In the book, Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde, a 5-year-old boy named Remy is taken into the wilderness by his survivalist father after his mom passes away. He has no communication with the outside world, no electricity, no indoor plumbing and has to learn how to survive on his own. The book takes you through Remy's story of trauma, survival, and hope.
Hyde has written another gem with the book Just a Regular Boy. This is my sixth book by this author and one of my favorites. The characters in the book are fantastic. I didn't want to put this book down. I highly recommend this 5-star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When Remy was five years old his father who was recently widowed decided to move them to a remote cabin and live off the land.
This was a terrifying existence for the young boy as he struggled to cope with his new way of life.
When Remy is left to fend for himself he almost doesn’t survive and if forced to travel to find help.
A extremely sad story that had me hooked from the beginning.
Another wonderful story from this author and I can’t wait for her next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Remy was five when his mother died, leaving him and his father behind. His father - a survivalist - decides to leave the town where Remy grew up and takes him to the woods, where they'll live in the middle of the forest with no electricity or any connection to the outside world.

At a young age, Remy had learned survival skills to sustain his life in the midst of the hell his father placed him in. He was also taught by his father not to trust any human being and was early on brainwashed into thinking that everyone in the world is evil and wants him dead. What will it take to make him trust people again after his father's death?

This book was a pleasant surprise for me, having never read a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde before. I like books that are engaging and thought-provoking. This book was both for me. I particularly identified with Anne and loved the compactness of her speech. The relationships in this book are unusual and deep. I loved how both Anne and Remy helped each other in their own ways. The characters are believable and strong in their own right. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. One of my all-time favorites.

I shelved this one when there was no cover and no blurb. That’s my usual MO when I hear there is a new CRH book in the works. I have previously read 9 of her books and know for sure I am in for a wonderful read, and as usual this one was well worth the wait!

Just a Regular Boy had as its original title “The Survivalist’s Son”. That’s enough to send scary chills up my spine. Remy is a 5-year-old boy who, after his mother’s death to illness, is taken by his father to the wilds of northern Idaho to hide from the impending doom of the country. Kinda like what many of us are truly thinking these days, but not to the extent of losing ourselves in the woods to avoid it. I have to admit the first 35-40% of the book is tough reading seeing this child trying to survive in such an environment, first with his father and then on his own, at such a young age. Fear, hunger, fear, cold, fear, major injuries, fear, panic, fear, total isolation, and even more fear.

The book is narrated from the points of view of Remy and our second protagonist, Anne, who despite her marriage issues wants to adopt a child who desperately needs help. By the time she meets Remy, the boy can no longer remember his name, the fate of his father, how to respond to people, and what it is like to not be afraid of the world and everything in it.

This novel broke a brewing book slump for me. I grabbed it at every opportunity, even ditching my month-long mega project of slashing my TBR list, which was giving me more joy than reading (yes, really). Remy immediately had my heart as did Anne. I was rooting like crazy for Anne, along with her two adopted children, her iffy husband, and a kindly psychotherapist to save this kid.

There is much to fear in our world today. The threats to democracy, pandemics, natural disasters, domestic terrorism, gun violence (especially the school shootings--gah), and more. But there are still good things out there. How afraid should we be? How do we decide when to take our chances and when to hunker down, when to become a survivalist? This book made me think about these issues and other difficult topics brought up mainly in the therapist scenes. I appreciate how the author had Anne being totally truthful to Remy and letting him know that even adults have no answers to many things.

I imagine some reviewers will ding Ms. Hyde for skating on the edge of believability in many respects, but that didn’t bother me. She delivered a beautiful story that I found hard to put down, that made me feel, that made me think. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve already marked her next book entitled “A Different Kind of Gone”, which will probably be out next December. In the meantime, I am savoring her backlog of novels and cannot wait to pick up another soon. I highly, highly, highly recommend Ms. Hyde’s books for all looking for inspirational and emotional slump-busting reads.

I’d like to thank Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing, and Ms. Catherine Ryan Hyde for an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Another good read from Catherine Ryan Hyde, I felt I just had to go reading to see what happened next, an a lot happens in this book. A 5 year old take by his father to live off the grid, Isolated no proper home, wild animals and trying to survive. But when dad dies it a whole different type of survival.
Really enjoyed thius well written book.

4.5⭐️ this was such a wonderful book!!! The family vibes, and the way all the relationships in the book were dealt with were so heartfelt and sweet. Once I hit about 65%, I couldn't put the book down!

This is the story of a boy named Remy. His mother died when he was five and his father became a survivalist, and thought the government was after him. He took Remy off grid and taught him not to trust people. He was training him to be a survivalist. The things Remy went through is sometimes hard to read, but I had to read it.
His father died out in the wild, and Remy found him. Remy tried to take care of himself, but he was still very young, almost 8, but he didn't know that. He stayed there trying to survive on what his father had stored there but the time came the provisions were running out.
Remy was scared and fearful of people, but with the provisions gone, he ventured out to civilization. He came to a town, where he stayed in the woods, and when the stores were closed, and it was dark, he would go looking for food. They had a hard time catching him, but the day came that they did catch him. The authorities took him in, and he was terrified and couldn't talk.
He went to a hospital because of all his injuries, but the staff didn’t hold out much hope for him, but a lady named Anne, had decided she was going to foster him. She was a Mom of two adopted teenagers. Everyone thought Remy was a lost cause. Anne said Remy is not a lost cause. Just a challenging one. She had talked to her family, and they agreed he should come live with them.
It was challenging, but it was moving on as a family. Remy started talking, and remembering things, becoming just a regular boy. Hunters in the area where Remy and his father lived found a body. It was Remy's father, so they went back to where Remy had lived. The police met them and they walked in. It was hard on all of them, but they decided to go back once more, to have a funeral for him.
Remy, and the family, learned a lot about themselves along the way. The love that Anne had for them, they found a life that would be enjoyed, nurturing, and become a family.
It is an emotional read, from seeing the way Remy was, through the journey after being fostered by Anne, to the bond the family has today.
It is another book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, one that I couldn't put down. I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing.

Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde was such an emotional story mainly centered around a 5 year old little boy named Remy Blake. Since Remy's mother died of illness, his father, Roy, was not the same. Roy became a paranoid extreme survivalist. Roy moves himself and Remy to a very remote location, off the grid, in Idaho. The winters are harsh and they have no contact with civilization. During this time, his dad instills into Remy a fear of all civilization. After about 3 years, Roy dies and Remy is left alone to survive. He slowly makes his way to a small town. He has injuries, he doesn't speak, and his appearance is wild. Meanwhile, Anne who is seeking out another foster child hears about this 'wild boy' who has been sighted out in the wilderness. Are they able to rescue Remy? Will he recover from his fear of people? Will Remy go to live with Anne and her family? Will he have a 2nd chance at being just a regular boy?

This book was written during the 1st year of the pandemic so there was mention of wearing masks and vaccine cards which I did find annoying, but it was a great story that kept my interest and pulled at my heartstrings. It was a story of survival, trauma, healing, and love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Out of the mouths of babes” and “ through the eyes of a child” are two phrases that are the embodiment of Catherine Hyde’s new novel, Just a Regular Boy.

Roy Blake’s paranoia about the government and a coming conflagration intensify after his wife’s death. He sells their home and takes his 5 year old son, Remy, to live in a cabin off the grid, thereafter never exposing him to a normal life. He teaches Remy survivalist skills which Remy masters as much as his 5 year old abilities allow him. Then Roy dies and Remy is alone in 40 acres of wilderness.

Ms. Hyde’s novel is an emotional ride that encompasses all human feeling and thought with humanity at the forefront. Do not pass up this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader’s Copy— it was a privilege.

4.25/5 stars! Wow! This book was so unexpected and amazing. Remy Blake was raised in the wilderness by an 'end of days' survivalist. When his father dies at age 8, Remy is left to fend for himself. After running out of supplies he wanders to a small town. Watching Remy so very slowly heal and accept love and comfort was an emotional journey. Highly recommend this read.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
I have read a few of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books and enjoyed them all. A lot of her books are centered around a child with the story told from their perspective, which I really like. (Please read Pay it forward, which is brilliant).
This story is told by Remy, the young boy and also Anne, a mother to foster children.
So you get the story from both perspectives, which worked really well.
I loved this book so much. It was heartbreaking what the boy went through and uplifting that he found hope and a home.

I was drawn to this book’s description and the summary was intriguing. There were a few moments in the story that really pulled on my heartstrings but several parts were a little simplistic or unbelievable, and political views were transparently tossed in a handful of times (which can be a distraction for some readers). Overall, it was a good story and quick read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide a review.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoy Catherine Ryan Hyde books. They have a way not grabbing my attention from the very beginning and not letting go. She does a great job of building the characters.

Remy was 5 when he lost his mother. His father is a survivalist and losing his wife throws him over the edge. He packs up very few necessities and takes Remy into the woods to live off of the land, away from government overreach. Brainwashing Remy that the world as they know it is changing and everyone is evil. after several years, Remy finds himself alone in the woods. Afraid of the world outside of the woods. An 8 year old who is seen occasionally by the locals but never caught by social services. once he gets caught, it will take a very special person to earn his trust and tear down the wall that he has built around him. Anne is that special person.

I’ve only discovered this author since joining Netgalley, and I’m glad I did. All her books are captivating and emotional, dealing with difficult subjects thoughtfully and honestly. Remy, 5 years old, is taken by his survivalist father to live in the wilderness, to escape the coming conflagration. He infects Remy with his fear, and eventually Remy is left entirely alone.

Eventually, things turn around for good, thanks to a woman, who I will say, is a little too good to be true. But over all, a good story, told well. I will continue to enjoy this author, with anticipation. Thanks to netgalley.

An intense story about a young boy whose been living in the wilderness with his survivalist father and found himself alone after his father dies, and how he survived, the best he could, until help found him. I found the interaction between the little boy Remy and his adoptive mother Anne to be sweet and kind, even with all the challenges they face. I like seeing the step by step recovery of the boy and all the confusing thoughts he had to look at and overcome. I liked how his new adoptive family helped Remy see he was Just a Regular Boy and that they showed him that everyone can be scared and have bad things happen to them but that there are good people who will be there to help.

As always, I couldn't put the story down because I had to see what happened next and I liked that when Remy came to live with his new family, Anne included him in sessions with her therapist so he could talk about his experience and feelings and they could work through it together. It was such a loving story.

I want to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this wonderful story.

I am sorry that I finished this book. I wish there were ten more chapters. I am a long time fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde but this book has got to be one of my favorites. From the very first page to the last page, I was captivated. Remy is the 5 year old hero of this book. It is difficult to not to tell the whole story but this is a review not a report. The characters are very well developed~ I want to be neighbors with Anne and Chris. The storyline is one of the most interesting that I have ever read. I have already started recommending the book and I am sure I will be recommending it more. What a great book! Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

I received a free copy of, Just a Regular Boy, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What Remy went through in his short life is amazing, not a lot of people could go through what he did. Such an amazing story, the trauma the family went through, but still stayed together is amazing.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde as an author and her books are favorites of mine. Just a Regular Boy is her latest and another great story. So many emotions will tear through you as you read about Remy. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Catherin Ryan Hyde does it again and this is why she is one of my favorite authors.
This story is about Remy, whose father is a survivalist and moves the 2 of them away from society and off the grid at 5 years old. At 8 years old, Remy is orphaned and is all alone. Anne, is a foster mom with 2 kids and a husband. She hears about Remy and wants to bring him into their family. Remy and Annie help each other. Great story line with all the feels.
Thank you NetGalley for your advanced copy of this book.