Thank you NetGalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Lake Union Publishing for the wonderful novel ‘The Wake Up’. A beautifully written story, about a cattle rancher whom one day “woke up” and became so empathetic, that he acutely was able to experience others’ feelings. Along with new and complicated relationships in his life, the main character Aidan, examines his transformation, the past as well as deeply contributes to helping the new people in his life to heal and rebuild. Laced with tender relationships to horses, this was a truly wonderful and inspiring book!

The characters in this cleverly crafted story come alive. I connected almost immediately to Aiden, a deeply good man, a rancher who feels the fear and pain of animals. One day Aiden walks away from ranching; he can no longer bear the pain of these majestic animals. He is shunned by his small community, a community of ranchers who’s livelihoods depend on the slaughtering of cattle.

When Aiden falls in love with Gwen, a single mother of two, I feel hopeful. I loved Gwen’s patience, her unconditional love, her struggles to raise troubled son Milo, a boy who has psychological issues and a propensity to hurt animals for sport. Daughter Elizabeth is a godsend. Although a minor character, she is a good and sensible one, a girl wise beyond her years. As Aiden, Gwen and Milo work through their trials and face demons, I felt empathetic and invested in their story.

I have always loved her books, she has a very straight forward and honest way of portraying her characters and this story is no exception.
Aiden Delacorte is a 40-year old cattle rancher who sometimes has problems relating to people and one day while on a hunting trip, he “Wakes up”. After years of suppressing feelings he has always had, which rush back to him after shooting a big Buck, and he senses the fear and pain that he has inflicted with that action. Aiden is an Empath with the capacity to place oneself in another's position. After that experience he makes a decision that will alienate him even more from his peers.
When Aiden meets a woman, Gwen with two children with whom he would like to share his life, things change for better and worse. Gwen's daughter is loving and excepting, but her son, Milo who had been abused by his father, has issues that run deep. Aiden sees himself a bit in Milo's actions and the two of them try and work out their fears of and for each other, through different therapies and for Milo, just knowing Aiden is there for him.
Wonderful character development and an interesting story to follow, this is a book well worth reading.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.

thought this book was depressing, couldn’t finish.

This was my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It centers around the relationship between a 40 year old cattle rancher, Aiden, & his girlfriend’s troubled son, Milo. It makes you think about why people do the things that they do & how, sometimes in life, things can come full circle.

I enjoyed this book. I’ll admit that, at times, it was a bit tough to read. Catherine does an excellent job of creating her characters, so I found myself liking & disliking them throughout the book. I applaud the overall message of the story.

I would like to thank Catherine Ryan Hyde, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

Another story by Ms. Hyde that is filled with angst. If you like her stories, you will enjoy this book.

Catherine Ryan Hyde can always be counted upon to craft a tale that not only holds her reader's interest, but strikes an emotional chord while offering enlightenment. The Wake Up is simply a lovely story of a man who has lived his life in a particular fashion for many years until a sudden, unexpected and unsettling experience causes him to question everything. Nothing is the same after the moment he calls the wake up, and he must find a new way forward -- an alternative manner in which to earn a living, relate to others, and structure his life. For those unfamiliar with what it means to be an empath, Hyde gently provides insight. For those who are or love empaths, the story is highly relatable and full of hope. It's an ideal book to read during the holiday season which is traditionally a time of questioning and reevaluating one's priorities and choices as a new year approaches. Bravo, Ms. Hyde! The Wake Up is a delightful and empathetic story.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde.
I was excited to see a new book. I loved the premise.
So was thrilled to receive an ARC to honestly review. I honestly am enchanted with this book.
I am still thinking about it and the thoughts it brought to me.

The story starts with a phone call- the descriptions had me there.
I was completely mesmerized!
I fell headfirst into this book. I was feeling with the characters. I was full of empathy!!

This book will make you look at benefits vs losses in life.
I highly recommend!!

The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde was another great story. I love how she weaves the characters and the plot together to hold the reader in the palm of her hand. This time she weaves in abuse with the story of new beginnings and an overwhelming sensitivity to the feelings of animals.

The main character Aiden “wakes up” one day with the ability to feel what the animals on his farm are feeling. This changes his life totally as he is a rancher. Meanwhile, he meets Gwen and starts to fall for her. She has two children, one Elizabeth ( a dream child) and Milo (a very angry child who acts out - a lot). The collision between Milo and Aiden and the animals on the farm is huge… How do you make a family when there is such abuse in the past and no trust for the present? How do you survive with such an sensitivity in the middle of ranch country?

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s newest book was interesting and enjoyable to read. I felt the book was not as emotionally appealing as the last two I read (Say Goodbye for Now & Allie and Bea). The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde was a good read!

Very different type of book for me but I loved it. Her writing style and characters are wonderful. I will be looking for other books by her as this was my first.

Master storyteller, Catherine Ryan Hyde returns following (2017) Allie and Bea and (2016) Say Good-Bye for Now landing on my Top Books of 2016 with her latest emotional, moving, and heartfelt novel THE WAKE UP – a spiritual journey of rediscovery, self-worth, hope, and acceptance.

A man and a boy have lost their way. Fate steps in and connects these two in unexpected ways. They slowly learn they have more in common than they may know. Each will ultimately find solace in a past of abuse and injustice, with trust and love.

Empathy equals good. Lack of empathy equals bad. Is there a balance?

Aiden Delacorte a single forty-year-old cattle rancher. He inherited the ranch from his deceased stepfather, which had adopted him. His mother has dementia and in a home in Buffalo.

One day while hunting, something odd happens to Aiden. He shoots a buck and at the same time, literally falls to the grown, in horrible pain. He is feeling the animal’s pain.

Shocked, he discovers he has "empathy" for animals in a way he cannot tolerate slaughter, dressing, or eating the animals. His so-called gift will cause him disgrace among other ranchers and cattlemen, and his present girlfriend, Livia. They break up. She does not understand this new Aiden.

THE WAKE UP. There was something different about that day. Even before it became painfully obvious. Even before it left Aiden no choice but to fully live through it. Slowly he starts feeling the feelings of animals, and even some humans. (both good and bad).

Aiden was also abused by his biological father and has repressed some of his past. He recalls drowning his fear with a bottle at a young age and became an alcoholic. He has been clean for years; a fine and upstanding citizen.

The worst part, with his new gift, he will have to give up his career and sell off his cattle. Would his stepfather be ashamed of him or tell him to follow his heart? Others would make fun of him for not being a real man.

In the meantime, he seeks the help of a psychiatrist, Hannah to get a handle on his life. He also meets Gwen a single mother in town and clerk at the grocery store. She has two children: Elizabeth and Milo.

Milo is a troubled child. Abused in many ways by his father. Gwen has her hands full with the boy. Gwen and Aiden begin dating one another. Elizabeth adores Aiden; however, Milo is acting out in unspeakable ways and Aiden becomes involved in the process.

When Aiden sees this, first he is upset at his cruelty to animals; however, decides he will help the boy, even though he makes it literally impossible at times. He needs to teach him differently. Can he trust him with the animals, he dearly loves?

Gwen and her children move into a little cabin on Aiden’s property and their relationship progresses. Elizabeth warms up to Aiden immediately; however, Milo is a different story. He is a very sensitive boy, due to his past abuse.

He needs someone to believe in him.

Milo struggles with never being good enough. The fear. However, Aiden is persistent and determined to demonstrate taking something ugly and broken to pieces, can be put back to together and into something beautiful. However, it involves a big dose of trust. Taking a chance on a boy. To care for a precious colt.

From past to present while working with Dr. Hannah Rutledge, Alien revisits his past and his demons. From a boy to the present 40-year-old man, he discovers hidden truths of his own life, which may ultimately help rebuild Milo and at the same time, provide answers to his own problems.

Breaking the cycle of abuse. Healing from the darkest places. Using trust and love to overcome tragedy. This newfound empathy of Aiden’s touches every part of his life, and discovers the importance of compassion, love, and acceptance—and at the same time able to pass along tools to help Milo change his life, as well.

A father who finds a son defective and unworthy of love. From hiding the pain to acting out. The emotion had to go somewhere. A haunting and beautifully written story of love, loss, hope, trust, and rediscovery.

I especially enjoyed how Aiden uses the love of animals, and the broken pots turned into mosaic art to transform a young boy. A lesson for us all in today’s cruel world. Instead of punishment, drugs, and doctors –taking the time to learn what causes the pain. Teaching, understanding, and patience. Offering ways to channel the rage in other ways to promote healing and self-esteem that has been torn down.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has a special gift with stories of the heart. Her love of animals is reflective throughout THE WAKE UP. Extraordinary! Each of her stories possesses power and emotion. Thought-provoking, with a strong takeaway message. Each is unique and different and enjoy how she connects lost souls in unexpected and magical ways.

An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. (guide included). If you have not read Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book, you are missing a rare opportunity. You will learn something every time you open her books as the characters jump off the page.

Upcoming: From New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde comes a bittersweet novel about healing old wounds and finding a new place to call home… Heaven Adjacent coming May 22, 2018! A definite pre-order. Be sure to add this one to your reading list for the new year.

A special thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

JDCMustReadBooks

There is a certain type of magic in every single Catherine Ryan Hyde book that I’ve read, an underlying feeling of hope that always restores my faith in humanity and leaves me feeling good about the world. It’s odd too, because she’s not afraid to tackle some tough issues that on the surface would seem dark, but the way she handles these issues makes you think, but also leaves you feeling sated.

Aiden is an empath, in case you’re like me and don’t know exactly what that means, it’s that he feels deeper than people normally do and in his extreme case, he actually takes on the feelings of animals. It all starts when he’s forty, he’s hunting as he’s done a hundred times before, but this time he can feel the deers pain, anxiety and fear exactly as if it’s his pain, anxiety and fear. He’s an highly complex character and the “Wake Up” that he experiences is tender, insightful and just so beautiful.

I always say the authors books are effortless reads and I’m going to have to say that again now because there truly isn’t another appropriate way to describe it. They’re more than a page turner, you feel like a dear friend is chatting to you, there’s an intimate quality to her writing style that really speaks to me. This was emotional without leaving you feeling emotionally drained which I think is a tricky thing to master.

I want to mention that there is some animal abuse, more accurately the mistreatment of animals here. But you need to know that the author is a huge animal lover and they always play a role in her books so there is nothing highly graphic and I promise you that it is really important to the storyline and totally necessary.

This story was just ok for me. I usually love this author but for me this story about a cattle rancher was a bit slow for me. I also had a hard time relating to the characters. I think this was a personal thing and not necessarily a reflection of the author and her story.

This is the one to read if you need a lift. Catherine Ryan Hyde has once again written a novel that touches the heart and will make you smile. Aiden and Milo are both damaged, in different ways, but still struggling to deal with their situations. That they come together via Gwen, Milo's mom, is a miracle in some ways but it is better that through love and counseling, they work toward healing. Love the ranch setting (Hyde often includes animals in her novels) and the sensitivity toward difficult problems. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Recommend this for a positive and enriching read.

A story that will touch your heart, open your mind and leave you wanting to be better, do better and care "better". With a cast of characters, each of whom is damaged in some way, we also find that most of these are people who want to give kindness, understanding and compassion. As only Catherine Ryan Hyde can do so well, the readers will feel these same pulls on their hearts and know this story matters. It simply matters. Thanks to bLame Union Publishing and NetGalley for The ARC.

Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Once again Catherine Ryan Hyde captivates her readers attention from page one. This is a brilliant emotional story.
Aiden Delacorte owns a cattle ranch left to him by his adoptive father. From a young age he had learned to slow his breathing and shut out his feelings but Aiden discovers he can no longer do this, he can no longer inflict pain on the young cattle.
He has a new lady friend Gwen, who suggests he speaks to a professional and it’s in his first session with Heather his psychiatrist that Aiden learns he is an empath and feels too much. Through talking to Heather he is able to remember his early childhood and why he started to close his feelings down.
Gwen has two children, Elizabeth who is easy to be with and easy to love. Milo is different and difficult to reach. Aiden is learning though through his sessions with Heather that he and Milo are not so different. He is remembering that his own adoptive father put a lot of time, encouragement and trust in him as a boy and is finding ways to draw Milo out and together they are learning to trust each other.
It’s a heartfelt powerful story.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine Ryan Hyde for the opportunity to read her latest book.

Like everything she writes, this book is filled with such insight, hope and emotion. This book finds Aiden, a cattle rancher, going through the motions of his life. He is emotionally empty - just doesn't feel anything. Then one day he "wakes up." He starts actually feeling what others feel - when one of his animals gets hurt, he feels it physically. This wake up changes his life - he can't hunt or ranch the way he's always done. Then he meets Gwen, a single mother of two, and falls in love. Her son, Milo, was abused by his father and bears the brunt of that by acting out. The forging of their relationship is wonderful - we can all learn from the lessons on this book.

