I was touched to receive a five-star review for a book, which I felt very passionate about writing.

Cassie's Hope was a challenging journey for me as a writer.

The subject of childhood illness and biomedical testing required sensitivity and honesty.

I do hope you enjoy reading the story.

Cassie's Hope is a captivating young adult novel that tells the story of a young girl suffering from leukemia, who is consistently optimistic despite her battle. She falls in love with a lab dog who is having a new medication tested on her and then is destined to be euthanized, and makes it her mission to give the charming little beagle her forever home. It is a heartwarming tale, full of tear-jerking moments and relieving laughter. It had me hooked from the very first chapter, and I read the entire thing in one sitting, my heart in my throat as I followed the characters' emotional dilemmas.
One of the things that struck me most about this novel was how very thought provoking it was. Cassie's Hope is an excellent conversation starter for difficult ethical topics like drug testing on animals, without ever being pushy in a specific stance. It was a beautiful story about a difficult aspect of modern society, without ever having the feel that there was a social or political agenda behind it.
Also, as a mother myself, I very much appreciated that Cassie, the main character, was allowed to act her age. At only fourteen, she displayed all of the maturity of a maturing teen while still maintaining the innocence and purity that a child of that age should still have. Unlike most current young adult novels out there, she was not written with the behavior of an adult, nor plagued with a love interest too advanced for her young age (although there is a lovely romantic connection between two older characters that was very clean and appropriate). She is easy to relate to as she struggles with all of the usual problems that budding young women face, while being so remarkably socially aware, kind, loving, and generous. Cassie's story was very inspirational, and brought tears to my eyes several times.
Overall, this was a very well-rounded read. It was modest and appropriate for young minds, provided an engaging and heartwarming story that is relatable and enjoyable for anybody who would read it, and promotes intelligent thinking about a real issue that is normally considered taboo. I have a young sister who only just turned thirteen, and I would love for her to read this. It is so refreshing to discover a young adult novel that fully encompasses all that I ever hoped from that genre. I very much look forward to reading the author's other works as well

Dog Love
Cassie's Hope is a YA story about a teen-aged girl with Leukemia. While she is in the hospital she watches a news segment about animals kept in a testing center. She falls in love with Hope, a dog that is featured and is determined to save her. While this is a YA story, there is a budding love interest between the news anchor and the lab owner. I can see a young adult reading this (or a parent reading this to their child), however, they can easily skip the back and forth between the two adults if they wanted to, as it doesn’t really add or subtract to the story. I think young adults and even younger children who love animals would find this story touching.

A Really Good Book

I enjoyed this touching story very much. I was drawn in immediately by the authors well written characters. Cassie determination to rescue Hope is heartwarming, almost heroic.
The topic of animal testing is a controversial one, but the author dealt with it sensitivity and portrayed views from many angles.
I was gripped, particularly toward the end of the story where the pace escalates due to a tragic event.
I was sorry to finish this novel and will probably re-read this book in the near future. It's a 'must read' for both young adults and adults alike. It has all the ingredients needed to keep you turning the pages, and I couldn't put it down!
I will definitely be recommending this story to my college friends

A lovely story

I was curious about Cassie’s Hope, because I have a teen daughter, who is an advocate for animal welfare, and wondered if she might enjoy reading it, and if it might be a book she could use to show the different sides of the story of animal testing. So, I purchased the book with the view of recommending it to her if I liked it.

Although the book is written for teens, I found I was engaged very early, and the story line was well paced. A story on saving animals, especially lab animals, might have been over emotional, but it wasn’t written like that. Through various character viewpoints, it balanced different sides of the issues of animal testing for medicine very well…through a teen with Leukaemia, whose medicine had already relied on such testing, but still had horrible side-effects; through the owner of the lab, who tried to do the best by his animals whilst still trying to maintain clinical objectiveness from them; through the protesters, who angrily stand outside the facility, and through the beagle, who is actually being tested for the very next generation of the same drug the teen is using.

