What do you think?
Rate this book
Pug Hill
For Holly Golightly, there was always Tiffany’s. For me, there’s always Pug Hill. For as long as I’ve lived in New York, whenever I’ve just wanted to think, or relax, or be happy, or even sad, my destination of choice has been, without fail, Pug Hill. For Hope McNeill, pugs are love, unconditional friendship, happiness, and freedom—all qualities currently in short supply in her own life. She’s also short on time and apartment space, and for those reasons she doesn’t have a pug of her own. But she does have Pug Hill in Central Park, where pugs (and their owners) from all over New York City convene. She also has a serious crush on one of her co-workers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a flailing relationship with her squash-playing, cold-weather-loving boyfriend, and an unspeakable fear of public speaking. When Hope’s father calls with a daunting assignment--to make a speech at her parent’s fortieth wedding anniversary party--Hope is completely taken off guard. As a last resort, she signs up for a public speaking class, but can't help wondering, will it be enough? Some fears are so big that even all the pugs in the world might not be enough...
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2006
22 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Alison Pace
28 books108 followersI'm the author of the novels If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, Pug Hill, Through Thick and Thin, City Dog and A Pug's Tale . My essays have been included in several anthologies including Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit.
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I teach creative writing. I'd love to hear from you at alison@alisonpace.com.
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I teach creative writing. I'd love to hear from you at alison@alisonpace.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
February 3, 2008
The best thing about this book is the cover.
July 13, 2008
I should state first off, that I pity the book that follows Lolita. The language here was simple, repetitive, and somewhat annoying. On the one hand, anyone can pick up this book and read it for what it is, a story about a 31-year-old woman who overcomes all of her anxieties in a three month period and then reconnects with "the one that got away." On the other it's pretty silly, and the scenes that take place are really shallow. I wanted to like this book though, and in some places I did, but mostly I felt that it was grazing the surface of the characters and rambling on unimportant details for its 300-some pages. Plus, there's not a whole lot going on with pugs, and to be honest, that was what drew me to the book in the first place. If you need a nice light read, I would suggest picking up a Jennifer Weiner or Melissa Bank book, because they actually do what this book aimed to do a lot better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2019
I have to say this book was a disappointment. I began it with high hopes, due to the Manhattan setting and the cute cover with many pugs. I also knew I could relate to Hope’s character, because she has a terrible phobia about public speaking just as I do. I really wanted to like this book, but...
The book is almost entirely about Hope’s love life, or the lack thereof. The f-Bomb is used frequently, and descriptions are given several times about what she imagines herself doing to male parts if given the chance,graphically. To sum up, way too much lusting for men and not nearly enough parts about pug dogs. This one almost ended up on my “Jumped Ship and Did Not Finish” shelf, but I pushed through it to the end. I hope some other books by this author that I want to read turn out to be better.
The book is almost entirely about Hope’s love life, or the lack thereof. The f-Bomb is used frequently, and descriptions are given several times about what she imagines herself doing to male parts if given the chance,graphically. To sum up, way too much lusting for men and not nearly enough parts about pug dogs. This one almost ended up on my “Jumped Ship and Did Not Finish” shelf, but I pushed through it to the end. I hope some other books by this author that I want to read turn out to be better.
March 13, 2016
The somewhat odd combination of dogs and museum work (two things I love) was what attracted me to this book. Also, I thought this would be a light read for once (which it was!) In general, the story was okay. And as I came close to the ending, I was thinking about giving the book 3 stars. However, the final chapter let me down tremendously. It was SO CHEESY, like a fairy tale ending. This caused me to ultimately lower my rating to 2 stars. Sorry, not sorry!
June 18, 2014
First off I must admit I even got to page 200 of this book because I found the writing style to be very annoying.
The characters were flat in prrsonalities & the story line was not interesting. But I give it 2 stars because the book somehow managed to keep me reading for 200 pages......
The characters were flat in prrsonalities & the story line was not interesting. But I give it 2 stars because the book somehow managed to keep me reading for 200 pages......
October 13, 2016
So I did read the entire book... at times it was a struggle, but as it went on it did prove to be a light but pleasant read. Not quite Bridget Jones, but not as awkward as the exposition was hinting.
December 27, 2020
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. Not enough pugs or NYC or even a strong woman character. Too much description of a class she took as well as the many men in the book. I also found the ending to be predictable and cliche.
November 17, 2011
In May, I read A Pug's Tale by Alison Pace and adored it. Recently, I was given the opportunity to see where the story all began when I received a copy of Pug Hill (now available in paperback) for review.
With a relationship that makes her unhappy and a crush on an unavailable co-worker that makes her feel silly, Hope McNeill doesn't have the best luck in the romance department. Her apartment is too small to get the dog she wants. And though she works the coolest job -- she restores paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- she rarely sees the sunlight during working hours.
But she has Pug Hill, a spot in Central Park where she can watch pugs prance and frolic, which gives her a sense of peace and comfort. When she can't escape to the park, she has her favorite Zoloft commercial saved on her DVR.
After her parents ask her to give a speech at their anniversary party, Hope begins to panic and obsess. About a lot of things, like how she needs to stop sitting around and waiting for her life to begin. But first, she must learn to face her fears.
When she signs up for a public-speaking class at the New School, she meets an eccentric group of people, including a gay poet, a hot, well-dressed man who says "dude" a lot, and an angry novelist. Through the weekly class assignments and getting to know her classmates, Hope discovers things about herself (bad habits, poor choices), gains self-confidence, and learns to love and forgive not only herself for past mistakes, but the people around her.
Pug Hill is a charming book filled with whimsical characters, adorable pugs, and a realistic, likeable heroine.
I really enjoyed reading the beginning of Hope's story and related to her frustrations and fears. Even better, I cheered her on and delighted in her journey and growth.
If you like dogs, read this book. If you're single and overwhelmed by social expectations, read this book. If you enjoy fun, sweet stories, read this book.
I highly recommend it.
With a relationship that makes her unhappy and a crush on an unavailable co-worker that makes her feel silly, Hope McNeill doesn't have the best luck in the romance department. Her apartment is too small to get the dog she wants. And though she works the coolest job -- she restores paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- she rarely sees the sunlight during working hours.
But she has Pug Hill, a spot in Central Park where she can watch pugs prance and frolic, which gives her a sense of peace and comfort. When she can't escape to the park, she has her favorite Zoloft commercial saved on her DVR.
After her parents ask her to give a speech at their anniversary party, Hope begins to panic and obsess. About a lot of things, like how she needs to stop sitting around and waiting for her life to begin. But first, she must learn to face her fears.
When she signs up for a public-speaking class at the New School, she meets an eccentric group of people, including a gay poet, a hot, well-dressed man who says "dude" a lot, and an angry novelist. Through the weekly class assignments and getting to know her classmates, Hope discovers things about herself (bad habits, poor choices), gains self-confidence, and learns to love and forgive not only herself for past mistakes, but the people around her.
Pug Hill is a charming book filled with whimsical characters, adorable pugs, and a realistic, likeable heroine.
I really enjoyed reading the beginning of Hope's story and related to her frustrations and fears. Even better, I cheered her on and delighted in her journey and growth.
If you like dogs, read this book. If you're single and overwhelmed by social expectations, read this book. If you enjoy fun, sweet stories, read this book.
I highly recommend it.
April 25, 2025
I didn't love it, mainly because I hated the protagonist, Hope, from the beginning, and I felt similarly about a lot of the supporting characters Pace introduces throughout. While I did warm up to Hope a bit by the end of the book, she still came off as a whiny woe-is-me complainer through the whole thing. The focus of the book is supposed to be Hope's overcoming the terror that comes to her at the thought of having to deliver a speech at her parent's anniversary party, but more of it is spent on Hope's love life; the men she pines for, the exes, the judgy comments from her family and friends, etc.
Even Hope's learning about the speech is absurd, having her dad, who never calls her at work, interrupt her workday just to ask her to deliver this speech. At least the chapters involving Hope's efforts to overcome her fear by taking a class were good, though Pace populates her class with a small group of people in the same situation, then makes almost half of them disappear immediately, leaving behind some of the people I disliked. Then, for all this buildup to the speech, it's glossed over when it actually happens, as if it was never meant to be the central issue in the first place.
I chose the book based on the cover and title. How could a book about pugs not be good? By making the pugs largely an afterthought, with Hope randomly showing up to love on pugs in Central Park when she feels like it. Maybe New York culture is different than where I'm from, but if I see a stranger come to the dog park and start encouraging my dog to approach her and then fawning all over it, I'm going to be a lot more wary than these owners at Pug Hill were.
2* because it was readable and the ending was cute, but not an author I'd chose to read again
Even Hope's learning about the speech is absurd, having her dad, who never calls her at work, interrupt her workday just to ask her to deliver this speech. At least the chapters involving Hope's efforts to overcome her fear by taking a class were good, though Pace populates her class with a small group of people in the same situation, then makes almost half of them disappear immediately, leaving behind some of the people I disliked. Then, for all this buildup to the speech, it's glossed over when it actually happens, as if it was never meant to be the central issue in the first place.
I chose the book based on the cover and title. How could a book about pugs not be good? By making the pugs largely an afterthought, with Hope randomly showing up to love on pugs in Central Park when she feels like it. Maybe New York culture is different than where I'm from, but if I see a stranger come to the dog park and start encouraging my dog to approach her and then fawning all over it, I'm going to be a lot more wary than these owners at Pug Hill were.
2* because it was readable and the ending was cute, but not an author I'd chose to read again
August 28, 2011
I thought this book would be a good "light" diversionary read form some nonfiction books I've been reading. Little did I suspect that some of what was in those books would turn up in this! I've been trying to build a practice of meditation and mindfulness, and at least two of the techniques for restorative breathing show up in Pug Hill as relaxation techniques, taught in Hope's public speaking class! Synchronicity, huh? Anyhow, the novel, which true to my original thoughts, was of the lighter variety, had some good expressions on the subjects of finding contentment, overcoming fears, and the love of a good dog.
Not being a New Yorker, I was curious to see if Pug Hill really existed. I came upon these two links which give some interesting information:
http://pughill.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/01/nyregion/while-the-pugs-eat-the-caviar-owners-bond.html
Not being a New Yorker, I was curious to see if Pug Hill really existed. I came upon these two links which give some interesting information:
http://pughill.org/
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/01/nyregion/while-the-pugs-eat-the-caviar-owners-bond.html
February 12, 2016
No lo soporté, ni siquiera habla tanto de pugs o tal vez no sabía qué esperarme.
Pero bueno para leer problemas superficiales de una chica de edad media, mejor me voy a twitter.
Gracias.
Pero bueno para leer problemas superficiales de una chica de edad media, mejor me voy a twitter.
Gracias.
September 1, 2016
Pugs, Pugs and more Pugs!!!! YAY!! Awesome book :)
March 20, 2018
The protagonist is weird. Her inner dialogue didn’t appeal to me. DNF after a few chapters.
October 19, 2019
This book gives all of us pug lovers a good laugh and we understand the things this pug does. Very good read.
June 20, 2025
Hope McNeil is the most stereotypical Jewish character imaginable. Her inner dialogue is whiny, perverse and completely self centered. She is the female Woody Allen. Her obsession with dogs is weird. The book begins with Hope dating a guy she doesn't really like because her friend (whom she also doesn't actually like) told her that she hides her Jewishness and doesn't date Jewish guys. So to prove her wrong, she joins a Jewish dating site and hooks up with a guy just to show her friend. The whole book is Hope's weird voice and weird reactions to people. Not a fan. Politics also laced throughout. (Democrats good! Republicans bad! Yawn. ).
