I picked up this book at Target on a whim. I liked the idea of a character transformation after a traumatic event. Especially since it is with a dog who had its' own trauma to recover from. Like souls, providing comfort. The story is good, but parts of it are weak, not well written, and could have been better developed. Having said that...as an author, I'm not sure I'd do much better. Parts were a little too sweet and perfect and predictable--like the love interest and the happily ever after. I did like the character's struggle to make sense of what happened to her and found her inability to let go very human. All said it was a good read and resonates with me days after I've finished reading it. I enjoyed the book; it was easy reading. I often felt it was a little cheesy and predictable, but it was timely and pretty interesting. The main character, Lila, is presented with many issues and problems. She is shot in her often when the custodian "goes postal." She wrestles with guilt, fear, isolation, and many emotions that are typical I would think when a person gets shot. She is also, however, then thrown together with a dog that she doesn't particularly like, and a man who she doesn't particularly like. Then the book takes on a pretty predictable plot. Girl meets dog, girl hates dog, girl learns to like dog through a series of events, and then girl loves dog. The same cycle happens with the man, and then all three live happily ever after. Like I said, pretty cheesy, but how can you not like a book about a dog?
What do You think about An Unexpected Grace (2013)?
A simple, sweet story. As a dog person I could not help but love it!
—Jiya
