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Fixing Freddie
There are bad dogs--and then there are bad beagles.
In this hilarious and heartwarming memoir, single mother Paula Munier takes on the world’s worst beagle--and loses every time. She tries everything to fix Freddie--but nothing really works. As her youngest son grows up and prepares to leave her soon-to-be empty nest, Paula’s worst fear is that after more than thirty years of raising kids, she’ll be left all alone--with Freddie.
In this hilarious and heartwarming memoir, single mother Paula Munier takes on the world’s worst beagle--and loses every time. She tries everything to fix Freddie--but nothing really works. As her youngest son grows up and prepares to leave her soon-to-be empty nest, Paula’s worst fear is that after more than thirty years of raising kids, she’ll be left all alone--with Freddie.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2010
38 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Paula Munier
27 books625 followersPAULA MUNIER is the author of the bestselling Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, Writing with Quiet Hands, and the acclaimed memoir Fixing Freddie. The first novel in her mystery series, A BORROWING OF BONES (Minotaur, 2018) was inspired by the hero working dogs she met through Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever-mix rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction. In her fabulous day job as Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary, she represents many great writers. Her specialties include crime fiction, women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, MG/YA, high-concept SFF, and nonfiction. She lives in New England with her family, Bear, Freddie, and a torbie tabby named Ursula.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 7, 2022
A True Story About a Boy, a Mum and a Very, Very Bad Beagle
In this hilarious and heart-warming memoir, single mother Paula Munier takes on the world's worst beagle - and loses every time. The puppy that destroys her kitchen cabinets, bites her dates, pees on her neighbours, and bays at the moon is her worst nightmare - and her son's best friend. As Mikey grows up and prepares to leave home, Paula's worst fear is that after thirty years of raising kids, she will be left alone - with Freddie. But by the time Mikey graduates from high school, Freddie has howled his way into her heart.
This story is more about Paula than the lovable rogue, Freddie. It tells the frustration owning this type of breed can bring. There are a few real good laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed this memoir,
#KindleFreeBook
In this hilarious and heart-warming memoir, single mother Paula Munier takes on the world's worst beagle - and loses every time. The puppy that destroys her kitchen cabinets, bites her dates, pees on her neighbours, and bays at the moon is her worst nightmare - and her son's best friend. As Mikey grows up and prepares to leave home, Paula's worst fear is that after thirty years of raising kids, she will be left alone - with Freddie. But by the time Mikey graduates from high school, Freddie has howled his way into her heart.
This story is more about Paula than the lovable rogue, Freddie. It tells the frustration owning this type of breed can bring. There are a few real good laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed this memoir,
#KindleFreeBook
December 2, 2010
This is really a memoir of a woman’s life raising her youngest son as a single mother following two divorces (her older children are adults). Though she has a “perfect” dog, Shakespeare, a rescued mutt and a cat Isis, succumbing to the pleadings of her 10 year old son Mikey, Munier acquires Freddie, a badly behaved beagle. Freddie’s misdeeds are interspersed in what is essentially the story of Munier trying to put her life on a balanced footing. A writer and editor, she has relocated to a lakeside home in Massachusetts where she and her brood attempt to start a new life. While many of Munier’s choices, especially those in men, or her failure to see any defects in her sons, are questionable, you have to admire the honesty with which she tells her tale.
April 28, 2019
Disappointed. I wanted more about the beagle, less about author's poor choices in husbands and boyfriends.
August 4, 2019
This somewhat fictionalized autobiographical book fails in almost every category. The author is a poor pet owner and a distracted parent who is looking for love rather indiscriminately. It also spectacularly fails the Bechtel Test - every conversation she bothers to record with other women (even the Veterinarian for Pete's sake) is about men and marriage.
At least her use of the rules of the English language is acceptable, which is why I added the second star.
At least her use of the rules of the English language is acceptable, which is why I added the second star.
April 29, 2021
Really enjoyed this story. Great question: do you rescue the rescue dog, or does the dog rescue you?
In the process of "fixing" the beagle, Freddie, Paula delights with her great sense of humor and comparison to challenges with relationships. Much like the person who can fix his life with the next, perfect partner, except that HE's the one that needs fixing.
