Walking Back to Happiness

By: Lucy Dillon

Narrated by: Jilly Bond

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

Juliet’s been in hiding - from her family, from her broken life, but most of all from the fact that Ben’s not around anymore. Her mother, Diane, has run out of advice. But then she insists Juliet look after her elderly Labrador and it becomes apparent that Coco the dog might actually be the one who can rescue her daughter. Especially when it leads to her walking dogs for a few other locals too, including a spaniel, Damson, who belongs to a very attractive man.... Before she knows it, Juliet realizes she has somehow become the town’s unofficial pet-sitter. A job which makes her privy to the lives and secrets of everyone whose animals she’s caring for.

©2010 Lucy Dillon (P)2012 AudioGo

Great Read - makes you appreciate what you have

Similar to Lucy Dillon's previous books - easy to listen to, funny, dog friendly etc. Jilly Bond is the perfect narrater for this style of writing. The charaters are all likeable and real and the dogs just bring it all together.

Its the story of widow Juliet's 12 month grieving and how a pushy mother, disfunctional sister, crazy neighbour, a very charming Irishman and a few dogs help her see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Its a really lovely feel good book which softens the pain of loss whilst still keeping it real and funny. Its how we'd like it to be.

2 people found this helpful

A sweet read

Another lovely tale from Lucy Dillon. Well made. While predictable - enjoyable all the same. Liked it.

1 person found this helpful

Listening back to happiness

If you could sum up Walking Back to Happiness in three words, what would they be?

Insightful, warm, well done.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lou and Minton the dog.

Have you listened to any of Jilly Bond’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I absolutely love Jilly Bond. I have actually searched out books because they we're read by Jilly Bond.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many. This book had many many moments

Any additional comments?

Definitely a good read. We'll worth the credit.

1 person found this helpful

Great four legged child book !

This book gives the truth about how, if you allow a dog to become your four legged child, they can help you with anything!

great entertaining book

this was a great book very entertaining great characters and holds your interest good narrator!

A feel good human story

I'm a sucker for animal stories and I think the Lab on the cover of this book probably sold it to me before I read the review.

This is a story of loss and heartbreak that adds dogs, pets, family and friends to help heal the loss of a loved one.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but I did struggle with the Jilly Bond's narration. Jilly sounds sixtyish and her voice is a little too mature for the main character and her male voices sound like Yogi Bear's voice. So this was a little distracting at times.

But if your'e looking for a feel good story, with a little laugh and a bit of a weep.. you wont waste your money!

Great book!!

Would you listen to Walking Back to Happiness again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to it again for the obvious reason that I would know what was going to happen!! I very rarely listen to a book more than once.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Walking Back to Happiness?

The shock of finding out that it was Mark/Mike who had been the one that Juliets sister had had an affair with. - I actually gasped!! I really wasn't expecting that.

What about Jilly Bond’s performance did you like?

I liked the different voices that she did even though some of the accents were a bit questionable! and she did tend to sound like Julie Walters when she did the voice of the mother. But generally speaking she was quite good.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it was sad in parts and also very funny in other parts. And as previously stated, I did gasp at the revelation of the affair between Louise and Mark!!

Any additional comments?

It was very enjoyable and kept my interest all the way through - I didn't skip bits of it as I sometimes do with other books when some authors go into too much detail or description. I also love dogs and it is obvious that the author does too, so I enjoyed the description of the dogs/cats personalities. I will also download the other book by the same author.

2 people found this helpful

Pleasent enough, but no more!

What was most disappointing about Lucy Dillon’s story?

I have reached chapter 17 and I just don't care enough to continue with it. I find that its a pleasent enough book to have on in the background, but that is not really what an audio book is for. I find it hard to put my finger on what was missing. I think perhaps the characters just were not sufficiently well drawn.

1 person found this helpful

living through a breavement.

Any additional comments?

the first download part of this book deals with Juliet struggling to come to terms with her husband ben's premature death interspersed with what is happening in her older sister, louise's life. for me this went on too long but may help someone going through this in their life.
for me the second part was really good as Juliet comes to the anniversary of ben's death and has a new life. louise has her own troubles which brings the sisters back together.
I usually don't buy books narrated by jilly bond as I don't like her way of performing a book but in this case she wasn't so bad and I got engrossed in the story.

1 person found this helpful

This is my fav audible book

What made the experience of listening to Walking Back to Happiness the most enjoyable?

The connection of the dogs

What was one of the most memorable moments of Walking Back to Happiness?

the whole of the book

What does Jilly Bond bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm, the different emotional tones

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, I had to restrain myself or would have listened round the clock!

Any additional comments?

I will definitely listen to this again. Recommend to anyone who has the love of animals. When it finished, I felt as it I had gained a new friend.

1 person found this helpful

Storyline ok but awful voice

The voice is so annoying it made me want to stop listening! Fake voices, poor accents .

Lovely story

Got caught up with the story . very enjoyable .
Narrator easy to listen to

Honest from the heart

Would you consider the audio edition of Walking Back to Happiness to be better than the print version?

-

Who was your favorite character and why?

Main character - you feel and see her slowly come to life

Have you listened to any of Jilly Bond’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No - easy to listen to

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed the storyline, the tragedy of loss and life beautifully negotiated

A warm easy read

What did you like most about Walking Back to Happiness?

The positive view of life it offers

What did you like best about this story?

The characters including the dogs

What about Jilly Bond’s performance did you like?

He multiple voices

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes if life had not got in the way.

Any additional comments?

Its a good old read. makes you laugh not quite cry but offers a positive view on life.