Dog Person
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 10
- 7 min read
By: Camille Pagan
Narrator: Mark Bramhall
Random House Audio
ISBN: 9798217092055
Publisher: Ballantine | Delacorte Press
Publication Date: 04/07/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
"Not since A Dog's Purpose have I been so besotted by a novel's canine. Just like a good dog, Harold and this beautiful book will break your heart open and mend it all at once. “ —Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of Jane & Dan at the End of the World
In this delightfully heartwarming novel, an elderly dog is determined to help his grieving owner find a reason to go on after loss. Now, if only he’d stop getting in his way by being so very . . . human.
Harold may be an aging mutt—but Amelia May, the romance novelist who adopted him, taught him a thing or two about the human heart before she died. And she also left Harold with a final task: to help her partner, Miguel, find love again.
Trouble is, the grief-ridden recluse rarely goes out, not even to the bookstore he and Amelia owned together. Now it’s in danger of going under, and when a renowned author doesn’t show up for his event, it pushes the store’s already precarious finances into the red. In a final attempt to save the bookstore, Miguel and Harold set out to find the no-show and insist he fulfill his obligation. But instead, they’re greeted by Fiona, his sunny yet secretive sister.
Fiona is intent on protecting her brother’s privacy—and to Harold’s horror, she doesn’t like dogs. But her precocious eleven-year-old daughter, who's also named Amelia, immediately befriends Harold . . . who can’t help but wonder if his Amelia was right when she said there are no coincidences in life.
Harold’s quickly running out of time to accomplish his mission, but if he can just convince his infuriatingly stubborn person to let Fiona in, he’s certain Miguel will find something far more important than a missing author: his own happy ending.
Uplifting, smartly observed, and hilariously insightful, Dog Person is as undeniably charming as its beloved narrator, Harold, and offers a much-needed reminder that while not all love is unconditional, it is still always worthwhile.
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My Review
In Camille Pagán's latest enchanting novel, readers are invited into the heartfelt world of Harold, a wise and affectionate elderly dog. This beautifully crafted narrative weaves together themes of love, grief, and the transformative power of companionship.
DOG PERSON unfolds as a poignant, bittersweet tale that explores the depths of second chances and healing, highlighting the extraordinary bond between humans and their canine companions.
It's a perfect read for those who cherish the deep connections shared with their pets and appreciate a touching story that resonates with dog lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
"You are never truly alone as long as you have been loved by a dog."
Highlights...
Amelia May, a successful romance novelist, dies from cancer. On her deathbed, she tasks her 14-year-old rescue dog, Harold, with helping her partner, Miguel, find love again.
Miguel and Amelia co-owned an indie bookstore in West Haven, Michigan. Since Amelia's death, the shop has been failing financially, and Miguel has become a grieving recluse.
A famous author was scheduled for a major ticketed event, which Miguel views as a financial lifeline, but fails to show up. This pushes the bookstore's precarious finances further into the red.
In a desperate attempt to save the store, Miguel and Harold set out on a road trip to find the missing writer.
Instead of the author, they meet his secretive sister, Fiona, and her 11-year-old daughter, Amelia Mae. To Harold's dismay, Fiona is not a "dog person".
As they spend time together, Harold schemes to bring the humans closer. He forms a deep bond with the young Amelia Mae, who shares the same name as his late owner.
Can the bookstore be saved? Will Miguel's mission be complete? A new, found family? Will Harold accomplish his mission before his time runs out?
My thoughts....
I absolutely adored Dog Person!
The charming and well-drawn characters, combined with humor and poignant themes, weave a powerful narrative that delves into the journey of healing after profound loss. The author’s personal inspiration behind the novel adds an extra layer of depth, making the story not only more immersive but also truly special and uplifting. It’s a beautifully crafted exploration of resilience and love, and it left a lasting impression on my heart.
Major Themes
~Navigating Grief and Guilt
~Found Family
~Second Chances
~The Unspoken Bond
The heartrending story examines the complex feeling of guilt by finding happiness in the present. Miguel struggles with how to love someone new while still deeply loving his late partner.
Beyond romantic love, the book highlights the support systems created by bookstore employees, friends, and pets of found family. The narrative emphasizes that while love isn't always unconditional or perfect, it is worth trying for again. As a "love story to love in all forms," the novel focuses heavily on the unique, unconditional connection between humans and their pets.
I adored the bookstore setting, which acts as a physical anchor for Miguel’s mourning, with the narrative arc—driven by the need to save the shop—symbolizing his emotional recovery and the vindication of romantic hope. It serves as a physical manifestation of their past and a catalyst for the future. The cozy bookstore vibes provide a warm, comforting contrast to the heavier themes of mortality and profound loss.
Harold is a joy! He has a gentle spirit, wise, wry, and sarcastic. He is loyal, devoted, and sometimes judgmental, but lovable, which only adds to his charm. An unforgettable gentle narrator, his presence will linger long after the last page is turned.
The missing author and financial risk of the bookstore are the central conflict that drives the plot forward and forces Miguel and Harold out of their isolation. The setting also reinforces a secondary theme: that romance novels and stories have real power to soothe the soul and help people heal
By using a dog narrator, Pagán cleverly highlights that animals see the "real" us. They don't care about our failures or our messy grief; they only care that we are present and loved. The ultimate takeaway of Camille Pagán’s lovely DOG PERSON is that love is a mission worth finishing, even when it feels impossible.
Recs...
If you enjoyed the canine perspective and emotional depth of DOG PERSON, several books feature animal narrators or explore themes of grief, second chances, and the profound bond between humans and their pets.
~The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein:
~A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
~Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley:
~Dog on It (Chet and Bernie Mystery) by Spencer Quinn
Special thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Praise
“Heartwarming and life-affirming . . . an utterly delightful novel of second chances, bookstores, and that inexplicable connection between people and their pets. Harold is the fluffy, wise, and completely charming protagonist we all need right now, who will stay with readers long, long after the final page (and tissue).”
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House Rules (and her dog, Salt, too!)
“Tender, heartwarming and true, Dog Person captures the devoted, unconditional love of a dog for their human and a human for their dog, and all the ways that love can both break us apart and put us back together.”
—Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author of The Rewind
“Not since A Dog’s Purpose have I been so besotted by a novel’s canine. Just like a good dog, Harold and this beautiful book will break your heart open and mend it all at once.”—Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of Jane and Dan at the End of the World
“Dog Person by Camille Pagán broke me in the best possible way. It’s a story that understands that a happy ending can hold sadness, too, and that moving on isn’t the same as letting go. Harold is an incredible narrator—tender, sharp, and unforgettable—the best animal voice since Marcellus the octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures. A beautiful reminder that broken hearts can learn to love again.”
—Ali Brady, USA Today bestselling author of Battle of the Bookstores
“Told from a dog’s perspective, in the vein of The Art of Racing in the Rain, Dog Person captures the richest emotions: love, loss, found families, healing, and the warm wit of a precious dog . . . all set at a bookstore! Love stories don’t come any bigger than this.”
—Rochelle Weinstein, bestselling author of This Is Not How It Ends
“Filled with tender moments and lighthearted humor, Camille Pagán’s Dog Person offers a relatable story via the perspective of a man’s best friend that is utterly refreshing and clever.”
—Suzanne Park, author of One Last Word
“Poignant . . . Romance fans will want to read this one with tissues at the ready.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A story of grief, healing, unexpected love, and the magic of books . . . Recommended to readers who loved The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein or A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.”
—Library Journal
“An emotional story of love and grief, perfect for dog lovers and book lovers alike.”
—Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Camille Pagán writes witty stories about love and life’s what-ifs.
She is the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of 11 books, including Good for You, I’m Fine and Neither Are You, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences. Click here to learn more about her fiction.
She’s also a master certified coach, prolific journalist and speaker, and the founder of Even Better Co. WEBSITE
