Thank you NetGalley for the advance listen copy. This was a cute listen for all dog owners/lovers. It was fun to have a little insight into how our dogs think. The narrator did a great job of reading in the dogs' voices without it being cheesy. There were some adult subjects in the book as well. I thought it was going to be more of a children's read, but definitely more for adults/young adults.

I listened to the audio book. Thank you NetGalley. As an owner of a dog, it was a cute way into how our dogs think. The book touched on adult subjects in an unique way.

I listened to the audio book. Thank you NetGalley. As an owner of a dog, it was a cute way into how our dogs think. The book touched on adult subjects in an unique way.

This audiobook interested me with its premise focusing on two dogs writing and receiving letters from their maternal "grandma". Their point of view present via the letters lets readers and grandma know what is occurring within their home. It is not always a happy time.

While the book is a mix of humorous, heartwarming, sad, and sometimes annoying moments, I lost interest in the book as it continued. Sometimes the book sounded like a children's book, but the heavier domestic topics canceled that out.

personally, this book didn't work for me and I wouldn't recommend it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bancroft Press for the Audiobook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An adorable take on the relationships between humans and their beloved canines family members. We hear from the pups their take on life, what’s happening in their world and their loving concern for all goings on. There are some surprisingly heavy issues that they share with Grandma Vivienne. I enjoyed this story as I am a dog mom, but that said, I think even the least dog friendly person will enjoy this book and it may even change a few hearts and minds. Our lives are enriched by having these amazing sweet dogs who share with us such deep unconditional love with every breath they take.

3.5 out of 5 stars

This is a cute and well-written, relatively short epistolary novel about a family that has adopted two dogs, Winslow (a purebred Boston Terrier) and Zippy (a terrier mutt). Somehow the dogs have learned how to type, and they exchange letters with "Grandma Vivienne" who lives in Cleveland.

Dog lovers will really appreciate this book, and for what may appear at first to be a lighthearted read, the novel delves into some difficult topics. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that this is not a lighthearted story at all, but a human one -- as seen mainly through the eyes of these two pups.

Set in the early 1990s, it is a historical novel that captures some of the zeitgeist of the time. The audio rendition was very well done -- the reader excellently captured the personalities of the three letter writers.

There were a few reasons I didn't give this book a higher rating. First, it does not have much in the way of a plot, and I found myself a bit bored at times. Second, after the beginning, there were far fewer letters from Winslow, and it would have been interesting to keep his unique perspective in the story more often, even if not as much as those of Zippy and Grandma Vivienne. Without spoiling anything, the ending could be confusing to some. It could be open to interpretation, which leaves you thinking, but to some that may be frustrating.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

John Hodge's "You Can Get in the Way" is a thought-provoking and unflinchingly honest examination of the complexities of human nature and the choices that shape our lives. Through a series of interconnected stories, Hodge invites readers into a world where characters grapple with desire, ambition, and the pursuit of meaning in a world fraught with uncertainty.

One of the most compelling aspects of "You Can Get in the Way" is Hodge's keen insight into the human psyche. With razor-sharp wit and a keen eye for detail, he brings his characters to life with vivid clarity, capturing their hopes, fears, and insecurities with remarkable depth and nuance. Each story is a window into the inner workings of the human mind, revealing the myriad ways in which we are both the architects of our own destinies and at the mercy of forces beyond our control.

Hodge's prose is as sharp as it is poignant, imbued with a sense of urgency and immediacy that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Whether he's exploring the complexities of relationships, the allure of power, or the search for meaning in a world consumed by chaos, Hodge's writing crackles with energy and intensity, leaving a lasting impression on the reader long after the final page is turned.

While "You Can Get in the Way" is undeniably a powerful and thought-provoking read, some readers may find its nonlinear structure and shifting perspectives challenging to navigate. Hodge weaves together multiple storylines and characters with skill and dexterity, but the sheer scope of the narrative can occasionally feel overwhelming, requiring readers to stay fully engaged in order to keep track of the various threads.

In conclusion, "You Can Get in the Way" by John Hodge is a compelling and immersive exploration of the human condition that will leave readers questioning the choices they make and the paths they choose to follow. With its vivid characters, incisive prose, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

What do I say about this book?

I thought that it was supposed to be something that it never was. The narrator, especially when narrating Zippy, was VERY annoying and out there. I still can't get that out of my head. The plot line intrigued me but I could never follow along on all of there adventures.

A cute Middle-School reader told in letters as a household adjusts to having a new dog - and the dog learns to adjust as well.

I found this book to be delightful, although adult topics were included, such as marital problems, miscarriage, and alcoholism. The book also contains recipes for dog treats and dog food.

The story is told through letters from two dogs to their Grandmother, Vivienne. The dogs type the letters themselves, on a typewriter. The book opens with a letter from Winslow, the "seasoned and sedate" older Boston Terrier describing the arrival of wet and muddy Zippy, who is a female 5 month old stray mix breed. Zippy is a handful.

I listened to the audio version, which was a real treat. The narrator was outstanding.

