This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book. "Stay" is set in the summer of 1969 and centers around 14-year-old best friends, Lucas and Connor, 55-year-old Zoe and Lucas' older brother and troubled soldier, Roy. The books tells the story of these suffering souls and how their coming together heals them. The story is told from Lucas' PoV.

This is a poignant slice-of-life story with lot of heart. What each of the characters go through is painful and sometimes even traumatic. It's very difficult to even think of a child suffering so much!! I give it 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A wonderful thought-provoking story that only Catherine Ryan Hyde can tell. A coming of age story in 1969 and Friends, supporting others in unexpected ways and this story will stay with you! I will read everything this author writes!

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of the best authors out there. Her books always touch your heart and motivate your brain. Her books stick with me long after I have finished them. Highly recommend this gem. You will feel so many different emotions with this book.

Lucas is a 14-year-old having a tough time - his brother is fighting in Vietnam and his parents are fighting each other all the time and his best friend Connor seems depressed.. He finds refuge in running and happens upon a cabin in the woods - and two big dogs. Initially scared, he bonds with them and finds that running with them helps him through his struggles. One day the dogs don't come out when he comes by to see them. Lucas looks in the windows of the cabin and finds the lady who lives there in her bed, seemingly unconscious. He calls the police to check on her. After this Lucas's life begins to change.
I loved this book!!!! It should be pretty depressing because it confronts touchy topics—war, addiction, suicide, neglect - but it was surprisingly warm and uplifting. I adore CRH!!!!
Thanks to Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lake Union, and NetGalley for the ARC!

There are sad moments and dark themes but overall this is a very hopeful story. A deep story of friendship. Beautifully told with wonderful characters and I especially enjoyed the epilogue at the end. It was nice having closure.

In 1969 a young teenage boy begins to take runs in the woods to escape what's happening at home. He discovers a cabin with two large dogs who begin to run with him. Their owner Zoe cannot forget her tragic past. This meeting leads to some unexpected opportunities. Can these two end up helping each other?

The story was told in first person from the perspective of 14-year-old Lucas. He comes across as a smart and thoughtful teen. A deep thinker.

This is a coming-of-age story and deals with some tough issues such as addiction and depression. The novel shows us that a single choice can alter the path of your life. Life is full of tough choices and consequences.

I read this book in a day. It was a compelling story with lots of dialogue. I really liked the author's writing style. This would make a good choice for a book club discussion. I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an e copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book and I roll definitely be reading more. This was an easy fast read. 5 stars all the way.

I have read most of the books by this author and like those, this does not disappoint. I really liked the characters but they were realistic, they made mistakes, they weren't just perfect all the time. I also really enjoyed how the relationships built and how much the characters seemed to care for each other. I recommend that you read this and then read everything else that this author has written!

Stay was such a sweet story about friendship and forgiving yourself. Many heavy topics were present including depression, mental health, and suicide, but all were handled in such a caring way.

Thanks to Netgalley for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

When I read it, I feel like it is a real-life story. Even though we did not learn about some character I didn't feel like it wasn't enough. I enjoyed reading Lucas' heartwarming story. This story made me remember how some events in our life we thought unimportant become important for someone else or how important it could be for our life.

In Stay, we are reading fourteen-year-old Lucas Painter's' life from his point of view and how two dogs he met coincidentally changed his and other lives, not one or two but more. Lucas is a shy teenager, his parents always fighting each other meanwhile ignoring him and his problems. He has only one friend, Connor. I should confess even though I finished the story I'm not sure what was Connor's and his family's problems. Well, this wasn't a problem for me. The way the story was told, about how Lucas met an old lady, Zoe Dinsmore, and how this coincidence changed their and other characters' lives were fascinating. With that, I loved Lucas being stubborn and the dialogs between Lucas, Conor, or Zoe. I won't add details about the story because I don't want to spoil anything.

Shortly, I loved the story, now I'm sure I will read more of Hyde's books and I expect she will be one of my favorite authors. Now, Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde in my favorites list and I will recommend to anyone. Don't miss the chance to read this lovely story.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the Lake Union Publishing Group providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review and making this available!

PS. because of some problems at my Barnesandnoble account my reviews weren't live but I wasn't aware of it. After checking it lately, I added them again. Now, there isn't any problem and my review is live in Barnesandnoble site and the link is added in my NetGalley review. Sorry for the late fix.

I don't even know how to properly review this book. I loved the way it touched on mental health and the impact one person can have on another, and the reasons we have to stay, and the writing is magnificent and the ending punched me right in the heart. I loved how it had a teenager as the main character but never felt like a YA book (which is fine if it is). It was emotional and heartwrenching and optimistic all at once.

This is my second book of hers and I can't wait to read more.

Stay – Catherine Ryan Hyde

Lucas Painter is a teenager in the Vietnam era, and his older brother Roy is off fighting in the war. His letters come back with many redactions, leaving Lucas very unsettled. His parents are continually fighting, and the loud arguments send Lucas out for solace. His best friend Connor struggles with the quiet in his home, along with the sheer emotional distance that has grown between his parents, spending much of each day alone in his room, resisting most invitations to leave the house.