September 10, 2021
This is a charming story about a young woman in New York City who works restoring paintings in a museum. Her life is solitary and bounded by routine between work and a tiny apartment. But she has found her happy place in the midst of the city - a part of Central Park where people bring their pugs to frolic and see others of their special kind. Somehow just sitting and watching them is joyful and restorative. Well written and hopeful. (Her name is Hope.) This book will brighten your day.
October 19, 2025
IDK, something got on my nerves about this book and I can't put my finger on it. I usually read reviews after I read a book, so maybe other reviewers will formulate my feeling into words.
I was expecting to read more about dog behaviour, and was maybe expecting the author to guess their thoughts?
The part about the public speaking at first bothered me, but did break the monotony of her work. In the end it was entertaining.
I was expecting to read more about dog behaviour, and was maybe expecting the author to guess their thoughts?
The part about the public speaking at first bothered me, but did break the monotony of her work. In the end it was entertaining.
July 15, 2018
I thought the story was cute. I just wanted there to be more dogs! Her descriptions of the dogs are so perfect and made me smile every time as her love for dogs shown through. In comparison the rest of the story was just okay.
October 17, 2018
Pretty basic writing/ story concept. I could relate to the main character in a few areas and it was easy to picture the pugs playing at Pug Hill. Good read for a quick easy get me back into more regular reading story. May use some of the tricks she learned in her class in my own life.
March 13, 2024
A dog loving story about the search for love while being true to your self. Endearing the way the main character, Hope, works to overcome a major anxiety inducing activity- public speaking. As Hope works towards overcoming her fears we see how her life blossoms as a result.
September 22, 2017
What a cute book! Favorite takeaway: everyone needs their place like pug hill :)
November 29, 2017
5 stars. Because of the PUGS <3
July 8, 2019
Easy, fun beach read. Especially for dog lovers!
July 9, 2019
Cute, light easy read. Nice way to remember living in NYC during mid 2000's.
October 14, 2020
What a delightful story. Hope is a very relatable character. I love her descriptions of the dogs in her life and I want to visit Pug Hill if I am ever in Central Park, New York City!
January 24, 2022
I enjoyed the last few pages of the this book, but it was so boring otherwise.
October 30, 2011
A couple of years ago I read my first Alison Pace novel, City Dog. I really enjoyed it – it’s so rare to read a novel that’s almost exclusively about dogs. However that is Pace’s forte – if you’re looking for anyone who writes about dogs so well then Pace is your girl. And I’m saying that having only read two of her novels. So, high praise indeed. Pug Hill is one of Alison’s earlier novels but since it’s a) coming out in November in mass-market paperback and b) it had a sequel released earlier this year that’s sitting on my shelf waiting to be read, I figured it was time I read Pug Hill. And it was puggalicious (I am so copyrighting that word…).
If the title hasn’t already clued you in, and you haven’t seen the book cover filled with pugs, then I’d like to let you know that Pug Hill is all about pugs. (I know, I am nothing if not obvious.) I mean, don’t get me wrong it’s about other things, too – Hope overcoming her fear of public speaking; Hope overcoming her crush on her girlfriended-up co-worker Elliott (no, I’m not entirely sure girlfriended-up is a word either, but it works, so it stays); Hope being Hope and overthinking everything; Hope overthinking her relationship with Evan (yup, despite crushing on Elliott, Hope has a boyfriend, named Evan). But, mostly, the novel is about the pugs and about Pug Hill. About how Pug Hill is Hope’s salvation; it’s where she goes when she needs to put the world to rights, when she needs to know there’s something that is solid in her life.
I will admit that I found the whole Hope overcoming her public speaking phobia to be both over the top (in a good way) and not as over the top as it should have been. I mean, the build up as Hope tries to overcome her public speaking is the over the top part, but the actual Hope trying to overcome her public speaking at her parents’ anniversary is rather brushed over somewhat. It sort of let the book down a bit for me. I mean, we’ve spent lessons with Hope as she tries to be able to speak freely in public without freaking out. We’ve spent hours at Pug Hill with her as she tries to overcome it. We’ve listened to why she can’t speak publicly, we’ve understood… So the end result should have had more time spent on it. It should have been bigger than it was. But sadly it wasn’t. It was all over much too quickly for my liking.
