What do you think?
Rate this book
Off the Leash: How My Dog Inspired Me to Quit My Job, Pack My Car, and Take a Road Trip Across America to Reclaim My Life
In this memoir about having the courage to break free from thinking one’s life is predestined to be hard, sad, or screw up, Jean Ellen Whatley and her dog Libby set out from St. Louis and drive nearly 9,000 miles across America to revive her life. With a family history of secrets and betrayals, addiction and abuse, survivor solidarity and abiding love, Whatley frees herself from the traps of the past. Her ex-husband got out of prison just as she was getting her last kid through college, her mother and two brothers recently died, and she has another brother who she has never seen, but needs to find. What unfolds on her odyssey is nothing short of life-changing—aided and abetted by strangers on the highway, long-lost family members, and the ever-present comfort of Libby, who reminds her to always live in the moment.
238 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2012
3 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 8, 2012
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered "is this all there is?" or to anyone who has thought that if something doesn't change I'm going to lose my mind. Jean is an American original who writes with an unflinching honesty that is both heartbreaking and hilarious.
On her journey she grapples with childhood sexual abuse, illegitimacy, two broken marriages, a husband convicted of sex crimes and possession of child pornography, the loss of her picture-perfect life, the deaths of her mother and two brothers, bankruptcy, and the absolute joys of raising her children, loving her friends and family, and gaining wisdom and spiritual nourishment from the most unexpected places along highways all across the country.
On her journey she grapples with childhood sexual abuse, illegitimacy, two broken marriages, a husband convicted of sex crimes and possession of child pornography, the loss of her picture-perfect life, the deaths of her mother and two brothers, bankruptcy, and the absolute joys of raising her children, loving her friends and family, and gaining wisdom and spiritual nourishment from the most unexpected places along highways all across the country.
January 21, 2013
I was lucky enough to meet Jean and joined her Kickstarter fundraising. I followed her adventures and thought process before the journey began and waited patiently for the book to come out. It is a wonderful story about taking a risk, leaving a job and traveling with her dog around the US to meet long lost friends and relatives. She shares her anxiety as well as her stories of her childhood and adulthood. I loved this book and it is so deserving of your reading.
April 10, 2013
I really enjoyed (felt) this book. Especially the last third of the book to the end. Now the author Did tend to start a story, and then in the middle of that story, remember a time in her past and start to tell Another story-which sometimes had this slightly more than middle-aged mind trying to remember what story we started with-but isnt that kind of how our minds really work? But the book was definately worth the slight mind detours down other roads! The author has suffered much pain in her life, as all of us have, and yet she manages to remind us (and herself) that going through all the difficult, stressful, and heartbreaking times has helped to mold us into who we have become and allows us to appreciate all the magical moments and memories. And a soulmate dog started her on this journey-what could be better?
February 4, 2013
When you think about your life and what has brought you to this point, are there unanswered questions that resonate in your mind and tug at your heart? Do you wonder about the people you have known, even family members, and wish you could recapture those relationships and nurture them differently? Do you ever wonder what would happen if you just walked away from your current role in life to seek to better understand yourself? In her first published book, Off the Leash, Jean Whatley did just that -- she walked away to find the answers to her questions. In mid-life, with the responsibilities of an independent, adult, working woman, Jean took a break from life to meet the needs of her soul by taking a road trip with her dog. She stepped away, traveling over five thousand miles, and had the journey of a lifetime, each day. Laugh, cry and be amazed through Jean's experience and mesmerizing writing. Not only will you witness the realizations that Jean had but also along the way, discover more about yourself.
September 20, 2013
This was a book chosen by my recently-started book club and was suggested because the author currently resides in the same town as the members do, Webster Groves, Missouri. I found it riveting in most aspects. Overall, I'd recommend it, just for the sake of living vicariously through a very brave woman's journey. The journey was a healing process after having been through more crap in her life than a lot of us have to endure.
The best part of the experience was meeting the author, who joined us for the discussion of the book. She brought a variety of pictures of her trip, which enhanced my interest of the book. She's a really neat lady and is currently working on a second book. My true rating would be 4.5 stars.
The best part of the experience was meeting the author, who joined us for the discussion of the book. She brought a variety of pictures of her trip, which enhanced my interest of the book. She's a really neat lady and is currently working on a second book. My true rating would be 4.5 stars.
April 1, 2013
Off The Leash is an entertaining yet thought-provoking story of one woman and her trusted canine companion on a road trip across The US. Candidly written, the author doesn't sugar-coat any of the life events that led to her decision to leave corporate America behind and begin a new chapter in her life.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, even though I still was left with unanswered questions at the end...but maybe that's a good reason to read her next book. I was surprised to still find a lot of typos and small errors, given the fact that the book had been professionally edited, but overall this didn't detract too much form my reading experience. Recommend.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, even though I still was left with unanswered questions at the end...but maybe that's a good reason to read her next book. I was surprised to still find a lot of typos and small errors, given the fact that the book had been professionally edited, but overall this didn't detract too much form my reading experience. Recommend.
January 31, 2014
Loved it. I don't read a lot of memoirs, but I won this in a friend's blog giveaway and it sounded interesting so I added it to my "read" pile, and I'm glad I did. Ms. Whatley's writing is compelling and honest. I'll pass this book on to friends.
April 22, 2014
REALLY good book for anyone that has ever wanted just to escape and run away in their life. Whatley is open and honest about all her emotions and the dog adds a great twist!
August 6, 2014
I enjoyed this book, although it dragged in spots. A little too much superstition for my taste.
August 31, 2014
Very honest book about taking a little time to figure out where you have been & where you are going.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews