Reading 'The Friend' was like sitting down with a close friend who's pouring their heart out over a cup of tea. The way Nunez weaves together themes of grief, love, and the bond between humans and animals is nothing short of mesmerizing. I found myself completely absorbed in the narrator's world, feeling every ounce of her pain and the strange comfort she finds in Apollo, the Great Dane left in her care.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is how it explores the unspoken connection between the narrator and Apollo. There's a scene where she watches him sleep, wondering if he dreams of his late owner, that absolutely wrecked me. It's these small, intimate moments that make the story so powerful. You don't just read about their relationship - you feel it.

As someone who's experienced loss, I was particularly moved by how Nunez handles grief. She doesn't romanticize it or offer easy answers. Instead, she presents it in all its messy complexity - the anger, the confusion, the unexpected moments of peace. The way she writes about writing itself is equally compelling, making me think differently about creativity and mentorship.

What surprised me most was how much this book made me reflect on my own relationships with pets. That moment when Apollo rests his massive head on the narrator's lap? I've been there with my own dog during tough times, and Nunez captures that wordless comfort perfectly.

This isn't just a book about mourning - it's about what comes after. How we carry our losses with us while still moving forward. By the final page, I felt like I'd been through something profound alongside these characters (human and canine alike). If you're looking for a read that will stay with you long after you've closed the cover, this is it.