Romancey Pants

Friends, this post contains early plot spoilers! So, I’m guessing you know how it is when you’re reading a romance novel and you have a fairly good idea of what’s going to happen. For instance, in the case of The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London, the shy, isolated Theo is left a rogue dachshund by his beloved late grandmother, and this pooch just happens to be so snooty and snappy that no pet sitter can work with her. Then along comes Isla, who must support her younger sister financially yet has suddenly lost her dream job as a social media influencer. Well, when Theo and Isla meet, Isla accidentally lands a new pet-sitting role because Theo’s pesky dachshund Camilla just happens to take a shine to her. Sounds sweet, right? Well, it is. But, as I was saying to J last night, there’s something so masterful about a novel that offers up the very plot you were promised, yet still manages to remain fresh, funny, vibrant, and surprising. What I’m saying in a nutshell is that The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London is a marvelously character-driven story.

I’m deeply ensconced in the novel so far. It’s honestly a delight. At the start of the novel, each protagonist steps unknowingly towards the other. In the meantime, their circumstances are so different and yet perfectly suited. They will expand each other. Even the theming—which in this case is partly around chosen and non-chosen family—sets these characters up to perfectly shift the other’s world.

If you’ll pardon the aside, I love dogs myself. As you’ll know if you’re also a dog lover, most dogs absolutely speak English, which is why our old boxer was able to tell us that sex scenes are spicier when a dog’s in the room. Now, I’m not sure I agree with this. Who honestly would? However, I will say that as soon as you plop a dog into a story, I’m all ears, and author Stefanie London doesn’t disappoint here either. Pampered Camilla moves and acts like a snooty little tearaway with so much character and it’s all absolutely delightful. In this scene, Theo has arrived home to find that Camilla has wrecked the place:

Camilla sat in the middle of the room, front paws crossed like da Vinci himself was about to paint her portrait. He never caught her in the act, of course. She was smarter than that. So much for silence being golden. Theo was starting to learn that when it came to dogs, silence was very, very suspicious.

A scrap of Zegna Italian wool lay on the ground right near Camilla’s paw. She dropped her face to look at it and then looked back up at Theo as if to say, checkmate, asshole.

—The Dachhsund Wears Prada by Sara London

With this storyteller, we’re in good hands aren’t we? Or should I say “good paws”? The endless personality in Camilla’s pooch-proud face is utterly exquisite. So, even though I’m guessing I know what’s going to happen in this book, I also bet this plot will engross me at every turn, because I don’t need plot surprises when I adore the characters.

And yes, okay, it’s a plus when a dog’s in the room.

Hope you’re all well, friends, and reading great books!