Description

Discover the moving, life-affirming book club read about new beginnings and finding friendship in unexpected places; the perfect gift for dog lovers from the author of Goodbye Birdie Greenwing

‘The perfect mix of humour and heartache’ Good Housekeeping

‘A charming, surprising and moving story’ Clare Chambers, bestselling author of Small Pleasures

‘Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant…laugh out loud funny and immensely moving’ AJ Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird

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George is angry at the world. His wife has died and now all he wants to do is sit in his underpants and shout at the cricket. The last thing he needs is his cake-baking neighbour Betty trying to rescue him. And then there’s the dog, a dachshund puppy called Poppy. George doesn’t want a dog – he wants a fight.

Dan is a counsellor with OCD who is great at helping other people – if only he were better at helping himself. His most meaningful relationship so far is with his labrador Fitz. But then comes a therapy session that will change his life.

Lizzie is living in a women’s refuge with her son Lenny. Her body is covered in scars and she has shut herself off from everyone around her. But when she is forced to walk the refuge’s fat terrier, Maud, a new life beckons – if she can keep her secret just a while longer…

Dog Days is a novel about those small but life-changing moments that only come when we pause to let the light in. It is about three people learning to make connections and find joy and comfort in living life off the leash.

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Praise for Dog Days:

‘Uplifting, full of charm and warmth’ Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters

‘If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one’ 5-star reader review

‘A soulful, lyrical tale… a treat.’ Beth Morrey, bestselling author of Saving Missy

‘Tender, humorous and hopeful’ Lissa Evans, author of Small Bomb at Dimperley

‘A book with a big heart’ 5-star reader review

‘Dog Days had me feeling all the emotions, it broke my heart and gently pieced it back together.’ 5-star reader review

‘Wonderful journey of three complicated characters and the dogs that saw them through their individual journeys’ 5-star reader review

‘A joy to read from start to finish.’ 5-star reader review

‘Perfectly shows the true healing power of dogs, and how we are so lucky to have them around us’ 5-star reader review

Publisher Review

'Funny, sad, gritty and beautifully told, this story will make you look at life again and appreciate the small acts of kindness that make everything worthwhile. * HAZEL PRIOR, author of Away with the Penguins * A charming, surprising and moving story of three troubled characters' encounter with love, grief, healing. * CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURES * 'Moving, uplifting, full of charm and warmth, [Dog Days] gave me much paws for thought. Such great characterisation, too - by the end, George, Dan et al felt like family! * EMMA STONEX, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS * A Russian doll of a book that twists and tugs each outer husk, revealing delicate and poignant inner layers. * BETH MORREY, author of SAVING MISSY * Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant, Ericka Waller's wonderful debut is both laugh out loud funny and immensely moving. Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2021, Dog Days is an absolute delight. * AJ Pearce, author of Dr Mrs Bird * The kind of charm readers will recall from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine... a welcome balm for anxious lockdown minds... the book is gentle but poignant, moving but uplifting, suffused with different kinds of love and loss. * VANITY FAIR * [A] Touching and thoughtful debut novel * RED * Hilarious and moving, it recognises the unconditional love of dogs and their ability to make the world a better place * WOMAN'S WEEKLY * If you enjoyed Beth Morrey's Saving Missy, you'll love this...both hilarious and moving. * Woman and Home * Easy to read and witty but full of pathos and sadness, this tightly plotted tale will bring you joy. * BEST * Tender, humorous and hopeful * LISSA EVANS, author of V for Victory * Dog Days is a beautiful novel, filled with poignancy and humour. Ericka Waller looks closely at life with all its ghosts and new beginnings, finding glitter in the dark and hope where there is healing. * Ronan Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry Paul * A beautifully written book... it's very hard to believe it's a debut novel. Ericka Waller peels back the layers of life and delves deep into the highs and lows of mental health, of loss, and of love.' * NEW BOOKS MAGAZINE * This was such an emotional read and the perfect mix of humour and heartache * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING * Both joyful and heartbreaking * HEAT * Deftly drawn... a warm debut about loss, healing and making new connections * MAIL ON SUNDAY * We loved this heartwarming story * CLOSER * Weaves together tales of man's best friend helping in the darkest days * HELLO! magazine * Waller's tormented, endearing and intriguing characters cross paths as they walk dogs on the Sussex Downs in a bittersweet, touching novel of waggy tails, wet noses and tear-filled eyes. * SAGA * A charming novel that focuses on the healing properties of man and woman's best friend * Choice Magazine * Waller has a lyrical way of weaving words that perfectly encapsulates a feeling or thought ... Funny, sad and reassuringly sage, Dog Days is a story of humanity, family and life. * Culturefly * A glorious read full of love and humour * THE IRISH EXAMINER * Combines two total opposites - sorrow and joy. The way Waller makes the two work together is outstanding * FEMALE FIRST magazine * A charming novel that focusses on the healing powers of man and woman's best friend * CHOICE Magazine * With its tightly plotted twists Dog Days is an exhilarating, at times even vertiginous ride... The mix of human passion and canine good sense works triumphantly.. * Ed Stourton, author of Diary of a Dog Walker *