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Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About
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Expected 28 Apr 26From the social media superstar behind @SimonSits, Isabel Klee—known for her heartwarming tales of dog rescue—comes an utterly winning memoir about a twentysomething woman’s search for true love in New York City and the dogs who helped her find it.
A Jersey girl by birth, Isabel Klee had always wanted to live in New York City. At age 20, she got her chance, ditching her college upstate and moving into a grungy basement apartment in Manhattan. Dog-obsessed since childhood, her first post-grad job was becoming an assistant to a dog photographer, and something clicked into place: a career focused on helping dogs was the new dream.
Isabel quickly found a passion for rehabilitating rescue dogs and helping them get adopted. At the same time, she was caught up in a whirlwind of friendships, parties, fickle boyfriends and grand romances, which she recounts in honest, tender, and sometimes devastating chapters about the search for love and belonging.
Isabel’s first true love, though, was Simon, a fluffy puppy who’d been saved from the meat trade. As the highs and lows of her twenties hit Isabel in wave after wave, it was Simon who kept her grounded. Together, Isabel and Simon created a community of dog-lovers and a tight-knit group of friends pursuing their dreams.
In this honest and moving memoir, Isabel weaves together the stories of her foster dogs—and the challenges she helped them overcome—with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions, and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending not only for the rescue pups, but for Isabel herself.
A Jersey girl by birth, Isabel Klee had always wanted to live in New York City. At age 20, she got her chance, ditching her college upstate and moving into a grungy basement apartment in Manhattan. Dog-obsessed since childhood, her first post-grad job was becoming an assistant to a dog photographer, and something clicked into place: a career focused on helping dogs was the new dream.
Isabel quickly found a passion for rehabilitating rescue dogs and helping them get adopted. At the same time, she was caught up in a whirlwind of friendships, parties, fickle boyfriends and grand romances, which she recounts in honest, tender, and sometimes devastating chapters about the search for love and belonging.
Isabel’s first true love, though, was Simon, a fluffy puppy who’d been saved from the meat trade. As the highs and lows of her twenties hit Isabel in wave after wave, it was Simon who kept her grounded. Together, Isabel and Simon created a community of dog-lovers and a tight-knit group of friends pursuing their dreams.
In this honest and moving memoir, Isabel weaves together the stories of her foster dogs—and the challenges she helped them overcome—with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions, and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending not only for the rescue pups, but for Isabel herself.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 28, 2026
66 people are currently reading
9658 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Klee
1 book56 followersIsabel Klee is a writer and content creator. She documents her experiences rehabilitating dogs on social media through her writing and storytelling. She lives in Brooklyn with her fiancé, Jacob, her dog, Simon, and a rotating cast of foster dogs.
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2026-releases
October 22, 2025the cover alone has me crying... LIKEEE what do you mean tiki is on it 🥺🥺🥺... it's really over for me (positively)
December 10, 2025
I’ve been following Isabel on TikTok for a while now and completely fell in love with the stories of all her fosters. I’ve loved watching each dog find their forever home and I’ve admired everything she does for them. This book was no different.
I was so excited to be approved for an ARC and I ended up finishing it in a day. This memoir is beautiful, heartbreaking, and full of so much strength. Isabel takes us through her young adulthood in New York City as she navigates friendships, relationships, and the messy, confusing parts of figuring out who you are, all while changing the lives of dogs in need. I loved how Isabel’s writing shows the way dogs anchor us when everything else feels unsteady. How they’re a constant when it feels like the world around us is falling apart.
My only tiny quip was the format in a few places. The timeline jumped around in a couple of places which briefly threw me off but it took nothing away from my experience or my five star rating.
As someone who loves dogs and works with them every day, Isabel’s story was very touching and it was an honor to read this memoir before it officially enters the world. I admire Isabel and everyone like her so much for the work they do.
I was so excited to be approved for an ARC and I ended up finishing it in a day. This memoir is beautiful, heartbreaking, and full of so much strength. Isabel takes us through her young adulthood in New York City as she navigates friendships, relationships, and the messy, confusing parts of figuring out who you are, all while changing the lives of dogs in need. I loved how Isabel’s writing shows the way dogs anchor us when everything else feels unsteady. How they’re a constant when it feels like the world around us is falling apart.
My only tiny quip was the format in a few places. The timeline jumped around in a couple of places which briefly threw me off but it took nothing away from my experience or my five star rating.
As someone who loves dogs and works with them every day, Isabel’s story was very touching and it was an honor to read this memoir before it officially enters the world. I admire Isabel and everyone like her so much for the work they do.
November 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for an early edition in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up this book because of its beautiful cover and irresistible title, but what kept me turning the pages, and brought me to tears (more than once!), was Isabel Klee’s heartfelt story.
Having recently lost my family dog, Harper, her reflections on the profound impact dogs have on our lives hit incredibly close to home. Isabel’s experiences with Simon and her many foster pups made my heart swoon, break, and swell with joy as they found healing and new homes. As someone close in age to Isabel and also living in New York City, her stories about friendship, love, and navigating the city in your twenties felt strikingly familiar and deeply comforting.
This memoir is a reminder of how dogs steady us through life’s chaos and how love, whether from a pet, a partner, or a friend - shapes who we become. Brava, Isabel. You’ve gained a new fan! And on a personal note: I’ll be running the 2026 NYC Marathon with PAWS, in honor of Harper and all our beloved fur babies! 🐶🐕🐾❤️
I picked up this book because of its beautiful cover and irresistible title, but what kept me turning the pages, and brought me to tears (more than once!), was Isabel Klee’s heartfelt story.
Having recently lost my family dog, Harper, her reflections on the profound impact dogs have on our lives hit incredibly close to home. Isabel’s experiences with Simon and her many foster pups made my heart swoon, break, and swell with joy as they found healing and new homes. As someone close in age to Isabel and also living in New York City, her stories about friendship, love, and navigating the city in your twenties felt strikingly familiar and deeply comforting.
This memoir is a reminder of how dogs steady us through life’s chaos and how love, whether from a pet, a partner, or a friend - shapes who we become. Brava, Isabel. You’ve gained a new fan! And on a personal note: I’ll be running the 2026 NYC Marathon with PAWS, in honor of Harper and all our beloved fur babies! 🐶🐕🐾❤️
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March 12, 2026Like many other people on the internet, I fell in love with Tiki the second Isabel shared him on her TikTok. But it was actually Simon's journey that captured my heart the most. I have my own dog with lightning in his brain. My family's journey with our dog Kota closely resembles what Isabel has shared of her experience with Simon. Dozens of pills at specific times, clusters of seizures that break through regardless, blood tests to see if the pills that he needs to survive are putting too much strain on his liver, and so much more. To see another dog with such a similar experience, to see him live such a full life with so much love and joy, resonates deeply with me. It has always made the videos that Isabel shares about Simon and his many foster siblings feel that much more personal. I was incredibly grateful to be able to read an early copy of this. It was lovely to be able to hear Isabel share her journey with us via audiobook.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About was a touching memoir. Though there were more boys and fewer dogs than I expected, this is a beautiful exploration of love, growth, change, and the unique role that dogs play in our lives. Love, in its many forms, ties every moment of Isabel's story together. She perfectly captures what it feels like to be loved, wholly and unconditionally, by a dog.
