Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life

Must Love Dogs #2

by Claire Cook

The Must Love Dogs series:
Must Love Dogs (#1)
Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life (#2)
Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later (#3)
Must Love Dogs: Bark & Roll Forever (#4)
Must Love Dogs: Who Let the Cats In? (#5)

First the bestselling novel! Then the movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack. Now New York Times bestselling author Claire Cook's most enduring characters are back in Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life, Book 2 of the hilarious and heartwarming Must Love Dogs series.

Life after divorce for Sarah Hurlihy used to consist of juggling her job as a preschool teacher with the demands of her interfering family. But after a rocky start, Sarah and John Anderson have shared six months of dating bliss. Now their relationship is basically on hold because Sarah's brother Michael and his dog are staying with her. And John's new puppy Horatio hates Sarah. With a passion.
Michael hopes absence will, in fact, make his wife's heart grow fonder. Sarah hopes she can do her sisterly duty and send Michael on his merry way before she ends up single again herself. John hopes Sarah and his puppy can work things out before it's too late.

"If you haven't read a Claire Cook book yet, start with this one. You don't need to have read the first book, but why not grab that one, too, and read it? Her books are like potato chips - you can't have just one!"-Pamela Kramer, National Book Reviewer, Examiner.com

"Claire Cook's novel Must Love Dogs was such a huge success that it was made into a hit movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack. Now Cook is back with a sequel in Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life, which proves just as delightful . . . Cook's penchant for humor is evidenced clearly in this sequel, making this a delightful and fun read, and leaving one to wonder if this book will also be made into a heartwarming and comedic movie." -Nancy Lepri, New York Journal of Books

Praise for Must Love Dogs:
"Funny and pitch perfect." -Chicago Tribune
"Wildly witty" -USA Today
"Cook dishes up plenty of charm." -San Francisco Chronicle
"A hoot" -The Boston Globe
"A hilariously original tale about dating and its place in a modern woman's life." –BookPage

Praise for Claire Cook:
"Claire Cook (Must Love Dogs) has built a brand writing light-hearted women's fiction blending kernels of the absurd and comedic in compulsively readable combinations." -Shelf Awareness

"The exuberant and charming Claire Cook is one of the sassiest and funniest creators of contemporary women's fiction." -The Times-Picayune

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Contemporary, Ebooks

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2014

About the author

CLAIRE COOK wrote her first book in her minivan at 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the adaptation of her novel Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, which is now an 8-book series. Claire is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 25 books for 40-to-forever women, including her latest series, Bonus Time.

If you have a buried dream, take it from Claire, It's Never Too Late to Shine On!

Stay in the loop for new releases, giveaways, inspiration and insider extras at ClaireCook.com.

Read excerpts at ClaireCook.com/books/

Connect with Claire:
Instagram.com/ClaireCookwrite
Facebook.com/ClaireCookauthorpage
Linkedin.com/in/clairecookwrite/
BookBub.com/authors/claire-cook
Goodreads.com/clairecook

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the countless fans of MUST LOVE DOGS (the book sensation that became a hit film), Claire Cook's new novel, MUST LOVE DOGS: NEW LEASH on LIFE, is a real treat. Sequels can be difficult, and I'm happy to report that Claire Cook never missed a beat in bringing these marvelous characters back to life.

The hilarious and unforgettable Hurlihy family is in full swing, and Sarah is as funny and endearing as ever. Her adventures are chock-full of laughter and heartbreak, and sprinkled with surprises that I never saw coming. I was so excited to be offered an advanced copy that I ended up reading it in one day. This is a fast-paced, witty, and tender story that shouldn't be missed!

[Wendy Wax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life by Claire Cook is wonderful!

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Claire Cook's new novel and enjoyed it thoroughly. This story picks up seamlessly from the original novel and movie and deposits us happily in the midst of the Hurlihy family. I'm betting you'll love Sarah's journey as much as I did. You may also learn a thing or two about men and dogs in the process! : )

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Claire Cook after seeing the movie Must Love Dogs. Anyone who pull off a scene where a woman shows up for a blind date only to find her own dad waiting and make it humorous and touching captured my attention. I read the book and then read all of Claire's books. They all have on thing in common--her laugh out loud humorous moments and characters that make you reflect on life's challenges/milestones. And she does it all without her books being formula. This book is another look at the Hurlihy family--you don't need first three chapters catching up where the last left off. She gets you right back to the characters you can laugh with and smile at. The story moves quickly and while there is personal growth in the characters it does not overshadow the fun they have and the fun the reader has on another family adventure. Can't wait until the next one comes out! Who knows what they will be up to by then!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Claire Cook is back and revisiting some of her most beloved characters in Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life. This book, for me, was classic CC in the best of ways: warm, endearing, relatable characters; smart, on-point writing; funny and tender plotting and life moments. I read it on a plane ride and honestly, I was thrilled that my kids occupied themselves so I could keep going page after page. Cook, as usual, takes complicated, down-to-earth characters and makes you feel like they're your best friends.

Thrilled for Claire; more thrilled for her readers.

[Liz Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from one of my favorite authors!

[Nicole Henke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored the movie with Diane Lane and John Cusack, so when I saw the ebook on sale, I had to grab this follow up! You know how you get a followup book and then you hesitate to read it? Yup, that was me, but I finally started it, and then could NOT put it down! I laughed my way through this book and it was SO easy seeing it playing in my head, with all the actors from the first movie (seriously, they need to get them all back for this book-made-into-movie!). It was like slipping back into a favorite coat- warm and cozy! Course the fact that Irish dancing was a prominent feature in the first few chapters was appropriate to our month of March as well! Everything is here that you loved from the original- sibling rivalry, relationship issues, working with kids (nerds), love and family- but it has been finely honed to the perfect read to lift your spirits from the 'when is winter gonna END?' blues! RUN, don't walk and grab this book today! You won't regret it and may find yourself re-reading this one over and over!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am delighted to say that the sequel to one of my favorite books ever lives up to my high expectations, and in fact exceeded them. One of the things I love about Claire Cook's novels is that I am left wanting to know what happened next to the characters who have become my friends.

I felt I connected back to Sarah as though no time at all had passed, and I was right back in the middle of her warmly wacky family. Claire's writing skill has only increased since the original, but she has lost none of her depth and humor.

My one complaint - I am still left wanting more! :) I hope there will be many more chapters in this story to come.

[Victoria Colotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a rare thing when you start reading a book and you feel like you are visiting with old friends. But this is exactly how I felt from the moment I opened Claire Cook’s newest Must Love Dogs book. Though it has been twelve years from the original publishing of the first book, instantly, I was brought back to world of Sarah Hurlihy and John Anderson.

In Must Love Dogs, a new leash on life, Claire has written yet another amazingly real and engaging story that let me escape into Sarah’s world. If you enjoyed the first book, you won’t be able to put down the second.

Now, I will patiently wait for book three to come out to enter the world of Must Love Dogs yet again.

[Ann Mah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Claire Cook's exuberant novels, and this sequel to MUST LOVE DOGS has all her trademark humor -- I laughed out loud several times and found myself rooting for Sarah as she navigated the murky territory of a new relationship. This is the perfect book to bring on a beach vacation or spa weekend -- fun, funny, and fresh.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dialogue was fun. The main character was likable. But the rest of the characters felt like cardboard characters. The vamp trying to steal her boyfriend. The strong silent sexy boyfriend. Her brother's shrill ex-wife. The sexpot Sugar Butt. The conservative father. That left little room for learning something new. Felt more as if I were reading a tv screenplay.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less cheesy, in my opinion, than the first "Must Love Dogs" book. While still a "chick lit" book, "New Leash on Life" remains an enjoyable read with enough dog parts and interesting male characters to keep all readers engaged. Again, better than the first.

2.5 stars

[Dianne]

.99 today

[Helynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second adventure, optimistic divorcee Sarah Hurlihy is back together with John Anderson, but his new greyhound/yorkie mix pup Horatio does not like her, and Sarah and John eventually break up. Sarah, her dad, bossy big sister Carol, brother Michael, who is chasing his estranged wife to her hometown of Savannah, all fly to the Georgia coast with a last-minute reduced-priced vacation package Carol managed to get for them all. They end up at a fancy resort at Hilton Head Island (near Savannah), which, according to the author’s descriptions, sounds absolutely delightful. Dad has a fling with a women called—brace yourself—Sugar Butt. Sarah later unravels a sinister plot against her by a coworker who likes John and wants him for herself. Will John and Sarah reconcile in this book, or must we all move on to the sequel? I won’t tell, but the next few books are on my to-read list, just for a lot of fluffy fun.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that made me laugh out, which can be pretty rare while reading. I think the only other author who can make me laugh like this is Kristin Higgins. Part of the appeal for me when reading C.C. is that she is very close in age to my own and so when she takes trips down memory lane, they are the same paths I have taken in my life. In this book, the one thing that stands out in my mind is the paragraph about Silly Putty. I'm sure many young people now have no idea what silly putty was or how much fun it was to be able to pick up the Sunday comics on your silly putty. I completely enjoyed this book as I have her other books and look forward to reading #3 in this series. I rated it as a 3 but would have made it a 3.5 if GR allowed it.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read the first book of the Must Love Dogs many years ago and enjoyed it immensely but I guess it didn't stick with me too much because when I started reading this one, I found there to be a few details I'd forgotten. This second installment in the series is cute, especially Sarah's interactions with her big, funny family but it felt a little short. I don't mean that it wasn't long enough; I mean that it was incomplete, spending more time on the Hurlihy family than on Sarah and her relationship with John. While it was fun and funny, it felt like Cook was filling space just so that she could turn the story into a longer series. The ending felt tacked on just to make the reader happy.

[ReadaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to check out this second book while trying to avoid the run-up to the presidential election. This was a good distraction that made me laugh out loud a couple times. I needed that.
I could imagine this easily as a follow-on to the first book in the “Must Love Dogs” series. More about Michael and Phoebe. More about all the other family members. And a nice touch of dog too.
Lightweight reading, perfectly enjoyable.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this follow up to the first Must Follow Dogs book (which was turned into a cute film). This book is not so much a romance as a humorous fiction following a large Irish Catholic Boston family and their love lives.

It is a very funny book and the humor and the family take the lead over the main character's love life. I really enjoyed it and was pleased to discover it on the Audible Plus catalog.

[Debbie Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this second book in the Must Love Dogs series. Not as good as the first, but that's pretty much what happens with most sequels. I love how Claire decided to self-publish the series on her own after traditionally publishing the first book. I can't wait to start book #3! This series should take me through much of the summer...

[Heli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hurlihy family is back! Sarah and John are getting to know each other better. Their happiness is overshadowed only by John's puppy Horatio, who does not seem to like Sarah. This book is a light and fun read, and the Hurlihy family trip to Savannah was absolutely hilarious. Just what I needed after a couple of gloomier reads.

[Jill Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a few months before entering this review. This book was so forgettable to me that even after reading the whole synopsis, I was still only vaguely sure that I had listened to it. But I did, and I moderately enjoyed it while listening, but then (obviously) promptly forgot about it.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book and the movie. Typical Hallmark romance with a cute dog tie in. This one didn't hold my interest as well. The humor was there but the characters felt a bit fake. I will try another in the series.

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little better than the first book, but not as funny as I’d hoped.

[Andrea Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun audiobook to listen to.

[Simonew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Fun, light and made me laugh. And I loved the scene at the beginning of the book with the "Growing Up Skipper" doll. My sister had that same doll when we were growing up :)

[Guy's Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Antics

This crazy family is at it again. With middle of the night plane rides to online dating, you never know what’s next. Great narration.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t like how she needs to apologize

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this 2nd book to Must Love Dogs. (I watch the Must Love Dogs movie all the time!)
This is the continuation of Sarah & John's story. It shows them in their six month of dating happiness. Their relationship is put on hold because Sarah's brother, Michael, and his dog, Mother Teresa, are staying at Sarah's house. Michael and his wife are having troubles. And Sarah is having problems with John's new puppy, Horatio.
Sarah is trying to do her sisterly thing and hopefully get Michael on his way before the strain of him staying in her house puts her back on the market. John is hoping that his puppy and his love will be able to work together to come upon a happy ending. There is also Sarah's big sister, Carol, who is bossy and wanting her Dad and brother to start dating again.
I really enjoyed this second part to the first book. It is nice to be with the whole family again, and see what they have been up to. The Dad is still as in to dating as he was before. He even trades in his old Smith Corona typewriter and gets a laptop. He finds and makes a date with a woman named Sugar Butt!!!
I think this is a laugh out loud book, with plenty of funny moments mixed in with the heartwarming ones. I recommend it!

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to love Claire Cook – (a given) . . . she is like an energized bunny who keeps on ticking! She is back with a bang with Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life #2. Loved the first book and the movie, and the much loved characters, are back for another round!

Claire does not miss a beat with her sense of humor with the Hurlihy family in rare form. After Sarah’s divorce, Sarah and John are moving forward in bliss until Sarah’s brother Michael and his dog are staying with her and of course John’s new puppy hates Sarah.

Michael and Phoebe – oh, Sarah hopes to get them back to together soon in order to get back to her life and sense of normality. Carol, Sarah’s sister has other plans. Meanwhile Phoebe packs up their daughters and heads to Savannah and Michael follows, with the Hurlihy family close behind to cheer them on.

Claire has the inside scoop on family, relationships, and siblings, which will keep you laughing until the end. It was fun to catch up with characters from the past and if you loved the first one, you will love #2 even more. Looking forward to round 3!

[Marta Moran Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Cook, newest book, Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life (Volume 2) claimed my heart. I found myself at times laughing out loud and at others squirming over the latest escapade Sarah would find herself in.

As Sarah’s summer unfolds she tries to juggle a new love, a butterfly debacle, problems with her new boyfriend’s dog, a new and different type of teaching job, and a madcap family situation, a reader is drawn into her story. I guarantee this book will make you recognize some of your own growing pangs as a youth and learn to laugh at life.

Claire Cook, has the rare ability to write a novel that is both true in its portrayal of humanity and relationships, while including intriguing twists and drawing a reader into her characters’ lives and the plot of the book.

Ms. Cook has rapidly become a favorite author of mine. While I have in the past seldom ventured into such lighthearted and subtly messaged books as are a Claire Cook trademark, I have found her books to be both wonderfully written and a joy to read.

Highly Recommended.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Claire Cook's books and this one was very good also. Sarah's relationships with her family, her boyfriend, her co-workers are all very life-like, very plausible. The story of Sarah and her boyfriend trying to work things through against the odds, in this case against Horatio's intense dislike of Sarah, is a good example of the work that a real relationship takes to last a long time. The family relationships have a lot to do with who we are and Sarah's family is a major part of who she is. This was a very good story and I can't wait to read more of Claire Cook's books!