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K-9 Companions #2
Finding Her Way Back
Healing his daughter
is worth risking his heart.
After a tragic event leaves Rob Melbourne’s little girl traumatized, he’ll do anything to help her recover—even enlist his first love, Juliet Newkirk, and her therapy pup, Moose. Working with Juliet stirs up old feelings for Rob, a distraction he doesn’t need. But with the dog’s help, the road to healing his daughter might just give Rob and Juliet a second chance at happiness…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
K-9 Companions
Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
is worth risking his heart.
After a tragic event leaves Rob Melbourne’s little girl traumatized, he’ll do anything to help her recover—even enlist his first love, Juliet Newkirk, and her therapy pup, Moose. Working with Juliet stirs up old feelings for Rob, a distraction he doesn’t need. But with the dog’s help, the road to healing his daughter might just give Rob and Juliet a second chance at happiness…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
K-9 Companions
Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2022
32 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Carter
52 books244 followersWriter. Book Lover. Avid Gardener. World Traveler.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 11, 2022
What a touching, hope-filled, heave-a-happy-sigh-at-the-end read!
Lisa Carter is one of my favourite authors for the emotional depth she brings to her stories and this one is exceptional. She deals with complicated issues surrounding grief with such compassion and insight. Yes, Juliet is stuck in her grieving process -- five years after the death of her husband -- but the author conveys the complexity and individuality that comes with each personal experience. We all grieve, but we grieve differently and that's okay. I loved that acceptance, along with the encouragement to move through stagnant emotions. I hope this doesn't make the book sound heavy, because it's not for all that the characters are dealing with difficult issues.
Moose is one of the reasons why. His spunky papillon-mix temperament makes him easy to love. He may be pint-sized but his heart is definitely moose-sized. And I loved the therapy dog part of this story. This multi-authored series is all about showcasing the amazing contributions our special canine friends can make in so many lives. And when Moose teams up with little Sophie in order to help her recover from a traumatic incident, well, hearts melt.
And then there's the ever so wary romance that sputters and stops and inches along between Rob and Juliet. Not really sweethearts in high school, but they were aware of each other and now years and life have brought them full circle.
Just to keep everyone on the straight and narrow, the Knit-Knack Club (aka seniors on a mission that doesn't involve something crafty...well, maybe crafty in a different kind of way!) add their "purls of wisdom for unsnarling the tangles of life." (p 22)
It really doesn't get any better than this!
Lisa Carter is one of my favourite authors for the emotional depth she brings to her stories and this one is exceptional. She deals with complicated issues surrounding grief with such compassion and insight. Yes, Juliet is stuck in her grieving process -- five years after the death of her husband -- but the author conveys the complexity and individuality that comes with each personal experience. We all grieve, but we grieve differently and that's okay. I loved that acceptance, along with the encouragement to move through stagnant emotions. I hope this doesn't make the book sound heavy, because it's not for all that the characters are dealing with difficult issues.
Moose is one of the reasons why. His spunky papillon-mix temperament makes him easy to love. He may be pint-sized but his heart is definitely moose-sized. And I loved the therapy dog part of this story. This multi-authored series is all about showcasing the amazing contributions our special canine friends can make in so many lives. And when Moose teams up with little Sophie in order to help her recover from a traumatic incident, well, hearts melt.
And then there's the ever so wary romance that sputters and stops and inches along between Rob and Juliet. Not really sweethearts in high school, but they were aware of each other and now years and life have brought them full circle.
Just to keep everyone on the straight and narrow, the Knit-Knack Club (aka seniors on a mission that doesn't involve something crafty...well, maybe crafty in a different kind of way!) add their "purls of wisdom for unsnarling the tangles of life." (p 22)
It really doesn't get any better than this!
March 18, 2022
A delightful, heartwarming, emotional read! The therapy dog Moose and traumatized little girl do a fine job of bringing two hurting people together. This one will leave you smiling!
February 18, 2022
Author Lisa Carter has a unique way of creating characters that we'd all like to know, placing them in realistic situations, and then, throwing in a plot complication that grabs our hearts and won't let them go! This is certainly the case with her newest book, Finding Her Way Back. After five years, Juliet Newkirk still grieves for her late husband Josh, and she believes that opening her heart to a former classmate would dishonor Josh's memory. Well, it's one thing to resist a swoon-worthy hero, but how do you say "no" to a sweet little girl who's already lost her mother and fears that she'll lose her daddy also?
