Book Synopsis
A deeply personal middle-grade novel by award-winning author McCall Hoyle affirms the powerful and enduring relationship between dogs and humans.
Ripley, an aging German Shepherd Dog, spent her life guarding the wildlife refuge with Max, the best man she’s ever known. But that was before the accident, before he gave her one final job: “Take care of the girls.”
And Ripley has done just that—especially for Charlie, the girl Ripley loves even more than peanut butter. Ripley watches over Charlie with dedication, especially when faced with bullies who threaten the refuge. But Ripley is slowing down. She knows dogs don’t last forever.
Sensing their time together is running out, Charlie plans a farewell adventure filled with Ripley’s favorite things—fried chicken, sandpiper chasing on the beach, and ice cream in Nags Head. Through it all, they learn that love isn’t about holding on—it’s about lifting each other up.
A heartwarming tribute to love, resilience, and the joy of a life well lived, Forever Ripley proves that even in goodbye, there is beauty, courage, and the promise of new beginnings.
Book Details
- Publisher : Shadow Mountain Publishing
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1639934162
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
"Some friendships last a lifetime. Others last forever"
I have a soft spot in my heart for author McCall Hoyle and her stories. I've shared a few of them as read-alouds with my second-grade kids. I was thrilled to pick up her latest, Forever Ripley. But I had no idea it would hit me so hard. By the end, tears streamed down my face. I could barely catch my breath.Like the characters, I once lost a dear 15-year-old dog who was everything to our family. Chance crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2009.
This middle-grade tale explores grief and recovery and how to release loved ones with care and love.Forever Ripley sweeps you through a rollercoaster of feelings. Ripley is an old German Shepherd facing her final days. We see the story through her eyes. She shares her life from puppyhood, when Max—a wildlife refuge worker—chose her. Just before Max died, he told Ripley to watch over his wife and young daughter, Charlie. Now, five years later, Ripley battles cancer. She knows her time is short. I adored how Charlie and her mom made Ripley's last moments special. They checked off her bucket list: munching fast-food chicken tenders, chasing sandpipers, eating birthday cake, and sitting by the creek at sunset. Hearing it all from Ripley's view was touching. Love bound Ripley tight to her people.
A subplot involves bad guys poaching animals from the refuge to sell. They even endanger Ripley and her family. McCall Hoyle paints a clear picture of how loss shakes a home. She shows the tough goodbyes we all face with loved ones. I often read Hoyle's books to my second graders. But for this gentle tale, I suggest you gather your family to read it aloud. Sure, I shed plenty of tears at the close. Yet it warmed my heart, recalling my own dog. I recommend that Forever Ripley belongs on every family bookshelf.
****Meet Author McCall Hoyle ****
McCall Hoyle is an award-winning author and teacher librarian. She writes heartfelt books for kids of all ages and believes one of the best ways to spread hope is by writing about the special bond between dogs and their humans. When McCall isn't writing or teaching, you can find her training one of her four-legged friends for agility, obedience, or dock diving in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains she calls home. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com or visit her on Facebook or Instagram @McCallHoyleBooks.
Books By McCall Hoyle
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