by Catherine Ryan Hyde
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Just released: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Animal, Women's Fiction
Paperback: 323 pages
Rating: 5
They might’ve been a family.
Virginia finally had the chance to explore a relationship with Aaron when he asked her on a date. She had been waiting, hoping that the widower and his young son, Buddy, would welcome her into their lives. But a terrible tragedy strikes on the night of their first kiss, crushing their hopes for a future together.
Nineteen years later, Virginia is engaged, though she has not forgotten Aaron or Buddy. When her dog goes missing and it comes to light that her fiancé set him loose, a distraught Virginia breaks off the engagement and is alone once again. A shy young man has found the missing pet, and although he’s bonded with the animal, he answers his conscience and returns the dog. Before long, Virginia and the young man discover a connection from their pasts that will help them let go of painful memories and change their lives forever.
First sentence:
"You ready, Buddy?" his dad asked.
Quote to note:
"...My mom used to say it's because we weren't put here on earth to take care of each other. And that it's silly to get mad at someone for letting you down when they're just being who they are. She said it's like getting mad at your dog for not being a cat."
-chapter 32, page 280
My two-bits:
I found this to be a heartwarming road to recovery kind of story. Both main characters finally resolve issues they were subconsciously dwelling over for a big chunk of their lives.
The story moves forward mostly through dialogue. I loved how the simple and honest conversations in this novel made the characters shine.
Dog lovers will relate and like how dogs play an integral role.
Despite a couple upsetting moments, acts of kindness prevail in this story. If only more of it went around in the world...
About the author:
My newest releases are The Language of Hoofbeats, Take Me With You , Where We Belong, Walk Me Home, Subway Dancer and Other Stories, When You Were Older, Don’t Let Me Go, When I Found You, Second Hand Heart, The Long, Steep Path: Everyday Inspiration From the Author of Pay It Forward, Always Chloe and Other Stories, and 365 Days of Gratitude: Photos from a Beautiful World.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
I have two forthcoming new novels due out in 2015 from Lake Union/Amazon Publishing, Worthy and Joseph Came Home.
Other novels include Jumpstart the World, Becoming Chloe, Love in the Present Tense, The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance, Chasing Windmills, The Day I Killed James, and Diary of a Witness.
I am co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
* added this to my Books On The Nightstand Bingo challenge - square: With a protagonist/narrator over the age of 50
* review copy courtesy of Summer Reading Challenge 2015. It's not too late! You can join the challenge here. @booksparks #SRC2015
Destination: Bask in the simplicity of a small town
