April 19, 2021
Dunn (Then I Met You) delivers a quirky romance told by a lovable four-legged narrator. Pug Doug is far more astute in the ways of the heart than Julie, his hapless, 35-year-old owner, who’s stuck in an unsatisfying affair with her married louse-of-a-boss. As a rescue himself, Doug recognizes that his beloved Julie is now the one in need of saving. So when Julie’s father and his friend Dot conspire to set up Julie with Dot’s divorced son, Tom, Doug is all for it—and is even willing to look past the fact that Tom is a V-E-T. But the instant spark between Julie and Tom ignites into an argument when Tom—whose ex cheated on him—learns of Julie’s affair. Despite this disastrous first meeting, Doug is sure that Tom is the right guy for Julie and will do whatever it takes to bring the pair together—including suffering bodily harm in hopes of landing himself and Julie in Tom’s office. Alternately poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Dunn’s cute narrative effortlessly conveys both Julie’s and Tom’s vulnerabilities and all-too-human foibles. Doug’s hilarious antics, astute observations, and dogged determination to get the pair together pull at the heartstrings on the way to a thoroughly satisfying happily ever after. Agent: Hayley Steed, Madeleine Milburn Literary.
Starred review from May 1, 2021
Doug the pug is the charming narrator of Dunn's (Then I Met You) delightful, quirky novel about a dog and his girl. Julie, the girl, is a bit of a mess. Her relationship history is hit-or-miss, and her current love interest/booty call is her boss, a serial philanderer cheating on his wife, who is pregnant with twins. Julie's best friend Priya gives her good advice: dump him. But Julie is convinced that Luke will one day come around, leave his wife, and make her the happiest woman in the world. Fortunately, Priya and Doug have other plans. When Doug accidentally-on-purpose injures himself at the dog park, a friendly vet patches up his ear and begins the process of patching up Julie's sorry love life and self-esteem. VERDICT There's no big reveal, and (predictably) the right boy gets the girl and the villain is vanquished, but this amusing little novel is still a rollicking good time that will tickle readers' funny bones with some lovely, laugh-out-loud moments. A word of caution: Reading this in public may cause uncontrollable laughter and create a scene.--Jane Henriksen Baird, formerly at Anchorage P.L., AK
Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 15, 2021
Doug the pug loves his rescuer, Julie, and knows she deserves to be with someone much better than Luke, her married boss. Julie believes Luke when he tells her he's going to leave his wife soon, but Doug can tell the man is a liar. When Julie and Doug meet Tom, a divorced veterinarian, Doug decides to take matters into his own paws and find a way to bring them together. Narrated by Doug, this light, quick read is often humorous. Doug is an incredibly wise pup, and while some readers may be put off by this choice of storyteller, those who can suspend disbelief and embrace it will fall in love with Dunn's (Ex-Girlfriends United, 2011) charming canine narrator. Julie, on the other hand, is a hot mess, and it's not quite clear why the too-perfect Tom would want to be with her. None of the characters have much depth, and the plot is somewhat underwhelming, but the interactions are amusing and heartwarming, and Doug is a fantastic star of the show, making for an entertaining diversion.
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