Catherine Ryan Hyde

Catherine Ryan Hyde has turned into one of my favorite authors! To this day, her film adaptation of her book ‘Pay it Forward’ remains imbedded in my heart. Her human interest stories will make you feel so many emotions....fear, love, confusion, outrage. Not necessarily sunny and happy, raw and dark with excellent messages about human nature. This book is a realistic look at every mother’s fear, homelessness and judging others. I loved the character development of Brooke and the bond show more Etta and Molly formed, and subsequently Brooke and Molly. As someone who can jump to conclusions, I loved being on the outside looking in...seeing this story evolve from both sides due to a fierce love for Etta.

I appreciated the author not drawing out the carjacking story and heading into different territory. My heart broke for Brooke, then turned to frustration with her at her reaction to Etta. But this can only be said by someone who knew both sides of this story. My heart broke for Molly and her sad situation. I cannot imagine turning my child out into the world, although I know it happens. The mother/daughter dynamics are front and center in this book. This book show humanity at its best, and worst.

Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone. show less

Entirely accidental, but appropriate that I finished reading this on the anniversary of the New York twin towers attack. This novel features Russell, a young man who, due to an unexpected phone call, missed being in his office when the attacks happened and destroyed it. But he is traumatised by what has happened, all the more so because his mother just died, and he is going to have to return to Kansas to look after his brain-damaged older brother Ben...

The writing, as I expect from this show more author is powerful, moving and makes compulsive reading. There's a gentle love story alongside some terrible prejudice from over-nationalistic people who were at school with Russell. And there are scenes showing just how difficult it is to deal with Ben; yet his peaceable, structure-driven simplistic character is in stark contrast to the unpleasant bully he was as a child.

It's also a novel about how retaliations can make situations worse, and about how the smallest of incidents or decisions can lead to potentially devastating consequences. I would not have expected to like it much, but thought it excellent. Highly recommended.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/09/when-you-were-older-by-catherine-ry... show less

First who could not love a books with chapter titles such as:
When a Toucan Met a Penguin
Rusty Metal Kangaroo Pouches
Throw me a Lifeline Named Gladys Through the Blowing Snow
Toto, I think we are in Kentucky

Catherine Ryan Hyde has written some deep down big hearted characters and some low down mean and nasty ones. She has created the most unbelievable believable situations and then turned them on their head and asked the reader to to be the arbiter of all the unfairness that these show more wonderful kids are going to encounter. If you have a shred of compassion this book is going to rip your heart to pieces but it also going to give you just enough room to hold onto hope for Rumaki Evans and Gabriel Gulbranson. They are kids, so different, so bright, eccentric - he has a smile with a secret message that could change her world. She has the mental acuity that could upend any adult in any situation.

“Because a good storyteller doesn’t leave gaps” I have to leave it here and just encourage you to read this remarkable story about two totally extraordinary kids. Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of another wonderful book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. show less

Jill is missing on the Utah-Arizona border. This creates a huge stir. Dogs, horses, law enforcement are all involved in trying to find her. But, there are some extenuating circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Her boyfriend was seen abusing her. So, did he murder her? Only Norma really knows. Norma is part of the rescue team and she found Jill. But it is not all cut and dried as everyone who is searching for Jill thinks.

Now this is not my favorite by this author, but it is still a dad show more blame good read! This author always creates conflicting emotions. And this book is no different. What would I have done? This is always a question when reading her books. And I am going to try and not give anything away…but yes! I would have done this. Or, I would have like to THINK I would have done. I am a bit of a rule follower. But the quandary is what makes Hyde’s books so good.

You will need to read this to find out the seriousness of Jill’s decision…and yes it is a huge decision with big ramifications to stay lost!

Need a story with special consequences and considerations and big emotions…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less