Who is being rescued here? Blossom the dog, or Will and Margot, her owners?

As the book begins Margot is in her mid-30s and has just split up with George. He wasn't the one but she was hopeful that he might still be someone she could settle down and have children with. She's watched her friends do this but when will it be her turn? She decides to adopt a rescue dog and she finds herself drawn to Blossom, a nervous Staffy with who knows what kind of past. Will is a troubled man, totally eligible but has no faith in himself. He also wants to adopt Blossom and so he and Margot agree to co-pawrent(!). It's an interesting concept and perhaps one that would suit a lot of people but you have to be able to get on with your co-pawrent, and Margot and Will butt heads quite a lot.

The story is told in alternating chapters from both human viewpoints and through this device we see how each character sees the other as well as being privy to their own inner thoughts. I felt this really made each of them three-dimensional and made me like them even more. It brought out the fact that what we show to other people isn't always indicative of our real self.

Blossom is an absolute delight. She's quite a little madam at times and knows exactly how to manipulate her two owners and often play them off against each other, the little minx. Even Blossom, though, has a back story which only sometimes she feels able to face.

I thought Rescue Me was a book with a story that creeps up on you and slowly wraps you in a warm embrace. I came to care about the main characters and also really enjoyed the supporting cast of Margot's friends and Will's family. It's a gorgeous, original read, totally heart-warming and full of all the things I love in a book. ( )