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.

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.