⭐⭐⭐½ rounded up

Stella Hayward’s The Good Boy is a sweet, subtly funny, and magical romance that tugs at the heartstrings with themes of grief, hope, and overcoming self-imposed obstacles. While it delivers moments of excitement and heartfelt emotion, the journey to get there is a bit uneven.

The story follows Genie, whose journey of self-discovery and love is relatable yet, at times, frustrating. Her mid-20s behavior as a 30 year old and persistent self-doubt often feel like unnecessary roadblocks, especially when her feelings for Miles—and his for her—are blatantly obvious. As a therapist, I can appreciate the nuanced portrayal of someone protecting themselves from potential hurt, but the mental gymnastics Genie goes through to avoid seeing the truth tested my patience. Add in the classic fear-of-rejection trope, and I was practically yelling at the page for someone to say what they really feel.

The supporting cast shines, particularly Rory, who is a delightful and grounding presence throughout the book. Honestly, he was the best part of the story! Genie’s friendship with Kelly is also a standout—a refreshing portrayal of raw honesty and unconditional acceptance that balances the more frustrating aspects of the plot.

On the downside, the pacing can feel touch-and-go. Some parts are genuinely exciting and heartfelt, while others drag or circle around the inevitable far too long. Every time Genie mentions Claudia from work, I wanted to scream, “Shut up already!” And when Genie’s insecurities lead to her making questionable choices about Miles’ love life, I found myself skipping ahead, eager for her to finally realize what’s right in front of her.

Despite these frustrations, The Good Boy ultimately delivers a heartwarming tale with a touch of magic. The family magic subplot adds charm and depth, though readers should note the romance is strictly closed-door with no spice. If you’re looking for a silly, sweet, and light story with a hint of magic, this one might just win you over—if you can stick with Genie through her ups and downs.

I didn’t think I needed a book about a dog-turned-human in my life, but The Good Boy completely charmed me! It’s equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, with a magical twist that makes it unlike any other romance I’ve read.

Genie is such a relatable protagonist, navigating life and love with a mix of humor and uncertainty. But let’s be real—Rory steals the show. As a human, he’s all Golden Retriever energy: loyal, goofy, and completely clueless about human norms. Watching Genie try to manage him while untangling her own feelings was pure joy.

The book balances its hilarity with genuine emotional moments, especially as Genie enlists Miles, her childhood friend, to help. Their dynamic adds another layer to the story that kept me hooked from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with quirky characters, magical mishaps, and a surprising amount of heart, this one is a must-read. It’s a delightful reminder that love often comes in the most unexpected forms.

This story focuses around Genie, who's Grandmother has magical powers. She ends up accidentally making a wish and turns her Golden Retriever dog Rory into a human. This was such a unique book, it was so fun reading things from Rory's perspective's because he still acted and talked like a dog even though he was a human. Even for a dog, Rory still had some super good advice to give Genie throughout the book. Easily my favorite character, he is just such a silly good boy.

The other main focus is her relationship with her neighbor Miles. They have known each other for quite a long time and have both secretly had feelings for one another since then. The only thing that I didn't like about Genie, is that she struggles so much with talking about how she feels in general about everything. She struggles a lot getting over her traumatic past relationship, which is understandable considering the circumstances.

Overall, this was a super fun read and very different from other stuff that I have read. Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Stella Hayward for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

3.5 stars— The Good Boy is your basic romcom, but with a twist. Genie and Miles, the boy next door literally, are life long friends. The women in Genie’s family are special and on her 30th birthday, her Nanna gifts her a wish. Genie doesn’t take it seriously and accidentally turns her dog, Rory, into a man. Follow along as Rory navigates manhood, Genie discovers her old self, and Miles and Genie follow their feelings.
Honestly, there were some slow parts, but if the entire book was like the last 1/2, I would have given it more stars. I found parts to drag on. The plot was interesting though, don’t get me wrong. From the beginning I was waiting for Miles and Genie to discover their feelings.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely a cute story like I've never read before. I loved the concept of this book. You could tell where the book was going from the start so felt kind of dragged out but loved the relationship between the animals and their humans

