This is an incredible memoir about the author's life, and all the trauma and trials that she's had to go through. I would highly recommend this book to others, especially those who may need a reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. What a wonderful story about hope and friendship!

Jock is a surprisingly friendly but lonely river dolphin with a lot to share. Melody is looking to escape the brutal past of her abused childhood. Together they form a bond that transcends species and is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. The book is profound and touching on a level, would be a vastly helpful read to many people recovering from trauma such as being the child of an abusive and cruel parent. There is a lot of courage in this book, it never says away from the ugliness of life and how it can bury you in despair but through the eyes of a maimed dolphin you find a light again at the end of the tunnel and it’s quite lovely. The writing is straightforward and earnest. I really admire the author for her ability to put her experiences into words, the good and the bad, and to heal from the black void of her depression.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Anyone who has ever seen a dolphin cannot help but admire these beautiful and graceful creatures. The more we learn about them, the more amazing they are. Their intelligence is awe-inspiring and the honour of being able to develop a deep and personal relationship with a dolphin would be a dream of many an animal lover.

Jack, the dolphin in the title, is everything Melody could hope for and so much more. In spite of his many wounds caused either by omission or commission by humans, it did not destroy his ability to connect and form a relationship with Melody. He learned to trust and to love his human friend. Anything he may have gained from his interaction with humans is nothing compared to what he gave Melody..

Scarred and traumatized by her violent and negligent parents, Melody’s scar formed a protection against future hurt by not allowing anyone or anything to penetrate. Jack could easily have done the same. Jack taught Melody to forgive and to move on. He was a great teacher. Perhaps the saddest part of the inter-species connections though can be the danger that it brings to the dolphins. Sadly, there are still cruel and sadistic humans who care nothing for the well being of others. Do we, as humans, put them in jeopardy every time we create bonds that others might abuse. It is certainly the question that haunts me most after reading this story. They deserve better than this.

Still, the book was moving. Melody’s early life was tragic but each time she wrote about Jack, there was light. It was worth plodding through the dark to find it. Four purrs and two paws up.

Melody Horrill’s family life had been dysfunctional with bouts of violence. She knew what it felt like to be in constant fear, but she never felt or understood love.

For the first time in a long time, Melody was excited as she was going out onto the Port River to visit dolphins with one of her university lecturers, Dr Mike Bosley.
It’s on this trip she first sees Jock the dolphin. Melody can see straight away there is something wrong with his dorsal fin. Mike tells Melody that he’s been tangled up in fishing line which has cut into his flesh when he was a baby and the line disfigured his fin as he was growing.

Melody wonders why Jock is on his own and not with the other dolphins seeing as they live in pods and are social creatures. What Melody also didn’t know was that her connection with this dolphin would teach her so much including finding inner peace and a connection to the natural world.

This was a wonderful story about how powerful animals can be in healing emotionally and how special the relationship between animals and humans can be. I think anyone who enjoys animal stories will enjoy this! Special Thank You to Melody Horrill, Greystone Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

There was just too much personal information about a broken home life and not enough about the dolphins. I appreciate that the author's broken home life added to the richness and fullness the dolphins gave her. I thank NetGalley and Greystone Books for the advance read.

This was a different type of read for me but I really enjoyed it.
It was a very well written, moving book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.