This is honestly one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is absolutely refreshingly realistic - as if Colleen is talking to you as her bff. It is funny, witty, clever. The actual story line is excellent. And it's written in a unique way... I'm not sure how to describe it... like easy, flowy, super relatable chatting. Colleen is strong and makes you want to be just as authentic, real, and honest as she is.

Fantastic surprise of a book. I hope the author writes more!

As a dog mom, I am a sucker for cute covers featuring pets! The surprise inside this novel was an easy-to-get-into story that was written in a fun and witty way. I became immediately invested in the outcome and really felt like I was part of the main character's journey. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had no business being this good… but here we are.

I went into The Dog Sitter expecting something light and easy—and yes, it’s that—but it also has that “wait… why am I actually invested in her life?” effect. Colleen is freshly divorced, basically homeless, and making questionable life choices (relatable), and somehow ends up dog-sitting in NYC for a very important man with a very important dog.

And honestly… Aldo might be one of my favorite parts of the whole book. As a dog owner, I loved this. Because let’s be real—dogs don’t just sit there quietly while your life falls apart. They become the routine, the comfort, the emotional support, and occasionally the reason you don’t spiral completely. That part felt very real.

Colleen herself is a little chaotic, a little blunt, and very much in her “I did not plan for my life to look like this” era—and I liked her for it. The writing feels super conversational, like she’s just casually telling you everything while you’re sitting on her couch judging her decisions but also fully supporting her.

Also… the random people coming in and out? The situations she ends up in? Slightly unhinged in the best way. It keeps things interesting without feeling over-the-top.

What I appreciated most is that this isn’t some dramatic, life-changing overnight transformation. It’s messy, slow, uncomfortable growth. The kind where you’re figuring it out as you go and pretending you have a plan when you absolutely do not.

Overall, this was funny, a little chaotic, very relatable, and just a genuinely good time. If you like character-driven stories with humor, a little heart, and a dog that steals scenes… this one’s worth it.

i mean dogs just make everything better. when asked to be a dog sitter i cant think of anything id rather do. id happily cuddle and look after a dog as my main role in life forever more. so this book was automatically a bonus for me.
for Colleen though this wasn't the case. she doesn't like the dogs or people for that matter right now. but she is more than down on her luck and definitely down on her current options. she needs a job, like now. so a month long stay and sit job for her former boss is her only option. and at least it answer many of her current living and working dilemmas.
Aldo the dog it turns out is living it up in a deluxe apartment.
what Colleen thought would at least be an easy gig is far from it, for characters a plenty pass through the apartment. and things are going to get more complicated.
but if she keeps moving forward, she might not think she has anything at all together right now, in moving onward it might just come to her along the way.
i was instantly rooting for Colleen. her predicament frankly bought terror to me, so i was automatically protective of how she had found herself. and Aldo bless him is simply being and doing what dogs do. be their gorgeous selves. but also infiltrate your life. they guide you, keep you moving, get you up. and they also are rather too in tune with your emotional state and will do their best to comfort, hold, and steady you. yes they will. and this is what Colleen needs.
the writing has that special something that feels like it has a spring in itself. but in its own special way somehow delivers those more deeper and touching moments. those moments to think on, to feel for, and to ultimately want to follow Colleen and make sure she ok in the end.
the people that come as part of this new job is messy, chaotic and fairly wacky. but in the best way and in the way that somehow fits and is always meant to be.
i enjoyed this book so much. its great, its a fun time. but its also so much more and touches the tender moments with ease as much as it does the make you smile moments.

"Best known for her psychological thriller hit The Memory Box, New York Times bestselling author Eva Lesko Natiello (favorite author) makes a brilliant and hilarious pivot into comedy with THE DOG SITTER. This 'first foray' into humor doesn't lose her signature sharp edge; instead, it blends witty social commentary with a chaotic, high-stakes plot that proves Natiello's versatility.

"It’s a 5-star romp that fans of the author's thrillers—and anyone who’s ever been at the mercy of a difficult pet (or owner)—will absolutely adore."

Intro:
A total genre pivot! When a woman takes a high-end house-sitting gig for 30 days, she expects a quiet getaway with a pampered pet. Instead, she gets a "chaotic and hilarious" comedy of errors involving suburban absurdity and a dog that might be smarter than the humans.

✍️ Highlights:
~Vibe:
A "cinematic bridge" between the high-stakes stress of Manhattan and the slow-burn magic of the Italian Riviera.

~Standout Points:
The transition from Natiello’s signature psychological tension to this wry, propulsive humor. Having read all her books, this "genre-bend" feels like a masterclass in versatility.

