Publication Date: June 4, 2024
Rosie Benson does not have it all together. Like most twenty-somethings, she struggles to figure out life and soon finds herself following the advice of her late great-aunt through a series of revelatory emails about pursuing long-buried dreams rather than society’s idea of perfect in this fun, highly relatable debut. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, and Sophie Kinsella.
What’s a twenty-something gal to do when her parents announce a divorce after thirty years of marriage, she finds out her best friend has cozied up to her archnemesis, and she accidentally sleeps with the Wrong Guy? Turn to her great-aunt for advice, of course.
Rosie Benson has always struggled to fit in with her over-accomplished family, type-A roommate/best friend, and workaholic boss. But she’s nearly losing herself as she strives to become everyone else’s idea of perfect. When Rosie is abruptly fired from her job at a tech start-up where her boss was way too enthusiastic about synergy and company swag, the illusion that she has life figured out is shattered. Knowing she needs a push, her great-aunt Dotty—a globe-trotting, martini-swilling occasional nudist, and the only person Rosie has ever truly felt herself around—challenges her to pursue a long-buried dream, others’ expectations be damned.
But then Dotty dies.
And Rosie spirals.
As new details of Dotty’s past emerge through revelatory emails from her many friends, Rosie realizes that maybe her aunt’s life wasn’t as charmed as she thought. With her career, friendships, and family unraveling, Rosie must drown out the noise of the world telling her what she should pursue—boyfriend, babies, boss-babe role at a corporate job—and finally focus on what she actually wants.
Everyone has that one person who can serve as a source of comfort and guidance. For Rosie Benson, it is her great-aunt, Dotty. When that refuge is taken away, Rosie finds herself struggling with life events.
To cope, she emails everyone on Dotty’s contact list, seeking to learn more about her beloved relative. As the responses come in, Rosie finds the courage to chart her own path.
Author Jaclyn Westlake delivers an impactful story in Dear Dotty. While it packs quite an emotional punch, the humor adds a delightful touch. Poor Rosie seems to move from one awful event to another before she finally gets traction.
The focus on relationships is strong within the story, emphasized not only by interactions with her family and best friend, but also with the new boyfriend and coworkers. Rosie ends up at a crossroads where she has to decide which path to follow.
Add in an adorable pug, a super-friendly cow, and plenty of other animals at Happy Hooves, and there are plenty of guaranteed laughs. The goat chase is particularly amusing. Ultimately, Rosie realizes Dotty’s wisdom lives on.
Dear Dotty will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, but it will leave you with a sense of satisfaction.
Jaclyn Westlake is a debut author and an alumna of the Stanford Continuing Studies novel writing program. A recruiter turned career advice columnist, her work has appeared in Forbes, Business Insider, and Inc. She lives in California with her husband and their dachshund mix, Indiana Jones (but you can call him Indy).
