In this Author POV, we highlight SomeBody by Laurel Doud, a contemporary novel about trauma, forgiveness, and found family. Set partly at a Utah animal sanctuary, the story follows three people struggling to heal from their pasts.
Blending family drama with romance and the bond between people and rescue animals, SomeBody explores complicated relationships, vulnerability, and the connections that can help people put themselves back together.
Can you introduce your book for librarians who may be discovering it for the first time?
Quince Bennet has felt halved all of her life, but never more so than after a dog attack, when the voice of her two-faced, Jekyll-Hyde, Shakespeare-spewing dead sister takes up residence in her head. Determined to face her fears, Quince decides to volunteer at an animal sanctuary in Utah, hoping that perhaps, in doing so, she can exorcise her sister's voice. At the sanctuary, Quince meets an orphaned teenager and her uncle-turned-guardian, who are dealing with misfortunes of their own. The three stitch themselves together as a found family, but life unravels them in unexpected ways. Ultimately, they realize they need to be more like the dogs they rescue, dogs that embody the slogan: To Err is Human, To Forgive Canine.
What inspired you to write this book, and what core themes do you hope readers take away from it?
Some years ago, I volunteered at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, and I thought, What a great place to set a story. Quince Bennet, a character from my debut novel, This Body, walked alongside me and said she'd like to audition for the part. I've always been interested in exploring dichotomies, the yin and yang of life, and the Jekyll-Hyde in all of us: what fractures us and what sews us back together. Once I came back from Best Friends, my husband and I started rescuing senior shelter dogs, four and counting.
What kind of readers or patrons do you see this book resonating with most?
SomeBody is contemporary fiction with a twist of romance and a different take on what it means to be a sister and a friend, a story that bends toward hope, but not without some teeth. It will appeal to adult and older teenage readers who love complex family dynamics and the search for meaningful relationships, both romantic and platonic.
What themes or discussion topics do you hope librarians highlight when recommending the book?
The three main characters face obstacles, both internal and external. They change significantly as they navigate their feelings and vulnerabilities and begin to heal from past trauma through the connections they make with each other.
Are there any sensitive topics or content considerations librarians should be aware of?
The opening scene involves a dog attack. There are also references to domestic violence and murder-suicide.
If your book were part of a library display, what topics, themes, or comparable titles would you pair it with?
This is not a traditional romance novel with the usual romance genre tropes. The current term I've discovered is "romantic drama." Books by Catherine Newman, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Serle, Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes, and Sally Rooney have been shelved in this category.
Are there companion resources librarians or educators should know about?
No, although SomeBody features characters from my first novel, This Body.
Which formats are currently available?
The book will be available as an ebook (ISBN: 979-8-9968096-1-5), paperback (ISBN: 979-8-9968096-0-8), and hardcover (ISBN: 979-8-9968096-2-2). The audiobook will be distributed by Blackstone Audio and is expected in December 2026 or January 2027.
How could this book be used in community events or themed programming throughout the year?
SomeBody could be used for Valentine's Day programming, including "Blind Date with a Book" promotions, or celebrations such as International Dog Day, honoring dogs of all breeds and promoting shelter adoptions.
Do you offer author engagement options for schools or libraries?
Yes. My favorite part of being a librarian was working with students, first as a YA librarian and later as an academic librarian at a community college.
Is there anything else you would like librarians, teachers, or educators to know about your work?
I'm a recently retired librarian. I worked in public, special, and research libraries and, for the last 16 years of my career, as an academic librarian at a community college. My first novel, This Body, was published by Little, Brown in hardcover, paperback, and ebook. I've also been published in literary journals including Air/Light, LIT Magazine, and After Dinner Conversation.
To learn more about Laurel Doud, SomeBody, and her other work, visit Laurel Doud's website.
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