~Culinary Serendipity:
The truffle business (connecting NYC to Porto Venere) serves as a metaphor for digging deep to find something valuable buried under the surface.

👤 Characters
~Colleen: A "reluctant" protagonist whose life has gone sideways.
~Aldo: A high-maintenance canine.
~Massimo: Colleen's former boss and the editor of Savor Magazine.
~Quirky New Yorkers: Who all seem to have a key to the apartment where Colleen is hiding.

"Colleen might claim she's not a 'people person,' but the way she handles Massimo, Aldo, and the Italian coast makes her the most relatable protagonist of the year."

💡 Themes & Takeaways
~Themes:
Midlife awakening, starting over from zero, the burden of "shameful secrets," and the power of living authentically.

~Metaphor:
The "leash"—literal and figurative obligations. Colleen must decide if choosing herself means "abandoning" others, or if finally seizing her own life is her greatest obligation.

~Takeaway: "It’s never too late to start living authentically".

✨ Standout Points
~The Genre Pivot:
Author Eva Lesko Natiello is known for dark thrillers like The Memory Box; this shift to contemporary fiction is being hailed as "serendipitous" and "delightfully offbeat".

~Complex Relatability:
Colleen's "messy and mixed up" journey is deeply relatable for anyone who has felt they’ve lost the thread of their own life.

~Pacing:
Engaging with an intriguing story with twists that keep you flipping pages.

~Why Buy:
"If you’ve followed Eva Lesko Natiello from the dark halls of The Memory Box, you’ll be obsessed with how she applies that same sharp observation to a story filled with heart, pasta, truffles, and a very anxious dog."

Recs or Similar Books:
They all share that same blend of wit, "laugh-out-loud" moments, and genuine emotional stakes.

~The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
~Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny
~The Guncle by Steven Rowley
~The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

🎤 Q&A Promo Hook
~"Stick around for my exclusive Q&A with Eva Lesko Natiello on my blog (May 19) where we dive into why she traded psychological thrillers for Italian truffles, a dog named Aldo, and more secrets!"

My thoughts:

~The Versatility:
"I’ve read everything Eva’s written, but The Dog Sitter is the sharp, wry, feel-good romp I didn't know I needed. It’s a total Lit-Lift for your TBR!"

~The Character Tease:
"Meet Tad—the kind of New York wildcard you only meet in an elevator (or a former boss’s apartment). He’s the perfect foil to Colleen’s 'not a people person' vibe."

~The Italy Connection:
"Pack your bags (mentally!) for Porto Venere. This book is a masterclass in setting, bridging the gap between NYC hustle and Italian coastal magic."

Eva Lesko Natiello (a long-time favorite) steps into her first foray into comedy, and the vibe shifts from her usual psychological suspense with THE DOG SITTER. The standout is seeing Eva’s signature observational, sharp wit applied to humor rather than suspense. The pacing is snappy, and the humor is derived from a very relatable, real-world disaster. With fun characters, it's a masterclass in starting over, proving that a 'midlife awakening' can be just as propulsive as any psychological thriller. It’s lighthearted without being "fluffy," maintaining the smart prose her fans expect.

"It’s the ultimate summer escape that bridges the gap between a gritty New York City apartment and the vibrant, secret-filled coast of Porto Venere." Trust me, you will be salivating over the divine delicacies.

"Ever wondered what a thriller writer dreams up when she turns to comedy?" Catch my #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat with @EvaLeskoNatiello (May 19) to find out!

Ready for the ride? ...

~The Lobby: "Going up! We’re riding along with Eva Lesko Natiello to talk truffles, New York attitude, and her latest genre-bend, The Dog Sitter."
~The Floor 10 Hook: "One woman, one high-maintenance dog, and a 30-day countdown to a midlife awakening. Is Colleen Fitzroy ready for the ride?"
~The Penthouse: "From the grit of Manhattan to the sun-soaked shores of Porto Venere—we’re hitting the top floor of contemporary fiction."

Special thanks to Fine Line Publishing for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. #CoverCrush

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 19, 2026
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May 2026 Must-Read Books
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The Dog Sitter was such a fun surprise. I expected a light, funny story about dog-sitting, but it ended up having so much heart and emotional depth too.

Colleen is messy, overwhelmed, and trying to rebuild her life after everything falls apart, which made her feel incredibly relatable. I was rooting for her almost immediately. And Aldo absolutely stole the show. Anyone who loves dogs will understand how comforting and life-changing they can be during difficult moments.

The writing felt very natural and conversational, almost like listening to a friend tell you about the most chaotic month of her life. It’s funny, quirky, heartfelt, and full of messy but lovable characters.

A genuinely comforting, witty read that left me smiling by the end.