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Good Boy
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Some bonds can't be broken.
It's September 1997 and Cookie, an inmate in a minimum-security prison, is serving the final four months of his sentence when he signs up for a last-chance rehabilitation program for abandoned dogs.
He's assigned Nigel—whom he renames Good Boy—an anxious soul with a talent for gnawing his way through walls. Cookie has his work cut out preparing him for the upcoming behavioural assessment that will decide his pass, and Good Boy will be up for adoption and the possibility of finding a loving home for the first time in his life; fail, and he will be put down. When Cookie realises that Good Boy is almost certain to flunk the test, he must decide how far he'll go in his bid to save him.
As the friendship between them deepens, Cookie is forced to confront the past that shaped him, revealing truths he would rather have left behind.
Good Boy movingly explores the bonds between dogs and their humans, and how hope might move us beyond punishment and towards redemption.
It's September 1997 and Cookie, an inmate in a minimum-security prison, is serving the final four months of his sentence when he signs up for a last-chance rehabilitation program for abandoned dogs.
He's assigned Nigel—whom he renames Good Boy—an anxious soul with a talent for gnawing his way through walls. Cookie has his work cut out preparing him for the upcoming behavioural assessment that will decide his pass, and Good Boy will be up for adoption and the possibility of finding a loving home for the first time in his life; fail, and he will be put down. When Cookie realises that Good Boy is almost certain to flunk the test, he must decide how far he'll go in his bid to save him.
As the friendship between them deepens, Cookie is forced to confront the past that shaped him, revealing truths he would rather have left behind.
Good Boy movingly explores the bonds between dogs and their humans, and how hope might move us beyond punishment and towards redemption.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 31, 2026
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Wright
8 books99 followersMichelle Wright is an award-winning writer who brings to life a remarkable range of characters, winning many awards, including The Age short story competition.
Her collection of short stories, Fine, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript and published in 2016.
Her first novel, Small Acts of Defiance, was published in Australia in 2021 . World rights were acquired by HarperCollins US who published it in the US and Canada in 2022.
Her second novel, Good Boy, will be out in April 2026. She is currently writing her third novel.
Her collection of short stories, Fine, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript and published in 2016.
Her first novel, Small Acts of Defiance, was published in Australia in 2021 . World rights were acquired by HarperCollins US who published it in the US and Canada in 2022.
Her second novel, Good Boy, will be out in April 2026. She is currently writing her third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There’s something so warm and disarming about this book — it honestly felt like sitting at the pub with an old friend, drink in hand, listening to them unravel the story of their life (in the best way). Wright’s writing is raw, honest, and quietly powerful, the kind that sneaks up on you with its emotional depth.
“Good Boy” captures the messiness of growing up, the weight of family history, and the small, tender moments that shape who we become. It’s conversational, intimate, and incredibly human — the kind of narrative that pulls you in without even trying.
If you love character-driven storytelling with heart, humour, and a dose of nostalgia, this one is absolutely worth picking up, I read it within 24 hours couldn’t put it down.
There’s something so warm and disarming about this book — it honestly felt like sitting at the pub with an old friend, drink in hand, listening to them unravel the story of their life (in the best way). Wright’s writing is raw, honest, and quietly powerful, the kind that sneaks up on you with its emotional depth.
“Good Boy” captures the messiness of growing up, the weight of family history, and the small, tender moments that shape who we become. It’s conversational, intimate, and incredibly human — the kind of narrative that pulls you in without even trying.
If you love character-driven storytelling with heart, humour, and a dose of nostalgia, this one is absolutely worth picking up, I read it within 24 hours couldn’t put it down.
January 30, 2026
ARC Read: NetGallery / Allen & Unwin
This was one of the saddest stories I’ve read this year definitely needed a box of tissues. You follow Cookie and Good Boy on the run because Cookie can’t bring himself to have Good Boy put down. Cookie escapes jail determined to find the best owner for Good Boy and along the way you look into Cookies past showing how he ended up in prison.
The flashbacks to his teenage years were heartbreaking especially the parts with Mrs. Mitten and Mr. Mitten taking him in when his useless con artist father couldn’t be bothered to care about him and his mum walking out on him when he was very young.
Everything comes together in the end in a way that was very emotional, heavy and sad.
This was one of the saddest stories I’ve read this year definitely needed a box of tissues. You follow Cookie and Good Boy on the run because Cookie can’t bring himself to have Good Boy put down. Cookie escapes jail determined to find the best owner for Good Boy and along the way you look into Cookies past showing how he ended up in prison.
The flashbacks to his teenage years were heartbreaking especially the parts with Mrs. Mitten and Mr. Mitten taking him in when his useless con artist father couldn’t be bothered to care about him and his mum walking out on him when he was very young.
Everything comes together in the end in a way that was very emotional, heavy and sad.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am sure this will hit the spot for some people. Swayed by a divine cover and blurb, I was very eager to read Good Boy but I couldn't love it. It was a bit too melodramatic for me - reminded me of those teenage desperate rescue heroine stories I'd imagine myself in bringing myself to tears. I have noticed I am very much not in line with the general trend on sentimental / trauma narrative reads.
In its favour, there was some nice prose and some good work on trauma dealt to us in flashbacks.
However, not a single male character seems to get a break and there's nary a nice one with a positive outcome (too general to be a spoiler, I think). Maybe I over-deconstruct?
I don't know what I felt about either of the Mittens - an off-kilter fairy godmother who in the end cannot offer closure and a sorry sort of husband. I get it, not all lives are joy but goodness, the tear-jerking was a bit tiring. Don't get me started on the mother and closure!
And even if these are just personal bugbears about a type of narrative, of writing I'm not keen on, I do look for some grit and nuance, some depth of character not the superficial 'roleplay' of an array of protagonists, as opposed to Cookie's constant beating himself up and the reader positioned to feel he's just a nice guy that the system has failed. That never changed.
On a dog behaviour level, not sure I was entirely convinced by the 'trainer' methods at the prison nor found any depth of understanding about what makes Good Boy tick (or panic).
And...I mean, come on, feeding an already over-stimulated, anxious dog marshmallows all the time...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book will break your heart. Conveyed in exquisite prose, 'Good Boy' is a novel to read in quiet contemplation and visions of a better future.
The characters are flawless, and the observation of the human-canine relationship is one of the most insightful I've read.
Cookie, a prison inmate, takes part in a program designed to assist stray, unloveable dogs prepare for foster care and a chance at a new life.
The journey of dog and man is skilfully and delicately unpicked, with a clear vision about how and why creatures with hearts get so damaged.
Go ahead, break your heart. You'll be very glad you read this wise and tender story.
The characters are flawless, and the observation of the human-canine relationship is one of the most insightful I've read.
Cookie, a prison inmate, takes part in a program designed to assist stray, unloveable dogs prepare for foster care and a chance at a new life.
The journey of dog and man is skilfully and delicately unpicked, with a clear vision about how and why creatures with hearts get so damaged.
Go ahead, break your heart. You'll be very glad you read this wise and tender story.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews