What do you think?
Behaving Badly
Animal behaviorist Miranda Sweet has given up on men - animals are so much nicer and far more reliable. So she opens her own animal behavior clinic in London's Primrose Hill and is soon working her magic on depressed dachshunds and psychologically challenged cats. But can she keep the male species at bay forever? Her best friend Daisy, an incurably romantic wedding planner doesn't think so, and when David a handsome photographer arrives, Miranda wonders if she's been a bit hasty. But in order to be with David Miranda knows that she will have to confess to him the guilty secret that she's carried for 16 years. Will she be brave enough to tell him who she really is, and what she once did? A moving, witty and redemptive story of courage, forgiveness, second chances and assorted animals, this is the re-issued fifth novel from the internationally best-selling author of 'A Vintage Affair'.
378 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 24, 2026
If I’m not going to lie, this book was way more enjoyable than I expected. It’s light, funny, and quietly relatable in a way that sneaks up on you.
The animal behavior angle instantly pulled me in and made Miranda such an easy character to understand. Her trust in animals over men starts off amusing, but as the story unfolds, it feels less like a joke and more like a shield she’s built for herself. I actually found that part pretty honest.
Daisy was a great contrast — optimistic without being over-the-top — and their friendship felt natural. The romance develops gently, without forcing big dramatic moments, which I appreciated. What really stood out to me, though, was how the book allows Miranda to be flawed. Watching her confront her own patterns, not just everyone else’s behavior, gave the story more depth than I expected.
This isn’t a heavy read, but it’s warm, observant, and easy to sink into. One of those books that leaves you feeling slightly lighter after you’re done.
The animal behavior angle instantly pulled me in and made Miranda such an easy character to understand. Her trust in animals over men starts off amusing, but as the story unfolds, it feels less like a joke and more like a shield she’s built for herself. I actually found that part pretty honest.
Daisy was a great contrast — optimistic without being over-the-top — and their friendship felt natural. The romance develops gently, without forcing big dramatic moments, which I appreciated. What really stood out to me, though, was how the book allows Miranda to be flawed. Watching her confront her own patterns, not just everyone else’s behavior, gave the story more depth than I expected.
This isn’t a heavy read, but it’s warm, observant, and easy to sink into. One of those books that leaves you feeling slightly lighter after you’re done.
January 19, 2026
This was such an enjoyable, easy book to sink into.
Isabel Wolff has a real talent for creating likable, flawed characters, and Miranda felt very real to me — funny, guarded, and a little stubborn in ways that made sense. I loved the London setting and the gentle humor woven throughout the story, especially the animal behavior angle, which added charm and warmth.
The romance is sweet and satisfying, though at times the pacing felt a bit slow and I wished a few moments had been tightened. That said, the emotional payoff made it worth it, and I appreciated that the story had more depth than I initially expected.
Overall, Behaving Badly is a comforting, feel good read with heart. Perfect if you’re in the mood for women’s fiction that’s light, thoughtful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Isabel Wolff has a real talent for creating likable, flawed characters, and Miranda felt very real to me — funny, guarded, and a little stubborn in ways that made sense. I loved the London setting and the gentle humor woven throughout the story, especially the animal behavior angle, which added charm and warmth.
The romance is sweet and satisfying, though at times the pacing felt a bit slow and I wished a few moments had been tightened. That said, the emotional payoff made it worth it, and I appreciated that the story had more depth than I initially expected.
Overall, Behaving Badly is a comforting, feel good read with heart. Perfect if you’re in the mood for women’s fiction that’s light, thoughtful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
January 19, 2026
This book was such a fun and unexpectedly thoughtful read.
Miranda Sweet is one of those protagonists you can’t help but root for. Her love for animals, her skepticism about men, and her slightly messy past make her feel very human. I loved the London setting and the humor woven throughout the story — it’s light, witty, and easy to fall into.
What surprised me most was the emotional depth beneath the rom com surface. Alongside the romance, the story gently explores guilt, growth, and learning to face your own flaws. It never feels heavy, just honest.
If you’re looking for contemporary women’s fiction with charm, warmth, and a satisfying emotional payoff, Behaving Badly is a great choice. Cozy, funny, and heartfelt — the kind of book that leaves you smiling when you’re done.
Miranda Sweet is one of those protagonists you can’t help but root for. Her love for animals, her skepticism about men, and her slightly messy past make her feel very human. I loved the London setting and the humor woven throughout the story — it’s light, witty, and easy to fall into.
