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emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved this! Yes, it's silly (Genie makes a wish, turns out her Gran actually is a bit magic and the wish comes true and suddenly Genie's lovely dog Rory is a human being!) but it's also sweet and charming and funny. I found myself just completely buying into what was happening, because human Rory was so funny and endearing, and Genie made me laugh.
As readers we know throughout that something terrible happened to Genie to derail her life, and I did feel a slight frustration with how long it took to find out the truth, but at the same time that's what makes it so powerful and moving when you do find out. But really, I was all in with the story. I really wanted Genie to be okay. I was worried about her 2 best friends (and her dog/human best friend), and waiting for how everything would resolve. Rory was really, really a good boy, and every dog I've seen since reading I've been thinking about what's going through their heads!
I enjoyed her mad Gran, and her lovely mum. The seaside setting was great, and I felt like I was walking around the town with the characters. The book touches on a wide range of issues/topics, and it has a great will they, won't they romcom side too (I was mentally shouting 'JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER' quite a lot!)
I really enjoyed reading this, so big thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for my review copy.
As readers we know throughout that something terrible happened to Genie to derail her life, and I did feel a slight frustration with how long it took to find out the truth, but at the same time that's what makes it so powerful and moving when you do find out. But really, I was all in with the story. I really wanted Genie to be okay. I was worried about her 2 best friends (and her dog/human best friend), and waiting for how everything would resolve. Rory was really, really a good boy, and every dog I've seen since reading I've been thinking about what's going through their heads!
I enjoyed her mad Gran, and her lovely mum. The seaside setting was great, and I felt like I was walking around the town with the characters. The book touches on a wide range of issues/topics, and it has a great will they, won't they romcom side too (I was mentally shouting 'JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER' quite a lot!)
I really enjoyed reading this, so big thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for my review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super cute read. I think this would work best as a YA book, but there’s some cursing and some sexual tension and really touchy subjects that makes it technically an adult novel. I said 1000 times throughout the book to my wife that it would make for a really great single season tv show or a teen movie.
The romance sort of came secondary, and Genie’s self-discovery journey blossomed sort of late, but overall it’s a super cute concept, and it made me tear up in the end.
My biggest grievance with this novel is the vilifying of our FMC wearing black clothes, and the notion that wearing color is best for positivity. I see it in books all the time, and i just wanted to say that wearing black isn’t a negative thing. It’s the same trope as ‘she took her glasses off and was beautiful the whole time *gasp*’ it’s so misrepresentative. People can be artistic and whimsical without dressing in bright bubbly clothes.
Rory is the best fictional boy. We need more books about adorable pup companions in literature.
The romance sort of came secondary, and Genie’s self-discovery journey blossomed sort of late, but overall it’s a super cute concept, and it made me tear up in the end.
My biggest grievance with this novel is the vilifying of our FMC wearing black clothes, and the notion that wearing color is best for positivity. I see it in books all the time, and i just wanted to say that wearing black isn’t a negative thing. It’s the same trope as ‘she took her glasses off and was beautiful the whole time *gasp*’ it’s so misrepresentative. People can be artistic and whimsical without dressing in bright bubbly clothes.
Rory is the best fictional boy. We need more books about adorable pup companions in literature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death
Moderate: Death of parent
Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Harper for an ARC.
This book is as a cute and relatively light hearted read.
Genie doesn’t believe that her grandmother is really magic until she’s given a wish on her birthday that goes wrong. She accidentally wishes her to dog were a person and wakes up to a strange man in her home.
I’m so glad this book is sent a romance between Genie and her man dog. That would’ve felt odd, instead we get a different type of love story where Genie and Rory help each other through a lot and she realizes her true feelings about her neighbor Miles.
Rory was the shining star of this book. He was so sweet and exactly what I’d expect a human version of a golden retriever to be.
The book did drag at certain parts. It would get a bit heavy handed on the conversations where people tried to uplift Genie and let her know her light has dimmed but she’s still in there.
Overall an enjoyable and fun read.
This book is as a cute and relatively light hearted read.
Genie doesn’t believe that her grandmother is really magic until she’s given a wish on her birthday that goes wrong. She accidentally wishes her to dog were a person and wakes up to a strange man in her home.
I’m so glad this book is sent a romance between Genie and her man dog. That would’ve felt odd, instead we get a different type of love story where Genie and Rory help each other through a lot and she realizes her true feelings about her neighbor Miles.
Rory was the shining star of this book. He was so sweet and exactly what I’d expect a human version of a golden retriever to be.
The book did drag at certain parts. It would get a bit heavy handed on the conversations where people tried to uplift Genie and let her know her light has dimmed but she’s still in there.
Overall an enjoyable and fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Mental illness, Blood, Vomit
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 ⭐️The Good Boy by Stella Hayward has as zany of a plot as the blurb describes-Eugenia (Genie) accidentally wishes her dog into a man, and hijinks ensue while she works with her childhood friend to try to turn him back. Overall, this was a fun read although I wish I had read trigger warnings as there is one plot point that really gutted me. It is a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously overall, although it does use its magical realism for the sake of many plot devices and developments. I recommend this for a beach read or a weekend retreat-I think many readers will enjoy it, although it may leave them wishing there was a bit more fleshing out of the plot. A solid read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Good Boy was a cute and interesting read. Genie is given a wish for her birthday this year from her Nanna, thinking it was just a silly thing her family did, not that it was a real wish with real consequences. Knowing her family is tired of seeing her sad and alone, Genie wishes her dog was a real person. Rory wakes up after having lived as a dog for years, now suddenly in a human body and very confused. Miles, Genies next door neighbor is drug into the mess as Genie has no one else to turn to who will believe what has happened. Genie later goes on a quest with side-quests to get Rory back into his dog form. During this process, Genie finds herself and her voice, as does Rory. All in all I thought this story was very well written and enjoyable to read. I found myself kicking my feet giggling at a few moments and genuinely upset/emotional in others. Genie has been through so much and it brought joy to me to see her happy.
TW: talk of childloss
Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and the author for a chance to read and review this book.
TW: talk of childloss
Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and the author for a chance to read and review this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was excited and honored to receive an ARC of *The Good Boy: A Novel* by Stella Hayward in exchange for my honest review. The book is an easy and charming read that allows the reader to set reality aside and enjoy a touch of magical realism.
On the eve of her 30th birthday, Genie, the main character, is granted a wish that mistakenly turns her golden retriever, Rory, into a human. Genie sets out on a quest to help Rory return to his dog form. Along the way, she confronts her mental health struggles, discovers her true self, and rebuilds her confidence. In classic rom-com fashion, it includes an adjacent quest that involves admitting her feelings for her best friend and neighbor of 15 years, Miles.
There are some hilarious moments as Rory navigates the challenges of being human. As he adjusts to his new form, Rory shares the wisdom he gained from Genie's loving care, reminding us that "things that love look after one another."
The Good Boy made me laugh and, surprisingly, brought some tears. It is ideal for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, friends-to-lovers stories, closed-doors romance (no spice), and dogs (a golden retriever character!). The Good Boy reminds us that “Magic is hope.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Grief, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Entertaining plot, but way more inappropriate than it could’ve been. This story had so much potential, but the main character’s inner monologue made things so awkward and uncomfortable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty