First published 2015
Callie Vee faces a household in chaos. Her brother Travis cannot stop rescuing stray animals, from armadillos to dogs. Callie scrambles to hide these creatures from their mother, who disapproves of such disruptions. The entire Tate family feels the strain of Travis's soft heart and Callie's attempts to manage both the animals and her guileless brother. A storm brings an unexpected visitor to their Texas town: a practicing veterinarian. Callie watches this professional work and realizes she has found her calling. She wants nothing more than to dedicate her life to healing animals. But society expects different things from young women. Her dreams clash with the rigid expectations of her era. Callie must navigate family tensions while pursuing what feels impossible. She handles stray creatures and family members with equal determination. Her standoffish cousin adds another layer of complexity to her daily struggles. Each challenge tests her resolve to claim the future she envisions for herself.
Genres: animals, historical-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, 19th-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, pursuit-of-passion
Setting: Texas
Period: 19th-century
315 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Company