Theatre critic Pamela has a well-behaved Boston Terrier named Winslow. While she had no desire for a second dog, Pamela's alcoholic husband Frank comes home with a 7-month old rescued mutt (Westie/Jack Russell mix) who worms her way into Pamela's heart. Bursting with energy, the pup is aptly named Zippy. The story proceeds as Winslow attempts to teach Zippy how to behave, with the assistance of letters from "Grandma Vivienne." Winslow and Grandma V address Zippy's behaviour issues and teach her to read and write/type letters. In one of these letters, Grandma V explains to Zippy her relationship to Pamela as someone brought around to look after Pamela as a child and stuck around, now looking after Pamela's widowed mother. Through the paw-typed letters, the dogs also keep Grandma V informed of the tumultuous relationship between Pamela and Frank. At times funny and sad, sometimes confusing. Overall, an entertaining book. Thanks to #NetGalley for the e-audio ARC of #PleaseWrite to review. Author #JWynnRousuck Narrated by #NancyDhulipala

Oh my sweetness! I laughed out loud while listening to this. I thought the narration was absolutely perfect!!! It was such a cute premise and I could imagine my rescue pup reacting the same as zippy in similar situations. If you ever wonder what your dog is thinking you'll love this!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bancroft Audio for the ARC of this book

This audiobook intrigued me with its premise of two dogs writing and receiving letters from their maternal "grandma". Their point of view presentations via the letters lets readers and grandma know what is occurring within their home. It is not always happy times.

A mix of humorous, poignant, heartwarming, sad, and sometimes annoying, I found myself losing interest in the book as it continued. At times it sounds like a children's book, but the heavier domestic topics negate that.

This is a book that didn't work for me personally and I cannot recommend it.

My thanks to Bancroft Audiobooks for permitting me to access it via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinons expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Please write - J. Wynn Rousuck (Read by Nancy Dhulipa)

Omfg! When the narrator spoke in the pups voice it was so god damn irritating! Based on this I have given it a 3 star rating which I think was generous. I didn’t think I would finish listening to it, but I did. 😅

Loved the basis of the letters and the dog training etc, just not the screechy noise and over emphasis on making baby sounds to make a point that Zippy was a puppy.

For every time you have wondered what your dig is thinking, Rousuck has an answer. I'm a pet parent to a very entertaining and challenging pack of dogs and I now get the message. I just wish they could type. It would make communication so much easier.
"Please Write" is a heartwarmingly entertaining tale of a puppy that is trying so hard to be a good dog. I loved the letters between Grandma Vivian and the dogs and was heartbroken at the ending. Listen to the story and give your best friend a hug or two or three.

This was a sweet epistolary story, written in letters from two dogs Winslow and Zippy to their human Grandma Viviene. We follow the adventures of Winslow, a distinguished pure bred Boston terrier, and his families trials and tribulations when his humans Pamela and Frank bring home an energetic rescue puppy they call Zippy.

This is a great book for pet lovers, this book illustrates how dogs are our companions through the ups and downs of life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bancroft Audiobooks for the advanced listener copy. The narrator Nancy Dhulipal was wonderful, giving each dog a unique voice that suits their personalities.

I was expecting this to be a very lighthearted & cutesy read, but there were actually some serious topics discussed throughout this book. It was interesting to see how these situations were interpreted from the dog’s point of view given the limited knowledge they have regarding the situations. There are several recipes for dogs throughout the book which is an added bonus. All in all the book is good, I was just discontented with the amount of sorrow within it.

I listened to the audiobook and read along as this books premise reminded me of "Bones and Biscuits, letters from a Dog Named Bobs" by Enid Blyton which was serialised in the 1920s to 1940s and recently brought out as a book which covered a year in teh life of Bobs, a little Terrier owned by Enid Blyton.

However. These two books could not be more different

This was a charming surprise, following letters between Winslow, a Boston Terrier who lives with Pamela and Frank, a stray called Zippy (brought home by Frank) and Grandma Vivienne who is Pamela's mother. The story however, is not just about the day to day lives of the dogs, but that of their guardians, Pamela and Frank and the problems they were navigating in life. The book is real, it doesn't sugarcoat life, but it does view it with gentle humour and sentiment

The two books could not be more different but both are equally engaging whether you are a dog lover or fan of contemporary fiction

I usually read some fairly serious fiction, but somehow this was one of my favorites of 2023! The characters (Zippy and Winslow) are amazing and so much better developed than many human characters in other books. The narrator nailed the dog voices!

As an avid animal lover, I wanted to love this book, but I can't say that I did. I really enjoyed it for the first few chapters but it kind of drudged on after that. It's cute and all. The narration was smooth and clear, but I just felt like getting through it was more work than I'd like. It's cute, but I probably won't read it again.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

An Adorable BOOK for Dog Lovers

SUMMARY
When a new puppy named Zippy enters Winslow's comfortable home, his life changes completely. Winslow, a sophisticated and reserved Boston Terrier, is now sharing his space with a highly energetic 7-month-old West Highland Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier mix. Winslow quickly grows tired of Zippy's tendency to steal his toys, treats, and food. In response, Winslow writes a letter to his Grandma Vivienne, expressing his grievances. Grandma Vivienne corresponds with letters of advice to both Winslow and Zippy. Meanwhile, the dogs’ parents, Pamela and Frank, are also dealing with their own issues in addition to the chaos caused by Zippy's incessant digging and chewing.

REVIEW
PLEASE WRITE an adorable story about the challenges of adding a new puppy to Frank and Pamela's home. As someone who adopted a new puppy myself a year ago, I found this part of the story to be hilarious and relatable. I especially enjoyed the correspondence between Grandma Vivienne, Winslow, and Zippy, which was used to tell the story.

The character development of Zippy, the energetic dog, was precious. His antics were so relatable, and I could just picture the very proper Winslow, wearing a bow tie, keeping an eye on the mischievous Zippy, and documenting all of his transgressions.

Being a dog lover, I found the book quite enjoyable. However, I couldn't help but ponder over the target audience for this book. The portion of the story that covers the human characters delves into complex issues such as depression, alcoholism, and death. These topics really take away from the potential of this book and seem incongruous with the rest of the story.

I listened to the audiobook for Please Write and loved the voices of both Zippy and Winslow. Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Bancroft Books
Published November 7, 2023
Narrated Nancy Dhulipala
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com