I received an ARC of this delightful novel through NetGalley.

The reader can always count on an uplifting plot from author CRH. Outstanding character portraits are also an element present in all her novels.

This story is about two characters. Ru is a 13-year-old girl, a genius already entering an elite college at her incredibly young age. Gabriel is a 17-year-old boy who develops a sibling type relationship with Ru when Ru moves in with Gabriel's family after Ru's mother died. Gabriel wears eye makeup and paints his nails, which sets some people off, but not Ru.

Circumstances caused Gabriel and Ru to decide to take off from California on an adventure trip to the northern reaches of Canada. This trip was rather risky, given their ages, lack of money, dicey weather, etc. If there was a plan for this trip, things did not go completely as hoped.
While the characters were great and the adventure trip rather daring, I did not easily grasp what the point of this story was. I guess it was about being yourself, living your dreams, daring to be different.

A fast-moving, eloquently written novel.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always writes emotional stories that wrap around you like a warm hug.
This story is no different. Grab your kleenex.

Ru Evans just turned thirteen when she was accepted into college. She's a sheltered child with an eidetic memory, and the campus that accepted her is 150 miles away, which is difficult for her mother in letting go. With some convincing, she finally agreed to let Ru board with the Galbranson family, who have a seventeen-year-old son.

Gabriel is 17 and a bit of a misfit, but he and Ru form a tight, sibling type bond, and he loves that she accepts him as he is. When tragedy strikes and up roots Ru's life, Gabriel knows what she needs. The two of them take off on a road trip. They travel from California to Canada to see the Northern Lights and ultimately the Puffins.
This trip was everything! A journey of self-discovery that was magical and transformative.

I loved this book so much. It was beautifully written, and Hyde's ability to capture and put on paper the magic of the Northern Lights was just exceptional!
I also loved how the author examines the average teen struggles with peer pressure, fitting in, acceptance, and, in this case, loss and grief.

Life, Loss and Puffins is a deeply moving coming of age story thst is not to be missed.

I laughed
I cried.
I hugged my Kindle ♥︎

I like Hyde; she’s a really great writer and storyteller. I’ve really enjoyed all seven of the books of hers that I have read so far. This one was no exception to that rule. I loved Ru, from the get-go. I have a couple of people in my family who are neurodivergent and one of the characteristics that I love about them is their honest reactions and feelings about the things they experience in life. Some might call it brutal honesty, to a fault, but I don’t see it that way. It’s been my experience, at least with my neurodivergent relatives, they’re reactions and opinions aren’t meant to be cruel or hurtful, they seem to come from a place of just plain and simple honesty and a need to be transparent and maybe even helpful in the way a teacher would be in an exchange of facts and opinions with a student. On that note, I have learned a lot from them.

Anyway, I found Ru endearing and during their travels, Ru and Gabriel tell people that Ru is 22yrs old because Ru definitely comes across as so much more intelligent and wiser than her 13yrs (she looks like a typical 13yr old). Gabriel is a 17yr old boy who likes to wear nail polish and make-up and is a kid who is obviously experimenting with his own gender identity and place in the world. Sometimes I think that the neurodivergent and/or nonbinary youth today are somewhat better off in their efforts to live authentically, then when I was a teenager (late 70’s early 80’s). Other times, I realize they face the same old biased, judgmental crap that has always been there for anyone who isn’t neurotypical and/or cisgender. Kind of sad and something that will probably not change in my lifetime, but something I hope for the future generations. This story depicts that while Ru accepts Gabriel for who he is, that isn’t always the response Gabriel gets from others.

The book summary pretty much lays out the first half of the story, so I’m not going to repeat any of that here. What the book summary doesn’t really mention much of is that Ru’s “escape” is actually Ru and Gabriel running away in the dead of night. On the road, they develop a “college list”, which is just basically a “bucket list”. From the get-go, Ru and Gabriel just click and begin developing a bond (kind of a sibling bond) as they clear a few bucket list items. This special relationship will also see them through some coming-of-age moments and their efforts to become the kind of people they want to be in spite of what their mothers and other adults in their life want for them.

