A review by salreads
The Dog Sitter by Zara Stoneley

3.0

Lockdown reading has affected my reading choices as with so many things. I have sought some lighter, happier reads with a little romance and a little comedy. The Dog Sitter appealed because I love the two things at the heart of it – dogs and the Lake District. If you love both you will enjoy this read. Becky is escaping from a broken relationship which has knocked her confidence and undermined her relationship with her family. She takes a housesitting job in the Lake District which also includes looking after the resident cockapoo, Bella. Looking after Bella is made more difficult by the fact that a handsome man appears to be asserting ownership and threatening to take Bella. The setting is beautiful, beside a lake and looking out to the amazing Cumbrian scenery, Bella is a bundle of fluffiness and the handsome man is something of a gorgeous muscle man and the chemistry begins to fizz. This is a gentle, happy, read. I lapped up the scenery which is beautifully described and greatly appealing particularly in lockdown! Bella is without doubt the star of the show, she totally gets into your heart. It is clear that Stoneley knows her dogs and her dog paraphernalia! The chemistry bubbles along nicely between Ash and Becky and Becky’s art feels very real – I could almost visualise the paintings. I wasn’t totally convinced by the ex boyfriend’s appearance or by the motivations of Georgina, the home owner, and I found the focus on Ash’s muscles a bit too much for me. However, this was a book which distracted me in a lovely way and I very much enjoyed it. With thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book.