3.5 stars

Anton has suffered terrible losses and is still reeling from them in the beginning of this book. Coping with the physical and emotional loss is tough enough but when his parents decide to go away for Christmas, he is left alone to cope with loneliness as well. When he uses his new telescope, he witnesses his neighbor Edith across the street in a horrifying situation.

Anton decides to help her and the two form a close bond/friendship as Anton tries to get her to leave her abusive husband and begin again. As their friendship deepens so does Anton's feelings for Edith. Knowing she must leave; they pair know they may never see each other again....

This book read like a movie for me. I enjoyed the leisurely pace of this book. As we get to know the characters, we cannot help but feel for them. Who did not want to boo and hiss at Anton's parents when they planned and left for vacation without giving advance notice to Anton? Who did not adore his relatives especially his grandmother?

This book is very character driven. I tend to enjoy faster paced books with lots of action, but I enjoyed the pacing of this book. I did feel at times that Anton was a little too nice, a little too honest, while at the same time feeling sympathetic to what he has experienced in his life. I mentioned earlier that this book read like a movie; that is because this book spans their lives from when they met, and in part due to how the book was written. We watch as Anton continually make sacrifices and is almost too good to be true. He has learned valuable life lessons from his grandmother about putting the needs of others in front of your own. What will the future hold for these two characters? Will you like the future that Catherine Ryan Hyde has written?

This book examines family, friendship, love, sacrifices, overcoming obstacles, being there for someone, and coping with loss. Although the book does deal with some difficult subject matter, it is uplifting.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a beautiful story. This book sat in the kindle for months whilst it preyed on my mind. Once I started I could not sot and finished in two days. Anton, his grandmother Marion and his great Uncle are examples of fine people who guide Anton through his horrific home life, the trauma and his awful parents. When he meets Edith, although he is only 18, he is so much more of a man than many at that age.
Set in the 1950s and spanning more than 5 decades this is a love story in the truest sense of the word.
To tell more would invite spoilers and this book needs to be read and loved with the characters and events unfolding slowly and in all senses, surely.
Well done Catherine Ryan Hyde, a brilliant deep novel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In 1965, two weeks before Christmas Anton Addison-Rice’s parent's Abel and Vera decide to go on a holiday to South America and leave him home alone. You really question his parent’s decision making, his brother Greg and grandfather Anton had both passed away that year and Anton had suffered a life changing injury. Fortunately his grandmother Marion and great-uncle Gregor both check on him and make sure he’s alright.

Anton notices an incident happening across the road from his parent’s apartment a lady Edith is being assaulted by her husband and Anton is determined to help. One night a battered Edith flees her husband, out of desperation she knocks on Anton’s door and he offers her a place to stay for a couple of weeks. Anton and Edith are both lonely, they quickly become friends, Edith and Anton’s grandmother Marion are worried that he’s developing feelings for Edith; she’s fifteen years older than him and married.

Anton's only 18; he’s the most caring, kind, sensitive young man and Edith understands she needs to leave and not tell Anton where she’s going. I must admit at one stage I did wonder where Catherine Ryan Hyde was going with this books plot, but it worked and it's a thought provoking story looking at life's challenges and from two very different perspectives. I received a copy of My Name is Anton in exchange for an honest review and four stars from me.

I can always count on Catherine Ryan Hyde when I am in need of an uplifting book to read. Her latest novel has proved to fit the bill once again. The main characters of My Name is Anton are two wounded souls who endure the pain of letting someone go to prove authentic love. I especially loved Anton's supportive grandmother. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this heart-touching novel.

My Name Is Anton by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Eighteen year old Anton Addison-Rice has had a horrible, emotionally and physically devastating year. His beloved grandfather died and then in a single instant, he lost his brother and his right hand. Anton's parents have emotionally abandoned him and now they have left for a vacation in South America, leaving him to spend Christmas alone in their apartment. Luckily Anton has his great uncle and his grandmother, who worry about him, watch over him, and who abhor how he is treated by his parents. Anton is not okay but he copes the best that he can, without the help of therapy, which his parents won't allow. 

While his parents are gone, Anton sees a woman being beaten by her husband, in an apartment across the street. Anton befriends this woman and convinces her to leave her husband. Edith is thirty three years old and stays a few weeks with Anton, until she leaves on a train the day after Christmas, refusing to tell Anton where she is going. Anton has fallen in love with Edith and wants to go with her but Edith won't allow it, because she knows it's wrong, due to their age difference, since Anton is so young. And that's it, Anton doesn't see or hear from Edith until a chance meeting fifteen years later. Anton has never stopped thinking about Edith, never stopped being in love with her. 

Anton let Edith go the first time because his grandmother taught him that real love is putting the other person's welfare ahead of yours, even if that means their life doesn't include you. Now Anton has another chance, as a man, to see where life can lead him, with Edith in his life. This story is slow and very much about these two characters, especially Anton. He is almost too good to be true, selfless to a fault, and it was interesting to see how he handles life, trying to do the right thing even when it hurts. 

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

My Name is Anton is the latest release from the Queen of Intelligent Heartwarmers, Catherine Ryan Hyde. I’ve now read nine of her books and loved all but one of them - they usually feature a thoughtful and kind young protagonist making the best of a difficult situation but somehow she keeps creating unique scenarios which explore difficult human issues in a compelling and thought-provoking way, often set in the last century. This one did not disappoint, although it is a love story whereas most of her books are about friendship.

It’s 1960, and Anton, still reeling from the sudden death of his brother and loss of his right hand, has been left alone in his family’s New York apartment when his selfish parents decided to take a trip to South America at Christmas. Experimenting with the telescope they bought him for his eighteenth birthday, he witnesses a man assaulting a woman in their home on the other side of the street, and feels duty-bound to help her. When it happens again, Edith, who is fifteen years older, gratefully accepts his offer and moves in to hide until she can escape the city, and Anton falls hopelessly in love - but is persuaded by his kindly grandmother that “true love is wanting what’s best for someone even if it excludes you.” Grief & loss, family dynamics, mental health & adoption issues - and a love that endures in spite of everything.

By coincidence, I’ve ended up reading two books in a row set in the sixties about lovers separated by circumstance who reconnect years later. I’ve enjoyed both although preferred the characters here, especially Anton’s wonderful Grandmother and Great Uncle. This one is all told from Anton’s point of view, so we never truly know how Edith feels, and while the romance does seem implausible, their feelings when they do reconnect, never waiver. It did all seem a bit too good to be true, then the couple face a heart-breaking decision. While there are sad moments, this book is never depressing and I loved the ending. It’s not my favourite of hers, but it’s still a solid four-star read and I’m happy she has another twenty novels out there for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. My Name is Anton is published on December 1st.

As always, the character development in this Catherine Ryan Hyde book was top notch. I loved Anton. I love her writing style and how down-to-earth and matter-of-fact her characters are, and how much she makes you care about her characters. Highly recommend all of her books, but especially this one,

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Ryan Hyde. Another 5 star read!

Eighteen-year-old Anton is struggling after the tragic death of his brother and his own physical injuries. When his parents leave him alone for the holidays, he accidentally sees a neighbor across the street being physically abused by her husband. He arranges to meet her and to try and help her out of her situation, only to discover he's in love. When Edith must leave and not tell Anton where she is going for his own safety, his world collapses.

This is another wonderful character novel by this author, who specializes in getting us to feel things without the story being preachy or sugar sweet. The theme of this story is selfless love, the kind of love where you put others first, no matter what. And family - picking the tribe that lifts us up rather than tears us down. Grab the Kleenex and settle in!

How lovely to have a novel so well written and without bad language to mar what is a lovely story. I just love the way that this author writes with such depth of emotion, wonderful description and kindness. Although this book does have elements of suicide and domestic abuse these are only starting points to a story that focuses on healing, positivity and, overall, love. The story opens in 1965 when Anton (or Anthony) is just eighteen years old. His life thus far has been one of tragedy and pain. Alone in his home whilst his parents are holidaying abroad, he witnesses the abuse, by her husband, of a woman, Edith, in the opposite apartment and he becomes determined to help her escape her dangerous relationship. In doing so he falls in love with Edith who is fifteen years his senior. He helps her escape and assumes he will never see her again. Life, however, has a different plan and the two of them meet by chance many years later and a whole new chapter opens up for them. The book spans 55 years and is the most glorious love story. Two damaged people trying to overcome their past, painful history makes for a superb read. Anton has to come to terms with the tragedy surrounding his brother’s death many years ago which left Anton with a disability that shapes his life and knocks his confidence. The effect that Edith has on his life – and he on hers – is sometimes sad, often very moving but always a total delight. The kindness in this book - and the many thought-provoking little anecdotes – are touching and will remain with me for a long time. If you like your stories to be heart-warming, well written and with the most beautiful dialogue – read this. It’s a little gem. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again. This author tackles the tough subjects of physical disabilities, mental illness, domestic violence, foster care, adoption and family dynamics. She does this in a way that is not threatening or scary.
Anton has suffered so much in the past year. The loss of his grandfather, brother and his right hand. Anton is 18 and left alone for Christmas. While looking through his telescope he accidentally sees a woman across the road being abused. He seeks out Edith and tries to help her. Edith leaves town for her own safety Will Anton ever see Edith again after helping her escape her husband? Read it and find out. It will not disappoint.

