4.5 stars, rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde has knocked it out of the park! I have only read a handful of her books, but I’m obsessed with them. She never disappoints.

This story is about two women - strangers - who meet under scary circumstances with one thing in common: their love for a little girl named Etta. What transpires is an unlikely bond between these three people that you will not soon forget.

What I love about Hyde’s books are that they always relatable, always have heartbreaking moments and always have a positive, happy ending. You just can’t help but fall in love with all of her characters and are sad to see them go once the book ends. Whenever I see a new book with her name on it, it’s an automatic request because I know I’m in for a seriously wonderful story.

Keep up the great work, Ms. Hyde because you have a fan for life!

Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy to read and review.

Every time I start a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, I think, it seriously can’t be as good as the last one. I mean, how can an author consistently write brilliant, emotional, moving stories? Is it even possible? But you know what, I read them, and they turn out to be good one straight after the other. Brave Girl, Quiet Girl was no exception. I cried. Multiple times.

This book was just so touching. And it dealt with such big topics. Mostly prejudice, but also just plain human decency, empathy and the fear of opening up and being let down.

There is so much love in Brave Girl, Quiet Girl. But it’s a fearful love – it’s the love of people who have been burnt and are afraid to trust again. People who would rather suffer physically than open themselves up for the possibility of being abandoned and hurt again. It is heart-breaking to witness it, but it also shakes your world to see them learn to trust again.

These are all reasons I am recommending you this book. But I will try to go into more detail!

It's About...

Something terrible happens to a mother and her toddler is lost. This child is found – by another child, well, a teen – only marginally less helpless than the first one. And while the police look for the missing toddler, we get to see a lot of things happen.

The personal drama of a parent whose child is their whole world. The development of a frayed, broken relationship that happens when people are exposed to sudden emotional, world-shattering trauma. The strenght a person can have, when it comes to protecting someone weaker than themselves. And also the callousness, judgemental attitudes of the world – yet weirdly, alongside kindness and hope. But that is not all… Because the end of one story prompts the unraveling of another one…

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is written in typical Catherine Ryan Hyde fashion and it exposes the worst, as well as the best of humanity and human relationships. And that is why it’s an absolute must-read.

Real Problems Marginalized Young People Face That Need To Be Talked About More

Other than what I’ve already said in the blurb above, its really, really hard to tell you any more about this book without really spoiling it for you. And I mean, even one of the biggest topics, as it kind of comes as a twist later on in the book. Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books tend to be like that a lot. It’s a great thing when youre reading it, but its pretty hard to write a convincing review!

Just let me tell you that its about a lot of very big problems a very young, very vulnerable group of marginalized people face daily. Teens who are made homeless because of prejudice – teens who nobody will believe, because if you don’t have a home, you clearly had to do something to “deserve” it. The story deals with a lot of different prejudice, and the way people deal with it when they experience this prejudice. As always, Catherine Ryan Hyde tackles big, painful and very relevant problems.

What’s also interesting about Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is that you don’t really know what the book is about.

When you start reading, you think you know – it’s about a missing girl and the story of how she is found and saved. But… Then you find out that it’s not. Or rather, that that’s not all there is to it.

It’s kind of a little bit like two books? The first half is about a big event and its aftermath, but the second part turns the tables around – and the helper needs to be helped. We start looking at completely different problems than in the first half, and at least I totally didn’t see it coming. As always, Catherine Ryan Hyde keeps me on my toes when reading her books.

I believe I must’ve said this in another review of her book before, but this will have to be all I say on the large and important topics front. Because I seriously just don’t want to give you spoilers!

But anyway, you won’t have to wait long until you find out. Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is a very fast and riveting read!

It was an evening and a half read for me, and it was so tense, I just couldn’t pull myself away. I am not kidding, I even made salad while reading. With a knife. (I do not recommend this. Fingers suffered. Thankfully, not very badly.) If you’re like me at all, you won’t be able to unglue yourself from the book either.

Amazing, Realistic, Not-Sugar-Coated Human Relationships

And as usual, Catherine Ryan Hyde astonishes me with her ability to write amazing human relationships. Because in a book with people who need saving from their tough situation (not giving you any more for fear of spoilers), you would think it would be just a big heroic story of “hug and be happy”. Right? But it’s not.

We expect big problems to be solved in sweeping heroic gestures – an orphan child being taken into a new home, a missing child being found – things like that – we expect people in these stories to be heroic, because they always are. I expected it too, but I should have known better.

Because Catherine Ryan Hyde writes realistic, human characters – not archetypal heroes. Her characters hurt and fear, they fumble and they make mistakes.

They don’t “get saved and thank their savior profusely” – instead, they ask the real questions. They’re like real people would be – they’re not from a sweet Disney story. This is something I really loved about Brave Girl, Quiet Girl.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl Is All Women

And finally, I really loved all the ways women’s relationships were explored in Brave Girl, Quiet Girl. The book is mostly only about women – mothers, daughters, big sisters who are not actually your sisters, but more like role models or the hand that pulls you up when you’re down. The men are just a fleeting addition to the play – and we need books like that.

There are a few core relationships among the women in this book and their dynamics are so different – they open up different aspects of the way women give each other strength and define each other’s worlds. A frayed mother and daugher’s relationship and how it holds up in the wake of a tragedy, an older role-model, as a mentor or protector in a tough situation (this one is explored from a few angles in the book, actually.) A sister or companion who is caring for you not just because you need it, but because she needs to be caring for you at the moment for the sake of her own self just as much.

I could go on, but it’s pointless to try to put it into words, when Catherine Ryan Hyde already does it so much better. Like I said before, she is a master at writing realistic human relationships, and Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is a perfect example of this.

Overall...

What can I say, apart from that Catherine Ryan Hyde won my heart with Brave Girl, Quiet Girl again? I’m glad she’s written so many books. I know I still have a cache of guaranteed good reads like this one!

Triggers

Triggers are spoiler tagged, so please look up the review on my blog.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #CatherineRyanHyde

I don't want to give away anything so I will just tell you this: Brooke is a single divorced mom, mother of a two year girl named Etta, and living with her mother. Brooke is struggling to get by, while trying to save to get her own place. Molly is a homeless teen, just trying to get through each day on the street. On the way home from a movie with her daughter Brooke is brutally hijacked and the next thing you know she is looking at the taillights of her mom's car, with her daughter still strapped into the carseat in the back seat. Sometime later, Molly finds Etta on a street corner still strapped into the carseat. Both Brooks and Molly's lives will forever be changed.

This book was so good! I loved it! There was so much emotion, suspense, and tense moments included in its pages. The book was heartwarming and also scary. I could not put it down!

Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother, and holding tight to the one thing that matters most: her two-year-old daughter, Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke’s life is shattered when she’s carjacked.

This is a really good novel about the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and learning to look beyond appearances to see the good in people.

I give it four stars instead of five because it was a little slow in places.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

One of my favorite authors. Hyde nows how to write about the heart of things. A divorced mother and her young daughter are car jacked, and the daughter is left in the car. The mother and police do a all out search that involves a homeless teen who finds the child in her car seat left on a street corner.

This is the first time I have read this author and I will definitely be trying a few of her other novels. Brooke is a divorced, single mum to Etta and lives with her mother. They are struggling financially and if she wasn’t so cash strapped they wouldn’t be living with her mother, who is judgemental and critical. Her life, already at a low point, shatters when she is car-jacked. Even worse, the thief dives away not realising that two year old Etta is still strapped into her car seat.

Luckily, for the time of night and the area, Etta is found by teenager Molly, a runaway from Utah. Molly defends Etta and keeps her safe from other unsavoury characters. She is pretty streetwise since living in the streets, Her main aim is to stop Etta feeling afraid and because she has younger brother and sisters she knows how to entertain young children. To keep her calm she whispers to her ‘brave girl, quiet girl’ a phrase she remembers from her own childhood. These two lost girls really do form a loving bond over just 24 hours.

The alternate character chapters work well because we get to see what Brooke and Molly are feeling and thinking during the same period of time. I was drawn in by both of them, but especially felt for Molly - a plucky girl who has survived despite the odds and despite being tough, simply falls in love with Etta. It’s a tough shell with a very soft centre. This author seems very adept at creating characters that feel real and touch your emotions. She’s also psychologically astute, portraying a great complexity in mother - daughter relationships. Even though Brooke sees a dirty street girl at first, she can soon see the heart of gold underneath. They share a bond, as they both have critical and judgemental mothers. Perhaps Brooke could be that surrogate mother or older sister that Molly truly needs. The book really engaged my emotions and I loved the ending being so heartwarming after my emotions had been put through the wringer!

<b>**FULL REVIEW**</b>

I didn't think I'd enjoy this book as much as I did. Gripping in its introduction, the dual point of view, and seeing both sides of a story where two people have more in common than they realize...it was beautiful. Heartbreaking and redeeming, but beautiful in its execution.

Hyde did a wonderful job of explaining some hard issues many people face...it felt well-researched, emotionally charged, and while sad or scary (from a mom's point of view) in some ways, I couldn't tear my eyes away.

This is a story that will stay with me. It reminds me that no matter someone's station in life, they have the ability to be good. Do good. Remain honest and kind. It also shows that stereotypes can be misleading...so give the benefit of the doubt when meeting and talking to someone.

In short, I'd read more of her work. One hundred percent; she's talented, bringing to light some raw issues and broken systems within our society...the realness of her words, especially in today's social climate makes one think. It may even prompt one to act. But if nothing else, it brings forth some knowledge...and recognition that change can be made. One kindness at a time.

<b>**4 Don't Judge a Book by its Cover, Stars**</b>

Thank. you for the advanced e-ARC win exchange for my honest review. I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.

It was difficult to start into this book as a young child disappears in a car and away from her mother. I was almost reading with my eyes shut!

However as it turns out she is found by Molly a young sixteen year old homeless girl. Molly is amazing with Etta and eventually all is well. Or almost well.

We get to know the mother - Brooke as well as Molly and of course little Etta who is quite a character on her own. Brooke is really on hard times and living at her own mother's house, while supporting her young daughter. When her daughter is taken off with the car her world falls apart and those around her wonder if it will ever get back together.

The story explores mother / daughter relationships, the best and worst. It explores homelessness and the foster system. It explores what real relationships are like  and promises and trust.

It's an emotional ride, it tugs at a reader's heartstrings. Brooke and Molly have so much to take on and grow through and they do and it made the story a really good read.

When Brooke’s life was turned upside down after losing her 2 year old daughter in a car jacking she had no idea what her future might hold. When Molly, a homeless 16 year old finds a baby in the street, she too, had no idea where her life was headed. This is their story. Hyde writes novels that are heart touching, novels that tug at your heartstrings about people you would like to meet. This is a good read, but not as good as Hyde’s previous novels. It felt quite stilted, and even though it had all the right elements to make it an emotional read, it just wasn’t as emotionally driven as it should have been. It really left me wanting to know more about Brooke, about her mother’s life as well as more about Molly’s family. I wanted more, way more!!

I’ve never read a book by this author before and now I can definitely say this one may be the first, but won’t be the last.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl has such a unique story I couldn’t help but race through it.

Single mom Brooke is back home living with her mother and her young daughter Etta. When out one day with Etta, she is carjacked and devastated when the car takes off with Etta still inside. Molly, a homeless teen, finds Etta on the streets of LA and immediately sees to her care.

This book is about so much more than the crime that was committed. It was about the kindness of strangers and how people that aren’t your blood relations can become family. It’s about mothers and daughters and unlikely relationships. It’s about how people can come together and become stronger despite having their own struggles.

I have read many of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, and enjoyed every one.
I was excited to hear of this one and couldn't wait to read it.

A young mother making her best attempt at raising her daughter
makes a single quick decision that leads to a whole new direction.
A young girl struggles to live on street comes across some
thing that was not trash on an empty sidewalk.
These two stories and separate lives become intertwined just like you the reader
will become intertwined with this book.
I didn't want to put book down, needing to stay in this story.
I was far from disappointed! It is an excellent book.
Good characters, great storyline, and wonderful pace that kept me reading
despite what was happening around me.

I recommend this read to all!

Brave Girl Quiet Girl, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, is an emotional journey about mothers and daughters, friendship, judgment, and acceptance of yourself and others. Hyde has become one of my favorite authors, partly because her characters are deftly nuanced with even minor characters unexpectedly interesting. She wastes no time moving the plot forward, weaving complicated social issues into a character-driven story of mother-daughter relationships. She draws the reader in with language that is direct and authentic.

I finished the book in less than a day, unable to put it down and sorry to leave the characters on the last page. I highly recommend this novel and frankly, almost anything she has written. She has over thirty books in “print” and while you can often find a deal on Kindle, it will be worth the investment even if you are paying full retail price.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was my pleasure.

This book has everything, a story that keeps you glued to it. It covers homelessness, relationships, carjacking. I especially liked the mother/daughter side of the story. I recommend this.

Thank you again....Catherine Ryan Hyde !
You are absolutely one of the best author I have ever read!! .
EVERY book I have read so far of yours has been a 5 STAR read~
Again you draw us in with these well developed characters. Molly and Brooke come alive and touch us!!
It is so true that we should be our brothers & sisters' keeper!. Our world would be a much better place! Many times in reading a book I can kind of tell where it is going....not this book!
I definatly recommend this book. It is a full 5 STARS~

Catherine Ryan Hyde has an amazing ability to create a beautiful story with shedding light on social issues that need addressing. This is a wonderful story that is hard to put down and that will be thought about long after finishing.

This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book. It's a story about how the lives of a child, her mother and a homeless teenager come together after a tragic event.

The story is a bit slow, predictable and rather heartbreaking. As a mother I can say there are a couple very unlikable mother figures in this book, which infuriated me. Overall, I think the author did a good job of portraying the lives of homeless people, but it wasn't enough of a draw for me to want to pick it up.

From reading other people's reviews, this apparently is not the best representation of the writer's work, so I'll definitely pick up a different book and read her again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Catherine Ryan Hyde for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot believe I haven’t read something by this author before. Such a good story! I’m planning to read anything she’s written now. No spoilers, but I loved the ending too.

I have read several books by Catherine Ryan Hyde and loved them all. She writes stories that you can relate to. You can immerse yourself in and feel you are truly there. She has a way of drawing you into her books and not letting you out until the very last word. This is by far my favorite of her books. It’s one that will pull at your heart on every page.

Some quotes from this book that really touched me: “Well, you know how it is. We either grow up to be our mother or we make a solemn vow to the universe to be her polar opposite. Doesn’t work every minute of every day, though.”
A whole life changed in six or seven seconds.
“Brave girl,” she said. “Kite Girl.” I couldn’t believe she did that. I mean, she was, like two.
I think we all more or less know where we stand with people, whether we like to admit it to ourselves or not.

This is the story of a mother, Brooke. A mother who loses her daughter, Etta, one night and goes through the most horrible night of her life wondering if she would ever see her again. It’s the story of a young girl, Molly, also. A sixteen year old young girl living alone on the streets of LA.

Brooke loves Etta more than life. She would do anything to keep her safe. Brooke was a divorced woman who had to move back home with her mother even though she herself was a grown woman. She had Etta to think about and didn’t make enough money to have her own place. Her ex did not want children. He wanted nothing to do with Etta. Brooke’s mother is a horrible creature who I honestly despised. She did not seem to care about anyone but herself. She treated Brooke horribly and it was inexcusable in every sense of the word. Brooke was a good woman. A hard working woman and would do anything for her baby girl.

Molly was basically alone in the world. She was from Utah and living on the streets of LA because her mother put her out of their home and told her to never darken her doorstep again. All Molly had was her friend Bodhi who helped her get to LA and learn how to survive on the streets. Bodhi was a good friend but Molly didn’t always like the way he got things. She didn’t approve of stealing even though it seemed at times like the only way they could have food. She was a very smart young girl. She had a heart. She actually had a heart of gold and only wanted to be accepted for who she was.

When Brooke is carjacked on the way home from taking Etta to the movies she has no idea how her life is about to change. The things she will go through for a total stranger who needs her. Molly finds Etta and protects her from being hurt. She unselfishly gives her all the juice and snacks and herself goes without. She has a maternal feeling towards the baby she found on the sidewalk in the dark. She keeps her safe and goes through so much just trying to get her back to her mother. That is where Brooke and Molly meet. Brooke does not like Molly and thinks she should have found a way to get Etta back to her much sooner. She has no idea what Molly had to go through and what she did for the baby girl. But as time goes by Brooke learns everything about Molly. How she took care of Etta and why she is on the streets.

This book will definitely tug at your heartstrings. It will make you weep for a mother. For a teenage girl and for what happened to the both. The sweet things that Molly does will bring tears to your eyes. The way she cares for Etta even though she is homeless and has no idea what to do. This is one of the most touching stories I have read. It is a sad story and a happy story. A few things will make you laugh but overall you will wonder how can people be so cruel. Hopefully it will make you see that most homeless people are not homeless because they choose to be but because of circumstances beyond their control. If it makes you have a bit of empathy for their plight then so be it. Well done. Ms Hyde did a wonderful job of making me feel the sadness, loneliness, desperation, and love of a young girl who had no one, nothing and most especially no home.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #LakeUnion, #CatherineRyanHyde for this ARC. This is my own review.

I gave it 5 stars and would have given it many more if possible. I do highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good heart touching book.

I've read and enjoyed other books by this author, and this one was no exception.

I loved watching the relationship between Brooke and Molly develop, and I liked the alternating POVs. This is a thought-provoking story filled with relatable scenarios and characters who come to life for the reader. It did have a bit of a YA (young adult) feel to it at times, which surprised me, though I do enjoy that genre. Some parts in the middle to latter portions of the story felt a bit repetitive, as the main event seemed to happen quite early on. Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read.