I'd read the first book, Wolf Hollow, as part of a book club earlier this year. I really liked it (5*), more so for delving a little deeper (looking for things to discuss, save, etc). I'd heard there was a sequel, and figured I'd give it a go here to finish up the year. 

This had quite a few references to what happened in the first book ... although that was mainly to set the scene for a relationship between Annabelle/her family and the boy Andy, who with Betty, in book 1, had gone beyond bullying. I was wondering if the time past between books would be an issue for me, but it wasn't. There was quite a bit of "remembering" to refresh the reader as to the earlier events. Really though, all one needed to remember is that Annabelle and her family and Andy have a rocky past.

Unlike the first book, this had some magical/mystical aspects. Our MC, Annabelle, is struck by lightning. It almost (in fact did?) killed her. Someone gave her chest compressions to restart her heart and got her to a safe place ... and after this, she can "understand animals".  Not really having full fledged conversations with them, but she can understand what they want, and they her. 

This whole thing (magic/gifts) and the basic language of the book ("I reckon I'd been distracted by might-have-beens and if-onlys") made me think of the book Savvy - another young girl with an accent and a gift (the whole family there has gifts that come when they turn 13). It also reminded me of [book:The Wake Up|35122155] - which I read June2019 (so over four years ago). I don't remember all of the story, but there too, a man is gifted a communication with animals. The term "wake up" was used here too.  It was a little odd to have the storyline take this supernatural turn, it just didn't really match the first book, and didn't even last the entire book here. Was it supposed to be real? Otherwise how did she know certain things?

There is a bit of a mystery of missing dogs ... I think the reader is lead to expect one thing, when it's really something else, and some aren't even related. I read a couple other "dog" books this December. I might just be a bit dog-booked out. 

The underlying idea here though is one of forgiveness and being able to see someone/something for what it really is. Of taking chances. I really liked it. It never quite got to the same point as the first book, but I liked that I was able to easily just step back into this world, to immediately know the characters and setting right as I started up (even though there were new characters introduced). 

I like the title tie-in and cover.