Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

There are many things to love about this book. Annie is a loner but not especially lonely. She's happy with her life and determined to maintain it unchanged. Her family is supportive and quirky. There is conflict in the plot but it tends towards the ridiculous. The "villain" reads like something out of a cartoon, closer to Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events than a real person, so the sense of danger and risk is low. It keeps the tone light-hearted. Silvey plays with reality, suggesting something akin to magic without ever fully committing to the supernatural. We could see this as a mystical connection or just good luck. Either way, the book is pleasant and surprisingly gentle with enough humor to keep us from taking it too seriously.

Well, if this isn't one of the most adorable things I've read in a long time! I give it 4.5 stars because it was a bit slow at first. The Underdogs of Upson Downs is such a heartwarming tale of friendship, family, love, perservence, kindness, service, and living your best life as you! I loved going on this journey with Annie and Runt and feeling all the feels as the family learned and grew from the stories several experiences. We are all at our best when we are our own true selves. I love Annie and I love the complete lack of judgements as the town learns to love as well.

A nice quirky story set in Australia and full of fun people. Annie and her dog Runt are good partners.