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littlebirdbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book from bookbridgr. The book’s premise intrigued me so I wanted to start it as soon as possible. I started the book on my commute into work and finished it on my way home.
Waiting for Doggo follows Daniel and his dog, Doggo. The novel opens with a letter from Clara, Daniel’s now ex-girlfriend, leaving Daniel and Doggo (who is possibly the most ugly dog anyone has ever seen) behind as she seeks a new life elsewhere. Despite his looks and indifference towards Daniel, Doggo becomes a fixture in his life going everywhere with him… Even to work.
I liked the characters in the novel, Daniel was an interesting protagonist. I liked his personality and I found him funny. Although I didn’t find him anything out of the ordinary apart from when he was doing things at work. Edie was a slightly eccentric character, and I enjoyed seeing her and Daniel interact. At times it felt like there were too many under developed characters in such a short book. I would have liked to have seen more of certain characters.
The plot was fairly simple and straightforward with hardly any surprises. However, I liked that it was like this, although there wasn’t a great deal going on all the time I never felt bored and happily kept turning the pages. The novel would have been even better had it been longer. The plot felt like it had more potential and could have developed into something deeper. There were a couple of surprises, one I found rather amusing, but other than that not much happened.
Mills’ writing is easygoing and humorous, which I really enjoyed on my way to work. I did like the story and the writing, I just wanted something a little more from the novel. However, because the title of the book is Waiting for Doggo the fact that certain things aren’t explained and some events are left to the readers imagination is a nice subtle nod to Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, which I can appreciate.
Overall I liked Waiting for Doggo and it made my daily commute more enjoyable. This lighthearted read made a nice change from what I have been reading. Again, I would have liked a longer novel but part of the charm of the book is its shortness and mystery.
Waiting for Doggo follows Daniel and his dog, Doggo. The novel opens with a letter from Clara, Daniel’s now ex-girlfriend, leaving Daniel and Doggo (who is possibly the most ugly dog anyone has ever seen) behind as she seeks a new life elsewhere. Despite his looks and indifference towards Daniel, Doggo becomes a fixture in his life going everywhere with him… Even to work.
I liked the characters in the novel, Daniel was an interesting protagonist. I liked his personality and I found him funny. Although I didn’t find him anything out of the ordinary apart from when he was doing things at work. Edie was a slightly eccentric character, and I enjoyed seeing her and Daniel interact. At times it felt like there were too many under developed characters in such a short book. I would have liked to have seen more of certain characters.
The plot was fairly simple and straightforward with hardly any surprises. However, I liked that it was like this, although there wasn’t a great deal going on all the time I never felt bored and happily kept turning the pages. The novel would have been even better had it been longer. The plot felt like it had more potential and could have developed into something deeper. There were a couple of surprises, one I found rather amusing, but other than that not much happened.
Mills’ writing is easygoing and humorous, which I really enjoyed on my way to work. I did like the story and the writing, I just wanted something a little more from the novel. However, because the title of the book is Waiting for Doggo the fact that certain things aren’t explained and some events are left to the readers imagination is a nice subtle nod to Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, which I can appreciate.
Overall I liked Waiting for Doggo and it made my daily commute more enjoyable. This lighthearted read made a nice change from what I have been reading. Again, I would have liked a longer novel but part of the charm of the book is its shortness and mystery.
charlottejones952's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Headline through BookBridgr.
Waiting for Doggo is a sweet short novel about relationships of all type, including romantic relationships as well as the love shared between pets and their owners. The cast of characters were varied but a little typical of this kind of contemporary novel. My favourite character was actually Doggo, the ugly loveable dog who plays a huge part in this story.
I loved how the world of advertising played a large role in the story and how the London setting was established well throughout.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book but I feel there was just a little something missing for me. I think the story would have benefited if the book was longer than its 224 pages but this was a fun quick read that I couldn't put down and read in one sitting.
Waiting for Doggo is a sweet short novel about relationships of all type, including romantic relationships as well as the love shared between pets and their owners. The cast of characters were varied but a little typical of this kind of contemporary novel. My favourite character was actually Doggo, the ugly loveable dog who plays a huge part in this story.
I loved how the world of advertising played a large role in the story and how the London setting was established well throughout.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book but I feel there was just a little something missing for me. I think the story would have benefited if the book was longer than its 224 pages but this was a fun quick read that I couldn't put down and read in one sitting.
ljbentley27's review against another edition
5.0
Synopsis
When Daniel is left by his girlfriend Clara he is understandably pretty miffed; left with just a goodbye note and the dog that they had recently acquired from Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home Dan makes a decision to deal with the hand the life has dealt him. First stop is to return Doggo.
However, when he realises that the animal shelter have to castrate Doggo as a part of their policy, Dan – in an act of male solidarity – decides to keep Doggo. And with this act an unlikely but beguiling friendship blossoms.
Review
I didn’t really expect to like this book. I’m not a dog person and I suppose this has always rendered me extremely unmoved by mans’ relationship with dogs. However, Mills surprised me with Waiting for Doggo. I think I fell a little in love. Yes, Mark B. Mills has done the impossible. Do I like dogs now?
Besides the new warmer feelings I have towards canines I also really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to read a break up story from the male perspective. I think that throughout the years I have read books with a female protagonist who has been hurt by the unsavoury activities of her boyfriend and I have always sided with the girl – ovarian power and all that hoopla. It was interesting to finish a book and think that actually, we girls aren’t necessarily that great either.
I may be reading too much into this but I also liked the parallel between Doggo and Dan. Both were being castrated by their situation. Doggo because he was a dog – no other reason but Dan by all the outside factors – his ex; his new boss; his burgeoning feelings for Edie. It was a clever allegory.
Overall, Waiting for Doggo has been one of my more enjoyable reads of the year. It wasn’t too hefty or taxing. It was just an entertaining read. I give it two hearty thumbs up.
Waiting for Doggo by Mark B. Mills is available now.
When Daniel is left by his girlfriend Clara he is understandably pretty miffed; left with just a goodbye note and the dog that they had recently acquired from Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home Dan makes a decision to deal with the hand the life has dealt him. First stop is to return Doggo.
However, when he realises that the animal shelter have to castrate Doggo as a part of their policy, Dan – in an act of male solidarity – decides to keep Doggo. And with this act an unlikely but beguiling friendship blossoms.
Review
I didn’t really expect to like this book. I’m not a dog person and I suppose this has always rendered me extremely unmoved by mans’ relationship with dogs. However, Mills surprised me with Waiting for Doggo. I think I fell a little in love. Yes, Mark B. Mills has done the impossible. Do I like dogs now?
Besides the new warmer feelings I have towards canines I also really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to read a break up story from the male perspective. I think that throughout the years I have read books with a female protagonist who has been hurt by the unsavoury activities of her boyfriend and I have always sided with the girl – ovarian power and all that hoopla. It was interesting to finish a book and think that actually, we girls aren’t necessarily that great either.
I may be reading too much into this but I also liked the parallel between Doggo and Dan. Both were being castrated by their situation. Doggo because he was a dog – no other reason but Dan by all the outside factors – his ex; his new boss; his burgeoning feelings for Edie. It was a clever allegory.
Overall, Waiting for Doggo has been one of my more enjoyable reads of the year. It wasn’t too hefty or taxing. It was just an entertaining read. I give it two hearty thumbs up.
Waiting for Doggo by Mark B. Mills is available now.
leah_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE DOGGO!
This book is amazing. There wasn't a single thing that I didn't like about it. Not one single thing. It's perfection. Waiting for Doggo is a book that's dominated social media these past few months and I can completely understand why. It's flawless, it's endearing, it plays on your heart strings, it warms your soul and if you weren't a dog lover prior to reading this, you're guaranteed to be by the end. This is a case of knowing that you should wait a little while longer before publishing your review, but you physically cannot because you just NEED to gush about this book. This is where I'm at right now. If there's only one book that you can buy for the remainder of this year, make it Waiting for Doggo. And here's why:
This is not a book about a dog. This is a book about life as a whole and the impact such a friendship could have on you. I have a dog and if Mark B. Mills doesn't, I don't know how he got the relationship between pet and owner so spot on. I felt like it was my dog in those pages, with that very same attitude that Dogo possesses. Doggo creates and instant connection with you as the reader. I was sucked straight into Dan's world and I needed to know more about him and his life. What happened with Clara? What's he like as a person? Will he keep Doggo? Dan is such an intriguing and oh so likeable character. He's probably in my top ten male characters that I've read so far this year.
Everything about this book was so intriguing. It's just a few months in the life of a man. Nothing extraordinary happens but I think that's why this book is such extraordinary. It focuses a lot on the relationships between people; family, work colleagues, relationships, strangers, animals and how everything interacts. It also shows up clearly the importance of compassion. There are several moments in the book where friends, family or strangers show compassion for Dan in some way. There are some revelations along the way for Dan with regards to learning some harsh truths about himself, but also about his family. It all comes together nicely to make the most perfect of reads.
As I'm writing this review I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint what it is exactly that I loved so much about this book. I couldn't tell you what the one thing was that just made me fall in love with it. I don't know if it's the humorous character of Dan, if it's the regal and intelligent attitude of Doggo, or if it's the play of relationships that occurs through Waiting for Doggo. All I know is that this book is a must read for anyone and everyone. I devoured it in roughly 3 hours. I couldn't put it down and it's been a very long time since I've picked up a book that's held me captivated from the first page to the last. It's impossible to wrench yourself away from Doggo. I challenge you to try!
This book is amazing. There wasn't a single thing that I didn't like about it. Not one single thing. It's perfection. Waiting for Doggo is a book that's dominated social media these past few months and I can completely understand why. It's flawless, it's endearing, it plays on your heart strings, it warms your soul and if you weren't a dog lover prior to reading this, you're guaranteed to be by the end. This is a case of knowing that you should wait a little while longer before publishing your review, but you physically cannot because you just NEED to gush about this book. This is where I'm at right now. If there's only one book that you can buy for the remainder of this year, make it Waiting for Doggo. And here's why:
This is not a book about a dog. This is a book about life as a whole and the impact such a friendship could have on you. I have a dog and if Mark B. Mills doesn't, I don't know how he got the relationship between pet and owner so spot on. I felt like it was my dog in those pages, with that very same attitude that Dogo possesses. Doggo creates and instant connection with you as the reader. I was sucked straight into Dan's world and I needed to know more about him and his life. What happened with Clara? What's he like as a person? Will he keep Doggo? Dan is such an intriguing and oh so likeable character. He's probably in my top ten male characters that I've read so far this year.
Everything about this book was so intriguing. It's just a few months in the life of a man. Nothing extraordinary happens but I think that's why this book is such extraordinary. It focuses a lot on the relationships between people; family, work colleagues, relationships, strangers, animals and how everything interacts. It also shows up clearly the importance of compassion. There are several moments in the book where friends, family or strangers show compassion for Dan in some way. There are some revelations along the way for Dan with regards to learning some harsh truths about himself, but also about his family. It all comes together nicely to make the most perfect of reads.
As I'm writing this review I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint what it is exactly that I loved so much about this book. I couldn't tell you what the one thing was that just made me fall in love with it. I don't know if it's the humorous character of Dan, if it's the regal and intelligent attitude of Doggo, or if it's the play of relationships that occurs through Waiting for Doggo. All I know is that this book is a must read for anyone and everyone. I devoured it in roughly 3 hours. I couldn't put it down and it's been a very long time since I've picked up a book that's held me captivated from the first page to the last. It's impossible to wrench yourself away from Doggo. I challenge you to try!
shortitude's review against another edition
1.0
is this what happens when a dudebro writes a romcom for the guys? try using both hands to type, pal, instead of jerking off with one.
memydogandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
More 3.5 stars TBH, lovely read about two fab characters, Dan & Doggo. Doggo being the dog Dan's left with when his girlfriend leaves him. It's a lovely and funny story of how the two bond and Dan moves on. A very enjoyable short read!
stephaniekhani's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been hearing a buzz around Mark B. Mills’s novel Waiting for Doggo for a while now and to say I’ve been intrigued by the simple cover is an understatement. I love a good animal story and I desperately hoped, as I started reading, that this one wouldn’t be a tear jerker. Well, it was and it wasn’t. I laughed so hard a few times that I did get a bit misty-eyed!
Dan’s your average guy, until his long-term girlfriend Clara takes off out of the blue and leaves him behind with a (very) unattractive shelter dog that Dan really didn’t even want in the first place. Waiting for Doggo follows Dan getting his life back together one step at a time, with a few stumbles along the way.
Star of the book is Doggo who is not only ugly (and that’s not mean, it’s the total truth) but very quirky with a very distinct personality. He’s in love with Jennifer Aniston, knows everyone by name and seems to have a very keen sense of what’s going on around him. I absolutely loved Doggo and wished throughout that I had the space and time for a dog of my own.
If you’re after a quick read, Waiting for Doggo is perfect, clocking in at a mere 224 pages. But let me tell you, despite its short length, this book packs a hilarious and heartfelt punch. I honestly can’t think of anyone I wouldn’t recommend this book to.
Dan’s your average guy, until his long-term girlfriend Clara takes off out of the blue and leaves him behind with a (very) unattractive shelter dog that Dan really didn’t even want in the first place. Waiting for Doggo follows Dan getting his life back together one step at a time, with a few stumbles along the way.
Star of the book is Doggo who is not only ugly (and that’s not mean, it’s the total truth) but very quirky with a very distinct personality. He’s in love with Jennifer Aniston, knows everyone by name and seems to have a very keen sense of what’s going on around him. I absolutely loved Doggo and wished throughout that I had the space and time for a dog of my own.
If you’re after a quick read, Waiting for Doggo is perfect, clocking in at a mere 224 pages. But let me tell you, despite its short length, this book packs a hilarious and heartfelt punch. I honestly can’t think of anyone I wouldn’t recommend this book to.
stephend81d5's review against another edition
4.0
enjoyed this book on a single guy with an ugly dog after his girlfriend had left him and his rebuild through the dog doggo and has a hint of chick lit though but liked the role doggo played though in the plot
leahmichelle_13's review against another edition
3.0
If you ask me what my favourite thing in books is, period, I will tell you dogs. I love dogs in anything, and most especially in books. So when I heard about Waiting For Doggo, I was cock-a-hoop! I love books with ugly dogs in even more than books with beautiful dogs. It’s like the book said – just because Doggo isn’t the best looking, doesn’t make him any less loveable or awesome. He’s just… Doggo!
I confess to not having a lot to say about Waiting For Doggo, it’s a relatively quick read, and I really quite enjoyed it. Daniel is a great narrator, and he came across really well, I couldn’t understand why Clara left him. He was lovely. Women, eh? Never happy. I loved hearing about his job, and his work with his creative partner Edie as they pitch for businesses (they’re ad people). Edie was a very surprising breathe of fresh air. Her and Daniel’s bond was just there, instantly, no effort which is the best kind.
But really the star of the show was Doggo. whether he was delivering post at the ad agency where Daniel worked, or sitting on the sofa, or crying over a Jennifer Aniston show, he was always there, always present, always reliable. He was just adorable, and I loved that he’s got his own Twitter account, that’s a dog who knows what he’s doing! I was a tad disappointed with the abrupt cliff-hangerish ending. Will there be a sequel? It felt like there should be, which I would gobble up in a heartbeat. It’s an adorable, quick read with loveable humans and dogs alike. Doggo will steal your heart.
I confess to not having a lot to say about Waiting For Doggo, it’s a relatively quick read, and I really quite enjoyed it. Daniel is a great narrator, and he came across really well, I couldn’t understand why Clara left him. He was lovely. Women, eh? Never happy. I loved hearing about his job, and his work with his creative partner Edie as they pitch for businesses (they’re ad people). Edie was a very surprising breathe of fresh air. Her and Daniel’s bond was just there, instantly, no effort which is the best kind.
But really the star of the show was Doggo. whether he was delivering post at the ad agency where Daniel worked, or sitting on the sofa, or crying over a Jennifer Aniston show, he was always there, always present, always reliable. He was just adorable, and I loved that he’s got his own Twitter account, that’s a dog who knows what he’s doing! I was a tad disappointed with the abrupt cliff-hangerish ending. Will there be a sequel? It felt like there should be, which I would gobble up in a heartbeat. It’s an adorable, quick read with loveable humans and dogs alike. Doggo will steal your heart.
aimiller's review against another edition
2.0
This book was okayish? It read quickly, certainly. It just struck this weird chord where I think it was supposed to mirror the main character's arc but came off kind of weird. Like even when he "changed" it still felt kind of smarmy? And the ending felt... idk, not cheap, just not satisfactory wholly. I rolled my eyes at the revelation moment, and I'm not that cynical of a person. It didn't help that some of the things the narrator had to say (especially around mental health in the first 20 pages) put me way up on edge. But yeah. This book was fine I guess? Just not my cup of tea.
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