Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail

Must Love Dogs #6

by Claire Cook

From Claire Cook, New York Times bestselling author of the novel turned romantic comedy movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, comes Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail, Book 6 of the hilarious and heartwarming Must Love Dogs series.

In the charming small beach town of Marshbury, Massachusetts, preschool teacher Sarah has the heartbreak of a messy divorce behind her and the promise of a second chance with John ahead. When she finds out that buying the family house also means hosting the holidays, her only goal is survival. They’ve got a house full of animals and a renovation in full throttle. Sarah’s single and pregnant teaching assistant Polly is staying with them, too, as is her brother Johnny, whose marriage is on the rocks, and Sarah has just been made chair of the Bayberry Preschool holiday performance. Can she and John survive all this?

THE MUST LOVE DOGS SERIES:
Must Love Dogs (#1)
Must Love Dogs: New Leash on Life (#2)
Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later (#3)
Must Love Dogs: Bark & Roll Forever (#4)
Must Love Dogs: Who Let the Cats In? (#5)
Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail (#6)

Nobody drives you crazier than family, and nobody loves you more.

PRAISE FOR MUST LOVE DOGS:

“Must Love Dogs has already been a major motion picture, and now New York Times bestselling author Claire Cook’s hilarious and heartwarming series is begging to hit the screen again as a miniseries or a sitcom.” -Nancy Carty Lepri, New York Journal of Books

“Reading about how life goes for this wacky marvelously lovable family becomes addictive.”-Pamela Kramer, Examiner

"Funny and pitch perfect." -Chicago Tribune

"Wildly witty" -USA Today

"Cook dishes up plenty of charm." -San Francisco Chronicle

"A hoot" -The Boston Globe

"A hilariously original tale about dating and its place in a modern woman's life." –BookPage

Praise for Claire Cook:

"Claire Cook (Must Love Dogs) has built a brand writing light-hearted women's fiction blending kernels of the absurd and comedic in compulsively readable combinations." -Shelf Awareness

"The exuberant and charming Claire Cook is one of the sassiest and funniest creators of contemporary women's fiction." -The Times-Picayune

"[Cook's] poignancy and sassy humor resonate with readers; her theme of reinvention uplifts and inspires." -Savannah Magazine

Genres: Audiobook

334 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2017

About the author

CLAIRE COOK wrote her first book in her minivan at 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the adaptation of her novel Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, which is now an 8-book series. Claire is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 25 books for 40-to-forever women, including her latest series, Bonus Time.

If you have a buried dream, take it from Claire, It's Never Too Late to Shine On!

Stay in the loop for new releases, giveaways, inspiration and insider extras at ClaireCook.com.

Read excerpts at ClaireCook.com/books/

Connect with Claire:
Instagram.com/ClaireCookwrite
Facebook.com/ClaireCookauthorpage
Linkedin.com/in/clairecookwrite/
BookBub.com/authors/claire-cook
Goodreads.com/clairecook

Reviews

[Candace]

We are living in stressful times, and just in time for the holidays, what a wonderful respite it is to escape to Marshbury, Massachusetts, with Sarah, John and the rest of the big, loud, Hurlihy family.

In this sixth book in the MLD series, we find Sarah and John up to their eyeballs renovating her childhood home, surrounded by kittens, dogs, and an endless parade of family that never learned to knock. And it’s a delightful world to inhabit. There are tensions of course - the path to love and home improvement never does go smoothly, and with a supporting cast of characters that add color and interest, you won’t want to stop turning the pages, but will be sad when you reach the last one.

Claire Cook knows how to create a world that you’d love to live in. She has been one of my favorite authors for years, and I’m always thrilled when she publishes a new book. Having one come out at Christmas is beyond perfect timing.

I highly recommend that you curl up under a cozy blanket with a cup of hot cocoa (with a candy cane of course!) and hunker down with A Howliday Tail. It is a purrfect way to spend a few winter’s nights. Sorry about that - I may read Must Love Dogs books, but I’m also a cat person!

[Carolyn Mcdonough]

If you have befriended Sarah Hurlihy in any of the previous Must Love Dogs tales, then you will want to renew acquaintances in this next book in the series. A Howliday Tail brings you into Sarah's life as she tries to navigate such familiar trials and tribulations as purchasing the family home, hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and in general, coping with a family that we can all identify with to one extent or another. Claire Cook offers deep insight into family relationships and self-discovery, all blended with humor, as the story unfolds. You will fall in love with the Hurlihys all over again if you've read any of the previous books in the series, or for the first time if this is your first experience with Must Love Dogs. If it is your first reading experience with MLD, don't make it your last!

[Sheilah]

It's hard to improve on perfection, but with MLD6: A Howliday Tail, Claire Cook has done it again!

The Hurlihy family is back and more hilarious than ever. Sarah and John are renovating her father's house, while Sarah's father, Billy Boy Hurlihy, is living in his man cavern and making eyes at Sarah's co-worker and pregnant friend, Polly, who is also in residence. Even brother Johnny, having troubles in his marriage, is showing an interest in Polly. Fellow preschool teacher Ethan and Polly seem to have quite a bit of interest in each other too. Sarah is trying to run interference all the while tending to the momma cat and kittens that are now living in the house, along with John's dog, Horatio. Things are getting a bit testy with Sarah and John, and she's worried they won't outlast the renovation process. Those witty Hurlihy sisters are back and sticking their noses where they are and aren't needed. Did I mention that everything happens while Sarah is in charge of planning the preschool's holiday performance? Let's hope butterflies aren't involved!

Claire Cook once again delights and charms us with the Hurlihy family. All the while, she keeps the characters and storyline fresh, sharp and witty. At this rate, I hope we'll be enjoying the Hurlihy family and friends for several more adventures to come.

[Amy]

Reading Must Love Dogs; A Howliday Tail, is like pulling down a box of warm comfortable sweaters from the attic and sipping a hot cup of Barry's Irish tea. Revisiting Sarah Hurlihy and her crazy but lovable Irish family, is like falling right back into old habits without missing a step. A Howliday Tail has the familiar feeling of a family reunion. Everyone is where they should be, playing their part, like when we revert back to the part of the baby of the family when visiting siblings during the holidays. The laughter and the tears keep coming with every turn of the page.
You'll devour this next installment of The Must Love Dogs series like a scrumptious casserole on a crisp fall day. We're all friends and family or should I say framily!

[Beth]

More surprises are in store for the wildly unpredictable Hurlihy family in the sixth book of Claire Cook’s MUST LOVE DOGS series. Tensions mount as Sarah and John’s home renovations continue, family members arrive, often unannounced and at awkward times, and hearts are broken and mended while opinions, problems, and misunderstandings fly through the air like confetti at a Christmas parade.

If you’ve ever longed to belong to a big, rowdy family – one that argues and loves in equal measure – this is a must-read book in a delightfully entertaining series.

[Mary]

I have grown to love Sarah Hurlihy and her crazy, chaotic family. Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail does not disappoint. I found myself smiling (and laughing out loud) from beginning to end. This book is the perfect antidote for the stress of the holiday season.

Claire Cook writes with her signature wit, warmth and humanity. I love being able to re-enter Sarah's life, and this book had me hooked all the way through. I am already looking forward to MLD #7!

[Nancy Lepri]

Book #6 in the Must Love Dogs series is every bit as delightful as the preceding releases. Sarah Hurlihy and her fiancé John decide to buy Sarah's family home and renovate it to put their own stamp on it. Only problem, Sarah's five siblings, and her boisterous father still feel the place is theirs giving Sarah and John no privacy.

Billy Boy, Sarah's widowed dad, a guy who loves charming women, is getting his own "man cavern" in the remodeled garage, yet that does not stop him or the rest of the clan from butting into each other's lives.

Adding to the chaos is their menagerie of four-legged friends. John, who used to a quiet life in his Boston condo with Horatio, his canine is now forced into a home with not only revolving doors for humans but also a stray cat they've adopted who has given birth to four kittens.

Sarah is hosting Thanksgiving, though her cooking skills leave a lot to be desired, yet nothing ever runs smoothly in the Hurlihy household. On top of this, Sarah's teaching assistant Polly, pregnant and single is now living with them after a Nor'easter drove her from her rental, and Sarah's brother Johnny decides to camp out on the couch after his marriage goes sour.

Ms. Cook pens a witty never-a-dull moment Christmas tale that can be enjoyed anytime. Problems arise, as with any family, yet the devotion and companionship make them seem trivial. Billy Boy offers a roaring cadence with his Irish-Boston dialect and twisted expressions. Down-to-earth and thoroughly enjoyable, one can easily picture the six "Must Love Dogs" novels as a Lifetime or Hallmark mini-series.

[Sharon Duran]

This is your winter take-me-away book of the year. In previous editions of the Must Love Dogs series we've gotten to know Sarah Hurlihy, her boyfriend John, and her crazy dad Bill. In The Howliday Tale we get up close and personal with the entire Hurlihy clan. Renovations are underway at Bill Hurlihy's home which Sarah and John have purchased. We're figuring out living space for Bill, when brother Johnny arrives and ends up in a tin can in the back yard. Sarah's pregnant aide Polly also lives here. The rest of the clan are are in and out and up in everyone's business. The situations and confrontations going on with this big Irish family had me laughing out loud at times. This is a hot chocolate and fireplace delight and I highly recommend it.

[Katharine A Pate]

Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail is the sixth in the heartwarming “Must Love Dogs” series. If this book is the first one you’ve come across, jump right in. The book stands on its own. If you’re a fan of the series already, you’re in for more from Claire Cook’s beloved quirky characters. Plot twists and old sibling rivalries abound, and you’ll probably find a few craft ideas that you will have to adopt instantly for your own holiday traditions. Whether you’re wearing flip flops and looking for a light summer read or weathering a snowstorm wrapped in an afghan by the fireplace, this book will delight you.

[Stephanie B]

Claire Cook has just released her sixth Must Love Dogs book, and I can’t stop wagging over it. A Howliday Tail is filled with everything we’ve come to know and love in Claire’s books—humor, heart, and furry friends—and I’m already begging for the next installment.

Every time I get my paws on a new Must Love Dogs book, I feel like my pup on the verge of getting a favorite treat. I jump, I squeal, and I promptly devour the whole thing. Claire Cook’s characters are like family at this point, and it feels so doggone good to be spending the holidays with them. Sarah, John, and the quirky Hurlihy gang are never shy on laughs, heart-warming moments, and those golden nuggets of truth that have you marking your favorite passages again and again. I will follow them anywhere they want to take me, whether it’s a Thanksgiving food fight or a man-bun-tervention in a canned ham trailer. They’re original, relatable, and constantly have me thinking, “You mean I’m not the only person who thinks about these things?” I love these characters, and I can’t wait to see what their next chapter has in store.

Dog lovers, cat people, and fans of irresistibly great characters, get into the holiday spirit with A Howliday Tail. The novel does stand on its own, but I strongly recommend that you unleash the fun and read the whole series from the beginning. You won’t want to miss a minute of this tail-wagging adventure.

Full review at: https://bookperfume.com/2017/12/14/cl...

[Vicky]

The Hurlihy family is at it again with their holiday shenanigans, Billy Sr. their leader. From conflict amongst father and son, to boyfriend and girlfriend, and other relationship woes, Ms. Cook has successfully weaved a tale of merry strife and crazy family antics. Must Love Dogs: A Howliday Tail draws in the reader immediately to the adventures of the Hurlihy clan. Sarah and John continue to navigate their way through their relationship, while trying to survive house renovations and the presence of family and friends. It is so easy to get caught up in their world. The characters are likeable to the point that one can get attached to this fictional family. This reader highly recommends this holiday tale for the ever-present humor and loveable characters that Ms. Cook has created.

[Lonny]

I love this series and hope there are more to come!

[Cathy]

There's a saying that you can't pick your family (and mine's pretty darn good anyway so I can't complain). But IF I could pick a second family, it would be the Hurlihys all the way.

[Helynne]

Sarah and John are happy to see their renovations of Sarah’s dad’s old home coming together nicely, but the improved and expanded living space does have its challenges and (unintended) attractions. They already have dad Billy Sr., and Sarah’s pregnant teacher aide Polly living with them, but soon Sarah’s brother Johnny, recently separated from wife, converges on them as well. Then Billy and Johnny both want to hit on Polly. (Don’t even try to keep up with the saga of who is living in what room or nearby in the “canned ham” trailer). Sarah and John also have their dog Horatio and a mama cat and four kittens in the house, and John is talking about wanting to get a second dog. Then Sarah is put in charge of the family-wide Thanksgiving dinner and assigned to organize the Christmas program at the preschool where she teaches. But the home menagerie does give Sarah and colleague Ethan an idea for the kids’ program—a dog-and-cat theme; hence, the book’s title. (As usual, Sarah describes a lot of creative activities and songs that keep her preschoolers busy and happy. Teachers and young moms everywhere, take notes!) The preschool holiday extravaganza teams up with the local animal shelter for some heartwarming conclusions.

Incidentally, Sarah and John seem to be a little too touchy and quick to get irritated with each other. Sure, there is a lot of stress in their lives, but in every book there is something that makes one or both of them mad or sulky. They always work it out, and I get it that the make-up sex is great, but isn’t it time for two people who are approaching marriage and want to have a baby together to show a little more forbearance with each other and with life’s aggravations?

