The Good Boy

In this adorable romp from Hayward (The Memory Book, written as Rowan Coleman), a woman learns valuable life lessons from man’s best friend. For Genie’s 30th birthday, her fortune-telling grandmother offers to grant a single wish. Nonbeliever Genie doesn’t take this present seriously. Instead, she tipsily wishes that her golden retriever, Rory, were human so their chats and cuddles would be less one-sided and her family would stop worrying about her being lonely. The next morning, a shaggy-haired blond guy is asleep in the dog bed and Genie knows instantly that she’s made a big mistake, especially given how unhappy Rory is to be a human. Genie seeks help turning Rory back from her best friend and next-door neighbor, Miles, despite Rory’s fear of Miles’s “murder cat.” Rory knows right away that Miles’s and Genie’s scents go well together, but Hayward still manages to draw out the will-they-won’t-they between these clueless humans. In the meantime, there’s fun to be had watching exuberant Rory help Genie rediscover her carefree side and sense of play. Dog lovers will be especially charmed. (July)