Thanks NetGallery for e-Arc of this book

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and give feedback on this book. The Good Boy is not something I would have just chosen to read if I was browsing for my next book but OH MY GOSH I freaking loved this book! I loved everything in this book all of the characters are so likable and Rory's character is especially fantastic. I giggled so much through out this book whenever Rory was talking so much so even my family was like uh what's wrong with you! The only thing I wasn't too into was when the main character kept breaking the 4th wall if you will or would pause the conversation to do so but other than that I will be giving this book 5 stars! I will post reviews on Goodreads and Instagram although I was not able to find the author on Instagram for tagging.

A magical romance. For readers who enjoy Katherine Center and Abby Jimenez. This story centers around a woman who inadvertently turns her dog into a man when a 30th birthday wish goes awry . I was skeptical about the plot but the author does a great job dealing with many challenges facing the journey to “turn” her dog back to his canine state. Although the book has its laugh out loud parts the core of the story deals with past trauma. Sensitive readers may want to check for trigger warnings. Thank you Harper Collins for early access!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romance with a dash of magic, The Good Boy is a must-read. This whimsical story swept me off my feet and left me with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling.

Genie’s world is turned upside down when her golden retriever, Rory, is magically transformed into a human man after she makes a wish on her thirtieth birthday. What follows is a delightful, hilarious romp as Genie tries to navigate the chaos of having a dog-turned-man in her life while also grappling with her feelings for her longtime friend, Miles.

Hayward’s writing is charming and full of wit. The dialogue sparkles with humor, especially as Rory, now human, exhibits all the endearing traits of a golden retriever. His interactions with Genie are both hilarious and quite heartwarming. He’s like a big, lovable puppy with the body of a man, and it’s impossible not to root for him—and for Genie—as they both navigate this unexpected new chapter in their lives.

The slow burn of the growing romance between Genie and Miles, set against the backdrop of the magical and absurd circumstances, is incredibly satisfying. Hayward masterfully balances humor, romance, and the magic of self-discovery, making The Good Boy not just a fun read but a touching one too.

At its core, this is a story about love—whether it’s the kind that grows between two people, the unconditional love between a person and their dog, or the love that teaches you more about yourself than you ever expected. It’s a perfect blend of fantasy and romance, with just enough quirky magic to make it feel fresh and exciting.

Have you ever started a book and just known it was going to be special? That was The Good Boy for me. I went into it unsure about the premise—turning a golden retriever into a man? Really?—but wow, was I glad I gave this one a shot. Huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to experience such a heartwarming, funny, and deeply moving story.

Eugenie’s story starts with a wish—a seemingly innocent birthday wish that turns her beloved dog, Rory, into a man. Cue hilarity, sweetness, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. Rory as a human is everything you’d imagine a golden retriever would be: loyal, endearing, and hilariously straightforward. As someone who has a golden retriever (shoutout to Gracie!), I couldn’t stop picturing her antics in Rory’s behavior. Stella Hayward absolutely nailed capturing the spirit of what makes dogs the best companions.

Beyond the humor and magic, The Good Boy dives into some heavy topics, including trauma and loss, and Genie’s journey of healing resonated so deeply with me. Her struggles were painfully real, and yet Rory—whether dog or human—reminded her (and me) of the joy, loyalty, and unwavering love our furry friends bring to our lives. Miles, her best friend and neighbor, added a layer of grounded support and tender romance that felt natural and unforced.

The small English coastal town setting added charm, with its quirky characters and little moments of whimsy. And while the story had its fair share of giggles (Rory’s first experiences as a human are gold), it also had moments that squeezed my heart. Genie’s past, especially her trauma, hit close to home, and I found myself tearing up more than once.

This is the kind of book that leaves you smiling, even after the tears. It’s healing, magical, and just the right blend of funny and heartfelt. If you love dogs, emotional growth, and a bit of magic, this book is a must-read.

This was such a fun and fluffy read. It did touch on some deeper topics but there were a lot of hilarious moments. I loved Rory’s dog logic and it had me laughing quite a bit. All the characters, human and animal, were amazing. This was lighthearted and fun with a heartwarming ending.

Genie is a woman going through life and not really living. Her friends and family provide the support and love she needs, but want her to be happy. She makes a wish on her 30th birthday that her dog would become human so her family will stop bothering her about being alone. When she wakes up the next day, Rory is a tall and handsome man that wants to go back to being a dog.

I loved this book. Rory makes you laugh out loud with his dog logic and wisdom, while Genie has trauma she needs to face. I think The Good Boy was what I needed to read at the perfect moment in my life.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

You're mistaken about how you think this story will unfold. You will laugh & you will cry. the romance was hilarious and sweet
Although the story ended quite nicely, I still want more! looking forward to what else this author has in store!

The beginning drew me in immediately like I fell in love with the writing style. The book is very short, novella length but still a good read. The cute innocence of Rory! Overall a really cute and fluffy read!

This was a cute, fun read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, even if the second half was a bit heavier than anticipated.

I am looking forward to seeing more from this author!

just a silly, fun, cute little read. i don't really have a ton to say on it, but it was just a basic romcom where a ... dog turns into a man? it was so unserious and did make me cringe at some points, but it also had some deeper topics and touched on more serious subjects as well (check tw!). i didn't love the fmc and overall just thought this was a little too cringe, but it was entertaining and quick!

A romantic comedy with a freaky Friday esque flare to it.

I’ll be honest, I’m not really one for comedy especially romantic comedy but something about this book called to me and boy am I glad I gave this book a chance.

I absolutely adored this book, from the hilarious moments down to the more serious topics in the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that comes across it, and I might even fare to say this is my new favorite book and I would love to see it turned into a movie one day.

Just a warning, this book does touch on some sensitive subjects one of those being miscarriage so if that is something you are not comfortable with you may want to avoid .

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Voyager, and Avon for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fantastic read! I honestly went from cracking up laughing to sobbing and back again to giggles. There was so much joy and feeling in this that I could not put it down. Every character, down to the voiceless cat, Matilda, was a joy to read.

Genie and Miles had such great chemistry while also having a wonderfully written friendship that it felt so believable. The side characters, like Kelly and Dave, gave a diversion in the plot but still helped it progress forward so nothing felt out of place or a waste of time.

And RORY! Oh my goodness. I really didn't think that a dog-turned-man could be written so perfectly but it was done. Rory maintained many of his dog characteristics and thoughts while still being able to function (for the most part) as an adult human male. It was so good. And as the story progressed, and Rory's change progressed, you could see the change settling. It was so well done. Maddening and sad at times, but still great.

Honestly, this was just a fun time. The parts that got in the feels hurt, don't get me wrong, but they made sense and they helped you to understand why Genie is the way that she is now. Freaking loved it.

Such a delightful and refreshing read. A little pinch of magic and a whole lot of laughs. This was such a fun and quirky book. I was able to finish reading in 2 days because I was so eager to find out the ending. This book is a journey that is absolutely worth taking.

5/5

Side note, I had to google what stroking meant in England English because it is totally different than American English LOL I am happy to report that it just means petting 😆

This was such a good book. I absolutely enjoyed it and look forward to reading other books by this author in the future. Great writing and wonderful storyline.

When thirty-year-old Genie’s grandmother tells her she has one wish to use before midnight, she doesn’t take it seriously. But after hugging her golden retriever Rory goodnight and thinking that he’d make a great human, she wakes the next morning to find a naked (and exceptionally good-looking) man in Rory’s dog bed. Fortunately, Genie does not fall in love with Rory (though plenty of other women find him attractive). The human Rory does make an excellent listener and matchmaker, but longs to return to dog form. As the days go by, Rory begins to lose his heightened dog senses and Genie must embrace her family heritage if she’s ever to make things right again. I did find it a bit odd how quickly Genie, her friends, and family accepted that the human Rory really was her dog. This made it easier to focus on the important parts of the story arc, but led the tale (pun-intended) in a bit of a different direction than I was expecting.

A light-hearted romance for dog-loving fans of Netflix’s Hot Frosty.