I’m a big fan of Jackie Bouchard (Award-winning and USA bestselling author) and her books. (And Rita’s pretty sweet too, that’s her dog in case you didn’t know. And really, if you don’t know Jackie and Rita head on over to Pooch Smooches and start following her. I’ll wait.)
Jackie’s one of those super cool chicks. You know the one you want to sit down with and slam back a couple of Margaritas. I think Jackie and I have a similar sense of humor and it’s fairly likely we could get into a good bit of trouble if we could actually hang out. (Putting that one on my bucket list!)
I’ve read both of Jackie’s previous books and loved them both. Her characters are intense, and they have issues, which means they are human and they are all uniquely different.
So when I heard Jackie had a new book being released I was super excited. I tried to be all sneaky about it…”Um….Jackie…do you need any help promoting your new book?”
Truthfully I think she was on to me, but she humored me anyway.
“I was just going to ask you if you would be willing to review it.”
SCORE!!
It came in the mail a few days later.
“Guess what I have waiting for me upstairs?” I teased my mom. “Jackie Bouchard’s new book.”
“Hurry up and read it.” My mother spat at me. Okay, so she didn’t like spit, like a llama or anything, (she’s not that kind of mama!) But she sort of demand it.
I can’t blame her though. Dude let me tell you. This book grabbed me from the first sentence.
THE. FIRST. SENTENCE. And it didn’t let go until the last. It was that freaking good.
If you like books that make you laugh. This is the book.
If you like books that make you cry (just a tiny bit). This is the book.
If you like books with a bit of suspense. This is the book.
If you like books that make you think about yourself and your own actions. This is the book.
Okay. Like basically what I’m telling you is this is the next book you need to read.
Whenever I’m reading one of Jackie’s books, I feel like she’s writing me. You know what I mean? She captures the realness of a person and puts it into a character. Now, I’m not going to give a lot of this book away but I will give you this.
Two DINK’s (Double Income No Kids, for those that don’t know) that didn’t really want kids, and were quite content in their perfect little house, with their perfect dog, (Marie) discover that one of them has a child from a previous relationship. (Okay, it’s the husband because really…most women KNOW they’ve had a kid) and the kid HAS a kid!
I don’t know about you, but if my husband’s adult child showed up on my doorstep with a little baby….there’d be some serious adjustments (and maybe a little bit of slapping). She didn’t bitch slap him though, just so you know.
Sometimes I sabotage myself. You know what I mean? I offer to do something, not really thinking of the consequences and work it will entail for me. And so that like happens in the book. The main character, Alex trying to be a good supportive wife sort of bites off a little more than she’s ready for when she invites the kid and the KID to stay with them temporarily. Alex is a perfectionist and a neat freak, which most of you that have had kids know, it’s hard to mesh the two.
So they going from just the three of them to five and all the complications that go along with it.
And that’s it, that’s all I’m going to tell you with the exception of this. House Trained will be in select Walmarts nationwide starting next Tuesday! You can pre-order it on Amazon (available in Kindle, Paperback AND Audio!) (If you do order through Amazon, there’s a small chance I might get a commission on it, because I’m working on affiliate links, but I’m not sure if I did it right or not). You can also order the paperback or Audiobook from Barnes and Noble (which we will NOT get a commission on).
Oh and just in case you’re wondering…this is what it looks like.
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Lauren Miller (ZoePhee) says
That book sounds so awesome! I love Jackie’s books, too!
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
Being a reformed perfectionist and neat freak myself, I can tell you it doesn’t mesh with step-kids either. The book sounds good, though. I’ll have to put it on my list of to reads!
Genevieve says
Looks cute. Sounds cute. I preordered the Kindle edition. Yay!
Emma says
Mom read one of her other books and really enjoyed it. She is not a big fan of reading books, but one day she will most likely give this one a read.
Golden Daily Scoop says
This is going on our xmas list! How exciting, can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing!
Sue says
Great review, Jodi. You know I’ve already read the book and I loved it, too! In fact, I love all three of Jackie’s books and am looking forward to the next one (hint, hint, Jackie) This would make a great Christmas gift for any dog lover!
Hawk aka BrownDog says
Hi Y’all!
I’m sure my Human will want to read that book!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Mary says
I am about 3/4’s of the way through this. Love it!
Jackie Bouchard says
Oh, Jodi – having margs and getting into a little trouble with you just went on my bucket list!
LOL about “most women KNOW” if they had a kid. Yeah, most.
Thank you thank you thank you for the lovely review!!! Great way to start my morning! 🙂
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
Ok, so you are officially an amazing book review(er)!
I am convinced, and am definitely ordering this book!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
weliveinaflat says
How fun! You got to read it before everyone else! 🙂
Taryn says
Great review…..I am about to write a review of House Trained as well and man, have you ever set the bar high!
I loved the book!
Julie says
I have this book on my list to read. I love a good dog book!!
DZ Dogs says
I’d love to read that!
Jan K says
3 things: I think I am going to relate to this book on a lot of levels. No, my hubby didn’t have an unknown love child but he did have a child when we got married, and that was a huge adjustment for me.
I know once I pick this book up I won’t be able to put it down…that’s why I haven’t started it yet. I wouldn’t want to have to call in sick to work or anything.
I’m pretty sure if I hung out with both you and Jackie, my face would hurt a lot from laughing so much! What fun that would be…I love both of your senses of humor.
2 Brown Dawgs says
Best of luck to Jackie with this book.