The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

Kendrick (The Bake-Off) not only shines in portraying the subtleties of female friendships, but also at rendering the unbreakable bond between man (or woman) and dog. Lara Madigan and her best friend’s business is finding suitable families for rescued dogs. Though Lara has an uncanny ability to sense the perfect match, doggie matchmaking doesn’t pay the bills; in fact, it’s given her more debt—and more dogs—than she can handle. It has also put a strain on her relationship with boyfriend Evan, whose “Maybe I’m a people person” comment sends Lara and her rescued mutts to live with her nagging mother in her expansive home in North Scottsdale, Ariz., an exclusive community full of wealthy women in need of a good dog trainer. Before you can say “sit,” Lara not only finds a new career as “the Dog Doyenne” and strengthens her ties to her mom, but makes a perfect (human) match of her own. Kendrick has a similar talent for matchmaking: pairing her winsome heroine and her delightful group of canines in the service of a tale of nurturing one’s true calling and rekindling relationships. Agent: Amy Moore-Benson, AMB Literary Management. (May)