The Dog Sitter: Feel good relatable fiction about starting over

From NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Eva Lesko Natiello, comes THE DOG SITTER.

For fans of The Wedding People and The Guncle.

When a woman whose life has gone sideways takes a 30-day dog-sitting job in New York City, despite not being a dog person, she's pulled into Manhattan's chaotic social orbit. This delightfully offbeat story is a heartfelt journey of messy midlife reinvention, filled with sharp humor, quirky characters, and one very judgmental dog.

Recently divorced, newly evicted, and suddenly strapped, Colleen Fitzroy is out of options. She reluctantly agrees to work for former boss, Massimo Locatelli—editor of Savor Magazine—dog sitting his precious Aldo while he’s out of town. At least no one will bother her.

That’s until an endless parade of New Yorkers arrives unannounced, pulling Colleen into their knotty orbit. As she juggles strangers, a high maintenance dog, and her unraveling plans, Massimo takes note of her grit. He offers her a role in an ambitious new venture inside Manhattan’s rarefied restaurant scene—which triggers a shameful secret.

Colleen must confront the life she’s been living—and decide if she has the courage to seize the life that’s long overdue.

Sharp, propulsive, and irreverent, The Dog Sitter is an irresistible portrayal of one woman’s serendipitous midlife awakening, proving it’s never too late to start living authentically.

“This book will appeal to anyone who's put their dreams on hold—for people or circumstance—only to one day discover they've lost the thread of their own life.”

* Book Club Discussion Questions Included *

Editorial Reviews

Early Praise for The Dog Sitter:

“Impossible to put down, The Dog Sitter delivers the perfect blend of messy midlife reinvention with biting humor. Readers who love complicated women, witty banter, richly flawed characters, and chaotic “what could possibly go wrong?” energy will devour Colleen Fitzroy’s unforgettable spiral into Manhattan luxury, emotional upheaval, and one very judgmental dog. Packed with razor-sharp observations, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprising heart, this novel captures the uncertainty of starting over while proving it’s never too late to reclaim your life.”

—Leah Tran, Manhattan Book Review

“What a delight to read Eva Natiello's The Dog Sitter! With a bright, fresh, and very funny voice, she takes us on the journey of a woman who has no idea where she's going, but manages to find her way there with the help of one very New York dog and a cast of outrageous but believable characters. This is a propulsive, charming, and wholly original book!”
—Ellen Meister, bestselling author of Joyride and Divorce Towers

“No one would choose the calamities that befall Eva Lesko Natiello’s midlife everywoman, yet—by the end of this funny, sly novel, you find yourself wanting in. Natiello is a deft stylist and an incisive social satirist, turning one woman’s misfortune into something unexpectedly joyful, even aspirational.”
—Karen Karbo, bestselling author of Yeah, No, Not Happening

“Best known for her psychological thriller hit The Memory Box, NYT bestselling author Eva Lesko Natiello makes a brilliant and hilarious pivot with THE DOG SITTER blending witty social commentary with a chaotic, high-stakes plot that proves Natiello's versatility in this comedy of errors, urban absurdity and a dog that might be smarter than the humans, proving a 'midlife awakening' can be just as propulsive as any thriller.”
—Judith D. Collins, JDC Must Read Books