This book covers so many emotions, and many of them revolve around grief, and how each person handles it differently. Finding Her Way Back shows the value of love and understanding, and the joy and healing that comes when we can finally let go of the past. Their 'second chance at love' is sweet, but there's also a thrilling chemistry between Juliet and Rob Melbourne, and I couldn't believe that she could resist this special man! Throw in an adorable little girl, a pint-sized therapy dog named Moose, and a group of knitters who are more than willing to share their "purls of wisdom for unsnarling the tangles of life", and you have a story that you can't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this touching visit to Laurel Grove and I recommend Finding Her Way Back to all who enjoy Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
This book covers so many emotions, and many of them revolve around grief, and how each person handles it differently. Finding Her Way Back shows the value of love and understanding, and the joy and healing that comes when we can finally let go of the past. Their 'second chance at love' is sweet, but there's also a thrilling chemistry between Juliet and Rob Melbourne, and I couldn't believe that she could resist this special man! Throw in an adorable little girl, a pint-sized therapy dog named Moose, and a group of knitters who are more than willing to share their "purls of wisdom for unsnarling the tangles of life", and you have a story that you can't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this touching visit to Laurel Grove and I recommend Finding Her Way Back to all who enjoy Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
February 9, 2022
Juliet Newkirk is a widow back home to Laurel Grove with her little dog, Moose, a service dog with Paw Pals, the service animal organization she is hoping to get a grant to grow. She’s there to help Sophie Melbourne, the little girl traumatized by her police officer father Rob’s gunshot injury in the line of duty.
Juliet and Rob went to school together…in fact he was her longtime secret crush! Little Sophie is immediately taken with Moose and Juliet, and as she is drawn out of the shell she’s placed herself into, Rob can’t help but wonder if Juliet will break free of her own shell. He’s attracted to her, and she to him, but the loss of her husband five years earlier weighs on her every emotion. He also has to work through his own emotions about his job, and what he can best do for himself and for Sophie.
Get a brand new box of tissues ready, because you’ll need them as you read this beautiful story of how one doesn’t ever get over a loss like Juliet and Rob’s, but the Lord can give you the strength to learn to live with it. This books brings Psalm 118:13-14 to mind. “I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Juliet and Rob went to school together…in fact he was her longtime secret crush! Little Sophie is immediately taken with Moose and Juliet, and as she is drawn out of the shell she’s placed herself into, Rob can’t help but wonder if Juliet will break free of her own shell. He’s attracted to her, and she to him, but the loss of her husband five years earlier weighs on her every emotion. He also has to work through his own emotions about his job, and what he can best do for himself and for Sophie.
Get a brand new box of tissues ready, because you’ll need them as you read this beautiful story of how one doesn’t ever get over a loss like Juliet and Rob’s, but the Lord can give you the strength to learn to live with it. This books brings Psalm 118:13-14 to mind. “I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
July 6, 2022
I... can't even find *WORDS* for how overblown and horrible this was.
So Juliet's husband died overseas, and she lost his baby three days later (in her grief). She went into massive depression, refusing to go to go back to her small town home to be comforted by family, friends, and community (a la the 'Main Street' series - because it's the SAME TOWN, SAME PEOPLE, just another state. Christians write the same characters over and OVER and *OVER* again). Juliet wants to be miserable, so she is. For years.
Except that she's got a degree in counseling, and decides she can tolerate a dog in her world (nevermind that their lifespan is a *fraction* of that of a human's...)... so she finds Moose, who she deems *extraordinary* because he can obedience train and is intuitive about feelings more than people are. ((That'd be... ALL dogs, actually, if taken to task from a young age. But I digress.))
So now she travels with Moose (part chihuahua, part terrier, part papillon - uber tiny and fragile), helping traumatized children with therapy, since she can't help her own. (!?!?) She was PREGNANT, hello, she hadn't even bonded with or seen the baby. But this whole "I can't ever have another child with my dead husband" thing is... truly exaggerated. Anyhow, Moose is her baby... well, until the author hooks Rob and Juliet up, and then Juliet starts leaving Moose home with her mother. So much for 'they go EVERYWHERE together'... What woman attached to her dog suddenly 'leaves it home evenings' so she can cuddle with a man? NOT! It's really badly written.
Worse is the 'scenario' with Sophie. Rob is a cop. There's a shooter in the department store, and so he tucks his 4yo in a garden center storage thing, and hurries off to take down the shooter, who apparently is so inept he can't hit the broad side of a barn? I'm not sure, but nobody is injured or killed except Rob, who gets shot in the leg taking the kid down. Now, notice that Sophie is *NOWHERE NEAR* this action, because it's not chrischun to place a child in danger. And nobody is injured/killed, because heaven knows it wouldn't be chrischun to write that in, either. The only injury is the one convenient to the story.
Rob's injury, btw, is a very contrived, convenient one. He flat out runs across the yard in a sprint if there's a copperhead, but otherwise he shuffles, limps, and can barely get out of a chair without grunting and such. He's had no PT (because single dad/Sophie's issues)... but he can suddenly move like an athlete, if he wants? Um, physically NOT possible. The author has him MOONWALKING, "his moves becoming even more hilarious. Arms gliding, feet sliding, BALLROOM MEETS HIPHOP." A guy shot in the thigh, with no PT. SERIOUSLY!?!?!?
What's more fun is when Juliet tells him to 'play catch' with Moose (throw a ball = arm exercise) for his leg stretches, and then suddenly decides he needs to 'get off his leg' because throwing a football is too strenuous. (((sigh.)))