Highly recommended!

What an amazing and thoughtful story, "The Wake Up" by Catherine Ryan Hyde is.  I loved everything about it. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a wonderful storyteller and weaves her details, descriptions and characters together for a wonderful reading experience.

The genre for this story is Fiction. The story is told in the present tense and goes back to the past when it is relevant to the characters and events.

The author describes her characters as complex and complicated.  Aiden Delacorte, is a 40-year-old rancher, who suddenly has what he calls a "wake up" during a deer hunt.  Aiden is very away of the animals around him and their feelings. He no longer can hunt and he starts to recall that he was a sensitive child growing up.  He could not step on ants, for fear of hurting them. As an adult, until this wake up, Aiden hadn't felt anything. Now Aiden is extremely sensitive and empathetic mostly to animals.  Aiden's neighbors look at this as a weakness, and wonder what is wrong.

Aiden has a new girlfriend, Gwen, with two children. Gwen's young son, Milo, is an angry and rebellious child, after growing up in a home with an abusive father.  Somehow Aiden starts to relate and feel Milo's feelings and understands his acting out. Will Aiden be able to help Milo and himself?

I appreciate the way Catherine Ryan Hyde discusses important issues such as emotional and sexual abuse, self acceptance and worth, and the benefit of psychological counseling. The author also shows the importance of family, friends, support, encouragement, love hope and faith, learning and growth. 

Some of my favorite scenes are on the ranch with the horses, cows and other animals.  I also liked the interaction with Aiden and Gwen's children.  I would highly recommend this for readers of fiction. I would like to thank Catherine Ryan Hyde, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.

“The Wake Up” by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Aiden Delacorte has always been known as the more sensitive child within his family. Something he tried to bury as his father berated him for it, at times, and his mother honored and respected it. Still he did what he could to follow in his father’s footsteps working as a rancher and horse breeder. Until one morning, something happens, that changes his life. Suddenly, all that sensitivity unleashes itself and Aiden can suddenly feel fear and other emotions of animals and humans. He calls it “The Wake Up” when he explores what happened to him in counseling.

During this time period, he also meets his thechildren of his girlfriend, Gwen. He has an instant connection with her daughter, but her son has been abused in the past and acts out in dangerous and negative ways. Something Aiden does not initially understand, but despite that he continues to try to build a relationship with him and save him before he injures himself via one of these incidents.

In time, Aiden learns he is an empath, an individual who can feel the fear, pain, joy, and many other emotions of others. It is learning what to do with these feelings and how he can make life changes so that he can live relatively peacefully and honor “the Wake Up” as a gift as versus a curse.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another phenomenal novel. Captivating, engaging, interesting and enjoyable. She has taken an interesting topic and how it affects not just the individual, but those around him, as well.

She has written relatable, empathetic, and honest characters that strengthen the novel and let the novel bring out the characters true nature, past and present.

Another must read from an award winning author.

Rating: 4.8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Aristotle said, “To perceive is to suffer.” This is exactly what Aiden Delacorte’s life is now.

Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers yet another beautiful book. Her theme, which I have come to know as ‘when strangers become friends,’ is consistent, which is one of the reasons I enjoy her work. In The Wake up we meet Aiden, a 40 year old rancher whose livelihood is growing cattle. Aiden discovers that he possesses the ability to feel others pain and must learn to live with it. This new discovery changes Aiden’s life in a way that he never expected.

Aiden falls in love with Gwen who has a difficult past of her own and two children, Milo, 10 and Elizabeth, 13. Aiden has the difficult task of becoming a father figure. Though it has very few characters, I found the story complex enough to make me think and deeply care for each one of them.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is a master of ‘Real World’ fiction and it shows. The story touches on various issues ranging from domestic violence, abuse, family and heartbreak.

I always find Hyde’s books pleasant to read. The story reads in such a way that is almost like reading poetry. The words come together and flow beautifully. The detail in which she describes the surroundings is insanely beautiful and her love for horses really came through in this book. It gave me a whole new perspective on how I see horses, that’s for sure.

I am never disappointed after I finish one of her books. Beautiful work.