[Joan Lang]

Fans of Claire Cook will be delighted with her newest MLD book, A Howliday Tail. Cook, a master of drawing us in to the dynamics of the Hurlihy family, soars again, and doesn’t disappoint.
Sarah and John have recently purchased the large Victorian family home in Marshbury, and they are in the midst of major renovations. Adding to the challenge, brother Johnny needs a “wife break” and a place to stay. Sarah’s assistant, Polly, pregnant and single, has already taken up residence. And don’t forget about Dad - and the animals - and the rest of the Hurlihy family who always seem to be present. And it’s Thanksgiving, with Christmas looming.
Can Sarah catch a break - and her breath? Certainly not at school, where she has been put in charge of the holiday performance- for the entire preschool.
This book is lovely, fun, charming and insightful.
One of Cook’s characters says, “When push comes to shove at the end of the day, what you remember is how much you laughed with someone.”
A promise- Claire Cook will gift you with that one ! You

[Pamela]

The bestselling “Must Love Dogs” series by Claire Cook allows readers a chance to enter the never-boring life of Sarah Hurlihy as she negotiates a romance with her boyfriend/fiancé John. Her close-knit family, including her very Irish and very funny father, complicate the story in the way that only family can.

In this sixth tale in the series, Sarah and John have bought Sarah’s family home and are trying to figure out how to make the home theirs. It’s difficult with sisters and brothers coming to their childhood home whenever they want, while that hilarious but very hard-to-handle dad, the clan’s patriarch, lives in the home in his own “apartment,” or man-cave, as he calls it. Sarah’s assistant from the preschool. Polly, who is recently divorced and pregnant, has also moved in.
Read the entire review here.

[Merryn Turner]

I’ve loved this series. It’s always been such a great break between heavy books, and we’ve come to know the people, places and things in Marshberry so well. I’ve found each book a delight, and hard to put down until this one.

Whilst it was still enjoyable to read, it felt a bit clunky, and not as well written as the others. I think the fact that it was so short was it’s saving grace in the end, as it was easy to burn through a couple of chapters.

I think I was so excited going into it, and as the anticipation built, so did my expectations; ultimately leaving me disappointed.

It will be interesting to see how long this series continues for, as it feels like there’s still some content the author wants to include (namely, a baby). Although I was a bit disappointed, I’m still looking forward to the next book.

[Donna]

Happy Howlidays indeed! I am happy to be back with Sarah and John and the rambunctious Hurliheys.
Claire Cook once again delivers a funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting story for the holidays. Claire is always witty, and in one particular chapter I laughed so hard, I had to put my iPad down because I was afraid I might drop it. Claire's characters talk like real people, and act like real people. I love #6, and I hope this becomes a tv series. I am already awaiting the next book, because Claire Cook always leaves you wondering what will happen next. Buy two books, one for yourself, and one for anyone who you want to make happy. Because you will give them the gift of laughter, and love, because that is the message, to me, of this great story.

[Kate]

Must Love Dogs, A Howliday Tail is such a fun and comforting read. I immediately felt like I was a part of Sarah Hurlihy's big family and all of the crazy and hilarious chaos that they create. Sarah and her husband John are experiencing a struggle in their new relationship as their house is being renovated through the holidays. When you add Sarah's family, friends and co-workers to the mix a chaotic and hilarious story unfolds. By the end of the story we realize that even though they often treat each other with what appears to be indifference and disregard, the Hurlihy's are truly a family that sticks together and are bonded by love. This is a great "feel good" read!

[Sherry]

Give yourself this book as a Christmas present. It’s nice to visit again with the Hurlihy family. Howliday Tail is the 6th book in the Must Love Dogs series. Visiting Sarah and Marshbury again is like putting on a comfortable sweater. Claire writes with humor and I find myself laughing out loud which is great. Claire has the knack to write what some of us think but don’t say. Her characters are so relatable. It’s so nice to visit with Sarah again. She has become a friend. I look forward to the next book. Thank you, Claire.

[Marilyn Langeveld]

I have read all 6 in the series. I am so familiar now with the family, I could bring them all to dinner at my house and serve casseroles. This series is a feel good series. The characters were consistent throughout. There were several ends that needed tying up but maybe she left them like that for the next book. I taught K during my career so Sarah's occupation was so familiar to me.

[Vikki Vaught]

Lots of laugh out loud moments in this one. Sarah and John finally seem to be on the right track. While their love story isn’t riveting, the relationship between the siblings is delightful. I also loved the moments with the children in Sarah’s pre-school class. I enjoyed the narrator a lot. Happy reading and listening!

[Cheryl]

Another adorable installment in the Must Love Dogs series. Sarah is one of my favorite characters of all. I really enjoyed watching her get into and out of more shenanigans. Her family is a hoot!

I can’t wait to read what happens next!

[Cathy]

I really enjoyed this short Christmas themed story about a large family of quirky adult siblings and their equally quirky friends. Don't read (or listen) to this one while you are out in public because you will laugh out loud frequently.

[Guy's Girl]

Howling Good Time

Just when you think it can’t get any funnier, the antics continue. You will once again laugh out loud at the craziness. Not sure if this is the end but the lovable siblings and eccentric father step up once again to help those in need. The narrator does a great job.

[Missy]

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)

[Laurie]

The holidays are all about spending time with friends and loved ones, so it seems only fitting that the next edition of the heartwarming Must Love Dogs series gives us a chance to spend the holidays with Sarah Hurlihy and her family. Preschool teacher Sarah and her fiancé John have moved into her childhood home and are not only dealing with major home renovations, Sarah’s quirky father who also lives in the house and a very pregnant houseguest, but one of Sarah’s brothers shows up after splitting up with his wife. On top of all this chaos are John’s dog Horatio and Sarah’s flock of rescued kittens, the result is a lot of fun for the reader. Anyone with a large family will instantly feel at home. The Hurlihy family is chaotic and charming, and readers will enjoy the chance to spend the holiday season with Sarah and her family. Claire Cook has added another great addition to the series.

[Raelene Best]

Claire Cook never fails to keep you anticipating what’s happening next in the Must Love Dogs series and book six, “A Howliday Tail”, is no exception.
Sarah and her fiancé John have started a major renovation to the family home right before the holidays that includes building a man cavern for dear old dad, Billy Boy Hurlihy, who came with the purchase of the house. Billy’s saving grace for daughter Sarah, is that his never ending string of girlfriends continue to provide casseroles to keep the family fed. They also have a house full of pets that includes an adopted stray cat along with her four new kittens and John’s dog Horatio. Sarah’s pregnant assistant, pre-school teacher Polly, has recently moved in and brings along her own set of problems into the mix. Sarah’s siblings are worried that dad may be paying Polly a bit too much attention and before long Sarah’s seldom seen brother Johnny moves into the family home bringing his mysterious new persona and is making his own moves on pregnant Polly. On top of all of this, Sarah’s other siblings continue to have no boundaries when it comes to arriving at their former family home with no warning or knocking on doors. Sarah soon finds out the family expects her to continue the tradition of hosting Thanksgiving at the family home, even though she and John are in the middle of the home renovation and Sarah is not the best of cooks. However, she prevails and makes it work including, figuring out a way to get the turkey cooked, even when the oven door falls off.
If the things aren’t hectic enough, Sarah also ends up in a moment of inattention, being put in charge of the Bayberry Preschool Christmas program, where she is a teacher. Her boss has high expectations and Sarah is feeling the pressure to make it work after the Spring Preschool program ended with traumatizing the entire student body along with their parents. Her dad and siblings continue to bring their own set of problems Into the madness and John is now pressuring Sarah to add a fancy breed of dog to their fur family when Sarah would rather adopt the scruffy stray they been seeing at the beach. As things continue to build both literally and figuratively with the house in chaos due to the renovations and too many suspicions, opinions and personality clashes, Sarah and John’s own relationship starts to feel the strain.
Should they have bought the family home? Will Sarah be able to pull off the Christmas program and make it a success? Will Sarah and John survive the renovation and her family’s non-stop intrusion? Will the casseroles keep coming? You must read “A Howliday Tail” and find out. I promise if you are a new reader or are already a fan, you won’t be disappointed. Claire Cook continues to shine and has created another “must read book” in the Must Love Dogs series.

[Ali]

Crazy, zany world of the Hurlihy Family is at it again. Bringing in new family members; human and furry. The town of Marshbury must be buzzing with all the excitement in this home! Fantastic quick beach read that transports you into a home and family that is crazier than yours at Christmas Dinner. Another great hit by Claire Cook. I can't wait to read the next!

[Kathi Rutherford]

Holidays with Hurlihey's

I can't get enough of this crazy Irish family!The remodeling of their family home is a perfect recipe for malarkey!Keep it coming!!