What surprised me most was the emotional depth beneath the rom com surface. Alongside the romance, the story gently explores guilt, growth, and learning to face your own flaws. It never feels heavy, just honest.
If you’re looking for contemporary women’s fiction with charm, warmth, and a satisfying emotional payoff, Behaving Badly is a great choice. Cozy, funny, and heartfelt — the kind of book that leaves you smiling when you’re done.
January 25, 2026
This book completely charmed me.
Miranda Sweet is such a lovable character — funny, guarded, kind, and very real. I adored the animal behavior clinic storyline, which added so much warmth and humor, and the London setting made everything feel cozy and familiar.
What I enjoyed most was how the story balances wit with heart. It’s light and entertaining, but there’s also real emotional depth underneath, especially around forgiveness and second chances. By the end, I was genuinely rooting for everyone involved.
If you’re in the mood for something uplifting, witty, and quietly moving, Behaving Badly is a lovely read. I finished it with a smile.
Miranda Sweet is such a lovable character — funny, guarded, kind, and very real. I adored the animal behavior clinic storyline, which added so much warmth and humor, and the London setting made everything feel cozy and familiar.
What I enjoyed most was how the story balances wit with heart. It’s light and entertaining, but there’s also real emotional depth underneath, especially around forgiveness and second chances. By the end, I was genuinely rooting for everyone involved.
If you’re in the mood for something uplifting, witty, and quietly moving, Behaving Badly is a lovely read. I finished it with a smile.
January 25, 2026
This was such a warm, easy read. I loved Miranda right away — an animal behaviorist who’s sworn off men and would much rather deal with troubled dogs and neurotic cats. The animal clinic scenes are charming and genuinely funny, but there’s also real emotional weight underneath. The romance is gentle rather than cheesy, and the secret Miranda carries gives the story more depth than I expected. Sweet, witty, and quietly moving — perfect if you’re in the mood for something comforting with heart.
January 23, 2026
This was such a warm, funny read and I really liked Miranda as a main character.
The animal behavior angle was charming and added a lot of personality to the story.
The romance was sweet, even if I saw a few things coming from a mile away.
Not perfect, but cozy, relatable, and the kind of book that leaves you smiling.
The animal behavior angle was charming and added a lot of personality to the story.
The romance was sweet, even if I saw a few things coming from a mile away.
Not perfect, but cozy, relatable, and the kind of book that leaves you smiling.
January 19, 2026
Behaving Badly was such a fun and comforting read.
I really enjoyed Miranda as a main character — she’s witty, imperfect, and easy to root for. The mix of romance, humor, and self discovery kept me engaged, and I loved the London setting and the animal behavior angle, which added so much charm to the story.
What stood out most for me was how effortlessly the book balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth. It made me smile in places and pause in others, which is always a win. The writing flows beautifully, making it the kind of book you want to curl up with and keep reading.
If you’re looking for an uplifting women’s fiction novel with heart, humor, and a satisfying romantic thread, Behaving Badly is a lovely choice.
I really enjoyed Miranda as a main character — she’s witty, imperfect, and easy to root for. The mix of romance, humor, and self discovery kept me engaged, and I loved the London setting and the animal behavior angle, which added so much charm to the story.
What stood out most for me was how effortlessly the book balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth. It made me smile in places and pause in others, which is always a win. The writing flows beautifully, making it the kind of book you want to curl up with and keep reading.
If you’re looking for an uplifting women’s fiction novel with heart, humor, and a satisfying romantic thread, Behaving Badly is a lovely choice.
January 25, 2026
A delightfully heartwarming story! Miranda’s interactions with her animal clients are charming and hilarious, and the romance with David feels genuine and slow-burning. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered her on every step of the way
January 25, 2026
THANKS TO HANNAH FOR INTRODUCING YOUR BOOK TO OUR BOOK CLUB. First, I didn't want to read it, but when I heard that you were involved i was curious to read it. To my suprise your book made me forget feeding Billy my dog
January 25, 2026
what a very nice book
ever since it was introduced into our bookclub by Sarah it has been a very good book whatsoever
i love the book it characters and i give the author thumbs up for this great work done
ever since it was introduced into our bookclub by Sarah it has been a very good book whatsoever
i love the book it characters and i give the author thumbs up for this great work done
January 25, 2026
YEAH!
If you asked me, she did delivered
If you asked me, she did delivered
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews