**Book Review: *The Good Boy* by Stella Hayward (4 stars)**

A huge thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read *The Good Boy* early in exchange for my honest review!

This book was such a fun, charming rom-com! The characters are absolutely hilarious and downright adorable, with a premise that's refreshing and unique. While there were moments where the pacing felt a little slow, it didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the story. I have to admit, there was a moment where I was worried the dog might be the main love interest (spoiler alert: he's not 😂), so if you're worried about that too, rest assured!

Overall, *The Good Boy* is perfect for fans of rom-coms and dog lovers alike. It's one of those feel-good stories that certain readers will really enjoy. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good laugh and a heartwarming romance! Plus a dog best friend!

This book was an okay book. I struggled with wanting to continue reading because the pacing was a little too slow for my liking. I was nervous initially that the dog was going to be the romantic interest but thank god, he is not. Overall, I thought the concept was interesting, but I really struggled to connect with the characters, and I don't think this is a book for me.

Thank you Avon and netgalley for this earc in exchange for an honest review!

This is my new favorite book of all time ever. A dog becoming a human and still getting the zoomies? Yes. Please.

A silly, goofy time where everyone will be so glad that the dog turned human is not the romantic interest. That would certainly feel icky to be the least. Instead we have an adorkable next door neighbor who is incredibly supportive and generally lovely. All the characters were a bit whimsical, and I loved the connections they had with one another. Also, getting a dog's perspective on being human was a blast! I would certainly recommend this to just about anyone! Side note: there is essentially no spice, a positive or negative depending on preferences. I am certainly going to be making some videos to recommend this to my friends and followers!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to NetGalley, Stella Hayward, and Avon and Harper Vogayer for the ARC!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. After one month, I was only 26% in, and decided to call time of death. My biggest complaint with this book is the actual writing. I thought the premise was really cute, and the pacing was good, but the writing made me struggle enough to not finish it. There was more “tell” than “show” from the FMC, and there were a few too many cringey lines (namely, “Am I not a good boy anymore?”) that made the quirky plot seem childish at times. And while this is a personal preference, blatant miscommunication between the FMC and MMC is one of my least favorite tropes/conflicts and turned me off of this book. I see what the writer was intending and think Stella Hayward really put her heart into this book, and I think with further edits it could be really cute!!

Not going to lie this rom com was cute and weird at the same time. That's also sort of a "love triangle" because no one wants their dog turning into a human and he doesn't want to be human. And you can't tell anyone because of course they will think your weird. Enter your oldest friend and the boy next Miles. Hopefully he can help solve the problem without ruining your friendship. But what if it turns to more.

This book started out really strong, however at the 60% mark I was really bored and had to really push myself to finish.

Genie messes up everything including her wish bestowed by her grandmother on her 30th birthday. She accidentally turns her dog into a human. Because she does not need a man, she just needs her dog! This lighthearted rom-com was cute especially Rory (the man dog).

There are a few heavier parts in this story so please read the trigger warnings. I’m always a little taken aback when the reason a character is the way they are is pretty traumatic and held off until towards the end of the book.

The characters are cute, the grandma is sweet, the dog is great. It just sometimes felt on the slow side especially since miscommunication is thrown in there as well. Overall it is a light read (except when it isn’t)

Content warnings: Pregnancy loss (mentioned), animal abuse (mentioned), death of a parent (mentioned)

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Stella Hayward for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Have you ever looked at your dog and wish they were a person you could actually have a conversation with? Well this book is definitely for you😂 I honestly don’t think I ever laughed so hard reading a book. This was the epitome of rom com to me. I honestly could have read another 500 pages of this story.

I loved Rory and Genie with my whole black heart. Their relationship with one another was so wholesome and special that now I envy this fictional relationship😭 you just know that if your boy dog became a human, this is how it would be 10000%. They would never give up on you and would follow you to the end of the end because you are their person.

Also, we must talk about sweet, sweet Miles. Oh our sweet summer nerd child. He was the leading man in Genies life and she had no idea of course until Rory was like, “Genie, you love him and he loves you so what exactly is there to figure out with you two?” I was honestly just waiting for Rory to push them into a room together and lock them in so they could get their shit together finally. But also I low key wanted Miles to step up and say something first you know? Like come on Miles!

Then the ending. Dear lord baby Jesus I don’t think I cried so much during a rom com book. You truly felt for Genie in that moment and my heart was ripped out from my body when I read chapter 29😭 This was the moment we were revealed why Genie had closed herself off for so long and was living in such a dark space, ugh it hit me in all the feels.

