Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About, a review by Di

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DOGS, BOYS AND OTHER THINGS I’VE CRIED ABOUT

Isabel Klee
(Narrated by Isabel Klee)

Harper Audio Adult/William Morrow
April 28, 2026
7 hours 34 minutes

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If you follow Isabel Klee, simply pushing play will bring tears to your eyes. And if that doesn’t do it, the dedication will have you reaching for the tissue box. And keep them close. The tissues. You’ll likely need them again.

Don’t be mistaken. This is not a book written by an Internet celebrity, influencer, TikTok sensation. Isabelle’s love for dogs is equal to her ability to write. Having taken English and creative writing in college, Isabelle is a bona fide author.

We start in the summer of 2024 with Twinkle, a senior chihuahua, rated as an NHO – new hope only – the highest behavioural rating at Muddy Paws Rescue. This kind of dog can only be transferred to a foster and is not suitable to meet the public in the shelter setting. Isabel continues to explain that the dog will most likely be “a handful”.

Isabel takes us on a journey. Teaching us about the challenges, worry and joy about fostering. How love can be used for change.

Saving the dog is easy, living with them is the hard part. Days and weeks of defeat, distrust, cleaning diarrhea off carpet, pee off upholstery, “cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning”.
“Fostering is about teaching a dog to be a dog”.

Isabel writes about the struggles of finding her way, attempts at college, exploring the world as a nanny. Feeling alone.
Her first boyfriend and her first foster were similar – cute and needy and she couldn’t wait to get rid of them. One cannot ignore the similarities of fostering a rescue and dating in our twenties.

Isabel is a good writer and narrator. Listening to the audiobook, you can feel Isabel’s sadness and joy simultaneously. Her tone, inflection and pace are perfect for this audiobook. Isabel leaves you feeling not only connected to her story, but wishing you could meet her for coffee at the shop near the dog park. She uses subtleties in her imagery rather than slapping you across the face with her messages. This leads me to believe that with repeat readings, the reader will come away with different messages each time.

It was so refreshing to read (and listen to) a memoir that was not only hopeful but relatable. Even if you have never fostered a dog, you are either living, or have lived through, your twenties and all that entails. As the title states, this is more than a book about dogs. This book is for anyone who has ever loved (and lost) a pet. For anyone who has struggled to find their purpose. For anyone who has yearned to love and be loved. For those who want to belong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the Advance Listeners Copy.