Gone to the Dogs

After being dumped by her fiancé over the phone, dissatisfied waitress Rena retaliates by stealing her ex's dog in Guterson's amusing but forgettable second novel. If the break-up with Brian wasn't bad enough, Rena's mother is getting serious with a new guy Rena is unsure about, her sister's seemingly happy Orthodox Jewish marriage is in trouble, and her family is on a mission to fix her up with a new man. The someone they settle on is affable Chuck, who encourages her to return the dog, settle her issues with Brian, and find a job that really makes her happy. But when Rena makes a big mistake, she wonders if she's screwed up her chances to move on with her life for good. Guterson (We Are All Fine Here) is familiar with the chick lit formula, so the neurotic and insecure Rena immediately garners her sympathy. While Rena's family functions as a surprisingly rich comic buffer, fans won't find many memorable moments in this breezy read.