The Dog Sitter by Zara Stoneley
Genre: Chick lit, Women's fiction, Contemporary fiction, Romance
Read: 8th February 2021
Published: 11th February 2021
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
One dog. Two strangers. An unfurgettable romance.
Wanted: someone nice, normal and trustworthy to housesit a beautiful cottage in the Lake District while the owner is away on a business trip. Must like dogs.
Wanting to escape from crap bosses and useless boyfriends, Becky jumps at the chance of being a dog sitter and the perfect escape – rest, relaxation and a very cute pooch called Bella.
But looking after Bella comes with a catch, namely gorgeous, brooding, Chris Hemsworth-worthy Ash James, who claims Bella is his dog and will stop at nothing to get her back!
Becky’s not about to hand over lovely Bella to any Tom, Dick or Ash. She’s determined to watch every move Ash James makes…even if it gets her very hot under the collar.
MY REVIEW:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Zara Stoneley's delightfully romantic THE DOG SITTER.
Ok, I admit, it was the title that first drew me to this book without having read anything of the premise because being a dog lover it was surely a given that I would therefore enjoy it...wouldn't I? Strangely enough, I did. Thoroughly. Although romance chick lit is not my usual genre it was a little of the beaten path of the historical fiction and psychological thrillers I generally devour. But there was something completely endearing about being a dog sitter...in the beautiful Lakes District. Handsome musclebound SAS/gardener/woodchopper was indeed a bonus. But at the mention of Poldark, that's it, all I could see then was Aidan Turner and those gorgeous locks and sensuous eyes strapped out in his Poldark coat...shirtless, of course!
But...I digress...back to the THE DOG SITTER!
What a delightful opening chapter! We delve headlong into Becky's journey to the Lakes from the more civilised London to which she's accustomed, and here she battles lorries leaking liquid cow-dung, tractors flinging straw and she was daft enough to leave her window open letting it all in! Haha...granted her air con was on the blink so I can understand that...but oh, what an amusing monologue it was. Added to that, she had an irate self-obsessed Georgina on the phone demanding where she was, all the while dealing with the sights, smells and goo of the country coming through her window. I found myself chuckling from the first few pages.
But it didn't stop there...no. Becky's rants to herself were amusing to read as she talks herself in and out of amusing and embarrassing situations.
However, I feel I must mention the star of the show here...Bella. What an absolute delight she is, clever, friendly and oh so bloody funny! I could actually see her zooming all over the yard, the house, the furniture... If you've never seen a dog with zoomies, you are seriously missing out! They are hilarious! Of course I am a person who prefers dogs to people so I can therefore appreciate their unique personalities.
So Becky is meant to be house and dog sitting at this gorgeous palatial Lake View Cottage for Insta influencer Georgina and makes the long journey from London to the Lake District. After finding a sitter for her own poky little flat, she sets off early and arrives late...thanks to the snotty satnav woman leading her through country lanes laden with lorries spewing out liquid cow poo and tractors dispelling hay. Becky turned up looking like she'd been dragged through a dirty stinking hedge backwards so was thankful to find Georgina had already left and would therefore not see her in this state. Georgina, though, had left her a load of instructions in the form of lists detailing everything from locking the house up to not letting her ex step foot inside, as well as all the instructions for Bella's social diary.
Becky had mistakenly thought Bella was just a dog that she'd bee looking after. She was wrong. Bella is a cute but cyclonic cockapoo that is the canine face of Georgina's Instagram. So when she opens the door before reading all of the instructions, she did not expect to be met with a whirlwind that flew past her at the speed of knots and zoom around the garden and into the shrubbery till she was out of sight. And then to make matters worse, Georgina video calls from the airport in the midst of the chaos. As she relays her most important instructions once again, she reiterates that Becky MUST NOT under any circumstances let her ex go near Bella, set foot in the house or even speak to him at all! Apparently, he is out to dog-nap her back and will try anything.
And so we come to the ex. The SAS-slash-gardener-slash-woodchopper that Becky has imagined him to be from the sneaky pic of him on Georgina's Insta account. As Becky is frantically trying to find the zooming Bella whilst attempting to appease a slightly flustered Georgina on the phone, the very object of Becky's fantasies stands in the open doorway holding onto a wriggling Bella who is excitedly kissing his face. Georgina takes one look at him and screams at him whilst Becky just stands there covered in cow-dung and a wisp of straw in her hair. The picture painted was somewhat amusing.
The ex is Ash James...a swoon-worthy guy befitting of the delectable Ross Poldark (in the form of Aidan Turner, of course). Georgina might see red at the very thought of him but Becky sees lots of lurid fantasties involving him. Bella is apparently in love with even if her owner is not and soon Ash starts popping up at the oddest moments, attempting to lure Bella into his clutches no doubt. But Becky has been told he's the enemy and to stay away from him. But it's a bit difficult when he keeps finding excuses to turn up!
It isn't long before Becky starts to feel completely relaxed at at ease in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District. She came here in the hope of putting some distance between her and her controlling ex who not only dumped her but sacked her as well. Up until recently she has lived her life trying to please Teddy and letting go of what she really wants. No one in her family, but her father, liked him and saw right through his snobbery from the start. Becky only wished she had too...but now she has. And now she is in the beautiful Lake District ready to reignite her inspiration and paint what she really makes her happy. Animals. Scenery. Nature. Magical ponies. That's what makes her happy. And it's here that she finds it again. In the breathtaking scenery, the waterfalls, the lake, the flora and fauna...and most of all, in Bella.
But it seems Bella comes as part of a package...with the handsome and somewhat delectable Ash. And what ensues is an entertaining and sometimes hilarious tale as Becky finds her inner inspiration to be who she really wants to be and paint what she really wants to paint.
I have to add, the descriptions of the scenery was simply beautiful. I live on the other side of the world and have never stepped foot in the UK, let alone the Lake District, but I could see it's beauty and natural wonders through Becky's eyes.
There is so much fun and silliness in this book it is difficult not to laugh at Bella's antics, as well as Becky's narration and enjoy the entertaining read that THE DOG SITTER is. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did but Bella really was the star here, hands down. There was a time early on that I started to get a little weary of Becky's sexual obsession of Ash...the woman sounded like a sex starved nymphomaniac at times...lol Although admittedly, the quick witted way she described it all it was quite amusing.
THE DOG SITTER is truly an entertaining read that I enjoyed more than I anticipated. It is fun, amusing and delightful in many ways. Not my usual genre but a definite feel-good read, nonetheless. And as no dogs were harmed or died in this story, it makes it an even better read for me.
Terrific rom-com read that will make you laugh out loud.
I would like to thank #ZaraStoneley, #RachelsRandomResources, #OneMoreChapter and #Netgalley for an ARC of #TheDogSitter in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.
She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.
Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.
Zara’s bestselling novels include ‘The First Date’, 'Bridesmaids', 'No One Cancels Christmas', 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'
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