I have mixed feelings about this book. Fun concept, but it just didn’t work for me. It was hard to listen to the voice of Zippy, and at times it felt like a children’s novel.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for my honest rating and review.

4/5

This was super cute!!! The story was told completely through letters written mostly between two dogs and Grandma Vivienne. It started off a little juvenile and I even double checked to see if it was a book intended for little kids. But as it went on it dealt with some really heavy subjects, such as alcoholism, miscarriage, and cancer. The way that this book was able to discuss the topics through the eyes of a grandparent and a little puppy was so clever and unique. I enjoyed this interesting perspective.

There were multiple times in this book where I laughed out loud - and not just a little puff of air - we’re talking a loud LOL!! There were also times my heart truly hurt for the characters in the book. Overall this was a really unique way of telling a story about family, loss, and moving on.

Dogs correspond via letters with their grandmother, Vivienne, as their owner Pamela’s life is unraveling.

My interest in PLEASE WRITE was initially piqued when I saw the cover that had a Boston Terrier on it. Being a BT mom, I had to find out more about this book. The synopsis sounded really interesting and I enjoy epistolary formats. After reading though, I’m left thoroughly confused as to what to think and wondering if I greatly missed the point of what it was supposed to be. Winslow the Boston Terrier had a great voice in his letters but was barely included and when he did write to Vivienne, she mostly ignored him, instead focusing on corresponding with Zippy whose letters I found quite annoying to read, though I think that her learning to type was supposed to be funny. I felt so bad for Winslow but I don’t know if that was the intention. In the end, it seemed like I spent most of the time trying to figure out if I was reading too much into things or not enough, so my enjoyment suffered overall. The last couple of lines did make me tear up.
I listened to an audio copy in addition to reading a digital copy. The narration was well done.

Thank you to Bancroft Press and NetGalley for the DRC and ALC.

Debut novel full of whimsy. Written through letters to and from a family friend and her "granddogs". It's told through the eyes of Zippy (a chaotic terrier mix) and Winston (a dapper Boston terrier) with their take on their owners lives - heartbreak, loss, love, and triumph. This was an absolute delight to read!

This audiobook was cute. Nancy Dhulipala does a good job with the three voices, two of whom are dogs. It is very clear which character is writing/speaking. She is able to bring every whimper and yelp to life.

The story, though? First of all, the reader is asked to suspend all disbelief because we have dogs typing letters to a human and the human responding. How did they get the paper in the typewriter? How did the letters get in the mail?

Please Write was very much "on the surface," which was disappointing. I hoped that seeing difficulty through a dog's eyes would have been the opportunity for rare insight, but instead it made really big events seem like a side note. Especially as we learn how empathic Zippy is, it is a letdown that the author didn't go deeper into the emotions of the household.

There is a lot of loss and sadness every-so-lightly touched on: alcoholism, miscarriage, death, war. And then there are parts that will make you smile or even laugh a little. Bonus points for recipes. I'm a sucker for a book with recipes and this one includes dog treats and even cake (for dogs).

The narrator was good. The story itself had potential, but it felt like it didn't live up to it.

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

What I liked: The correspondence between Zippy, Winston and their Grandmother Vivienne is extremely clever. I am eager to try the included recipes for dog treats too.
What I disliked: The book blurb erroneously compares this book to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. There are no similarities, other than the exchange of letters.

Please Write
J.Wynn Rousuck
Enjoyed listening to audio of Please Write. A whimsical, somewhat philosophical story of a rescue dog Zippy who warms his way into a family of establish routines. Zippy arrives in household with an etiquette sophisticated dog Winslow, owners Pamela & Frank who have yet to address unspoken issues.
Zippy wiggles his way into being mentored by Winslow to read and write letters to Pamela’s creative mother Vivienne. Heartwarming evolution of building relationships, heartbreak and loss.
I have found long after finishing “Please Write” how I was able to remember both the characters names and personalities. Charming along with hints of wisdom.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

** spoiler alert ** I enjoyed this book, though I honestly wasn't sure who the intended audience was supposed to be because I felt like it was geared towards upper elementary by the dialogue. However, it had to be geared towards adults because of the themes of self-help, marital problems, and alcoholism. I thought it had funny stories weaved throughout to keep it somewhat light-hearted, but I wouldn't say this is a light-hearted book. The main human writing back and forth between the dogs, is a mysterious character and I honestly don't know if she was really the mom or the friend of the mom she claimed she was, which left me slightly annoyed. One thing I'm sure dog loving audiences will appreciate are the dog treat recipes.

This is hard to review as I’m not sure who the target audience is as it tackles some mature topics, but then it also is based on the antics of two dogs and their letters back and forth to their grandmother. They then work together to come up with an idea for a dog food/treat cookbook and it becomes successful and the dogs are set to go on tour to promote it when the letters from their grandmother stop coming and we learn that she has died. That’s another example of how it’s meant to be a fun and entertaining book for kids as the voices of the dogs were cute and I understand that they need to learn about hard things but I’m not sure that thus was the way to go about it. That being said, the audiobook was entertaining and easy to listen to.
Thanks to Bancroft Audiobooks for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.

“Please Write," offers a whimsical heartwarming yet poignant journey through the eyes of two dogs, Winslow and Zippy. The narrative unfolds through an exchange of letters format, a choice that works for comedy, because the formal aspect of this type of writing. I have seen this used successfully by a local group of authors writing about a writing group, who used emails from the fictional characters to each other, to hilarious effect. The epistolary format also allows for multiple perspectives, offering glimpses into the lives of the humans as well.

It’s a tale of resilience and hope, showcasing how individuals can overcome hardship and find strength in unexpected places.

”Please Write" is a perfect read for dog lovers, and there are millions of us out there. Fans of quirky epistolary narratives, and anyone looking for a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the healing power of friendship will love this.

The narration for the audio book by Nancy Dhulipaly, perfectly suited this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, J. Wynn Rousuck, and Bancroft Press for a copy of the audiobook.

For all dog lovers who wish they could talk and communicate easily with their fur paw loving friends this is the book for you! I listened to it as audiobook and was not disappointed.
Wilson is an astute Boston Terrier who's been in his owners life for long enough now to know he does NOT want to white fluffy mutt furball around. Nevertheless, Zippy is introduced to the family in fashion as she "zips" around the house to meet everyone. Both pups correspond with their grandmother Vivienne over the span of a few years.
The letters to and from deal span from humor, relatable issues that humans face, relatable issues that humans face with animals ( ie potty training, getting into things, foods). Winston tries to be patient with his new sister and guide her in the right direction towards being well behaved and Grandmother Vivienne pushes for a better relationship between them both.

This was a quick read/listen and the perfect companion for a car ride with your beloved fur paws.

This unbiased review is based on the audio received from Netgalley and Bancroft Press.

Please Write follows Grandma Vivian and dogs Winston and Zippy, as the trio correspond with each other via letters. I love the writing style through the letters! Reminds me of childhood memories of reading Click Clack Moo.

Each dog has its own unique personality. Grandma Vivian’s writing is humorous, especially when explaining things to a dog. Winston sounds like a wise old man who is low key grouchy. Zippy is a hyper, curious puppy. I appreciate how Grandma Vivian corresponds with Zippy in a positive manner while also offering some advice.

I had a lot of fun viewing the world through a puppy’s eyes. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, lighthearted read guaranteed to make you laugh.

Though this book is funny, it is geared towards adults and mentions tough topics like miscarriage, alcoholism, and war.

I thank Netgalley and the author for allowing mee to receive the ARC copy of this book.

I loved the originality of this book, the simple language and the fact that the dogs could type was really fun and innovative. I absolutely think that as a children'#s book it would make a great present for any young fellow. I also liked how the most important aspects of the owner's lives were acounted from the dogs'POV. The fact that they didn't fully unerstand what was happening was great for the reader, as it gave the story layers.

The ending also played on this aspect and was quite heartbreaking. I would definitely recommend this book.

"Please Write: A Novel in Letters" by J. Wynn Rousuck is a delightful exploration of human connection through the lost art of letter writing. The novel cleverly unfolds through a series of letters exchanged between characters, weaving a tapestry of emotions, relationships, and personal growth.

Rousuck's writing style is refreshingly intimate and effortlessly captures the nuances of each character's voice. The epistolary format adds a unique layer to the storytelling, allowing readers to peek into the hearts and minds of the characters as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery.

The characters are beautifully crafted, and their stories are both relatable and poignant. As the letters unfold, a sense of intimacy and authenticity emerges, making it easy to empathize with the joys and struggles of the characters.

"Please Write" is not just a novel; it's an invitation to connect with the characters on a personal level. Rousuck's masterful use of the epistolary form makes this book a compelling and heartwarming read, reminding us of the power of words to bridge the gaps between us. If you're looking for a novel that celebrates the beauty of human connection, this is a must-read.

3.5 stars for the story
5 stars for the narrator

This was a very cute and well-done book. I like the correspondence between the dogs and Grandma Vivienne, however, I agree with many other reviewers who have noted that, as the book progressed, Zippy took over and Winslow seemed to take a backseat. I actually preferred Winslow's voice and would have liked more letters from him. I thought it was clever how the problems that Pamela and Frank were experiencing were told through the eyes of Winslow and Zippy and I enjoyed the inclusion of the recipes. I might even try to make some of them for my own doggo.

A few reasons for knocking off one and a half stars are the aforementioned disappearance of Winslow as the book progressed, but also a few other details that seemed unnecessary. For example, I can think of zero reasons why the book was set in the 1990s, except to allow the author to include references to world and political events of the time, though that also seemed unnecessary. I also do not know why "Grandma Vivienne" and "Pamela's Mother" were treated as two separate people, unless it was meant to be a coping mechanism for Pamela's mother to get over the loss of her husband. I don't know, but that was something I had trouble reconciling while I was listening.

That said, I thought the narration was brilliant. I loved the three distinct voices: the high-pitched, whiny Zippy, who was clearly a puppy. The slow distinguished cadence of Wislow, who was clearly a veteran of life, and the knowing and wise voice of Grandma Vivienne. I would highly recommend the audiobook to anyone thinking of reading this book.

Imagine your dog learning to type and writing letters to their human grandparent. It was very cute, yet dealt with some adult issues. The dogs letters were impossibly cute and human grandma’s replies were charming. Very well written. The audiobook was really nice.

In this charming epistolary novel, set in the early 1990s, Winslow (a Boston Terrier), and Zippy (a West Highland/Jack Russell Terrier Mix) - who live in Maryland, have a long-running correspondence with Grandma Vivienne - who lives in Ohio.

For a long while, Boston Terrier Winslow was perfectly happy being the only pooch living with Pamela (a theatre critic) and Frank (a landscape architect). Then Frank brought home an abandoned 7-month-old Westie/JackRussell, who - being a rambunctious little gal - was named Zippy. Dismayed by this addition to the family, Winslow types a letter to Grandma Vivienne, and complains that, "The selfish, scruffy pup has already eaten my dinner, stolen two biscuits, and decimated my favorite tennis ball."

Grandma Vivienne pens a return letter to Zippy, applauding the pup's love of toys but advising her to respect Winslow's belongings. Grandma Vivienne goes on to explain that her late husband (Pamela's father) judged dogs in competitions called 'dog shows', and Pamela has been working way too hard and needs Zippy to make her life calmer (ha ha ha). Grandma Vivienne also sends Zippy a dog tag and some Milk-Bone puppy treats.

Zippy's return note to Grandma Vivienne, reading "TREAT! TREAT! TREAT! TREAT! TREAT!" is transcribed by Winslow, who then takes it upon himself to teach Zippy how to type. This is the start of a long-running correspondence between Zippy and Grandma Vivienne. Winslow - a mature, observant canine - writes the occasional letter as well, in which he laments Zippy's transgressions, and sometimes mentions things like Frank being gone for days and coming home smelling like rum cake, and Pamela's resulting distress.

Grandma Vivienne finds most of Zippy's antics amusing, but chides the little pooch for chewing up Pamela's rare first edition book; stealing Winslow's food; digging up the bulbs Frank planted in the yard; being an escape artist; eating a box of Valentine chocolates; etc.

Little Zippy is sent to Puppy Kindergarten, from which she eventually gets a 'social promotion', and Zippy exhibits her boisterous, fun-loving personality everywhere she goes, like dog camp; a family trip; a plane ride; agility school (where Zippy won't come out of the tunnel); and more. Zippy reports back to Grandma Vivienne along the way, and Grandma Vivienne responds.

Grandma Vivienne is mourning the loss of her husband and suffers from health problems, but her interactions with the dogs are generally entertaining, loving, and upbeat. Grandma Vivienne is (mostly) amused by Zippy's shenanigans and adores both grandpuppies. She lavishes praise on the pooches; sends recipes for dog goodies; purchases playthings like pull-toys and plush Hanukkah dreidels; knits doggie sweaters and scarves; and when necessary, addresses more serious topics, some of which come up in Winslow's reports.

The book occasionally mentions deeper topics like addiction; the war in Iraq; Pamela and Frank's dislike of President Bush; Clinton and Gore winning though Bush said 'My dog Millie knows more about foreign affairs than these two bozos'; and other such things. However, the narrative is much more fun than political.

My favorite parts of the book are the scenes that made me laugh out loud. I'll give a few examples.

In a letter to Zippy, Grandma Vivienne mentions that Pamela's dad (the dog show judge) would get a kick out of Zippy.

Zippy reacts as follows:
Dog judge would kick Zippy????
Zippy is not guilty!!
Zippy is a good dog!!!!
Zippy watches Law and Order.
Zippy wants a lawyer.
Will not take a plea.
Did not do it.
Do what??? What is the charge??
Zippy will not go to jail!
Grandma Vivienne must be character witness.
Zippy is innocent!!!

*****
After seeing a news clip about President Bush's visit to Japan, Zippy writes:
President Bush threw up in Japan!
Zippy loves watching this on TV. It is on TV over and over.
President Bush hates broccoli.
Zippy hates broccoli.
Frank put some in Zippy's dish once.
YUCK!
President Bush has a dog named Millie who wrote a book.
Zippy likes Millie.

*****
Later, Grandma Vivienne is writing a cookbook with recipes for dog treats, and Zippy provides the following advice.
Zippy thinks you should name a recipe for Grandma Vivienne. Something sweet.
Zippy also thinks you should name a recipe for Pamela.....Maybe cookies that look like tennis balls.
Zippy even thinks you should name a recipe for Winslow. Something Zippy doesn't like. Something with broccoli.

****
In the course of the story, the family experiences ups and downs, and the dogs celebrate the good times and empathize during the difficult times.

The narrative is both very entertaining and a nice tribute to the dogs that enhance our lives.

The following recipes for dogs are included:
Winslow's Frozen Yogurt Treats
Holiday Dog Biscuits
Zippy's Birthday Cake
Chunky Peanut Butter Wheat Germ Treats
Meatloaf For Dogs

I had a text copy as well as the audiobook, and the narrator, Nancy Dhulipaly, does an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley, J. Wynn Rousuck, and Bancroft Press for a copy of the book.

I received this for free to review on NetGalley.

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I had high hopes that it would be endearing, adorable and entertaining but about halfway through it was just more of the same chatter over and over with little excitement to keep it moving. The concept is super cute but it could have been an hour and done. I stopped mid-way because I was bored. Then I thought, hmm maybe my kids would like it, but it was a dud for them too.

This was a delightful novel written and read in letter form. I thought the author did a great job conveying the thoughts of Winslow and Zippy, as well as Grandma, through the correspondence.
My only pet peeve would be the whining, baby voice of Zippy throughout the book… even after he is grown, the narrator still gave him a baby voice. I endured the voice because I was enjoying the story so much. I’m glad I did.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BancroftAudiobooks for an ARC of this audiobook.

I loved this story! Told via the viewpoint of two dogs…

Winslow, an older, very proper, well bred dog, and Zippy, a young, mixed, hyperactive mutt who you absolutely can’t help but love!

And being as I have two rescues myself, and each of them reminds me of each of these characters…well, just couldn’t pass this one up!!

We begin with Zippy being brought home by Frank…and Pamela, his wife, has absolutely no intentions of making their home a TWO DOG HOME…but then, how cute is this dog??

After she’s taken in, Winslow is given the task of teaching her everything!
How is he supposed to do this with such a subpar specimen?? He’s not sure…but because he loves Pamela and Frank, he gives it his best shot! They begin by corresponding (via typewritten letters) with Pamela’s Mom and Grandma Vivienne ( who is apparently the alter ego of the actual Grandma!)

Very S L O W L Y, Zippy's typing skills improve!

Through all these little love letters, we learn of all the subtle problems between the two rivaling siblings, as well as many upsets between the parents.
Winslow wants no part of having another dog in the house, never mind a mutt!!

And Zippy just wants to run and play all day, just like the puppy that she is!! ❤️

But there is trouble in paradise, and the author is not afraid to share it.
Frank has an addiction, but he’s having a hard time grappling with the consequences… although he IS trying to get help!

This deals with so much more than just the aspect of pets and their owners…it delves into the hardcore feelings that all pet owners and lovers have. As well as issues of separation, death, miscarriage, and so much more!

But throughout the book I felt like I was walking around with a HUGE SMILE on my face…because if you are a dog lover, more than anything else, this WILL make you smile!
But it might also just make you CRY…

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! Thanks to #NetGalley and #BancroftAudiobooks for an ARC of this audiobook!

#PleaseWrite by. #JWynnRousack and beautifully narrated by #NancyDhulipala.

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