JONATHAN UNLEASHED

Jonathan’s dogs are having an existential crisis. Or maybe it’s just him.

Fresh out of college, Jonathan Trefoil does what a lot of adventurous young people do—he moves to New York City. A generally agreeable fellow, he takes in his brother’s two dogs for a few months while he's away on business. To anyone looking at Jonathan’s new life, it would seem to be off to a great start. He’s got a cozy apartment in the desirable East Village, a beautiful, successful girlfriend, and a copywriting job at an ad agency. But all is not what it appears at first glance. Jonathan could be evicted from his shady sublet with just a day’s notice. His major client, an office supply company, is sucking his soul dry by killing his most creative ideas and demanding marketing concepts more along the lines of “Giant sale on pens!” And Jonathan’s girlfriend, Julie, is a vapid, though benign, holdover from college who suggests that the couple get married for a live-stream edition of the wedding magazine she works for. No wonder Jonathan’s dogs are questioning the meaning of it all. When Jonathan believes one of his dogs may be suffering general malaise, he brings his four-legged friend to the local vet, who patiently tolerates his neurosis. The owner of the neighborhood French bakery meets Jonathan with similar kindness, the likes of which he does not often find at home, as Julie is far more interested in her celadon wedding dress and earth-inspired hors d’oeuvres. Bestselling novelist Rosoff (Picture Me Gone, 2015, etc.) unleashes a lighthearted tale that explores the angst of new adulthood, digging up delightful insights about life, love, and the unconditional friendship (and genius) of dogs.

No bones about it, readers of this charmer are in for a real treat.