As for Sophie's issues, she's FOUR. On pg 42 we're told she's "never met a stranger she didn't like", but three paragraphs later we're told she's "never taken to a stranger like she has to Juliet". Contradiction of characterization, much? Who EDITS these things...?!?!?
She didn't see anyone get shot, didn't see any 'bad guys'... but she's apparently *traumatized* because she saw blood on her dad's pantleg after the shooter was apprehended. My GAWSH, if that's the case, every child in America gets traumatized and needs counseling! C'mon. At least make her trauma believable. Instead, it comes off like Sophie's a spoiled brat who is using this to 1) get out of school, 2) garner more attention from others, and 3) have her daddy 24/7. She refuses to leave the house because 'bad world'. (((sigh.))) Pick the kid up, take her out, and BE A PARENT, for the love of all that's holy in the universe. She's FOUR, saw nothing, and has NO reason to be throwing tantrums. You don't call psychologists and therapists. You PARENT.
I could see if he was shot and she got left in the shed thing for hours/overnight, had he been taken to the hospital unconscious or something. Or if she'd followed him thru the store and SAW something. But SERIOUSLY!?!?!? This is ridiculous.
It gets better. Rob is the 'golden boy' from Juliet's school days. Homecoming king, all-star sports champ, most handsome guy in school that everyone crushed on. And his wife died of leukemia (before the book, natch). And while Juliet starts off as being personified as the 'quiet, nerdy wallflower', the author forgets this later and says she was class president, Honor club, prom committee, head of 'future business leaders', and Habitat for Humanity... oh, and 'most likely to succeed'. But that changes when the author forgets THAT announces then we're told that Juliet was voted 'most likely to go on and rule the world'. That's... NOT a quiet, nerdy wallflower, hello.
So her mom's posse of knitting ladies (who apparently renovate buildings, chair councils, run the town gossip mill, bake pies for people, etc.), want Rob and Juliet to get together. ROB decides it's convenient for them to get together - after all, he's widowed, she's widowed, they both wuvz the kid so much they cater to her every single whim, they both grew up there, and Juliet's over all the time, anyhowz... Convenient.
But he runs hot and cold, the whole book. "She might be worth investing time into." Then, a few days later, "was it forever going to be one step forward, two steps back, with this woman?" A FEW DAYS LATER. Make up your mind, you want to invest in her, or not?!?!
Anyhow, Juliet's AMAZEBALLZ, because she helps Sophie make a list of 'brave things to do', and immediately after making the list? *CURED!!!!* ((cue dinging bell noises)) Sophie has a tea party on the porch, runs into the yard to toss a football with Moose (which apparently counts as 'PT' for Rob, if he throws with his ARM three times... that helps his leg HOW, again?!?! And what's a chihuahua mix gonna do with a FOOTBALL, for the love of Mike?!?!)... and then she immediately gets into a car and rides to the VET with a BLEEDING DOG... all within an hour or two. *CURED!!* Except... wasn't the whole bleeding/bad world thing what set her off in the first place? Wouldn't that compound the issue? Not in sugarplum land, apparently.
If the kid was THAT traumatized? Absolutely NO.
It was all attention garnering crapola.
As for the snakebite, apparently venomous chrischun snakes don't inject the venom into chrischun dogs. But puncture wounds in a pay mean having DAYS of recovery for a dog?! I'm not sure. It was kind of ridiculous, to be honest. Why not bring him over to cuddle, since that's his PRIMARY JOB, anyhow...?? Preposterous. Not to mention the over-the-top flirting of a vet with a man *IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER WOMAN*?! Really?!?!
At this point, you'd think we'd have a HEA. Little girl's cured, dog's fine, Rob/Juliet together... BUT NO! We MUSTS haves our D.R.A.M.A.s...!!!! For the sake of word count, if nothing else!!! So OF COURSE Juliet could never be with Rob - she was WIDOWED and MUST HONOR the memory of her dearly departed husband for the rest of her life, cloistering herself away from romance, blah-blah-blah...!!! I swear, I wanted to throw the book right at the nearest wall, when it went this direction.
As for the writing, it was mediocre at best. Apparently Sophie has a "pink-infatuated bed"... something I've never heard a bed could be, but okay, then.
The 'spirituality' are loose 'god' references, but apparently neither of them attend church, read the Bible, pray together (over snake-bitten pets, child selfishness, his healing or anything else)... there *IS* no true faith in this book.
DNF @210. I really did try, but... JUST. NO.
So Juliet's husband died overseas, and she lost his baby three days later (in her grief). She went into massive depression, refusing to go to go back to her small town home to be comforted by family, friends, and community (a la the 'Main Street' series - because it's the SAME TOWN, SAME PEOPLE, just another state. Christians write the same characters over and OVER and *OVER* again). Juliet wants to be miserable, so she is. For years.
Except that she's got a degree in counseling, and decides she can tolerate a dog in her world (nevermind that their lifespan is a *fraction* of that of a human's...)... so she finds Moose, who she deems *extraordinary* because he can obedience train and is intuitive about feelings more than people are. ((That'd be... ALL dogs, actually, if taken to task from a young age. But I digress.))
So now she travels with Moose (part chihuahua, part terrier, part papillon - uber tiny and fragile), helping traumatized children with therapy, since she can't help her own. (!?!?) She was PREGNANT, hello, she hadn't even bonded with or seen the baby. But this whole "I can't ever have another child with my dead husband" thing is... truly exaggerated. Anyhow, Moose is her baby... well, until the author hooks Rob and Juliet up, and then Juliet starts leaving Moose home with her mother. So much for 'they go EVERYWHERE together'... What woman attached to her dog suddenly 'leaves it home evenings' so she can cuddle with a man? NOT! It's really badly written.
Worse is the 'scenario' with Sophie. Rob is a cop. There's a shooter in the department store, and so he tucks his 4yo in a garden center storage thing, and hurries off to take down the shooter, who apparently is so inept he can't hit the broad side of a barn? I'm not sure, but nobody is injured or killed except Rob, who gets shot in the leg taking the kid down. Now, notice that Sophie is *NOWHERE NEAR* this action, because it's not chrischun to place a child in danger. And nobody is injured/killed, because heaven knows it wouldn't be chrischun to write that in, either. The only injury is the one convenient to the story.
Rob's injury, btw, is a very contrived, convenient one. He flat out runs across the yard in a sprint if there's a copperhead, but otherwise he shuffles, limps, and can barely get out of a chair without grunting and such. He's had no PT (because single dad/Sophie's issues)... but he can suddenly move like an athlete, if he wants? Um, physically NOT possible. The author has him MOONWALKING, "his moves becoming even more hilarious. Arms gliding, feet sliding, BALLROOM MEETS HIPHOP." A guy shot in the thigh, with no PT. SERIOUSLY!?!?!?
What's more fun is when Juliet tells him to 'play catch' with Moose (throw a ball = arm exercise) for his leg stretches, and then suddenly decides he needs to 'get off his leg' because throwing a football is too strenuous. (((sigh.)))
As for Sophie's issues, she's FOUR. On pg 42 we're told she's "never met a stranger she didn't like", but three paragraphs later we're told she's "never taken to a stranger like she has to Juliet". Contradiction of characterization, much? Who EDITS these things...?!?!?
She didn't see anyone get shot, didn't see any 'bad guys'... but she's apparently *traumatized* because she saw blood on her dad's pantleg after the shooter was apprehended. My GAWSH, if that's the case, every child in America gets traumatized and needs counseling! C'mon. At least make her trauma believable. Instead, it comes off like Sophie's a spoiled brat who is using this to 1) get out of school, 2) garner more attention from others, and 3) have her daddy 24/7. She refuses to leave the house because 'bad world'. (((sigh.))) Pick the kid up, take her out, and BE A PARENT, for the love of all that's holy in the universe. She's FOUR, saw nothing, and has NO reason to be throwing tantrums. You don't call psychologists and therapists. You PARENT.
I could see if he was shot and she got left in the shed thing for hours/overnight, had he been taken to the hospital unconscious or something. Or if she'd followed him thru the store and SAW something. But SERIOUSLY!?!?!? This is ridiculous.
It gets better. Rob is the 'golden boy' from Juliet's school days. Homecoming king, all-star sports champ, most handsome guy in school that everyone crushed on. And his wife died of leukemia (before the book, natch). And while Juliet starts off as being personified as the 'quiet, nerdy wallflower', the author forgets this later and says she was class president, Honor club, prom committee, head of 'future business leaders', and Habitat for Humanity... oh, and 'most likely to succeed'. But that changes when the author forgets THAT announces then we're told that Juliet was voted 'most likely to go on and rule the world'. That's... NOT a quiet, nerdy wallflower, hello.
So her mom's posse of knitting ladies (who apparently renovate buildings, chair councils, run the town gossip mill, bake pies for people, etc.), want Rob and Juliet to get together. ROB decides it's convenient for them to get together - after all, he's widowed, she's widowed, they both wuvz the kid so much they cater to her every single whim, they both grew up there, and Juliet's over all the time, anyhowz... Convenient.
But he runs hot and cold, the whole book. "She might be worth investing time into." Then, a few days later, "was it forever going to be one step forward, two steps back, with this woman?" A FEW DAYS LATER. Make up your mind, you want to invest in her, or not?!?!
Anyhow, Juliet's AMAZEBALLZ, because she helps Sophie make a list of 'brave things to do', and immediately after making the list? *CURED!!!!* ((cue dinging bell noises)) Sophie has a tea party on the porch, runs into the yard to toss a football with Moose (which apparently counts as 'PT' for Rob, if he throws with his ARM three times... that helps his leg HOW, again?!?! And what's a chihuahua mix gonna do with a FOOTBALL, for the love of Mike?!?!)... and then she immediately gets into a car and rides to the VET with a BLEEDING DOG... all within an hour or two. *CURED!!* Except... wasn't the whole bleeding/bad world thing what set her off in the first place? Wouldn't that compound the issue? Not in sugarplum land, apparently.
If the kid was THAT traumatized? Absolutely NO.
It was all attention garnering crapola.
As for the snakebite, apparently venomous chrischun snakes don't inject the venom into chrischun dogs. But puncture wounds in a pay mean having DAYS of recovery for a dog?! I'm not sure. It was kind of ridiculous, to be honest. Why not bring him over to cuddle, since that's his PRIMARY JOB, anyhow...?? Preposterous. Not to mention the over-the-top flirting of a vet with a man *IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER WOMAN*?! Really?!?!
At this point, you'd think we'd have a HEA. Little girl's cured, dog's fine, Rob/Juliet together... BUT NO! We MUSTS haves our D.R.A.M.A.s...!!!! For the sake of word count, if nothing else!!! So OF COURSE Juliet could never be with Rob - she was WIDOWED and MUST HONOR the memory of her dearly departed husband for the rest of her life, cloistering herself away from romance, blah-blah-blah...!!! I swear, I wanted to throw the book right at the nearest wall, when it went this direction.
As for the writing, it was mediocre at best. Apparently Sophie has a "pink-infatuated bed"... something I've never heard a bed could be, but okay, then.
The 'spirituality' are loose 'god' references, but apparently neither of them attend church, read the Bible, pray together (over snake-bitten pets, child selfishness, his healing or anything else)... there *IS* no true faith in this book.
DNF @210. I really did try, but... JUST. NO.
August 4, 2024
Steaminess Rating:
❤️🔥❤️🔥
(Check my profile for my “Steaminess Rating Chart!)
❤️🔥❤️🔥
(Check my profile for my “Steaminess Rating Chart!)
February 10, 2022
This was another sweet romance that inspired me and touched my heart, delivered by Lisa Carter. This book deals with hard issues like grief, loss, trauma, but the way she develops the character growth and combines it with a faith in God thread is beautiful and so filled with hope that in spite of the ache you feel along with the characters, you can feel the light and love as the characters experience it.
Rob Melbourne, a police officer, has barely recovered from losing his wife to cancer, when a terrible shooting while in the line of duty leaves him injured and his little girl traumatized. Sophie is afraid to leave the house and interact with strangers. He’s so desperate to get help for her daughter that he enlists, a bit skeptically, the help of Juliet Newkirk, the girl he was so drawn to when he was in High School. But can she really help heal his daughter��s heart and maybe his too?
Juliet lost her marine husband in the line of duty five years ago. She left Laurel Grove because she felt a small town, where everyone was trying to cheer her up, wasn’t the place for her to freely grieve. Time has passed, and she’s doing a lot better, but the pain won’t go away. But at least, she has Moose, her little therapy dog, whom she loves and with whom she gives therapy to children who need to overcome some trauma or difficulty. Her work brings her purpose, and helping other’s children helps her bear the fact she has none of her own. But, helping the daughter of his childhood crush? It may be a bit awkward and risky. She’s not ready to move on. Neither is Rob. But when Sophie takes a shining to Moose and herself, can this be not only the chance of healing Sophie needs, but the second chance at love for two heartbroken souls?
This was a beautiful second chances love story. I immediately connected with Rob and Juliet. They were so relatable and endearing, that I felt their raw pain and my heart ached for their second chance at love and a Happily Ever After. Little Sophie’s cuteness and vulnerability also tugged at my heart. And her bonding with Moose was so sweet! And even Moose was adorable, I could perfectly imagine his tricks and antics, and it made me smile and laugh. The plot was engaging, and the secondary characters were lovable too, like Juliet’s mom and her matchmaking friends, including Rob’s aunt. I love small town stories because everyone knows each other and there’s a wonderful sense of community and helping each other. This was a sweet and heartwarming story, with a faith inspired message about trusting God, letting Him heal your broken heart, and asking Him for the strength to live what He has planned for you in the future, which may include loving someone new, deeply and without being unfaithful to your first spouse. God always wants our happiness and only He can bring good things even out of pain and grief.
I vividly recommend this sweet story about healing and second chances at love! It will bring you sweet tears and more smiles that you expect! I haven’t read the first book in the K-9 Companion Series and I think it can be perfectly read as a standalone. Although I’m now interested in reading other books in the Series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Rob Melbourne, a police officer, has barely recovered from losing his wife to cancer, when a terrible shooting while in the line of duty leaves him injured and his little girl traumatized. Sophie is afraid to leave the house and interact with strangers. He’s so desperate to get help for her daughter that he enlists, a bit skeptically, the help of Juliet Newkirk, the girl he was so drawn to when he was in High School. But can she really help heal his daughter��s heart and maybe his too?
Juliet lost her marine husband in the line of duty five years ago. She left Laurel Grove because she felt a small town, where everyone was trying to cheer her up, wasn’t the place for her to freely grieve. Time has passed, and she’s doing a lot better, but the pain won’t go away. But at least, she has Moose, her little therapy dog, whom she loves and with whom she gives therapy to children who need to overcome some trauma or difficulty. Her work brings her purpose, and helping other’s children helps her bear the fact she has none of her own. But, helping the daughter of his childhood crush? It may be a bit awkward and risky. She’s not ready to move on. Neither is Rob. But when Sophie takes a shining to Moose and herself, can this be not only the chance of healing Sophie needs, but the second chance at love for two heartbroken souls?
This was a beautiful second chances love story. I immediately connected with Rob and Juliet. They were so relatable and endearing, that I felt their raw pain and my heart ached for their second chance at love and a Happily Ever After. Little Sophie’s cuteness and vulnerability also tugged at my heart. And her bonding with Moose was so sweet! And even Moose was adorable, I could perfectly imagine his tricks and antics, and it made me smile and laugh. The plot was engaging, and the secondary characters were lovable too, like Juliet’s mom and her matchmaking friends, including Rob’s aunt. I love small town stories because everyone knows each other and there’s a wonderful sense of community and helping each other. This was a sweet and heartwarming story, with a faith inspired message about trusting God, letting Him heal your broken heart, and asking Him for the strength to live what He has planned for you in the future, which may include loving someone new, deeply and without being unfaithful to your first spouse. God always wants our happiness and only He can bring good things even out of pain and grief.
I vividly recommend this sweet story about healing and second chances at love! It will bring you sweet tears and more smiles that you expect! I haven’t read the first book in the K-9 Companion Series and I think it can be perfectly read as a standalone. Although I’m now interested in reading other books in the Series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 13, 2022
A sweet, innocent story of second chances.
Her work with therapy dogs brings young, but widowed Juliet Newkirk back to her small hometown. She and her dog, Moose, would be helping a preschooler Sophie Melbourne who is suffering from a terrible trauma. Sophie's dad, who is also a widower, used to be Juliet's major crush back in high school. She finds out very quickly that her attraction to him has not changed. This complicates things on so many levels. Juliet's willingness (or unwillingness) to overcome the obstacles forces her to take a good look at her own fears from the past.
To me, the most endearing character is the therapy dog Moose. In this story, I got a little glimpse of the kind of work these dogs do. What I liked the most was the surprising fact that Moose, a small, "fancy" dog, has such a great impact on humans. Even Rob Melbourne has his doubts when he first meets Moose and does not expect the little dog to accompish much.
"Moose is one of those froufrou purse dogs, isn't he?"
She stiffened. "What were you expecting?"
He shrugged. "I've worked in police departments with K-9 units. Those dogs were larger, more intelligent breeds like German shepherds, Malinois and Rottweilers."
Help, understanding, and support can sometimes come from unexpected places. This a truth both Rob and Juliet are going to learn well.
Finding Her Way Back, in my opinion, is an uplifting read for dog-lovers especially.
Her work with therapy dogs brings young, but widowed Juliet Newkirk back to her small hometown. She and her dog, Moose, would be helping a preschooler Sophie Melbourne who is suffering from a terrible trauma. Sophie's dad, who is also a widower, used to be Juliet's major crush back in high school. She finds out very quickly that her attraction to him has not changed. This complicates things on so many levels. Juliet's willingness (or unwillingness) to overcome the obstacles forces her to take a good look at her own fears from the past.
To me, the most endearing character is the therapy dog Moose. In this story, I got a little glimpse of the kind of work these dogs do. What I liked the most was the surprising fact that Moose, a small, "fancy" dog, has such a great impact on humans. Even Rob Melbourne has his doubts when he first meets Moose and does not expect the little dog to accompish much.
"Moose is one of those froufrou purse dogs, isn't he?"
She stiffened. "What were you expecting?"
He shrugged. "I've worked in police departments with K-9 units. Those dogs were larger, more intelligent breeds like German shepherds, Malinois and Rottweilers."
Help, understanding, and support can sometimes come from unexpected places. This a truth both Rob and Juliet are going to learn well.
Finding Her Way Back, in my opinion, is an uplifting read for dog-lovers especially.
February 8, 2022
Juliet NewKirk is finally coming home to Laurel Grove, NC. She started a program called Paw Pals. She’s hoping her dog Moose will help a sweet little 4 year old girl who has been traumatized when she and her father wore involved in a shooting at a big box store in town. The 4 year old’s dad is her former high school crush Rob Melbourne. Rob Melbourne is a police detective who lost his wife to cancer. Juliet and Rob have that in common. She also lost her husband Josh 5 years ago. Can they both let go and find a 2nd chance of love? Can Juliet and Moose heal this little girl’s anxiety and help her become the little girl she was before? All good questions that I promise will be answered by the end. We even get an epilogue which I really appreciate. I really fell in love with this story. I laughed and I cried. My emotions were all over the place just like Juliet’s. Lisa Carter has a way of connecting you to her characters and making them come alive before your very eyes. I could feel Juliet’s pain, Sophie’s anxiety, Rob’s protectiveness, and Moose’s love. I mean who doesn’t love a story about a cute tiny dog? I was lost in the world she created. A world centered in Laurel Grove. It’s a quirky little town where everyone knows everyone’s business. A town you’d want to call home!
November 23, 2022
Sweet four year old Sophie Melbourne is traumatized by a shooting that injured her off duty police officer dad Rob.
Juliet Newkirk and her therapy dog Moose use her organization, Paw Pals, to come home to rural Laurel Grove , North Carolina to help Sophie.
Much of this story revolves about Juliet not being able to deal with the grief of losing her Marine husband in Afghanistan and her miscarried son. It’s been 5 years and she constantly grieves. Rob has lost his own wife to cancer. Being high school friends Rob and Juliet try to work toward a relationship.
I found it very hard to keep constantly reading about Juliet always not being able to deal with her grief even though the book reminds us that people grieve differently. It was refreshing to read that Juliet finally made a decision to move on with her life.
Seeing how much she cared for Sophie and Rob touches your heart.
The small towns “grapevine” of information was always working and manners such as saying Miss were always emphasized. Juliet’s mom, her knitting club and aunts and uncles were great secondary characters.
Dog lovers will enjoy this book and readers will see that life is not easy at times but still goes on.
Juliet Newkirk and her therapy dog Moose use her organization, Paw Pals, to come home to rural Laurel Grove , North Carolina to help Sophie.
Much of this story revolves about Juliet not being able to deal with the grief of losing her Marine husband in Afghanistan and her miscarried son. It’s been 5 years and she constantly grieves. Rob has lost his own wife to cancer. Being high school friends Rob and Juliet try to work toward a relationship.
I found it very hard to keep constantly reading about Juliet always not being able to deal with her grief even though the book reminds us that people grieve differently. It was refreshing to read that Juliet finally made a decision to move on with her life.
Seeing how much she cared for Sophie and Rob touches your heart.
The small towns “grapevine” of information was always working and manners such as saying Miss were always emphasized. Juliet’s mom, her knitting club and aunts and uncles were great secondary characters.
Dog lovers will enjoy this book and readers will see that life is not easy at times but still goes on.
February 10, 2022
I enjoy reading Love Inspired novels. They are short and most can be read in a day or two. And to top it off they have such a lovely message of hope and healing.
Lisa Carter is one of my most favorite authors so I know whatever she writes is going to be a grand slam.
Finding Her Way Back is an inspirational story of a sweet little girls and her very handsome dad. Like most parents Rob Melbourne will do anything to help his lovely little girl. Unlike most parents Rob does not have a helpmate for he and his little girl, Sophia, are on their own.
When Juliette hears that she is to help Rob and his little girl with her therapy pup, Moose, she cant believe that it's Rob her first love! As nervous as she is about meeting him again it all goes well and unexpectedly when Sophia and Moose make an instant connection. But this is just the beginning.
This novel deals with the hard issues in life...grief, seperation and trauma. . What a lovely read! And a timely one!
Grab a copy for yourself or a special reader...it makes a GREAT Valentine's Day gift!
Lisa Carter is one of my most favorite authors so I know whatever she writes is going to be a grand slam.
Finding Her Way Back is an inspirational story of a sweet little girls and her very handsome dad. Like most parents Rob Melbourne will do anything to help his lovely little girl. Unlike most parents Rob does not have a helpmate for he and his little girl, Sophia, are on their own.
When Juliette hears that she is to help Rob and his little girl with her therapy pup, Moose, she cant believe that it's Rob her first love! As nervous as she is about meeting him again it all goes well and unexpectedly when Sophia and Moose make an instant connection. But this is just the beginning.
This novel deals with the hard issues in life...grief, seperation and trauma. . What a lovely read! And a timely one!
Grab a copy for yourself or a special reader...it makes a GREAT Valentine's Day gift!
November 9, 2022
This was one of the most uplifting and sweetest book I ever read. It is a perfect and powerful story of accepting, forgiving and realizing you can survive and find true love and happiness after a devastating tragic loss.
Our main character, Juliet, Rob, and Sofia along with Moose, "The little dog with the big heart", were created with such a strong yet extremely painful and compassionate personalities.
This author writes with such in-depth analysis in her books, that makes you feels very emotional attach to each character. She is a very talented writer. Excellent work.
Highly recommended....😍😇
Our main character, Juliet, Rob, and Sofia along with Moose, "The little dog with the big heart", were created with such a strong yet extremely painful and compassionate personalities.
This author writes with such in-depth analysis in her books, that makes you feels very emotional attach to each character. She is a very talented writer. Excellent work.
Highly recommended....😍😇
February 3, 2022
After 4 year old Sophie Melbourne is traumatized, her father Rob agrees to do anything to help her get over her trauma, Including therapy dog sessions for his daughter. Juliet Newkirk, who used to live in Laurel Grove, started up a therapy dog program called Paw Pals. She works with children to help them overcome their anxieties and get back to their lives.
Moose the therapy dog, works to help Sophie, get past her trauma, and works to bring Juliet and Rob together in a relationship. Will he be successful?
Moose the therapy dog, works to help Sophie, get past her trauma, and works to bring Juliet and Rob together in a relationship. Will he be successful?
May 15, 2022
Lisa Carter writes such a heartwarming story about love, loss, and second chances. This is a story of facing fears. Juliet Newkirk uses her therapy dog, Moose, to help little Sophie Melbourne to get over her fear. Sophie was traumatized when her dad was injured in a store shooting. She is afraid to leave her house and has nightmares each night. Juliet is surprised that her new client’s dad was a classmate of hers that she once had a secret crush on. Juliet and Rob have both lost their spouses and are learning that grief takes it’s own path for each person.
May 23, 2022
Just Fabulous
Book two in the K-9 Companions series, this book was wonderful. The characters were charming and relatable, the writing was smooth and easy to get lost in. Ms. Carter had my eyes filled with tears several times as the characters walked through their struggles and personal discoveries. I look forward to enjoying more writing from this author. I even highlighted a few comments in the book that were staggeringly insightful. This book deserves each and every star of the five I gave it.
Book two in the K-9 Companions series, this book was wonderful. The characters were charming and relatable, the writing was smooth and easy to get lost in. Ms. Carter had my eyes filled with tears several times as the characters walked through their struggles and personal discoveries. I look forward to enjoying more writing from this author. I even highlighted a few comments in the book that were staggeringly insightful. This book deserves each and every star of the five I gave it.
November 19, 2024
I liked this book a LOT, although I don't think the description on the back cover is quite accurate. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Lisa.
From the back: "Healing his daughter is work risking his heart. After a tragic event leaves Rob Melbourne's little girl traumatized, he'll do anything to help her recover, even enlist his first love, Juliet Newkirk, and her therapy pup, Moose. Working with Juliet stirs up old feelings for Rob, a distraction he doesn't need. But with the dog's help, the road to healing his daughter might just give Rob and Juliet a second chance at happiness..."
From the back: "Healing his daughter is work risking his heart. After a tragic event leaves Rob Melbourne's little girl traumatized, he'll do anything to help her recover, even enlist his first love, Juliet Newkirk, and her therapy pup, Moose. Working with Juliet stirs up old feelings for Rob, a distraction he doesn't need. But with the dog's help, the road to healing his daughter might just give Rob and Juliet a second chance at happiness..."
February 16, 2022
A love story that involves a tragic hero, a little girl who knows too much pain, a therapist wit her own challenges, AND a tiny dog with a big name — I am in! This book by Lisa Carter will not disappoint. I felt like the characters were real people, living in the real world. Their lives are messy, which means we can all relate. I highly recommend this book. Toward the end, there is one contextual error, but it is amusing more than annoying!
September 10, 2022
Shorter books can be hard to get the pacing right, but the author paced this perfectly. The book was a sweet story about loss and finding your way to the other side. And the characters including the dogs were very believable.
February 1, 2024
I loved this book, perfect stand alone without committing to a series. Did notice at the very end a dog is talked about as a she and then at the very, very end it becomes a he... Minor editing mishap I am assuming but it was very close in pages so I'm not sure how it was missed.
December 16, 2021
slow to get started but once I got involved
i enjoyed it
i enjoyed it
Read
January 1, 2022Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #2)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #2)
May 27, 2022
An ok read
April 15, 2023
great book
This book was very interesting. It kept your attention the whole time. I must read for dog lovers and people that love a happy ending
This book was very interesting. It kept your attention the whole time. I must read for dog lovers and people that love a happy ending
September 24, 2024
Another moving story in the K9 companions series. I can honestly say I never thought about using a therapy dog for situation was presented in the story. Makes total sense and I loved reading about it.
This story centers around a child and deals with grief and agoraphobia.
This story centers around a child and deals with grief and agoraphobia.
January 5, 2025
A great Hallmark-y feel good K-9 companion romance story. I love stories about therapy dogs and this one is no exception
October 28, 2025
loved it. such a great story.
February 12, 2022
happy ending
Love the characters the small town and the dog .This story was great and beautiful. I enjoyed the places it took me and meeting the characters..
Love the characters the small town and the dog .This story was great and beautiful. I enjoyed the places it took me and meeting the characters..
February 16, 2022
This heartwarming story by Lisa Carter drew me in with an adorable little girl and an irresistible pup, but it was the hero and heroine who really tugged at my heartstrings. Throw in some quirky secondary characters and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. If you enjoy second-chance stories, you won't want to miss Finding Her Way Back.
February 21, 2022
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I loved the characters, especially Moose the therapy dog who stole my heart. Juliet Newkirk is a lovely, kind young woman who gives of herself to help those in need of her help. I loved the interactions between the characters and the overall storyline.
It's quick read and one that will appeal to readers of all ages.
It's quick read and one that will appeal to readers of all ages.
February 4, 2022
A sweet, sweet story! Loved it!
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