The Blessings Of The Animals by Katrina Kittle

The Blessings Of The Animals My Rating: 4.6

Veterinarian Cami Anderson has hit a rough patch. Reeling from a recent divorce, she begins questioning everything she once believed about marriage. Is there a secret to a happy, lasting relationship? Or is the whole institution slowly becoming outdated?

All around her, relationships are shifting and evolving. Her parents are preparing to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Her brother and his partner face legal barriers to their dream of marriage. Her former sister-in-law—still her closest friend—is newly engaged. Her teenage daughter’s young romance is already encountering complications. And to make matters even more complicated, three different men—including her ex-husband—become entangled in Cami’s already messy post-marital love life.

In the midst of this emotional chaos, Cami finds unexpected comfort in an unlikely confidant: an angry, unpredictable horse in her care. Through this wounded animal, she begins to untangle her own confusion about love, commitment, and what marriage truly means.

First, the “negative”: there are quite a few storylines woven throughout the book—her brother’s gay relationship, her ex’s family dynamics, friendships, and more. At times, these threads seemed to pull attention away from the central storyline. However, they also added depth and realism, reflecting how complicated and interconnected real life truly is.

Another potential criticism might be that the book could come across as “man-bashing” or overly girl-power driven. Personally, I didn’t see it that way. Instead, I felt the story emphasized individuality and the importance of choosing a partner out of genuine desire—not need. It highlights that relationships should be intentional and chosen freely, not entered into out of obligation or fear of being alone.

What I appreciated most was how authentic everything felt. The relationships were messy, imperfect, and certainly not tied up neatly with a bow. But life rarely is. That honesty made the story both relatable and engaging.

Overall, this was a light, easy read that I truly enjoyed getting lost in—not to mention it beautifully captured my love of animals. Warning: there are a few disturbing scenes involving animal cruelty and rescue. Sadly, they reflect real-life situations.

I would definitely read more by this author.