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.

The Good Boy was a cute book. I did get kinda bored at parts of the book. I loved the end when he stood up to the old owner that hurt him. I just wish they did more but I really enjoyed reading it.

I really enjoyed this book.
The beginning was a little cringy to me but I loved the premise, the characters, and the storyline.

This was cute! I like a romance and the addition of some magical realism was fun.
I'd never read this author, but this has made want to keep up with them to read more.

The Good Boy by Stella Hayward is a fun and lighthearted twist on the classic body-switch trope, giving major The Shaggy Dog vibes with a romantic spin. The story follows a woman who’s happily single and perfectly content with her dog as the only man in her life—until one day, she wakes up to find her dog has turned into a man.

What follows is a mix of laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt realizations, and just the right touch of angst as the woman starts to see that her true love has been right in front of her all along. The quirky premise is handled with humor and charm, making this an easy, feel-good read perfect for anyone looking for something light and unique.

If you enjoy romantic comedies with a magical twist, The Good Boy is a delightful choice. It’s equal parts funny, sweet, and satisfying, and will leave you smiling long after the final page. Highly recommended for a fun escape!

The Good Boy is a heartwarming, funny, and feel-good story that will leave you smiling. The premise itself is so fun and creative — who wouldn’t want to read about a dog turning into a human? The plot kicks off when Genie, who comes from a family of magic, accidentally turns her dog, Rory, into a human man. This magical twist sets the stage for a delightful adventure as Rory, still with his dog-like quirks, navigates the world as a human.

The book is packed with humor, and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The author does an excellent job of blending Rory’s doggy instincts with his new human form, making his reactions and interactions with the world both entertaining and heartwarming. Rory is such a sweet "man-dog" — all he wants is to return to his original form, but his journey alongside Genie is what truly makes this story shine.

At its core, The Good Boy is about growth, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Genie, through her adventures with Rory and with the support of her friends and family, confronts her past, learns important life lessons, and blossoms into the person she was always meant to be. It’s a beautiful story of how even the most unexpected situations can lead to personal transformation.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if your dog could talk to you, this book is for you! It’s a lighthearted read, but with enough emotional depth to keep you invested from start to finish. The humor, combined with the magical premise, makes it a delightful read for anyone in need of a feel-good story.

This book was cute and funny! Give it 5 stars for the writing, characters, and plot. Can't wait to read more from the author

I want this book to be a movie, just to see Chris Hemsworth as Rory the golden retriever. I think he would have so much fun with the physical comedy of it.

This book is billed as a romance, but I'll be shelving it as fantasy. While it does have a strong romantic subplot, the driving force in the book is figuring out how to get Rory back to being his sweet canine self before the transition is permanent. Between Genie chasing after her grandmother for answers and claiming and believing in her own power, this book is a playful romp just outside the bounds of romance.

Heartwarming, sweet & fun!

I had a feeling I was going to love this book. It sounded so whimsical and unlike anything I've read before that I knew I needed to read it ASAP. The Good Boy is magical and delightfully entertaining. I couldn't put it down, I was having too much fun!

I really liked Genie and human Rory. Genie was dealing with a lot and I thought her arc was believable and relatable. Rory was a great character. I loved his insight and commentary.

The romance here is sweet. Think friends to lovers & neighbors to lovers. Genie and Miles were adorable.

I liked the writing style a lot too. Kept me turning the pages.

If you enjoy magical realism and romcoms, give this a try.

This book was delightful and highly enjoyable. While I rated it four stars due to a perceived minor omission, the narrative was captivating and expertly balanced emotional resonance with heartwarming elements. I would readily reread it.

This was a fun read, but some of the conceit didn't work for me based solely on my preferences. The characterization of Rory and his dialogue was top notch. The side characters like Nanna Maria and Granny Rita added a lot to the story. The bits with Kelly didn't add much and were a bit meandering, though. It was a funny and heartfelt read.

I didn't realize how good this book would be. I think it should be considered an important read if you've experienced loss or depression. That being said it was also funny and enjoyable. Rory really is the goodest boy.