Shocking on many levels. Find it difficult to review without giving away details. But I will just say this novel went places I never expected it to go. Refreshing read.

I had no idea what to expect with this book and now, having finished it, I believe that is the best way to approach it. I read it in less than a day, not because I was hurrying through it or straining to get to the end, but because it was such a smooth, enjoyable read.
Every aspect of the narrative was top notch. The characters were sympathetic, the writing was rich without being pretentious, the plot was unique and compelling and the conclusion was satisfying. As a fiction debut, this book hits all the right notes. Can’t wait to see where she goes next.

This book is a surprise -- in the best way. Ethan, a loner without much family, and Barb, outgoing and close to her family, are different in many ways. But after meeting at work, they find themselves drawn together. They soon become a couple and then get married. Although Ethan does not love to travel, he agrees to go on a bicycle trip in Italy for their honeymoon -- and has a terrific experience. Back home, all is going well for the newlyweds, except that Barb hopes to have children but Ethan seems quite reluctant. To help convince him, Barb one day surprises him by bringing home two boys to foster.

Ethan embraces his role as a father to the point where it soon becomes the dominant focus of his life. Instead of being happy that her plan work, Barb seems increasingly distant and unhappy and Ethan withdraws deeper into his life with his foster sons. Then, Ethan decides to take the two boys on the same bicycle trip through the Italian countryside that he first did with Barb -- but that trip has a surprising outcome for Ethan and his two foster sons.

This is a well-written and compelling read. This is one you'll continue to think about long after you finish it.

Highly recommended!

3.5? Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This is a tricky one to review--I liked it, and really liked the concept, but I don't want to give anything away. If you are interested in mental health and how people cope with loss, give this a whirl. Also, don't let that scare you away because it isn't heavy or dark. It's more about observation and acceptance. It will definitely surprise you if you go in not knowing much about it.

I'm a sucker for books with quirky characters so I had a soft spot for Ethan - a quiet, introverted head of IT at a startup - from the beginning. The twist in this book was something that was quite unexpected and makes this book stand out from other realistic fiction books with quirky characters. (The twist also makes me want to reread the book now that I know about it.) This book would make a great book club book.

The Boys, by Katie Hafner, begins by introducing a letter from a tour company refusing future services to the father and his children, with no explanation as to why. At times, I wondered where this story was going but was driven to continue reading to find out why they had received the letter. I'm glad I did. Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

It's often difficult for a seasoned nonfiction writer to make a successful transition to writing fiction. But, not to worry here. Katie Hafner has made that transition not just successfully but brilliantly. In the hands of a less-skilled writer, Ethan's story, his optimism that he can overcome his discomfort among other people and his need both to protect his loved ones and his inability to share himself with them, could easily have dissolved and failed. Hefner has written a story - one that I could not put down - about the complexities of human beings and their relationships under, in part, of the magnified lens of the isolation of the first two years of the COVID pandemic. Some of the revelations that unfold in the second half of the book can be anticipated, but I missed all hints about the boys. While not "the" great American novel, The Boys tells a universal story in the most compelling way. It is a superb novel that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

I really enjoyed this sweet, charmingly quirky story. Ethan is a broken person, who develops ways to cope and heal himself, some of which are quite unusual. After discovering some hard truths, the book ends on a hopeful note for Ethan. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katie Hafner throws a giant twist into the story of Ethan and his wife Barb. They wanted a baby, but a visit to a fertility specialist proved that want going to happen. When Ethan returns from a business trip, he is surprised to find twin boys from Russia sitting in his living room. Barb explains that the boys need fostering and Ethan throws himself into the role of Dad. The isolation of the pandemic is perfect for Ethan Ashe can spend all his time with the boys…teaching them English, home-schooling them, protecting them from their many allergies Ethan’s increasing obsession with the boys causes Barb to eventually leave. Unknown to Barb, Ethan decides to take the boys on a biking trip to Italy - the same trip he and Barb took on their honeymoon. It turns out that there is more to the boys than meets the eye. Intriguing story with quite a bizarre twist, but The Boys is ultimately about the resilience of the human spirit.

Really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were appealing and their relationship felt real. What seemed puzzling became understandable in light of the covid restrictions. The last sections and especially Izzy’s role in the plot brought a strange story to a believable and satisfying conclusion.

Who are the boys and what is it about them and their foster dad, Ethan, that caused their tour operator to disinvite them from any future trips? Understanding this is the key to the book, and the journey to reach the answer is a delight. Ethan tells the early history of his romance and early marriage to Barb, and other than some hints that he harbors some secrets from his childhood, everything feels normal. When he reluctantly agrees to start a family, however, they learn that they cannot have biological children and seek other options, including fostering Tommy and Sam. As if learning how to parent isn’t challenging enough, adding a pandemic and all its stresses really takes a toll on the couple. The narration shifts from Ethan to the guides on his Italian trip and then back to Ethan. I did not anticipate the huge plot twist that explained everything and had me flipping back to see what I might have missed. This is Hafner’s first novel, but her skill as a writer is evident in the wonderful characters and conversations throughout. At times funny, sweet, and poignant, this is well worth the read. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc! Recommended