Review of "Liliana’s Match: Finding Bella- How Animals Help with ADHD and Anxiety in Kids" by Victoria Smith

Score: 95+/100 (9.5+ out of 10)

Liliana’s Match: Finding Bella by Victoria Smith is one of those special books.
It's one of those special gems that tugs at your heartstrings and warms your soul.

No, it doesn't deal with severe topics like death, terminal illness, or divorce, but it does deal with topics that are arguably just as poignant: the sense of belonging, the importance of social connections, and confronting the thought that something is wrong with me.

These are things that we all deal with throughout our lives, some people more than others. And perhaps the groups that struggle the most with this are young people who suffer from ADHD and social anxiety.

This book is sure to be near and dear to many hearts. It will speak to people--young and old alike--about how their struggles aren't so alien, foreign, or uncommon after all. Having ADHD and/or anxiety don't make you a bad person or even a faulty person any more than having a genetic heart condition or type-1 diabetes does. These are things that millions of people live with. It's not their fault. It's not because of a mistake they made or a lapse in moral judgment. It just... is.

But having these things doesn't have to define you. It doesn't have to inhibit you. You can find a way to live and even thrive in spite of it all!

And one of the key ingredients to overcoming ADHD and anxiety is in finding ways to connect with people and, in the case of the story in the book, with animals.

This book makes a strong case for therapy pets and animals. They're not just for show or for a few oohs and awws, they can actually serve a practical purpose in helping to break down barriers and to provide actual comfort and care to the lives they touch.

One of the things we really, really loved and found special about this book was the bond that Liliana forms with Bella, the beagle, over the things they have in common.

Throughout the book, it becomes apparent that Liliana suffers from ADHD and anxiety. She seems especially clumsy and can't focus or concentrate in school. She always feels this compulsive urge to do other things unrelated to what the adults in her life want her to do. For example, she digs through and tries to reorganize her backpack during a lesson.

It also becomes apparent that Liliana feels looked down upon and excluded by her peers. She's viewed as weird or as a liability because she drops things, bumps her head, and seems prone to making mistakes or causing accidents.

It's so hard not to feel for Liliana. In our opinion, these things actually make her a more compelling protagonist than a Mary Sue (or Gary Stu) who is mighty, magical, does everything right, and is loved by everyone. Those types of characters are flat and boring. Liliana is the opposite: she's an underdog, a blacksheep, and someone we can truly root for, relate with, and get behind.

Children in particular, who are new to things like anxiety, ostracization, and estrangement, can find themselves in Liliana, learning from her whilst being encourage and inspired by her.

Anyway, the aspect of this book that really tugged at our heartstrings was how the narrative draws a powerful parallel between Liliana and Bella, the dog. The chemistry and connection is unmistable. Both have too much energy. Both have trouble focusing and are easily distracted.

Both have tics, like Bella constantly scratching and Liliana fidgeting and tapping. The book never outright says, "They are the same," but it shows it so clearly that young readers can feel it in their hearts. Liliana does not just see a cute dog. She sees a kindred spirit, another living being who is always being told to calm down, to stop, to be less. That mutual recognition is incredibly moving.

So, when Liliana meets Bella at the shelter, the moment feels huge. It is not simply a kid begging for a pet. It is a child who feels misunderstood asking for a companion who understands her in a way no one else quite does. Bella is not a perfect, magically obedient therapy dog. She is anxious, loud, and a bit of a handful. That is precisely what makes their pairing so believable and so special. They grow together. As Bella slowly settles into her forever home, Liliana also begins to settle into herself. The message is not that Bella “fixes” Liliana, but that love, patience, and the right kind of support can make a world of difference.

The way Bella helps Liliana with school is another highlight. Bella becomes a bridge between Liliana and her classmates. Suddenly, the girl who felt like the odd one out is the girl with the awesome dog everyone wants to meet and be around. The dog helps to soften social edges, ease anxiety, and make it easier for Liliana to participate and connect. For anxious or neurodivergent kids who feel like they are always on the outside looking in, that is an incredibly hopeful and affirming picture.

We also really appreciated the rich educational back matter. The author takes time to explain how animals can help children with ADHD and anxiety in real life, not just in stories. There is information about beagles in particular, tips and considerations for families, and even a gentle push toward shelter adoption and beagle rescues. The note on purple and orange as symbolic colors tied to creativity, caring, and ADHD awareness is a thoughtful touch that adds meaningful layers for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to go deeper with kids after reading.

All in all, this is a warm, empathetic, and practical book that validates the lived experiences of children with ADHD and anxiety while also celebrating the healing power of animal companions. It is the kind of story that can comfort a struggling child, spark understanding in a sibling or classmate, and give adults a gentle, accessible starting point for some very important conversations.

One last thing that deserves recognition are the illustrations by Sergii Zavadskyi. They accomodate and enhance the story and its characters so well! Both Liliana and Bella are cute and eye-catching. Liliana's mother is beautiful and her father is handsome. The one aspect of this book that made us laugh unintentionally was when the narrative tells us that the lady walking Bella is an "old lady", however, she appears to only be middle-age.

The scenes in which Liliana worries if she'll ever see Bella again and when they're finally reunited are some of the best scenes we've seen/read about this year!

Check it out on Amazon!