"That's why we like living with animals so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.”

What I love most about Hartnett’s writing is that she is able to craft heartfelt, bitingly funny stories and isn’t afraid to tackle hard-hitting topics. In UNLIKELY ANIMALS, Hartnett touches on the opioid crisis, the loss of a parent, feelings of inadequacy, and complicated relationships. She has (once again) mastered the art of dark humor and caused me to laugh my way through the book. Hartnett seamlessly weaves so many captivating elements into this story, from cemetery ghosts and curious critters to family drama and a missing childhood friend. The characters are multidimensional and messy in the best possible way. The dash of magical realism is the icing on the cake. This is a charming story about human connection, self-discovery, grief, friendship, family, and about finding hope when it feels impossible. It’s a warm hug of a book and I loved every minute of it.

I highly recommend this book and Hartnett’s previous novel, RABBIT CAKE.