Book Perfume

If you’re in need of some laughter and the comfort of old friends, you’re in luck. Claire Cook is back with the eighth installment of her beloved Must Love Dogs series, and Lucky Enough is as bright and wonderful as a glimmering pot o’ gold.

Lucky Enough reconnects us with preschool teacher Sarah Hurlihy, her partner, John, and their menagerie of pets in the seaside town of Marshbury, Massachusetts. What Sarah probably should have told John when they bought her family home was that that they’re now residing in the epicenter of the Irish Riveria and that their yard will double as a parking lot for half of Marshbury during the town’s famed St. Patrick’s Day parade. When you add to that Sarah’s dad’s campaign to be St. Paddy’s Day mayor, her brother living in a canned ham trailer in the driveway, and a home renovation with no end in sight, it’s no wonder why stress on the couple is at an all-time high. Of course, what’s really weighing on them is their ongoing fertility journey, which is only exacerbated by Sarah’s pregnant teaching assistant living under their roof. Told with the wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud humor that has made Must Love Dogs a fan favorite, Lucky Enough will remind you of all the things you love about this series and will have you begging for the next installment.

To borrow from the Irish blessing, Lucky Enough will make your heart light and happy and your smile big and wide. Claire Cook is the kind of gifted storyteller who can perfectly blend hilarious hijinks with poignant emotion in the span of one page. She perfectly captures the perplexing messiness of life—how a day plagued with worry about the future can also be a day when you discover that your dog’s fur has been dyed green. Each book in this series is somehow funnier and more heartfelt than the one before it, and the characters feel more and more like home. I loved the Hurlihy family the moment I met them in Must Love Dogs, and eight books later, I’m even more excited to pull up a chair and join them for Sunday dinner.

While Lucky Enough stands on its own, you’ll appreciate it even more if you’ve read the previous installments. These books are even more bingeable than your favorite TV show, so whether you’re new to the series or consider the Hurlihys old friends, settle in and get ready for a doggone good time. You’re truly in for a treat.

Must Love Dogs: Lucky Enough is available now! Order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or from your favorite bookseller. Be sure to follow the always inspiring Claire Cook on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and check out all the fun at clairecook.com!