A book which can make my heart feel warm and soft at a time in my life when it usually feels cold, sad and black... That's a book that deserves 5 stars.

I love Marcellus and Tova and the bond they have. Makes me love animals even more than I already do. The acknowledgements confirmed what I felt when I read this novel. Van Pelt based Tova on her grandmother, Anna. My grandmother, who I still miss every single day of my life, is called Anna.

To think I almost didn't bring this book home with me from the thrift store because it has a different cover than the one picture here on Goodreads. I'm glad I went with my gut.