Pug Hill is very much about Hope; there are few secondary characters and the ones we meet are meetings that are rather brief (thankfully in Pamela’s case that’s a good thing, we barely even saw Pamela, Hope’s best friend, but I didn’t like her one bit). That can be good and bad; Hope was an excellent character, someone I liked immediately, someone I felt I clicked with (if that doesn’t make me some kind of weirdo), but it was disappointing to not get to meet more of Hope’s friends, more of Hope’s family. We heard of the things going on in Hope’s family (including some amusing conversations regarding a tent – oh, whoops, I hope Hope’s father doesn’t read my review; he doesn’t like tents…) which helped massively but it was a somewhat quiet novel without any other characters to get a grip of, however Hope makes up for it nicely.
Pug Hill was hugely enjoyable. I liked the pugs, I liked Hope, I liked the story, I just felt the conclusion was a bit of a let down. I got to the end of the book and, well, it didn’t feel finished. I thought maybe I was missing some pages (metaphorically speaking since I was reading it on my Kindle). But everything leading up to it was brilliant. Alison Pace knows her dogs, and I was in tears at the words she wrote about Captain, Hope’s parents’ ageing dog even though he was perfectly fine. (Honestly, I’m not lying; there was nothing wrong with him; it’s just… the way Pace writes and the way I imaginged Captain being so happy, it made me well up.) This is a tale for all dog lovers. No offense to those who don’t like dogs, but they generally sneer at books filled with dogs and unless you love dogs you won’t love Pug Hill. I loved dogs and I loved Pug Hill. I can’t wait to read A Pug’s Tale and be back with Hope and the pugs.
If the title hasn’t already clued you in, and you haven’t seen the book cover filled with pugs, then I’d like to let you know that Pug Hill is all about pugs. (I know, I am nothing if not obvious.) I mean, don’t get me wrong it’s about other things, too – Hope overcoming her fear of public speaking; Hope overcoming her crush on her girlfriended-up co-worker Elliott (no, I’m not entirely sure girlfriended-up is a word either, but it works, so it stays); Hope being Hope and overthinking everything; Hope overthinking her relationship with Evan (yup, despite crushing on Elliott, Hope has a boyfriend, named Evan). But, mostly, the novel is about the pugs and about Pug Hill. About how Pug Hill is Hope’s salvation; it’s where she goes when she needs to put the world to rights, when she needs to know there’s something that is solid in her life.
I will admit that I found the whole Hope overcoming her public speaking phobia to be both over the top (in a good way) and not as over the top as it should have been. I mean, the build up as Hope tries to overcome her public speaking is the over the top part, but the actual Hope trying to overcome her public speaking at her parents’ anniversary is rather brushed over somewhat. It sort of let the book down a bit for me. I mean, we’ve spent lessons with Hope as she tries to be able to speak freely in public without freaking out. We’ve spent hours at Pug Hill with her as she tries to overcome it. We’ve listened to why she can’t speak publicly, we’ve understood… So the end result should have had more time spent on it. It should have been bigger than it was. But sadly it wasn’t. It was all over much too quickly for my liking.
Pug Hill is very much about Hope; there are few secondary characters and the ones we meet are meetings that are rather brief (thankfully in Pamela’s case that’s a good thing, we barely even saw Pamela, Hope’s best friend, but I didn’t like her one bit). That can be good and bad; Hope was an excellent character, someone I liked immediately, someone I felt I clicked with (if that doesn’t make me some kind of weirdo), but it was disappointing to not get to meet more of Hope’s friends, more of Hope’s family. We heard of the things going on in Hope’s family (including some amusing conversations regarding a tent – oh, whoops, I hope Hope’s father doesn’t read my review; he doesn’t like tents…) which helped massively but it was a somewhat quiet novel without any other characters to get a grip of, however Hope makes up for it nicely.
Pug Hill was hugely enjoyable. I liked the pugs, I liked Hope, I liked the story, I just felt the conclusion was a bit of a let down. I got to the end of the book and, well, it didn’t feel finished. I thought maybe I was missing some pages (metaphorically speaking since I was reading it on my Kindle). But everything leading up to it was brilliant. Alison Pace knows her dogs, and I was in tears at the words she wrote about Captain, Hope’s parents’ ageing dog even though he was perfectly fine. (Honestly, I’m not lying; there was nothing wrong with him; it’s just… the way Pace writes and the way I imaginged Captain being so happy, it made me well up.) This is a tale for all dog lovers. No offense to those who don’t like dogs, but they generally sneer at books filled with dogs and unless you love dogs you won’t love Pug Hill. I loved dogs and I loved Pug Hill. I can’t wait to read A Pug’s Tale and be back with Hope and the pugs.
February 26, 2023
Pug hill, adorable cover. I wish the story was as short and sweet as the pugs. It wasn’t short at all. It had so much potential to be so. The main character’s inner dialogue was a lot to continuously read through. Halfway through, the book got a little more interesting.. then it just flat lined.
July 5, 2011
If only life were as simple as a bench in Central Park surrounded by the most adorable dogs on earth. At least that’s what Hope McNeill wishes for, a life with no cares except which of her favorite pugs will make an appearance at Pug Hill. When she’s there her troubles slip from her mind with ease; no worrying about a lingering relationship that just doesn’t seem to be working, no pesky crush on a co-worker and most importantly no speech to give at her parents upcoming anniversary party. Through the help of a rather unorthodox public speaking class Hope not only discovers a few new friends, but something else entirely. She may have discovered just what it is she wants out of life.
Alison Pace is what I would classify as a quintessential Chick Lit author. Her novels have humor, romance, waffling leading ladies not entirely sure of where they’re headed and fantastic dialogue. In the case of Pug Hill, it not only has all of those elements but it also has pugs. My absolute favorite part of the story were the opportunities Hope took to escape to her favorite spot in Central Park, pug hill, to watch the pugs which she knew all by name. It was adorable and I could absolutely envision sitting there with her taking in this fantastic view.
With the quirky and fun addition of the pugs to the novel, you’d think that might be enough to make the entire reading experience enjoyable. It absolutely was, but Alison Pace also created a character in Hope that has you laughing hysterically at her goofy behavior. What was fun for me was the opportunity to take a look inside what was going on in Hope’s mind. There is quite a bit of inner monologue throughout the story and at times it does get a bit sluggish, but for the most part it was simply hilarious. It was especially funny in the instances where she spoke with her parents about her sister’s upcoming relocation to a commune with her earth-friendly boyfriend, priceless! Hope said and did nearly everything any normal yet slightly insecure girl might do, but as a readers you’re able to watch from the outside in. All of Hope’s doubts, thoughts and feelings were laid out for the reader to take in and enjoy.
An absolutely adorable story line with a wonderfully realistic leading lady, Pug Hill is the perfect read for Chick Lit fans who may also have love for pugs & dogs as well. Hope’s journey from a woman attached to a not-so-great relationship to a girl in love with her co-worker and then to an ending that brings everything home with a smile is so incredibly delightful. This was such an enjoyable Chick Lit read that left me feeling happy and looking forward to the next book in the series, A Pug’s Tale.
Originally reviewed and copyrighted at Chick Lit Reviews.
Alison Pace is what I would classify as a quintessential Chick Lit author. Her novels have humor, romance, waffling leading ladies not entirely sure of where they’re headed and fantastic dialogue. In the case of Pug Hill, it not only has all of those elements but it also has pugs. My absolute favorite part of the story were the opportunities Hope took to escape to her favorite spot in Central Park, pug hill, to watch the pugs which she knew all by name. It was adorable and I could absolutely envision sitting there with her taking in this fantastic view.
With the quirky and fun addition of the pugs to the novel, you’d think that might be enough to make the entire reading experience enjoyable. It absolutely was, but Alison Pace also created a character in Hope that has you laughing hysterically at her goofy behavior. What was fun for me was the opportunity to take a look inside what was going on in Hope’s mind. There is quite a bit of inner monologue throughout the story and at times it does get a bit sluggish, but for the most part it was simply hilarious. It was especially funny in the instances where she spoke with her parents about her sister’s upcoming relocation to a commune with her earth-friendly boyfriend, priceless! Hope said and did nearly everything any normal yet slightly insecure girl might do, but as a readers you’re able to watch from the outside in. All of Hope’s doubts, thoughts and feelings were laid out for the reader to take in and enjoy.
An absolutely adorable story line with a wonderfully realistic leading lady, Pug Hill is the perfect read for Chick Lit fans who may also have love for pugs & dogs as well. Hope’s journey from a woman attached to a not-so-great relationship to a girl in love with her co-worker and then to an ending that brings everything home with a smile is so incredibly delightful. This was such an enjoyable Chick Lit read that left me feeling happy and looking forward to the next book in the series, A Pug’s Tale.
Originally reviewed and copyrighted at Chick Lit Reviews.
December 17, 2011
Even as Holly Golightly's special place was Tiffany's, Hope McNeill's is definitely Pug Hill.
Before we get very far into this story, we learn how much Hope loves pugs—and the pugs that congregate on their own special place in Central Park.
Hope is an art restorer at the Met...in New York, of course; she is also a thirty-something single who is in a not-very-satisfying relationship with Evan at the beginning of this story. We also learn early on that Hope's older sister Darcy is the "pretty one," the one she, Hope, is always compared to and found wanting. Or so she believes.
Hope's parents are about to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, and her mother has asked Hope to make the speech. Now if there's anything Hope hates more than a life without Pug Hill, it would be making speeches.
Which is why we find her signing up for a class in Overcoming Presentation Anxiety at the New School.
I loved the character of Hope—both in this story and the one that follows, "A Pug's Tale"—so for me, this one was a great journey we can take, along with Hope, as she explores her life, her career, and the men she has met along the way.
While preparing for a speech about that very topic in class, she remembers Benji Brown from high school. And in deconstructing what she loved most about that relationship, she discovers the necessary ingredients to what would make a happy relationship for her.
Funny, sometimes sad, and always captivating, "Pug Hill" is a story I won't soon forget. I loved how Hope, as the first-person narrator, seemed to invite the reader into her head and her heart. You can't help rooting for her, as she ambles along, hoping to find that special feeling we all seek in our lives. Someone who loves us just as we are. Five stars.
Before we get very far into this story, we learn how much Hope loves pugs—and the pugs that congregate on their own special place in Central Park.
Hope is an art restorer at the Met...in New York, of course; she is also a thirty-something single who is in a not-very-satisfying relationship with Evan at the beginning of this story. We also learn early on that Hope's older sister Darcy is the "pretty one," the one she, Hope, is always compared to and found wanting. Or so she believes.
Hope's parents are about to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, and her mother has asked Hope to make the speech. Now if there's anything Hope hates more than a life without Pug Hill, it would be making speeches.
Which is why we find her signing up for a class in Overcoming Presentation Anxiety at the New School.
I loved the character of Hope—both in this story and the one that follows, "A Pug's Tale"—so for me, this one was a great journey we can take, along with Hope, as she explores her life, her career, and the men she has met along the way.
While preparing for a speech about that very topic in class, she remembers Benji Brown from high school. And in deconstructing what she loved most about that relationship, she discovers the necessary ingredients to what would make a happy relationship for her.
Funny, sometimes sad, and always captivating, "Pug Hill" is a story I won't soon forget. I loved how Hope, as the first-person narrator, seemed to invite the reader into her head and her heart. You can't help rooting for her, as she ambles along, hoping to find that special feeling we all seek in our lives. Someone who loves us just as we are. Five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews