Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde captures what this "regular boy" went through in a way that makes you feel like you were there with him.

Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again. She is my go-to author when I need a literary hug. If you are already a fan, you'll love her new book, Just a Regular Boy. Her latest book struck a particular chord with me because it focuses on foster care and helping children recover from trauma. Unlike most novels with a foster care theme, this one portrays a realistic view of a dedicated care provider. As a parent of adopted/fostered children, I love how CRH models the behaviors and communication that help. When presented with a parenting challenge, I often think, "What would Catherine do?"

If you're interested in trauma-informed care, want a heartwarming yet realistic book where people heal, and need to feel as if there is hope for humanity, then pick this book. You'll likely devour it in short order.

Thank you, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for giving us another remarkable story with memorable characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in return for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Catherine Ryan Hyde for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a privilege to read a new Catherine Ryan Hyde book, resulting in thinking more about the people and world around me. I wish I’d had this book thirty years ago when I was young enough to consider foster care. This book is so inspiring.

When five-year-old Remy’s mother passed away, his father, a survivalist, moved them to a cabin deep in the woods, where society couldn’t harm them. They had no electricity, running water, or refrigeration. They brought a few canned goods and freeze-dried meals, but relied on the woods for their food, which was a big chore for a small boy. What is first just an adventure with his father, soon turns to a struggle to just stay warm and fed, especially after tragedy strikes and young Remy is left to fend for himself.

Anne, a foster mom of two, and a dedicated mother to all children, hears about Remy, and can’t rest until he is hers. About the time Remy has given up on life, tragedy brings him together with Anne, and his life will never be the same. There are many obstacles to overcome, including broken ribs, broken legs, broken arms, and a broken soul., but Anne connects with Remy the moment their eyes met.

This is a powerful story of love and healing. I’ll remember this family for a long time.

Remy Blake is a 5 year old regular boy when his survivalist father, Roy, takes him away from civilization to live off-the-grid in nothern Idaho. The telling of Remy's life changes in leaving everything he knows behind is heartbreaking enough, but when his father unexpectedly dies and leaves Remy frightened and alone, it becomes bone-chilling in its brutality of his survival. Anne comes into his life when a horrible accident lands him a hospital. What she finds is a young boy who has een indoctrinated with fear of others and the belief the world has somehow collapsed around him, and yet she sees the child within and becomes his foster mother. Ms. Hyde has brought real-time social issues into the story, such as school shootings, Covid, and just plain fear of "what's out there", in her telling of the journey Remy, Anne, her husband and other two adopted children take to bring out the "regular boy" that is buried inside Remy. Its a story of fortitude, love, confusion and acceptance that makes the reader think hard about the things that young Remy is finding most confusing as he learns about the "normal world" that he now lives in. As usual, Catherine Ryan Hyde takes on social issues that are difficult to deal with and lays them out for the reader to look at through someone else's eyes. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #JustARegularBoy #CatherineRyanHyde #LakeUnionPublishing

I own and have read probably more of Catherine Ryan Hyde books than any other author out there. All her stories are great as they deal with real life experiences and always have a life lesson that you can take away from your reading. Just a Regular Boy, which is set to release on 5/02/23, is probably one of my very favorites of her books so far. It’s the story of Remy Blake. He has had an exceptionally hard life for being such a young boy. His mom dies and after that, his distraught and depressed father sells their home and moves the 2 of them way up in the woods to a secluded cabin to live like survivalists. His dad believes he is looking out for Remy by teaching him that the country is messed up and that he shouldn’t trust anyone. After his dad dies from a heart condition while out hunting, Remy is left to take care of himself. It’s very sad to read about his experiences and what he went through living like that out in the wilderness. Then Anne, the most wonderful person out there, becomes his Foster mom and takes care of Remy and turns his life back around. She gives him love, understanding and a family! This was a sad story that turns very heartwarming in the end. I loved reading this as I do all of this authors books but this one is really special! I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I found on the Read Now section. This is a story I highly recommend to all readers and I hope to get a physical copy to add to my home library. It’s definitely worth a reread later in time. It’s well deserving of 5 stars and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

