The book tells the story of Emily Dean's journey through love, family, and loss, which led her to find hope and healing in the dog she always wanted. Emily's sister, Rachael, was diagnosed with cancer, and in just three years, Emily lost both her parents and her sister. The book is a funny, heartbreaking, and wonderfully told story of how Emily discovers that it is possible to overcome the worst that life can throw at you and that the right time is only ever now, as she finally starts again with her very own dog - the adorable shih-tzu named Raymond.