At 269pgs, the end comes pretty fast and it was a little bit of a tearjerker for me. Quite a few of CRH’s books have had that effect on me. The character development of Ru and Gabriel was fleshed out pretty well. It would have been nice to know just a little more about their mothers as well as Aunt Bitsy. The pacing seemed really good too. The storyline and CRH writing were wonderful. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.43 that I’m going to round up to a 5star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #LifeLossandPuffins

Another solid winner for the YA shelf from Catherine Ryan Hyde! While most of it needed a strong suspension of reality, I loved her descriptions of the stars and explanations of astronomy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Rumaki or Ru, as she’s called, is 13 years old and is freakishly smart. How’d she know that? Her mama called her that at five years of age, and it’s true. You see Ru has an eidetic memory.. If she ever saw, heard, or read it, she remembers it all. Her mind “photographs” the information. One sad part of her predicament is that she has no friends, school is boring, she’s isolated and unchallenged. Upon graduating high school at age 13, she is offered a free ride to a prestigious university. Her single mom makes a decision to allow her to accept the offer. The college, Wellington, is not too far away, but far enough so that she will need to live there. Thirteen is way too young for dorm life, so her mom finds a family that will accept her as a paid boarder. Gabriel is the 17 year old son living with his divorced mother, so the boarding money comes in handy. Gabriel is also a social outcast. He has chosen, a a non binary identity and isn’t concerned for others to know. Ru and Gabriel quickly bond, forming a deep abiding friendship. Their relationship is a sweet friendship and not in anyway, boyfriend and girlfriend.

And here is where the adventure of Gabriel and Ru begins.


Oddly, Ru’s mom makes excuse after excuse for not visiting her young daughter at college and bringing her home for weekend visits. Ru senses that something is wrong at home. Gabriel drives Ru back home, unannounced, one weekend and she discovers her mom is sick and dying of an aggressive form of lung cancer. If her mom does in fact die, Ru is to become the ward of her nasty aunt, Bitsy who has well earned her adjective. Ru hates her aunt and the feeling is mutual. You, reader, will develop a dislike for Bitsy as well.

Ru and Gabriel, hatch a plan to fulfill a dream. The dream, while understandable exciting is not honorable. The pair take off in Gabriel’s very yellow car to drive to Canada to see puffins and the Aurora Borealis. The idea is fairly half baked for two underage children with little money and the problem of crossing the Canadian border as unaccompanied minors. Still the adventure is heartwarming and so monumental that I didn’t want to take a break from reading. Their journey is life altering, by the people and experiences they encounter along the way. 


One thing that had me wondering as I finished the last chapter and it seems Ru is now an adult is, who are the girls she is telling her story to? I want to think they are her daughters, but there is absolutely no indication to that as a fact.

You will enjoy the author's vivid descriptions of the night sky and places the two encounter along the way. I highly recommend this emotional novel about grief, hope, friendship, and life. I really would enjoy reading a sequel to get the questions about Ru and Gabriel life post adventure answered upon closing the book.

I am a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde from the first book she wrote Pay It Forward. This book totally lived up to any expectation that I had and I just could not put it down. It is the story of love, loss, family, friendships and so much more. I found all the characters to be beautifully introduced, developed and ones worth following. Even the ones you were not supposed to like were brilliantly described. I loved Gabriel and Ru and their adventures together as a 13 year old brilliant girl forms a friendship with an 18 year old outcast. This is a book I will long remember and whole heartedly endorse. Do not fail to read this one. The title of the books is absolutely perfect for it.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.

I love books by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This one started out on the slower side for me but it was a very enjoyable read. It was a very heartwarming story and you experienced the friendship of the two main characters that was a bit unusual You ended up taking a road trip with them and you end up learning about love, acceptance, and true friendship.

One day I will make it to see the Aurora Borealis but until then it was brought to life a little in this book.

Normally I cry at the end of a Catherine Ryan Hyde book however with this one I did not. But I did come out of it with a nice smile on my face with the ending of the story.

Well done!!!

Great story! Two resourceful teens on an unforgettable quest🌌

What a great adventure story that took me to places and sights that rank high on my bucket list. Catherine Ryan Hyde really is a expert at creating young characters who confront their challenges with bravery and determination.

Whiz kid Ru and her instant best friend Gabriel leave the upheaval and sadness of Ru's life behind and undertake a daunting journey to experience three natural wonders that have captivated Ru's imagination. They're minors but never let that stop them. I loved the tale of their journey and the characters they meet along the way, especially Gladys and her generous family, and the teachers who help Ru when her freedom road runs out.

But the best parts of the story were the solid friendship between Gabriel and Ru and the wonder and joy they shared gazing at the sky and supporting each other, no matter the possible consequences.

The ending is a bit sketchy, but in the most important respects it left me satisfied with Ru and Gabriel's eventual fate.

This story definitely got across the message of the value of friendship and living in the moment.

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 writes the kind of books I want to snuggle up in a chair with and read from cover to cover. Her characters dance off the page, so lifelike with real assets and human flaws, so completely believable. When I was offered the opportunity to read and review Life, Loss, and Puffins, there was no doubt a heartwarming treat was in store.

Ru(maki ) is a 13 year old freakishly smart, friendless young lady. School is boring, isolating, and unchallenging for her. Her single mom makes a decision to allow her to accept a free ride to Wellington, an excellent college not too far away, but far enough so that she will need to live there. Concerned that Ru is way too young for dorm life, her mom finds a family that will accept her as a paid boarder. Gabriel is the 17 year old child living in Ru’s college home along with his divorced mother. He is a social outcast who chooses a non binary identity and isn’t concerned about showing who he really is. Ru and Gabriel quickly bond and form a deep abiding friendship. And so Ru’s life journey begins.

When Ru’s mom makes excuse after excuse for not visiting and it becomes apparent that something is amiss, Gabriel takes Ru back home. Ru’s mom is sick and dying. Her mean, nasty aunt will be her guardian. She hates her aunt and the feeling is mutual. Desperate to escape, Ru and Gabriel, in a decision to fulfill a dream, embark upon a car trip to see puffins and the Aurora Borealis. What happens on that trip is so heartwarming and delectable that it was hard to put the book down. The journey becomes life altering, the people along the way life affirming and ultimately reality can’t be denied.

Two other books by this author also have road trips as a way of finding life’s purpose. And still, the focus on yet another trip was exhilarating. I loved this book. The only minor detractor was the unknown audience to whom the narrator was telling this tale. It was an unnecessary diversion from a story that needed no fictional audience. Four stars for a book and author I highly recommend. It will be published on May 14, 2024. You’ll want to read this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance readers copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another wonderful book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This is one of countless authors who never disappoints. 4.5 stars for me....

Another wonderful book from this author yet again. The plot was a little hard to get into but then I found it compelling. I felt the description was excellent and as a traveller felt that I was there with them. Thanks to NetGalley for ARC.

This book was so utterly charming and full of the right kind of love, I couldn't love it more!!

"The right kind of love" equates to loving someone just as they are. Not who you want them to be, or who you think they should be, but literally as they are.

Ru and Gabriel have that in each other. There's no romance in their love for each other, and that makes it all the more special. May we all find our Ru or Gabriel in life.

I would definitely recommend this book. It's a different kind of adventure story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Here’s an unusual YA book which features Ru Evans, who graduated high school early and is about to start college at thirteen years old. Her mom Mitzy insists she must board at a home off campus and not in the dorms with adult students. Money is scarce, but somehow they’ll manage. LIFE, LOSS, AND PUFFINS seems more like a title for a memoir by an adult… except maybe for the puffins. That sums up Ru; twenty and thirteen.
Continued.

This novel is a departure from what Catherine Ryan usually writes. It is almost like an adventure story, about two young people who run away from home, trying to fulfill childhood dreams. It took me places that I’ve never been but thought about. It was so descriptive and so real. It was a quick read and I would recommended it highly.

I absolutely loved this book! Catherine Ryan Hyde did a fantastic job with main characters, Ru and Gabriel, as well as the many supporting characters that appeared throughout the story. Gabriel, wise beyond his years, isn't "freakishly smart" like Ru, however, he has more life experience and plays a key role in Ru's journey of self discovery that takes place during their road trip. I especially enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of the night sky in a few locations of the story. I felt like I was there with Ru and Gabriel as they looked up at the stars and marveled at the beauty of the aurora borealis. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing!

Going into a story with the title of Life, Loss and Puffins I was not sure what I got myself into. What I got was a beautiful story of life, loss and the unexpected joy and beauty that comes from Puffins.

Ru is a gifted young girl whose talents are never quite fully understood, appreciated or even utilized. She has the ability to maintain all information she has learned or witnessed. Through a tremendous loss she begins an adventure and a journey that expands her book smarts into something so much more. She becomes knowledgeable about life and loss. She becomes familiar with pain and heartache.

In this story we are able to witness the growth of a young girl and are able to go on this journey with her as she begins to figure out who she is outside of her extreme intelligence.

There is a section of this book at the end that left me in tears. There was a moment where I felt the author, Catherine Ryan Hyde was speaking directly to me. It was a small portion but a portion that left me with big feelings and clarity.

Life, Loss, and Puffins was an unexpected joy to read.
Publication Date: May 14th 2024

I follow Catherine Ryan Hyde on Facebook, so know she – like me – is an enormous animal lover. Her love of animals and especially the wilderness shines in this book too. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to read one of her books, because she has written heaps and if they are all as good as this one, I have been missing out.

What I loved about this book is that it is told by Ru in hindsight to the two nieces of her old friend Gabriel. It reminded me of my favourite movie Fried Green Tomatoes, also because of the mesmerising tone. I got sucked into the stories, loved the beautiful descriptions of the wilderness and the northern lights — “Aha”, I thought to myself recognising the author’s amazing photos of starlit skies and the moon that she often posts on Facebook.

Most of all I enjoyed reading how these two young people became friends, and how their friendship improved both their lives. They are very different but form an instant and deep bond — both outsiders; I think that’s what connects them. They both felt like they were living for the first time after their escape. And even though they knew they would get caught, that doesn’t make it any less important.

What you know from the very beginning is that they would always remain close. I found that knowledge comforting throughout the story. It was an adventurous and astonishing yarn that I will revisit another winter day because its message that there is always a solution, always another person who will understand you is very comforting.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for my hilonest review. I highly recommend this book!

Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again! With Life, Loss, and Puffins, she weaves a tale that brings laughter, tears, and situations that make you think and consider the world and maybe life just a little differently than you might've ever done before. An exploration of the complexity of the relationships between mothers and their children winds its way into the story of Ru, Gabriel, and their various "adventures" as they make their way through Life, Loss, and (to) Puffins. A truly excellent read, as always.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book

Ru and Gabriel are different and their lives are tough in a sometimes cruel world. Ru is freakishly smart attending university at 13 years old. Gabriel is non binary, he grows his hair long and wears nail polish. This is a story about love and loss. A story about feelings and a story about two runaways on a road trip to far north Canada to see puffins and the aurora borealis. They meet many characters along the way all helpful to the pair in their own way. They are the best of friends and can almost communicate by thought. Join them on their quest and share their experiences along the way. Read this book and enjoy

There is never a doubt in my mind that any new book by Catherine Ryan Hyde is going to be special. This one is another shining star that lights the way to true emotional growth. The characters are flawed but likeable and really pull the story together. Another winner from a very talented artist.