She did it again!!

if you haven't had the pleasure of reading a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde I highly recommend you start now! I have either read or listened to every book by this amazing and talented Author and I have NEVER been disappointed..not once...by any of her books. And Michael Crouch hits it out of the ballpark with his Spot on narration! His performance really brings the characters to life! I have over 600 titles in my audible library and have only been moved enough by a story to leave a handful of reviews. This book deserves to be praised and acknowledged with 5 stars across the board!

9 people found this helpful

What a lovely book!!!

This book is very different from any I have listened to. But it is such a beautiful story.

There were many times when it was almost unbearably sad (but that is life!)... There were times when it was hopeful, there were times when it was peaceful and happy.

It was amazing to experience all of these feelings and love most of the characters and truly need for them to be happy, while remaining enthralled.

I will definitely look for more from this author!

2 people found this helpful

One of the BEST!

The best written, performed, and content continuity.
Thank you, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for your contribution to fine literature.

2 people found this helpful

Love THIS SO MUCH!

I have to say that I'm having a hard time writing this review and is not because I don't know what to say on the contrary I have so much to say but I'm not sure how to start.

What an amazing story Catherine Ryan Hyde wrote, she is one of my favorite authors because her stories always deliver so many emotions, you never know where the story will take you, you have some idea about where is it going, and then BAM the story takes a very different turn that will make you fall in love and feel every emotion the characters are experiencing.

My name is Anton was not the exception, Anton received a very precious gift for Christmas before his parents announced they were leaving for the holiday and he was about to stay home alone. Anton didn't mind at the beginning, he didn't want to say much and he didn't even know his life was about to change forever it already changed so much in a very tragic accident where he was involved and lost his hand.

Anton was just a boy when everything happened but he knew that this was an event that will stay with him forever an event that will bring the love of his life, and will change his life as he knew it.

Edith was living in a terrible situation in her home, she didn't know how to act, what to do she really felt trapped, she didn't have money or any place to go and feel safe, until her young neighbor shows up at her doorstep ready to help her and give her the outlet she has been waiting for, she was very reserved at first until Anton gave her what she needed to be confident and finally made the hard decision to move on.

The relationship and love of Edith and Anton were beautiful, especially because it transcended many things even if after so many years they didn't forget each other and they were equally summited and in love like the very first time they met. several things happened that these two had to work hard and survive but in the end, love and perseverance conquer all.

The secondary characters were great I love Anton's Grandma and His uncle they were the true heroes of this novel, I love how in tune they were with Anton, how kind they were, always trying to help him and support him in any way they could, they always protected him and helped him not to be alone and understand more what things happened in his family. they even embraced Anton and Edith without questions. I love how protective they were. they were the sanity of the family. Anton's parents were terrible, they really didn't have any piece of kindness or empathy they were both so selfish and immerse in their own pain and sorrow without knowing they were already losing another son, I'm glad Anton's uncle was always there to support him.

I really wasn't expecting such a turn of events, It really was an amazing story, it was a book that I really enjoyed so much, I didn't want the story to end and in Edith's word, I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The Narration by Michael Crouch wow Michael you always bring so much to the stories, you give so much depth to the characters, your voice brings so many emotions and it makes the ebook even more amazing, I love your work so much and I look forward to keeping hearing your amazing narrations thank you for putting so many emotions into it. definitely one of my favorite narrators. great job

I recommend this book so much especially if you're looking for second chances in your life, for faith, for love, and for kindness, this is a book that has all the feelings and all the love.

2 people found this helpful

Loved it

It’s been a long time since I have been so emotionally involved in a book. Cried several times. Loved it!

2 people found this helpful

Catherine Hyde has written a brilliant novel!

The author has written a fantastic novel, full of intrigue and suspense! Truly heartwarming! The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the story!

2 people found this helpful

A great story

This book is by far my favorite from this author! There could not have been a better narrator!

2 people found this helpful

Wonderfully touching and deeply moving.

Once again Catherine has divulged to us through an unusual and original story, how some people can be truly good despite their difficulties, imperfections and struggles through life. Her characters are so very real, the moments so captivating, through the way she manages to convey feelings and expression of deeply felt emotion and truth.
Michael Crouch is the perfect voice once again for these characters- brilliant in his capacity to make each real; child, woman, man, grandfather, all sound so real and different we believe in each as totally existing and speaking in our presence. Incredible talent. Exquisite book once again.

2 people found this helpful

An enjoyable journey

This is the second book I have read by this author and both books were excellent. This book takes you on a journey of coping with tragedy and grief and actively choosing what kind of person you want to be. Books of this type can often be overly dramatic or emotional with unrealistic outcomes but the author has navigated this territory so well that the book feels natural. I felt like I went through this experience with Anton. I felt like I was a better person after reading the book. The book was an experience where the characters go through a transformation and maybe the reader does to.

Beautiful melancholy, much like life

The story continues well after many other authors would have tied it up all pretty. Which gives you two things: a longer trajectory of the ups and downs in the characters life and a closer look at what happens after the so-called happily-ever-after. The result meant that at times I felt as though I couldn’t stand to hear of one more heartache the character(s) had to endure. I found myself wondering, “ good riddance, can’t these people be spared, surely they have been through enough!?!” Then, I realized, this is us too, if we sat down to write an account of our lives. If you haven’t hurt this much, you’ll get there. It’s part of living. Only most of us, just take each hit as it comes, we don’t see all our struggles lined up.
I love that the author went past the reunion. For me, this brings a sense of reality to a story. Like, “ hey look, it all works out and everything’s great, and also, then sometimes it’s not, sometimes these people really struggle, too.” It gives a humanity to the story, which makes people feel validated. We too, know this is the way of life.
The end was such a beautiful portrayal of old love. How beautiful it can be, at the end, when all the good years together make you feel content to leave life.
The narrator also did a good job at conveying emotion.