I'm sorry, but this is a very shallow book. It covers a lot of important topics, but the story barely scratches the surface.
80% of the text consists of banal, flat, cheesy, and utterly fake dialogue. None of the characters are likable. The main character, Maggie, is not only perfect but also incredibly naive and somehow stupid. The whole story raises my eyebrows because nothing in this book is believable.

4/5 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book: Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Genre: Fiction

This was my first dive into a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! "Rolling Toward Clear Skies" is a heartwarming story about Maggie Blount, a divorced physician whose life takes a turn when she teams up with her partner, Alex, to join Doctors on Wheels. After responding to a devastating hurricane in rural Louisiana, Maggie decides to foster two orphaned sisters and their puppy. The story really digs into the ups and downs of blending families from different backgrounds. Maggie brings Jean and Rose into her fancy Vista del Mar home, which doesn’t sit well with her self-absorbed teenage daughters, Willa and Gemma.

Hyde does an amazing job of tackling themes like privilege, empathy, and personal growth throughout the book. The contrast between the grateful Jean and Rose and Maggie's entitled daughters creates some real tension that makes everyone rethink their assumptions. As Maggie tries to teach her kids about gratitude while figuring out her own role in all this, the chaos of their new family dynamic unfolds beautifully. "Rolling Toward Clear Skies" is a heartfelt look at second chances and what family really means, encouraging readers to think about compassion and understanding. If you believe in the transformative power of love, this book is definitely a must-read! 💕🌟

Thank you SO much to @netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for sending me the wonderful ARC of #RollingTowardClearSkies #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have read many books by this author and this was definitely the worst one. The book came across as very after school special and was just not relatable unfortunately. I just feel that the author did not capture the emotion of the story. We are told how to feel, but the actions and behaviors of the characters do not match with the emotions. The adoption took a second and I think the adopted ones had suffered brain damage or something because they are just the most ridiculously easy teens ever. I really hope that this book is a fluke. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

CRH is such a wonderful author. This may be my favorite of hers that I've read. I will be recommending to everyone.
Thanks so much for approving my request.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

This is a story about a blended family when Maggie a doctor adopts 2 teenagers rescued from a hurricane that killed their parents. Maggie lives with Alex and together they run an emergency Doctors on wheels practice to provided extra medical services during disasters. This is how they found and treated the two girls for pneumonia. Maggie’s 2 very spoilt biological daughters are outraged with the coming of their new sisters and a dog. The whole family including Alex seek to work the these complex issues. This is well written and easy to read. Sometimes the characters are a little unbelievable for instance Alex must be the most patient boyfriend on the planet having to contend with Maggie’s biological daughters who seem to be in a constant rage.
3 stars

Wow thankyou As always a fantastic book by a consistently brilliant author. I always regret their ending and always look forward to the next book thanks

Hyde writes feel good books. There is something compelling about her novels. Yes, they are predictable. We know all the troubles people are experiencing will some how work to a happy result in the end. And while that may not be how life is sometimes, it is how we would like to be and that makes this fiction a rewarding novel to read. It fulfills what I want in fiction, an escape from all the bad news by experiencing an interlude of good news.

Hyde explores family relationships in this novel. She includes two girls orphaned by a hurricane tragedy and counters them with two girls who are spoiled and ungrateful. Granted, the two sets of girls may be over characterized. The newly orphaned girls are really, really nice and so, so grateful and so naive. The other girls are so, so ungrateful and resentful and way too sophisticated. The contrast may be over the top but it makes for a good novel about the struggles of understanding the meaning of family and accepting changes.

Hyde includes bits of wisdom along the way. Here is one from when one of the girls is learning to drive. “We tend to end up where we are putting our attention.” (2404/4415) A good reminder of checking where we place our focus.

This is a fine novel for readers who like to feel good at the end of reading one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I did not want this book to end, it’s so good!
When Dr Maggie and her nurse partner Alex go out to help after a hurricane, they could never have imagined how their lives were about to change.
This is a story about love and acceptance and how they and their daughters deal with both.
I would love for there to be a sequel with more about Doctors on Wheels.
Thank you Catherine Ryan Hyde, I enjoy your books, but this is my favourite.

Dr. Maggie Blount’s significant other, Alex, an RN came up with the idea of Doctors on Wheels. They arrive in areas that have been ravaged by natural disasters, in their two R.V.’s, and offer free medical care. While away on their missions, her teen daughters, Willa and Gemma, stay with their father. They were recently interviewed about their ability to assist in an area that might not have emergency facilities. In Louisiana, after a devastating storm, two teen girls, Rose and Jean, arrive at the R.V. They are ill with pneumonia, lost their parents and their home. They are quiet, well-behaved and spend several days recovering. Maggie, who has gotten close to the girls, offers to foster them, but how will her daughters react to this new family addition? She knew it might take some time, but had no idea how much her daughters might resent them. While away assisting at a wildfire, her daughters sit for a second interview, that unfortunately casts them in a less than sympathetic light. Upon their return, how will Maggie deal with the situation between her four daughters and the media? A beautiful and moving story of those who have lost so much, but are so grateful for the lifeline that Maggie and Alex provide. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a superb novel of real life and the entitled children many of us are raising. Maggie is a doctor. Her partner, Alex, is a nurse who has started a charity which aims to deliver free medical care to people who have been affected by a natural disaster. Its consists of the two of them and a retired married couple, both of whom are doctors. And a couple of motorhomes. While on a mission, Hurricane Mina, Maggie met two girls, the same ages as her daughters, 12 and 14, who had watched the roof cave in and kill their parents and who had come for a medical emergency not caused by the hurricane, but rather lack of care, their parents having had no medical insurance. To make a long story short, she fell in love with them and started the process to become their foster mom with a view to adopting. Needless to say this did not go over well with her entitled daughters.

This is a story of rebuilding lives: for two of the girls it was heaven on earth and every day they were thankful; for the other two girls all they could see was that they were losing their mother. They stayed at their dad’s despite the fact they didn’t like it, and finally agreed to do a follow-up interview for TV. Their mother had done one about the charity and how it affected her family. Now was their chance to tell their side of the story, which they did. That didn’t work out as they had hoped. They came off as selfish and entitled and people didn’t hesitate to express their disapproval. It was a moving book about teenagers and the way they view the world, but also how their past lives affect their viewpoint. Growing up is difficult. Probably not that different from what many parents experience, but certainly more exaggerated. Excellent book about people who could be real.

I was invited to read Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Lake Unions Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #CatherineRyanHyde #RollingTowardClearSkies

Catherine Ryan Hyde does an amazing job of writing books that are emotional, captivating, and full of characters you adore.
This was such a delightful read. A heartfelt novel of hope and second chances.
I really enjoyed reading this one.
I love any book by Catherine Ryan Hyde and was thrilled to get this arc.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for an ARC of this novel.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favourite writers. I continue to be amazed by how much ‘story’ she can skilfully pack into a barely more than 200 page novel. Hers is a completely immersive brand of fiction.

The story is a relatively familiar one, having to do with fostering, adoption, and the blending of families. Not only with each other, but with their parents’ unusual and highly stressful careers in emergency medicine. Dr Maggie Blount is a respected 40-something physician whose empathic nature leads her to join Doctors on Wheels, an association founded by her boyfriend Alex, a registered nurse. With two elderly doctors, they accompany a clinic on wheels to disaster sites, each in their own RV. Maggie is divorced and has two selfish and self-absorbed teen daughters . Alex admits he has a hard time with them, and Maggie feels bad about it, but also frequently confesses she doesn’t like them either. Nor does their grandmother Bess. Everyone, Maggie included, feels that Willa and Gemma were overindulged with material goods and a fancy private school. Their parents’ divorce, Maggie’s subsequent co-habitation with a man ten years younger, and their father Dan’s similar situation, are also hauled out as causative factors. They are classic spoiled brats.

There is also a subplot involving a local TV interviewer, Elinor Price, who, thinking their work will greatly interest the public, asks some very personal, discomfiting questions of Maggie, Alex and the girls. They take delight in laying out the grievances they believe will garner them the sympathetic public attention they somehow deserve for having a working mother.

In the midst of a fictional hurricane in a poor Louisiana county, the crew treats two other teenage girls, stricken with pneumonia and traumatized by the sudden loss of everything they had known. After some complications, they become ‘the other girls’, quickly adopted into an un-cosy family along with a starving, bone thin stray puppy. This puppy, whom the girls name Sunny as an emblem of hope, brought home to me more than anything else how sudden change tips over and destroys everyday life.

I won’t divulge more, except to say that the TV ost brings the entire group together on screen in sequel fashion. And that the repercussions are as enormous as those of the storm that set things rolling. Eventually but not smoothly toward clear skies.´

This is a heart-wrenching story about expectations, disillusionments, and adaptations. At times, especially for a short book, it feels as though something momentous happens in every sentence. At times what happens next is a bit predictable. The ‘good girls’ can be too good to be altogether believable. The ‘bad girls’ appear not only bad but often unconscionably stupid, which I find more offensive than their petty adolescent badness. Nevertheless, I had to read this in one go, urged forward by the love, fear, and wisdom that also come through on every page.

Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde, in this book the author introduces us to Maggie who volunteers for the clinic on wheels that arrives in devastated areas in America a nonprofit that her boyfriend Alex started. She’s also the mother to teens Willow and Gemma who as of late Maggie has been seeing them for the entitled spoiled children they are. She wanted to give them everything and then doing so gave them the attitude they now possess. She is absolutely determined to dispel them of the notion but first the clinic has to go to Louisiana to 10 to hurricane victims. This is where she meets Jean and Rose The teen girls weren’t injured by the hurricane but have pneumonia something Maggie knows started before the bad weather when she inquires about their parents she soon learns the two sisters watched as a house collapse and killed them. These girls are nice polite sweet all the things Maggies children or not she even catches rose feeding some of her pizza to a skinny homeless dog. When the caseworker cannot find appropriate housing for the girls Maggie decides to take them in. Willow in Gemma do not take kindly to the news in the last thing they feel for these motherless orphans is sympathy. Things get even worse when Maggie and her kids do a TV show that she was previously on and negative comments her older daughter says goes viral. Is there anything Maggie can do to bring her blended family together? I love Catherine Ryan Hyde books and this one definitely stands up as one of her best in the catalog. I love the heart warming funny emotional torment that always ends and happiness one of my favorite books is goodbye chuck Wheeler written by her and so she is one of those authors don’t even have to read the summary to know you’re going to want to read it. I do want to say I did find Jean and Rose seemed almost too good to be true but having known sweet teens just like that I didn’t question it end it all made for such a great read!#NetGalley, #LakeUnionPublishing, #CatherineRyanHyde, #RollingTowardClearSkies,

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author who is a must-read for me. Most of time I don't even know what her latest book is about, I just know I'm going to want to read it. Her stories are always uplifting—although sometimes it take awhile to get to the uplifting part—with life lessons for all of us to learn and practice.

Rolling Toward Clear Skies did not disappoint. Maggie and Alex are two people out there doing good and find themselves opening their hearts to two girls and a dog who have no home or families. Getting Maggie's daughters to accept these three is where the road gets rocky and hard to navigate. Watching the turmoil of all involved as they reach acceptance is the life lesson we can take from this story.

As with all of Catherine's books, this is another one that I devoured and it is one I will remember for a long time. I loved all of the characters, even Willa and Gemma when they were not at their best.

I highly recommend Rolling Toward Clear Skies. I loved it! If you haven't read any of CRH's books yet, you really need to add her books to you TBR list. They are all wonderful!

I love all the books this author writes! This was such a beautiful story! I loved the characters and the storyline. Highly highly recommend!

Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a book about family, relationships, not taking things for granted, showing compassion to others, and more. It is learning to look outside of ourselves and seeing the need and pain of others. It is about parenting- motherhood and learning to let go, letting your children make their own mistakes and,hopefully they will learn from them
Maggie is a Doctor, divorced, mother of 2 teenagers who works in a practice and volunteers with Doctors on Wheels providing medical services after natural disasters. Maggie believes that she is doing g what is best for her daughters by providing them with all the best material things. But working in Louisiana after a hurricane strikes, She meets Jean and Rose Bradshaw. This chance meeting with the sisters opens Maggie's eyes and heart in unexpected ways.
Rolling Toward Clear Skies is a well-written book that will immerse you into the story. Journey along with Maggie through the events and relationships to see how people are impacted and change. I recommend picking up a copy of this book to read for yourself. Happy reading.

This family drama centres around Dr. Maggie Blount and her working (and romantic) partner, Alex. They are on call out to help with emergency hurricanes, fires etc. One such disaster results in two teenage sisters being left homeless when they witness their parents die. Maggie goes on to foster the girls much to the annoyance of Maggie's own two daughters of similar ages to the foster girls. Her own girls, Wilma and Gemma are spoiled, entitled and quite horrendous, a total opposite of the fostered girls, Jean and Rose who are kind, humble and grateful for all they are given. There follows many family issues, dramas and a battle of love and hate among the four girls. I found a lot to dislike about Willa and Gemma and even the mother, Maggie at times as the family deal with a very volatile situation. Will harmony and peace be restored? Will the entitled daughters accept their new sisters? I enjoyed the journey to the final conclusion. I would say this isn't my favourite book by this author but a good read nevertheless. My thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

NYT Bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hydes (my favorite author) returns following Life, Loss, and Puffins with her latest family domestic drama, ROLLING TOWARD CLEAR SKIES. In this heartfelt novel of hope and second chances, a foster mother must deal with the emotional turmoil of her new blended family.

LOVE SURVIVES ALL DISASTERS.

About...

Meet Dr. Maggie Blount, a 41-year-old divorced doctor and a mother of two teenage girls, Willa (16) and Gemma (14). She works as a GP in California and volunteers for Doctors on Wheels, going to disaster sites with a team where she experiences the extremes of life. Her journey is filled with emotional challenges that many can relate to.

Her daughters have lived a very privileged life, and Maggie thought she was giving them everything. But now she struggles with their behavior and expectations (like most teens), and her girls try to use the threat about going to live with their dad. (I liked how Maggie held her ground.)

There was a natural disaster leaving two teen girls (Jean and Rose Bradshaw) without parents and homeless and a dog, and it breaks Maggie's heart.

Despite their privileged upbringing, Maggie's daughters, Willa and Gemma, often display selfish, entitled, and uncaring behavior. In contrast, the foster girls, Jean and Rose Bradshaw, make Maggie feel loved, needed, and respected. This stark difference in the girls' attitudes is a significant part of Maggie's emotional journey.

Maggie decides to foster and later adopt the girls; however, there is a tough road ahead when her daughters resent their new blended family with many challenges and a good supply of tough love.

Broken into:
Part One: Two Girls
Part Two: A Different Two Girls
Part Three: All Four Girls
Epilogue: One Year Later

My thoughts...

ROLLING TOWARD CLEAR SKIES is a compelling tale that is heartfelt and relevant in today's world. There are two sides to a coin (good and evil) and as always, Catherine Ryan Hyde is a pro at getting to the heart of the matter and important life lessons and wisdom we gain from others.

Captivating! The author brilliantly explores challenging, emotionally charged themes, including the loss and tragic death of the girl's parents and a family friend, cyberbullying, identity, social media, jealousy, and self-discovery while exploring nature versus nurture.

I love the creative chapter titles.

Tragic events in our lives can often be a wake-up call. The novel is a great example of two families blended with different backgrounds. In our age of social media, people often project a perfect life and happy family, which pressures others to live up to these ideals.

Knowing how much/little to give our children is tough for parents. There is a fine line between giving them too much and not enough. I enjoyed the contrast between the four girls and their backgrounds. If only all teens could look at life without all the stuff and those less fortunate.

A blending of family drama, domestic, sisters, friendship, humor, women's fiction, and coming of age. CRH is a long-time favorite author; I have read all her books. She is in a class all her own. This is an ideal book club pick (book club questions included). It is a must-read book with a strong takeaway message.

I am so glad I had sons, as I hear girls bring a lot of drama. (And four in one house with different personalities and backgrounds? You can only imagine.)

Recs...

This novel is for readers who enjoy tales of love, family dynamics, and uplifting stories of overcoming loss and tragedy with hope. Her fans and those who enjoy reading books by Fredrik Backman, T. Greenwood, Kristin Hannah, and Diane Chamberlain will adore..

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an advanced review copy for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 12, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
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I went into this book really not knowing what to expect.

Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde follows Maggie Blount, a divorced mother of two teenage daughters, Willa and Gemma. As a dedicated GP in Vista Del Mar, California, Maggie volunteers with Doctors on Wheels, traveling with her partner, nurse Alex, to offer free medical aid in disaster zones. When a category-five hurricane devastates rural Louisiana, Maggie and her team arrive to help, and she encounters two teenage girls, Jean and Rose, who have lost their parents in the storm.

Moved by their kindness and resilience, Maggie contrasts Jean and Rose with her own daughters, whose behavior has been entitled and ungrateful. Maggie decides to foster Jean and Rose, bringing them, along with their rescued puppy, into her home. This decision sparks conflict with Willa and Gemma, who resist the changes to their family. Maggie, determined to blend this new family, faces the challenges of raising teens with differing values, attitudes, and past traumas.

The novel explores themes of parenting, empathy, and the journey of rebuilding family bonds. As Maggie learns to balance love, discipline, and understanding, Hyde presents a story of growth, resilience, and the challenges of fostering a compassionate family environment.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised with this book! A big thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is a prolific author, yet never writes enough of her excellent stories to keep her fans happy. CRH writes with the intent of making you think and touching your heart. She ably accomplishes both goals at every turn of the page. I've read many of her back titles and ALWAYS recommend them to every reader I know. Her topics cross genre to find fans with each new adventure.

In ROLLING TOWARD CLEAR SKIES, we meet medical personnel Maggie and Alex. They have travelled with Doctors on Wheels to provide emergency treatment in a hurricane damaged area. Jean and Rose are teenage victims who have lost their parents, their homes, and their futures. Maggie is the mother of two teens the same age as Jean and Rose and cannot help seeing her girls in the same helpless situation. She and Alex decide to foster the survivors, blending them into their family along with a puppy Rose has rescued. The four young women must work through their differences for any hope of the family's survival. As emotions build and tension strains everyone, CRH gently reminds everyone of the grace so many of us look past to see the good in everyone. Her books always leave a tender spot in your heart for a few days and a lasting impression on your view of the world.