Chester Wheeler is an elderly curmudgeon who chases away all of his caretakers. Lewis Madigan has just lost his job, his boyfriend, and his life savings (to his ex). When Chester’s daughter approaches Lewis about caring for Chester for a week, he initially declines but given his economic situation and her generous offer, he accepts. Thus begin the adventures of Chester and Lewis. Catherine Ryan Hyde has managed to blend a story containing pathos and humor. She forces the reader to consider end-of-life care. Though this is fiction, there are many realistic situations presented. I thought this was a great book and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. I give it 4.5 stars.

Lewis Madigan can’t believe his bad luck when, instead of the promotion he expects at a high-tech company, he’s let go do to cutbacks. Then he arrives home in time to see his partner packing up to leave saying they were drifting apart- oh yeah, he emptied their bank account, as well.

Now Lewis has to find a new job, which are few and far apart, while trying to figure out where his relationship derailed, though his homophobic senior neighbor is more than willing to explain.

Chester Wheeler is the most annoying man on the planet. He’s chased away every homecare provider his daughter has hired, leaving her no choice but to help her dad until she hears about Lewis and cons/begs him to step in so she can get home in time for the birth of her first grandchild.

Lewis would rather have his teeth pulled – without anesthetic- than stay in Chester’s house and listen to his abuse for hours on end, but he can’t resist the desperation in Chester’s daughter’s eyes. And then, Chester demands/asks Lewis to drive his jumbo motorhome across seven states so he can see his ex-wife. Once again, Lewis is forced into something he’d rather not do because he realizes this trip could be Chester’s last chance- Lewis has no choice.

This is a heartfelt story between two men with prejudices and the connection they gain during an epic road trip- a must read!

Every book I read by Catherine, I think "This is my favorite book her."

I can say with 100% certainty that THIS is my favorite book she's written.

I worked for a non profit home for adults living with HIV.
The residents were in different stages of their illness, and I have seen more than my fair share of residents die.
One of them in particular reminded me so much of Chester Wheeler that it made me laugh.
He gave us a run for our money just like Chester did to Lewis. In the end, he had a piece of our hearts and I know that a piece of Chester will stay with Lewis as well.

Excellent, excellent book.

Bravo, Catherine Ryan Hyde.

About the book

Lewis lost his job, his boyfriend, and on top of all that his old neighbor Chester is mocking him and constantly picking on him. Chester needs care and his healthcare workers are constantly changing because nobody can deal with him. When Lewis struggles to find another job Chester’s daughter asks him to take care of Chester and after long consideration he accepts, and not only that but he eventually agrees to drive Chester to see his ex-wife, his last wish since he is dying. Along the way the men get to know each other and learn from each other, and this trip will influence Lewis more then he’d ever imagine.

My thoughts about the book

I absolutely loved the story! Of course Chester is a pain in the $%£! at first but I love how you get to know him during the story and how he changes while Lewis takes care of him. That change also has an impact on Lewis who’s life won’t be the same after the trip either. It’s hard to read about someone being so homophonic at first since that’s something I just can’t understand, but seeing him change is beautiful to read.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an automatic want-to-read author for me. I have loved every single book she has written and is one of my all-time favourite writers. I don't know how she does it but her storytelling just takes me away and I have been reading her books for over twenty years. I loved Lewis and Chester's banter so much in this one, they are polar opposites but Catherine Ryan Hyde made it work so well. I loved that they learned from each other and grew to be better humans because of it. They also formed a special bond of friendship that was the last thing that I was expecting. Even though Chester is very ill and a miserable old bastard I found myself laughing while reading and the book is filled with such joy at times. I have to mention how much I loved the epilogue as Estelle and Lewis together was a perfect ending to an incredible story. Catherine Ryan Hyde is such a wonderful storyteller and she was able to put some life lessons throughout this book but she does it with a subtle hand. I will remember these characters for a long time. All. The. Stars.

Just a side note: Catherine Ryan Hyde is from Buffalo and I am from Toronto so I loved that Lewis and Chester live in Buffalo as I recognized the city and surrounding area, that was a nice bonus for me.

So Long Chester Wheeler m Gathering Ryan Hyde

Lewis Madigan is young, gay, out of work, and getting antsy when he’s roped into providing end-of-life care for his insufferable homophobic neighbor, Chester Wheeler. Lewis doesn’t need the aggravation, just the money. The only requirements: run errands, be on call, and put up with a miserable old churl no one else in Buffalo can bear. After exchanging barbs, bickering, baiting, and pushing buttons, Chester hits Lewis with the big ask.
When I first started to read this book I wasn't quite sure what I'd get out of it . Well , all I can say is wow . This book has given me more laughs and also tears than any book I've ever read before , to say it's a good read is an understatement.
I love Catherine Ryan Hyde books , and I guessing of all of them it reminded me of Allie & Bea ( different story but also a road trip ).
If I could give this one more than 5 stars I would.

