The first couple chapters of Jonathan Unleashed did not exactly enthuse me, as Jonathan seemed a wimpish, delusional and simply flat character. I am so glad I held out because it quickly became one of my favorite reviews this year. Jonathan may be all those things, but the dogs steal the show, prop him up, and push him toward his future. I even came to identify with Jonathan’s struggle toward "finding himself" and the need to settle because its just plain easier.
Jonathan’s eccentric habit of running unlikely scenarios in his head and imagining the dogs inner thoughts makes for an occasional laugh out loud. The dogs antics, especially Dante, in arranging chance meetings and reordering Jonathan’s life without his consent, are hysterical, further calling into question Jonathan’s sanity. An impromptu, internet-televised wedding and an inability to talk all spell trouble, but the pups are on the job, throughout, dragging Jonathan to his destiny.
Jonathan Unleashed may be whimsical and far-fetched (pardon the pun) but the protagonist is likable, and just enough down on his luck that you root for him, despite the feeling that he may have lost his marbles. I enjoyed this zany, light-hearted read, immensely.