Girls Just Wanna Have Pugs

by J.J. Howard

Pugs and Kisses meets The Baby-sitters Club in this story of three friends, adorable pugs, and a dog-walking business!

The best part of Kat's day is getting to walk her neighbor's irresistible pug, Meatball. So when her parents insist she start an extracurricular this year, she makes her own, by turning her hobby into a business: a dog-walking business, that is.

She and her best friends, Taz and Lucy -- as well as the cute new boy, Declan -- try to get Four Paws Dog Walking into shape. But wrangling puppies and pleasing customers turns out to be harder than they thought! Can Kat keep taking care of the dogs she loves without hurting her friendships?

Genres: Romance, Middle Grade

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2021

About the author

J.J. Howard writes YA and MG books. She lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her assistant is named Willow—a miniature dachshund with a lot of great ideas—most of them involving dinner or at least snacks. Her books include the young adult novels THAT TIME I JOINED THE CIRCUS and TRACERS. Her middle grade novels include SIT, STAY, LOVE, Z ON LOCATION (an American Girls Book), PUGS AND KISSES, PUGS IN A BLANKET, THE LOVE PUG, and GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE PUGS.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute middle-grade read. I loved the main character’s relationship with her younger sister, the message of not losing yourself in work, and (of course) all the adorable puppies! This also gave me vibes of the Baby-Sitters Club but for dog walking, and I love that series, so I knew I would like this book too.

[Hamburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! This book is about a girl who just wants to have a dog, and likes one boy who just moved in to the apartment she lives in.

[✨Jinglemarco✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Wish Pug miniseries by J.J. Howard, this one is the best. I love the pun in the title, I love the cover and I loved the story! Never have I ever read about a white pug 'till now and Sparky is so cute! Plus, I somewhat stood the drama in this installment and all the characters (who are more than in the previous novels and that's a fine point). Cheers to that! I now expect the next book in the series.

[Finn L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book. My seven-year-old daughter has been begging for a pug ever since she read this book, thanks a lot JJ. But in all seriousness, it's an amazing book I highly suggest this to anyone with a love for pugs. Liked it keep making these books JJ.

[abbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like a Batch Made in Heaven, this book was a quick and easy read for me!!! I loved how it all revolves around Meatball and I especially LOVE the ending. I love how smart Kat is, but I love how she knows she’s not perfect. Going on my Wishlist!!!

[Grace P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. The start was pretty slow but the last few chapters sped it up and made it more enjoyable. I love books about dogs and Wish books. She got her dream doggo in the end and a couple kisses; not from a dog 😉

[Emmie Must · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Aanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, funny, and relatable, but with no plot. It didn't have me left on a cliffhanger.

[Trixiter Marczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is, J.J.Howard, you did it again!! And you know that it's a great story when my eyes leak it's a good story!! And yes, my eyes leaked!!

[Abbie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot but it wasn't my absolute favorite, it was cute but I didn't really love it as much as I love other wish books.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls just wanna have pugs is dramatic sad and understanding I recommend it for ages 7 and up

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since her parents want her involved in an extracurricular, Kat creates her own business doing something she loves: walking dogs. Her best friends help out and at first it's so much fun. But there are mishaps along the way, and then a major incident! Will Kat decide business is more important than friendship?

I've read all the Wish novels with my ten-year-old, and we absolutely love them. Kat is an enterprising and intelligent girl, and she has a great love for dogs. The animal bits draw in the young readers, but they learn a lot along the way. Especially about the value of friendship. There are funny parts and drama and tons of lovable doggos!

[Evaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing for young kids of any age. This book is an amazing read and makes me wish I had a pug named meatball!