There is so much vulnerability and care in the way that Isabel shares her journey of self-discovery. The anxiety and loneliness that come with growing into yourself. My mom and I cried many times listening to this book and hugged our dogs extra tight.
I do not rate non-fiction reads.
Thank you so much, William Morrow, for the ALC.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About was a touching memoir. Though there were more boys and fewer dogs than I expected, this is a beautiful exploration of love, growth, change, and the unique role that dogs play in our lives. Love, in its many forms, ties every moment of Isabel's story together. She perfectly captures what it feels like to be loved, wholly and unconditionally, by a dog.
There is so much vulnerability and care in the way that Isabel shares her journey of self-discovery. The anxiety and loneliness that come with growing into yourself. My mom and I cried many times listening to this book and hugged our dogs extra tight.
I do not rate non-fiction reads.
Thank you so much, William Morrow, for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for providing an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
"When you lose a dog it's impossible to imagine ever loving again, but then one day you stumble across another dog who needs you and it just makes sense [...] they were going into it knowing how much it would hurt one day and doing it anyway because the loss is excruciating, there's no way around it but the in between is pure magic."
This review is extremely biased and coming from a place of loving dogs and experiencing the grief you feel when they pass away. I have been doing volunteer in a dog shelter for almost ten years. The most informative years of my life have been shaped by my love and dedication for all the dogs I had the pelasure of meeting, the joy and tears of seeing them go to their forever homes, the happiness of spending time with them and the heartbreak and grief that inevitably comes when they pass, specially without having their one family and the rage of seeing some of the worstside of humanity. In that time I have adopted three dogs (that joined my already adopted dog) and I had the highest honour of meeting my soul dog or heart dog whatever you want to call it. Lara was the most special and sweet thing in the world, she liked exactly 5 people in the world and I was (as I like to think, and with some strong proof) her favourite person, my biggest regret is that people will never actually know how sweet and silly she was due to her fears, how perfect she was in adapting to every single dog, how she was the best sister to my other two dogs, how she followed me everywhere and was so in tune with my emotions, how for many days they were the only reason I got out of bed. She was my whole world and will forever be my biggest joy and heartbreak. All that to say that I felt this book on a visceral level, it touched me and made me sob, but also reminded me that at the end of the day setting myself up for heartbreak is the best decision to make.
I have followed Isabel on social media for almost a year and I find her work so inspiring, logically fostering is absolutely wonderful I would like to think that someday I will be brave enough to do it. This book is also more that just about her journey with fostering and Simon and also about friendship, family, dating, being vulnerable and I found it extremely insightful.
Isabel is the narrator of the audiobook which I love for memoirs and you could definitely feel the emotion. I had a wonderful time with this book even when I was just lying in bed listening to it and found it hard to breathe because of my tears
"When you lose a dog it's impossible to imagine ever loving again, but then one day you stumble across another dog who needs you and it just makes sense [...] they were going into it knowing how much it would hurt one day and doing it anyway because the loss is excruciating, there's no way around it but the in between is pure magic."
This review is extremely biased and coming from a place of loving dogs and experiencing the grief you feel when they pass away. I have been doing volunteer in a dog shelter for almost ten years. The most informative years of my life have been shaped by my love and dedication for all the dogs I had the pelasure of meeting, the joy and tears of seeing them go to their forever homes, the happiness of spending time with them and the heartbreak and grief that inevitably comes when they pass, specially without having their one family and the rage of seeing some of the worstside of humanity. In that time I have adopted three dogs (that joined my already adopted dog) and I had the highest honour of meeting my soul dog or heart dog whatever you want to call it. Lara was the most special and sweet thing in the world, she liked exactly 5 people in the world and I was (as I like to think, and with some strong proof) her favourite person, my biggest regret is that people will never actually know how sweet and silly she was due to her fears, how perfect she was in adapting to every single dog, how she was the best sister to my other two dogs, how she followed me everywhere and was so in tune with my emotions, how for many days they were the only reason I got out of bed. She was my whole world and will forever be my biggest joy and heartbreak. All that to say that I felt this book on a visceral level, it touched me and made me sob, but also reminded me that at the end of the day setting myself up for heartbreak is the best decision to make.
I have followed Isabel on social media for almost a year and I find her work so inspiring, logically fostering is absolutely wonderful I would like to think that someday I will be brave enough to do it. This book is also more that just about her journey with fostering and Simon and also about friendship, family, dating, being vulnerable and I found it extremely insightful.
Isabel is the narrator of the audiobook which I love for memoirs and you could definitely feel the emotion. I had a wonderful time with this book even when I was just lying in bed listening to it and found it hard to breathe because of my tears
January 23, 2026
“That’s the magic of dogs: The simple, unrelenting magic is that they don’t even have to try. They heal just by existing, reminding us to live every moment to the fullest. Because what is life other than taking long walks, eating good food, and spending time with the people you love most?” ❤️
One of my favorites from 2025! This book is for people who love dogs, people who have lost dogs, and people who are figuring out their purpose in the world. Isabel Klee seamlessly tells her story intermixed with lessons learned from fostering dogs and my heart felt like it was being squeezed and I had tears on my face through each chapter (both in a good way). I will be purchasing a copy for myself when it is released, and I’m also interested in the audiobook which Isabel will be narrating.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
One of my favorites from 2025! This book is for people who love dogs, people who have lost dogs, and people who are figuring out their purpose in the world. Isabel Klee seamlessly tells her story intermixed with lessons learned from fostering dogs and my heart felt like it was being squeezed and I had tears on my face through each chapter (both in a good way). I will be purchasing a copy for myself when it is released, and I’m also interested in the audiobook which Isabel will be narrating.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 25, 2026
I was very excited to get this ARC — I’ve been following Isabel’s journey in dog rescue for years and really enjoy her content.
Overall, I found this book to be pretty uneven. She writes well about the dogs that have shaped her life and I found those parts moving. The romance felt kind of shoe horned in and the writing about relationships just felt young and immature.
Overall, I think this book will appeal to readers who know and love Isabel and Simon. Maybe I’m just a little too old to be charmed by her love stories. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Overall, I found this book to be pretty uneven. She writes well about the dogs that have shaped her life and I found those parts moving. The romance felt kind of shoe horned in and the writing about relationships just felt young and immature.
Overall, I think this book will appeal to readers who know and love Isabel and Simon. Maybe I’m just a little too old to be charmed by her love stories. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded up!
i absolutely adored this book. i've been following isabel for years now and i have always been so moved by her words and knew when she announced a book that it was going to really touch me, and it definitely did. this book really felt like i was talking to a friend and i could not put it down. my 20s were completely different from isabel's but i still connected deeply with the stories and feelings she shared, especially because i have worked in the animal rescue world and am also a foster mom for cats. i really loved how each chapter was able to connect a story from a past relationship to a story of one of her foster dogs and was able to show how deeply connected emotions of grief, love, and growth are. there were so many chapters where i couldn't help but cry my eyes out.
truly my only "issue" with the book was how the timelines jumped around between chapters. the past and present timelines in the specific chapters didn't confuse me, it was more how one chapter would take place a year or two before the previous chapter. but other than that, truly an amazing read and i really hope isabel continues to write because she really has such a beautiful way with words and stories.
thank you to netgalley for the arc!
i absolutely adored this book. i've been following isabel for years now and i have always been so moved by her words and knew when she announced a book that it was going to really touch me, and it definitely did. this book really felt like i was talking to a friend and i could not put it down. my 20s were completely different from isabel's but i still connected deeply with the stories and feelings she shared, especially because i have worked in the animal rescue world and am also a foster mom for cats. i really loved how each chapter was able to connect a story from a past relationship to a story of one of her foster dogs and was able to show how deeply connected emotions of grief, love, and growth are. there were so many chapters where i couldn't help but cry my eyes out.
truly my only "issue" with the book was how the timelines jumped around between chapters. the past and present timelines in the specific chapters didn't confuse me, it was more how one chapter would take place a year or two before the previous chapter. but other than that, truly an amazing read and i really hope isabel continues to write because she really has such a beautiful way with words and stories.
thank you to netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've followed Isabel on social media for awhile, falling in love with her foster dogs along with the rest of the Internet so obviously I had to read her memoir.
I loved getting to see how Isabel got involved in fostering dogs and what each one taught her about life. I figured I would enjoy her memoir but I didn't know I would love it, and though I'm not really a crier, I found myself ugly crying at several points reading about all the "undesirable" dogs she's saved over the years, who as it turns out, just needed a little love.
Dogs are truly magical creatures that can teach us so much and give back so much of themselves. If you've ever loved a dog, cried over a dog, or wanted to know more about rescuing dogs, this is a book for you.
I received an advanced reading copy on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved getting to see how Isabel got involved in fostering dogs and what each one taught her about life. I figured I would enjoy her memoir but I didn't know I would love it, and though I'm not really a crier, I found myself ugly crying at several points reading about all the "undesirable" dogs she's saved over the years, who as it turns out, just needed a little love.
Dogs are truly magical creatures that can teach us so much and give back so much of themselves. If you've ever loved a dog, cried over a dog, or wanted to know more about rescuing dogs, this is a book for you.
I received an advanced reading copy on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 28, 2025
I've followed Isabel's foster journey for a while, so I was stoked to get an ARC of her book. I'm stingy with my 5-star ratings. A book really has to make me feel or think deeply. But this one had me crying before I'd even finished the intro. Isabel is a rare kind of person who is inspirational while being extremely relatable. Her memoir will make you grateful for the losses that brought you to where you are. It will make you want to foster and adopt dogs. It will make you call your oldest friends and swear to never lose touch.
It's a light, easy read with simple lessons that remind me that growth is often small. Success doesn't need to be profound to be intensely meaningful.
It's a light, easy read with simple lessons that remind me that growth is often small. Success doesn't need to be profound to be intensely meaningful.
November 29, 2025
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC!*
I found Isabel through her instagram account simonsits, and it’s one of my favorite follows. I was thrilled to get her first book because one of the reasons her social media is so great is that she is a very compelling storyteller. Her memoir chronicles her young adulthood, navigating relationships finding her place in the world (namely NYC which is basically another character), interspersed with stories of dogs she’s fostered. The format threw me a couple of times, but overall this was a really lovely read, cozy without being cloying. Isabel is a strong writer and really brings both the people and the dogs in her book to life. Her big heart shines through!
I found Isabel through her instagram account simonsits, and it’s one of my favorite follows. I was thrilled to get her first book because one of the reasons her social media is so great is that she is a very compelling storyteller. Her memoir chronicles her young adulthood, navigating relationships finding her place in the world (namely NYC which is basically another character), interspersed with stories of dogs she’s fostered. The format threw me a couple of times, but overall this was a really lovely read, cozy without being cloying. Isabel is a strong writer and really brings both the people and the dogs in her book to life. Her big heart shines through!
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January 19, 2026No star rating, as I don’t love rating memoirs like that. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced copy for review.
Publication date: April 28, 2026
As someone who has really enjoyed keeping up with her TikTok updates on her foster dogs, I was so excited when I found out that Isabel Klee had written a memoir. Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About is a heartfelt exploration of the lessons she learned in her 20s. It covers the messy relationships, breakups, growing pains, and poor decisions made after moving to New York City. But to balance it out, it also covers the lifelong friendships she formed with roommates, getting a job as a dog photographer’s assistant, and the beautiful things she learned from her various foster dogs through the years. These chapters of her life are told through little vignettes that make this book completely addictive and easily devoured. Easy to pick up and hard to put down, I found myself staying up past my bedtime each night to read it. Think Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, but with dogs and a little less humor.
While I found the some of the segments about the “boys” to be a bit cheesy (this is probably just a personal issue, as reading romance tends to make me squirm a bit), the parts about the dogs both warmed and broke my heart. Not normally a very emotional reader, certain chapters of this book had me sobbing. I mean, I was ugly crying in my living room late at night, my kindle in one hand and hugging my dog with the other (which she so graciously allowed me to do, despite her clear annoyance since she was trying to sleep).
However, like I said, this doesn’t only explore dating and dogs. At its core, it is equal parts a love letter to New York City and a coming-of-age story. It’s a story of female friendship, family, finding yourself, and the great transition of girlhood into womanhood.
Simply put, if you’re as obsessed with dogs as I am (or just love tales about figuring things out in your 20s), you’re going to love this book. Touching on the importance of childhood family dogs, the dogs that help us navigate our 20s, and even the dogs that enter our worlds for shorter periods of time, there’s a little something for everyone. It really highlights what these little creatures bring to our lives and what they can teach us, if only we are willing to listen.
Also, if you haven’t already been following Isabel and know what these foster dogs look like, I highly advise finding photos of them on her social media as you read the book. Seeing their precious faces really enhances the experience.
Publication date: April 28, 2026
As someone who has really enjoyed keeping up with her TikTok updates on her foster dogs, I was so excited when I found out that Isabel Klee had written a memoir. Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About is a heartfelt exploration of the lessons she learned in her 20s. It covers the messy relationships, breakups, growing pains, and poor decisions made after moving to New York City. But to balance it out, it also covers the lifelong friendships she formed with roommates, getting a job as a dog photographer’s assistant, and the beautiful things she learned from her various foster dogs through the years. These chapters of her life are told through little vignettes that make this book completely addictive and easily devoured. Easy to pick up and hard to put down, I found myself staying up past my bedtime each night to read it. Think Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, but with dogs and a little less humor.
While I found the some of the segments about the “boys” to be a bit cheesy (this is probably just a personal issue, as reading romance tends to make me squirm a bit), the parts about the dogs both warmed and broke my heart. Not normally a very emotional reader, certain chapters of this book had me sobbing. I mean, I was ugly crying in my living room late at night, my kindle in one hand and hugging my dog with the other (which she so graciously allowed me to do, despite her clear annoyance since she was trying to sleep).
However, like I said, this doesn’t only explore dating and dogs. At its core, it is equal parts a love letter to New York City and a coming-of-age story. It’s a story of female friendship, family, finding yourself, and the great transition of girlhood into womanhood.
Simply put, if you’re as obsessed with dogs as I am (or just love tales about figuring things out in your 20s), you’re going to love this book. Touching on the importance of childhood family dogs, the dogs that help us navigate our 20s, and even the dogs that enter our worlds for shorter periods of time, there’s a little something for everyone. It really highlights what these little creatures bring to our lives and what they can teach us, if only we are willing to listen.
Also, if you haven’t already been following Isabel and know what these foster dogs look like, I highly advise finding photos of them on her social media as you read the book. Seeing their precious faces really enhances the experience.
January 8, 2026
As a long follower of Isabel I screamed and immediately preordered her book when she announced it. Somehow I got lucky enough to get an ARC from NetGalley and for that I am forever thankful.
There are certain books you read that make you feel so deeply, you worry you’ll never get to experience that feeling again. As I sobbed my way through this dedication, thinking of my own dog, I knew this would be one of those books for me.
Throughout her twenties, Isabel experiences a lot of growth and change as she navigates the addictive chaos of NYC. At the center of all, there is only one constant. Dogs. As Isabel chronicles the different phases of her life, she weaves in stories of her foster dogs and relates her journey to theirs. We get to see how fostering shaped Isabel’s life and how Simon has been there with her every step of the way.
This memoir is incredible. It is clear that Isabel has a unique gift for writing and storytelling. Her voice is so real and she is so vulnerable that I felt like I was experiencing all of her loves and losses with her. I cannot even begin to count the amount of times I cried while reading this.
I think one of the most beautiful things about this is that anyone can relate to it, especially dog lovers. This is easily my favorite memoir I have ever read and now ranks among my favorite books of all time. I know I will be gifting this to everyone I know when it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are certain books you read that make you feel so deeply, you worry you’ll never get to experience that feeling again. As I sobbed my way through this dedication, thinking of my own dog, I knew this would be one of those books for me.
Throughout her twenties, Isabel experiences a lot of growth and change as she navigates the addictive chaos of NYC. At the center of all, there is only one constant. Dogs. As Isabel chronicles the different phases of her life, she weaves in stories of her foster dogs and relates her journey to theirs. We get to see how fostering shaped Isabel’s life and how Simon has been there with her every step of the way.
This memoir is incredible. It is clear that Isabel has a unique gift for writing and storytelling. Her voice is so real and she is so vulnerable that I felt like I was experiencing all of her loves and losses with her. I cannot even begin to count the amount of times I cried while reading this.
I think one of the most beautiful things about this is that anyone can relate to it, especially dog lovers. This is easily my favorite memoir I have ever read and now ranks among my favorite books of all time. I know I will be gifting this to everyone I know when it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2026
I will be honest, it is difficult for me to approach this book with objectivity. I have been a longtime fan of Isabel Klee, and I find all that she does to be truly inspiring.
As someone who has an incredibly challenging dog with strong behavioural issues, she provides me with so much hope that with love and patience there is a possibility for a hopeful future for him. And not just one that’s easier for me but also a world where he knows the peace he deserves.
I received an ARC of this as an audiobook and truly, it is such a perfect way to go on this journey of Isabel’s life. Her voice has the ability to both soothe and invoke emotion (re: frequent messy crocodile tears).
It’s hard to pick up a book that’s marketed as a memoir knowing the author is barely out of her 20s. She’s hardly lived you tell yourself, how wise, insightful, and heartbreaking could her accumulated life’s history really be?
Well, and I’m being honest, it’s all of those things and more. I’m not pandering! I swear.
This book feels like it’s a story being told between girlfriends over a crisp glass of rosé on a warm sunny day. The prose is always thoughtful and intentional and the emotion Isabel invokes from her readers is earned organically.
Personally, I wish we got to dive into Tiki’s story in greater detail, but as a complaint it’s incredibly trivial. Isabel is more than the dogs she fosters, she’s a person who has loved and lost, succeeded and erred. She shows readers it’s ok to not know what you’re doing and to make the hard choice for reasons you don’t understand, to put yourself first and to be brave when it feels impossible.
I truly am so thankful for the experience of getting to read this book for the first time.
As someone who has an incredibly challenging dog with strong behavioural issues, she provides me with so much hope that with love and patience there is a possibility for a hopeful future for him. And not just one that’s easier for me but also a world where he knows the peace he deserves.
I received an ARC of this as an audiobook and truly, it is such a perfect way to go on this journey of Isabel’s life. Her voice has the ability to both soothe and invoke emotion (re: frequent messy crocodile tears).
It’s hard to pick up a book that’s marketed as a memoir knowing the author is barely out of her 20s. She’s hardly lived you tell yourself, how wise, insightful, and heartbreaking could her accumulated life’s history really be?
Well, and I’m being honest, it’s all of those things and more. I’m not pandering! I swear.
This book feels like it’s a story being told between girlfriends over a crisp glass of rosé on a warm sunny day. The prose is always thoughtful and intentional and the emotion Isabel invokes from her readers is earned organically.
Personally, I wish we got to dive into Tiki’s story in greater detail, but as a complaint it’s incredibly trivial. Isabel is more than the dogs she fosters, she’s a person who has loved and lost, succeeded and erred. She shows readers it’s ok to not know what you’re doing and to make the hard choice for reasons you don’t understand, to put yourself first and to be brave when it feels impossible.
I truly am so thankful for the experience of getting to read this book for the first time.
February 25, 2026
"That's the way life went sometimes. You suffer and you heal and you love. You find people who have been waiting their whole lives to meet you. You soak in every moment you can, taking in every drop of joy life gifts you. You live and you live until you can't anymore."
I knew from the dedication that this book was going to tear my heart in two and stitch it back up again. I'd never highlighted a dedication before, but reading "For the dog you got in your twenties..." while cuddling with the dog you got in your twenties, you just know you're going to relate. Despite us living very different lives in very different places, I was shocked by all the ways I saw myself in Isabel's life.
When I tried to think of how to sum up this story, all I could think was: This book was so beautiful. The story itself was beautiful. The prose was so beautifully written. Every part of it made me feel something in the most beautiful way.
Isabel Klee writes about her twenties living in NYC, saving dogs, loving boys, and discovering herself. The story flips around between her love life, her career, and her foster dogs. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved the writing style. Isabel's tone is so calming, consistent, and mature. She is an incredible storyteller. I am especially excited to listen to the audio book version read by Isabel once it comes out in April.
The only thing that took me some getting used to was the timeline jumping around. The main storyline of her life was mostly chronological and was labeled with the season and the year, so I followed that pretty easily; but the parts about her foster dogs seemed to disorient me from the story a bit. Once I got more into the book, this stopped being an issue for me.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About is a heartfelt memoir for anyone who has loved a person or a dog, anyone who has cried at a dog video on the internet, anyone who has loved and lost, anyone who is healing, anyone who has healed, or anyone who has a thing or two to learn from dogs. This is so much more than a book about boys and dogs—it's about living and learning and growing. It's about the ways small things add up over time to become our lives.
I'm so thankful to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for this Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review. The book comes out April 28, and I highly recommend it.
I knew from the dedication that this book was going to tear my heart in two and stitch it back up again. I'd never highlighted a dedication before, but reading "For the dog you got in your twenties..." while cuddling with the dog you got in your twenties, you just know you're going to relate. Despite us living very different lives in very different places, I was shocked by all the ways I saw myself in Isabel's life.
When I tried to think of how to sum up this story, all I could think was: This book was so beautiful. The story itself was beautiful. The prose was so beautifully written. Every part of it made me feel something in the most beautiful way.
Isabel Klee writes about her twenties living in NYC, saving dogs, loving boys, and discovering herself. The story flips around between her love life, her career, and her foster dogs. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved the writing style. Isabel's tone is so calming, consistent, and mature. She is an incredible storyteller. I am especially excited to listen to the audio book version read by Isabel once it comes out in April.
The only thing that took me some getting used to was the timeline jumping around. The main storyline of her life was mostly chronological and was labeled with the season and the year, so I followed that pretty easily; but the parts about her foster dogs seemed to disorient me from the story a bit. Once I got more into the book, this stopped being an issue for me.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About is a heartfelt memoir for anyone who has loved a person or a dog, anyone who has cried at a dog video on the internet, anyone who has loved and lost, anyone who is healing, anyone who has healed, or anyone who has a thing or two to learn from dogs. This is so much more than a book about boys and dogs—it's about living and learning and growing. It's about the ways small things add up over time to become our lives.
I'm so thankful to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for this Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review. The book comes out April 28, and I highly recommend it.
January 11, 2026
This was so, so good. I usually don’t read memoir but I do love Isabel and Simon so I dropped everything when my arc request was approved. I usually don’t rate memoirs on the rare occasion that I read them, but this was too enjoyable and sincere to not give 5 stars from a self-proclaimed memoir hater.
Isabel has such a sweet way with words. Her writing flows easily, but there is depth to it. The pacing and timelines of various events in her life through these pages were also great. I would love to see more of her writing in the future.
This definitely will break your heart, mend it, then break it a little more. What Isabel does with fostering as many dogs as she does isn’t for the faint of heart. I loved the juxtaposition of the dogs she fostered alongside the men she dated and how they defined different parts of her twenties, all with NYC as the backdrop. There is a lot of honesty here, and it kept my interest the entire time.
I would have loved to seen photos of the dogs mentioned in the book that she fostered throughout her twenties, but that being my only thing close to negative about this book is nothing. Definitely recommend this one when it comes out in April. I saw she is narrating the audiobook so I plan on rereading this via audiobook later this spring upon release.
Isabel has such a sweet way with words. Her writing flows easily, but there is depth to it. The pacing and timelines of various events in her life through these pages were also great. I would love to see more of her writing in the future.
This definitely will break your heart, mend it, then break it a little more. What Isabel does with fostering as many dogs as she does isn’t for the faint of heart. I loved the juxtaposition of the dogs she fostered alongside the men she dated and how they defined different parts of her twenties, all with NYC as the backdrop. There is a lot of honesty here, and it kept my interest the entire time.
I would have loved to seen photos of the dogs mentioned in the book that she fostered throughout her twenties, but that being my only thing close to negative about this book is nothing. Definitely recommend this one when it comes out in April. I saw she is narrating the audiobook so I plan on rereading this via audiobook later this spring upon release.
December 11, 2025
Oh, how I loved this book, as evidenced by the speed at which I devoured it! And yet, it was one of those books that I didn’t want to end. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC. I’m so glad I have this book on pre-order, as I know it’s one I’ll definitely revisit.
So much of Isabel’s story resonated with me, although our lives couldn’t be more different. My two adult daughters live in New York, and are very involved in the Foster community. The themes of navigating young adulthood, formative friendships, love and loss, taking risks and finding yourself were so compelling and made me feel like I was getting a little glimpse into my girls’ experiences. As a lifelong dog lover, I related to so many of Isabel’s feelings and experiences.
Isabel is a gifted writer and storyteller, reflective, vulnerable, and witty. Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About might be my favorite book of 2025!
So much of Isabel’s story resonated with me, although our lives couldn’t be more different. My two adult daughters live in New York, and are very involved in the Foster community. The themes of navigating young adulthood, formative friendships, love and loss, taking risks and finding yourself were so compelling and made me feel like I was getting a little glimpse into my girls’ experiences. As a lifelong dog lover, I related to so many of Isabel’s feelings and experiences.
Isabel is a gifted writer and storyteller, reflective, vulnerable, and witty. Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About might be my favorite book of 2025!
March 10, 2026
Isabel Klee you will always be famous!!!! I read the entirety of this on a plane without really thinking about it beforehand and then literally had to get up mid-flight to get tissues from the bathroom because I was crying so hard. Such a beautiful love letter to growing up, learning who you are, the highs and lows of fostering. I knew I would love this because I love Isabel’s content, but I think people could get a lot out of this regardless of their familiarity with her. The writing is so good and you really root for young Isabel. The work she does in the rescue space is so important and not to brag, but I followed her pre-Tiki.
If you liked Poets Square, you’ll also enjoy this as it has a similar cadence/structure. Can’t wait for this one to be published so I can listen to Isabel read it!
If you liked Poets Square, you’ll also enjoy this as it has a similar cadence/structure. Can’t wait for this one to be published so I can listen to Isabel read it!
March 17, 2026
This is a little different from what I usually read! But I’ve followed Isabel and Simon for a while and love them SO MUCH! So of course I wanted to see if I could get an arc of this one, and I am SO GRATEFUL I did! I’ve already preordered a signed copy, by her and Simon!! And I can’t wait to have it on my shelves!! Dogs are a gift to this world and seeing Isabel do SO MUCH for them makes my heart so incredibly happy.
Isabel is able to capture so much emotion in this entire book. It’s about her life and her heartbreaks and her struggles how being in your 20s is hard and confusing and so weird!!! And throughout all of that she shows us how she’s able to see the JOY in life with the help of her foster dogs. And how Simon changed her life! Simon is quite honestly the sweetest! The whole book was SO BEAUTIFUL!
Also her and Jacob?? Absolute perfection. “At the ends of the earth, it’s still you.” Sir PLEASE!
