Parasocial relationships are weird, y’all.

Parasocial relationships are weird, y’all. I’ve followed Isabel Klee on TikTok for years. Her care and compassion when it comes to her foster dogs is heartwarming and amazing, and a complete emotional catharsis on a regular basis. So when I learned she was writing a book and it was actually getting published, I was so excited, both for her and for us, her audience. After all, I’d read and reviewed For Whom the Belle Tolls by another TikTok creator, Jaysea Lynn, and it was really good. (I know, I know. You don’t have to tell me how cuckoo that line of reasoning is.)

Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About: A Memoir by Isabel Klee is fine, if maybe mildly irritating. And irritating might even be too strong of a word. Irking? Maybe that’s a better choice. I don’t know. It’s mostly generic advice paired with sweet stories about the dogs she has worked with, including her own dog, Simon, and it works a lot better as TikToks that last five minutes or less instead of vignettes paired with life lessons being delivered by someone that is literally half my age. And, look, this is not a knock on Klee. I think she genuinely means well. I just personally resent being given life lessons by someone half my age. Is that reasonable? Probably not, but only time will tell for sure.

Am I mad I spent the money? Not at all. I like supporting a creator that is out in the world doing good things and who uses the money from her book sales to help support the animal rescue groups she works with. Would I recommend that you buy the book? No, not unless you want to support Klee and the efforts of the groups she works with, and even then I think you’d be better served to make a donation to your local animal shelter or foster group first.