I didn't know who Ben Moon or Denali was before I read this book. Based on the title and the description, I thought it was going to be about a man, his dog, and their journey with cancer. Instead, it's an autobiography (primarily about Moon's entire life thus far, including his cancer journey) with the dog included in the writing sporadically until the end.
The writing itself is pretty good, but - and this may sound bad - I didn't really like the author. While seemingly honest, Ben writes about himself in a way where I feel less than impressed by him. For example: "My dad was a conquistador of the useful...but we lacked the financial resources for ski trips or vacations in the tropics." So...you mean you grew up the same as like, the majority of Americans? Oh no! Here, let me not feel sorry for you.
Also, even though his relationship with Melanie, his ex-wife, has been *long* over, he still sounds bitter. He doesn't take responsibility for his contribution to the relationship's demise (or really, that of any subsequent relationship, either), maintaining that most of his relationships end due to the women's toxicity. TBH, it sounds like he puts himself and his wants/needs/career first a lot, but that could just be the way he wrote his story.
The best part of the book, for me, was the chapters toward the end that were almost exclusively about Denali and even Nori (although I do appreciate Ben's candidness regarding his own cancer journey and colostomy, and how accessible he made it for those who have never been through it). But the description listed with the book is not an accurate representation; I don't feel like this is a "story of [a] powerful friendship that shaped Ben and Denali's lives" as much as it is primarily an autobiography of Ben Moon with Denali in a mostly minor role.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.