The Stray Dogs
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Stray Dogs
Latest News
Lizzy's First Impressions of The End of Everything
The Booker Prize was announced earlier this week and it was quite a divisive win...
New Hero Alert! Introducing Fran, our New Bookstore Hero
There's a new face in our Hobsonville bookshop, and we're delighted to introduce you to...
The Secret About Puzzle Piece Counts
I managed to completely blow Serena's mind this week with one little fact about jigsaw...
New Releases to add to your TBR (10th November)
Lizzy is here with her weekly wrap up of all the new books that have...
Find Their Perfect Match: Board Games for Every Personality
Not sure what board game to gift this Christmas? We've put together a gift guide...
See moreThe new feel-good read about friendship, our canine companions, and the joy of second chances from the two-million-copy bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things.
Ruth Hogan plus dogs equals feel-good fiction bliss! This heartwarming tale of lost dogs and new beginnings is Hogan absolutely at the top of her game. A must-read! - Bestselling author, Mike Gayle
The new feel-good read about friendship, our canine companions, and the joy of second chances from the two-million-copy bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things.
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but Desmond and Leona are about to find out that it's never too late to start living your dreams...
Since his marriage ended, Desmond Leaks has been stuck in rut. But living alone does have some upsides - for one, there's no one to tell him that he's 'not allowed' chocolate spread on his toast.
And for Leona Lennox, a fresh start might just mean she can finally open that rescue centre for abandoned dogs she's always dreamed of. That's if she can learn to let people in occasionally - and accept help.
Take this Desmond guy, he's so nice that he's offering to get his old band back together to play some fundraising gigs for the rescue centre. If only Leona could say yes, just this once... The Stray Dogs might actually be decent, right?
But the band haven't played together in years, and if they have any chance of making this work, Desmond will have to track down charismatic frontman Darcus McGuire. But how do you find someone who doesn't want to be found...?
Lost dogs and lost people find unexpected happiness in this gorgeously uplifting story filled with Ruth Hogan's trademark wit and warmth, perfect for fans of Ruth Jones, Mike Gayle, Graham Norton, and Beth Morrey.
Praise for Ruth Hogan:
"The book's heart beats with the love of animals" - Kit Fielding
"This beautiful story doesn't just steal your heart, it makes you fall in love!" - Reader review, 5 stars
"A love letter to (rescue) dogs... uplifting... I would have loved to spend more time with the dogs!"
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781805464822
Publisher: Atlantic Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 27 August 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Corvus
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 384
About the Author
Ruth Hogan studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College and went on to work in local government. A car accident and a subsequent run-in with cancer convinced her finally to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. The result was her debut novel - The Keeper of Lost Things, which went on to become a global bestseller. She is now a full-time author and lives with her husband and rescue dogs in a rambling Victorian house stuffed with treasure that inspires her novels.Insta: @ruthmariehoganauthor
Also by Ruth Hogan
View allBrowse lists from our team
The Latest at Book Hero
View allMore from General Fiction
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 200,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