The prolific Catherine Ryan Hyde has once again given us a poignant, emotional book to relish.

Chester Wheeler is an elderly curmudgeon with a terminal disease who has sent many a caregiver away in tears. When the latest one leaves, Chester's daughter begs her father's next-door neighbor to take on the job, at least until her own daughter delivers her first baby. But 24-year-old Lewis is tired of being the target of Chester's homophobic slurs and nasty comments. To make things worse, he's just been laid off from his software developer job and he's come home to find his boyfriend moving out. Nevertheless, he needs money to pay his rent, so he reluctantly agrees to a temporary stint in the caretaker job. Little does he know that it will involve learning to drive an old Winnebago to ferry his client from Buffalo to Arizona for a reunion with Chester's ex-wife.

The ever-changing relationship between Lewis and Chester is the highlight of the book for me. Their no-holds-barred repartee, as they both feel free to express their true feelings, is riveting, sometimes surprising, and includes just the right amount of humor to lighten the dark undertone.

You can probably guess that both men learn and grow during their time together, while never losing their distinct personalities, and--especially for Lewis--it is truly a life-changing experience. I raced through the book, savoring every word, feeling the pain and the joy of the main characters, and wishing it would never end.

My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I loved this book! To be honest I am a huge Catherine Ryan Hyde fan. I love how she tells stories and this is one of the best I have read. The storyline is captivating. It is really difficult for me not to tell the story in this review but I am trying not to. Trust me, everyone will enjoy this book. The main character is Lewis, a twenty something young man who goes through some major life changes in the beginning of the book. Lewis lives in a duplex and in the other side of the house lives Chester Wheeler. Chester could have been one of my uncles! I know him from somewhere. That’s how realistic the characters are. I hate that the story has ended. I want to know more about these characters. I have already been recommending this book to family and friends- and my husband is going to read it as soon as he finishes the book he’s reading. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review. Excellent book!

My heart sings whenever I see a new book from Catherine Ryan Hyde. I was lucky enough to receive her latest from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

This is the story of a young gay man who suddenly finds himself out of a work. In a desperate need for funds he accepts the job as caretaker to Chester, his terminally ill next door neighbor. Chester is a homophobic old grouch who Lewis can’t stand. What was expected to be a one week at-home commitment turns into a life changing road trip for both men.

With her exquisite writing skills, Ms. Hyde takes us on a journey of self-discovery with tears and laughter along the way. My only small critique is that I felt the epilogue was unneeded, or perhaps a bit too long. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and love Lewis and Chester. Definitely a book worth reading.

So Long, Chester Wheeler
A Novel
by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy of So Long, Chester Wheeler!
Catherine Ryan Hyde is by far my favorite author . She did it again, of course. Making you know and feel the characters. A new movie perhaps?
Louis and Chester are neighbors that start off as enemies. Young Louis losses his job, and Chester cannot keep a Home care provider at the end of his life... due to his bitterness. Louis agrees to take him on, as he just lost his job and boyfriend in one day. yet, as life is slipping away for Chester, I see a bigger happening. After a trip involving a Winnebago, they become friends. Life lessons are learned for Louis and YES myself. Such a beautiful story.
Thank God for Arthurs that write magic every time.

How does she do it? Every book by this Author is phenomenal. This is the story of Lewis, who loses his job and is dumped by his partner on the same day. Chester Wheeler is his 70 year old crotchety neighbour who needs end of life care. Despite misgivings Lewis takes on caring for Mr. Wheeler and they embark on a long road trip. There are many lessons for us all in this book. As with all this Author’s books you will feel many things during the journey. Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book is simply outstanding! I will never forget Chester Wheeler
as long as I live. This one is a journey of a bitter, old man, whose time is coming to an end. He can't do anything for himself, he has to be helped but he can't keep his mouth shut no matter who is offended.
There are parts of this book that are a joy. I laughed out loud many times. I had a lot of feelings about Chester. I truly will never forget this book, it's one of Catherine's best.
I love all that I have read of Catherine's books but in my opinion, this one could be an awesome movie. There are so many life lessons and it's a great read from start to finish.

Thank you so much, Catherine Ryan Hyde, your Publisher, and NetGalley, for the chance
to read this wonderful book and give a review in my own words!

I absolutely fell in love with this story!
Every Catherine Ryan Hyde book always share lessons to be taken away by the reader.
This novel is no exception.
Lives intersect at the right time. I believe that.
This is just this type of book.
It is a beautiful, heartfelt, LOL, journey of a bitter, elderly man named Chester Wheeler, whose time is coming to a close.
He needs care and is extremely difficult to say the least.
A young man named Louis,who lives next door to Chester, has lost his job and has been ditched by his boyfriend. He reluctantly agrees to become his caregiver when asked by the Chester's desperate daughter.
A paycheck is a paycheck! How bad can it be?
Not always an easy friendship for either of these men, lessons will be gained as they navigate through unchartered, frustrating moments.
This is an amazing novel that readers will definitely enjoy. It is a story that can be re-read when needed and in these times, we need people like Louis and Chester.

Thank you to #Lake Union and to NetGalley for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

I've just finished this wonderful book, So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde. A firm 5 STARS!

Neighbours Lewis and Chester, a very unlikely pair, find themselves thrown together by a series of unfortunate events. Lewis is a young gay man in dire need of a job, and Chester is an irascible old homophobe in need of a caregiver. Neither one of them wants each other around, but since Chester has run off all the local caregivers, and Lewis has rent due, they find themselves grudglingly accepting that fate has thrown them together.

They predictably get off to a bad start, but it's the start of a journey, both figuratively and literally for them, and what lies ahead is a bumpy road of give and take. They learn things about themselves and each other that challenge long held opinions, expose secrets, and break down barriers.

Don't get the idea that this is a gloomy downer of a book; far from it! We're talking heartwarming and funny, with wonderful dialogue and situations. It's a book that finds humor even in the most embarrassing or tense situations, and Lewis' wit gives a perfect comic relief when needed.

I fell in love with Lewis and, after a bittersweet revelation about Chester's past, I found a soft spot for him, as well.

All in all, this is an uplifting, feel good story that I highly recommend.

Thanks go to NetGalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Lake Union Publishers for the opportunity to review this ARC.

If you’re a follower of my reviews or blogs, you’ll know I’m a little in love with this author. Having first discovered Catherine via My Name Is Anton, I have since been first in line to make a request of anything that comes via Netgalley with her name on it.

So Long, Chester Wheeler did not disappoint.

Lewis, a young man whose life is spectacularly upended one day, finds himself having to make some difficult decisions. Mainly, whether or not to let his horrible neighbour, Chester Wheeler, into his life (albeit for a short period of time before cancer carts him off for good).

Told from Lewis’ perspective, this unlikely relationship (can we say friendship?) develops beautifully and realistically. The physical and emotional journey these two characters go through is really heart-warming, and told in Catherine’s beautifully honest voice, which makes it a joy throughout.

If you enjoy character-led novels, with a generous amount of soul searching and opportunity for reflection, then this is definitely a novel for you.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic book, I loved it from start to finish and read it in almost one day. Chester is an extremely unpleasant homophobe, so mean that his family can’t get any carers to look after him. Lewis, his gay neighbour, then has a series of misfortunes which end up with him being the perfect candidate for the job. At times moving, at others hilarious, and always well written. I hope this is made into a movie.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I did not expect to fall completely in love with this book, but I did…and quickly. I feel like it’s made for the big screen, it would be such a wonderful movie!

Lewis & Chester go through so much growth together. They saw some of themselves in each other and whether they wanted to or not, they bonded. I cannot rave about this book enough, it was so perfect.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing!

Lewis has lost his job and his boyfriend. He needs money. He lives next door to an old man named Chester. Chester is horrible and treats Lewis badly. He's so horrible that his home health aides have all quit. Chester's daughter asks if Lewis will be a caretaker for a few days. He reluctantly agrees because he needs the money and soon he is driving across the country with Chester as Chester tries to make amends with his ex wife.

This book is an absolute treasure. I loved reading about Lewis as he tries to figure out all the parts of Chester. Chester has a softer side that's hidden deep under this hard exterior of a man who has been hurt and doesn't understand how he got to this part in life. This book is a little bit like a Man Called Ove and I get the comparisons, but this book stands on its own. There's humor, kindness. pain, humility. So many feelings about this one. I loved it.

Lewis is a 24 yr old man who finds himself without a job and his boyfriend leaves him the same day. He lives next door to Chester Wheeler who is a 70 year old man dying of cancer and no one gets along with him including his daughter or anyone in town. He needs 24/7 care and since she can’t find anyone willing to take care of him, she offers the job to Lewis. This book had me laughing out loud many times throughout! Lewis and Chester go on a trip - a very long car trip and what could happen then? Everything! I just love every single book Catherine Ryan Hyde writes and this may be my latest favorite of hers. She’s such a great storyteller! I highly recommend ALL - EVERY SINGLE BOOK- that Catherine writes!!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. Might just be my favorite book of 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the copy of So Long, Chester Wheeler. I love all of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books but a few are really special and this is one of them. Ms Hyde excels at painting vivid, three dimensional characters and this book is no exception. The relationships between the characters really shine. The unlikely relationship between Lewis and Chester is tough but touching. The relationships Lewis develops with other people in Chester’s life are beautiful because of the relationship Lewis has forged with Chester. There are subtle life lessons woven through the story that can benefit readers of all ages. Do not miss this book!