Thank you to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc

One of my favorite authors, Catherine Ryan Hyde didn’t disappoint, in this beautiful novel about enduring love. As always, we meet wonderful new characters, a lovely dog and I know that a horse probably did fill that stable.
Anton is a troubled 19 yr old, still reeling from his brother’s suicide and the loss of his right hand, in an attempt to save his brother. Cold distant parents, that seem to resent that he lived and his brother died, have left him isolated, until the night he inadvertently sees something while trying to adjust his telescope.
This one moment changes the direction of his life.
This is the love story of two damaged people, that the universe literally brings together. Anton and Edith are linked forever and we follow the pain, struggle, losses and enduring love of a couple that had many hardships to overcome.
It’s typical Catherine Ryan Hyde brilliance that leaves you a little sad, but mostly warm and satisfied. I would have liked a bit more of their story after they reunited with Jenny, but my feeling is that it was all good.
My thanks to #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own. As usual, I loved the book.

Once I have a book in my possession by this author, it always takes me a while to delve into it. I know it will be a read that get my emotions going on so many levels, and I know it will be compelling. Her books are human interest stories at its worst and best. So many intricate stories within stories, pieces of a puzzle that interlock perfectly.

The author does a wonderful job of character development, especially showing Anton from a young man of 18 in 1965, surviving an horrific ordeal and meeting Edith, who is undergoing an ordeal of her own, to an older man of 73 in 2020. So many subjects are tackled in this book; abuse, family dynamics, mental illness and its stigma, love, adoption. Each part is vital to Anton’s story. Wonderful story, compelling characters. Highly recommend.

Thanks to Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Anton and Edith are both at very low points when they meet because Anton is essentially spying on his neighbors. He's lost his brother and had a hand amputated; she's being abused by her husband. It's 1965 and Anton, who is 18, falls in love with Edith, who he takes in after he sees it. She's much older, though, and she knows she must disappear without a trace. Anton's grandmother and great uncle help him through the departure- they are lovely characters. Then- much to his surprise- 15 years later he bumps into her. Can they built a real relationship? Catherine Ryan Hyde fans know that her novels always involve tough times and positive resolutions. If you haven't read her before, know that this will pull at the heartstrings. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Catherine Ryan Hyde writes an emotional story, with characters I always find myself taking into my heart. My Name is Anton totally lives up to this expectation I have of her books.

Anton is a wonderful young man at the beginning of the story, dealing with challenging life events. He has this amazing grandmother - Marion and a great uncle too. They know how to be with and for Anton. The same cannot be said of his parents. They seem to have checked out.

So there is a strong theme of family running through this book, and an exploration of love that is unselfish as opposed to love that is centred on "what's best for me".

Anton makes choices along the way. One I had some difficulty buying into but I did find it stretched me to examine my attitude and allow the choice to play out. It worked out and I was able to see the rightness of it.

Catherine Ryan Hyde explores some tough issues in this book, but with great gentleness and in a way that makes a reader believe in the goodness of the human heart.

I’d like to thank Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-ARC.

What I Liked

“We’re quite the pair”, she said after a heavy pause. A couple of walking, talking trauma zones.

We meet Anton when is he 18, has just been through a life altering traumatic event and is struggling to come to terms with the challenges life has thrown at him at such a young age, along with navigating his relationship with his parents whose approach to anything in life seems to ‘If we ignore it, it will go away’.

One fateful night, Anton, by sheer coincidence, happens to witness a horrible scene of domestic abuse and there starts our story – this is not a cheesy romance though. I’d say it is more of a mature take on love; not the heady rush of first love which can border on lust, but love that’s slowly simmered and well made through years, decades even.

The author has chosen the theme of a first connection that leaves a lasting impact and explored it further. The overall pace of the book and narration is gentle but with the right amount of anxious moments.

What could have been better

I think about 80% through the book, the plot started dragging and I was really struggling to stay dedicated to the book. The whole angle about adoption and fostering seemed to go on forever and I had to unfortunately skim read through the final 20% of the book. Also at some points, the conversations seemed to go around in circles which got tiresome

Verdict

My Name Anton starts off on a very promising note. The characters are well etched out, especially Anton (whom I really loved and he really is too good to be true  ). However, it just fizzed out towards the end, and I felt like the book should’ve ended about 150 pages before it actually ended.

I have read and purchased so many of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books. I just know when I see her name that they are going to be good and a story that I will finish feeling like I have learned or experienced something from reading it. This book was really a bit of a love story but somehow she manages to cover so many different topics but yet it all comes together nicely. It’s about an 18 year old Anton that has gone through a horrible trauma and because of this is disfigured for the rest of his life. While his parents are away, he meets a woman who is 15 years his senior who he more or less rescues from an abusive situation. At this time, he falls in love, but due to circumstances they go their separate ways. 15 years later, just by chance, they run into each other and that’s where their story begins again. This is a book that covers many topics including suicide, amputation, spousal abuse, alcoholism, adoption and so much more. It really amazes me how this author can include so much but still make the story so interesting. I guess that’s why she’s one of my favorite authors and one I can’t recommend enough. I’d like to thank Catherine Ryan Hyde for writing another great story and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m going to give this 4 stars.

Seventeen-year-old Anton Addison-Rice was still traumatized, seven months after his brother Greg died, and Anton had to have his right hand amputated. When his parents left for South America, they left him a telescope as an early Christmas gift; it was through this telescope he saw the woman in danger. Fumbling with the scope, using his one hand was difficult – he still didn’t have things down to a fine art. But if he had, he wouldn’t have seen the domestic violence occurring just across the way. Meeting Edith, finding out her name and circumstances, giving her his name and address – all part of the process which would form a big part of Anton’s future…

With Anton giving Edith shelter for the few days over Christmas, the woman he came to know was caring and selfless. And when she said she had to leave the area, get right away from her abusive husband, she also said she wouldn’t tell anyone, not even Anton, where she was going. And so it came to be – Edith left in the early hours of Boxing Day. Anton was broken, Uncle Gregor was the person he turned to. What would be in Anton’s future? College? Sure. Marriage? Doubtful. Peace of mind? Maybe. His main question was – would he ever see Edith again?

I have a new favourite author! Whatever I read by Catherine Ryan Hyde is perfect. It’s the best pick me up I’ve found; I always know she’ll give me a read I can become involved in; that I’ll love. My Name is Anton was no different. Heartache, heartbreak, love, sacrifice, and forgiveness runs through this novel and it was easy to be alongside each character, feeling their emotions. Grandma Marion and Uncle Gregor were two exceptional characters, along with Anton and Edith, and Hannah 😊 Highly recommended.

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

My Name is Anton touches on a wide variety of issues: mental illness, suicide, domestic violence, child protection, foster care, and adoption. Anton, his grandmother, great-uncle Gregory, and Edith are wonderful, kind, and warm characters. They are offset by Anton’s parents, and Edith’s husband. There are many touching moments between Anton and his grandmother and great-uncle as well as between Anton and Edith. Anton is an unusually selfless individual who puts others' feelings before his own despite the tragedy and trauma in his life. It is a little slow at the beginning but picks up as we get to know the main characters. My Name is Anton is a well-written, poignant novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Catherine Ryan Hyde for allowing me to read the ARC of My Name is Anton in exchange for an honest review.
I love all the author’s books and look forward to reading Seven Perfect Things, which is on my NetGalley shelf. This book made me smile and also shed some tears, which is what you would expect from a story about life and it’s ups and downs.
Eighteen year old Anton, healing from a double tragedy, is left home alone for Christmas. After witnessing Edith, from a neighboring complex, being assaulted, he decides to step in to protect her, and walks into a friendship of a lifetime. Despite her being fifteen years older than Anton, their friendship develops on trust, honesty, and deep feelings for both of them. Anton has to let Edith leave town for her safety, but always hopes they’ll meet again. Great story!

My Rating:

Story: 4 out of 5 stars

Writing: 3 out of 5 stars

Character development: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

General Fiction

Women’s fiction

Review:

The main subjects this book touches on are domestic violence, mental illness and disability. All these subjects are dealt with in a positive and sensitive way. The book is in uplifting and the characters are kind and good people despite the tragedy and trauma they have been dealt with in life. In fact the book could be accused to be a little too sweet. It didn’t bother me too much but I suspect in real life very few people would be this kind and good.

Overall:

The book is nicely written with interesting characters. The story flows well and paced well, there are no boring bits. and is very positive and uplifting. The story handles serious subjects in a uplifting way. If you looking for a book a feel good story that has substance then this is the book to read.

Review copy provided by NetGalley at no cost to me.