Brooke is adjusting to living back home with her mother after her divorce. Etta is adjusting to daycare and all the changes in her little life. Then the unthinkable happens, Brooke is carjacked and Etta is stolen with the car. Will Brooke see Etta again? Then Molly, a 16 year old homeless girl, finds Etta and helps her find her way back to Brooke. Then the real story starts, because healing from a carjacking and thanking the rescuer is hard. Full of emotion and poignantly written this book will take you and put you in the situation of what would you do?!

Thank you NetGalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Lake Union Publishing for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Catherine Ryan Howard has become an auto buy author for me and this book has cemented that. Bloody brilliant!

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is an emotional story that will crush your heart before it's over, from the gut-wrenching scene where Brooke loses her daughter in a carjacking to the frightening life of 16 year-old Molly, living on the streets. This story will make feel all the feels.

Brooke and Molly are from different worlds. They have nothing in common, other than the love they both have for a sweet little girl, Etta. Is this love enough to overcome the divide or will it be what brings them together?

All of Catherine's books are full of interesting, memorable characters—people who have troubles. But they are also full of good and caring people. In that crazy world, somehow they find each other and discover that they have something in common and can help each other. That is the beauty of her books, people helping people.

Catherine is a must read author for me and her books are never a disappointment. They are wonderful, character driven stories that can teach us all lessons. Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is a beautiful story that will stay with me and I will be thinking about Brooke, Molly, and Etta for a long time. I loved this story and highly recommend it.

Brooke is a recently divorced single Mom living again under the roof of her cynical and hard-line mother with her most prized possession, her two year old daughter Etta.

Molly is a sixteen year old runaway living on the streets of L.A. Her life takes an incredible turn when she finds Etta, still strapped in to her car seat and abandoned on the side of the road in a rough industrial area late at night after Brooke's car is hijacked with Etta still inside.

The novel follows both women in the aftermath of the carjacking, the event that brings them unexpectedly together.

I liked this far more than I expected to. It was my first book by this author (who I later discovered wrote the novel for the basis of a movie I adore, Pay It Forward). The characters are well developed, the story alternating back and forth to each of their POV. Hyde does an excellent job of shining light into the hearts and character of each woman, unfolding their back stories, vulnerabilities, and strengths as the book progresses. Their many parallels are subtly brought to the surface in their relationship that I can best describe as serendipitous.

I loved that so much was included in this riveting novel: mother-daughter relationships, homelessness, sorrow, empathy, love, resilience, forgiveness, strength....so much was planted beautifully for the reader to savor. It was an incredible story and one that I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Catherine Ryan Hyde has turned into one of my favorite authors! To this day, her film adaptation of her book ‘Pay it Forward’ remains imbedded in my heart. Her human interest stories will make you feel so many emotions....fear, love, confusion, outrage. Not necessarily sunny and happy, raw and dark with excellent messages about human nature. This book is a realistic look at every mother’s fear, homelessness and judging others. I loved the character development of Brooke and the bond Etta and Molly formed, and subsequently Brooke and Molly. As someone who can jump to conclusions, I loved being on the outside looking in...seeing this story evolve from both sides due to a fierce love for Etta.

I appreciated the author not drawing out the carjacking story and heading into different territory. My heart broke for Brooke, then turned to frustration with her at her reaction to Etta. But this can only be said by someone who knew both sides of this story. My heart broke for Molly and her sad situation. I cannot imagine turning my child out into the world, although I know it happens. The mother/daughter dynamics are front and center in this book. This book show humanity at its best, and worst.

Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is the story of a mom who is carjacked and the homeless teenager who finds her little girl. It’s a story about mothers and daughters and complicated relationships. It’s a quick read.

I found the overall story to be entertaining. The mom, Brooke, child Etta, and teenager Molly are well developed characters that you can root for.

Brooke’s mother and Molly’s mother are not well defined and their actions are not really explained well. As someone who is familiar with the Baptist church, I can tell you the portrayal of Molly’s mother is very much an erroneous stereotype. Baptists do not speak as if they came straight out of the middle ages. There are some fake churches like Westboro Baptist Church who just use the Baptist name and are really a cult. We’ll just assume Molly’s mother came from a cult and not the real Baptist church. Real Baptists, even fundamentalists, do not act the way Molly’s mother did.

I read this through in a few hours and could not put it down as I was rooting for Molly to protect Etta, and then rooting for Brooke to find Molly. The description of the homeless situation was vivid and heartbreaking. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

This was the first book I had read by this author and I wasn’t disappointed. I literally could not put this book down. I found myself grabbing 5 minutes here and there to carry on. I was surprised at the direction the book took - but pleasantly so

Molly is a wonderful human being, Homeless through no fault of her own. She is constantly let down by people but is still hopeful and trusting. I saw a lot of myself in molly.

Brooke is a complex woman. I didn’t like sone of her actions but I did feel they were understandable in the circumstances. Her mother was vile.

I’m not normally a fan of books that tell the story from a few perspectives but in this case the voices were so different it was very clear.

I enjoyed some of the secondary characters very much - particularly Grace and Bodhi

I will definitely look for more of this author’s work - a nice change from the books I normally read

I read my first Catherine Ryan Hyde Book in 2019. I am working my way through her novels, This one was heartbreaking and sad, but also so engrossing that I did not want to put it down. Great read!

Brooke is a divorced single mother. she and her daughter Etta live with Brooke ‘s mother. Molly is is a sixteen-year-old homeless girl living on the streets of Los Angeles. Their lives collide and they will both be forever changed.

One night Brooke decides to take Etta
a movie. While getting into the car after the movie Brooke is hijacked. The hijackers leave Brooke standing in the street while he drives off with her mother’s car and Etta strapped in the back seat.

While Molly is out collecting recycling she discovers a car seat on the sidewalk.to her surprise, there is, still a baby in it. Molly makes a decision to take the baby with her. She knows it is unsafe for the baby on the street but it can also be unsafe with her. Molly must notify the police, which is hard to do. when you don't have a phone and you are worried about survival.


From the time Brooke gets Etta back Brooke and Molly ’s lives become intertwined. But it's difficult Brooke and Molly come from two different worlds. Molly is a homeless girl living on the streets. Brooke lives in a nice house, has a job, and enough food. Conversely, Molly does not know how she is going to get food, and shelter is a crate. Brooke is appreciative of Molly, but she is not sure she can trust her. Through the course of the book, Brooke and Molly deal with issues such as wealth, poverty, trust, homosexuality, and respect.

This story is told from the alternating point of views of both Brooke and Molly, so I knew what each character was feeling and thinking.

I could not put this book down. It was both suspenseful and heartwarming.



This was an amazing story that addresses a myriad of social issues. The characters were well developed. I did not want the story to end. I want to know now how Brooke, Molly, and Etta are doing today.

Thank you, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for writing such a heartwarming story.

If you want to read an emotional story revolving around important issues that will pull at your heartstrings may I suggest Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

As the story starts off Brooke is a 30 something divorced single mom living with her mother and 2 year old daughter Etta. Brooke takes Etta out one evening to the movies when she is carjacked and dragged out of the car. The carjacker proceeds to speed off with baby Etta still in her car-seat. A mother’s worst nightmare right?

Soon after this happens, a homeless 16 year old named Molly finds baby Etta abandoned in an alley still in her car-seat. Molly spends the next 24 hours or so keeping Etta safe until she is finally able to get to the police. She whispers “brave girl, quiet girl” to the baby and soothes her during this scary time. When Brooke and Molly finally meet there is much tension involved but also room for an unlikely bond to form.

This is my third time reading Catherine Ryan Hyde and she tends to move me with her emotional stories. I’ve read Pay It Forward and Chasing Windmills by this author and enjoyed both. This author has a knack for writing stories centering on important issues and featuring characters who become unlikely every day heroes. She creates well fleshed out characters who you can root for.

The plot centers around important issues such as homelessness and the importance of acceptance for LGBT teens especially. The author tackled these subjects well. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough especially towards the latter half of the book and I wanted to see how it would all turn out. There is no easy fix but another theme of the story is helping those out who need it most and how in helping others we also help better ourselves. I enjoyed this emotional and moving story and I recommend it.

This started promising when Brooke, a single mother is carjacked with her two year old daughter Etta, trapped inside. Molly, a teenage runaway finds Etta abandoned still strapped in her car seat and takes her to protect her from harm until she can get her to the police. This book jumps from the perspectives of Brooke and Molly and the bond that is created.

Unfortunately, this was predictable and dragged on.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Friendships can happen in the most least likely of places and with the most unexpected people; but when it is meant to be, it can be a beautiful thing!

The only thing that is keeping Brooke going is her little girl, two-year-old Etta. When her husband wants nothing to do with having a child, Brooke leaves and goes back to live with her mother. While not the most ideal situation, it is the only thing she can do with her little means. One night when she is out with Etta, her life changes forever when she is carjacked and watches her car speed away with Etta inside. Los Angeles is large and getting Etta back won’t be easy. Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teenager. She takes Etta with her to the wooden crate she uses as her home and tries to keep her safe and calm. Out of the horror of losing her child and Molly finding her, the two forge a friendship that will help them both learn things about themselves they never knew before.

Each time I pick up a new Catherine Ryan Hyde story, I find myself amazed at how wonderfully she can write a novel. It doesn’t matter what the story is about, I am pulled in and fly through the pages each time. This story was one that tugged at my heart strings for both Brooke and Molly; each character is put through very trying times and fall on hard times. Both have mothers that they wouldn’t wish on their own worst enemies and are able to understand one another because of the hard times they have experienced and the lack of understanding from those who should be there to understand them the most. Building characters that are relatable can be very difficult, but it is one of the qualities that Hyde is best at doing. Each of her novels is so very different from one another and yet she still writes characters we want to see find happiness, success and love. We get to feel what they feel and live through their eyes. The combination of Brooke, Etta and Molly is so beautifully written that no matter the circumstances I wanted to see each of them find a happy ending.

Each new book by Hyde explores themes that are relevant to today’s world and this is no exception, we see the problem of acceptance, love, homelessness and LGBTQ issues. There is nothing that gets graphic or too heavy into these topics, but it does bring to light problems that can be glossed over and easy to ignore. I loved the flow of this book, I read it in just over two days and could have been quicker if I would have cut out sleep. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a story that tackles tough topics and brings characters together in a perfect and emotional ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way of creating stories and characters that really touch my heart. They always help to restore my faith in humanity. In Brave Girl, Quiet Girl, single mother Brooke and homeless teenage Molly are brought together by a traumatic event involving Brooke's young daughter Etta. Brooke and Molly both share a love for two-year old Etta while comparing notes on who has the worst mother. Can they learn to trust each other and find a path forward? Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

EXCERPT: My plan was to put on my seat belt to drive home.

I had Etta strapped into her car seat, still snoring like a miniature soprano buzz saw. I was sitting in the driver's seat of my mom's Mercedes, trying to get my own belt done. Sounds easy enough, but I was wearing a big, long sweater, and the folds of it kept getting in the way.

I go back to this moment a lot.

It wasn't much of a struggle before I gave up. It wasn't that frustrating. Which makes it even harder to explain after the fact. To myself or anyone else.

At best I can figure after the fact, it was this: in that moment I was happy. I was out in the world with my child, enjoying one of those perfect moments made perfect by the simple fact that I had her. I was in a state of joy, which felt increasingly rare.

When that moment of slight frustration arose, I didn't want to spoil anything.

I drove away with my seat belt undone.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: 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. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night.

Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness. Thrown away by her parents, and with a future as stable as the wooden crate she calls home, Molly survives day to day by her wits. As unpredictable as her life is, she’s stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm’s way to protect a child as lost as she is.

Out of one terrible moment, Brooke’s and Molly’s desperate paths converge and an unlikely friendship across generations and circumstances is formed. With it, Brooke and Molly will come to discover that what’s lost—and what’s found—can change in a heartbeat.

MY THOUGHTS: Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is the first book I have read by author Catherine Ryan-Hyde. She has written a compassionate and realistic book about the relationships between mothers and daughters, and our prejudices against the homeless.

The story is told from the points of view of Brooke, mother of Etta, and Molly, Etta's rescuer. Brooke is struggling to make ends meet and living with her very judgemental mother since the failure of her marriage. Molly, sixteen and gay, was kicked out of home when she revealed to her very religious parents that she was gay. She was told she could come home when she got rid of the devil that possessed her.

Molly is an interesting character. She is very moral, very honest. And she falls in love with the adorable little toddler that she finds strapped into a car seat abandoned on a street corner. I far preferred her character to that of Brooke who, although she despises her mother's judgemental behaviour, initially exhibits the very same characteristics.

I liked this story. I didn't love it. There were a few things, mainly concerned with Brooke's actions, that didn't ring true for me. I liked the way the title is taken from the mantra Molly whispers to Etta to calm her. I don't like the cover. If it is meant to be Molly with Etta, she is homeless, unwashed with dirty, disheveled clothing and unbrushed, unkempt hair. A car seat containing a small child alone under a street light would have better portrayed the pathos of this story.

Would I read another book by this author? Definitely.

😊😊😊.5

#BraveGirlQuietGirl #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: I am the author of more than 30 published and forthcoming books. I'm an avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan-Hyde for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

See, THIS is why CRH is one of my top fave authors...this ability to churn out a 5 star read once every 6mo or so. Now that's talent.

I thoroughly enjoyed Brooke and Molly's journey to each other, and I love how we wrap up with them becoming the "family" that the other one needs.

I'll be here patiently awaiting the next release (which is already up for preordering, btw) I'll always be a faithful fan, I just can't help myself

Thanks Netgalley for giving me the advanced PDF so that I can share my opinions with y'all

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded reluctantly down to 3 stars

I am always excited to read anything that Catherine Ryan Hyde writes. She tackles real-life issues with pathos and charm. She brings her characters to life in relatable ways. Her latest book follows the same vein as prior her books, but sadly, it fell just a tad short of previous books for me. It was a good story, but not as emotionally impactful as some of her other works.

Brooke and Molly tell this book in alternating storylines. Brooke is in her late 30’s and is a single mother to 2-year-old Etta. Brooke is back living at her ultra-judgmental mother’s home due to financial issues. She is unhappy at home. She feels stuck. Little Etta is the bright spot in her life.

Molly is a homeless 16-year-old living on the streets in an industrial section of Los Angeles. After being kicked out of her family home in Utah, her new friend Bodhi talked her into going to LA with him. She’s been on the streets for awhile, but at least she’s not alone.

One fateful night while driving her Mom’s Mercedes, Brooke is carjacked. The car speeds off with Etta strapped in her car seat in the back. So starts Brooke’s nightmare of trying to recover Etta. Meanwhile Molly stumbles across Etta, still strapped in her car seat, on a deserted stretch of sidewalk. Molly scoops her up, and tries to figure out how to let the police know that she’s found a baby. She doesn’t have money for a phone call. She finds Bodhi, and he agrees to head out to find get someone to call the police.

Brooke is ultimately reunited with Etta. However, she cannot let go of her resentment as to how much time it took for Molly to get the little girl back to her. In the 24 hours the Molly had Etta, she kept her calm, kept her fed, kept her dry, and kept her safe. She and Etta formed a strong bond during their time together.

The rest of the book explores the following issues; homelessness, the foster care system, mother/daughter relationships, personal integrity, and what it means to be a family. I found Molly’s story to be much more compelling than Brooke’s did. While they both were stuck in situations that were uncomfortable, Molly took a more active role in day-to-day living and moving forward. Brooke seemed caught up in her own head and was unable to figure out how to get unstuck.

I think this book did a great job shining a light on the realities and inherent dangers of being a homeless person. The plight of this population is real. Staying clean, safe, and fed is a battle they wage every hour of every day. In the face of that persistent homeless struggle, Molly retained her principles and integrity. She would not eat stolen food even when she was hungry. I admired that about her, but was I was silently urging her to eat the dang food!

I liked the ending. (Nope, not giving it away here.) However, the sometime circuitous route it took to arrive there was occasionally frustrating. I am giving this book a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded down to three stars. This is a big-hearted book about what it means to be family with all its inherent pitfalls and potential joys. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy books in the Women’s Fiction genre, and those who enjoy books that tackle social issues with open eyes and compassion. I am glad that I spent some time with Brooke, Molly and Etta, the ‘Brave Girl, Quiet Girl’.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Lake Union Publishing; and author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another winner from an author who if you haven't read any of her books yet you're so missing out. Emotional and taunt. You will read this book with your heart in your throat. Unputdownable. An absolute must read that no one will be able to pry out of your hands. Deserves a top spot on your TBR pile. Happy reading!

Brooke and Molly are from different generations and living in vastly different worlds. Brooke is a struggling single mother who lives with her own mom. Molly is a runaway teenager. However, when a traumatic event occurs, it will bring them together and change their lives. Reading this book is like slowly being enveloped in a warm hug. The relationship that develops between the two main characters is so hopeful and encouraging. It shows what can happen when you give people a chance and don't judge other people by their circumstances.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s latest story Brave Girl, Quiet Girl has provided me the reading motivation to read late into the night that has been lacking the past several weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with the suspense of a carjacking with two year old Etta inside, Molly the young homeless girl who finds her and the mother Brooke who must endure this ordeal and put the pieces together in the aftermath. In the true art of this author, all the characters are flawed and yet relatable and the story flows quickly. I highly recommend this book. I was provided an Arc of this book, all opinions are my own.

This is another feel good read from Catherine Ryan Hyde- and it's worth your time. Brooke's little daughter Etta is driven away from her when Brooke is carjacked. Molly, a homeless teen, finds Etta's car seat, shelters her for a scary night and day and then is finally able to flag down the police so that Etta can be returned. Brooke's not very nice to Molly but then understands what an extraordinary thing she did. Hyde doesn't spare the reader from the life Molly's been living, She is lucky to have had Bodhi as a friend but not in much of anything else. Brooke has issues too albeit much less horrid. How these three- Molly, Brooke, and Etta bond is at the root of this heart warmer. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters, great storytelling, and a positive vibe make this a wonderful read.