Thanks so much to William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Isabel is able to capture so much emotion in this entire book. It’s about her life and her heartbreaks and her struggles how being in your 20s is hard and confusing and so weird!!! And throughout all of that she shows us how she’s able to see the JOY in life with the help of her foster dogs. And how Simon changed her life! Simon is quite honestly the sweetest! The whole book was SO BEAUTIFUL!
Also her and Jacob?? Absolute perfection. “At the ends of the earth, it’s still you.” Sir PLEASE!
Thanks so much to William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a beautiful story about a young woman's life with dogs! I loved the focus on girlhood, friends, family, and the relationships that lead us to our person. I also love dogs and cried multiplie times while reading this.
Read
February 9, 2026Fans of “Simon Sits” will love this memoir! Isabel is raw, real, and down right relatable. She was much more open than I was expecting and it was really refreshing.
March 1, 2026
I was so excited to get this ARC as a dog lover and someone who has been following Isabel and Simon for a few years I felt very lucky to get to read her book before it was released.
I laughed and cried the way she writes and details all the events kept me hooked.
Hearing how she got Simon and all her other fosters so many beautiful stories of lows and highs.
I loved it so much
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC ❤️
I laughed and cried the way she writes and details all the events kept me hooked.
Hearing how she got Simon and all her other fosters so many beautiful stories of lows and highs.
I loved it so much
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have never cried so much and so hard throughout a book. and chapter 12?! absolutely wrecked! sobbing in bed.
I've followed Isabel Klee on Instagram since her early days at the dogist and have loved seeing the impact she has had on the animal shelter/foster community. she has mentioned numerous times on socials about her passion for writing but I'll be honest, I did not expect her FIRST book to be this incredible. she finds a way to romanticize her life and loves in a memoir in the most jaw dropping of ways. it's not over done, it's not unbelievable, it's just so raw and beautiful.
my only minor qualm was the jump between more current dog stories and then to previous love stories but I absolutely understood the purpose. it was a bit whiplashy at times. perhaps if I hadn't been a follower of hers for all these years and know about every dog she mentions in this book, it may have flowed more easily for me.
thank you to netgalley for the free early ARC to review ❤️
I've followed Isabel Klee on Instagram since her early days at the dogist and have loved seeing the impact she has had on the animal shelter/foster community. she has mentioned numerous times on socials about her passion for writing but I'll be honest, I did not expect her FIRST book to be this incredible. she finds a way to romanticize her life and loves in a memoir in the most jaw dropping of ways. it's not over done, it's not unbelievable, it's just so raw and beautiful.
my only minor qualm was the jump between more current dog stories and then to previous love stories but I absolutely understood the purpose. it was a bit whiplashy at times. perhaps if I hadn't been a follower of hers for all these years and know about every dog she mentions in this book, it may have flowed more easily for me.
thank you to netgalley for the free early ARC to review ❤️
February 24, 2026
I have found Isabel’s Instagram through her dog videos, especially the rescues that tugged at my heart. I really enjoyed this book and it made me emotional at times. Isabel details her life and growth with heartbreak in her love life, family, and the dogs she saved throughout the years. I was happy to revisit some of the dogs I’ve learned to love alongside her, I wish there were pictures to showcase their progress.
It’s an inspiring, real, raw, and heartfelt memoir. Isabel narrates the book, she’s a natural at public speaking and her voice is just super soothing, no one else could tell her own story.
Thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for the review copies - out on April 28th, 2026.
It’s an inspiring, real, raw, and heartfelt memoir. Isabel narrates the book, she’s a natural at public speaking and her voice is just super soothing, no one else could tell her own story.
Thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for the review copies - out on April 28th, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
I have cried at so many of Isabel's tik toks that I really should have been prepared to cry during this. and cry I did. it wasn't until the chapter about her parents dogs Ruby and Harper and Gus that really brought out the tears for me and talking about grief and the pain we go through to have the love of a dog.
I think this is a fantastic memoir. there are some time jumps that are a little confusing but overall you go through a decade of Isabel's life figuring out how to love boys and how her love can heal dogs.
I've read some other reviews for this and I do think this is one of those books that might require that bit of a parasocial relationship that involves having seen her social media content. it is so much easier to imagine all of these dogs and even her relationship with Jacob because we have seen them. The time jumps are a little confusing and I wish things had gone in a more linear fashion. she kind of inputs foster dogs into her earlier years that didn't happen until later.
I also wish she would have talked about the social media aspect of it as well as talked about how Jacob helped with the fosters. I think the point is that there's some tension and you don't know if she's going to get back together with Jacob but if you've seen any of her tiktoks you know that she does and that they're engaged and so it felt a little bit sad to not give him the credit for any of the fostering that happens during their time together. I love that she credits Simon and how much of a good boy he is and he is just the best dog brother to all of her fosters.
overall though, if you've seen any of her social media content, I do think you will enjoy this book. if you haven't seen it I highly suggest it. she really is an impressive person and a good person. she cares not only about dogs but about people and there is the actions to back that statement up. in my opinion she is what a social media influencer should look like in terms of actions and behavior. and there's no denying the impact she has had on fostering and the attitude towards fostering.
I listened to an audiobook of this but I really hope that there are pictures in the final book. I might go through my earc copy as well and just see if there's any because I think that that would add so much fun and whimsy as she talks about all these dogs to have pictures to go with them. of course a lot of them have been featured on her social so you can go find them but for people who aren't on socials it's fun to see them..
I have cried at so many of Isabel's tik toks that I really should have been prepared to cry during this. and cry I did. it wasn't until the chapter about her parents dogs Ruby and Harper and Gus that really brought out the tears for me and talking about grief and the pain we go through to have the love of a dog.
I think this is a fantastic memoir. there are some time jumps that are a little confusing but overall you go through a decade of Isabel's life figuring out how to love boys and how her love can heal dogs.
I've read some other reviews for this and I do think this is one of those books that might require that bit of a parasocial relationship that involves having seen her social media content. it is so much easier to imagine all of these dogs and even her relationship with Jacob because we have seen them. The time jumps are a little confusing and I wish things had gone in a more linear fashion. she kind of inputs foster dogs into her earlier years that didn't happen until later.
I also wish she would have talked about the social media aspect of it as well as talked about how Jacob helped with the fosters. I think the point is that there's some tension and you don't know if she's going to get back together with Jacob but if you've seen any of her tiktoks you know that she does and that they're engaged and so it felt a little bit sad to not give him the credit for any of the fostering that happens during their time together. I love that she credits Simon and how much of a good boy he is and he is just the best dog brother to all of her fosters.
overall though, if you've seen any of her social media content, I do think you will enjoy this book. if you haven't seen it I highly suggest it. she really is an impressive person and a good person. she cares not only about dogs but about people and there is the actions to back that statement up. in my opinion she is what a social media influencer should look like in terms of actions and behavior. and there's no denying the impact she has had on fostering and the attitude towards fostering.
I listened to an audiobook of this but I really hope that there are pictures in the final book. I might go through my earc copy as well and just see if there's any because I think that that would add so much fun and whimsy as she talks about all these dogs to have pictures to go with them. of course a lot of them have been featured on her social so you can go find them but for people who aren't on socials it's fun to see them..
Read
March 2, 2026“Grief is just love living on, tucked behind ribs, always a part of you.”
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Isabel Klee for this ALC!
I’ll be honest: I had never heard of Isabel Klee or her account @SimonSits before I requested this title. I went in completely blind, allured by the cover alone, and I was rewarded with this complete gift of a book.
You can tell a lot about a person in how they talk about animals in their lives, and from the second I hit play, it became abundantly clear that Klee is a very gentle and loving soul. Not everyone can foster animals, especially difficult ones, and to hear Klee talk about each of her fosters with so much fondness and patience just felt like a gentle balm for my weary soul. It takes a very special person to care for those animals that others have given up on, and I’m so thankful that this book made me aware of her kindness.
I have not owned many dogs in my life (my childhood dog passed away when I was 15 and away at camp), but I have owned 4 cats in my adult life and losing two of them suddenly and unexpectedly, within a span of two years, felt like my soul was torn apart. When I lost both of my cats, especially my boy cat, Pippin, who had carried me through most of my adulthood, it was hard to reconcile this grief I felt. Listening to this book not even a year after losing him obviously brought on a large wave of emotions I was unprepared for, but ultimately, this book gave me the permission to “connect” across pages with someone I will never meet who fully understands what it means to love another pet so wholly. We become our pets’ whole worlds, and little do they know that they often become ours. They listen without judgment, comfort us when we’re sad, delight at us coming home, and fully love us for who we are. There are fewer things more joyful (and chaotic) in life than taking care of a pet because they also take care of us.
And while I am very happily married to the man who gave me my cat Pippin when I was 22-years-old, I think this is an important read for anyone trying to navigate dating and relationships in adulthood. Relationships can be messy and frustrating and complicated, but the right ones make you feel like you are living the fullest life possible with a joy you could have never even imagined for your younger self. My heart broke for Isabel as she went through several heartbreaks in her twenties and it was incredibly delighted when she found “her person.”
This is an emotional read, and I encourage everyone to take the time to read this one.
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Isabel Klee for this ALC!
I’ll be honest: I had never heard of Isabel Klee or her account @SimonSits before I requested this title. I went in completely blind, allured by the cover alone, and I was rewarded with this complete gift of a book.
You can tell a lot about a person in how they talk about animals in their lives, and from the second I hit play, it became abundantly clear that Klee is a very gentle and loving soul. Not everyone can foster animals, especially difficult ones, and to hear Klee talk about each of her fosters with so much fondness and patience just felt like a gentle balm for my weary soul. It takes a very special person to care for those animals that others have given up on, and I’m so thankful that this book made me aware of her kindness.
I have not owned many dogs in my life (my childhood dog passed away when I was 15 and away at camp), but I have owned 4 cats in my adult life and losing two of them suddenly and unexpectedly, within a span of two years, felt like my soul was torn apart. When I lost both of my cats, especially my boy cat, Pippin, who had carried me through most of my adulthood, it was hard to reconcile this grief I felt. Listening to this book not even a year after losing him obviously brought on a large wave of emotions I was unprepared for, but ultimately, this book gave me the permission to “connect” across pages with someone I will never meet who fully understands what it means to love another pet so wholly. We become our pets’ whole worlds, and little do they know that they often become ours. They listen without judgment, comfort us when we’re sad, delight at us coming home, and fully love us for who we are. There are fewer things more joyful (and chaotic) in life than taking care of a pet because they also take care of us.
And while I am very happily married to the man who gave me my cat Pippin when I was 22-years-old, I think this is an important read for anyone trying to navigate dating and relationships in adulthood. Relationships can be messy and frustrating and complicated, but the right ones make you feel like you are living the fullest life possible with a joy you could have never even imagined for your younger self. My heart broke for Isabel as she went through several heartbreaks in her twenties and it was incredibly delighted when she found “her person.”
This is an emotional read, and I encourage everyone to take the time to read this one.
December 31, 2025
4.5 Stars!!! I was extremely thankful and excited to receive this ARC after following author Isabel Klee (and Simon) on Instagram earlier in 2025. I bonded with coworkers over the latest Tiki foster dog video, and was reminded of when I first got my rescue dog "Tiko" and all the hard work and rewarding time we spent with him after he was rescued (he's now the best boy ever by the way.) However, after reading this book, the Instagram stories were just the tip of the iceberg to the person and lifetime of stories that is Isabel. This book blew me away!
Isabel takes us through the last several years of her life, starting in her twenties. We watch her go to college, try and fail in relationships, find a purpose in fostering dogs, get a job, lose a job, fall in love, and so much more in between. She really made me love the colors and chaos and feeling and rush of New York through her eyes. She writes in a way that you can really hear her voice.
There were so many things I loved about Isabel's story. One of the things I love the most is how she did the work to understand herself and hold herself accountable, the same way she works hard to understand all of her foster dogs. You can tell she spent a lot of time honestly and earnestly learning about herself, sometimes the hard way, and has come out on the other side understanding her heart and knowing her purpose. The writing is also so good for a debut.
The parade of dogs throughout the book really made me emotional. I connected with the story of Isabel's childhood dog, Ruby, shedding tears for my own childhood dogs Saber, Shadow, and Buddy. I thought about my own dog Tiko like she talked of Simon, always a steady constant who has taught me so much. I loved that Isabel considered the qualities and personalities of every dog who has touched her life and what she learned from them.
I loved hearing about the lives of her friends unfolding around her and see their constant support through chapters of life. Her love story with Jacob was sweet and special to read. Ultimately, this book was about the magic of a peaceful and purposeful "sturdy" life with the ones you love, and it was a joy to read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Isabel Klee for this advance readers copy. All opinions are my own. This book will be out for publication on April 28, 2026.
Isabel takes us through the last several years of her life, starting in her twenties. We watch her go to college, try and fail in relationships, find a purpose in fostering dogs, get a job, lose a job, fall in love, and so much more in between. She really made me love the colors and chaos and feeling and rush of New York through her eyes. She writes in a way that you can really hear her voice.
There were so many things I loved about Isabel's story. One of the things I love the most is how she did the work to understand herself and hold herself accountable, the same way she works hard to understand all of her foster dogs. You can tell she spent a lot of time honestly and earnestly learning about herself, sometimes the hard way, and has come out on the other side understanding her heart and knowing her purpose. The writing is also so good for a debut.
The parade of dogs throughout the book really made me emotional. I connected with the story of Isabel's childhood dog, Ruby, shedding tears for my own childhood dogs Saber, Shadow, and Buddy. I thought about my own dog Tiko like she talked of Simon, always a steady constant who has taught me so much. I loved that Isabel considered the qualities and personalities of every dog who has touched her life and what she learned from them.
