This book is what is called an epistolary novel, meaning a novel written as a series of letters between the fictional characters in the book. In this case, meaning between a grandmother and two dogs, Zippy and Winslow.

This was a delightful story mixed with some very sad scenes. It is unusual to find a story that is both so funny and sad. I highly recommend. I hope the author writes more books.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me review this book for my honest review.

This was a cute book about dogs and people who write back and forth to each other. I was laughing out loud at parts of the book. I really enjoyed the dialogue betwen human and dogs.

Zippy was probably my favorite character. She was so quirky and funny.

#Pleasewrite #netgalley

Please Write is a wonderful book that deals with life, love, and loss through a series of letters between two dogs and their "Grandma Vivienne". It is by turns funny, sweet and poignant. Winston, a stately Boston Terrier has his life turned upside down when a new rescue puppy Zippy is brought in to his family. Their owner Pamela and her husband are going through some of the difficult times that life can throw at humans. With the help of Vivienne, who loves the dogs and their humans as well, and the wisdom of her big brother Winston, Zippy begins to understand the ways of life in a family and the role she can play in making things better for the people she is coming to love. Ultimately it is a testament to the healing power of love through life's ups and downs and I would recommend this book to anyone who has loved a dog in their life and experienced the enrichment those relationships have given them.

“LOvE,,
ZZippy”

I don’t think it’s possible to put Please Write into any box (or maybe in a crate?), it’s such a different book!
This is an epistolary novel, between two dogs –Winston and Zippy– and Grandma Vivian. Just that could be an adventure by itself, but you have to add the diversity you can find in the book : posters, recipes, postcards and so on. It was original in both substance and form. I experienced Just Write in tandem, reading the ebook while I was listening to the audio. The reader (Nancy Dhulipala) was such a treat! Her acting is absolutely wonderful and I had truly sometimes the impression of actually being listening to a dog talking. It was just enough, without outdoing like it can sometimes be. I loved this moment. (I think the end will haunt me for a while) Honestly, both the ebook (for the misc illustrations) and the audio are worth it.
About the content, how the “dog psycho” is written mostly pleased me, it was fun to discover the world through a puppy’s eyes. Maybe too many subjects were talked about, though. Sometimes, it could be a little over the place, a bit like the puppy’s mind. I know it’s a reflection of what happens in our daily life, but I didn’t expect to find difficult subjects in such a book –let alone so many of them– and to actually cry at the end of it.
With Please Write, you can expect two extraordinary doggies characters (Zippy is just a perfect terrier girl, so well written), secondary humans and all their antics in life : how to train a puppy, festivities, writing, travels, painting… but also politics, alcoholism, illness or miscarriage.
Please Write is definitely a different experience!

Thank you NetGalley, J. Wynn Rousuck and both publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It is a perfectly heartwarming tale. While the ending is sad, it was also a good way for the book to end. I am hoping for a sequel with more letters from Zippy and Winslow about life with Pamela and Frank.

I thought it was such a fun concept that the narrative was from the POV of dogs and Grandma Vivienne. It made for easy reading and was also quite enjoyable. I found the characters quite loveable too.

This was a perfect debut novel! I hope I will be able to find print copies available soon as I would love to be able to gift them to fellow dog lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

I can very much picture these letters between my late Frankie and my mom.. cute book that makes the reader fall in love with Zippy, Winslow, and Grandma.

Also, there were apparently 2 dogs at the first Thanksgiving, a mastiff and a spanial

Please Write
A Novel in Letters
by J. Wynn Rousuck
OMG, I found this book, and sometimes serious.I loved how it flowed.YET it is a bit confusing times.

A charming novel written entirely in letters. It’s sure to make pet lovers smile! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

This was a good book if you love dogs you will like it is kind of sad though It remans of the Dog promise books

4.25 stars

I did not expect to cry. I picked this book because of the dogs on the cover. I grew up with a Boston Terrier, and it was neat to see a book with letters from a Boston, though Winslow is far more dignified than my Boston was. Please Write tackles hard topics like abandonment, alcoholism, and grief through letters between two dogs (Winslow and Zippy) and a friend of their owner's mother. It bothered me that Vivienne mostly addressed letters to Zippy and not to both dogs, though both would write to her. I did enjoy the progression of Zippy growing up over a few years, though I'm not sure why this book is set in the early 90s except that maybe letter writing was more common then? Anyway, it's a sweet and sad tale of doggy love.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I'm not familiar with many tales told through correspondence. The only one that comes to mind is Griffin and Sabine. In Please Write, the letter writers are dogs, which adds a cute twist. A blend of drama and humor, this book is sure to entertain dog lovers.

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 liked this book but I didn't love it. I wish there was some explanation on who each character was. And I feel like it ended on a cliffhanger which stinks because I don't know if there will be a sequel.

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.

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.

Thank you for this ARC.
This is such a cute book. All written in the forms of letters. Two dogs writing letters, back and forth to Grandma. Funny, whimsical, loving, ridiculous, and above all, loving heart. Grandma's insights and encouragements are beautiful life advices.
Grab this book if you are indeed a Dog Lover.
I just reviewed Please Write by J. Wynn Rousuck. #PleaseWrite #NetGalley

This was an absolutely wonderful read, about the correspondence between two dogs and their recently widowed "grandma" Vivienne.

Winslow, a decorous Boston Terrier, lives with Pamela and Frank in Baltimore, and has learnt to type secret letters to Pamela's mother Vivienne, who lives elsewhere.

Winslow is appalled when Frank one day brings home a mixed breed terrier, who is given the name Zippy, for her speed. Unfortunately, that talent of hers is unmatched by her capacity to behave well, to Winslow's great disgust.

Grandma Vivienne provides much needed support and sage wisdom to help Winslow to adapt to Zippy's arrival, even if he is questioning whether he will actually *survive* it! Things are not helped by the fact that there is more going on with Frank and Pamela than is evident on the surface, which leads to a further muddying of the waters...

This is a beautiful story, with many layers to it. It addresses issues of adapting to change, grief and loss, and also of continuing to find joy in the midst of life's challenges. I loved it!

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.

This was written in a different style than I ma used to reading. I think the authors use of letters was a great way to tell this story. Zippy's letters took some getting used to haha. A sweet story about life and understanding life. I thought the characters were well developed and this book made me laugh and cry as the dogs and grandma discussed their navigation through situations.

As a dog lover and frequent reader, I went into this book with high expectations. I was excited for an epistolary read from the viewpoint of dogs.

On the surface, this is an adorable read. I enjoyed all three characters: the ever energetic Zippy, the well-behaved Winslow and the kind-hearted Grandmother Vivienne. It explores life as Zippy comes to into the lives of Manslow and his family. The unifying theme is Zippy learning how to be a well-behaved dog, though there are also cute explanations for other things in life (like when Pamela, the dog's human mother gets pregnant, Grandma Vivienne explains how there will be a "people puppy").

However, there were a couple of things that didn't make sense. For one, why this book is set in the 90s when it could be contemporary- the only event in the 90s in the book was Zippy writing about George Bush's dog vs. Bill Clinton's cat.

The second thing that didn't quite work for me was who the audience for this book was. The writing style is for much younger than an adult. However, a character is written very confusingly as two people, not one. This will make the ending hard for younger readers.

Overall, it's mostly still a cute book for dog lovers who wish that our furry friends could type their thoughts to us.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.