The Dog Sitter

“A sharp and humorous tale of a woman’s search for purpose. It's a hoot." —Publishers Weekly

From NYT and USA Today bestselling author Eva Lesko Natiello comes a witty and relatable story about starting over, found family, and a dog’s unexpected wisdom:

For fans of THE WEDDING PEOPLE and WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE

When a woman whose life has gone sideways takes a 30-day dog-sitting job in New York City, despite not being a dog person, she's pulled into Manhattan's chaotic social orbit. This delightfully offbeat story is a heartfelt journey of messy midlife reinvention, filled with sharp humor, quirky characters, and one very judgmental dog.

Recently divorced, newly evicted, and suddenly strapped, Colleen Fitzroy is out of options. She reluctantly agrees to work for former boss, Massimo Locatelli—editor of Savor Magazine—dog sitting his precious Aldo while he’s out of town. At least no one will bother her.

That’s until an endless parade of New Yorkers arrives unannounced, pulling Colleen into their knotty orbit. As she juggles strangers, a high maintenance dog, and her unraveling plans, Massimo takes note of her grit. He offers her a role in an ambitious new venture inside Manhattan’s rarefied restaurant scene—which triggers a shameful secret.

Colleen must confront the life she’s been living—and decide if she has the courage to seize the life that’s long overdue.

Propulsive and irreverent, The Dog Sitter is an irresistible portrayal of one woman’s serendipitous midlife awakening, proving it’s never too late to start living authentically.

© 2026 by Eva Lesko Natiello. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.