Catherine Ryan Hyde knows how to write magic. Once you open the covers of one of her books, your lost. Stay was no exception. I loved this story! At times, I felt my heart would stop from all the emotions I felt coming from the characters they were so real.
This book contained so much love, pain, anger, grief....so much emotion, I can't believe the covers could hold it all.
Can a single choice change the direction of your life.? This is what young 14 year old Lucas faces as he struggles to help his friends and family through their life's difficulties.
The Authors usual stellar writing, exceptional characters and real life plot earns more than a 5 star rating, but alas 5 stars is all I can give.
A must read, well worth your time!

Thank you so much to NetGalley The author and publisher for an advanced copyrights book. All opinions are my own.

This was an emotional but unputdownable read. I resonated so much with Lucas and his worry for others around him. I was saddened by the difficult events and relationships in this book, but ultimately hopeful. In some ways, probably because of the era, this reminded me a tiny smidge of one of my most beloved books, The Wednesday Wars - but it is more intense than that and not written for middle grade. I really need to read more of her backlist because this writing is incredible.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is fantastically well written, looking deep into the heart of the narrator. The characters are real and care about each other. The story is narrated by Lucas, and starts when he is 14 years old in the summer of 1969. His parents fight and yell at each other, his best friend has a black cloud hanging over his head and his brother is unhappy to be stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Lucas befriends a woman living in the woods and is haunted by her past. She provides guidance to him, and eventually Lucas introduces his friend to her, hoping she can help him deal with his depression. This book is so enlightening in this day of social media and lack of true friendships. This book would be a delight to read for someone of any age. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received a free electronic ARC of this exceptional historical novel from Netgalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Lake Union Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. 'Stay' is an excellent tale centered on the baby boomer generation, but also paints special pictures and insights into the '60s and '70s for our children and grandchildren. This is the best, most honest profile of the growing pains of our generation that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always hits it out of the ballpark. 'Stay' is no exception - within just a few pages you are invested in the lives and problems of these special characters. Each protagonist is so easily pictured there are almost no bad guys - because you understand where they are coming from, as clearly as you do the sympathetic personalities. This a perfect slice of life in my history, and that of many boomers out there.

This coming-of-age story is told looking back from the present to the youth of 14-year-old Lucas Painter, beginning in the summer of 1969 just two days before school was out for the summer. 1969 was a tumultuous time in the United States, and the pros and cons of that turmoil are presented in an unbiased and understanding manner. We see how the individual decisions made then have affected a couple of subsequent generations, and what makes up a family, the need for truth and loyalty, and most of all, forgiveness. This was an all-nighter. It is a novel I will want to read again in the not to distant future - these are people I will enjoy visiting again.

This is a sweet sad story, narrated by Lucas with dueling timelines. When he's 14 he is dealing with a brother in Vietnam, parents who fight constantly and loneliness. He discovers two dogs in the woods and starts running with them daily. The dog's owner, Zoe , is a hermit who lives in the middle of the woods because she feels guilty about an accident many years ago. Zoe and Lucas become friends and help each other cope with life. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

STAY by Catherine Ryan Hyde

How can one choice change a person’s life forever? One decision? Just one little thing you decide to do that changes the course of your life and the people you love most?

Lucas Painter is a child. Only fourteen years old and he already has the weight of the world on his shoulders. At least that is the way it turns out in the summer of 1969. His parents are constantly yelling. His brother is in Vietnam. His best friend is so messed up he doesn’t ever leave his house unless Lucas can convince him too. Then just for short periods of time. Lucas is a good boy. He never lies. He’s fair to everyone. He tries so hard to be the kind of kid people like. One day he decides to take a shortcut home and his life is never the same.

Lucas thinks he has to be strong for everyone but himself. He gives. He gives without expectations. He is always there to listen. To help anyone who may need him. The day he takes this shortcut is the beginning of a summer that will shape him, his brother, his best friend and a woman, Zoe, who thought it was time to go. But Lucas helped her to STAY!! He convinces her to STAY! Everyday Lucas goes running with Zoe’s dogs. They love to run, he loves to run. It helps him release stress and he definitely has a lot of that. Then one day he meets Zoe. Zoe has a whole story of her own and Lucas finally gets to know it all.

Throughout this story you learn more and more about the characters and it will touch your heart in ways you may not have experienced with a book. Though I have felt every emotion there is while reading, this one gives me every single one of those feels. The loneliness, sadness, happiness, tears, laughter, love, despair, need, wanting, you name it it’s in here. This is one book that truly is a page turner. Once you start it you will not want to put it down. It’s by far my favorite book by this author and I have read and loved several.

You’ll love the characters. The time frame. The town. Most of the people. The descriptions. You’ll feel like you are right beside Lucas during all of this. It starts going back in time to the summer of 1969 then in the end goes fifty years ahead to let you know what happened to everyone and I do mean everyone. It does not leave you guessing or hanging. It has the perfect ending to what to me is the perfect book.. I honestly loved this book so much. I won’t be forgetting this story. It did make me do some ugly crying but it was so worth it.

Thank you #NetGalley, Lake Union and Catherine Ryan Hyde for this beautiful ARC. This is my own true review.

It’s a huge 5 stars and I most highly recommend it to everyone.

Stay, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, is proof of the power of a story to remind you of what is important. Hyde, a masterful writer, creates characters who are so nuanced and layered that it is hard to believe that they are not real. This multifaceted jewel of a story focuses on fourteen-year-old, Lucas. It is 1969; the Vietnam War is raging. Lucas fears for his older brother’s safety, his parents’ happiness and the life of his best friend who, is dealing with depression.

Hyde’s writing is impeccable – every character’s voice is clear and authentic. Her prose captures both people and settings. She deals with the most challenging of life issues – war, fear, death, suicide, addiction, etc. Yet, she presents a world that is optimistic, caring, and uplifting. This is an excellent choice for a holiday gift, for you or a loved one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure.

Such a beautiful story! Exquisitely told, deeply moving, and thoughtfully tender. It is the summer of 1969 and 14-year-old Lucas has a lot too be concerned about. His parents are fighting nonstop, his brother is over in Vietnam, and his best friend doesn’t seem to want to leave the house. There was a lot of burden on this 14-year-old’s shoulders and so he took to running in the woods where he met Zoe and her dogs. At first Lucas would only run with the dogs and had very little interaction with Zoe, but soon they started to form a unexpected bond. Zoe is a reclusive still dealing with the consequences of an accident that happened over 20 years ago. She’s A little rough around the edges, lonely, and wise. Always lending a listening ear and offering quiet words of wisdom to Lucas. Lucas and Zoe are soon joined by Connor Lucas‘s best friend who has been going through some depression. Later when Roy comes home from Vietnam he also joins this unlikely pair turned trio and now quad. It was quite remarkable how strong the bond was between Zoe and these three young men, a bond that lasted over three decades.

This book dealt with so many tough issues including suicide, drug addiction, and grief. Catherine Ryan Hyde does this with a loving hand and pure heart. The story is told entirely from Lucas‘s perspective. He was such an exceptional character so caring, so considerate, so wise. Even when he took a girl out on a date he seemed much older than 14, but in a very innocent way. He is one of those very special characters who wormed his way into my heart. This book just hit me right in the feels, one of the best coming-of-age stories I have read in quite some time.

This book in emojis. 🏃🏼‍♂️ 🐶 🐶 🌲 ☮️

*** Big thanks to Lake Union for my copy of this book ***

Beautiful, just beautiful. In 1969, 14-year-old Lucas is dealing with being a teenager, parents that can’t get along, his brother in Vietnam, and a best friend who doesn’t leave the house. When it all gets to be too much, he heads to the woods where he encounters two dogs that look scary, but only want to run with him. When Luke saves the life of the dogs’ owner’s life, he not only finds himself with someone else to watch out for, but with the one adult who is honest and looks out for him, despite not wanting to be involved.
Lucas is one of those people that takes care of people. He is honest, caring, and has a strong sense of what is right. He is loyal to those he cares about. He makes choices that, though he doesn’t realize it at the time, alter the course of more than his life.
This novel is well-written with intricately and fully developed characters. It will pull you in and tug at your heartstrings. On one hand, my heart broke for all that Lucas went through; on the other I cheered him on. STAY is a wonderful novel that I recommend to anyone.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

What an absolute gem of a book!! Yes, it's a coming of age story, but more than that it's a reflection of the time in that era of the Vietnam war. The book touches on so many subjects: war, divorce, mental illness, suicide, drug addiction - - all serious subjects handled delicately . Along with the serious subjects, the angst of growing up was shown with humor and sensitivity.

The characters are wonderfully depicted and the atmosphere of the times seems very accurate. I loved how the author tied everything together in the end.

A very satisfying read!!

A book that deals with the decisions and the connections that are made that effect the lives of beautiful heart warming characters that only Catherine Ryan Hyde can create! Absolutely a beautiful five star must read!

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my must-read authors because I have never been disappointed with any of her books I've read. She does a masterful job of creating unique characters and touching stories. Her latest book Stay was especially relatable for me since I also came of age during the Vietnam era. As usual, there was a focus on important issues and life lessons. The title of Stay was perfect in so many ways. Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’ve now read about eight books by this author and loved almost all of them, and this is no exception. A moving, thought-provoking story about the kindest teenager ever, his friends and family and how a single decision can change your life. The wonderful thing is that Ms Hyde has written so many other books that I have loads more to look forward to!

It’s 1969 and Lucas Painter is fourteen and living in a small American town in an unspecified state. His parents fight all the time, his best friend is miserable and his revered older brother Roy is away fighting in Vietnam. When he finds an old cabin in the woods, with two huge dogs outside, his first instinct is to run, but when he realises that they are running with him rather than chasing him, a new passion is born. When he meets their owner, the surly Zoe Dinsmore, he doesn’t know about her tragic past, but Lucas’ determined compassion leads to them becoming friends, with consequences for all their lives.

Had I been guaranteed a child as wonderful as Lucas, even I might’ve been almost tempted to have children - he would seem too good to be true if this wasn’t told in first person past style - although in reality it was still the description of the kitten that tugged most at my heart-strings! His thoughtful view of the world, and overwhelming need to look after others, made such a nice change. I’m not sure I would’ve persevered with someone as prickly as Zoe, but her no-nonsense wisdom made her another fabulous character.

It’s been quite some time since I read a book set against the backdrop of the Vietnam war, but the way this focussed on those left behind gave me a new perspective. In some ways this story could have taken place in the present, but the more innocent world that Lucas inhabits would seem unrealistic now - relying on letters from Roy and second hand news to learn about a conflict he doesn’t understand, while trying to block out the equally confusing war at home. Having had parents who also fought non-stop, and just as pointlessly, I identified strongly with him. I escaped into books, rather than running.

While there are sad moments, and dark themes, this is ultimately a very hopeful story about friendship and loving people for who they are, not what they’ve done. Oh and the cover is gorgeous. All the stars. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Stay is available now.

Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of Lucas a fourteen year old boy with lots going on around him. His parents who yell at each other, his friend Connor next door who is morose and has family parental things going on as well. Lucas has a brother Roy, away in the war in Vietnam. And that's not a pretty story. What is a boy to do? Out in the woods one day he meets some dogs by a cabin and runs with them daily. And so he meets the owner of the cabin - Zoe Dinsmore who has a whole tragic history he has to find out about.

Zoe is a rather prickly woman but... she knows things and does something neither Lucas' or Connor's parents do.  But that's after Lucas does something for her.

The story is told by Lucas looking back at his life from the age of about sixty four. The story shows how Lucas has learned what is important in life, and throughout the story there are many places that are pithy little pointers about living a life with integrity.

The story explores friendship in many forms - same age and an older/younger person and brothers. It explores choices made, guilt and loss, people's judgemental attitudes, and the awful effects of drugs and war.

It was  refreshing to be with Lucas  as he endeavours to understand his world around him. To experience his first girlfriend and be wise enough to see within to who she really is. To see how he cared and went the next step even when he was discouraged by others.

It is a heart warming read, with a theme of hope even in trying circumstances. Can the people Lucas comes to love stay, can he stay with what he can control and let be what he cannot. A thought provoking story.

Catherine has written another heartfelt story, full of troubled, caring people—people who are in need of love and understanding. Stay is the perfect example of how, when it's all said and done, humans should treat other humans. We should all befriend those who may not seem to want or need friends, because you know what, everyone can use a good friend.

Throughout the whole story, the word 'stay' takes on so many different meanings and applies to so many situations. It really becomes the central theme and made me think of the people that I want and need to stay in my life.

This author writes with such beautiful and flowing words, words that are easy to settle into and savor to the end. Fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde will not be disappointed with this story and I know you will enjoy Stay as much as I did.

Stay was my first Catherine Ryan Hyde novel and to say that I am smitten is an understatement. I absolutely adored everything about this book! The main character, Lucas, was so genuine and considerate, and I quickly fell in love. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet he kept plugging along day after day to save the people in his life without complaint. It was heart-warming to see how much he cared about his best friend, Connor, despite Connor’s tendency to push him away. I loved watching Lucas’s friendship with Zoey grow, as he remained undeterred by the fact that she treated him like he was a nuisance. His connection with the dogs and the fact that he woke up early each day to go running with them was just an added bonus.

This novel was so touching and beautiful, and I loved every moment spent with it. Catherine Ryan Hyde has been on my list for a while now, and I’m so glad I started with this one. Stay was absolute perfection, and I’d recommend this book to just about anybody regardless of reading preference.

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "Stay" by Catherine Ryan Hyde, December 3, 2019

Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of "Stay" has written a captivating, emotional, intriguing, memorable and enthralling novel. The Genre for this story is Fiction. The timeline for this story is around 1969 and the Vietnam War and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes the colorful and dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, quirky and dysfunctional.

This is a coming of age story, and the themes of this story are family, friendship, kindness, forgiving and acceptance and communication. The author also discusses issues such as drug addiction, war, mental illness, and love and hope. I love the importance of animals in this story.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazing storyteller and writes in a descriptive and vivid way. Lucas Palmer is 14 years old, and worries all the time about his brother, who is in Vietnam, his neighbor and friend Connor, who has problems, and his parents who are always fighting. Feeling frustrated and runs into the woods and soon discovers two large dogs that wind up running with him. He meets their owner, Zoe, an older woman with a tragic past. Little does Lucas know, that one kind, compassionate and brave action on his part, will lead to helping Lucas and the people he cares about.

I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author that I will always read no matter what. I don't need to know what the book is about because I always enjoy her books and she always write a solid story.

Stay is no exception. This story is about many different relationships. I always feel that relationships that are unexpected are some of the best and the author proves this to be true. Catherine Ryan Hydealways drops nuggets of wisdom throughout her stories.

If you have not read any of this author's works, I would highly recommend it. You can't go wrong.

When Lucas Painter was only fourteen, he felt weighed down by what was happening around him. His big brother Roy, whom he idolized, was away fighting in Vietnam – Lucas continually worried that he wouldn’t make it home again. His parents were forever fighting; yelling at one another – Lucas needed to leave the house to get away from the harsh words. His best friend Connor was struggling with issues concerning his mother and father and Lucas worried he couldn’t help his friend.

The day Lucas wandered into the nearby woods (against him mother’s orders) he stumbled across an old cabin which he hadn’t known was there. The two large dogs outside were restless and anxious, so Lucas was sure something was wrong. What he found had him rushing home to the phone…

Over the following days and weeks, Lucas found solace with those dogs. Each morning before school, Lucas and the dogs ran and while he was running, Lucas found his worries lessened. Zoe Dinsmore was the owner of the dogs and she and Lucas struck up an unlikely friendship. He felt closer to Zoe than he was to his own mother, and the advice she gave him always made sense. Could Zoe, Connor and Lucas connect, helping each other with what was drawing the darkness in? Lucas wanted both Zoe and Connor to stay – would his idea work?

Stay is the 2nd novel I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and once again I loved it. This author has a beautiful way with words; poignant, memorable and enlightening. Set in the summer of 1969, Stay has four main characters – Zoe, a broken but inspiring woman of fifty five, whose past was a tragedy; Lucas and Connor, both fourteen with a friendship that knew no boundaries; and Lucas’ brother Roy, whose time in Vietnam was heartbreaking. A brilliant read, and I’m now convinced I need to check out more of this author’s work. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading Catherine Ryan Hyde and I’m wondering why I waited so long. As some of you know I don’t hand out five stars often. So is this one of the best-written books out there? No, but there is a quiet wisdom buried in these pages on subjects that many people either tip-toe around or scream about that makes these stars well deserved. This story mixes the beauty of friendship, the loneliness within a broken family, and the casualties of war. It begs the question can you make a person want to stay.

It’s 1969, Lucas Painter is fourteen, and he has a lot to worry about. His parents argue just about daily, his big brother Roy is fighting over in Vietnam, and his best friend Connor seems depressed. Lucas needs to take a breather from it all, so he takes a walk in the woods behind his house and stumbles upon an old cabin. Two huge, but friendly dogs greet him and become his running mates. Eventually, Lucas meets their owner Zoe Dinsmore, a woman with a tragic past who has all but given up on life. Her love for the dogs seems to be what’s keeping her here. Great, Lucas thinks, one more person to worry about.

Eventually, Zoe and Lucas develop a unique friendship, and through a series of events, Lucas, in the most unpretentious way, helps not just Zoe but other people find their way.

This book has many memorable moments, moments that made me realize what truly caring for a person looks like. It also got me thinking about how our actions do make a difference. We may never know the lives that may be touched by the people we help today. I wish I could share some of the moving quotes that I just had to write down, but I want you to experience them in the context of this beautiful story.

Warnings: Suicide, Drug use, War

Thank you to @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for this arc for review.