As someone in the veterinary medicine industry, I absolutely loved The Dog Person and getting to experience a story told from a dog’s point of view. It was a refreshing and welcomed change! Harold’s perspective was both heartwarming and deeply emotional, and it was touching to follow him as he helped Miguel navigate the grief of losing his love and find the will to carry on without her. This book captures the loyalty, love and comfort animals bring into our lives. Easily a 4+ star read!

Read this in a whole day and i honestly expected it to be a story in the POV of a human and to my surprise it was in the POV of the furry pet which made it so unique. It was such an emotional read and hit hard with it being about a dog helping his grieving owner and I believe even if you are not a dog person yourself this read would change your mind. Would definitely be reading from the author again. Loved it !

I have enjoyed so many of Camille Pagan’s previous books, so I was excited to get an ARC of her 2026 novel Dog Person. This fun, thoughtful, and heartwarming story follows Harold, an elderly dog determined to help his grieving owner, Miguel, open his heart again after loss. I loved the characters, the bookstore setting, the romance novel nods, and the ending.

I did struggle a bit with the dog narration, as it was not always obvious it was from Harold’s perspective, but that could just be me. Tearjerker moments aside, this is a charming read that I am sure will be a hit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy.

Amelia was a dog person and when she brought Harold home from the shelter, Miguel did not take to him right away. When Amelia was dying, she asked Miguel to take care of Harold, and Harold to find a new love for Miguel. Miguel and Amelia had a bookstore; she was a successful romance writer. After her death Miguel feared he would have to close. When Fiona and twelve-year-old Amelia Mae came into Miguel's life, there was hope. I loved that Harold provided the reader with a dog's perspective. It afforded a lot of humor and insight. Amelia Mae and Harold were determined to get Fiona and Miguel together and was Amelia every resourceful! I am amazed a book can be so sad yet hopeful and heartwarming. Wonderful characters with insight into grief as well as true love and friendship.

Awww - this book gave me all the warm and uplifting feels! & perfectly captures the emotional magic of the bond between people and their dogs

What I loved most was that the canine characters weren’t just props; they had real presence, personality, and purpose in the plot. The human relationships felt just as authentic flawed, tender, and relatable making the happy moments all the more satisfying. It’s a feel-good novel, but not a fluffy one, because it still acknowledges the messy, complicated parts of life.

This is the kind of book you finish with a smile and immediately want to recommend to your best friend

I will proudly wear the proverbial badge of being a dog person forever, thank you very much. That is all.

When I requested this ARC, it was purely out of interest for what a romance from a dog's perspective would be like. When I finished this book, I had unexpectedly cried multiple times with its portrayal of grief and healing.

We follow Harold, an older dog, who makes it his mission to find a companion for his late owner Amelia's partner, Miguel. Through the conflict of trying to keep their bookstore afloat, Miguel and Harold meet and work with some unexpected characters, and they explore how love and connection can develop in the face of grief. I found that seeing the world through the perspective of Harold really enhanced the story, and I can see new readers following the same path as me - initially picking up the book for a gimmick, and ending up enraptured with the writing and characters.

Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

Dog Person charmed me from the very start. It's told from the perspective of Harold an aging, dog savvy mutt it’s touching how this canine narrator carries the weight of grief and purpose. His bond with Amelia May, the romance novelist who raised him, lingers even after she’s gone, and Harold’s determination to help Miguel, her partner, find love again gave the story heart in the most unexpected way.

The writing is a perfect mix of wit and warmth. It reads like a gentle nudge toward healing, balanced with moments that quietly make you laugh or tear up. I loved how the quirks and small acts of love become powerful, emotional beats, Harold’s thoughts feel both deeply dog like and surprisingly human, which is delightful.

The bookstore and its characters, Miguel, Fiona, and her daughter Amelia, felt grounded and authentic. The bookstore’s troubles added real stakes, while Harold’s mission made everything feel hopeful and slightly miraculous. I found myself rooting for everyone, especially as they learned to open up again.

If I had one wish, it would’ve been for a slightly longer ending, just a touch more time to stay in that healed, hopeful space before closing the book. This book had me sobbing. I don't think I can read it again, but it's an amazing book. It makes me too sad thinking about either of them never getting to see Amelia again. I'm too emotional for this haha.

Review: Dog Person by Camille Pagán

“There are two kinds of people in this world: dog people, and people who still need to meet the right dog.”

Harold was rescued and loved so much by a wonderful dog person, Amelia May. But when Amelia dies, a now senior Harold has to deal with his own grief and try to find a way to honor her last wish—to help Miguel, her partner, find someone else to love. And this is not an easy task.

This was the sweetest book, told from Harold’s own perspective but with plenty of overheard conversations to not be limited by it. I appreciated the nods to dog behavior, Harold’s emotional insights that I think may not be fictional at all if we could read our pets minds, and the stops and starts that accompany finding our way through grief.

You will want to read this book if you enjoy
* a dog’s perspective
* second chance love
* connection between children and animals
* small business challenges and joys

Thank you so much to Ballantine and NetGalley for gifting me an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy. I'm not sure I've ever read an adult book with a dog as the narrator, but this was a true delight. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, and lots of feel-good energy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **Dog Person** by Camille Pagán

This book had me in my feels from page one, and I was *so* not prepared for how much it would hit. “Dog Person” isn’t just about dogs (though there’s a very good pup involved) — it’s about connection, grief, and finding pieces of yourself you didn’t know were missing until they show up in the form of an unexpected friendship.

We follow a woman whose carefully curated, “everything’s fine” life gets a little sideways after a chance encounter with a dog owner. What starts as small talk turns into this beautifully messy, heart-tugging journey through loss, love, and the awkward-but-healing steps of starting over. It’s emotional without being heavy-handed, funny in the kind of way where you laugh and then immediately feel your throat tighten, and so real it’s like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s life.

Pagán’s writing is warm, sharp, and *low-key unputdownable*. I devoured this in a day because I just had to know where the characters would end up — and honestly, I’d hang out with them again in a heartbeat.

✨ *ARC Review — huge thanks to the publisher, Camille Pagán, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this early.*

I can’t even describe how much I loved this book! As a “dog person” Harold was the best! I loved his point of view and how he built the characters. I smiled, I laughed, I cried with this story. 5 amazing stars for a very well done novel! #betgalley #dogperson

Dog Person is pure delight from start to finish! It’s a heartwarming, funny, and insightful story about love, loss, and second chances, all told through the unforgettable perspective of Harold, an aging but endlessly endearing dog. Camille Pagán perfectly balances laugh-out-loud moments with tender, emotional beats that tug at your heart. The characters feel real, the relationships are rich, and Harold’s voice is utterly charming. A must-read for dog lovers and anyone who believes in the magic of unexpected connections.

I absolutely loved Dog Person! Harold was an excellent narrator who kept me informed and apprised of all activities! Amelia Mae and Harold made such a good team - I get choked up when dogs and people communicate! Thank you for this wonderful read!

This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that those who’ve had their hearts broken and healed by pets before will viscerally connect with. Get comfy, have the Kleenex ready and enjoy!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the free ARC. All opinions here are wholly my own.

If you've ever loved a dog, Harold will steal your heart.

This delightful and heartfelt story is told through the wise, tender voice of an old dog who has known great love- and great loss. Harold's beloved person has passed away, and while he is deep in grief, he makes a promise to Amelia May that he will help find a new person for her partner, Miguel, to love.
But does Harold have the time and energy left to see his mission through?
This is a book that wraps you in warmth while tugging at your heart.
It's fuzzy, funny, sad, and full of love-- The kind of story that any dog lover will cherish.
Harold is a character you won's forget.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @Ballentine for this ARC and allowing me to provide my review.

Dog Person is a warm and heartfelt story that beautifully explores the bonds between people—and their furry companions. Camille Pagán’s writing is tender and engaging, capturing the ups and downs of relationships with authenticity and charm. I loved how the story weaves themes of love, healing, and second chances together, all with the delightful presence of dogs as a backdrop. It’s a comforting and uplifting read that will resonate with anyone who understands the joy and complexity of companionship.

ARC Review: Dog Person by Camille Pagán
Pub Date: April 7, 2026
ARC gifted by Delacorte Press, NetGalley & Camille Pagán — thank you! All opinions are my own.
5/5 Stars

As a dog mom to three and someone who’s been fostering dogs since 2020, I was instantly drawn in by the title and cover of Dog Person. But what really caught my attention—and pleasantly surprised me—was that the story is told from the perspective of the rescue dog. That’s not something you see often in a romance, and it gave the book a fresh, heartfelt angle. I’ve been a little burnt out on romance lately; too many stories have started to feel the same. This book, though? It felt wonderfully different—in all the best ways.

The story centers around Harold, an elderly mutt with a mission. After the passing of his beloved human, Amelia, Harold is left with one final task: help her partner Miguel heal and find love again. The twist? Miguel is deep in grief and barely leaves the house—let alone the bookstore they once ran together. When a scheduled author event falls apart and puts the bookstore’s future at risk, Miguel and Harold set off to track down the no-show author. Instead, they find Fiona—his fiercely private sister—and her bright, curious eleven-year-old daughter (also named Amelia). Fiona isn’t exactly a dog person, which Harold finds appalling, but little Amelia immediately bonds with him. From there, a gentle and deeply emotional journey unfolds as Harold works tirelessly to bring these wounded hearts together—before his time runs out.

This book wrecked me in the best way. As someone who has senior dogs of her own, I was hit hard—right from the beginning—by Harold’s story. His aging, his loyalty, his grief... I had to pause and take a few deep breaths at points, because Camille Pagán captures those emotions so powerfully. It’s not just about the love story between two people—it’s about healing, second chances, and the quiet ways we show up for each other, especially when we think we’re broken.

I also appreciated how the book wove in themes around mental health and therapy, treating them with honesty and warmth. It felt refreshingly real and compassionate. And of course, Harold was my favorite character—he’s the ultimate wingman. Miguel may have had no idea just how much help he was getting, but Harold was working behind the scenes the whole time, nudging everyone in the right direction.

While there isn’t any pre-release hype yet (since it doesn’t come out until April 2026), I have no doubt Dog Person will make waves. The level of emotional depth and attention to detail reminded me of the best books I’ve read in recent years. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Let’s call it a “medium build.” I never once felt bored or impatient; the story moved along in a way that kept me fully invested.

And the tropes? There’s a beautiful second-chance thread running through this story—not just romantically, but emotionally for many of the characters. It’s tender and hopeful without ever feeling forced.

In short: if you’re a dog lover, a bookstore daydreamer, or someone who loves a story that blends humor, healing, and heart—Dog Person is a must-read. I already know I’ll be recommending this one for a long time.

I absolutely loved this book! This author is amazing, and I can’t wait to read more! Absolutely a dog persons dream book!

I don’t cry easily at books, but this book: cue the waterworks. That SAYS something.

I have enjoyed Camille Pagán books in the past so I picked this one up without reading the description (I often do that with authors I trust). Maybe the title should’ve been a cue to me but: this book is told from the perspective of a dog. It is definitely different- not bad!- I had to be in the mood to pick it up. I loved the plot and ALL of the characters. ❤️ This is a sweet story of overcoming obstacles, grief, and all kinds of love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.