Walking Back to Happiness

by Lucy Dillon

A delightful new novel from the author of "Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts."

Juliet's hiding from her feelings about the recent loss of Ben, the love of her life. If it weren't for having to walk Ben's loyal dog, Minton, she'd never leave their half-finished house. Then her mother asks her to take her elderly lab, Coco, along. One dog leads to another, and soon Juliet's the unofficial town pet-sitter. And when she takes on a lonely spaniel, and gets to know its attractive owner, she realizes that her emotions aren't as easy to handle as her canine charges...

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Dogs, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Audiobook

405 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Lucy Dillon was born in Cumbria, worked for a while in publishing in London, and now lives in the Wye Valley with her husband and their Border terrier. She has written eight novels set in the fictional Midlands town of Longhampton, which looks a bit like Hereford, although the inhabitants tend to sound rather more Northern than that.

Reviews

[Stelepami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this one up off the library's new fiction shelf on a whim. I'd just applied for a dog-walking job, hoping that if I got it (I didn't) it would help me out of my depression. It was a good read, nice little details and a not-uninteresting premise. It's the sort of book that I think of as cotton candy - fluffy and sweet and can make me a bit sick if I read too many of them, but just exactly what I'm craving now and then, and this book hit the spot perfectly for the genre I needed. Realistic fiction, generally centered around female character(s) in their everyday lives. A bit of tragedy and/or romance woven in as way of a plot. This one hit home because I've been in a self-pitying slump, as was Juliet (the protagonist), albeit for different reasons (thank fortune! I'd rather lose a job or be depressed than widowed) and her journey to recovery was portrayed in a way that is hopeful but not overly saccharine. Dogs (and other pets) are nearly always a good subject to start with, and the author did well. The Anglophile in me appreciated the British details, too. Two TARDIS references for a non-SF book isn't bad!

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Walking Back to Happiness started, I was wondering if it really was the book for me, as Juliet to start with is understandably still very grief stricken, and I just found her hard work to read about. However as her family continue to try to do anything to get Juliet out of the house, as well as to make house improvements, my enjoyments at seeing Juliet blossom became apparent until I was loathe to put the book down.

I may have said it before, but I am more than happy to say it again, I love Lucy Dillon's books especially when there are dogs involved, and not only are there dogs but cats too, or at least one incident with a cat that really springs to mind, that helped bring her closer to her next door neighbours.

She really hadn't met her new neighbours before this year, as they moved in around the time that her husband died, but very gradually they get to know each other and a brand new friendship is formed. Not to mention the incredibly handy builder they happen to have living with them, who helps Juliet a lot without her even realising it.

In contrast to Juliet's story, some chapters focused on Louise, her sister, who isn't having the easiest time of things herself, but partly for self inflicted reasons, which will be explained during the story. Louise is a slightly harder character to like, but towards the end my feelings towards her did change a lot.

I loved how Juliet manages to end up with new job of being a pet-sitter for the entire small town she lives in, and as a result we are introduced to loads of adorable dogs all with their own personalities, and occasionally we find out details of their owners too.

Once the story picked up a bit, I fell in love with the entire book, and found it to be a wonderful story, with emotive language that is as entertaining as it is emotional.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this straight after reading 'The Secret of Happy Ever After', and loved it just as much. I had never read Lucy Dillon's books before, and I have really enjoyed these books so far.
'Walking back To Happiness' is based in the rural town of Longhampton again, and it was nice for me that some of the residents mentioned in the first book I'd read were appearing in this book too. I know I am reading the books in the wrong order, but it doesn't matter as they don't follow on in a specific way.
I found the story so sad about Juliet trying to deal with the death of her husband, I found myself asking how I would cope in Juliet's situation and thought the way Lucy writes this well.
This is a sad story at times, for obvious reasons but ultimately it is such a heart-warming story, and I was left feeling hopeful once I'd finished the book.
I am so glad I have found this author, I am about to start reading 'Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts' next, I'm rather hooked! Lucy Dillon is definitely one of my new favourite authors, and I will be definitely eagerly awaiting her next book.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Tânia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I took a chance on this author because now I can’t get enough of her books. Juliet’s story was so touching and I was hooked from page one and completely entranced by the time it was over.

I usually pick up chick-lit to take the scenery route, but this was no walk in the park. It has a depth to it that is unsettling and makes you feel things that sometimes might taste salty but you still trudge on in the hopes you can climb out of the swamp with Juliet.

The author’s writing is realistic, and her precious attention to detail makes everything so much more meaningful. I absolutely loved the symbolism of the cherry tree!

And bad Minton (ha ha gotta give it to Ben!), dogs (and the occasional illusive cat), nature, pet-sitting, glimpses of characters from other books, unexpected twists (“Mark” & the photograph in the exhibition), the Kelly’s, Lorcan (obviously), fuses, wanderings in the middle of the night, unfinished house, DIY, friends, family… growing up.

Ahhh, it’s just wonderful. Like I said, it’s all in the details.

[Jane Linfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very doggy book. Lucy Dillon writes a perfect pooch tale here, and the canine details are perfect, from the untimely labrador flatulence, down the the last muddy paw print. But as well as getting the canine detail exactly right, the humans in the story are fabulous too.

I loved the way the heroine's story was interwoven with that of her sister, I loved the unexpected twists and turns of the main characters journeys, and the supporting cast were brilliantly drawn. The story pulled me in, in a way I didn't expect, and I couldn't put it down. At times poignant and tragic, this uplifting book has amazing depth, created by the wonderfully observed detail. A lot more gritty than the gentle cover and title suggest, this was a fabulously satisfying read. Quietly brilliant.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to pick up books with Golden Retriever's on the front....the copy I read had that pretty dog on the cover.
It was well worth reading!! It is about a young woman who's husband died suddenly and she was left with just her dog...(not a golden retriever)....It is based on how her dog and family got her jump started back into life and living. It is a very real, heartwarming and family and friend oriented book. I was always ready to pick it up to see what would happen next and never disappointed in the twists and turns....very real to life!

[Lotta Söderlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Dillon är underbar feelgood för mig. Läste boken för flera år sedan och har nu lyssnat på den.
Glädje, sorg, kärlek och hundar i en härlig mix.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det kändes som att jag bara hade läst om mörker och elände i evigheter så när nästa bok i kön också var nattsvart så kände jag att det fick vara nog. Jag behövde något ljust och upplyftande (med bara en liten gnutta svärta i). Lyckligtvis hittade jag Hundar, hus och hjärtats längtan i hyllan. Den kändes så rätt.

Nej, jag hade inte läst på baksidan vad den handlade om, men det hade inte spelat någon roll. Jag vet att Lucy Dillon skriver feelgood som passar mig och kände mig helt trygg i att allt skulle lösa sig. Här finns både sorg, glädje, kärlek, skratt och hundar. Massor av hundar. Och vardagligt. Kanske är det det som gör att jag kan relatera så lätt. Jag gillar verkligen tonen. Den är så brittisk.

Hundar, hus och hjärtats längtan är en jättefin skildring av sorg och hur konstigt det än kan låta så är den väldigt charmig och mysig, även om ämnet är tungt. Det känns liksom bra i hela kroppen. Historien är otroligt förutsägbar, men det var jag beredd på och förväntade mig inget annat. Ibland är en feelgood precis vad doktorn ordinerar och mitt humör steg flera grader.

OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book; I certainly could relate to the dog issues! I also liked how some of the characters (dogs and people) from the first book popped in periodically. It was a bit difficult to get into at first, but after about the first 30 pages, I enjoyed it. It was also fun reading/figuring out the UK expressions that Americans don't use. I'll definitely read her next one!

[Novelle Novels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars
This is essentially about two sisters Juliet and Louise. Juliet has recently lost her husband and is hiding away to grieve. Her mum gets her out of the house to walk her dog and she ends up walking other dogs. When we meet her Irish next door neighbour you can kind of predict the outcome. Louise is in what seems like the perfect marriage with a toddler. When she returns to work you see the cracks that are there. This is a really cosy chick lit book with the characters described and Formed Well. I did predict a lot of the outcomes even some of the side characters which made it easy to read. If you are an old school romantic then this is Cosy to read.

[Amina Hujdur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bljutavo i sladunjavo za moj ukus. 2.5

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I've missed Lucy Dillon for so long. I'm really enjoying her books. This one is a slightly harder read thanks to the subject manner (main character is bereaved & grieving from the outset) & the plot is rather predictable in places but on the whole it is another well written, easy going book with believable characters. An enjoyable light read.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I could identify with a lot of the thoughts and feelings of Juliet and Louise. Also lots of scenes with dogs which were great. Narration was pretty good too. Would definitely recommend.

[Gail Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book, and read through it almost in one sitting. Delightful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book! The kind where I stay up too late because I don’t want to stop reading. The messy neighbors were a bit of a stereotype but still charming, and all the other characters were well written and believable. The plot developed well and even the dogs were good without getting sentimental (I’m not a dog person). I’m sad it’s over but I intend to read a lot more of Dillon’s books!

[Meteori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iako sam je davno čitala, uoči se povezanost sa knjigom "Napušteni psi i usamljena srca".
Topla i emotivna priča od koje se svako malo stegne grlo. Stvarne ljudske sudbine, pune strahova, borbi, dvoumljenja, ali i lijepih porodičnih momenata.
Kada je u teškoj situaciji, čovjek najbolje shvati koliko je povezanost i porodična bliskost važna.

[Caroline Hedges · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this for the light, easy read it is.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give 3.5 stars if I could. A good book, simple story, a nice break. Nothing complicated, likable characters.

[Anna Sjösvärd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysigaste boken ever

[Sandra Jönsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mixen av feelgood och gripande drama, gör att många som själva har förlorat en älskad kan läsa och identifiera sig med karaktären Juliet, utan att knockas av sorgen." http://sandrajonsson.se/lucy-dillons-...

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nakon iznenadne smrti svoga supruga Bena, Juliet je bila shrvana, u nedovršenoj kući koju su zajedno htjeli urediti. Njezina obitelj se probala brinuti o njoj, ali Juliet je bila u obrambenoj fazi kada se sa svima svađala jer je nisu razumjeli. Na posao se nije vraćala od smrti muža jer se tako dogovorila sa šeficom Kim, s kojom je radila slastice za vjenčanja i proslave. Julietina majka, smišljajući kako izvući Juliet iz kuće, nametala joj je obveze. Tako je Juliet pristala na šetanje psa njezinih roditelja Coco, jer je i sama imala svog psa Mintona kojeg je također trebalo šetati. Mintona su nabavili ona i Ben i Minton je bio uz Bena kada je Ben na ulici doživio srčani udar i umro. Ustupak njezinoj majci bio je zbog Julietine sestre Louise koja se htjela vratiti na posao jer joj je briga o sinu Tobbyu postala malo naporna. Lousie je govorila da bi provela djetinjstvo uz sina, no to se izgubilo kad je izgubila interes za sve, zbog umora i ne sudjelovanja njezinog muža Petera u odgajanju malenog Tobbya. Od rođenja sina, Peter je postao vlasnik tvrtke za internetske igrice i njegovo se radno vrijeme udvostručilo. A kad bi bio kod kuće, jedino o čemu je razgovarao s Louise bilo je što je Tobby radio. Zato se Louise odlučila vratiti na radno mjesto tužiteljice. Juliet je svaki dan odvajala sat vremena za tugovanje za Benom. Jedne večeri se njezin sat skratio jer je nestalo struje. Zbog buke susjeda shvati da je samo u njezinoj kući problem i zbog toga ode kod susjeda. Vrata joj otvori Lorcan, koji joj dođe pomoći i misleći da očijuka s njom, ona ga napadne. Lorcan joj je ponudio pomoć oko kuće, tako što će provjeriti što sve treba napraviti i to joj napisati uz iznose, da je ne bi prevarili. Iako nisu dobro započeli, ipak je došao do nje i dao joj ponudu, a ona protrne od iznosa radova. Te radove je trebala odraditi s Benom, zbog svega joj je sve teško padalo. Nije htjela započeti s radovima zbog nedostatka novca, ali joj je majka uz Louiseinu pomoć, uspjela pribaviti tuš koji su Ben i ona željeli. No, to Juliet nije znala jer se Lorcan pojavio s tušem, u dogovoru s njezinima, govoreći kako ga je našao po povoljnoj cijeni. Prvo ga Juliet odbije za radove, ali poslije šetnje s Mintonom u kojoj sretne majku, majka joj pridoda obvezu čuvanja mačaka gospođe Cox i odlučiti pružiti priliku uređenju kupaonice. S Lorcanom se dogovorila za radove samo uz uvjet da i ona sudjeluje. I tako je počelo uređenje kuće, Julietino druženje s Lorcanom, a na kraju i Kellyima, posebno Emer, kod kojih je stanovao Lorcan. Juliet nije znala što bi mislila o tom življenju Lorcana kod Kellyja dok je Alec, otac, na poslu, putovao po turnejama s bendom. Ali šetajući pse i brinući se o mačkama, shvatila je da nije uvijek sve kako je mislila, a otkrivala je mnoge tajne. Proširila je svoj posao šetača i tako je čuvala i psa Hectora, od Barbare Taylor, i psa Damson, od čovjeka za kojeg je mislila da se zove Mark. S njim se počela i dopisivati dok je uzimala i vraćala Damson. Pozvao ju je i na izložbu fotografija i otišla je s njim te su se poljubili. Onda ga je malo izbjegavala, ali ju je pozvao na večeru. Tada je otkrila, kad je Louise došla do Michaelove kuće, da je njezina sestra bila zaljubljena u tog istog čovjeka. Zapravo Louise je Michaela upoznala na tečaju za roditelje i kako su se poslije majke s tečaja i otac Michael družili, Louise je u Michaelu pronašla spas. S njim je vodila umirujuće i duge razgovore koji nisu uključivali Tobbya. I tako je Louise prije Benove smrti priznala sestri da je zaljubljena u drugoga, dok se Juliet njoj jadala za Bena što nije htio djecu i što je bio djetinjast. Zbog toga i nisu pričale od Benove smrti, do susreta u Michaelovoj kući. Onda su shvatile jedna drugu. Od tada su se malo bolje razumjele. I kad su Peter i Louise na izložbi naišli na sliku nje i Michaela i Peter poludio, Juliet je bila tu za sestru. Čak joj je savjetovala i da se bori za brak jer si nije mogla oprostiti da je zadnje što je Benu izgovorila bila bujica riječi u svađi. Louise je jedva uspjela pridobiti Petera natrag. A Juliet se u prijateljstvu s Lorcanom osjećala sigurno iako je shvatila da ima neke osjećaje prema njemu, kao i on prema njoj. No, oboje su to zataškavali zbog svojih slomljenih srca. Za Božić su Kellyiji i Lorcan otišli u Irsku, odakle su podrijetlom kako bi ondje blagdane proveli s obitelji. A Juliet je za Božić za svoju obitelj nakuhala jela i napravila brdo kolača, a dio kolača prije odlaska je dala i Kellyima. Za Božić su se Juliet i njezina obitelj preko Skypea čuli s njezinim bratom Ianom, koji je živio u Australiji. Tada se Ian izlanuo da Diana i Ken trebaju doći kod njih prije nego što njegova žena rodi treće dijete i da će ondje ostati nekoliko mjeseci. Juliet je u šetnji s ocem, jer su htjeli izbjeći daljnje rasprave, saznala da su to dugo planirali i da su čekali da se ona oporavi. Zahvalila mu je na brizi i rekla neka se sad njih dvoje brinu za svoje potrebe, a ona i Louise će se snaći. Božić je prošao lijepo uz obitelj, ali dani poslije Juliet su bili prazni bez Lorcana i Kellyja. Na Staru godinu je odlučila počistiti sobu i pripremiti za radove i kad se išla odmoriti od posla, čula je da je Minton u prizemlju. Našla ga je s Benovom košuljom u zubima i poludjela. Derala se na Mintona koji je na kraju pobjegao od nje. I Hector i Coco su se malo unervozili. Ali su se smirili kad je sjela uz njih gledati tv i Minton je došao za pola sata. Malo poslije Minton je počeo povraćati, i vidjelo se da slabi. Juliet nije znala koga bi nazvala, zvala je veterinara Georgea i rekla mu da će ga dovesti, ali kako je popila piće, nije mogla voziti. Uto, ju je nazvao Lorcan i sredio joj prijevoz do veterinarske. Minton je morao na operaciju. Dok je čekala završetak operacije, u veterinarskoj stanici se pojavio Lorcan koji ju je prvo tješio, a onda je on njoj rekao da bi mogli pokušati i tako ga je Juliet poljubila i odlučili su biti zajedno. Nakon par mjeseci, u proljeće, Lorcan je sadio sadnice trešnje koje je Ben uzgojio, a Louise ih njegovala, dok su svi oni, uz Kellyje odali počast Benu. Ben je zamolilo Louise da kod nje budu sadnice koje je mislio darovati Juliet za godišnjicu. Tako joj je zapravo dao sebe, da uživa u trešnjama uz obitelj i prijatelje.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jag hoppas verkligen att Lucy Dillon aldrig slutar skriva böcker. Jag älskar hennes böcker. Jag är helt fast. Jag vet faktiskt inte om det finns något negativt att säga om hennes böcker, någon av dem. Massor av livliga och färgglada karaktärer som det aldrig blir krångligt att hålla reda på, härligt med alla underbara hundar som har varsin personlighet, härlig story som innehåller allt med kärlek, tragedi, sorg, vänskap, skratt med mera. Jag rekommenderar alla att läsa denna härliga böcker! Det är kärlek rakt igenom.

[DrFeelgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortsättning på Förlorade hjärtan ... Väldigt gulligt. Handlingen har jag glömt helt, men det är hundar och trevligheter.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read by Lucy she never let's you down very heartwarming and true story of families and love. Juliet has lost the love of her life and how can she cope with life she hides away in the house watching day time tv and can she get back to working or does her sister and mum have to work hard at it. Along the way she finds her sister has had an affair and can she work it out with her husband or not. Very good read.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like it was less dog-focused than her last book and the people were less sympathetic - Louise was particularly awful, and she didn't even have a dog, so I saw no reason for her to get half the book - but dogs still featured as main players, so Lucy Dillon continues to be the best author I have found in general (as opposed to YA) fiction.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read about coming back to yourself after a devastating loss. With the help of family, new friends and plenty of dogs Juliet makes it through the first year after her husbands sudden death. The characters are interesting and there side stories so you don't get drawn to deeply into Juliet's grief. All in all a good book.

[Trine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Anna Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sullo sfondo della città di Longhampton si dipanano storie di amicizia, d'amore e di forti legami familiari. La narrazione è scorrevole e piacevole, e il tutto è tenuto insieme da un collante canino divertente e pieno d'affetto.

[Donna Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! The perfect holiday read.