Book Review: Unexpected Hope
Today, I’m participating in a book review tour for Unexpected Hope, a contemporary Christian fiction novel by Pam Green. It is Book 1 of the Sully Parkway Comfort Dogs series and was released on October 15, 2024.
Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of the book from the author as part of Celebrate Lit publicity tours. All views expressed are my own. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
I love the idea of “comfort dogs.” I had never heard of dogs being used that way until I read Unexpected Hope, but what a wonderful way to offer comfort during traumatic times.
The story revolves around Team Hope, a group of volunteers from a mega-church who work with a golden retriever named Hope. Actually, Hope is a puppy-in-training, which, as you can imagine, brings a lot of smiles and feel-good moments. Team Hope visits hospitals, scenes of accidents, schools, and any other place where people could use the comforting distraction of a sweet dog.
I was interested to learn that even casual passersby are encouraged to pet the comfort dogs. With other service dogs, petting is often discouraged except by the handler.
If you’re a dog person and you enjoy reading novels about church ministries, you’ll want to be sure to pick up Unexpected Hope.
From the Publisher
When Jack Shelton hightails it out of Lexington, Virginia, for the suburbs of Washington, DC, he just wants out. Now. First on the agenda: put mountains and miles between him and his hometown memories. Second: find a job as a reporter. Fast.
Those two things—no other expectations. If he gets that far, maybe he’ll make room for God in his life again.
Then Jack wanders into the Church on the Parkway, and a case of mistaken identity entangles him in ministry with a team of broken people and a golden retriever puppy.
Can Jack get back on track with his new career plans, or will he find something unexpected as he travels Sully Parkway with Team Hope?
About the Author
Pam Green made her writing début in fifth grade when drafted to write the class play, Ghosts! Ghosts! Ghosts! At twelve, she fell in love with the French language. After a satisfying teaching career, she still peeks in the windows of empty schools while traveling and lingers in school supply aisles in August. Her stories show that God is always working in the lives of His children and seeking new members of His family.
More from Pam
“Sully Parkway? Where’s that? I’ve never heard of the Church on the Parkway either. This area is changing so fast nobody can keep up!”
Life in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, DC reflects the fast pace of our nation’s capital, and I know I’ve fooled some residents by sticking Sully Parkway and its non-denominational megachurch somewhere—and everywhere—in the area.
Welcome to my world! Sully Parkway is anywhere I want it to be!
You’ll have no difficulty recognizing the Church on the Parkway, or COP. Maybe it’s your church, with all its shortcomings, victories, quirky characters, inspiring leaders—and comfort dogs?!
Yes, COP takes its outreach responsibilities seriously, and they started a comfort dog ministry!
What Christian hasn’t struggled in situations where words fail to soothe a hurting soul? Real life comfort dogs, such as the 100-plus golden retrievers deployed by the Lutheran Church Charities, are ambassadors of Christ’s love in a range of challenging situations, from the minor anxiety of learning to read aloud to the unthinkable tragedy of a school shooting, and everything in between.
I fell in love with these sweet creatures of God who know intuitively how to reach out to hurting humans. Find out how Hope, COP’s golden retriever puppy, grows into her mission.
You’ll discover that some of the hope she brings is completely unexpected!
Blog Stops
- Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 15
- Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 16
- Vicky Sluiter, May 17
- Life on Chickadee Lane, May 18
- Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 19
- Stories By Gina, May 20 (Author Interview)
- Roads to Everywhere, May 20
- For Him and My Family, May 21
- Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 22
- Simple Harvest Reads, May 23 (Author Interview)
- Blogging With Carol, May 24
- Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 25
- Holly’s Book Corner, May 26
- Texas Book-aholic, May 27
- Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)
- Lots of Helpers, May 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Pam is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book, and a surprise!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
7 Comments
Rita Wray
Thank you for the review.
MICHAEL A LAW
This looks like a fun read. Thanks for sharing.
Cindi Knowles
I love the cover, the doggie is so cute!
Emma
I’m looking forward to reading this; my mom said it is good.
Antoinette M
Very cute book cover!
Pam Green
I’m so pleased you like the cover dog! My covers are all designed by the mutli-talented author/designer Roseanna White.
Cindi Knowles
I’ve got my copy, can’t wait to read next!