ISBN: 9781496700438
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: 1/26/2016
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars
“Von Kreisler takes us deeper into the powerful connections between humans and animals.”--Jacqueline Sheehan
From the bestselling author of An Unexpected Grace comes a richly insightful novel of matters of the heart—both human and canine—in an uplifting story of love, loyalty, and new beginnings… Earnest. It's the perfect name for a sweet, eager-to-please yellow Labrador retriever. Anna and her boyfriend Jeff fall for him the minute they see those guileless eyes gazing up from behind his gate at Seattle's Best Friends Shelter. In no time at all, they're a pack of three, with Earnest happily romping in their condo on Gamble Island. During the day, Earnest keeps Anna company in her flower shop, located in a historic gingerbread Victorian on the island's main street. Anna hopes to buy and restore the house, once owned by her beloved grandmother. But when that dream is threatened by Jeff's actions, Anna's trust is shattered. For so long, the house has encompassed all her ideals of security, home, and family. Yet Earnest's devotion to his two people, and theirs to him, make it impossible for them to walk away from each other. And when a crisis hits, it's Earnest—honest, stubborn, and uncannily wise—who will help Anna reconcile her past and embrace what the future can bring…
My Review
Kristin von Kreisler returns following An Unexpected Grace the lovable golden retriever with, EARNEST, an irresistible yellow Labrador retriever—another heartwarming contemporary tale of a wise and adorable dog-- teaching one couple the meaning of life, relationships, love, and second chances. Anna and Jeff visit Seattle’s Second Chance Shelter in search of the right dog. They had been living together for the last two years. Jeff wanted a buddy, and Anna secretly wanted a trial run at parenting. She hoped the dog would give Jeff a nudge closer to marriage. They both were almost thirty-five and it was time. When viewing the dogs, the Labrador retriever draws them in. At eighty pounds, with his warm big brown eyes, he has “take me home” written all over him. A purebred, only three years old his former name was Moonbeam; however, they felt the wise old soul, living behind this cute face needed a new name, Earnest. Anna was so excited -- she would take him to work with her every day. She owns a flower shop and Jeff was an architect. They were now a family. Anna’s flower shop was located in an old Victorian house, called Plant Parenthood, in her grandmother’s old house, she hopes to buy; however, currently she rents and shares with other others. The owner wants to sell and build something else. Since Jeff is an architect—Cedar Place Downtown, they have differences of opinion. Can two differences be strong enough to tear two people apart? Poor Earnest is caught in the middle. Jeff thought Anna was being impractical, and he thought he could bring her around to approving his project. Then there is a fire. Anna knows life is one never-ending change. Earnest wants his two special people together and happy. A war between two people. A fight to save what they stand for. Symbolic in many ways, with the name, house, butterflies, flowers, seasons, holidays, history and the town. The past, present, and future—a blending. The good and the bad. Joy. Love. Retribution. Meet your beautiful life like a butterfly. Rebirth. Good things come with time. Highly sensitive and intelligent, Earnest brings life to the tale, a divided family—with a cast of quirky characters and the love of an unstoppable dog, Earnest and his unwavering devotion. The name Earnest was fitting for the dog as well as Anna, and Jeff's characters. Each had a strong intention, sense of purpose, putting forth effort, sincerely zealous, showing depth and sincerity of feeling. Demanding, and serious about their overall mission. As always, Kreisler takes readers deeper into the powerful connections between humans and animals, for a heartwarming story of love. If we all could be more like dogs—An example. Trusting fate. Enjoying the now. Live in the present. Greeting the future with job. Flow with the wind. Reconciling with hardship. A life lesson. Moving on. Trusting. Embracing Life. Reminded me so much of my beloved Golden "Duke" of Farmington (Golden Retriever for 15 glorious memorable years; unforgettable "best dog ever"; miss him, everyday). Dogs can touch your heart and soul as no other. Ideal for book clubs and future discussions (included). Dog lovers will adore----Loved the front cover!
Review Links:
Praise for Earnest “Earnest is a dog who desires only one thing, to keep his family intact. Kristin von Kreisler deftly spins a tale of human failings and canine devotion.”--Susan Wilson “Kristin von Kreisler captures the emotional intelligence of Earnest, a dog who provides much-needed guidance to a couple spiraling into catastrophe.”--Jacqueline Sheehan "Be prepared to fall in love with Earnest, a yellow labrador retriever who teaches his humans a thing or two about resilience, loyalty, and forgiveness." —Amy Hill Hearth, New York Times bestselling author of Miss Dreamsville and the Lost Heiress of Collier Countyand Having Our Say
“Earnest shows us, through the wisdom of a dog, what matters most in life.”--Nancy Thayer
“The best part of von Kreisler’s novel is Earnest. He’s a sweet, loveable canine.” – RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Kristin von Kreisler was born on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. All her life she has loved and rescued animals. She has written bestselling books about them and has spoken about their welfare on Coast to Coast to 560 U.S. cities and on the Voice of America to 123 million people.Her most recent novels are Earnest, about a couple in conflict over custody of their beloved Labrador retriever, and An Unexpected Grace, about a woman and a golden retriever helping each other recover from violence and abuse. A memoir, For Bea, tells the story of Kristin’s beagle, who came from a medical lab and influenced her to become an animal writer. Her books have been translated into ten languages, and her first book, The Compassion of Animals, was a Book of the Month Club Selection. Read More
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