I really enjoyed the veterinarian angle, but then, I'm a horse lover from way back. Those without much background in equine care may find some of the technical aspects to be a bit overwhelming. However, as background for Gail's character, it worked just fine. What didn't work so well was the undertone of marital discord running through the background. Every relationship in the book is acrimonious.
Characters are either divorced and miserable, or married and miserable.
Lonny are the happiest couple in the book and even they are strained. After a while, all this unhappiness lost its punch because there was nothing to balance it. Everyone in the state of California can't be trapped in a hateful marriage, but you'd never know it from this story. The novel would have been better balanced had the author lightened up a bit. Guess you could say it roped me in.