn who she really is and what she really desires in life.
Gods I love this author's work ! She writes such charming characters and dogs. I can't wait to get my hands on more from her
January 9, 2021
This was such a heart warming, and personally eye opening story for me. It was a good balance of family, romance, and of course some furry friends! It has a slow start, but you really get invested into the charming characters, town, and journey. Step aside Hallmark, Who Rescued Who is a league of its own! Side note, there is no animal harm or death in this book. (If you are triggered by that as I am).
September 16, 2020
Come for the adorable puppy on the cover, stay for a fun rom-com that will definitely lift your spirits!
A light-hearted, feel-good story that will leave you with the warm and fuzzies we all need right now!
Social media influencer and HR manager Elizabeth Barnes shares her entire life online. Afterall, is she truly experiencing something if she doesn’t post about it? Living in Silicon Valley, she has plenty of social media-worthy moments to capture. But when she makes a joke during an interview that jeopardizes her company, she finds herself out of a job and much less to share on social media.
Just when she thinks she has hit rock bottom, her father passes away and her hopes of truly connecting with him and finding a sense of family and home she’d been lacking is gone. Until her uncle contacts her and invites her to England to visit her father’s land that she has now inherited…
Her plan is to sell the land and get back to life as she knows it. But perhaps that isn’t what fate has in store for Elizabeth.
Sometimes when everything goes wrong, we find our way to what is right.
I loved the theme of finding yourself just when you feel your most lost. For Elizabeth, it seems that she had gotten so misguided, she needed her life shaken to it’s core in order to get onto the right path. A sweet and fun read, I just completely adored this book!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
A light-hearted, feel-good story that will leave you with the warm and fuzzies we all need right now!
Social media influencer and HR manager Elizabeth Barnes shares her entire life online. Afterall, is she truly experiencing something if she doesn’t post about it? Living in Silicon Valley, she has plenty of social media-worthy moments to capture. But when she makes a joke during an interview that jeopardizes her company, she finds herself out of a job and much less to share on social media.
Just when she thinks she has hit rock bottom, her father passes away and her hopes of truly connecting with him and finding a sense of family and home she’d been lacking is gone. Until her uncle contacts her and invites her to England to visit her father’s land that she has now inherited…
Her plan is to sell the land and get back to life as she knows it. But perhaps that isn’t what fate has in store for Elizabeth.
Sometimes when everything goes wrong, we find our way to what is right.
I loved the theme of finding yourself just when you feel your most lost. For Elizabeth, it seems that she had gotten so misguided, she needed her life shaken to it’s core in order to get onto the right path. A sweet and fun read, I just completely adored this book!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
September 27, 2019
Move over Marley and Enzo—there’s a new dog in town! Fans of John Grogan and Garth Stein will delight in Victoria Schade’s heartwarming new novel, Who Rescued Who. With crackling, whip smart dialogue and a touching story of redemption, Schade illustrates what it means to be rescued from our worst selves, and transformed into our best. Chock full of heart and humor, anyone who has ever been redeemed by the love of a dog will treasure this uplifting, big-hearted novel. A treat from start to finish!
October 3, 2019
I loved this so, so much. It made me laugh and cry, but mostly it made me want to throw away my phone, buy some sheep and move to the English countryside to rescue dogs and live in a rom-com.
March 25, 2020
This book is adorably perfect.
And Victoria Schade knows dogs - she’s an Animal Planet celebrity after all! And this sweet and adorable story about a rescued puppy and the woman who finds it, is just the heartwarming read we all need right now.
When Elizabeth’s Silicon Valley life takes an unexpected pause, she heads across the pond to quickly settle some details of her father’s will, and plans to immediately dive right back into her professional life back home when finished. 1-2 days tops. When she finds a puppy in a rainstorm before she’s set to return home, it changes everything. Weeks later… she finds an amazing community of people, learns so much about her family, and may just be falling in love. But then there’s that whole life she’s built back in the states…
If you need a feel-good right now... this book is it. It’s got charming characters, swoony romance, and all the furry friends you could want in a fun story about four paws that will tug on your heart!
And Victoria Schade knows dogs - she’s an Animal Planet celebrity after all! And this sweet and adorable story about a rescued puppy and the woman who finds it, is just the heartwarming read we all need right now.
When Elizabeth’s Silicon Valley life takes an unexpected pause, she heads across the pond to quickly settle some details of her father’s will, and plans to immediately dive right back into her professional life back home when finished. 1-2 days tops. When she finds a puppy in a rainstorm before she’s set to return home, it changes everything. Weeks later… she finds an amazing community of people, learns so much about her family, and may just be falling in love. But then there’s that whole life she’s built back in the states…
If you need a feel-good right now... this book is it. It’s got charming characters, swoony romance, and all the furry friends you could want in a fun story about four paws that will tug on your heart!
