Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author who tells warm uplifting stories. This book certainly met that need. She also took on some difficult subject matter, family dysfunction, an abusive spouse. A perfect read during these troubled times

This book captured me from day one. I dived right in and could not stop reading. I have always been a fan of Catherine Ryan Hydes book and this one did not disappoint. This book spans over a time of a very young age for Anton until he is all grown up. If you believe in second chances this book will be for you. Definitely has its low points but the author portrays that in life there are ups and downs, and if you really believe you will find your true love.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this one early. Can't wait for the next Catherine Ryan Hyde book.

My Name is Anton by Catherine Ryan Hyde Reviewed on July 16, 2020 4+ stars

Aww my new favorite author, I read and love: "Brave Girl, Quite Girl]", I was looking forward to another Catherine Ryan Hyde read. Additionally am "following" her on FaceBook!

In 1965, Eighteen year old Anthony AKA Anton had 2 terrible things happen in his young life. His brother dies a year earlier and also has to have his right hand amputated. (We learn details later in the story.)
At Christmas his parents are so consumed with grief they decide a holiday over Christmas may “fix” things. However, they are feeling guilty about leaving Anton in the care of his elderly grandmother, so decide to give Anton his Christmas gift early; it is a powerful telescope, he has been wanting.

One evening while viewing the stars, Anton accidently lowers the view to the building across the street and see a domestic abuse situation. He calls the police but since he doesn’t have all the details only that the building is across the street and the situation is probably on the second floor. The police do check it out but leave without taking anyone in custody. Anton feels he needs to do something and decides to find out more. He befriends the woman Edith, who is 15 years older but learns to trusts him. So while Anton is trying to convince her to leave her abusive husband, he falls in love for the first time. He is successful in helping her leave her nasty husband and she and moves out of town.
Before leaving she says to Anton…..”I’ll never forget you. You won’t know where I am but you’ll know that wherever I am, I‘ll never forget you”.

The situation is resolved ~ end of story ~ right?
Nope! Shall we …Fast forward to 1980…?
Anton and Edith accidently see each other. He is now 33 and she is 48. He is an attorney and she is still struggling to find a good job. Both just happen to be in DC away from their individual homes but vow they will keep in touch!

Their emotion story continues for 55 years.

I love Anton and so will you!

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 1, 2020

My Name is Anton is exactly the kind of story readers expect from Catherine Ryan Hyde. The characters are unique and well developed. I loved Anton who is described by another character as a hero. His willingness to do the right thing even though he might not benefit from it is an endearing quality. His attraction to an older woman and how he behaves with her is the centerpiece of the book. This relationship kept me reading and hoping they would overcome each problem that was put in their way. A beautiful story that I will remember for a long time

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

#MyNameIsAnton #NetGalley

It's about an unlikely relationship that developed accidentally.

It's about second chances.

It's about a love story (not a corny romance) about 2 people who were meant to be together.

Heartfelt story, wonderful characters. I really enjoyed the older characters (relatives) near the beginning who were so encouraging to Anton at a very necessary time.

This “feel good book” in these tumultuous times is just what I needed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review.

I am a Catherine Ryan Hyde big-time fan. I’m giving My name is Anton 4.5 stars. I had a little trouble getting into the story in the beginning. It’s about first love, domestic violence, suicide, family dysfunction and selflessness. It’s really Anton’s story. But Edith is in it almost from the beginning. Anton’s parents are fairly useless but his grandmother is very much in his life and she tries to me up for his parents dysfunction. One thing I really liked about his grandmother was she tried to teach him about true love. As she tells him a story from her life she says that she let Anton’s grandfather go forward to a future that did not include her because she loved him that much. I found that to be pretty profound. But that’s one of the things I like best about Catherine Ryan Hyde- she always teaches me something and her characters and stories are very realistic. This book is no exception. It moves right along and doesn’t tell you over and over that it’s cold outside but tells you just once and moves on. I appreciate that. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Anthony, also is known as Anton, is left home alone for the holidays when his parents go away. With his new telescope, he inadvertently sees a man abusing a woman in another apartment. Anton later sees her in a diner and befriends her. Anton is 18, and she is fifteen years older than Anton. Over their time together. Anton and Edith begin to form a bond. He talks about the trauma he experienced when his brother committed suicide. And Anton ultimately lost his hand, trying to stop his brother.

Anton wants to be with Edith; as they get to know each other, he is confident he loves her. But he ultimately follows his grandmother’s advice and unselfishly helps Edith leave. Anton never knows where Edith goes when she leaves her abusive life.

Year's later, Anton is a grown man, and he bumps into Edith. This is their story. They never forgot each other. But now they can be together. This is the love story of Anton and Edith. It took them a long time to get together. But the love and commitment to each other and their children shines through. It is a story where loving someone may mean being unselfish.

This is a beautiful story. It is a story about love and family. The characters were compelling. I was drawn in from the beginning and wanted to know what happened to each character.

This is a beautifully written story. I loved the characters and the story. Catherine Ryan Hyde does not disappoint.

I received this book "My Name is Anton" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I did not want to put this book down. The story just flowed smoothly and the characters were great. I loved the storyline about Anton. Decisions, decisions, did you make the right choice or should you have tried harder? We all live with regrets but sometimes it just all comes together like it is meant to be. I love the setting from 1965 to present day.

This is my 4th Catherine Hyde Ryan read and all 4 earned 5 stars! Ms. Ryan is now officially one of my very favorite authors and a real go-to writer for me. Gosh, despite her novels having similar themes (in my experience so far), it amazes me how she can wrap them up with so many different storylines. My Name is Anton is more of a romance, which is not her usual, but one with exceptional depth and feeling. This is not a fly by night romance with a cute cover with the title in curly script (don’t get me wrong, I like those sometimes too). This is a serious love story.

As with all of CHR’s books, the theme is deep personal relationships trying to develop and survive in the real world and how important advice, usually from the elderly population, can help build and/or save those relationships. There is overcoming of adversity (yeah, I know, but CHR is a real pro at this) and the dogged determination of the protagonist to do the right thing. There isn’t always a big bow at the end, but there is always hope. And what I like most is the realistic nature of the characters. These people are our friends, our neighbors, our grandparents—real everyday people.

If I can think of any criticism of My Name is Anton, it would be that Anton is almost (ALMOST) too good to be real. This is an issue that is just on the borderline though and is not something that comes anywhere close to threatening the book’s 5-star rating.

There is virtually no action in this book, but there is certainly suspense in what is going to happen. I also reveled in the profound thought processes of our man Anton. So well, done, Ms. Ryan!

I am not getting into plotline as this is one of those books that should be read totally cold turkey. I did not initially read the blurb as this is CHR. I knew I would love it so did not hesitant to immediately hit the green Net Galley button. But I did read over the table of contents and in a way wish I hadn’t. I should have read it stone dead cold for maximal enjoyment.

I recommend this book for everyone looking to go on a deeply heartfelt journey with an exceptional protagonist. For anyone who is interested, ARCs are available as READ NOW from Net Galley, and publication date isn’t until December 2020.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing, and Catherine Ryan Hyde for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

What a beautiful book! It’s so simply written with no unnecessary descriptive text. A love story about two completely honest and unselfish people. I kept waiting for some cynicism at first, but then realised that there wasn’t going to be any, just a delightful story. I am so pleased to have read it.

Trigger warnings: suicide, physical injury, domestic violence, mental health issues, death and adoption breakdown.

This novel has a great premise but falls away in the overly saccharine sweet storyline where the happily ever after is effectively written in the first few chapters.

Anton has just turned 18, after a traumatic year in which his brother and grandfather die and he suffers a life-altering injury and is left alone during the Christmas holiday period by his thoughtless parents. During this period Anton discovers a secret about Edith, a neighbour who is being abused most violently by her husband and in an effort to ensure that she is safe, he befriends her and offers her an escape route should she wish to take it. Ultimately Edith does act upon Anton’s offer and flees her husband, staying with Anton in an effort to fool her husband as to her whereabouts. During the days they are thrown together in Anton’s family home the inevitable happens and Anton falls in love with Edith, 15 years his senior, but is challenged by his wise grandmother that if he really loves her, he will put her safety above his desire to have her in his life and help her escape and not have contact with her ever again. Learning the meaning of true love, he helps her escape and they have no further contact, until inexplicably they do, 15 years later.

The beginning of the story is strong, with the emotional damage inflicted upon both Anton and Edith through their own situations being portrayed in a realistic manner. Both are ‘damaged goods’ but find healing and wholeness in each other and the support they offer to each other. The love story is clearly delineated from Anton’s point of view but is less successfully portrayed from Edith’s side, indeed it comes as an unrealistic surprise to discover that she herself has feelings for Anton at the final moment of the relationship when is she fleeing her husband. Cue fifteen years later and miraculously they stumble into each other’s lives again and they pick up as if no time had ever passed. It all feels vaguely like a modern-day fairytale in which reality has to be suspended by the reader.

More of the story could have been made of Anton’s recovery from the tragedy that he has lived through which is where the real power of this story was and is lost by the overselling of the love story, which reduced the emotional impact that this story could have held. The author could have also explored how Edith recreated her life after such trauma that was inflicted upon her by her bullish husband, which is instead glossed over in a meaningless manner. Furthermore, the lead up to Anton’s injury could have been explored in greater detail with his mentally ill brother and his family’s inability to handle the situation due to a lack of understanding or societal embarrassment for having a family member mentally ill and it would have had a stronger impact as a story for it.

This novel feels like it is pablum fed to readers who cannot handle anything more challenging than a prince saving his princess on a trusty white steed. It just felt so like Movie of the Week as if the Hallmark channel would appreciate this story. It could have been so much more impactful. It could have been truly magnificent, searing piece, but ultimately it falls short.

This book was really good. I liked it but I didn't love it.
I didn't feel that sort of 'wow' factor in it. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was missing but there was that little something that didn't click with me. And that's the reason, it wasn't a 5/5 read for me.
I'll be posting a longer review soon!

I really loved this book! I have read other Catherine Ryan Hyde books and I have been torn by whether I liked them or not. But this book feels different - I really enjoyed reading it.

This is the story of Anton, an 18 year old boy who sees a crime happening and calls the police, and Edith, the 33 year old married woman that is the victim of the crime committed by her husband. Anton approaches Edith a few days later and begins a friendship. He ultimately tells her if she needs his help, all she has to do is come to his apartment day or night and he will help her. Edith decided the next time her husband hit her, she would have to leave him because now Anton knew about it and it made her feel shamed. A few days later, the husband hit her and Edith showed up at Anton's apartment door in the middle of the night. She stays with him a few days until she can sneak out of town. She doesn't want Anton to know where she is going - she feels he will be safer that way. Her leaving completely broke Anton's heart - yes, he's only 18, but he fell in love with her very hard. His biggest fear is he will never see her again. Edith just wants Anton to have a good life and know that she very much appreciates his help during a troubled time for her.

Fast forward 15 years when Anton and Edith have a chance meeting on a train. Can they pick up where they left off? Will their age difference matter as much now that he is 33 and she is 48? This is the story of selfless love, hope, mental illness, forgiveness and general family dynamics. This story is beautiful and should not be missed.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

My Name is Anton is another winner from Catherine Ryan Hyde! She is an auto-buy author for me and I was not disappointed with this book. This book highlights a loss but also the hope for a happy ending. A thread of love, and its healing power, is woven throughout this story. The story follows Anton from age 18 and deals with his struggles and victories in life. Triggers include: suicide, physical injury, spousal abuse, and adoption.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of “My Name is Anton” to review.

One of my favorite aspects about Hyde’s novels is that the characters are well developed. You’ll learn to love Anton, a young man who suffered multiple tragedies, and Edith, his neighbor who escapes a tragedy of her own. This novel will keep you engaged and eager to keep reading to see where their lives end up.

Catherine Ryan Hyde writes fiction that doesn’t feel like fiction. The stories she gives us are believable and completely relatable. I have read every one of her books and I always find situations that I, or others I know, can relate to. My Name is Anton is another masterpiece.

In this story, we follow eighteen-year-old Anton on a journey that will leave you in tears. As with many of her books, CRH toucher your heart and moves you to the point were the characters’ pain is so vivid that you can actually feel it. Not many authors can pull that off.

Anton and Edith, his neighbor across the street, meet under unique circumstances and at a point where Anton’s life is at a standstill after the death of his brother. Alone for the holidays while his parents take a trip, Anton discovers that Edith is being physically abused by her husband. Anton and Edith’s journey begins and is one you will never forget!

Anton falls in love with Edith who is 15 years his senior. As his love for her grows, he understands that in order to keep her safe, he has to put his feelings aside and say goodbye to the only person who makes him happy.

This book touches on different topics from mental health, loss, grief, love, and hope, lots of hope!. We see Anton at his very best and cry with him when he is at his lowest. This book will show you that true love is more than making sacrifices for those you love, but that no matter how old, the heart wants what it wants. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading CRH. Her books are much too beautiful.

Catherine Ryan Hyde's My Name is Anton is a story of enduring love. It is about an ardent love that knows no bounds and the years don't matter.

4.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Anton confronts huge challenges throughout his young adult life - loss of a loved one, difficult parents, a physical handicap. Yet he manages to maintain a great sense of integrity as an adult, even as he goes through the motions of life without great joy. The role of a special woman named Edith is central to the story and I won't give details beyond that. The story is a positive one as Anton overcomes so many obstacles through the support of a few very special loved ones.

This book is about an unlikely romance between a younger guy and an older woman, Spanning decades, this romatic story had also shown aspects of family dynamics, mental health and life in foster care.

There are several things I liked about this book. I liked the main character, Anton, despite everything he went through. I felt his kindness even after all that trauma. However, it was also good that he wasn't made up to have a perfect personality and throughout the book, had expresssed what he wanted in most situations. What was amazing though, was that as he grew, he was still kind and honest with everyone. I also loved his extended family but hated his parents.

The book had me hooked during the first half, However, I found the latter half to be a bit slow in pacing, maybe due to the lack of conflict/events to keep the story going. I also felt that Edith's character was vague. Although the whole story was told in Anton's point of view, there could have been more description of Edith's personality.

Overall, the book had shown what selfless love should be. This book is perfect for those looking for a warm romantic story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

It was great to receive an ARC from an author whose books I have previously read. I love her easy style of writing.
The story line is bittersweet with an unexpected ending. Anton suffered a horrific episode in his life as a teenager which scarred him in many ways. His parents were unable to cope and he was left alone over the Xmas period. Unexpectedly he witnessed domestic abuse though his telescope and this forms the basis of the love story.
I raced through to find the outcome and enjoyed the depth of the characters.