I was a bit reluctant to buy the book at first, due to the only previous review on Amazon being a single-star, but I was pleasantly surprised that, not only was it engaging, but it was also very easy to read, and at a perfect level for my daughter.

Cassie, a teenager, happens to catch a television report re how animals are treated in a medical testing facility. She falls in love with a beagle, and, when she hears that the animals are put down once their usefulness is over, she is determined to save her. Persuading those around her to support her, she breaks down each barrier as it arises (Think Legally Blonde 2 :-D ).

Meanwhile, a sweet, romantic element builds through the relationship of the reporter and lab owner. What teen reader doesn’t like delving into issues of love! (I won’t say what happens) Also, the story sensitively covers some other family issues, for instance, how the father has to work away from home and how each member of the family copes with the leukaemia.

A horrible tragedy changes the course of all concerned (this bit was very well written, and I actually got a bit teary). Again, I won’t say what happens, but it wasn’t what I expected.

I debated whether to give 3 or 4 stars, because it was somewhere in between 3 for 'It's ok', and 4 for 'I like it'... I did like it, but there were a few things I thought might be improved, for instance, I did wish Cassie’s family weren’t quite so perfect (although it did occur to me that cancer does often cause a family to appreciate each other a lot more) and, although the story flowed nicely from scene to scene, I would’ve liked to see a little more conflict. However, that’s just me. If I was thirty years younger, I think I would enjoy the story just as it is, and have actually recommended my daughter to read it.

A Story You Can Truly Get Into, And Characters You'll Fall In Love With!

From the cancer battling older sister - to the hard-working, loving, sacrificing parents - to the lovable little sister, the Larimer family will draw you in. With a whole cast of lovable supportive characters, and a delightful storyline, the author is able to build off of real life issues, such as animal testing, and severe illness, in a most natural way. As a dog lover, you will know about that special bond that happens when you look deeply into a pup's eyes; the author does a great job with her imagery, and you'll be wanting a Hope of your own. Also, especially touching to me at points was the father-daughter relationship, unique to those who have worked so far from home for weeks at a time; I could relate to many facets of this family.

I typically have a hard time with finding a book that I can get into because of the tendency to sacrifice plot to make some big to-do over a romance, but not here! While there is a romance between the reporter and another character, it's nothing that put me off as a big fan of strong plots and innocent, genuine love.

One thing I did have to figure out was, despite the setting being in America, there were a lot of phrases, measurements, and idioms used that are unique to British English - but in the end, it just added to the charm of the characters, and so the charm of the book.

As someone who's worked with teenage girls with an appreciation for reading for over a decade, this is a book I could whole-heartedly recommend to any of my girls. It's the kind of book I'll put on a list for my own children to read in time. It's the kind of book I personally look for as an adult woman - it's real, it's honest, it's entertaining, and the characters are completely lovable and deeply inspiring.
I will be following this author!

A heartfelt story of courage, love - and hope!

CASSIE’S HOPE is listed as a Young Adult novel, but there’s plenty to keep older readers engaged, too. Not the least of which is a sweet love affair between a TV news reporter and one of the men she interviews.

But it’s young Cassie who’s the central force in the story. Suffering from Leukemia and often bedridden, she watches a news report about a medical research facility and falls in love with one of the dogs being used to test a new drug. The reporter hears about her plight and the book revolves around everyone’s attempts to unite Cassie and her four-legged friend, Hope.

These are not easy subjects to handle: sick children and animal testing, but it’s obvious the author has put much thought and love into both. She doesn’t try to preach about the controversial practice of using beagles (in particular) for medical research, but rather presents the facts in an even-handed, honest manner and lets the reader decide where they stand on the issue.

As for Cassie, her condition isn’t handled in a saccharine or overly sentimental way, focusing instead on her courage and determination. With a spunky BFF and Cassie’s loving family in the mix, the book left me with the feeling that I knew these people and that they’d let me spy on them during one of the biggest struggles anyone can face: caring for a seriously ill child. It’s a unique story of courage, love - and Hope. Kudos to Lloyd for taking on issues that aren’t often covered in popular fiction!