Waiting for Doggo follows the story of a man whose girlfriend has recently ended their relationship, leaving him with nothing more than a long letter and a small, scruffy rescue dog called Doggo.
As the story unfolds, the lead character Dan picks himself up, finds his dream job and girl, all with the unlikely help of Doggo.
It is obvious that Mark Mills has strong literary skills in the construction of the text of the book, which is easy to read and amusing in part and generally enjoyable, however it seemed to me to lack substance both in the storyline and the development of the characters.
Some of the storyline seems unlikely – he is jobless and then a job lands on his doorstep with a fantastic salary attached, but instead of grabbing the opportunity with both hands, he only agrees to take it if the dog can come to work with him.
A few of the characters lack credibility. The hippy ex girlfriend is described in a clichéd fashion, as is the boss who is a high-powered advertising executive and comes out with the most corny one-liners. That said, the characterisation is still quite amusing at times.
I didn’t find myself entirely warming to Dan either, especially after he slept with his ex’s sister not days after they had split up, not really carrying for her feelings.
Doggo on the other hand is so endearing, the author has given him a quirky but loveable personality which follows throughout the book. The development of the relationship between Dan and Doggo is also heartwarming.
If you are looking for a light, ‘nice’ read to help you wind down over the holidays, Waiting for Doggo should fit the bill.
Charlie Hill
Published by Headline Review and available now.
