2.5 stars

Evie has travelled to work (or volunteer?) at a dog rescue at the top of a mountain. However, she lied and said she had experience training dogs. Meanwhile, she looks things up online to help herself out. She is delayed for a while at the bottom of the mountain where she meets Mrs. Auberchon, who is in charge of the lodge she is temporarily at, and “Giant George”, a teenager who also works/volunteers at the rescue. And she meets a few of the dogs on their way to the rescue.

I listened to the audio. Although I liked the idea of the dog rescue and some of the issues that the book brings to light as to some of the awful ways dogs are sometimes treated and why they might end up at a rescue, I wasn’t impressed with this rescue – seems to me this is a pretty disreputable place. They let Evie go straight in and start training without training her themselves? They stole at least one dog (the new Evie and teenager George were sent to do this), probably more. I didn’t really like Evie, and I wasn’t interested in her background, so I mostly tuned that out. The 2.5 stars is for the dogs and the general information about dogs included in the book. ( )

One of the best books I have read in a very long time, an amazing novel by an amazing writer. Before I read this book, I went to a reading at my then-local library which was attended by only a very few people, so my friend and I got to talk with the author. This is an uplifting and inspiring story of people and dogs who have been dealt a bad hand in life and work together to improve their futures. Not just for dog-lovers, but they will especially enjoy it. Highly recommended. ( )

So-so book. Premise is the sanctuary that goes on rescues of abused dogs, bringing them back to the mountain sanctuary, and healing most of them, then getting them adopted. But Evie lives there helping to train the dogs, Giant George - how did he get there? And who are the staff really - ex-nuns? But it does have lots about becoming a dog whisperer. ( )

Started off captivating--the first 70 pages the protagonist was fresh, it was all about dogs and specifically rescue dogs, there was mystery, suspense. By page 100 I couldn't wait to put it down and be done with it. The problem was it just fizzled--there was no action propelling it forward. At the end of the day the joy of reading about a topic near and dear to my heart--rescue dogs, training, dog mod, strong female protagonist, was just not enough to overcome a weak plot. ( )

A refreshing and heart-warming novel about dog and human rescues. Evie's needs as a child were met mostly by books. The adults in her life simply didn't hear or take her seriously; they were self-involved.

Now as a naive and young adult she has taken the next step of repairing and rehabilitating herself in a sanctuary for abused dogs.

Without any animal training, her natural intuition with bewildered and humiliated dogs allows her to quickly strategize to reach their minds and hearts helping them learn how to be normal, lovable dogs. And eventually get adopted.

While very intelligent, communicating with humans is difficult for her. Very sensitive to any criticism, she depends on facts from books, and online research, rather than from people whom she doesn't trust, but she thinks emotionally.

The Mountaintop School for Dogs is a novel about animal rescue and rehabilitation. But... one can argue that is it is more about how the various 'lost souls' both running the school, as well as students who come to learn dog training transform and improve themselves and each other.

I found the beginning of the book a bit confusing which mirrored Evie's confusion of staying at the inn and not receiving clear instructions, or an orientation. The middle and concluding parts were more enjoyable because Evie was gaining confidence, and skills, and speaking with more people.

Great read!