I loved hearing about the lives of her friends unfolding around her and see their constant support through chapters of life. Her love story with Jacob was sweet and special to read. Ultimately, this book was about the magic of a peaceful and purposeful "sturdy" life with the ones you love, and it was a joy to read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Isabel Klee for this advance readers copy. All opinions are my own. This book will be out for publication on April 28, 2026.
March 8, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC in return for my honest review! I laughed and I cried (a lot) while reading this. I’ve been following Isabel’s fostering journey on TikTok for a while now. I’ve fallen in love with her fosters and their journeys. I’ve cried for their obstacles and I’ve celebrated their milestones both big and small. I am a huge dog lover and I truly admire Isabel and her ability to take a dog who had been dealt with conditions and situations that no dog ever deserves, and completely change their life. Reading about the dogs in her life, the ones that were fostered and found their forever homes while in her care, and the dogs that she grew up with brought me to tears. It had me reflecting on my own dogs and the love that they showed me and made me so emotional. It made me reflect on their lives and I am so thankful that I got to be loved by them.
One thing that stuck out to me about this memoir is how Isabel’s writing is just so poetic and so beautiful. This was such a beautiful, heartfelt and well written reflection on navigating life in your 20s and how all it takes is just one small thing, whether it’s a person, a friendship, a dog, or situation to change your life for the better. Reading this as a woman in my 20s and as a dog lover, I found myself relating to Isabel’s journey and the lessons that she learned and found it to be so relatable and inspiring. I loved how Isabel showcased how each dog came into her life at a pivotal moment and how they grounded her and taught her lessons when she needed them the most.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this memoir and I am extremely honored to have been able to read this before it is officially published. Much like Isabel, I believe that dogs make the world a better place. Thank you Isabel for sharing your story with us and for teaching us to be brave like Tiki, show love like Cheesecake(Gus) and to be kind and welcoming like Simon. If you are a dog lover I highly recommend reading this!
One thing that stuck out to me about this memoir is how Isabel’s writing is just so poetic and so beautiful. This was such a beautiful, heartfelt and well written reflection on navigating life in your 20s and how all it takes is just one small thing, whether it’s a person, a friendship, a dog, or situation to change your life for the better. Reading this as a woman in my 20s and as a dog lover, I found myself relating to Isabel’s journey and the lessons that she learned and found it to be so relatable and inspiring. I loved how Isabel showcased how each dog came into her life at a pivotal moment and how they grounded her and taught her lessons when she needed them the most.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this memoir and I am extremely honored to have been able to read this before it is officially published. Much like Isabel, I believe that dogs make the world a better place. Thank you Isabel for sharing your story with us and for teaching us to be brave like Tiki, show love like Cheesecake(Gus) and to be kind and welcoming like Simon. If you are a dog lover I highly recommend reading this!
February 24, 2026
Thank you to William Morrow for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About by Isabel Klee is the memoir of the author’s late teens through the beginning of her thirties. Formerly an assistant to The Dogist, she’s an avid dog foster parent and contributes to various animal related publications across the web. The memoir focuses heavily on her background with dog fostering and relationships.
In general, I think that I’d be able to recommend this book to a wide audience of people. It features things people love, like a generally positive story and plenty of dog anecdotes.
Unfortunately the reason I’d be able to recommend it is that while it’s ultimately pleasant and inoffensive, it’s also relatively free of substance. The author effectively makes three main points:
1. Dogs are great! They really enrich your life.
2. Female friendship in NY in your 20s is fun!
3. Relationships with straight men are fun but also very emotionally daunting but ultimately worth it!
The author, to her credit, writes with a style that’s polished and economical. It doesn’t stretch to faux-profundity nor make any wild claims of grandeur.
The book isn’t bad, or tedious. It just is really fluffy and low impact. I really do think that for people who love animals and already follow Klee on one of her social media platforms that it could be a worthwhile read. However, it just was not something that I would gush over to people who prefer memoirs that have a more introspective or event-driven story. 3/5 stars, dogs are pretty great.
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About by Isabel Klee is the memoir of the author’s late teens through the beginning of her thirties. Formerly an assistant to The Dogist, she’s an avid dog foster parent and contributes to various animal related publications across the web. The memoir focuses heavily on her background with dog fostering and relationships.
In general, I think that I’d be able to recommend this book to a wide audience of people. It features things people love, like a generally positive story and plenty of dog anecdotes.
Unfortunately the reason I’d be able to recommend it is that while it’s ultimately pleasant and inoffensive, it’s also relatively free of substance. The author effectively makes three main points:
1. Dogs are great! They really enrich your life.
2. Female friendship in NY in your 20s is fun!
3. Relationships with straight men are fun but also very emotionally daunting but ultimately worth it!
The author, to her credit, writes with a style that’s polished and economical. It doesn’t stretch to faux-profundity nor make any wild claims of grandeur.
The book isn’t bad, or tedious. It just is really fluffy and low impact. I really do think that for people who love animals and already follow Klee on one of her social media platforms that it could be a worthwhile read. However, it just was not something that I would gush over to people who prefer memoirs that have a more introspective or event-driven story. 3/5 stars, dogs are pretty great.
December 14, 2025
“It was the story of a street dog, and the girl who loved him madly.”
For everyone who has ever had a pet that has become their entire world. For anyone that has looked for love in so many places, but realized that you had to love and accept yourself first. For anyone that feels so incredibly deeply about basically everything. This memoir is ABSOLUTELY for you.
I relate so much to Isabel and her journey through her life.
A gal from New Jersey?✔️
A gal who wanted a dog so badly when she was younger that she would ask for every holiday, birthday, etc.?✔️
A gal who was an absolute mess when losing her first dog but will do it over and over again because of how much love and happiness these little babies bring? ✔️
Did I cry uncontrollably while relating to this book? Yes. I have followed @simonsits for over a year now, so I knew I had to read this book when Isabel post about it. You can just tell she wrote this memoir with her entire heart and soul and it is amazing. As a fellow dog lover that would do anything for her pup, congratulations Isabel! What a beautiful journey you took us on. Say hi to Simon from me and my Harper (my own rescue street puppy).
For everyone who has ever had a pet that has become their entire world. For anyone that has looked for love in so many places, but realized that you had to love and accept yourself first. For anyone that feels so incredibly deeply about basically everything. This memoir is ABSOLUTELY for you.
I relate so much to Isabel and her journey through her life.
A gal from New Jersey?✔️
A gal who wanted a dog so badly when she was younger that she would ask for every holiday, birthday, etc.?✔️
A gal who was an absolute mess when losing her first dog but will do it over and over again because of how much love and happiness these little babies bring? ✔️
Did I cry uncontrollably while relating to this book? Yes. I have followed @simonsits for over a year now, so I knew I had to read this book when Isabel post about it. You can just tell she wrote this memoir with her entire heart and soul and it is amazing. As a fellow dog lover that would do anything for her pup, congratulations Isabel! What a beautiful journey you took us on. Say hi to Simon from me and my Harper (my own rescue street puppy).
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