You know what? I really flipping enjoyed this book. It's made a refreshing change from all doom and gloom, and probably at a time when I need it most. Surprisingly, it's not been a complete departure from my usual crime reads, although the links are very, very tenuous. There is a bit of a mystery at the heart of this story, albeit one which is not really going to get Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher all hot under the collar. From the start of the book there are two questions that really need to be answered. What took Stupendo away from his beloved Tuesday, and why hasn't he been able to take that final step into his next life? Well, if you want to know the answers, then you are really going to have to read this book. And believe me, if you've ever owned a dog, or a pet of any kind really, it's a book you will probably relate to.

The story is told from the perspective of Stupendo, and although the blurb tells you what to expect, I'm not sure that really conveys what a true joy this book is. Yes there are moments of sadness. Stupendo is a ghost, although he doesn't initially realise it, and the sense of loss which goes along with the death of any pet is present throughout the book, but not in an overwhelming way. You get little glimpses of it in Tuesday's reactions, her melancholy at times, but it really is only glimpses. There is more celebration of the wonderful relationship between the two of them and Stupendo's endless devotion to his human and her son.

The thing which really worked for me in this book is the way that the author really has captured that kind of doggy personality in her portrayal of Stupendo. There is a slow intelligence, a determination and a loyalty in him which comes through in all of his thoughts and actions. Not only that but there is a whole cast of animal excellence on hand to guide him through his new circumstances, including Caligula, a neighbourhood cat, one who has a reluctant friendship with Stupendo, Merle the Blackbird and Napoleon the Squirrel. Then of course there are his friends from the park, including Zena, a German Shepherd, his very best friend and the object of his affections. Along with Tuesday, obviously. Each one of the animals has a distinct personality, each very fitting to the very spirit of their species, and all of which made me smile. Caligula especially - totally catish behaviour. There wasn't a time when hearing the story told in their voices felt stilted or awkward. It all fit perfectly and really does touch the heart in ways you can't expect.

The story is not all about Stupendo. There is an element of romance in the book too. Throughout the book we follow the life of Stupendo human, Tuesday, seen through the eyes of Stupendo, of course. From the day they first meet and Stupendo decides that she will be his human, through the highs and lows of her love life, the birth of her son, William, and Stupendo and Zena's ill fated attempts at matchmaking. And beyond that this is a story of community as Caligula introduces Stupendo to his extended 'family' around the neighbourhood. This element of the story rang true, from the sense of isolation that so many of the characters felt, to the strange circumstances which led to a change of fortune for more than one of the residents of Stupendo's street.

So what were Stupendo's reasons for not passing over the rainbow bridge? Perhaps not entirely what you were expecting and trust me when I say there are one or two scenes which will have you as hopping mad as others have you grinning from ear to ear. Definitely a character in this book I'd have been happy to drop kick off a tall building. With a boot covered in spikes. Gah. Chrissie Manby has managed to create a slick, untrustworthy person you will love to hate, you just might not realise how much until well into the book. Thankfully they are a just minor distraction from all the beautiful and positive characters in the book.

And I'm happy to admit that by the end of the book, this cynical old boot was shedding a tear or two. No - it's not a complete tear jerker of loss, but it would take a hard heart not to be touched by the final chapters. Any one who has ever lost a beloved family pet will totally get it.

Funny, romantic, full of brilliant animal (and human) characters and with a truly heartwarming story, I'd definitely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received an advance copy of, Saying Goodbye to Tuesday. Tuesday is Stupendo's human. When Stupendo the dog passes away he does want to leave Tuesday. This book has all the feels.

Saying Goodbye to Tuesday is a beautiful uplifting and moving story. Full of humour and love with a cast of wonderful characters two and four legged.
Stupendo the dog has died, for some reason he’s a ghost and hasn’t passed over ‘the rainbow) With the help of his animal friends he tries to piece together what’s happened to him.
So we learn of his puppy days from when his owner Tuesday chose him from his litter and his life with her, so we also learn about Tuesday and her friends and life.
There are many scenes that will have you laughing and even nodding your head in agreement if you’ve owned or had a dog or cat. Other scenes will move you and anger you, but above all what you have here is a wonderful story that is immensely readable and satisfying. I absolutely loved it.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

A good makes you feel, a great book makes you laugh or cry out loud depending on the story. I sobbed, snot inducing couldn't get my breath sobbing. Maybe it's because I love my dogs but really it's down to the magic of Chrissie Manby.
This is not the first book I have read of hers and her wordsmith and emotional triggers get better with every book. One of my favourite authors. I look forward to the next book.

This is a lovely romantic tale, which, although somewhat predictable, is told in a wonderfully unique way, as a dog and people lover it led me through the whole gauntlet of emotions, from laughter to tears, frustration to anger and round again.

Not my usual dark read, but absolutely perfect to while away a cold, windy, rainy day. -It's wonderfully warm and well written with some great observation of animals, friendships, insecurities and human relationships - We all need a Stupendo in our lives and need to believe that all good dogs do indeed come home

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review this super book prior to publication.

4.5 stars

Make sure you have a huge box of tissues handy when you read this book.
A wonderful story, written from a dogs perspective. You can just imagine the great stupendo, talking away to his mates the cat, the birds, rats and squirrels.
How he describes his life, his family, the world around him made me look at my dog and imagine him saying the same. I loved how he described how his life was wonderful as he knew he was loved so much by Tuesday his mum and then by William his new baby brother.
I’ve never read a book like this and even though the tears were flowing I’m so glad that I was given the opportunity to read this.

This book was one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I have loved this author for years and was looking forward to reading this one and it certainly didn’t disappoint. This book is really hard to review as the review in itself simply won’t do the book the justice it deserves. This was such a heartbreaking yet at the same time a heartwarming and endearing Read all cleverly told from the perspective of Stupendo the family dog and the events which lead up to to him leaving his owner Tuesday and passing over rainbow bridge to the other side. The dialect of stupendo and his animal friends Caligula and zena jump off the page and how in tune these animals are with their owners. This is a fabulous story of love loss and friendship and the bonds that we forge with our pets and that our pets forge with each other

This book is one which will stay with me for a long time and which I will certainly recommend and gift to others. You will definitely require tissues when reading it but won’t be able to put it down. This is one of my best reads so far of 2021.

Heartbreakingly beautiful. I absolutely adored this story and it will stick with me for a long time.

I love Chrissie Manby and her writing in this book is great. For me, I'm not really a dog lover so couldn't engage with the story. I am sure dog lovers will adore this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book and give my honest opinion.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for ages & was delighted when I received a copy of this book. It was absolutely superb.
I never wanted to say goodbye to Tuesday!

Beautiful and totally moving. I cried buckets but ultimately, after losing my own beloved dog, found it so much more comforting than I thought.

Saying Goodbye to Tuesday by Chrissie Manby a five-star read that you will need tissues to read, but it will fast become your favourite read of the year, it has been mine. This is one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written, as I wasn’t expecting to love a book about the loss of a dog so much. It is my literal worst fear, when its my pups turn to take his final journey on the rainbow, but this story just made me see everything so differently. Maybe it doesn’t always have to be the end, maybe it’s just another chapter. This was such a great story, the way that they author managers to bring all of the animals alive, bringing each of them out as individual characters, while still showing some of their more typical animal traits. I also loved the way the author dealt with Andrew and Zena, showing that just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they instantly become nice people, and we all have bad days. Caligula was the standout background character for me, he brought so much of the story to life, as well as seeming to bring Stupendo to life the second time around. If you have ever loved an animal like part of the family, then you need this story in your life, and if you haven’t then you need this story to show you how much of a joy they can be.

A wonderful story about Tuesday and her dog Stupendo and what happens when Stupendo wakes up dead one morning. Unable to believe he is a ghost and he hasn’t passed over to the other side he wants to find out what happened to him and why. So with the help of all the neighbourhood creatures Stupendo sets out to discover how he died.

I loved this book. A great storyline with an equally great cast of characters, both human and animal. I would definitely recommend this book.