I'm currently reading Paula's Mercy Carr mystery series. Great characters, especially Mercy, suffering from PTSD after deployment in Afghanistan, and working to 'rescue' her deceased fiance's service dog, also suffering PTSD from his owner's death and their time in the Stan. Again, who's the rescuer and who's the victim? Her Vermont game warden, Troy, helps with the pain. Great reading!
In the process of "fixing" the beagle, Freddie, Paula delights with her great sense of humor and comparison to challenges with relationships. Much like the person who can fix his life with the next, perfect partner, except that HE's the one that needs fixing.
I'm currently reading Paula's Mercy Carr mystery series. Great characters, especially Mercy, suffering from PTSD after deployment in Afghanistan, and working to 'rescue' her deceased fiance's service dog, also suffering PTSD from his owner's death and their time in the Stan. Again, who's the rescuer and who's the victim? Her Vermont game warden, Troy, helps with the pain. Great reading!
April 20, 2011
AS the owner of a mixed breed beagle, the cover of this book caught my eye. I was very surprised at how easy the book was to read and it was an engaging book at that.
Paula is a great storyteller....her tale of dealing with life in raising her youngest son as a single mom after two failed marriages is very engaging....mix in Freddie, a purebred (terror) beagle and life definitely is not boring.
For those that love dogs (especially beagles), this is an excellent read...
Paula is a great storyteller....her tale of dealing with life in raising her youngest son as a single mom after two failed marriages is very engaging....mix in Freddie, a purebred (terror) beagle and life definitely is not boring.
For those that love dogs (especially beagles), this is an excellent read...
September 13, 2010
A single mom buys a beagle puppy on a lark and suffers the consequences. She doesn't have time to train him properly and so he becomes a nightmare. Poops and pees in her small house, bites a guest, breaks off his leash, etc. All the while, we learn of her many poor choices in husbands and boyfriends. Frustrating read. Save your time.
May 24, 2017
As the owner of a beagle, I can relate to a lot of the problems Paula has with Freddie. A friend gave me this novel and I enjoyed reading it while travelling. This book goes in to discuss the back story of how Paula became a single mom and her poor choices in men that also led up to her moving time after time and getting Freddie. It's a decent read for any beagle lovers out there and also teaches a thing or two about life
May 4, 2017
Decent read
Good book, I got a little lost in some of the past recollection. Time was weird in some chapters, I wasn't sure if it had been one week or one year. A good, decent quick weekend read.
Good book, I got a little lost in some of the past recollection. Time was weird in some chapters, I wasn't sure if it had been one week or one year. A good, decent quick weekend read.
April 23, 2023
I throughly enjoyed this book.
Wish she would write a follow-up.
I would like to know more about all the family, family pets, her friends and neighbors.
PLEASE consider that, ma'am. I think your fans would be very receptive.
Wish she would write a follow-up.
I would like to know more about all the family, family pets, her friends and neighbors.
PLEASE consider that, ma'am. I think your fans would be very receptive.
May 8, 2025
As a beagle owner, I enjoyed the mischievous stories about Freddie. However, the book felt largely about her relationship issues and not the dog. Would have liked more stories about Freddie in a book titled for him.
October 13, 2019
Cute story
This is a light funny and honest story for anyone who has ever had an unruly pet. Cute delightful read.
This is a light funny and honest story for anyone who has ever had an unruly pet. Cute delightful read.
August 10, 2021
Cute but long. Would make a cute movie.
April 21, 2023
Cute read.
January 23, 2024
loved this
Freddie. I have my own Freddie only she’s Ellie. This was a great story of dogs, families, growth and love
Freddie. I have my own Freddie only she’s Ellie. This was a great story of dogs, families, growth and love
August 16, 2025
Such a sweet heartwarming story. As a beagle mom and a single mom of teenage boys I related so much to Paula.
June 15, 2022
Paula really pulled out all the stops on this one. I think she opened a vein and poured out her soul. I COULD NOT put it down. I was so pulled into her life and it's events.
Thank You Paula for making this story feel so very REAL (which it was) and to share at such a heartfelt level with your readers.
FABULOUS read!
Thank You Paula for making this story feel so very REAL (which it was) and to share at such a heartfelt level with your readers.
FABULOUS read!
December 7, 2014
I love reading stories about dogs and that's why this book caught my attention. But it turns out that it was less about Freddie, the beagle, and more about the author and her quest to find a husband.
Paula has been divorced twice and has three children ... two are older and live on their own (their father is loser husband #1) and Mikey is a pre-teen (his father is loser husband #2) when the book begins ... and she keeps attracting and falling for losers. When Paula buys a house on a lake and she and Mikey settle in, Mikey reminds her of her promise that she would get him a dog once they have their own house. So despite already having a big dog and a cat off they go and they come home with Freddie, a six-month-old beagle pup. Over the years, Freddie has discipline issues ... he would lunge at and try to attack men.
While I liked the writing style, I didn't connect with the characters. I found Paula a bit sad and needy because she was always on the hunt for husband #3 and was always lamenting about her failed love life and past relationships. I didn't find Mikey likeable ... he was spoiled and Paula gave him what he wanted even when she couldn't afford it. He demanded a dog so she got him a dog. When he was 16, he wanted an iphone so she got him an iphone (she had to approach his father to pay for half).
I found Paula irresponsible in getting a dog she knew nothing about. She is a book editor so has access to and knowledge of the Internet. They should have done some research to find which would be the appropriate dog for them instead of impulsively buying Freddie and then figuring it out. Freddie was about five when she finally figured out how to train him ... I felt bad for Freddie.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2014/12...
Paula has been divorced twice and has three children ... two are older and live on their own (their father is loser husband #1) and Mikey is a pre-teen (his father is loser husband #2) when the book begins ... and she keeps attracting and falling for losers. When Paula buys a house on a lake and she and Mikey settle in, Mikey reminds her of her promise that she would get him a dog once they have their own house. So despite already having a big dog and a cat off they go and they come home with Freddie, a six-month-old beagle pup. Over the years, Freddie has discipline issues ... he would lunge at and try to attack men.
While I liked the writing style, I didn't connect with the characters. I found Paula a bit sad and needy because she was always on the hunt for husband #3 and was always lamenting about her failed love life and past relationships. I didn't find Mikey likeable ... he was spoiled and Paula gave him what he wanted even when she couldn't afford it. He demanded a dog so she got him a dog. When he was 16, he wanted an iphone so she got him an iphone (she had to approach his father to pay for half).
I found Paula irresponsible in getting a dog she knew nothing about. She is a book editor so has access to and knowledge of the Internet. They should have done some research to find which would be the appropriate dog for them instead of impulsively buying Freddie and then figuring it out. Freddie was about five when she finally figured out how to train him ... I felt bad for Freddie.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2014/12...
October 8, 2012
Got this for free at our vacation home over the summer. While it sounded like the beagle version of 'Marley and Me', the book was as much about the author trying to fix her messed up life as it was about fixing Freddie's behavior. Munier had just divorced her second husband, settled their custody battle for her youngest child, and moved to New England for work when her son holds her to a promise she made that if they ever had a house of their own again, he could have a puppy. Their older dog wasn't good enough for him and there were no puppies at the animal shelter the day her son insisted on getting the dog, so Munier gives into impulse and buys Freddie, a beagle, knowing nothing about the breed. She makes it clear throughout the book that she had no intent of ever training the dog, apparently expecting Freddie to behave like a prince the moment he walked in the door or be trained entirely by her preteen son.
The book is 2/3 over before she even considers having the dog neutered. In the meantime, he has continued to escape from the house (no fence or sturdy outdoor leash here...), howl constantly, and terrorize every male other than the child who walks into the house. Readers are also treated to Munier's lamenting over her miserable lovelife, and struggles to raise her son, who spends his summers with his father and dad's new girlfriend.
The story itself wasn't horrible, I just wish it were more about Freddie and less about making it obvious how clueless this woman is/was about every aspect of her life, but particularly the dog.
The book is 2/3 over before she even considers having the dog neutered. In the meantime, he has continued to escape from the house (no fence or sturdy outdoor leash here...), howl constantly, and terrorize every male other than the child who walks into the house. Readers are also treated to Munier's lamenting over her miserable lovelife, and struggles to raise her son, who spends his summers with his father and dad's new girlfriend.
The story itself wasn't horrible, I just wish it were more about Freddie and less about making it obvious how clueless this woman is/was about every aspect of her life, but particularly the dog.
August 31, 2014
Der Klappentext verspricht leider nicht das, was ich mir erhofft hatte. Ich habe mir eine Geschichte wie "Marley und ich" gewünscht. Ein Beagle außer Rand und Band, den man trotzdem lieben muss. Hier geht es jedoch zum Großteil um die Autorin und Protagonistin Paula. Zweimal geschieden, drei Kinder. Es läuft nicht im Job, sie zieht öfter um als mancher Mensch die Unterwäsche wechselt und mit den Männern funktioniert es auch nicht. Sie besitzt bereits einen super erzogenen Hund namens Shakespeare und die Katze Isis. Und dazu hat sie jetzt noch einen ungezogenen Beagle (ein Versprechen an ihren Sohn), der Schuhe und Möbel zerstört und alles angreift was männlich ist. Das wars dann aber auch schon zur Geschichte über den Hund.
Ob das alles trotzdem noch gut ausgeht, muss jeder selbst rausfinden, den es nicht stört, dass es mehr um die Autorin als um den Hund geht.
Das Buch kann man aufgrund der geringen Seitenzahl und des flotten Schreibstils sehr schnell durchlesen, hat mich aber leider nicht überzeugen können. Wenn Hund drauf steht, sollte bitte auch genug Hund drin sein! ;)
Ob das alles trotzdem noch gut ausgeht, muss jeder selbst rausfinden, den es nicht stört, dass es mehr um die Autorin als um den Hund geht.
Das Buch kann man aufgrund der geringen Seitenzahl und des flotten Schreibstils sehr schnell durchlesen, hat mich aber leider nicht überzeugen können. Wenn Hund drauf steht, sollte bitte auch genug Hund drin sein! ;)
May 24, 2011
In this memoir, the author takes us along on her journey as she navigates through single motherhood, dating, dealing with ex-husbands and one bad dog.
She had made a promise to her son that if they were ever able to get a home of their own, he could have a puppy; so when when her dream of home ownership becomes a reality, her son Mikey reminds her of her promise, so they end up adopting Freddie, a beagle puppy.
Freddie seems to be unstoppable in his bad behavior and penchant for destruction, (kitchen cupboard, shoes, etc.), but knowing how much Mikey loves him, Paula is determined to "fix" Freddie, and in the process, takes a good, hard look at her own life and is determine to "fix" that too.
I enjoyed this story, it was a pretty quick read. At time though, it seemed to be a little too much about the author's love life, and not enough about Freddie; after all, if you are going by the title, the story should be mainly about the dog.
She had made a promise to her son that if they were ever able to get a home of their own, he could have a puppy; so when when her dream of home ownership becomes a reality, her son Mikey reminds her of her promise, so they end up adopting Freddie, a beagle puppy.
Freddie seems to be unstoppable in his bad behavior and penchant for destruction, (kitchen cupboard, shoes, etc.), but knowing how much Mikey loves him, Paula is determined to "fix" Freddie, and in the process, takes a good, hard look at her own life and is determine to "fix" that too.
I enjoyed this story, it was a pretty quick read. At time though, it seemed to be a little too much about the author's love life, and not enough about Freddie; after all, if you are going by the title, the story should be mainly about the dog.
October 17, 2012
This book wasn't bad, but I had to give it a 2 star, because it simply wasn't what it advertised itself to be.
Adorable crazy dog on the cover, with a cutesy title? The reader (and as I see, most of the reviewers) believe the book to be about an adorable yet crazy dog, going through various hijinks with the owner, hilarity ensues, etc.
However, the book was about the owner of the dog, her trials and tribulations of life, such as husbands, family, and last, the pets. The book was written and edited well, but it just wasn't what I thought it was, and a result I was rather disappointed. False advertising.
Adorable crazy dog on the cover, with a cutesy title? The reader (and as I see, most of the reviewers) believe the book to be about an adorable yet crazy dog, going through various hijinks with the owner, hilarity ensues, etc.
However, the book was about the owner of the dog, her trials and tribulations of life, such as husbands, family, and last, the pets. The book was written and edited well, but it just wasn't what I thought it was, and a result I was rather disappointed. False advertising.
July 14, 2012
With the pretext of the dog, the author tells us about her separation and life as a single mum - and as for the dog things looked pretty bad (read "untrainable dog") and then improve, so does life for the author.
Not particularly novel storyline, not particularly well written, at various places slightly boring. I read it because I find it hard not to finish a book once I started it; and I picked it up in the first place because I am a sucker for dogs and the book was a freebie from Amazon. Wouldn't buy it, and can't see the point in reading it.
Not particularly novel storyline, not particularly well written, at various places slightly boring. I read it because I find it hard not to finish a book once I started it; and I picked it up in the first place because I am a sucker for dogs and the book was a freebie from Amazon. Wouldn't buy it, and can't see the point in reading it.
April 1, 2016
I feel mislead by the title of the book. It's not a memoir focused on the shenanigans of Freddie but the travails of the author's life. Which do include shenanigans by Freddie but she is the focus.
Also as a memoir, she jumps around the timeline and sometimes not clearly so. In one spot, she essentially repeated herself within a chapters worth of pages.
I do not regret reading this. I did enjoy it for what it turned out to be. But if it came up in conversation... I would tell my friends not to "rush" to read it.
Also as a memoir, she jumps around the timeline and sometimes not clearly so. In one spot, she essentially repeated herself within a chapters worth of pages.
I do not regret reading this. I did enjoy it for what it turned out to be. But if it came up in conversation... I would tell my friends not to "rush" to read it.
June 5, 2011
I was loaned this book through Kindle and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book was more of a memoir of the author's experience with the lovable, but extremely ill-baved beagle that she and her son, Mikey, adopted after moving into their own home.
But, this book is also about how both Freddie and the author "grow up".
I laughed and cried while reading about Freddie's adventures and the loss of his feline companions.
If you're a dog lover, I think you'll like this book.
This book was more of a memoir of the author's experience with the lovable, but extremely ill-baved beagle that she and her son, Mikey, adopted after moving into their own home.
But, this book is also about how both Freddie and the author "grow up".
I laughed and cried while reading about Freddie's adventures and the loss of his feline companions.
If you're a dog lover, I think you'll like this book.
July 11, 2012
True story of a twice divorced mom, her young son, and a puppy--a very determined beagle. The book takes you through the agonies of moving, sending a young son across country by himself on holidays to visit his father, keeping promises, buying a house, and many other adventures. It indeed is a story of life; life spiced up by a puppy who turns into a determined, misbehaving adolescent dog, adolescent boy, and how the maturing attitudes of all change over time.
September 2, 2011
I really enjoyed this boo. It is a story of a woman and her son growing together, along with 2 dogs and several cats, and a few men thrown in. Nice gentle read. Would have got more stars but I realized when I went to write a review on Amazon, that what I'd downloaded, thinking it was free, had cost me £8.75! My own fault for not checking but that is far to much to pay for an ebook, and it's even more now!
October 13, 2015
This book is less about a very bad beagle than it is about a divorcee's quest to find a man.
Yeah, I get it, Freddie's issues are supposed to be some metaphor about the general "mess" that is her life, and fixing Freddie's problems is supposed to bring some meaning to her life and BLAH BLAH BLAH. It was forced and silly.
And besides, my beagle is worse than Freddie, and I didn't write a fuckin' book about him. But it does still get two stars instead of one simply because it's a beagle book.
Yeah, I get it, Freddie's issues are supposed to be some metaphor about the general "mess" that is her life, and fixing Freddie's problems is supposed to bring some meaning to her life and BLAH BLAH BLAH. It was forced and silly.
And besides, my beagle is worse than Freddie, and I didn't write a fuckin' book about him. But it does still get two stars instead of one simply because it's a beagle book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews