IN THE DOGHOUSE

A dog mourns the abrupt split of an
engaged couple in this contemporary novel.

Lucy and John are soon to be
married. Their small pack is rounded out by their huge half-wolf dog, Skip, who
acts as the story’s narrator. Without warning, John tells Lucy he needs time
alone and walks out, leaving Skip as her only emotional support. The canine
goes through his own grieving process, wondering about “our pack’s future
together.” He tries to comfort Lucy; she rescued him from the pound so he vows:
“We’ll figure this out together. You saved me once, and now I’ll save you.” But being a single, working dog mom
poses logistical challenges so Lucy gets help from her neighbors, even the
semi-reclusive Manny on the top floor. The boy downstairs, Thomas, bonds with
Skip by reading him a Harry Potter
tale while Lucy works. The dog grows very close to the boy: “I don’t have to be
strong with Thomas….I just need to listen and let him be my friend.” Now that
Skip is cared for, Lucy can focus on her new job as “the head geriatrics nurse
and wellness director” at a retirement home. Soon Lucy and Skip both realize
they are making new friends, having enjoyable experiences, and missing John
less. But when he tries to move back in, they must decide if they want to
return to their old pack or let go of their past and move confidently into the
future. Although Lucy and John’s love story is the initial plot thread, with his
abandonment, the tale smoothly shifts to the uplifting romance between the
heroine and Skip. Case’s (Tiger Drive,
2018, etc.) decision to have readers view most of the story
through Skip’s perspective deftly reinforces the pair’s emotional connection. But
at times, this conceit falters, especially when Skip uses words like “chillaxed”
or “carpe diem.” The author
also offers some unnecessary subplots, which fail to add much to the narrative
and only increase the page count. Those minor faults aside, this novel is a superb
choice for fans of contemporary romances or dog-centric tales.

An engaging story about a woman and
her canine overcoming heartbreak as a pack.