This is the second book in the Gatz series, the first book is, Joint Custody where we meet Gatz a lovely shelter dog who splits his time between "The Man and "The Woman". Being that it's from the dogs' perspective there are no human names mentioned in the book. In this fun rom com, the man and the woman have each moved on, he has started dating again and she is engaged. Gatz is in some pretty embarrassing and funny situations as he must navigate his way through these while giving his humans the best possible advice. I though the book was cute but didn't like the fact they were referred to as "The Man and "The Woman as it makes me less able to connect with the story.

Pub Date: 7 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I adore books that are told from the dog's perspective, especially when done correctly. I adored this book. I adored Gatz. He reminds me a bit of one of my dogs and how I imagine they would think and respond if they could. Gatz finds himself in some rather uncomfortable and down right embarrassing situations, but handles them with humor and whit. He spends his days of shared custody with "the woman" and "the man" and their new partners. We get a good look at the different personalities of the significant others of "the woman" and "the man" and what they go through as editors or authors. This whole book gives the warm fuzzy feeling that is desired when reading a book from the dog's point of view. I am excited to see what this author writes next.

The Great Gatz by Lauren Baratz- Logsted & Jackie Logsted

A cute story, but very repetative. Not really a good plot/. Complicated to keep the characters straight.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Gatz is back and better than ever! The adorable, lovable dog you met in Joint Custody has returned in The Great Gatz. He's having more trouble than ever keeping his humans on the straight and narrow.

The Man and "New Woman" are still loosely together. They both have issues, so herding them is like herding cats. Gatz is determined that their relationship will work out.

It's still an absolute love fest between The Woman and "New Man"; in fact, it's almost too good to be true..Gatz is going to need all his skills to keep these two on the straight and narrow.

The Great Gatz stands alone, but you might want to read Joint Custody first. I absolutely love The Gatz Chronicles, and would highly recommend The Great Gatz to any dog lover.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#TheGreatGatz#NetGalley

I love, love, LOVED this sweet rom com! In "Joint Custody", the first book in this series, Gatz the dog splits his time living with The Man and The Woman (as he refers to them, since the novel is told from his perspective). The Woman is now engaged to New Man, while The Man begins dating New Woman, and Gatz is there through all the ups and downs to help The Man and The Woman find happiness. I was really impressed by how the authors spent the first chapter reminding readers what happened in the first novel, as I hate when authors jump right in and assume we are reading them back to back; however, the recap was done in a really natural way that didn't feel like the "Chapter 2" of the Babysitter's Club books of my youth ;) I had a tough time putting this down, and ended up reading it in just two days. I really hope there is a Gatz Chronicles #3, as these characters are delightful and the writing is sparkly fun without being at all ditzy.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Such a cute,feel good story. I didn't read the first book and this is easily a standalone. You will fall in love with Gatz.

I love books that animals are the narrators. This is book 2 in the Gatz Chronicles series and can be read as a stand alone. Gatz was a shelter dog and adopted by Man and Woman. (There are no humans named in the book.) When man and woman split up they split custody and Gatz travels between their homes. When Woman meets new man and man meets new woman Gatz must navigate human relations and guide all his people. This might sound complicated but the story is wonderful and Gatz truly is a wonder. This is a double love story. Can't wait for book 3 which was set up nicely. If you enjoy The Chet and Bernie series, (more cozy than love) you'll enjoy this series also. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Very well written. Very likable characters. And a SUPER cute cover that makes me want to buy a copy for my shelves. I didn’t realize this was book 2 of a series so I definitely need to read the first book as well!

Charming dog narrator Gatz is traveling between the writer "Man" and the editor "Woman" and her "New Man," who is also a writer in this humorous romance. Then "Man" meets another writer and Gatz is trying to make them all happy. The characters are all good to Gatz as well, but they all have problems and there are serious issues that develop through the story. Readers can read this without reading "Joint Custody," but starting with the first in the "Gatz Chronicles" is worthwhile. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

What could have been better?

I didn’t like how they ragged on Rottweilers. I also wish it was a bit longer, just to flush out some of the scenes and growth of relationships more as well as the conflict.

What I enjoyed?

First off, this book was super cute! I mean it’s told from a dog’s perspective and it is SO PURE, and wholesome and funny!

Second, there was some good social commentary regarding women and men and the more extreme consequences and pressures put on women with no evidence of wrong doing (while men get away with everything with piles of evidence stacked against them).

The book commented on conflict in relationships, how we work through them, how we support and be there for one another.

I found most of the characters likable…I mean how could I not reading from their pup’s perspective???

…also the main characters are writers/editors and do we not love books about people who love books?

3.5 rounded to 4

I thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com narrated by Gatz, the dog. Gatz was focused on getting his adoptive parents (The Man and The Woman) back together. They have joint custody of him. He is now beginning to adjust to them each getting involved with new love interests. Gatz has an entertaining and interesting perspective on their lives. All the humans know each other as three of them are writers and The Woman is a book editor. Gatz’s take on everything going on (both dog and human) is very on point. He even tries to intervene when his humans are doing something inappropriate. A must read for dog lovers and anyone who enjoys a rom-com.

Also reviewed on Kobo & B&N

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for access to this arc.

Was I ever excited when I saw that we were going to get a follow up to “Joint Custody,” with “wingdog” Gatz. He led us through a first-dog POV of the relationship between The Man and The Woman and then through what happened next. Now we get to find out what everyone is up to now.

Starting with a recap of the events of book one worked for me as it will get us all up to speed (if we read book one) or clued into what happened so newcomers won’t be lost. But again FAIR WARNING for those who might want to go back and read “Joint Custody” without spoilers.

Gatz is a Border Collie with lots of opinions (usually good) and inventive ways of getting his point across to his beloved People. Now he’s got even more to look after as The Woman and New Man are planning a wedding. The Man might have found a New Woman who is also a writer. This is good as they both understand the pressures the other is faced with but there are times when two writers dating each other can backfire. When both of them realize the other sometimes suffers from depression and has family issues, will they be able to work things out?

Meanwhile, The Woman and New Man are faced with a stalker who twists Twitter to unleash her anger by warping #MeToo to achieve her ends. How will The Woman and New Man overcome something that threatens to open a rift between them?

There is a lot for Gatz to try and manage in this book. He’s his usual erudite, loveable wordsmith self but there are times when even a dog this smart can’t fix everything. What he can do is try and lift the spirits of his People, bark loudly to head off “things better left unsaid” (his People are writers and editors – he knows his way around book tropes), and be there when they need consolation or solace.

I liked the way that #MeToo was a part of the plot but not in a standard way. Instead The Woman and New Man had to deal with false allegations, the fallout from them, and how their various responses affect their relationship. Some of the issues that influenced The Man in book one continue here and when he is faced with another relationship crisis, he has to decide whether or not he’s willing to examine what leads him to push people away.

The humor and tinges of sadness that I enjoyed are back again. Gatz lovingly interacts with his People (who maybe understand what he’s trying to convey just a tad too easily at times but hey, I love the dog or I wouldn’t be back for book two) and their problems are real. Things are set up so that only one thing sort of surprised me while the rest is laid out as we go along. What brings my grade down is that despite the problems being real world, it felt as if things were built up then solved a little too easily and simplistically with one action and it’s over. Maybe this is because we’re getting things from Gatz’s POV rather than the full emotional human POV impact I’m used to but I felt we needed the waters to be a bit more choppy at times. I also couldn’t help thinking that New Man had moments when he seemed almost too perfect to be true. Perhaps I wouldn’t have noticed this as much if The Man hadn’t been written with more realistic flaws and layers.

But I loved reading the first-person/dog POV of Gatz again. The book ends in a happy place for all and I’m fine if this is it though there appear to be a few things that could lead to a book three. And if they do, I’m all onboard for it. B-

Title: The Great Gatz
Authors: Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Jackie Logsted
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Series: Gatz Chronicle #2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
The Great Gatz" by Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Jackie Logsted

My Opinion:

'The Great Gatz' continues from the first series, 'Joint Custody,' where the authors have done an excellent job with this Gatz's story. We find Gatz's has two owners where The Man has custody Monday thru Friday...who is a writer and The Woman has him on the weekend...who is an editor. What has happened that has presented this situation? Well, that's a story you will have to read in the first series but now what is happening in this story...'The Great Gatz' as we find that since The Man and The Woman have split, it looks like she has moved on to a New Man in her life. And what will this mean for The Gatz as he [the dog] realizes that there will be some changes going on, so what will he do as 'drastic times call for extreme doggy measures?
Be ready for laugh-out-loud times that will have you doing just that...l o loud!

As we move on into this story...will Gatz be able to "keep his two co-parenting owners as their happiness afloat in this hilarious and touching sequel?" By the way, you know the dog is narrating this story...right! If only he could keep both Man and Woman happy ...he will be satisfied too but will that happen now that The Woman has a New Man and they are engaged to be married! But all in all, all looks good until some bad press about them causes The Woman to lose her job; however, nothing happens to The New Man's career. How will The New Man handle this situation?

Moving on, we find The Man has a New Woman in his life, and all seems to be going OK until competitiveness starts among them and my, my, my will this couple begins to have problems where it leaves poor Gatz wondering...someone 'did not learn from earlier mistakes? Will the therapy be the answer? Gatz's will be only left wondering 'what had happened to these two happy couples.' How, if anything, can Gatz help fix things for them? You will have to pick up 'The Great Gatz' to see how well these authors will bring it all out to the reader as they create a 'fun dog's eye view of a good romance.'

I would suggest one pick up the first series first to get ahead of what has previously gone on with Gatz and his owners.

Thank you to NetGallery and Berkley for an early copy of this read and for giving my opinion.

{3.5 stars}

The Great Gatz is the story about a family told through the perspective of their beloved border collie, Gatz. He's cute, funny, intelligent and always in the middle of everything. He loves The Man and The Woman fiercely and does everything he can to protect their happiness. The Man and The Woman are no longer together and they share Gatz on a split schedule through the week. I love how included they have him in their lives and how much credit he takes for all of their moments. They are each with someone new, The New Man and The New Woman, and he helps them navigate the ins and outs of new relationships and their careers.

I love the way this was written. Gatz is a dog and he has complete dog moments where he's telling us about the smell of hors d'oeuvres or how much he wants to sniff a butt but most of the story he is a psychologist who loves every aspect of his people. He is insightful and provides poignant quotes and advice that somehow always hits the mark.

If you love dogs and cozy family stories with real world scenarios that are not overblown with drama or steam then check this one out!

Thanks to Netgalley for access to this novel. All opinions above are my own.

Things have gotten much more complicated for Gatz, the rescue dog who narrates this sweet story about two couples. Adopted as a pup by the Man and the Woman, he was crushed when the two of them separated and spent much effort trying to get them back together. That didn't happen, though, and now he's sharing his life with the Man and the New Woman and the Woman and the New Man. Only all is not well in their relationships either. Jealousy and competition are causing problems and Gatz, dear Gatz, does his best to wiggle his way into making life better for everyone. There are no devils here, only people coping with challenges. I liked the first book (Baratz-Logsted catches you up immediately so this is fine as a standalone) and I liked this one even more. Yes you must buy into Gatz, a dog, knowing things that many people do not about literature and life, but that was ok by me. He's a treat and he's got a sense of playfulness that is welcome these days. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A fun read.