House Trained

Happy Babbling Day!  Are you a blatherskite?  If so (or if you know one), this is your day!  It is also Count Your Buttons Day. As I collect buttons, it would take me quite a while.  I have little tubs full of buttons!

I just finished reading House Trained by Jackie Bouchard.  Alexandra “Alex” Halstad is an interior designer married to Barry.  They live in Santa Barbara, California.  Barry has been saving for a car (he does not believe in debt), but Alex has been borrowing the money to keep her business afloat (without telling Barry).  She has also racked up a load of debt on her credit cards (without telling her husband).  Barry and Alex do not have children and they never wanted them.  They are very content with the just their dog, Marie.  Then Barry comes home one day after being away on a business trip to tell his wife important news.  It turns out that Barry has an eighteen year old daughter that he never knew about.  Her name is Marie (just like their dog).  Marie did not know that her father was alive.  Her mother, Jade told Marie that her father was deceased.  When Marie was looking for schools, she discovered that her father was very much alive (and nearby). 

Marie comes over for dinner to meet Alex and spend more time with Barry.  Marie shows up with a fifteen month old daughter named Ruthie.  Marie (the daughter, not the dog) wants to spend the summer before college with Barry.  She wants to get to know her father.  Without her mother’s support (and she is not giving it), Marie cannot afford to live by herself.  Marie asks if she can live with Barry and Alex.  Alex is less than thrilled.  She has a beautiful home and can just imagine what a child will do to it.  Barry, though, wants her to stay.  Alex reluctantly agrees (she has no idea what is in store for her this summer).  Things are about to change for Barry and Alex.  They are in for a life changing summer.

House Trained was a good book (if you can get past the first chapter).  I was not sure I would enjoy the story (the first couple of pages had me wondering), but I was drawn in.  I was curious to see how everything would turn out for Marie, Ruthie, Alex, and Barry.  House Trained was an interesting story and well-written.  I liked the characters and the storyline.  House Trained shows that you never know what life has in store for you and a person is never too old to change or adapt.  I give House Trained 4.25 out of 5 stars.  House Trained is available on Kindle Unlimited (which is a great program).  Check it out on Amazon.com.  

I received a complimentary copy of House Trained from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen. I am off to to the grocery shopping.  Take care, stay safe, and have a great afternoon!  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader