Shortly after 5 year old Remy’s mother dies, his survivalist father takes his little boy to live in his cabin in the Idaho wilderness. Remy has been brainwashed to believe that society, as he knows it, is about to collapse and that he cannot trust any person other than his father to tell him the truth. The boy and his dad live a life of isolation and physical hardship, contending with abysmal weather conditions. When supplies become scare, this small child finds the wherewithal to learn to fish and chop wood, and feel responsible to take care of himself and his father.
Then the unimaginable happens and Remy is completely alone. Somehow he finds ways to survive; until he simply cannot.
Told from Remy’s point of view and the voice of Anne, the emotionally scarred woman who vows to save him, this tale of love, determination, compassion and healing was a difficult book to put down once I started reading. Catherine Ryan Hyde is an incredibly talented author who has the ability to shine a light into the soul of each character she painstakingly brings to life. It’s hard not to fall in love with Remy.
I found some of the dialog and Remy’s burgeoning linguistic ability a tad unrealistic for a small child, which accounts for the 4 star rating. Nonetheless, my enjoyment of this poignant tale was way up high with the best. I highly recommend Just A Regular Boy to all lovers of fiction.
My sincere thanks to #Netgalley and publisher#lakeunion for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. This author does not shy away from tough subjects or story lines, handling them with care, and she always takes all sides into consideration when she hits us with a point of view.
This story delves into what has been going on in our society in the recent years from Covid to shootings, conspiracy theories, and survivalist, all taking place around the story of a 5 year old boy, Remy Blake, whose father has taken him to live off grid, after their mother/wife has died. The father has instilled fear into Remy about a collapse of society, and people in general.
A few yeas in his father dies, leaving Remy on his own at a young age, too scared to try and find people to help him, Remy for awhile is able to survive, until their rations have disappeared and he can no longer fish. Remy makes his way to a small town, and starts taking food from a small convenience store at a gas station, until the owner keeps having his dogs chase him off. He also has been seen by an older woman who when she saw him getting water from her hose at night, leaves him water every night near her fence.
Anne a nurturing mother of two adoptive children, now teenagers has been wanting to foster another child, the more difficult the better, stemming from a childhood rejection that she felt, she wanted to make someone else know they were worth it.
When Anne hears about a boy that they are trying to find, she feels like she would be the right person to take him in.
A wonderful story line with a lot of people that are there to help, yet all balancing their own feelings, about the world themselves, and how to bring this boy out of his shell without discounting his fears.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book.

Love this author and her books. Always a winner with her, you know you'll get a great read. My first 5* book of the year so far. Definitely recommend this book as well as the author

I found this to be an emotional story, one that is both sad and joyful. This tender-hearted book reinforces how good some people can really be. The reader gets a ringside seat to the unraveling of one family and the rebuilding of another. A foster family tries to teach an eight-year-old boy to trust in people again after he has been living for three years in the wild with his survivalist father and no other outside contact. It is a daunting job, but with love and caring, Anne, his foster mother, and her family do just that.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC of this novel.

Have you ever felt like the world was so bad that you just wanted to leave it all behind and live as a survivalist in the wilderness? That's what Remy's father does in this new book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. After Roy's wife dies and Covid hits, he loses touch with reality and thinks people are out to get him. He takes Remy, his 5 year old son, to live in the wilderness far away from civilization, in a cabin with no electricity no bathroom, no kitchen and only a wood stove for heat. Remy lives an extremely hard life for several years. When he does come back to civilization, he has to learn to live as a human again with Anne and her kind family who take him in as a foster child. I love the author's books because she makes you love and connect with all of her characters as they deal with many tough issues that face people in our society today. Even though I thought some of the reactions by Remy and Anne's family were a bit far fetched, I did really enjoy reading this book. Remy helped the family come to terms with issues they didn't know they had, as much as the family helped Remy heal both mentally and physically from his traumas. As I finished the book, it hit me how appropriate the title was as it describes all Remy ever wanted - to be just a regular boy. I hope the author continues to give us heartwarming stories like this with deep character connections and meaning. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This one is about a little boy whose father is a survivalist and he takes him to live in the woods. There wasn’t as much dialogue in the beginning as I like but I know her books are always great so keep reading this heartwarming story.

What a beautiful book to have had the pleasure of reading. It touches your heart in heartbreaking and then wonderful ways. You see how others see the world and how it can affect this young boy. What a strong, brave soul I fell in love with Remy. This book was written so very well to make you feel all the ups and downs like you are there.

Book Title: Just a Regular Boy
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: May 2, 2023
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars

This is my seventh Catherine Ryan Hyde novel; my first was "Brave Girl, Quiet Girl” that I read in May 2020 and I have been a big fan ever since!
Since then I am willing to read anything she writes! When I saw this I knew I wanted to read it without having a clue what it was about!
One reviewer describes Catherine Ryan Hyde as the ‘Queen of Heart Warmers’ ~ featuring young characters you want to adopt!

Remy is just five years old and he and his survivalist dad (Roy) attempt to live off the grid in the middle of nowhere. Right before Remy turns eight years old his father dies. Remy is alone and tries his best. At first hunting and fishing then discovers how easy it is to steal from the grocery store. The owner is on the look-out for him but he is clever. The store owner knows he is living alone was wants to catch him and turn him into the child care. However Remy’s father always told him to stay away from anyone in authority as they would kill him.

Anne and Chris Sebastian has been married for nineteen years, they have two children: thirteen year old Janie and fifteen year old Peter who were first foster children and then Anne and Chris adopted them.
Anne has always had a soft spot for children who needed care and love. She said everyone want to foster or adopt children who are easy not the ones who are damage. Anne knows ‘they’ are the ones who need love the most.
Anne finds out about Remy by an accidental call – aka a butt-call. In that call Anne discovers where Remy is living and goes to see for herself. The store owner tells her that he is clever and is living near but hasn’t been to the store recently. Sure enough Anne spots him running in the woods and almost hits him with her car. He is filthy, with long wild hair and his clothes are much too small.
He is injured and finally caught and taken to the hospital and has to have his multiple injuries repaired- as broken bones, dog bites etc. have done untreated.
Time period is during Covid and Remy is sure he is going to die in the hands of this masked people. (Note: We are still wearing masks here in Southern California but I have no doubt it was frightening to Remy.)
Anne is determined to give Remy a chance at a normal life; she believes this "wild" child is just a regular boy and needs a chance!

Catherine Ryan Hyde is amazing and truly has to be a wonderful person. I love her FB posts!.
She is so full of love that I am sure she is Anne!

Wonderful story one that I will carry with me for a long time.

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 2, 2023

This was seriously heart wrenching and heart warming. Little Remy experienced more hardship in his first eight years of life than most people experience in a lifetime. His resilience was extraordinary considering the pain and neglect he suffered. How does a child come back from that? With a super foster mom called Anne and her beautiful, kind family.
This was a tough read in parts but Catherine Ryan Hyde never shies away from tough subjects. My only criticism would be with some of the dialogue. It felt too perfect, every person was a little too enlightened and clear in their communication and a lot of families do not communicate well. Both of Anne’s adopted children were so well behaved, yet they had come from the same tough backgrounds as Remy. It could feel a little forced and almost Brady Bunch like. That’s why I haven’t given it five stars. I would give it 4.8 stars if I could!
Remy was an absolute sweetheart and his inner thoughts were some of my favorite sections. You will be routing this little guy on when you read ‘Just a Regular Boy’.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

A poignant read about hopes and fears with relatable and kindhearted characters, A touching story of a great bond between the family, especially Anne and Remy. The pain and suffering that Remy went through was hard to read. It was difficult to believe that a young child could understand some of the deep discussions and concepts with Anne and the counselor.

Thank to the author, Lake Union Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I love this author’s writing style and was very much looking forward to this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy for the purpose of this review. I’m giving it 5 stars!

I most enjoyed the foster to adopt plot and the family involved. The young boy that they take into their family is suffering from severe trauma. The main character Anne is an amazing mom and I loved the dialogue she had with her husband and children. The story is fast paced and interesting. It even talks about Covid in certain scenes and gave a very different perspective on the pandemic.

Can’t wait for more from this writer!

Just a Regular Boy was such a pleasurable delight.
It begins with a father son duo who seem to take on more than they can bargain with near the borders of Canada.
The father Roy Blake was a strong, authoritative figure, who seemingly goes beyond the norm into 'survival mode' with his young boy named Remy at their remote cabin.
Remy is just 8yo when he becomes orphaned and has to fend for himself in a world that is uncertain and often fearful.
The pandemic, the wilderness, the rough and tumble nature of this book by the great Catherine Ryan Hyde is what draws you in and captures the senses.
Our world was at a stand still during the time this book was written so it's not hard to imagine going off the grid -even if temporarily for some self awareness.
However, in this case the idea that the father could be harming the child in some way takes shape and the books starts to have a sense of urgency around every turn.
It was gripping, emotionally compelling, and very relatable from start to finish especially in such a diverse culture as we have today.
The world is "wild" and this books takes the term to a whole new meaning!!
How can you not fall in love with Anne and her family who try to help this lost soul. Sure, there's some marital concerns but nothing they can't conquer if they work together.
This theme of togetherness and inclusion continues throughout this novel and really captures the readers hearts with not only adoption concerns but other means of self care and observance that propell to center stage.
In a world when anything can change on a dime, when we lose those we love, when the world is so uncertain it's heartwarming to know that Catherine's books will shine beautifully.
Thank you to Netgalley, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and Lake Union Publishing for this exclusive ARC as it was mind blowingly fun with an edge of your seat feel!

Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde, published by Lake Union Publishing is a raw and gripping, heart-wrenchingly beautiful read that gives all the feels.
Remy grew up with survivalists, preppers, off the grid and was told the outside world is a dangerous one. Orphaned at age of 8 he's all alone and lands with Anne and her two teenagers. All of them deal with issues, but accompany Remy on his journey into the real world.
I fell in insta-love with story and characters, 5 stars.

This novel will grab your heart and squeeze it from the first to the very last word!
It is an intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming, story of a five year old who learns to survive alone in the world. Brought by his father to a remote, uncivilized location; Remy's dad believes the world is going haywire.
He brainwashes his young son to also think that the world is evil.
What this child does to stay alive is nothing short of miraculous, especially following his dad sudden death.
Years go by and this young child now broken and exhausted- finally gives up and is brought to safely.
Will his foster family be able to care and love him? Will Remy learn to love his new family and forgive both himself and his father for all he has endured?
I dare anyone to read this story and not fall in love with this boy.
I admired and hoped that Remy would find happiness and peace as time went forward!
This is fiction, but it is so well written and so emotional that I want to reach through the pages and give him a hug!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @Lake Union Publishing for this incredible ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

All of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books touch my heart and leave a lasting impression. I ached for Remy who is only 5 years old when his widowed, survivalist father takes him to live off the grid in a cabin in the woods. When his father dies, Remy is 8 years old. His choice is to starve to death or trust that he can live among people again. His foster mother Anne is a remarkable woman and I applaud her for taking in Remy and teaching him about life in a family. Read this book. I highly recommend it and every book the Author has written. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

I've been an avid fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde's writing for years. This one is on a whole new level. The depth of her character development and her ability to paint the scene with her story telling was truly beyond anything I've read of hers before. Raw, absolutely engaging and finally heartwarming. We begin with five-year-old Remy, having recently suffered the loss of his mother, finds himself suddenly taken by his off-kilter survivalist father (Roy), to a very remote off-grid area near the national forest just miles from the Canadian border. As if this was not difficult enough, Roy has determined and instilled in Remy that the end of the world is coming and that they are no longer considered father and son. Just two men, working together to survive, he can no longer call him dad and he must work to help provide and survive. What starts out as a horrible situation only gets worse when Remy finds his father dead. Forced to survive on his own and terrified of the outside world his father has created in Remy's young mind, he struggles to remain off grid, on his own until he realizes that, physically hurt and out of supplies, he must return to the outside world for help. Enter Anne; A devote foster mom, who upon hearing about Remy, not only wats but damn near demands to foster this deeply damaged boy. Through determination and perseverance, what develops is a lovely story about second chances, letting go of fear and the chance for Remy to be a regular boy.

I would highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine Ryan Hyde for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published May 2, 2023.

I think I’ve read every book Catherine Ryan Hyde has written and have enjoyed, if not loved, them all. This book, in my opinion, is her best yet. I absolutely loved it! The little boy, Remy, goes through things no one should have to go through, much less a young child. His father, a survivalist, takes him to an isolated cabin in the middle of the woods in Idaho and teaches him that the conflagration is coming. He should not trust anyone, especially anyone in uniform. He endures unspeakable hardships, especially when he ends up alone. I loved the story of his survival, his learning to live, love, and trust again. The story speaks to the many dangers of living in this world and how we can continue living without becoming overcome by fear. The courage and perseverance of Anne and her family are an inspiration. I could not have loved this book more!

I thought this book was well written. The plot flowed well and the characters were believable. I enjoyed it but thought it erred a little too far on the positive side. Remi did have some trouble adjusting but it wasn't all that bad. So a little too happy ever after for me.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an easy writer to read. She writes so beautifully and wisely that, even though this was not my favourite book by her, I still enjoyed reading it.
Remy is a boy whose father is a survivalist and whose actions lead the young boy to have to survive in the wilderness. He is then fostered by Anne, who is a kind of fantasy foster mother, always going the extra mile for Remy.
It is all very positive but I suspect not close enough to the truth of what really happens in these kind of situations, to be really believable.

“ I feel what that feels like, to really rescue someone. And somehow it seems like when you rescue someone, they always manage to rescue you back.”

That old story of who rescued who?

Remy Blake is just five years old when his survivalist father takes him to 175 acres of remote wilderness to live off the grid.
What follows is a story of courage, strength, determination and survival

I have read every book by this author, and every book makes me a better human, it gives me more insight, empathy, courage, and kindness, and most of all it makes me look at the world in a different way