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.

Round up to 4 1/2 stars.
What a gem from Catherine Ryan Hyde. Two young people - one “freakishly” smart, one non-binary, form an incredible bond and set off on an adventure, A beautifully written story with so much insight into the hearts and mind of these young people. Well written and researched, of course, filled with wonderful characters and New-to-me knowledge that is seamlessly woven into the story.

Always a delight to read a book from this author.

Another great book by author Catherine Ryan Hyde! Life, Loss and Puffins is a heartwarming story with lovable characters. This is a story of a special friendship between two "misfit" young people. You will find yourself cheering for them as they set off on an improbable, amazing adventure.
The author has such a beautiful way with words, I highlighted so many beautiful lines to remember. Here are a couple of my favorites that will stay with me ....
"(A)lways choose to live your life in a way that promotes awe."
"I think the reason we got so brave and adventurous is because within every living soul is the instinct to live -really live - before we die."
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

A solid 4-stars for this one. It was not as fabulous as some of Ms. Hyde's previous books, but it was a good story that was easy to follow. There were also some very interesting characters in it - some I liked more than others - but that's the mark of a good writer. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Like her other books, this one has great characters. Ru and Gabriel are both misfits in society. Ru is “freakishly” smart and Gabriel is non binary. They find each other and have great adventures together. As usual, this author knows how to weave a story to make you want to keep reading. What will happen to these thirteen and seventeen year olds? I couldn’t stop reading to find out. It was a joy to read of their happy and sad moments and to get to a satisfying ending for two great characters.

Love the Aurora Borialis and definitely on my bucket list! Even more than the main characters are the people they meet that help further their journey. Lost in a world that ignores the young that are “wise beyond their years” because they don’t fit a mold they travel to find a place they feel comfortable in and friends that help without too much question.

I need to begin my review with overall praise for this master storyteller. She never disappoints me with each new book that is released. I feel like she is a mentor to me, on the level of the most sought-after life coach. I not only thoroughly enjoy each of her books, I also come away with so much new information about the world and myself. Catherine Ryan Hyde makes me look at my life differently and want to become a better person.

I always feel that a new book by Ms. Hyde is a gift. I open the first page and expect great things to begin, and I never am disappointed. My heart opened so much when I was introduced to the main characters of this book. They truly are gems. Two unique people that are destined to meet and together they find their tribe. (That sounds like a romance story, but this is a platonic story of a bond that may actually be stronger than romantic love.)

The summary of the book is easily found, so I am not going to go into the plot, I will just say it is perfect! I can see how every detail was researched and thought out meticulously.

This is my favorite book so far for 2024, and probably my number 1 for the year. I highly recommend!

I want to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC. #LifeLossandPuffins #NetGalley #catherineryanhyde

A heartwarming story about two children – kindred spirits who find each other in a world in which neither really quite fits.
Ru is freakishly clever, and ready for college at thirteen. Gabriel (17) doesn’t fit neatly into society’s gender norms. With each other, they can simply be themselves.
When Ru’s mother dies, she cannot face what fate has dished out to her – life with the aunt she hates. So she runs away and has the kind of adventure most young kids can only dream of. She ticks off two of her bucket list items – seeing the aurora borealis, and viewing the stars from one of the darkest places on earth.
I loved this story of loss, coming of age, adventure, awe and friendship. I laughed and cried. I adored Gabriel with his unique way of looking at the world, and rejoiced as Ru began to redefine her self-image. Another hugely readable story by bestselling author, Catherine Ryan Hyde.