So, to entertain himself, Lucas explores the undeveloped forest behind his neighborhood, following small trails that deer and other creatures have made to the nearby river. Then on one such day, Lucas stumbles across a cabin deep in the forest, complete with pick up truck parked nearby – and a doghouse. He then finds himself face to face with two large dogs, and he takes off running, with both dogs crashing behind him in pursuit. It’s not until he trips and falls that he realizes the dogs were enjoying the run, not chasing him down – and Lucas discovers a joy for running. It quickly becomes a daily routine. Until one morning he finds the dogs pacing and scratching at the door – and quickly discovers a woman lying in bed who doesn’t respond to his yells and banging…

Shortly thereafter, Lucas meets the woman he saved, Zoe Dinsmore, and learns of the tragedy that surrounds her, discovering that she perhaps didn’t want to be saved. An unlikely companionship ensues, one that they both seemingly need. Meanwhile, a gun has gone missing from Connors household, and no one knows where it’s gone. When Lucas inadvertently discovers the gun, hidden in a vent underneath Connor’s bed, he makes a split-second decision for better or worse, to introduce Connor to Zoe.

Meanwhile, Roy is sent home from Vietnam with a war injury, and an addiction to medications. A brooding version of his former self, he eventually allows Lucas to maneuver him into attending NA meetings, where eventually he shares his story and Lucas learns first-hand of the horrors his brother has been through. And another participant re-joins the group after a long absence, much to Lucas’s surprise.

A heartwarming, triumphant story of friendship, perseverance, triumph, wisdom & love. The ending was a bit bittersweet for me, but that just made it STAY with me all the longer. Definitely a must read….
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review.

Totally enjoyed this book and its focus on personal, family, friend, stranger and animal relationships for the 14-year-old main character and how he deals with depression, addiction, suicide, parental problems and the effects of war. Highly recommend this book.

All I want to say is that there are some books that just have to be read. This book is one of them!! With this book I have been introduced to another author who I feel will become a beloved one in the future.

My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union publishing and the author Catherine Ryan Hyde for giving me an e-Arc of this book to read. Simply beautiful 💖!

Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of the most uniquely and beautifully written books about the power of friendship and the universal need for acceptance, understanding, forgiveness and love. The book takes place over the summer of 1969. Vietnam is a divisive issue in the United States and 14 year old Lucas Painter's brother is overseas fighting as Lucas' parents continue to wage their own kind of war at home leaving Lucas to feel that no one really sees him. He finds an escape from his family and his thoughts by running in the nearby woods with 2 large dogs. He eventually meets the dogs' owner Zoe Dinsmore when she tries to commit suicide. Zoe has a tragic past that she just wants to escape from but Lucas feels comfort and understanding with Zoe. Lucas feels that Zoe has much to offer and an unlikely partnership begins between Lucas, Zoe, and others as they sort out their place in this quickly changing era.
The characters and situations in this book are believable, feelings so well expressed and so many thought to take away, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Once I started it was hard to put down since I wanted to know how all the parts would be connected. Ms Hyde writing style added to the mood of the book going from difficult situations to light humor to keep it from feeling too dark. As I read along, it became apparent that each of the characters were looking for forgiveness and acceptance and when that was provided , they became stronger.
This will not be the last Catherine Ryan Hyde book that I read and look forward to meeting her new characters.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing with no obligation to review it. This is my honest review.

Cathy Ryan Hyde never disappoints. Fans of her absolutely enjoy this book just to warn you though it is a tearjerker. I was definitely attracted to the book to buy the cover beautifully done

What a wonderful coming of age novel! Lucas the adult is looking back on the experiences of Lucas the fourteen year old during a difficult time in his life, when bad things were happening to.those he loved. The book, the first half of which takes place in the '60s, makes you look at the Vietnam War, addiction and mental health in a different light. You will fall in love with Lucas, and your heart will break at what he is going through. In the second part of the book adult Lucas completes the story by telling some of what became of the other characters. And, of course, there are great DOGS in the book!

I read this book in two days- so make sure you start it when you can set aside adequate reading time. Enjoy!

I really like books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and this one is no exception! She is a wonderful author and her books invariably touch on many serious issues. In this story, Lucas Painter is a 14 year old boy, coming of age, in 1969. He is a caring boy with many burdens to bear: parents in conflict, older brother in Vietnam, close friend dealing with depression. Lucas is a runner. On his morning run one day he discovers two very large dogs who join him in running. This is how he meets their owner, Zoe, a grown woman, who has some difficult problems. Through their interaction, along with all the other characters, we learn about coping, understanding, forgiveness, grief and so many human emotions. I really liked this book and would highly recommend it. Ms. Hyde has another 5 star novel in this book! Thanks, NetGalley, for an advanced reader's copy.

One of my favorite authors has another winner. This story is a coming of age story It belongs to youNg folks and older folks....funny how they can help each other out. Make a big difference in their lives.....teach them lessons...and show each other love. It’s touching how these separate generations somehow get together and form a alliance. I enjoyed this book and I think you will too

This book is full of heart and touches on redemption, forgiveness, friendship, and caring for others. I truly enjoyed the story and hope to read more by this author. The characters are poignant and memorable. There is great wisdom to be found in the pages. I loved it!