Alan B. Lytle's "Man's Best Friend" tells a gripping, slow-burning story of the main character, El, as she thinks on her past and struggles with the deep desire to be chosen, loved, and respected by her affluent pals. Her thoughts of inadequacy stem from her father's leaving, providing a devastating element of depth to her character. Despite setbacks in her acting career and a job at a bakery, a key night at a Hamptons party hosted by her affluent friend Julia serves as a spark for profound personal development. Here, the author effectively navigates El's reaction to her circumstances, including her reluctant relationship with a man she hardly likes, which leads to the discovery of disturbing facts.

El's character, whose I thought unlikable, is depicted with an engrossing combination of agitation and depth. Her need for acceptance from her wealthy pals is contrasted with her neglect of the deep connections she has already made. Her transforming deeds near the end of the story represent a key turning point. Rather than surrendering to fear, she takes control, confronts the truth about her fiance, and eventually earns not only wealth, but also autonomy.

This thought-provoking story depicts a character's journey from vulnerability to empowerment and delves deeply into the concept of personal agency. It dives into the complexities of human relationships and the tremendous effects of self-realization.

Man's best friend was an ok read. At times I was interested and others I was not. I did hoping for a different ending.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

Man's Best Friend by Alana B. Lytle was a really good story.
It was well written and very descriptive. An enjoyably tense page turner, this had me up way too late.
This author does an excellent job of creating an atmospheric setting that adds to the tension of the story.
The writing itself is well done, and the pace keeps you turning pages.
The author's ability to create suspenseful settings and well-written characters makes this book worth reading. The setting & descriptions really put the reader in the action.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was very different and for the sake of everything that was happening I was intrigued to see where this will take me. And even though it was not my style, I know it will be for someone else.

This book is a little different than I was expecting it to be, which made it a little more challenging to read. The pacing feels inconsistent at times, and some character development could be deeper. While the story is enjoyable overall, it may not leave a lasting impression compared to other similar works in the genre.

Thank you, NetGalley, G.P. Putnam Sons/Penguin Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

This was a weird little book but in the vein of obsessive, bordering on thrilling, literary fiction that generally works me. I found it a bit hard at time to understand El, the narrator and there was this whole other almost supernatural component going on that didn't quite tie in for me ... and still, I read this one was very quickly and was surprised by the ending. I would definitely recommend!

Man's Best Friend comes out next week on May 14, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!

It was fundamentally humiliating to extend yourself to someone who almost liked you. How many times had El encountered this-with friends, fuckbuddies, casting directors-people who nearly liked her, but something held them back. Maybe if she showed her belly, how much she hungered for connection, maybe then she'd manage to convert doubters into lovers. Maybe she would have more friends who challenged her, rather than those who simply accepted her in her limited, emotionally anorexic state (because Navya did this, she knew, Navya enabled her avoidance by always being the one to reach out). Maybe she would have made it in acting after all had she learned to be vulnerable when it counted the most. The fatal ingredient in her personality was spite. Just that one little ounce of it, the part too bitter to show her need, had it kept her from a better life?

**Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Puntam's Sons for the eARC of this title.**

This one just wasn't for me and didn't deliver what I had expected based on the description.

I can't really recommend this to anyone unless you enjoy hating every single charcater in the book. Not a redeeming quality to be found among anyone and I hear enough whining at work - I don't want to have to deal with in books that I'm trying to enjoy.

Sorry this one didn't work for me and I do hope it finds it audience. Cover is cool and neat concept.

I’ve been thinking about this book since I finished it a couple of days ago. It has me baffled! I don’t know quite what to think of it! Which makes me really like it and want to know if others feel the same way.

First off, the main character is El. And she is someone I don’t really like. I found that she seems a bit like me and the women I know but there is a laziness to her that is not relatable for a person pushing 30. I understand her in the way she wants to fit in with those that she grew up with (as a scholarship girl at an expensive NYC private school) but at some point in your adult life- you gotta move past that right?


Ok so then she meets Bryce. I am not of fan of any man with that name. It just is an entitled name. (I am sorry to anyone with this name that does not meet the description). El does not like Bryce from the start. As their relationship goes on, we see that she is building resentment towards him and finds him clingy. So what does she do? Keep the relationship going of course! Why? Well- he rich. Like mega rich. Women have done way more for way less, so for this, I give El a pass.

Throughout the book we get little stories dropped about dogs. Canine's. Not men acting like animals. The book is called Man’s best friend so it makes sense there is a dog component here. The book begins with a story from a dogs perspective and I was real worried I was about to read a book with the dog as the main character.

I don’t think the book needed the dog reference. It was a good story without the dog references BUT I do understand why it was there. It took a few days of thinking about the book to even wonder why it had dogs in it. It may have an even deeper meaning that I totally missed.

I enjoyed the ending thoroughly. I was wondering “shoot I have about 7% left of this book how IN THE WORLD will it end!?” Well I got to that ending quick and it was awesome!

Overall, I think this book will not appeal to everyone. It kind of gave me Carola Lovering vibes!

Man’s Best Friend by Alana Lytle is a very different type of book. It starts out a little slow and light but does pick up and get very dark as the story progresses. I do enjoy a dark book and this one checked that box. The characters are unlikable, toxic, and well developed. I did not like them but found myself wanting to find out more about them. There is a mystery thriller aspect to this story that won’t let you give up reading it. A satisfying book that should do well.

Thank you NetGalley, G.P. Putnam Sons/Penguin Group and Alana Lytle for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley #putnamsons #penguingroup #alanalytle #mansbestfriend

What did I just read? I’m not entirely sure what the author was intending to accomplish here with themes and intended symbolism which I had a hard time finding it due to the lead character El being so vapid and unlikable. There were times where El could have easily broken free from that but she made easy, selfish, and dare I say, eventually diabolical choices. But there was nothing fun or juicy about this book. The villains just kinda sucked. And there was no real character to feel sympathy for, not even the deceased. One thing I did like was the description of NYC nights. The setting was definitely palpable. Otherwise I’m sorry to say this was very forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for kindly providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

bad title, bad plot, bad characters. was this a first draft? there was so many little details spelled out to death. the "thriller" is neither suspenseful nor captivating nor fast paced.

A book full of whiny people who complain about everything. That's it. That's the summary.

I think this is a book that isn't sure what it wants to be. A romance? A coming of age story? A mystery? I don't think it fits any of those options because it's not...enough of anything.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the story of El, a young woman who wants to be like the other girls she’s been friends with since middle school. They have money and popularity and El struggles with both of those things. She meets Bryce at a party in the Hamptons and thinks her life could change due to his money and connections. He turns out to be not what she thought. I didn’t really connect with this book, especially the dog metaphors. The story was a little drawn out and there wasn’t any suspense or excitement in my opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

I love the way this starts out. I was hooked on that first chapter and I was ready for the book to continue on like that but it doesn't and that confused me. It ultimately centers on money and I can't relate.
However, I bet someone else will love this!
4 stars for the perfect opening chapter.

Wasn’t a fan of this one. I found it both tedious and unpleasant. Perhaps it may have appeal for a reader younger than I. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

El is without passion or morals. A failure at acting and relationships. Few friends, no idea of what her future should be. Living a lie. First chapter gave me no clue as to what was following. Even dogs were leaving their madters. El falls into a relationship that she really doesn’t care about and opens a door that loses her friendships and almost puts her in danger. Ending is very open ended. OK read but not outstanding.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons, for my free copy for review.

"Man's Best Friend" by Alan B. Lytle presents a captivating, slow-burning narrative centered around the main character, El, as she reflects on her past and grapples with the deep-seated desire to be chosen, accepted, and respected by her affluent friends. The roots of her feelings of inferiority trace back to her father's departure, adding a poignant layer of complexity to her character. Despite facing setbacks in her acting career and working at a bakery, a pivotal night at a party in the Hamptons, hosted by her wealthy friend Julia, becomes a catalyst for profound change in her life. Here, the author deftly navigates El's response to her circumstances, including her reluctant involvement with a man she barely likes, leading to the revelation of unsettling truths.

El's character, whom I found unlikable, is depicted with a compelling mix of disturbance and depth. Her pursuit of acceptance from her wealthy friends is juxtaposed with her oversight of the meaningful connections she has already formed. Her transformative actions towards the story's conclusion mark a significant turning point. Rather than succumbing to fear, she seizes control, confronts the truth about her fiance, and ultimately gains not just wealth, but more importantly, autonomy.

This thought-provoking narrative offers a profound exploration of personal agency portraying a character's journey from vulnerability to empowerment. It delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the profound impact of self-realization.

This fell flat for me and just wasn’t for me. I ended up DNFing at 25% I couldn’t get into the story or relate to the characters

Thank you, NetGalley. I wasn't fan of the similar book, NIGHTBITCH, so shouldn't have been surprised that this book wasn't up my alley. Just not for me.

Man's Best Friend 😈🤭🐶💅🏻💰
by Alana B. Lytle
3.5/5 ✨

Thank you to the author Alana B. Lytle, the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!

I was hooked on this at the beginning, but as the story went on, I felt like the plot was just sputtering. I'm someone who can easily DNF, but I felt compelled to finish this one, and I'm not mad that I did. This didn't end up feeling like a thriller, more like a reflection on the inequities between the rich and poor, which I can get with. I honestly couldn't even blame El for making the choice she did; being alive every day is exhausting. The murder sprinkled into the plot was strange? but added some *spice*, which was nice. Overall, this was a meh for me, but I'm glad I finished it. 

Thank you again to everyone for the opportunity to read and review this title!