We all experience pain. No one can escape it, whether it’s physical pain or emotional. And while it’s easy for people to tell us that “time heals all wounds” sometimes—a lot of times—healing feels elusive (or maybe even non-existent).  Erin Stevenson’s lighthearted, entertaining Dr. Mallory and the Undercover Dog-Dad is a tender exploration of how faith becomes the bridge between brokenness and wholeness. In our heroine and hero, Dr. Mallory Morris and undercover cop Garrett Alexander, we witness God’s healing power and how He works not in isolation, but through prayer, support, and acts of kindness that reflect His love…and we learn six practical steps for finding our own hope after we’ve been hurt by circumstance and other people.

The Effect of Sudden Loss

Three years after Mallory’s father’s sudden death in a car accident, she’s still wrapped in grief. Her father wasn’t just her parent—he was her mentor, business partner, and closest friend. Together, they had built the Veterinary Clinic, a dream that represented their shared passion and future plans.

The cruel randomness of his death haunts Mallory, and her mind goes round and round over how things could have been different:  “If he had taken a different route or left just a few minutes earlier or later—” But, no matter how much she thinks on it, she can’t go back to the past and change things. Her pain is compounded by the isolation she feels because of his absence. In her attempt to avoid loneliness and mourning, she buries herself in work, avoiding the necessary process of mourning. She isn’t alone in this, and she isn’t wrong to feel this way or to deal with her grief in this way. Scripture acknowledges this depth of human sorrow. Psalm 34:18 tells us that  Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The Bible doesn’t minimize pain and it doesn’t offer quick fixes (because quick fixes don’t exist) Instead, it invites us to bring our deepest wounds directly to God, knowing that He understands suffering intimately.

Disloyalty’s Lasting Scars

Garrett carries his own scars, both physical and emotional. The physical wound to his knee from being shot in the line of duty pales in comparison to the emotional devastation of his partner Rick’s disloyalty. When Garrett needed support most during his recovery, Rick disappeared from Garrett’s life, only for him to discover that Rick was dating Garrett’s ex-girlfriend.

Psalm 55:12-14 describes the pain of betrayal by a close friend: “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it… But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship.” Even though Scripture points toward healing and restoration, this incident leaves Garrett with major trust issues, making him quick to assume the worst when he sees Mallory greeting her cousin Steven in the parking lot.

Prayer as the First Step Towards Healing

Both Mallory and Garrett discover that healing begins with honest prayer. When Sarge becomes violently ill, Garrett’s instinctive response reveals his heart: “Please, God, soften the vet’s heart. This dog needs help.” Garrett is new to faith and and dog ownership, yet his first impulse is to turn to God in crisis. This simple prayer illustrates an insightful truth: healing often begins not with our own strength or wisdom, but with our willingness to acknowledge our need for divine intervention. Garrett’s prayer is answered when Mallory arrives to help. God often works through the hands and hearts of others.

Mallory, too, finds solace in prayer during her darkest moments. When the anniversary of her father’s death coincides with a severe thunderstorm, she’s overwhelmed by grief. In Garrett’s arms, she finally allows herself to truly mourn, and through his gentle comfort and reminder of God’s sovereignty, she begins to process her loss in a healthy way.

In Philippians, St. Paul encourages us to present our petitions to God with thanksgiving. Prayer isn’t just about asking for things; it’s about hope and healing. We bring our whole selves—our pain, confusion, and desperate need—before the One who loves us unconditionally and we have hope that He can and will get us through to the other side.

Healing and Restoration through Relationship and Scripture

One of the most beautiful aspects of healing in this story is how it happens through community. When record rainfall floods the town, the century-old stone church becomes more than a place of worship—it becomes a beacon of rescue. Mallory and her clinic staff, Garrett and his fellow officers, and countless volunteers rally together to sandbag homes, distribute blankets, and open their doors to displaced families. This collective response to disaster illustrates how we’re to bear one another’s burdens. In addition to prayer, the Christian community also provides hands-on help to meet immediate needs.

Mallory’s healing is also helped in a tangible way by Garrett. He doesn’t offer platitudes or try to fix her pain; instead, he simply holds her and lets her cry. “Come here,” he says softly, and his arms become a safe harbor for her grief.

Similarly, when Garrett faces his trust issues and fear of abandonment, Mallory becomes his source of reassurance. “I will never, ever hurt you,” she promises, and her consistent actions prove her words. Through their relationship, they each discover that healing often comes through the patient love of others who reflect Christ’s character.

Throughout their journey, both Mallory and Garrett draw strength from God’s Word. Mallory clings to Psalm 34:18 during difficult moments, while Garrett recalls Jeremiah 29:11 when facing career uncertainty. These aren’t just pretty verses pulled from memory; they’re lifelines that anchor them when circumstances feel overwhelming. The Bible’s promises provide stability when emotions are unsteady and situations are chaotic. During the literal storm that mirrors Mallory’s internal turmoil, Scripture becomes her foundation. God’s Word doesn’t eliminate the pain, but it provides context and hope that transcends immediate circumstances.

When crises arise, we need to root ourselves in a truth that’s already embedded in our minds and spirits, ready to surface when we’re too overwhelmed to search for it.

Restoration of Relationships as Testament to Faith

The trajectory of Mallory and Garrett’s relationship models restoration on multiple levels. Their initial mistrust gives way to mutual respect and deep love. When they finally share their first kiss, it represents more than romantic connection; it’s the restoration of two broken hearts guided by God’s perfect timing.

Their relationship demonstrates how God can bring beauty from ashes. Mallory’s grief and Garrett’s betrayal could have left them both isolated and bitter. Instead, their wounds become the very catalyst that helps them understand and comfort each other. Garrett’s gentle response to Mallory’s tears shows how his own pain has developed his capacity for empathy. As Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Mallory and Garrett experience healing and restoration…and a happily-ever-after, and we can, also, if we choose to rely on God and those faithful He has placed in our lives.

Practical Steps for Embracing Healing Today

Inspired by Mallory and Garrett’s faith-filled journey, here are tangible ways we can pursue healing and restoration:

• Bring your wounds to God in open prayer. Don’t sanitize your pain or pretend to be stronger than you are. God can handle your raw emotions and desperate questions.
• Seek out authentic Christian community. Find people who will sit with you in your pain, offer practical help, and model Christ’s love through their actions. There are Christians who talk-the-talk but don’t walk-the-walk. Find the latter; rely on them when you need to.
• Practice simple acts of kindness. Both giving and receiving small gestures of care create pathways for healing in relationships.
• Memorize Scripture that speaks to your specific wounds. Let God’s promises become anchors for your soul during storms.
• Be patient with the process. Healing takes time, and setbacks don’t mean failure. Trust God’s timing and methods.
• Serve others in their pain. Often, our own healing is facilitated when we become instruments of comfort for others.

A Story Worth Savoring

If these themes of grief transformed into joy, brokenness made whole, and faith proven faithful resonate with your heart, you’ll find Dr. Mallory and the Undercover Dog-Dad to be a richly textured, uplifting read. Erin Stevenson masterfully weaves together gentle faith, playful romance, and small-town charm into an encouraging celebration of God’s healing power. You’ll laugh at the witty banter, pray through the tender moments of vulnerability, and cheer as faith restores hearts and homes.

This isn’t just a romance novel—it’s a testament to the truth that no wound is too deep for God’s healing touch. Cozy up and be reminded that no matter how shattered your heart may feel, God’s grace is always at work, often in ways more beautiful than we could imagine.

May you find the courage to trust God with your healing journey, knowing that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Dr. Mallory and the Undercover Dog Dad

Mallory Morris loves autumn filled with crisp, cool evenings, bonfires, football, and visits to the dog park with her canine posse. But a rash of home burglaries casts a pall over her hometown. Then, she meets a scruffy stranger at the dog park who clearly doesn' t know anything about dogs.

Garrett Alexander has agreed to help his old friend solve a puzzling burglary case. Now, he' s playing temporary dad to a borrowed canine, and a beautiful but distracting veterinarian suspects he's the burglar!

When Garrett and Mallory are thrown together, they resolve to keep things professional, but that changes quickly when they put their heads together— figuratively and then literally. They both yearn for love, but a series of misunderstandings threatens to puts an end to their dreams.

How will they reach their happily-ever-after?

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