Member Reviews
Catherine Ryan Hyde can always be counted on for a feel good story. Abby, 13, witnesses a sack of puppies being thrown into the river and jumps in to save them. She takes them to an apparently abandoned cabin shed until she can figure out what to do with them. Abby meets the owner of the cabin, Elliot and they become friends. Abby has an unfortunate home life and feels happy for the first time in a long time.
This book has all "the feels" Who can resist seven little puppies crawling all over you. I could feel Abby's laughter, and her and her mother's sadness over their life with emotionally abusive Stan. the ending was predictable of course but that is what makes it a feel good story.
Thanks to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc
Once again Catherine Ryan Hyde brings us a heart touching story of second chances. Her wonderfully depicted characters, Elliot, a grieving widower, Abby, a neglected teen, Mary, an abused wife and seven delightful puppies bring about a story you won’t soon forget.
Between the adorable cover and one of my favorite authors, how could I pass this book up!
Heartwarming, renew your faith in humanity book. CRH always gives us hope about people doing the right thing. Abby witnesses someone throwing a sack into the river. She dives in to rescue it and finds more than she bargained for! She just can’t bring herself to leave them to be killed, so she finds a safe place to take care of 7 puppies on her own. Living in an not-so-ideal family situation, she finds what she thinks is an abandoned cabin. Perfect solution until the owner shows up. Then her Mom finds out which leads to a whole new set of problems. You will cheer for this awkward teenager, her downtrodden Mom and the heartbroken stranger.
Quick read, another winning storyline from this author. Great characters, semi realistic storyline that will have you routing for the good guys and restore your faith in humanity!
Thanks to Catherine Ryan Howard, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!
Ms. Hyde's books can be counted on to take on issues and present them in a thoughtful, meaningful way. Seven Perfect Things takes on domestic abuse, animal abuse and cancer, all very difficult subjects, but the end result is a wonderful book.
Abby is a young girl growing up with a father who is abusive to her mother. Abby is struggling to get by day by day, using swimming as her outlet. Her swimming skill comes in handy after seeing a man throwing a squirmy bag into a river. Abby jumps in, recovers the bag and finds seven perfect things...puppies. All healthy, squirmy and loving, but she can't take them home.
Elliott, whose wife is dying, owns a cabin in the woods that he hasn't visited since his wife got sick three years ago. Abby knows about the cabin, and that it has been empty, so decides to stash the puppies there since she can't take them home.
Meanwhile, at home, things are very difficult for Abby's parents, Mary and Stan. Stan is a jealous and controlling man and Mary is completely dominated by him.
I can't tell much more of the story without giving away spoilers, and I don't do that. All these complex issues diverge into a deep, wonderful story of life, chances and the wonder of perfect things.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
While this book had some disturbing parts (obviously the man dumping the puppies in the river along with the emotional and psychological abuse by Abby's father), it was also a story of love and bravery. I found the main character, Abby, to be wise beyond her years and filled with a courage that was admirable. She was willing to do whatever it took to care for the puppies she rescued, whether it was giving up her carefully saved money to buy them what they needed or getting up early to clean and care for them. I really liked how the author incorporated Elliot into the story. He provides Abby with some insight into the adult mindset and she teaches him to find joy again after his beloved wife passes away. This book kept my interest and had me holding my breath at certain points.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
Abby Hubble witnesses a man dump a sack of puppies in the river on her way home from school and jumps in to rescue them, risking her own life in the swift current. The local shelter is no help, already overrun with puppies no one is adopting, they admit the puppies will most likely be euthanized. Why does everyone want these perfect little puppies killed? Knowing she can't take them home where her abusive father controls their lives, Abby takes them to an abandoned cabin.
Elliot just lost his wife to cancer and decides to retreat to his mountain cabin to grieve. But when he arrives, he discovers that someone has broken in and stolen everything. He finds the puppies in his shed and tells Abby she can't keep them there, but when one of them is injured and he sees how much she loves them, he takes pity on them and let's them stay. While working off the debt for the vet bill, Abby and Elliot become friends.
This story is as cute as puppies... all seven of them! I absolutely loved it, especially when Elliot offers his home for shelter if they ever need it. The way he stands in as a father figure for poor Abby, whose own dad never cared to spend time with her was super sweet. And now I want a puppy lol!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you want a sweet story that will have you smiling all the way through, this is your book. How can a story of seven perfect little bundles of energy not make you smile?
Thirteen-year-old Abby lives with her mother and abusive father. One day she witnesses a man dropping a sack of puppies into the river. She rescues the puppies but then needs to find a home for them. She takes them to an abandoned cabin and puts the puppies in the shed. She returns each day to feed and water them and clean up their messes.
Elliot has just buried his wife and needs to get away. Imagine his surprise when he arrives at his cabin and finds seven puppies in his shed and a young girl determined to save the pups.
Through the interactions of Abby, her mother Mary, Elliot, and the seven puppies, this is a story of joy. love, trust, and happiness. A perfect “feel good” story.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley to review. Opinions stated are mine alone.
Seven Perfect Reasons by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a feel good novel about how finding courage and strength can help you move into the unknown. Often this author writes books that help lift you and help you see possibilities where there is none. Her characters have to learn to find their way. In this case Abby Hubble is the main character. Abby and her mom live with her dad. He is a hard man, who constantly feels put upon. Abby sees and saves a sack full of seven puppies that were thrown into the river.
Abby tries to do the right thing and take them to the animal shelter, but upon hearing that they will be put down is just too much for her. She then takes the puppies to an abandoned cabin to save them from death. She realizes that she needs to feed and care for them and her life just got more difficult. Then Elliot appears. It is his cabin’s shed where Abby is hiding the puppies .
Her mother Mary, checks out where Abby is and discovers what is happening. Meanwhile her father decided that Mary and Abby needed to be punished and forced them to move hours and miles away without warning. Your heart sinks with his cruelty. However, not all hope is lost.
Abby and Mary’s determination is strong. You find yourself cheering them on! Seven Perfect Reasons by Catherine Ryan Hyde reminds us that there are really good people in the world and there are people who care.
Cracking open a Catherine Ryan Hyde book is like stepping into a warm hug. I adore reading her books and Seven Perfect Things was no exception! This novel is packed with heart, drama and puppies-what could be better?!
Abby, aged 13, is shocked when she sees someone abandon a litter of puppies. She heroically rescues them, and diligently sets about caring for them. Knowing her father would never allow them, she finds an abandoned cabin to borrow. However, the cabin isn’t quite abandoned! Meanwhile, things are getting tense at home and Abby and her mother need to make a serious decision. Another wonderful CRH book!
I received #sevenperfectthings as an ARC courtesy of #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Perfect! Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde was the perfect story for a couple of evenings. It took my mind off the problems of the world and totally refreshed me. Don't get me wrong...the whole story was not all wine and roses but, there was a lot of good in this book. It even includes seven little puppies. What could be better?
This author writes the best novels! I've read a few of her books and have really enjoyed them so I'm always happy when I see a new one coming out. Her characters in this book are wonderfully flawed and wonderfully perfect at the same time. My heart at times broke for Abby and sang for her bravery and success. She is so loveable and has a heart of gold.
If you are craving a wholesome book that will break your heart and put it back together again, this book is for you. It brings out all the emotions. You'll laugh, cry, get angry, cheer and just be happy you took the time to read Seven Perfect Things.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher and #Netgalley for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
What a sweet story. As usual Catherine Ryan Hyde had me from the beginning. A young girl and seven cute puppies. She, her mom, and Elliot are the main characters, and very good ones at that. I enjoyed the heck out of this engaging story and am so happy I got an early read from Netgalley.
Four Stars
Whenever I need a book for a palate cleanser, just something that will be a guaranteed pleasant, good and relaxing read, my go to author is Catherine Ryan Hyde. So when I saw this book involving puppies, it was a no brainer to take the plunge.
It's the last couple of days of school and 13 year old Abby encounters a truck where someone throws over a bulging sack into the river. She notices that what's inside is moving. Abby is on the swim team at school and isn't afraid of the water, so she bravely dives into the lake to rescue whatever's in the sack. It turns out to be 7 puppies. Without her parents' knowledge of what's just happened, she immediately takes responsibility for the welfare of these puppies. With a lift from a local woman she makes it to the pound five minutes before closing, only to be told that the puppies will most likely be euthanized because people haven't been adopting enough and they have no room. So she takes them up a steep hill where there's an abandoned cabin and shed that had been broken into in the past, and through her resourceful efforts assembles a makeshift temporary home for these puppies. I really enjoyed "listening" to her 13 year old thought processes in motion solving each problem issue she encountered being in charge of these puppies, including her rationale in assigning certain names to them.
In a parallel story Elliot is caring for his wife Pat in home hospice. They were soul mates and he can't imagine his life without her. They never had children because they were both focusing on their careers, when the unthinkable happened and his wife came down with a terminal illness. We experience the funeral repast arranged by friends where he's so upended he can't even eat the plate of chicken and salads placed in front of him. His work friend Roger suggests that Elliot escape up to his cabin where he used to enjoy hunting- just to regroup and find some solace. Of course he shows up to discover 7 puppies being sheltered in his backyard shed, with newspapers placed around and his swiped couch pillows strategically placed in corners to serve as doggie beds.
When Elliot and Abby met it was interesting "watching" them broach a friendship. His wife only died a few days ago, and he was still reeling from his grief. However, the unique situation that met him when he arrived at the cabin helped distract from his sorrow, and kept him busy as he helped Abby with her puppy problem. I also loved a scenario that Abby would propose to a people who needed to find a little bit of heaven: to just trust her, and lay down among the puppies as they would happily busy themselves with tails wagging and kisses to offer, climbing all around them.
There was also an issue with Abby's family dynamic that played into this mix. Her father Stan was very surly and made the home situation tense and unpleasant. Abby's mom Mary was a stay at home mom and felt trapped in an unhappy marriage. Both Abby and Mary clung to each other for peace and understanding, and felt threatened by the tactics of Stan. Abby and Mary found refuge and respite when they would surreptitiously visit Elliot at the cabin, and Abby would go their daily to faithfully care for the puppies.
This was a delightful, easy read, and kudos to this author for churning out yet another gem!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley
This book has been a perfect ray of sunshine. And, it has also worked as a palette cleanser after reading a couple of heavier books.
Seven Perfect Things is about a 13 year old girl (who is wise and philosophical way beyond her years), 7 puppies who she rescued from drowning in the river, a set of very unhappy parents and a grieving husband who just lost his wife.
The book is not all sunshine and lollipops. It has some dark and sad moments. Abby, the 13 year old, manages to bring wisdom into every situation. While in reality this probably would not be the way it happens, it is perfect for this story.
And puppies!!! Who doesn't love puppies? These puppies push the story along and play an integral part in the development of the plot. In fact, if it were not for these puppies, this story would be completely different.
The book has it's villain, Abby's father. He has not seen a happy day in his life. There is no physical abuse but there is verbal abuse. But, of course, good triumphs over evil.
This book has all the markings of a Hallmark movie, including the necessary happy ending. While it is not realistic, it is perfect for readers who want a light read full of happy puppies. I think everyone needs a feel good book every so often. This will fill that need.
I struggled to get into Catherine Ryan Hyde's latest book, Seven Perfect Things. While I did finish the book, it was only because I skimmed through many parts. It had puppies and I Iove those, but they were just not enough to hold my attention. To me, it was just a mediocre story. Nothing new and other than saving those puppies, probably not memorable for me.
I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on May 4,
Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde was such an amazing book, it touched my emotions the pure love that Abby had for those seven tiny puppies. Even at such a young age, she placed the needs of those puppies above her own. This sweet heartwarming book, grabbed me from the first couple pages and kept me turning the pages until the end. I would certainly recommend this book to others.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing, all opinions expressed here are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Puppies, a young girl, and her mother, unhappy with their current lives and a grief-stricken widower…all come together to bring you an absolutely charming, heart-warming story.
I read this in one sitting…really rooting for the protagonist to succeed. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a lovely, feel-good book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy.
Life is difficult for thirteen-year-old Abigail “Abby” Hubble. She doesn’t fit in at school and at home she avoids her stern father. He doesn’t physically abuse her, but warns her to stay out of his way. Her mother, Mary, is also wary around her husband as he has become so controlling. Abby is returning home when she sees someone toss a bag into the river and the bag is wiggling as if there is something in the bag. She dives into the river, pulls the bag out and discovers seven perfect puppies. Elliot Colvin had not been to his cabin in years and arrives to find seven puppies in his shed. The story continues as Abby tries to provide for the puppies. When Elliot meets Mary, and is made aware of their situation, he offers her and Abby a place to live. A heartwarming story as Abby does everything she can to save “seven perfect things”. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Oh sigh. Abbie and her mother Mary spend a lot of their time avoiding her father Stan's abuse both physical and emotional. When she finds 7 puppies which have been thrown in the river (what a creep), she knows she can't take them home so she stashes them In what turns out to be a shed owned by Elliot. He wouldn't have known about it except that he's come out to his cabin to mourn his wife. He helps Abbie with the puppies and then forges a friendship with her mother as well. There probably won''t be any surprises for Catherine Ryan Hyde fans but it's a good big hearted read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For when you need a feel good one.
I’m always lured in by cute dogs on the cover, unfortunately. Someone throws a sack of puppies in the river and 13 year old Abby jumps into a river and saves them. She finds an uninhabited cabin and tries to care for the pups there. The owner comes back and he’s nice, and helps her. The characters--a nasty, abusive dad, a spineless mom, a kind man, and a spunky teen—never really felt real to me, and the plot seemed contrived. I was very disappointed. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As soon as I saw those adorable puppies on the cover of this book, I got such a warm and fuzzy feeling I knew I had to read it. Abby, a young girl with an unsettled home life, sees someone toss a sack into the river near her home. When she notices movement in the sack she doesn't hesitate to jump in and ends up rescuing seven puppies which she takes to an abandoned cabin where she eventually meets up with Elliot who owns the cabin but hasn't been there in years. Told from the points of view of Abby, her mother Mary and Elliot, this was a well written, heartwarming book that I would recommend to friends. Seven Perfect Things is a story about taking a chance and believing in the good in some people. This is the second book by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I've read and enjoyed and look forward to reading some of her other works.
With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this story prior to publication.