Rescue Me

Sarra Manning Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99

Former City highflier Will works for his family’s floristry business and, in search of canine companionship, he visits the local dogs’ home at the same time as exuberant fashion designer Margot. They both fall for terrified rescue pup Blossom and reluctantly agree to “co-pawrent”, as Margot terms it.

But they have distinctly different approaches to looking after a dog.

Margot wants to smother Blossom with affection whereas Will is perpetually quoting from manuals. If Blossom wasn’t an animal, you’d suspect her of exploiting these differences to bring the pair closer together.

Just when it seems inevitable that the pair will fall in love, baggage from the past throws them a curveball.

However, this wholesome novel left me feeling that the world is a good place to be and it will bring welcome cheer to a grey January.