The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

March 26, 2012
Kendrick (The Bake-Off) not only shines in portraying the subtleties of female friendships, but also at rendering the unbreakable bond between man (or woman) and dog. Lara Madigan and her best friend’s business is finding suitable families for rescued dogs. Though Lara has an uncanny ability to sense the perfect match, doggie matchmaking doesn’t pay the bills; in fact, it’s given her more debt—and more dogs—than she can handle. It has also put a strain on her relationship with boyfriend Evan, whose “Maybe I’m a people person” comment sends Lara and her rescued mutts to live with her nagging mother in her expansive home in North Scottsdale, Ariz., an exclusive community full of wealthy women in need of a good dog trainer. Before you can say “sit,” Lara not only finds a new career as “the Dog Doyenne” and strengthens her ties to her mom, but makes a perfect (human) match of her own. Kendrick has a similar talent for matchmaking: pairing her winsome heroine and her delightful group of canines in the service of a tale of nurturing one’s true calling and rekindling relationships. Agent: Amy Moore-Benson, AMB Literary Management.

Starred review from April 15, 2012
Lara Madigan believes in committing. To dogs, that is. As a dog trainer and cofounder of the Lucky Dog rescue group, Lara has not only saved dozens of dogs, she has also earned a reputation in the Phoenix area for being able to perfectly match up a canine with the right owner. For Lara, committing to a man is a completely different matter. Lara thought she had finally found her own true love in Evan Walker, who promised her he would learn to become a dog person. As it later turns out, Evan isn't even close to being a dog lover, and their constant fighting over Lara's dogs and rescue work ultimately takes its toll on their relationship. Suddenly without a boyfriend or a home, Lara finds her life is quickly going to the dogs. Graced with a stellar cast of captivating characters (including an adorable pack of scene-stealing canines) and written with both sharp wit and genuine wisdom, Kendrick's latest effervescent novel is a hopelessly, hopefully romantic treat that will delight even the most finicky of feline fanatics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)