Customer Reviews

Hello, Doggy!

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4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

When called to the office of a publisher, Dr. Tory Hoffstra thinks that this might be the break she was hoping for - to publish her case studies. But instead, she learns that they want her to co-write a book with a charismatic TV writer turned pop-psychologist who she slammed in an article in a highbrow psych magazine. She decides the only way to insure he isn't just a charlatan is to go incognito to one of his round table discussions, so its off to Sak's for a makeover. Keenan James doesn't know what hit him when the new gal in his lunch group takes an antagonistic stance against his theories (think "He's Just Not that Into You"). He assumes she's a plant when she starts citing case studies and doesn't realize they've already met when he moved into his new building and she was accosted by his labradoodle, Barbra Streisand. He also doesn't understand his attraction to the hot head. When he learns of her deception and the two start to work in the book, their pent up attraction explodes. Can they be co-authors with benefits?

Elaine Fox is known for her romantic comedies featuring quirky four-legged characters who manage to steal the show. Secondary characters include Keenan's brother Brady, who was had his own canine to contend with in the hysterical "Beware of Doug" and Alicia, a lesbian who attends the roundtables but has a secret of her own. It's a cute and funny romantic comedy that will have readers giggling at everyone's antics, despite the trite use of a makeover to "hide" her identity. And a small nitpick - the cover features the wrong dog breed - it's a poodle instead of a 60 pound labradoodle.

This book was easy to read, and it made me laugh. I would buy more books from the author.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book since it has one of those much-used romance plot lines, the "big deception." In fact, I stopped the book after about 10 pages because I didn't want to read another book where one main character starts the relationship incognito. But I picked the book back up yesterday and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed the interaction of the two main characters, and I like how Ms. Fox handled the deception. Keenan and Tory are complex characters and likable people. Also, I enjoyed the back-and-forth discussion about relationships and how men and women think. I found myself wishing I could sit in and talk about these issues more. It was fascinating. I've now read all the Guys&Dogs books and will seek out Elaine Fox's backlist.

While this book was well written and fast paced, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have previous books by Ms. Fox. I didn't get the romance. In fact, Keenan and Tory didn't even have a romantic encounter until over halfway through the book.

I loved Barbara Streisand and wished that she had been better incorporated into the story. She felt just kind of thrown in to continue the series but unlike Doug, didn't really add anything to the plot.

While I loved Keenan as the hero, I wish more information was given on his background. It was hinted at that his mother's situation was the reason he started the round tables, but I never fully understood what that situation was.

This book also gave me a dislike for Brady when I really liked him in Must Love Doug. I didn't understand why he didn't visit his mother or help Keenan out more with their mother. Brady's behavior was never given a satisfactory explanation.

I didn't like Tory. She was insecure, judgmental and somewhat wimpy. Her overall personality seemed totally at odds with the way she acted around Keenan and was never willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I just didn't like her. I didn't like the way she treated herself, her sister or Keenan. And while she showed some growth toward the end, I never understood why she and Keenan should have been together.

I also did not enjoy the huge amount of psychobabble the characters used. While some would have been acceptable, there was a little too much and I ended up skipping over a lot of the conversations involving Tory and Keenan.

Overall it was an enjoyable read, just not much of a romance. It's more about Tory's journey of self discovery than anything.

HELLO, DOGGY! By Elaine Fox
July 22, 2008

Amazon Rating 4/5 Stars

It's been a few months since I read this one, so I'll keep this review short (You can catch my full review at curledup.com) but I found that for a book like this, a light hearted novel that bordered on chick-lit, it was pretty good. It was very entertaining and fun. The main story is that of Keenan James, who is a famous love advice guru. Women seek his advice, but Tory Hoffstra, a very insecure psychologist, despises him. She is told that her latest book will be a collaboration between this pop-culture love guru and herself, and she decides to disguise herself and infiltrate one of his group meetings to see what he's really all about.

What Tory goes through, as she tries to vamp herself up and fit in with the rest of the women who are seeking his advice, is pretty funny, but I also think it was smart writing too. I totally believed in her character, and I enjoyed reading about her adventures as she gets to know Keenan James.

Tory's relationship with an ex-boyfriend who is still a big part of her life is rather interesting, and this fits into the plot very nicely as well. I think the author did a really good job with creating this insecure person and delving into her deepest feelings and fears. But remember, this is not a serious book, but at the same time it's not some dim-witted chick lit book.

Antics by a dog named Barbara Streisand also adds to the laughs.

As I said already, HELLO, DOGGY is a fun book. Definitely worth the time spent reading it.

Tory Hoffstar arrives at publisher Franklin Fender's office hopeful that he likes her book proposal. Instead, Mr. Fender informs her that he isn't interested in her book; he wants Tory to help Keenan James write his. Keenan helps women with their relationships but he has no credentials and Tory is a psychologist. Franklin thinks with Tory's brains and Keenan's good looks and charm he'll have a bestseller. Keenan is a busy guy and when his brother refuses to take their mother's dog Barbara Streisand off his hands, things get even crazier.

Tory is skeptical about Keenan's ethics so she disguises herself and attends Keenan's Just-Dump-Him Round Table meetings to see what he's all about. Tory ends up learning a thing or two about herself and Keenan does too. They can't seem to get along but they can't stay away from each other either.

I liked Tory and Keenan and I really wanted them to be together in Hello Doggy, but there is a lack of chemistry between them. There are some sexual sparks and they burn pretty hot, but they never quite click. The women who attend the Just-Dump-Him Round Table are like a group of old friends who welcome Tory with open arms. It's really nice and Barbara Streisand is a funny name for a sweet doggy. While Tory's sister has her nice moments, she makes Tory feel bad often. Hello doggy is a fun story and the ending is great. I just wish there was more of a connection between Tory and Keenan.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Keenan James has made a name for himself as a celebrity who tells woman what men are really thinking. He has started doing small therapy type meetings called "Just-Dump-Him Round Table" sessions that bring a few women together to learn what men really think. After having written a successful TV series, woman trust him, and keep coming back for more advice. He truly believes most women who are not happy should simply dump their man.

Engelberta "Tory" Hoffstra is a psychologist who has been offered a book deal, which has been her dream for years. However, she has been asked to co-write with Keenan James -- someone she believes is exploiting woman, and a crack pot. She isn't sure she wants to do the book, but when she loses her job, she finds she has no other options if she wants to continue to live in New York City.

HELLO, DOGGY! Is a light read that is filled with humor. Elaine Fox writes a great contemporary romance that is best read on the beach, and as always she has fit the bill with her latest novel. This reader spent the day entertained poolside, with this cute tale about a man and his dog.

Ms. Fox's characters are delightful! They are portrayed with a great sense of humor, and as Tory transforms herself from a mousy book type to a confident woman, she gets more likeable all the time. When Tory discovers the makeup counter and clothing advice at Saks she becomes the woman she didn't think she was -- able to transform into a beautiful confident woman.

Keenan may have always been successful but he believed his "psychology" for woman - just dump them, and when he finds out that maybe Tory has some good points, he relents and takes on the book deal. However what gives this character true hero status is that he accepts he may have been wrong - a great thing for any man!

All in all this was a fast paced, cute read that left this reviewer smiling.

Review Courtesy of LoveRomancesandmore

Reading this book took 5 hours out of my life that I will never see again. Too much "Psycho-babble" for me. Alot of Blah-Blah-Blah.....
I've read one of Elaine Fox's stories prior to this book and was happy with it. Perhaps she was just having a writing slump on this one. I will give her shot though.....sort of like a tie breaker!

Adviser to women on what men want from them, Keenan James is extremely popular; his weekly roundtable discussion show is a hit. However, he is unhappy that he must work with a co-author, some reticent idiotic shrink on his next book. Almost as bad is that his mom dumped her mutt pampered Barbra Streisand on him.

Dr. Tory Hoffstra is despondent that her publisher demands she work with Keenan James if she wants her book printed. She thinks the handsome host is a fake who takes advantage of insecure females. To determine whether she wants to work with him or forget publication, Tory gets a seat at his table. They are instantly attracted to one another, but she realizes she is the fraud while he cannot believe he has fallen in love and worse asks Barbra for advice.

Although the author is a Fox, no one does canine matchmaking romances as affectionately and amusingly as Elaine Fox does (see BEWARE OF DOUG). HELLO, DOGGY is a lighthearted romp starring a strong lead couple, and solid support cast, and Barbra. As the lead couple's relationship changes, there interest in helping lonely females continues unabated; this serious undertone makes this overall jocular frolic into a strong contemporary romance.

Harriet Klausner

i forgot the name of the book.Normally I love Elaine's writing but this was not interesting. The book didn't hook me in it. It doesn't make me want to read it again like I've done with so many of her books and I don't want to recommend it. It was an average story but it had no spark in the writing.If you want a good book read "Guys and Dogs."