Our Review… Set in September 1997, we follow Cookie, an inmate in a minimum-security prison with six months left to serve, who reluctantly signs up for a last-chance rehabilitation program for abandoned dogs. He’s paired with an anxious rescue named Nigel – who he promptly renames Good Boy – a dog with a knack for gnawing through walls. Cookie thought it would just be another assignment, but as he trains Good Boy for a behavioural assessment that will determine the dog’s fate, their bond grows profound. When it becomes clear Good Boy is likely to fail the assessment – and face being put down, Cookie makes an impossible choice: he escapes custody to save him. On the run together, their friendship deepens, and Cookie is forced to confront the past that shaped him – and what kind of future he truly wants. It’s a gut-wrenching and inspiring tale that shows how hope, loyalty and the healing power of a loyal pup can transform two broken souls into something whole again. This was a read with a completely different angle, so refreshing, yet authentic – I absolutely loved it. Review by Nicole