October 31, 2022
Have you ever read a book that you thought would be mildly amusing, only to be surprised by how the story grips you? That's what happened when I read Who Rescued Who. It's about coming home, about finding all kinds of love, about becoming part of a community.
It's about belonging.
So I finished with tears streaming down my face and so thankful for love.
It's not literature. It's heart.
It's about belonging.
So I finished with tears streaming down my face and so thankful for love.
It's not literature. It's heart.
August 29, 2021
This was a buddy read with Lyuda and it looked like our opinions were in the minority. As we read Who Rescued Who, we were in agreement with almost everything as we chatted about the storyline. We enjoyed the dogs. Ms. Schade had a good understanding of canines and how to make them appealing to the reader.
Elizabeth Barnes might have been a more interesting character if the author hadn’t tried to cover so much territory. For much of her adult life she had lived in the moment: staging selfies, spent an endless amount of time chatting on social media, texting, and counting on the number of likes and followers she had. She worked in the development of mobile games so when she was fired from her job unfairly she realized she had no one. Her parents were deceased. She had no siblings, true friends or a serious relationship. Her phone was her BFF. She was determined to seek revenge on her boss.
In a matter of weeks she found herself the owner of piece of property in England and had an uncle and aunt she never knew. She traveled across the pond with intentions of selling the piece of land and returning to the US to see if she could have closure with her old job.
Instead, her Uncle Rowan and Aunt Trudi were kind to her as she settled in their home. She developed a brotherly relationship with the owner of a local pub, formed a sweet friendship with a woman her age and was sexually attracted to a guy that brewed craft beers. And she saved a pup from certain death. It sounded intriguing, right?
Well….
We felt the best part of the story was when the animals were on the pages. We wished the secondary characters were better-developed, had difficulty with the cataloguing of paintings and switching art galleries at the speed of lightning and, lastly, we lost our respect for Elizabeth by the end.
Thank you, Lyuda, for a great buddy-read! I am looking forward to our next one.
Elizabeth Barnes might have been a more interesting character if the author hadn’t tried to cover so much territory. For much of her adult life she had lived in the moment: staging selfies, spent an endless amount of time chatting on social media, texting, and counting on the number of likes and followers she had. She worked in the development of mobile games so when she was fired from her job unfairly she realized she had no one. Her parents were deceased. She had no siblings, true friends or a serious relationship. Her phone was her BFF. She was determined to seek revenge on her boss.
In a matter of weeks she found herself the owner of piece of property in England and had an uncle and aunt she never knew. She traveled across the pond with intentions of selling the piece of land and returning to the US to see if she could have closure with her old job.
Instead, her Uncle Rowan and Aunt Trudi were kind to her as she settled in their home. She developed a brotherly relationship with the owner of a local pub, formed a sweet friendship with a woman her age and was sexually attracted to a guy that brewed craft beers. And she saved a pup from certain death. It sounded intriguing, right?
Well….
We felt the best part of the story was when the animals were on the pages. We wished the secondary characters were better-developed, had difficulty with the cataloguing of paintings and switching art galleries at the speed of lightning and, lastly, we lost our respect for Elizabeth by the end.
Thank you, Lyuda, for a great buddy-read! I am looking forward to our next one.
March 21, 2020
This is a fun and lighthearted book. Georgina like any other dog steals my heart in this book. However, she is not the only one. I loved everyone in this story from Elizabeth to her Uncle Rowan and his wife, Trudy; then there is Nicky, Harriet, Des, Anna, Willard, and love interest, James.
Everyone was so personable and friendly that you just want to hang out with them. Which I really appreciated the lighthearted tone of this book. There were many moments where I did find myself smiling and even laughing.
While, the romance between James and Elizabeth is nice, it was not the main focal point of the story. In fact, it was on the sweeter side and did not happen until about midway into the story. Yet, you can be assured that by the end of the story, it was a happy ending.
Everyone was so personable and friendly that you just want to hang out with them. Which I really appreciated the lighthearted tone of this book. There were many moments where I did find myself smiling and even laughing.
While, the romance between James and Elizabeth is nice, it was not the main focal point of the story. In fact, it was on the sweeter side and did not happen until about midway into the story. Yet, you can be assured that by the end of the story, it was a happy ending.
March 28, 2020
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I needed a change of pace in my reading and picking up this book was the perfect choice.
Elizabeth Barnes was flying high until she wasn’t. Fired from a job she loved she was at loose ends until she finds out she had family she knew nothing about and an inheritance to boot. We follow Elizabeth across the pond as she settles her father’s affairs. She had planned just a quick trip so she can get back home and find new employment. But a cute little homeless puppy has her extending her stay. She starts to feel at home in this unique community especially when she feels a romantic spark with one of the town’s residents. Finding her family and learning the truth about her father’s distancing while learning some truths about herself could change her life.
It was the cover that really caught my attention. As a mom to two border collie/blue heeler mixes, one who looks a bit like the dog on the cover, I just couldn’t say no to those eyes. What I found between the covers was delightful.
Elizabeth was a workaholic driven by likes and clicks who was forced to slow down upon arrival to the English countryside with limited internet access. She doesn’t adjust easily but finds several things to fill her time including a border collie mix pup and a handsome co-owner of a local brewery. She also takes on a huge task for her newly-found uncle that reveals something they have in common. All the characters in the book are well crafted and really evolve over the course and right up to the end of the story. The story has a slow build so readers really get to know the wonderful people of Fargrove.
Ms. Shade finds a great balance between family life, romance and some lovable 4 legged creatures. All the twists are so well-plotted. The story feels much more based in reality than other romantic comedies I have read of late. The author also describes each setting so clearly, and there are many. I felt like I was getting a bird’s eye view of all of the action, walking right along in my wellies taking in everything the setting had to offer.
This story gave me the warm and fuzzies. This book actually rescued me and gave me a nice break from some things I was dealing with. Thank you, Ms. Shade, for the Perfect Escape.
I needed a change of pace in my reading and picking up this book was the perfect choice.
Elizabeth Barnes was flying high until she wasn’t. Fired from a job she loved she was at loose ends until she finds out she had family she knew nothing about and an inheritance to boot. We follow Elizabeth across the pond as she settles her father’s affairs. She had planned just a quick trip so she can get back home and find new employment. But a cute little homeless puppy has her extending her stay. She starts to feel at home in this unique community especially when she feels a romantic spark with one of the town’s residents. Finding her family and learning the truth about her father’s distancing while learning some truths about herself could change her life.
It was the cover that really caught my attention. As a mom to two border collie/blue heeler mixes, one who looks a bit like the dog on the cover, I just couldn’t say no to those eyes. What I found between the covers was delightful.
Elizabeth was a workaholic driven by likes and clicks who was forced to slow down upon arrival to the English countryside with limited internet access. She doesn’t adjust easily but finds several things to fill her time including a border collie mix pup and a handsome co-owner of a local brewery. She also takes on a huge task for her newly-found uncle that reveals something they have in common. All the characters in the book are well crafted and really evolve over the course and right up to the end of the story. The story has a slow build so readers really get to know the wonderful people of Fargrove.
Ms. Shade finds a great balance between family life, romance and some lovable 4 legged creatures. All the twists are so well-plotted. The story feels much more based in reality than other romantic comedies I have read of late. The author also describes each setting so clearly, and there are many. I felt like I was getting a bird’s eye view of all of the action, walking right along in my wellies taking in everything the setting had to offer.
This story gave me the warm and fuzzies. This book actually rescued me and gave me a nice break from some things I was dealing with. Thank you, Ms. Shade, for the Perfect Escape.
February 18, 2021
Unfortunately for me, the cover was better than the novel. The story was a simple romance but the problem for me was that it took me more than half the book to even care about the main character. She was obsessed with social media and was the most ignorant human about dogs that I've ever known. I know the author is a dog trainer and I assume that she knows and loves dogs but Elizabeth was indifferent at best and largely afraid of anything that wasn't a phone. I know most of you like this book, but it didn't do it for me.
March 29, 2020
Is it even possible to walk by this book and not be completely drawn to it?! I mean look at those big brown puppy dog eyes! I was done for when I saw this cover and knew it was a must read.
Can you tell that I like dogs? Well yes I adore dogs and this cover spoke to my dog lover heart and when I saw that it was written by a dog training professional I was intrigued.
I mean it’s not every day that one goes from training dogs to writing books and I thought this would be a fun quick way to spend a few days during the lockdown COVID crisis and I was right. I couldn’t have picked a better more uplifting book to read at this time!
This was one of the best rom-coms I have read in a while. I picked it up looking for something to escape into because all the COVID and quarantine situation was totally getting me down and I just needed something that was happy and funny and this was that book! I adored every minute of it and read it in only a couple of days!
It was one of those books that just hooked you right from the beginning and was full of snappy and smart dialogue with likable characters as well as animals. I mean totally a winning combo in my opinion! I could totally relate to Elizabeth and admired that she was open to a new adventure by traveling to England. I just adored her and even though at times she was a little annoying, I still loved her and wanted to see her triumph in the end.
Even though there is an adorable dog on the cover, that isn’t the focus of the book so if you think this is just another ‘pet book’ when you see the cover, then you are wrong. This book is about taking chances, finding yourself and love and of course there are dogs in it but it’s not the focus.
Start to finish, this was a book I looked forward to picking up and even though I breezed through it, I loved it and it’s a book I would definitely recommend to all of my friend, but especially those who love dogs!
See my full review here
Can you tell that I like dogs? Well yes I adore dogs and this cover spoke to my dog lover heart and when I saw that it was written by a dog training professional I was intrigued.
I mean it’s not every day that one goes from training dogs to writing books and I thought this would be a fun quick way to spend a few days during the lockdown COVID crisis and I was right. I couldn’t have picked a better more uplifting book to read at this time!
This was one of the best rom-coms I have read in a while. I picked it up looking for something to escape into because all the COVID and quarantine situation was totally getting me down and I just needed something that was happy and funny and this was that book! I adored every minute of it and read it in only a couple of days!
It was one of those books that just hooked you right from the beginning and was full of snappy and smart dialogue with likable characters as well as animals. I mean totally a winning combo in my opinion! I could totally relate to Elizabeth and admired that she was open to a new adventure by traveling to England. I just adored her and even though at times she was a little annoying, I still loved her and wanted to see her triumph in the end.
Even though there is an adorable dog on the cover, that isn’t the focus of the book so if you think this is just another ‘pet book’ when you see the cover, then you are wrong. This book is about taking chances, finding yourself and love and of course there are dogs in it but it’s not the focus.
Start to finish, this was a book I looked forward to picking up and even though I breezed through it, I loved it and it’s a book I would definitely recommend to all of my friend, but especially those who love dogs!
See my full review here
July 2, 2020
This was a sweet, charming, cozy novel that will check off many boxes for its readers: travel, bucolic setting, art, craft beer, handsome/irresistible stranger, romance, main character “finding herself,” and of course, adorable animals. It took a while for me to see past the overwhelming ‘coziness’ to appreciate the entire story, but by the end, I was sold, and I enjoyed the ride. No big plot surprises, no murder and mayhem, just a sweet escape to a lovely place where for a few hours at least, I was able to forget about all the troubles of the outside world and wish I was there in Fargrove, UK, with Elizabeth and her friends.
I received this ARC in a Facebook giveaway, from Penguin Random House.
I received this ARC in a Facebook giveaway, from Penguin Random House.
April 17, 2021
This was one of my highly-anticipated Spring 2020 reads, and Victoria Schade did not disappoint. We meet Elizabeth Barnes as she loses her high-powered job at a tech start-up after a disastrous comment in an interview. During her time of despair, a man claiming to be her uncle reaches out to her about a plot of land that belonged to her deceased father. With nothing else to do, Elizabeth heads to Fargrove, a tiny town in England. Dubbed "Bess" by charming relatives, she quickly learns that there is more to life than Instagram engagement and work.
I initially thought that this book was going to center around Bess' romantic life, but I was pleasantly surprised when the story encompassed so much more. I loved the family dynamics between her, Rowan, and Trudy, as I'm pretty sure that everyone would love an aunt and uncle like them. They were so encouraging, and I felt like that is what allowed Bess to grow as a person. The people in town were charming and quirky, which is an essential element of any small town story. Most of all, I LOVED the antics of all of the dogs. As a first-time dog mama, I understand some of the growing pains Bess went through with Georgina. It was apparent that Schade took the time to truly understand each element of the book (art, breweries, etc.), adding to the credibility of the story. If you love rom-coms and dogs, this story is for you.
I initially thought that this book was going to center around Bess' romantic life, but I was pleasantly surprised when the story encompassed so much more. I loved the family dynamics between her, Rowan, and Trudy, as I'm pretty sure that everyone would love an aunt and uncle like them. They were so encouraging, and I felt like that is what allowed Bess to grow as a person. The people in town were charming and quirky, which is an essential element of any small town story. Most of all, I LOVED the antics of all of the dogs. As a first-time dog mama, I understand some of the growing pains Bess went through with Georgina. It was apparent that Schade took the time to truly understand each element of the book (art, breweries, etc.), adding to the credibility of the story. If you love rom-coms and dogs, this story is for you.
August 17, 2023
This wonderfully fabulous romcom by professional dog trainer (and wrangler on the annual puppy bowls)is a MUST READ! This story made me want to move to the English countryside and find a village just like Fargrove.
We meet Elizabeth, recently fired after saying something somewhat inappropriate on live TV. She is a bit lost now, in San Francisco trying to figure out her next steps, when a supposed Uncle she's never heard of contacts her about some land that belongs to her and would she like to come see it? Why not, she doesn't have anything else to do...
So she takes off for Fargrove, UK, a sweet town west of London and meets her deceased father's brother Rowan and his wife and their friends. Elizabeth has been a social media junkie and has a come-apart at the lack of cell towers and signals. Nevertheless, she is rescued by an abandoned border collie mix puppy and the two become inseparable. But, she gets a call from a major corporation back in the US and has to decide what is right for her. And there's also a sexy and handsome guy who is becoming quite irresistible as well.
I LOVED this story, I laughed, I cried and I couldn't wait to share it with my besties!
We meet Elizabeth, recently fired after saying something somewhat inappropriate on live TV. She is a bit lost now, in San Francisco trying to figure out her next steps, when a supposed Uncle she's never heard of contacts her about some land that belongs to her and would she like to come see it? Why not, she doesn't have anything else to do...
So she takes off for Fargrove, UK, a sweet town west of London and meets her deceased father's brother Rowan and his wife and their friends. Elizabeth has been a social media junkie and has a come-apart at the lack of cell towers and signals. Nevertheless, she is rescued by an abandoned border collie mix puppy and the two become inseparable. But, she gets a call from a major corporation back in the US and has to decide what is right for her. And there's also a sexy and handsome guy who is becoming quite irresistible as well.
I LOVED this story, I laughed, I cried and I couldn't wait to share it with my besties!
December 26, 2020
A lovely tale about family, coming, home, grief & a dog. Just loved it!
March 25, 2021
Just a great charmed romance!
April 18, 2022
I was gonna give this book 2 stars, but then I blubbered at the end, so 3 it is. Geez.
October 22, 2021
A very cute read.
November 10, 2025
You start off thinking this is going to be a vapid little romance, and then it gets deep and very genuine. I ugly cried in the office lunchroom reading the end. And I'm a sucker for found family and a dog's boundless love.
August 5, 2020
This review is of an early edition of Who Rescued Who, by Victoria Schade. Keep this in mind.
Note: There ARE spoilers, so beware.
Brief Summary:
Who Rescued Who, which I believe should have a question mark in the title, by the way (it's "Who Rescued Who?", not "Who Rescued Who"; it's not a statement, it's a question), is a good book. 3/5 stars. Read on to find out why.
Characters:
The side characters, for the most part, were easy to love, but I don't believe they were given enough dimension or descriptions/details. There were a bunch of fun, different side characters, but they could have been taken a step further and made truly multi-faceted.
At first, Elizabeth, the main character, was hard to like or feel anything for. Until almost the end, she seems to care only about herself, be vain, and try to get what she wants with no compromise. She was too fake for my taste, until the very end, as already stated.
Plot:
The plot took an interesting route. As the plot went on, Elizabeth seemed to grow a lot.
Setting:
Fargrove (located in the U.K.) seemed to be a lovely place, but again, I would've preferred more descriptions.
Other:
The title doesn't fit the book. It just doesn't. The description doesn't, either. I don't see how Elizabeth ends up "rescued" by her dog. That just seems like a way to suck buyers in to buy this book.
I find it very hypocritical that Elizabeth ended up taking a job where they were essentially trying to turn little kids into brainwashed addicts, when she was mad at her previous job's company for hiding spy gear in the technology and covering it up by firing her. No, they aren't the same thing, but she didn't even seem to mind that much, or stand up for what's right. This tells the reader that Elizabeth cares only about taking down Cecilia (her former boss and I believe the head of the company that fired her) because she fired Elizabeth, not because it's wrong to hide malware in apps. That did not help me feel empathetic towards her.
I feel that there was a big gap in the development of Elizabeth. For example, she seems to hate dogs in the beginning (but uses them to gain social media followers and to give off a certain fake image), and then she was suddenly just the dog whisperer who loved dogs! The middle part, where she learned to love them, was sort of missing. There definitely could have been more elaboration. Same goes for the training of Georgie, her pup.
Almost every chapter title had the same mistake: Not hyphenating between numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine. For example, "thirty three," instead of "thirty-three." Not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but I can't see a scenario where it would be appropriate. Not a huge deal, but it still bothers me.
A few mistakes were also present, but my rating is of an early copy of the book, so I assume the editing is not complete. The same goes for the hyphen issue.
Overall:
This book had great descriptions of art, character development, and it was very fun to read! This is one of those books where you giggle to yourself, and cry to yourself. At the end, everything is tied together in an interesting way (although it left some unanswered questions, and could be improved with the events happening over a longer period of time and with more information). This book is okay-to-good, but not extraordinary.
Note: There ARE spoilers, so beware.
Brief Summary:
Who Rescued Who, which I believe should have a question mark in the title, by the way (it's "Who Rescued Who?", not "Who Rescued Who"; it's not a statement, it's a question), is a good book. 3/5 stars. Read on to find out why.
Characters:
The side characters, for the most part, were easy to love, but I don't believe they were given enough dimension or descriptions/details. There were a bunch of fun, different side characters, but they could have been taken a step further and made truly multi-faceted.
At first, Elizabeth, the main character, was hard to like or feel anything for. Until almost the end, she seems to care only about herself, be vain, and try to get what she wants with no compromise. She was too fake for my taste, until the very end, as already stated.
Plot:
The plot took an interesting route. As the plot went on, Elizabeth seemed to grow a lot.
Setting:
Fargrove (located in the U.K.) seemed to be a lovely place, but again, I would've preferred more descriptions.
Other:
The title doesn't fit the book. It just doesn't. The description doesn't, either. I don't see how Elizabeth ends up "rescued" by her dog. That just seems like a way to suck buyers in to buy this book.
I find it very hypocritical that Elizabeth ended up taking a job where they were essentially trying to turn little kids into brainwashed addicts, when she was mad at her previous job's company for hiding spy gear in the technology and covering it up by firing her. No, they aren't the same thing, but she didn't even seem to mind that much, or stand up for what's right. This tells the reader that Elizabeth cares only about taking down Cecilia (her former boss and I believe the head of the company that fired her) because she fired Elizabeth, not because it's wrong to hide malware in apps. That did not help me feel empathetic towards her.
I feel that there was a big gap in the development of Elizabeth. For example, she seems to hate dogs in the beginning (but uses them to gain social media followers and to give off a certain fake image), and then she was suddenly just the dog whisperer who loved dogs! The middle part, where she learned to love them, was sort of missing. There definitely could have been more elaboration. Same goes for the training of Georgie, her pup.
Almost every chapter title had the same mistake: Not hyphenating between numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine. For example, "thirty three," instead of "thirty-three." Not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but I can't see a scenario where it would be appropriate. Not a huge deal, but it still bothers me.
A few mistakes were also present, but my rating is of an early copy of the book, so I assume the editing is not complete. The same goes for the hyphen issue.
Overall:
This book had great descriptions of art, character development, and it was very fun to read! This is one of those books where you giggle to yourself, and cry to yourself. At the end, everything is tied together in an interesting way (although it left some unanswered questions, and could be improved with the events happening over a longer period of time and with more information). This book is okay-to-good, but not extraordinary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
Brief Summary:
Who Rescued Who, which I believe should have a question mark in the title, by the way, is a good book. 3/5 stars. Read on to find out why.
Characters:
The side characters, for the most part, were easy to love, but I don't believe they were given enough dimension or descriptions/details. There were a bunch of fun, different side characters, but they could have been taken a step further and made truly multi-faceted.
At first, Elizabeth, the main character, was hard to like or feel anything for. Until almost the end, she seems to care only about herself, be vain, and try to get what she wants with no compromise. She was too fake for my taste, until the very end, as already stated.
Plot:
The plot took an interesting route. As the plot went on, Elizabeth seemed to grow a lot.
Setting:
Fargrove (located in the U.K.) seemed to be a lovely place, but again, I would've preferred more descriptions.
Other:
The title doesn't really fit the book. It just doesn't. The description doesn't seem to, either. I don't see how Elizabeth ends up "rescued" by her dog. That just seems like a way to suck buyers in.
I find it very hypocritical that Elizabeth ended up taking a job where they were essentially trying to turn little kids into brainwashed addicts, when she was mad at her previous job's company for hiding spy gear in the technology and covering it up by firing her. No, they aren't the same thing, but she didn't even seem to mind that much, or stand up for what's right. This tells the reader that Elizabeth cares only about taking down Cecilia (her former boss and I believe the head of the company that fired her) because she fired Elizabeth, not because it's wrong to hide malware in apps. That did not help me feel empathetic towards her.
I feel that there was a big gap in the development of Elizabeth. For example, she seems to hate dogs in the beginning (but uses them to gain social media followers to give off a certain image), and then she was suddenly just the dog whispered who loved dogs! The middle part, where she learned to love them, was sort of missing. There definitely could have been more elaboration. Same goes for the training of Georgie, her pup.
Almost every chapter title had the same mistake: Not hyphenating between numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine. For example, "thirty three," instead of "thirty-three." Not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but I can't see a scenario where it would be appropriate. Not a huge deal, but it still bothers me.
A few mistakes were also present, but my rating is of an early copy of the book, so I assume the editing is not complete. The same goes for the hyphen issue.
Overall:
This book had great descriptions of art, character development, and it was very fun to read! This is one of those books where you giggle to yourself, and cry to yourself. At the end, everything is tied together in an interesting way (although it left some unanswered questions, and could be improved with the events happening over a longer period of time and with more information). This book is okay-to-good, but not extraordinary.
Who Rescued Who, which I believe should have a question mark in the title, by the way, is a good book. 3/5 stars. Read on to find out why.
Characters:
The side characters, for the most part, were easy to love, but I don't believe they were given enough dimension or descriptions/details. There were a bunch of fun, different side characters, but they could have been taken a step further and made truly multi-faceted.
At first, Elizabeth, the main character, was hard to like or feel anything for. Until almost the end, she seems to care only about herself, be vain, and try to get what she wants with no compromise. She was too fake for my taste, until the very end, as already stated.
Plot:
The plot took an interesting route. As the plot went on, Elizabeth seemed to grow a lot.
Setting:
Fargrove (located in the U.K.) seemed to be a lovely place, but again, I would've preferred more descriptions.
Other:
The title doesn't really fit the book. It just doesn't. The description doesn't seem to, either. I don't see how Elizabeth ends up "rescued" by her dog. That just seems like a way to suck buyers in.
I find it very hypocritical that Elizabeth ended up taking a job where they were essentially trying to turn little kids into brainwashed addicts, when she was mad at her previous job's company for hiding spy gear in the technology and covering it up by firing her. No, they aren't the same thing, but she didn't even seem to mind that much, or stand up for what's right. This tells the reader that Elizabeth cares only about taking down Cecilia (her former boss and I believe the head of the company that fired her) because she fired Elizabeth, not because it's wrong to hide malware in apps. That did not help me feel empathetic towards her.
I feel that there was a big gap in the development of Elizabeth. For example, she seems to hate dogs in the beginning (but uses them to gain social media followers to give off a certain image), and then she was suddenly just the dog whispered who loved dogs! The middle part, where she learned to love them, was sort of missing. There definitely could have been more elaboration. Same goes for the training of Georgie, her pup.
Almost every chapter title had the same mistake: Not hyphenating between numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine. For example, "thirty three," instead of "thirty-three." Not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but I can't see a scenario where it would be appropriate. Not a huge deal, but it still bothers me.
A few mistakes were also present, but my rating is of an early copy of the book, so I assume the editing is not complete. The same goes for the hyphen issue.
Overall:
This book had great descriptions of art, character development, and it was very fun to read! This is one of those books where you giggle to yourself, and cry to yourself. At the end, everything is tied together in an interesting way (although it left some unanswered questions, and could be improved with the events happening over a longer period of time and with more information). This book is okay-to-good, but not extraordinary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2020
What an adorable, heartwarming story! With everything going on in the world today, this was the perfect feel good book. What is better than a story about love, family, dogs and a brewery!
I won this book in a giveaway. I love winning books, especially ones I enjoy.
I won this book in a giveaway. I love winning books, especially ones I enjoy.
August 31, 2020
Such a fun book - but more than that! Not only did the pages turn themselves in a lovely, warm, happily-ever-after story that took me away from the current news, but because it reminded me that I also need to be present. The life we have online is not a real life. Measuring our worth by the clicks/follows/comments is a losing game. Bonus that Schade also shares plenty of puppy raising and dog handling tips, educating people without banging them over the head about shy shelter dogs, new puppies, and working dogs. I read this book in only a few days but wished it hadn't ended. I'd love to know what happens next.
August 14, 2020
Had to read this when.i saw the puppy on the front. Great story of a woman who was lost but found herself again.
Elizabeth finds out after the death of her father that she has an uncle in England. Since she had just been removed from her high tech job it was a time to visit. She never expected to stay and you will have to read the rest for yourself. A satisfying read and a great ending.
Elizabeth finds out after the death of her father that she has an uncle in England. Since she had just been removed from her high tech job it was a time to visit. She never expected to stay and you will have to read the rest for yourself. A satisfying read and a great ending.
April 2, 2020
This was a delightful departure from what I typically read. The cover and title were the first things that appealed to me, and the description clinched it. This crazy cat lady understands the appeal of a puppy, too! It is very well written, with descriptives that bring in the light, colors, and life of the English countryside and the love of family.
I did not like Elizabeth at first. She was so driven that her work and her social media content and followers were all she had in her life. One untoward comment at a trade show ended her years at Duchess Games, where she had worked up to the head of marketing. Her exorbitant salary and stock options were gone. Her name was mud, and there were no job prospects in sight. Her only acquaintances were job related, none of whom wanted to see her.
It is in the silence of this crisis that Elizabeth heard from a stranger in Fargrove, England. Her father had passed away several months earlier. Rowan Barnes called and said he is her father’s estranged brother. She denied having any family members, yet he persisted. He inherited property that should have gone to her father but was unclaimed. Rowan and his wife Trudy want to give it to Elizabeth. The documents and photos he emailed to her offer proof of who he is and the property involved.
Elizabeth planned the trip as she would a business deal. A couple days in Fargrove to look at and make arrangements to sell the property, a few more days seeing England, then back to San Francisco and job hunting. All perfect plans tend to change, however.
Elizabeth’s uncle is the renowned artist Rowan Barnes, a highly successful landscape painter. He is a loving, welcoming man, and Trudy is equally so. She has never met anyone like them. Elizabeth’s father was so closed off from others that it was hard to believe he and Rowan were related. She chose to accept their invitation to stay a couple days longer for a celebration of a 50-year retrospective of Rowan’s work at a museum. That night, her aunt fell; Elizabeth stays a little longer to help with her injuries, then do some work for a coffee shop owner in town, then for her uncle.
This is a place like no other. There is little wi-fi or cell phone access except for a few spots in town, which plays havoc with her social media posts. The people she meets are open and welcoming; she made friends in a very short time. She met the most incredibly handsome man. Once terrified of animals, Elizabeth found a tiny, abandoned puppy. She is slowly but surely losing her heart to Georgina, the adorable pup who claimed Elizabeth as her own, and the beautiful land and its people. Then the job offer came, the chance to return to her “real life”. No friends, no puppy, no loving family. But it was all she knew for many years.
I got to know Elizabeth very well through the novel and began to like and understand her even as she grew to understand her father. I couldn’t have left people like Rowan and Trudy – I would want as much time to get to know them as possible! The countryside is lushly described, and the people are well-rounded. Plot twists bring continual changes throughout, so it is hard to know what Elizabeth will ultimately decide and why. I would definitely recommend this novel to mature audiences, due to a couple TMI scenes and unnecessary expletives. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to women who enjoy a good family drama that highlights the connection between a pet and a woman and a bit of romance.
I did not like Elizabeth at first. She was so driven that her work and her social media content and followers were all she had in her life. One untoward comment at a trade show ended her years at Duchess Games, where she had worked up to the head of marketing. Her exorbitant salary and stock options were gone. Her name was mud, and there were no job prospects in sight. Her only acquaintances were job related, none of whom wanted to see her.
It is in the silence of this crisis that Elizabeth heard from a stranger in Fargrove, England. Her father had passed away several months earlier. Rowan Barnes called and said he is her father’s estranged brother. She denied having any family members, yet he persisted. He inherited property that should have gone to her father but was unclaimed. Rowan and his wife Trudy want to give it to Elizabeth. The documents and photos he emailed to her offer proof of who he is and the property involved.
Elizabeth planned the trip as she would a business deal. A couple days in Fargrove to look at and make arrangements to sell the property, a few more days seeing England, then back to San Francisco and job hunting. All perfect plans tend to change, however.
Elizabeth’s uncle is the renowned artist Rowan Barnes, a highly successful landscape painter. He is a loving, welcoming man, and Trudy is equally so. She has never met anyone like them. Elizabeth’s father was so closed off from others that it was hard to believe he and Rowan were related. She chose to accept their invitation to stay a couple days longer for a celebration of a 50-year retrospective of Rowan’s work at a museum. That night, her aunt fell; Elizabeth stays a little longer to help with her injuries, then do some work for a coffee shop owner in town, then for her uncle.
This is a place like no other. There is little wi-fi or cell phone access except for a few spots in town, which plays havoc with her social media posts. The people she meets are open and welcoming; she made friends in a very short time. She met the most incredibly handsome man. Once terrified of animals, Elizabeth found a tiny, abandoned puppy. She is slowly but surely losing her heart to Georgina, the adorable pup who claimed Elizabeth as her own, and the beautiful land and its people. Then the job offer came, the chance to return to her “real life”. No friends, no puppy, no loving family. But it was all she knew for many years.
I got to know Elizabeth very well through the novel and began to like and understand her even as she grew to understand her father. I couldn’t have left people like Rowan and Trudy – I would want as much time to get to know them as possible! The countryside is lushly described, and the people are well-rounded. Plot twists bring continual changes throughout, so it is hard to know what Elizabeth will ultimately decide and why. I would definitely recommend this novel to mature audiences, due to a couple TMI scenes and unnecessary expletives. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to women who enjoy a good family drama that highlights the connection between a pet and a woman and a bit of romance.
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