This is my first book by this author and I have to admit to seeking it out as a mistake as the author has a name similar to another and... well you get the idea! But, what a cracking mistake to have made. How on earth have I got through life without finding this author before... And, having had a peek at her back catalogue I think I have some serious catching up to do.
So... in this book we meet Remy who lives in the middle of nowhere, off the grid, with his survivalist father Roy. Roy is scared of something bad that is coming and that will wipe out humanity. He teaches Remy to survive in the remote cabin. Remy is a fast learner although initially reluctant as he was forced to leave behind his best friend Lester, and can't quite understand why. But they tick along mostly well. Until one day Roy fails to return from an outing. Remy is left on his own. He does well initially, being taught well. Until his food starts to run out and he is forced to take action...
Meanwhile we also meet Anne, a foster parent who hankers for another child...
Oh my days this book - darned near finished me off. It's all things emotional and I really wanted to dive into the pages and sweep Remy up and take care of him myself. His story is so well told. As is Anne's side of things. Obviously you see what is happening a mile off but there is a way to go before we get there and then the hard yards really start. Heart in mouth, forgetting to breathe, laughing one minute, crying the next. The whole gamut of emotions. But, and I hasten to add, nothing too heavy. The book is well balanced and I never felt it was more than I could handle and never felt unsafe. What was lovely was the eventual relationship between Anne and Remy and how it was two way, symbiotic, watch had something to teach the other. It wasn't perfect, at times ugly, but it was wonderful to witness.
All in all a cracking book, and another author I have to play catch-up with. Oh for more reading time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde manages to steal my time with her words. I was sucked in, wanting to know more, needing to turn page after page after page. She has a way of creating very real characters that her readers can empathize with.

I know that when I read a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, I’m in for a treat! Her characters come alive on the page, each of them facing unique challenges. I couldn’t put down Just a Regular Boy but had to read it straight through to find out what ultimately happens with Remy. Remy’s situation is scary and harrowing but he perseveres throughout, regardless of whatever hardships he faces. At times he almost seems too perceptive for his young age. It's a heartwarming tale!

I'm a sucker for a story told from a child's perspective, so I was excited for the opportunity to read this book.

When we meet Remy, he is 5 years old and his father is driving him away from the only home he's ever known, into the wilderness, to live in isolation and prepare for the end of the world. Reading Remy's perspective, made his worries tangible for me, and with a knot in my stomach, I was hooked. The tension of those first few pages can be felt throughout the entire book as we witness Remy's ordeals in the wilderness.
A few chapters in, the perspective switches to that of Anne, a wife and mother/foster mother, and we get to know more about her situation. The rest of the book continues to alternate between the two perspectives.

While I enjoyed this book very much, there were a few things that affected my rating. Mostly, as engrossed as I was by Remy's POV, I often found myself pushing past things that were contradictory to his character, or unexplained by the author. One example is that he often asks for clarification on vocabulary the adults in the story use (as a young child would), but then there are other times that he comprehends things perfectly that a young child (who has been isolated from the world) would probably not understand. While I understand how the author needed to push the story forward, these things were often distracting to me.

Overall, this was a great read, and I really enjoyed it. I've been meaning to read a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde for a long time, and now that I've finally read one, I look forward to reading more.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book made me think a lot, just like Remy, the little boy who also thinks a lot...not in a bad way, tho. There's something new that I know actually exists in this world, namely people who are called 'survivalists'.

At the beginning of the story, I was confused about why Remy's father brought him to live in the wild and forced Remy to become independent even though he was only five years old. I can't help but feel sorry for Remy. But I was also amazed because Remy was really strong. Even though his life is really hard, he can still think positively, especially about him who loves his father even though he knows his father is wrong. I love him a lot for that.

Apart from that, I really admire Anne and Chris, as well as their two adopted children, Peter and Janie. I'm glad Remy met this family.

For me, Catherine Ryan Hyde's work never fails.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC!!

I love books by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Just a Regular Boy is another one I love. Remy's .dad is a survivalist. He makes decisions that he thinks will be best for his son but... they're bad decisions. Read this book to find out the good and bad. The book has quite a few triggers - physical injuries, the pandemic, politics, depression. They are dealt with in a caring way. I hope you enjoy the book

Young boy in untenable circumstances: wonderfully told but heartwrenching😢

Hyde's book about young Remy and the ordeals he endures after his survivalist father sweeps him off to the wilderness of Northern Idaho just tugged on the heartstrings from beginning to end. It's so sad but I could not put it down! And Anne, the perpetual foster mother who takes in the most challenging children in reaction to her own childhood, is a real gem.

The author makes a lot of good points on the social issues raised in the novel. I did not feel she was ramming one point of view home as much as airing the confusion and uncertainties of modern day life.

Another absorbing, one-sitting read from an author I discovered a few years ago and now can't miss her latest release. It's so easy to get drawn into the story and take inspiration from it. Heartily recommended.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazing storyteller that makes you believe there is still hope in the world and good people do exist. This story tackles some really tough issues that exist in today's world and leave you feeling inspired.

Remy Blake is only five years old when his dad takes him away from the only world he has ever known to live off the grid as a survivalist. For three years, Remy is taught to trust no one and that civilization is going to burn itself to the ground. During the years that they are together, Remy's father brainwashes Remy.

When Remy turns eight, his father unexpectedly dies out in the woods while hunting. Although Remy has developed some survival skills in the three years he's been in the woods, he is still just a little boy. Very quickly, he runs out of food, is injured, and begins to fear that he will starve to death.

Despite Remy's severe reluctance and fear, he decides he needs to go into civilization if he is going to survive. It is an extremely challenging endeavor since he was taught to trust no one and he still strongly believes civilization is in the midst of being destroyed. Because of Remy's age and condition, he very quickly attracts the attention of people in the town and ultimately, the authorities.

Anne, already a foster mom of two children, decides if given the opportunity, she wants to take on Remy. This will be no easy task since Remy is severely damaged both physically and mentally from his time with his father and while on his own and brainwashed to believe the world is a bad place.

One of the most insightful and interesting parts about this story is that Remy's dad wasn't completely wrong about the condition of civilization. During the story, the world was in the middle of a global pandemic, mass shootings are occurring regularly and there is lots of racial and political unrest. What Remy and Anne teach us is that despite all of this, we have a choice to make, to live in the world despite all of the challenges and miss out on the positives or abandon this world and forever be alone.

I received a complimentarily copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I just love this authors books and this was no exception! Amazing story line! Love love loved it! Highly highly recommend..

I have to admit that the first half of this book, when we really learn the abuse and alienation from society Remy's dad puts him through is really hard to get through. There were multiple times where I considered not even being able to finish this book but I'm so very glad I did. Watching the way that Remy is loved by his new family and learns to align his father's viewpoints with the way society actually functions is incredibly thought provoking. I loved what the author had to say about functioning even with fear being a factor in day to day life. Overall impressed but definite trigger warnings required for the first half of this book.

I’d like to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Just A Regular Boy’ written by Catherine Ryan Hyde in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Remy is five years old when his father Ray believes that society is about to destroy itself and moves them to an isolated cabin in the wilds. Ray has a heart problem and nearly three years later he dies while hunting leaving Remy to fend for himself. Anne lives with her husband Chris and adopted children Peter and Janie when she’s made aware of a boy who’s so terrified of people and the world around him that he’s unable to speak. They become Remy’s foster family and although things aren’t going to be easy she’s determined to help Remy become a regular boy.

‘Just A Regular Boy’ is a truly wonderful story of an amazingly resourceful boy who after the death of his father is thrown into a world of loneliness and fear who, with the help of his new family, eventually learns to trust people again. This is an inspiring and beautifully written story of Remy who’s slowly but surely edged himself into my heart until I’ve wanted to scoop him up and cuddle him and make his world better. This is the third novel I’ve read by this very talented storyteller and just when I think they can’t be improved on she comes back with another. I’ve loved reading this story and have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone but I suggest having a few tissues to hand just in case!

Roy Blake is preparing to leave Pocatello and he’s sold his house, and he’s purchased some land in the wilderness near the Canadian border. Roy thinks everyone is out to get him, the society is falling apart and he wants to be free. Roy is a survivalist, he's moving to live in a little cabin in the woods, with no running water or cooking facilities, he plans on supplementing his stockpile of food by hunting and fishing.

This would be fine if it was just Roy, he has a son Remy and he’s confused and upset when they arrive at the remote cabin. Roy assures him they will be fine, Remy might only be five and even he can see his father’s plans are not practical. Roy has a medical condition, just before Remy’s eight birthday he goes hunting and doesn’t return. Remy is alone, he’s scared and he doesn’t know what to do? Remy sets out on foot, he takes what little food he has left and starts walking towards the Canadian border. A severely injured Remy is found, he’s silent and filthy and people have been talking about a wild wolf boy in the area!

Anne and Chris are foster parents to teenagers Peter and Janie and when Anne hears about Remy she wants to help him. Remy needs around the clock care, extensive physiotherapy and the doctors are not sure what the impact of being alone in the wilderness has done to his mind? Remy slowly begins to trust Anne, he wants reassurance that nothing bad will happen to him again and Anne has been instructed to gently tell him the truth. Is the world a bad place, sometimes, they can’t shield Remy from everything, and they have to explain about the Covid pandemic.

I received a copy of Just a Regular Boy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way of writing stories about obscure subjects, she always has a meaning tucked between the pages and a purpose. The narrative makes you consider what it would be like to be a young boy abandoned in the woods, his father was an idiot, how he made his son think the world is a bad place and everyone was out to get him. Anne has to confront her own fears of being abandoned to help Remy, it’s a story about feeling vulnerable, scared, you can’t hide from the world, life is for living, families come in all sorts of configurations and never give up hope. Four and a half stars from me and Catherine Ryan Hyde's books always make me feel like an emotional wreck.

Remy Blake was five years old when his survivalist father sold their home in Pocatello, leaving Remy's best friend Lester, and Lester's family, and driving high up into the wilderness where he'd bought land, preparing for this day, which had a small, very basic cottage for them to live in. Roy Blake knew the world was beginning to fall to pieces, that the killings would begin and he and Remy would be the only survivors. But Remy had no natural instinct for the woods and with the world narrowed to their existence, Remy tried to do as his father said. But the day his father died, when Remy was only seven, was when Remy's nightmare really began.

Eventually, starving, thirsty, mute and terrified, Remy knew his life was ending. The small town of Blaire, where he'd been existing in the nearby woods, was where he gave himself up. The doctors and nurses who tended him were horrified at old injuries that hadn't been treated, the state of this wild child, but Anne, a caring foster parent, knew that this poor child needed saving. Anne and Chris already had two foster children whom they'd adopted - she knew she would do the same to the broken child laying in hospital. But would Remy become a survivor? Or would his fragility crush him?

Catherine Ryan Hyde has a magical way with words. Her passion for the story, the empathy shown for Remy in Just a Regular Boy shines through. Her plots are always different, spectacular, and all I have read of this author's have been 5+★ reads. This one is no exception! Remy is an amazing character, with a strength he was unaware he had. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first introduction to this author and I was impressed! I binge-read this book on a recent flight and was willing to trade reading time for sleep.

In short, five-year-old Remy Blake finds himself swept up in his father’s quest for freedom and follows his plan for a survivalist existence. When something happens to his father, Remy is forced to grow up and put his childhood behind him.

Have you read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen? It had some essence of that award-winning book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s spotlight on the Importance of freedom, the impact of our formative years on our development and adult life, the exploration of fear-driven behaviour, and the encouragement given when facing challenges in today’s world.

At first, I couldn’t understand why references to the pandemic were important but then realized that it linked in with the theme of isolation. It was easy then for me to recall how I felt socializing after being isolated for so long and this enabled me to understand how Remy felt at being surrounded by Anne’s family.

Days later, I’m still pondering Miri’s philosophy. The more I think about it and re-read this quote, the more convinced I am that she is right.

“This is something you do with your eyes open. You look a the world, see it for exactly what it is, and then make this conscious choice to be a part of it.”

The heartfelt examination of owing fear as an adult and the guilt of acknowledging a tug of war between love and hatred within were expertly explored and left me searching out this author’s backlist.

Remy will worm his way into your heart and you’ll be in awe at the lengths Anne will go to help the needy.

I was gifted this book by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Anyone who has read Catherine Ryan Hyde knows that she will pull at your heartstrings.
And she has done it again with Just a Regular Boy!

Remy is only 5 years old when his father suddenly moves them to the middle of nowhere. Living as survivalists is not easy, especially for a young boy. The two have a lot to learn about making it in the wilderness. Remy does not like this life style and is thrown to his own devices when his father suddenly dies.

Alone, hungry, angry and scared Remy must fend for himself. What will he do when he runs out of food? What if he gets hurt and needs medical attention? How will he survive on his own?

I felt so angry on Remy's behalf, but was so impressed by his abilities and perseverance. He's his own hero.
Anne is an angel sent from heaven for sure. Not many people in the world can do what she does. And does it so well. I was also impressed by the two adopted teenagers who dealt with difficult situations and stepped up with very little guidance. If only there were more people like them in the real world.

Many thanks to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc.