Love Saves the Day

By: Gwen Cooper

Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

When five-week-old Prudence, a brown tabby, meets a woman named Sarah in a deserted construction site on Manhattan's Lower East Side, she knows she's found the human she was meant to adopt. For three years their lives are filled with laughter, tuna, catnaps, music, and the unchanging routines Prudence craves. Then one day Sarah doesn't come home. From Prudence's perch on the windowsill she sees Laura, the daughter who hardly ever comes to visit Sarah, arrive with her new husband. They're carrying boxes. Before they even get to the front door, Prudence realizes that her life has changed forever.

Suddenly Prudence finds herself living in a strange apartment with humans she barely knows. It could take years to train them in the feline courtesies and customs (for example, a cat should always be fed before the humans, and at the same exact time every day) that Sarah understood so well. Prudence clings to the hope that Sarah will come back for her, while Laura, a rising young corporate attorney, tries to push away memories of her mother and the tumultuous childhood spent in her mother's dusty downtown record store. But the secret joys, past hurts, and life-changing moments that make every mother-daughter relationship special will come to the surface. With Prudence's help, Laura will learn that the past, like a mother's love, never dies.

Poignant, insightful, and laugh-out-loud funny, Love Saves the Day is a story of hope, healing, and how the love of an animal can make all of us better humans. It's the story of a mother and daughter divided by the turmoil of bohemian New York, and the opinionated, irrepressible feline who will become the bridge between them. It's a novel for anyone who's ever lost a loved one, wondered what their cat was really thinking, or fallen asleep with a purring feline nestled in their arms. Prudence, a cat like no other, is sure to steal your heart.

©2013 Gwen Cooper (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Once again, Gwen Cooper shines her light on the territory that defines the human/animal bond. In Love Saves the Day, she creates an emotional landscape so beautifully complete that we can't help but share in the heartbreaks and triumphs of her characters, regardless of their species." (Jackson Galaxy, author of Cat Daddy)

Deeply emotional, highly recommend!

This audiobook was a deeply emotional and intense story centered around a cat. The protagonist endured a profound loss she was unaware of for a long time, leaving her confused as her life shifted in unexpected ways. Despite it all, she touched and transformed lives for the better. I highly recommend giving this a listen. I love this book—its narration is perfect.

Kept me weeping

What did you love best about Love Saves the Day?

The cat's point of view was not complete, but maybe better that way. I was surprised that this was sufficient to tell the story and fill in the characters. I did not think the daughter even liked her mom, so I was surprised to find she did.

What a nice story!

I enjoyed every minute of this book not only because it was a good story line, but because I am a cat lover.
The narrator did a good job.

Monotonous narrator.

Enjoyed the story but the narration was too monotonous. Did not care for this particular narrator. Humorous cat perspectives! Funny!

Loving and funny

A very heart warming and funny at the same time. I love the narration of the cat, and her interpretation of human actions. It's a must read for cat lovers.

Prudence was amazing

Thoroughly enjoyed the story. Yes, sad undertones, but Prudence was funny, lovable, charming and delightful. It is in my top 10 stories.

Heartfelt, touching, inspiring

I have been a fan of Gwen Cooper since I read Homer's Odesy. This book explores the human/animal bond further. The story of Sarah, her daughter Laura and love lost and found is heartfelt. It will make you laugh, cry, and cheer. Having recently lost my mother, I identify with this story on so many levels. You won't be disappointed if you read this book. Chris Ducart's performance is amazing, and makes this book most enjoyable to listen to.

Dear little kitten!

Adorable story of the power of our pets to change us and how we may change them. Wonderful entertainment, laughed, cried and wished it would never end.

Sweet Story!

I bought this book because I adored the author's previous non-fiction book Homer's Odyssey. I wasn't sure I would enjoy the story of Love Saves the Day, but it turned out to be totally delightful!

At first, the story from Prudence's perspective (the cat) grew a little tiring. However, a bit into the story, the chapters began alternating between three different perspectives, and that was a perfect way for it to progress. On the surface, this book seems to be the story of Prudence the cat, but it is truly a sweet story about relationships--mother/daughter, husband/wife, and yes, Prudence and her people.

The story was very well written and narrated well too--definitely worthy of one's time and credit. I hope she continues writing--I'm looking forward to more books from Gwen Cooper!

Amazing!!!

I loved this book, both versions, audible and written. I love how the author brings Prudence to life the way she did!