The Dog Walker

by R a Stone

Rex has spent his entire adult life running from the shadow of his stepfather — a womanizing,
manipulative man who treated relationships like a game to be won. Now with a successful career
in the Navy and his own firm moral code, Rex tells himself he's nothing like the man who raised
him. He's better than that. He has to be.
But as Rex navigates the complex world of modern dating, analyzing every interaction and
female behavior pattern like tactical data, he begins to see uncomfortable parallels. From married
women to single mothers, fellow sailors, and bachelor party strippers, each relationship forces
him to question whether his calculated approach to romance is really so different from Jon's
manipulations.

In this groundbreaking exploration of contemporary romance from a male perspective, R A
Stone delivers a brutally honest examination of love, self-deception, and the patterns we
create — both to find connection and to avoid it.

With sharp wit and brutal honesty, The Dog Walker challenges our assumptions about
relationships while asking profound questions about authenticity, vulnerability, and the stories
we tell ourselves about love.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2025

Reviews

[Kristin McTiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obviously not the target audience for The Dog Walker, but something about "It's like a Jane Austen book for men" made me want to read it, and I've never been so glad to try something new.

Funny, heartbreaking, and frustrating, Rex's adventures in dating, the military, and weird "frenemy" dynamic with his roommate kept me turning pages until it was done. Absolutely loved it!

[David Maywald · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will find The Dog Walker by R. A. Stone in the "Contemporary Men’s Fiction" section of your favourite book shop – only joking, there's no such section... You can order it from Amazon, or from a few limited online retailers (such as Booktopia or Kobo). And I highly recommend that you do, because it's relatable to men of many ages. It's a bloody great page turner, that will keep both your head and heart in the game for the entire book. Racy in many parts and hugely entertaining, while also having a warm side that men can embrace. This novel is quietly profound with a blend of romance, introspection, and human connection that builds to an uplifting narrative. At its centre, the book celebrates the quiet strength and emotional depth of men, offering a refreshingly positive portrayal of masculinity. Through the protagonist’s journey (which is anchored in everyday encounters and personal growth) Stone explores how men can be both strong and tender, responsible yet vulnerable. The story also affirms the value of healthy heterosexual relationships, showing how mutual respect, emotional honesty, and shared values can form the foundation of lasting love. The writing does have a bunch of spelling mistakes, which in no way detract from the fun and exciting narrative. Thoughtful and heartfelt, The Dog Walker is a gentle but powerful reminder of the richness that comes from genuine human connection - and the quiet heroism found in ordinary lives.

[Eric Raber · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book!

Every guy should read this! It puts things in perspective. In the end he finally gets the duvet cover… LOL

[Brent Matley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dog Walker by Rian Stone was a blast to read from start to finish!
It's so refreshing to read a book from a man's perspective as Rex goes on a journey of self-discovery as he reflects on the women he has entertained throughout his life.

Rex is a complex character with a complex history - what I loved about this book was that we get to see the inner workings of a man's psyche from an actual male writer. The majority of books these days are written by women and how they think a man operates - and to be blunt - many of them have no idea, just like how men can have no idea about the inner machinations of a woman's mind. But here is the bigger picture: the balance is skewed.

Like I said in my opening paragraph - it's so refreshing to read a book like this. I could relate to the journey Rex went through. I don't want to spoil the book and discussing the themes within the book would spoil it.

As a man you can really learn a life lesson from this book, especially as a younger man.
I thought 2025 was over but this book has taken the top spot for my favourite read of the year!

[Tom Gold · Rating 2 out of 5]

sometimes funny, most of the time boring. tbh i did not care all to much about any of the characters after the third chapter, Everything felt the same with small Nuances in different ways ob how the main character learns Something or nothing about his search of his new duvet