The only thing I wish is that we got more of Miles and Genie together! But then again I just didn’t want this book to end😭♥️ This book has definitely become one of my favs and I can not wait to see what is to come of the author and I hope she puts out more amazing books!

This romantic book was not what I was expecting. This story was heartwarming, heart wrenching at times, and so funny too! I wanted to read this book because of the description (and dog on the cover!). It did not disappoint in either way. I mean who hasn’t wished for their dog to be a human? 😆 The plot and story line were really well written, in my opinion. Be ready to have an adventure with Genie, Rory and the rest of the characters.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the eARC. I was originally drawn to this book do to the comparison to Ashley Poston's work, but unfortunately this was a miss for me and I decided to DNF

This one was a little bit out of my realm of reading, but the cover and the blurb were cute. It was okay, the characters were likable enough and there was plenty of sweetness and humor to go around. It was a fun, quick read but not one that will stick with me.

It's a wild idea, but Rory was the cutest.

It was a fine read, I just didn't like the main character for the longest time and the love interest seemed to have zero character the whole time. It also made me cringe a little bit.

thank you Netgalley and Stella Hayward for the arc!

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the arc of this book!

I was very excited going into this book and let me say it absolutely did NOT disappoint. From the first page it was fast paced and easy to get into. The book itself has everything you could want: friends to lovers, loveable side characters, a heartwarming story, and adorable pets! With a plot as unique as the one this book has it’s easy to go wrong and become boring and dry, but this one had me hooked all the way through. It was heartwarming to read about the journey not only Genie, but also Rory went through. This book has the perfect mix of comedy and fun and it’s serious moments. I’ve never read anything quite like this: I cried, I laughed, I groaned in frustration when the friend-to-lovers was friends-to-lovering too hard. I truly did it all and that’s how I know when a book is truly amazing!

This British magical realism rom-com took me by surprise with its easy charm and humor, though I would more likely shelve it in women’s fiction. It’s perfect for dog lovers (which I am not, but that didn’t stop me).

The romance is very slow burn, and it doesn’t really get going until the end of the book. The door is also firmly closed. It’s friends to lovers/neighbors, so there’s good tension there, but boy oh boy, are the main characters oblivious.

The story is most effective when centering on the FMC’s struggles. There isn’t a trigger warning at the beginning at the book, but there should be - well into the book, a tragic backstory is revealed.

The book summary had me excited to dive in. 

On her 30th birthday Eugenie makes a wish for her dog to be human. She never believed her grandmother’s warning about wishes having power or how her family has magic running through their bloodlines. By the next morning, Genie realizes too late that her dog Rory has become human. With the help of her friend Miles from next door, they try to reverse the wish. 

Genie is a lovable character with some flaws that made her relatable. It was interesting to read about her growth and how much Rory and Miles are such a huge support throughout her life. Rory is exactly how I expected a dog in human form would act. He’s loving, caring and completely loyal. I feel like Stella Hayward nailed the characteristics of Rory. It was so much fun to read. There were a lot of moments that made me smile, laugh and that were just heartwarming. 

Overall, this story is magical in so many ways. 

Thank you Netgalley and Stella Hayward for the ARC!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for this eARC to read in advance of publication!

This was not for me. I went into it thinking it’d be a whimsical romance and instead it dealt with some very heavy topics (gracefully but personally could have used a heads up on the content). I thought the book was too long and repetitive to get to the obvious conclusion.

I was curious about this book, and admittedly rather worried about how I'd feel about the idea of a character changing species. It was definitely a little out of my comfort zone but I was happy that the romance part of it was directed the way that it was. Thanks for the opportunity to review, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms Hawyard!

This book was a very different experience for me. Genie, is stuck in a rut as she approaches her 30th birthday, unable to let go of her past. Everything changes when a birthday wish turns her beloved dog into a human. To restore him to his original form, Genie must reevaluate her life, make meaningful changes, and find her own happiness.

As Genie begins to work on herself, she starts seeing her lifelong friend, Miles, in a new light. Meanwhile, Rory, the man-dog, embodies all the qualities of a golden retriever in human form—unconditional love for his person, a joyful appreciation for the little things in life, and a forgiving heart.

This story was quirky, heartwarming, and incredibly fun to read. Rory’s lovable, goofy personality brought a lot of charm, and Genie’s journey of self-discovery was both relatable and uplifting.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.