There's definitely a feeling of desperation when you start to think of your dog as your significant other. Josie Sheehan and her trio of co-worker/friends/fellow dog walkers are beginning to get a little eccentric especially in their dealings with the opposite sex. For various reasons they have decided to take a vow to avoid any more failed relationships. Sounded like a good idea at the time, after all safety in numbers and all and who better to watch your back then good friends. Josie's dog Genghis has her number. She's a pushover for anyone who professes to have feelings for her. Rather than obey Genghis uses his guiles. He had excellent teachers -- any of Josie's exes. But Josie's world is about to get shaken up and hopefully for good when she meets Rick Rousseau owner of Celestial Pet. Rick has done a pretty good job of avoiding any kind of relationship with women for several years now but his celibacy is about to get tested. You see Josie has had some love advice from a rather odd older woman and has thrown caution to the wind. Being careful hasn't done her one bit of good -- so she's ready to be bold and daring, even if it scares the pants off her. So she decides to be the aggressor in her relationship with Rick but you know what they say about be careful what you wish for. Building a relationship with Rick is going to challenge everything Josie believes in and test her ability to trust. Trust is a two way street and Rick is also facing down some demons from his past in his desire to get Josie to care for him as much as he has come to care for her. Josie represents a future that Rick was certain he didn't deserve. Now if the dangers of the past don't catch up with him, they just might stand a chance. Rick is surrounded with security charged with keeping him safe but somehow Josie has managed to breach that wall. Now the question is does she have the courage to fight for a future with this man with a dark past. All I can say is wow. This was not what I expected when I started reading this latest book by Susan Donovan. Sounded like a simple premise but quickly evolved into a well written story about the complex nature of all kinds of relationships. Her characters were very real, imperfect and human and anything but shallow - quirks and insecurities abounding. Can't wait for the upcoming books involving the rest of the dog walking group. If this is an example of what's to come then we are in for a treat. Enjoy.