Gwen certainly knows how to tell a cat story! Her writing is amazing, be it non-fiction (I loved her first book, "Homer's Odyssey") or fiction, done beautifully here. A word of warning... tearjerker!

Very sweet story written by a wonderful author who knows exactly how to channel the cat's point of view. The "human" layer of a complicated mother/daughter relationship was also captivating and well-crafted. Definitely would recommend, especially to cat lovers.

I fell in love with the cat on the cover and liked the story as it's told by a cat and i love everything cat. Sweet, compelling and well plotted Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

From the moment I turned the final page of Gwen Cooper's New York Times bestseller,

"Love Saves the Day" is a beautifully expressed story; I won't reiterate the basis of it since other posters already have. Suffice it to say I was drawn in immediately and was literally unable to put the book down. I began devouring it as quickly as I could and of course when I got close to the conclusion, I slowed down because I just couldn't bear for it to end. The pace of the story is absolutely perfect from start to finish, and that makes it so compelling. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me smile and chuckle, it made me think and feel. Prudence's thoughts are so charming and humorous, but make no mistake....this isn't another sappy cat story. It's a tale about the true meaning of family, and how the love of a cat can influence generations. The story is also about loss, grief and healing. As a hospice/bereavement volunteer of many years, I can honestly say that Ms. Cooper knows all the fine points of loss and expresses them in the most touching ways. Some of Prudence's thoughts and feelings are painfully tender and sad, yet so very honest; nothing was held back, which is how it should be. The pain of loss is real. On a personal note, my kitty Isabel was given to me by one of my patient's families many years ago, and now I know exactly how she felt when she had to leave her home. Also, my dad was a musician long ago and spent time in the Lower East side, which brought back a flood of wonderful memories. The material was obviously well researched, and that led to a few unpredictable happenings in the story, which gave it that much more meaning. It seems as if it would be difficult to express the inner thoughts of a cat but through Ms. Cooper's descriptive gift with words, it seems like the most natural thing to read Prudence's ideas. I cannot say enough about "Love Saves the Day"! What a remarkable, well written book. I can't wait for the next one!

I just finished reading this book this morning, down to every last word, including Gwen Cooper's acknowledgements at the end of the book. I was sorry to have it end. This is a book I will never forget (same with Homer's Odyssey). Prudence steals your heart from the very first, and so do the humans who share the story. I must admit that Chapter 13 was VERY difficult to read, even more difficult to comprehend that something like that could actually happen in this day and age (I have since read an online account of the actual tragedy on that day in January 1998). I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't yet read this memorable book, but let me say it is magical and haunting. It will make you laugh and cry. Gwen Cooper has the ability to take you to the very heart of a circumstance by her gift of words (as she did in Homer's Odyssey when describing her firsthand experience during 9/11/01 and those harrowing days after when she was trying to rescue her cats). And few people understand our feline friends as she does. Bravo, Gwen! I am going to buy two more copies to give as gifts.

I was not going to write a review as this book was so poignant and touched me so much that I felt I could not do it justice with my limited vocabulary. After reconsidering it a while, I decided I had to share my thoughts as this is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Gwen Cooper knows the ways of cats and also knows how to express this through her writing. If you have read "Homer's Odyssey", you know what I mean.( and if you haven't, you should) Prudence is a typical cat, set in her ways and with a certain attachment to her human. Her world is turned upside down one day when her human does not come home. As she both tries to preserve the memories of her human and forge a relationship with the new humans in her life, we get insights into , not only, Prudence and all her humans, but relationships, love and moving forward. Yes, I shed a lot of tears reading this book, and will when I read it again, but that is what great writing is supposed to do...move you. There is one part of this story that some may feel was hard to read, and it was, but in the end , it also helps bring everything into perspective. I love the way the story is told from different points of views so that we get to know all the characters, including , Prudence,on a personal level. You must read this book!

Gwen Cooper has written two novels and a superb memoir of her relationship with Homer, a blind cat whom she adopted. This is her second novel. I admire her dexterity in using several narrators to tell the story of the difficult relationship of mother and daughter, and of a cat with each of them. Someone who has lived with a cat will admire her creation of Prudence, whose character rings true throughout the novel. Ms. Cooper has not written a mere cat book. She never has. She has examined how our pets help us understand ourselves and the other humans in our lives. As importantly, although she might smile at this, the overarching theme of her work is how we humans gain insight into ourselves and are transformed by love.

The writing in this novel is so true that I had to stop reading the book for a day or two, because, unlike the people in this book, I know that lilies are toxic to cats. I became so inconsolable at one point that I had to take a break even before I discovered how that one particular event was resolved. A number of other emotional events occurring around the same time in the narrative had a profound effect upon me. That is the highest compliment that I can give to a book - when a book is so well written that it moves me to outright laughter or tears. This book did both.

I enjoyed reading this book!!!

Great book, loved the way the cat Prudence gives her account of things from when she was rescued in New York. A very real life story. I cried when Prudence ate a bouquet of lillys and became very ill on the verge of death. Love did save the day. Highly recommend especially if you are a cat lover.

I love this book. So unique having the story told from the cat's point of view. Warning - it's incredibly sad in some places (tissues needed!) but so uplifting in other places. Very glad I bought this book, highly recommended if you love cats or just love a well-written story.

I found this book to be sad, sweet, and happy. It made me appreciate how wonderful my two cats are. It was fascinating reading this story from the cat's point of view. I saw a lot of Prudence in both my cats, but especially my two year old abby-tabby. Prudence caught and kept my heartstrings the whole time, waiting for Sarah to come back for her. It really makes you wonder, how do our pets really perceive life changes when something happens that prevents us from coming home? It made me want to cry, thinking that some day, my time will come, and will my cats think I abandoned them? Will they miss me, the way Prudence misses Sarah? I also appreciated the backstory of Sarah, so I could see who she was, and why Prudence loved her. Then there was Laura's story, and slowly coming to understand Laura as she learned to understand herself. And all the time, there is Prudence. I realize she is a fictitious cat, but while reading this book, I think I loved Prudence as much as I love my two cats, and I love them alot!

It's 2 AM and I just finished reading this engaging, warm, and well-written book. I experienced the pleasure of hearing Gwen Cooper read the entire first chapter of "Love Saves the Day" last September in Springfield, Virginia, months before the book was published. I paid such rapt attention to her reading that I could hear her voice as I read that chapter myself, as well as throughout the book. The intelligent thoughts and wants and feelings of Prudence the cat have made me take a closer look at my own cats, imagining their thoughts about me and our household; it's quite fun to do, actually, and I appreciate that this book has given me the insight to do this. As an avid reader, I'm always amazed at how a talented author can weave several subplots into a wonderful and interesting story. It was easy to care about the young couple in whose home Prudence lives. I highly recommend this story that tugs at our hearts as cat-lovers, and gives us an idea of what it's like to live in New York City, to care about what happens to the people who live there.

I purchased this book because I was such a fan of Homer's Odyssey and was excited to read Gwen Cooper's latest piece. I must admit that I found the beginning of the novel a bit slow, but after a few chapters I simply could not put it down. I was completely mesmerized at how Gwen wove multiple themes and executed them brilliantly. This novel is told from three viewpoints - Prudence the cat, Sarah (her former owner) and Laura (Sarah's daughter). Grief, love, marriage, money, family, trauma, tenacity, hope, compassion and love are all told in a manner that left me completely enthralled. I was left speechless at most parts and this is the first book that has ever made me cry so much in one sitting. The tears I shed were not all out of sadness ... there are moments of poignancy for each theme that left me deeply touched and moved on every level. I just spent the entire day finishing it and this book has truly reignited my love for reading. I can't wait for Gwen Cooper's next book!