It’s only April, and I’ve already found a strong contender for my Book of the Year. Michael Without Apology is the latest emotional and thought-provoking coming of age story from one of my favourite authors, and once more it’s an easy Five Star read. This one explores the way people’s emotional scars can hold them back just as much as physical ones do.

“Need volunteers for a student documentary film. Do you have a lot of worry and stress about your body and your appearance? Call Michael.”
Michael is an introspective nineteen year old student, who sustained horrific burns as a child, leading him to be adopted. His worldview is transformed when his new professor of Film Studies challenges him to make a documentary - and he discovers he’s far from alone in feeling imprisoned by his scars.

Funnily enough though, I’ve had my Advance Review Copy for several months, but something about the blurb put me off starting it - maybe because I didn’t want to read about a child experiencing trauma. Don’t make my mistake - yes Michael’s accident is described, but not gratuitously, and this is all about how he not only recovers, but finds love, answers, acceptance and success. There’s a love story, but it’s not a romance, and it’s very sad in parts, but ultimately uplifting.

There are fabulous characters, like his forthright lecturer “My name is Robert Dunning, and I have scarring on my face and hands…You didn’t think we’d talk about it, did you? You’re all looking at it, but you all figured we wouldn’t speak of it. Why not? It’s not a secret. It’s not a scandal. It’s not a moral failing on my part. It just is.” Or his kind sensible adoptive father Charles “After a while you get to be just like those damned politicians. They try so hard to be all things to all people that they end up being nothing to anybody. You’re better off being you. Half the people you know’ll applaud you for it and the other half’ll be pissed off. If the people applauding you are the people you like and respect, then you’ll know you got it right.”

The only part I wasn’t completely sold on was the ending, which was a bit drawn out and unnecessary, but certainly didn’t spoil it. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Lake Union for the ARC. Michael Without Apology is available on May 6th.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favourite authors and I can't tell you how much I loved this story and without giving away anything people will absolutely love this story. I know I did. I surely recommend.

Thank you publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

“Time only goes one way. What’s done can’t been undone. If only we could take that one second over.”…… since you can’t live that moment over, one needs to learn how to only look forward and accept what happened the second before.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always touches on themes people can relate to. Michael Without Apology is a book about learning to love yourself, living life without regret, without shame, without apology but with courage and self acceptance.

I loved Michael’s naive character. How can he be so handsome yet have such low self esteem. We never know what scars people are hiding inside and out. Michael grows so much from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. He was so lucky to meet his teacher and mentor Robert Dunning. Professor Dunning changed Michael’s life for the better. Everyone should have a person like Professor Dunning who they can look up to.

This was a tender, sweet story that can be read in one night. it will touch your heart and you might even shed a tear or two.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this fabulous ARC early for my honest review. Honestly, if I could give it more than 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, I certainly would. Catherine Ryan Hyde really wrote a great story. She has a very special gift of telling the perfect story..she certainly makes you feel all the emotions. This book is about the different scars in peoples lives and we certainly all have them. She shows you how take those scars and embrace them. Thank you for the heartfelt emotional story.

Wow, wow, and wow! Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again. I am a huge fan of her writing, but this topic really resonated with me. Catherine takes the issue of body image and weaves together a story with powerful characters. In most instances, no matter what we look like (on the inside or outside), we don’t like something about ourselves. The media has created an idea of a perfect image (not sure I know what THAT is), resulting in body shaming for not meeting the criteria. But in many instances, the way you look may be due to medical conditions, an accident, aging, etc. These perceptions can result in low self-esteem, feeling less than, personal insecurities, isolation, or as extreme as taking your life.

Our main character is Michael Woodbine, who has a near-fatal accident at age seven that leaves him scarred for life, but most of his scarring can be “hidden” behind his clothes. Michael meets Robert Dunning, his freshman college professor, in his film class. On the first day of class, Robert has visible scarring that he discusses with the class. For Michael, who has been hiding his scars his entire life, this approach is shocking and intriguing.

As part of a film class project, Michael decides to create a documentary on individuals who have felt challenged or rejected because of their physical appearance. These stories are going to tug at your heartstrings, make you question how you judge others, and evoke a whole host of other feelings and emotions.
Every book I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde causes me to reflect, to think about things on a deeper level, and at the same time, she always gives me hope that there are good people in the world and we need to work hard to rise above the ugliness that exists in our world.

Five stars are not enough to express how much I love this book, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#MichaelWithoutApology, #CatherineRyanHyde, #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. Catherine Ryan Hyde is an automatic read author for me. She is a great story teller and always has an important lesson in her story. This book gave you all the emotions. If you haven’t read any of her books you definitely should she does not disappoint!!!

This is a shorter read than I would normally pick up but oh wow is it a powerful one. I loved the message behind this, Michael is scarred, physically, emotionally and mentally from a traumatic childhood accident. As he makes a film about people being uncomfortable/unhappy in their own skin he realises there are many different stories out there. The stories really resonated with me, I found them emotional and thought-provoking. Everyone was different in its own way from accidents to genetics and the result of pregnancies. I read this extremely quickly as I was so immersed in the story and the lives of the people.
There is a secondary plot thread of Michael exploring his tragic past and reaching out to the parents that abandoned him. Again, this is emotional and incredibly powerful and holds a strong message about forgiveness and apologies.
I was enthralled by this powerful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy.

This book is a masterpiece! I was immediately drawn into the story and cared about the characters immensely. The plot is unique, heartbreaking and uplifting.

Many lessons are interwoven throughout the book, but I think the most important thing is not judging someone by what you see. People are much more than what is presented as our physical form to the world. Also, to love yourself and not be so critical about your appearance. You are more than the way you look.

As in the other books I have read by this author, there is an older person as a mentor to a younger one. I love that feature. I have had many older friends that I have benefited from over the years.

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.

Michael is a handsome young man with a secret he hides from the world. On his first day of college, he meets his mentor, the professor of an introductory film class. The two bond over a shared experience and Michael decides to produce his first film on the subject of body image.
Thirteen years earlier, young Michael is injured in a fireworks accident that lands him first in the hospital and then in foster care. The novel goes back and forth between past and present. Most of the story consists of interviews with people, each of whom will present his or her own truth, physical and emotional, on camera.
Although I soon became caught up in Michael's experiences, I did think the author took short cuts. Everyone Michael met seemed to be important to him, granting him some piece of wisdom that made him a better person. Without denying that everyone is special, I think so much significance can seem a bit much. Similarly, while Michael worked hard, I find it unrealistic that a complete novice would produce a student film that appeared to blow audiences away. The epilogue was nice, but, a bit rushed.
I enjoyed this book but wish it were less facile.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to a free advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I just loved this story. This is such a wonderful story about loving yourself for who you are no matter if you have scars, body shamed by other people or just feel like you are different. This is all about not having to apologize for anything. I just loved Michael and loved watching him grow and learn that it doesn't matter how you look or feel. Just accepting you the way you are and no apology's for it. Just a wonderful written story. Thank you NetGalley and Lakeunion for the ARC and my honest opinion.

Like this author's previous novels, Michael Without Apology is a heartwarming story that is filled with conflict but that is ultimately uplifting. We initially meet Michael at age seven and learn of the tragic fireworks accident that left him scarred and placed in foster care. Now at age nineteen, Michael is in college in a film class with an instructor who provides Michael with the opportunity and the means to re-examine his life as he opts to make his film-project one that explores negative body image. Michael is surprised to learn that it's not just external scars that adversely affect how people view their bodies. Michael Without Apology is a fascinating study in human nature. Another feel-good novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, well-worth reading.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of those authors that is bound to leave you with an emotional hangover after you finish one of her books... Her stories being part inspirational fiction and part what you can call a true emotional rollercoaster ride. The premise of Michael Without Apology sounded like it would fall under the same category, and I was especially intrigued by both the documentary angle and Michael's journey itself. And what a story it turned out to be!

Michael Without Apology is, like the title already suggests, Michael's story and journey to self-acceptance. This means both chapters set in the present when he is in college and a couple of flashbacks that take him to the time of his near-fatal fireworks accident and the aftermath... The flashbacks were very well incorporated into the plot and really helped add more dept to the story. It also helped explaining more about the man he grew up to be and why he thought he had to hide himself.

This isn't just Michael's journey though, as there are a couple of other characters that play a key role in his journey. These characters were all developed in a way that made it very easy to warm up to them, and I especially loved their interactions with Michael and how they contributed in his growth and journey. I don't want to give away too much, what can I say is that reading Michael Without Apology is a real emotional rollercoaster and it's definitely recommended to have some tissues at hand just in case... But I could appreciate how these moments felt natural instead of primarily being added to turn this story into a tearjerker.

There are a lot of inspirational quotes and messages to be found along the way, which can be seen as a bit over the top, but I think that in this story in particular it somehow just works. I could really appreciate the message that Michael Without Apology was trying to portray, and I loved reading about Michael's journey. This book has definitely reminded me how much I enjoy Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories, and I hope to pick up more of her backlist soon.

A beautiful story full of tragedy that will break your heart into a million pieces. Catherine Ryan Howard is such a wonderful storyteller and this one is no exception.

I am always in awe of stories by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Her characters have an innocence about them and there is always deep emotional impact with her themes. Michael Without Apology was another great moving story. Michael is a film student embarking on his first film. His past includes a great deal of trauma due to a firework accident he was in when he was young and he has always hidden the scars. Through the film and the people he encounters while making it, he is able to change his perspective. He never would have thought putting up a request on the board at the college asking for people who are uncomfortable with their bodies or how they look would result in those who answered the ad. This book delves into the body image and self-perception and how we shouldn’t have to apologize for everything when we have not done anything wrong. I highly recommend reading this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: May 6, 2025

This book drew me in right from the very start it is both thought provoking and heartbreaking and I found myself tearing up on several occasions it was so emotive. I loved it and can't wait to read more by the author

A favorite author of mine. This book is such a good one. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Catherine Ryan Hyde always gives you something to think about and makes you shed lots of tears. I've read so many of her books and will continue too.

There are a few characters that you will love. Each has a story. Tim is the janitor and has always been stick thin. He hates how he looks. Rex, who is 103 years old, was an olympic silver medalist during Hitler's reign. At the start of it. Rex was only fifteen at that time. Tanya is the mother of five and has a lot to say also. Madeleine is an older women who had a double mastectomy and whom Michael has a fling with. Then there is the professor who started it all, Robert Dunning. He is the professor of Michael's film class he's taking. The one who has scars of his own. Very visible scars that he calls attention to the first day. He refuses to hide them. Michael has scars too. He's kept them hidden though. He was afraid of people's reaction. Until he met Mr Dunning...

This book takes you through each of the of each people lives I named. How they came to meet Michael and how he interacted with each. Though he really only met them briefly they all left a huge imprint on his life. Made him into the adult and husband he was to be.

Michael is raised from age eight up by his adoptive parents. They were his foster parents and they loved him so unconditionally and adopted him. His birth parents gave them full freedom to do so. It hurt Michael and he felt like it was because of what happened to him. He loved his adoptive parents unconditionally also. He didn't want to see his birth parents ever. Michael had a good life. He was loved and loved his parents.

You find out everything about what happened to Michael and each of the people he interviewed and why he did this interview. How it developed and ended. All you need is there. No questions left unanswered.

This is a very emotional story that had me weeping in parts. You just never know what scars a person is carrying. Be wary of judgement as it could be something that can't be helped.

I gave Michael Without Apology three ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Thank you Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I enjoyed this book and it captured my attention from the very beginning. I immediately had empathy for Michael, the main character. The book takes him from the age of seven until he’s 25 and we get to see him grow as a person and figure some things out.

Things happen very fast in this book, but that’s to be expected since it’s less than 300 pages. So, some things are fast tracked.

I loved the story arc and the whole premise of the book as it’s different, in good ways, from other books lit there right now.

So, why three stars? I felt like most of the people Michael interacted with had some profound wisdom that was life altering. And that just isn’t realistic. At the end I found myself trying to skim over some of that profound wisdom because there was too much of it.

But, it’s an excellent story!

Michael Without Apology is my second book from Catherine Ryan Hyde she is now a must read for me! She explores tough topics that reminds me of Jodi Picolt but, in an easier and quicker reading format. All of us seem to be uncomfortable about the way we look and Michael, the MMC, has been involved in a life changing accident when he was 7 that has left him scared in many ways. Fast forward to his time in college when he takes a film making class and meets an inspiring instructor that supports him in making a short film for the course that explores his and many others' body image issues. The relationship between Michael and Mr. Dunning reminded me a little bit of Tuesdays with Morrie. The film takes Michael on a journey and the novel teaches the reader many life lessons and explores many relationships that were heartwarming and emotional. This is a must for the top of your TBR!

Thank you Net Galley, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
Michael Without Apology is expected to be released May 6, 2025.

This is an intensely moving book, beautifully written giving pause for thought regarding body image and the fear and insecurity often felt by people who are damaged or scarred physically. Michael's scars came about after an accident with a firework when he was 7 years old. As a 19 year old film student he meets a college professor who is himself, badly scarred and this man becomes his mentor and example of living a life with a less than perfect body, making no apology for it and allowing people to have a good look on first sight and then move on and accept the person for who they are as the affected person makes no apology on behalf of himself for his imperfections. Michael makes a film about body image meeting people with various physical issues and showing their stories and their resolve to live life unapologetically. This is touching and thought provoking and it gently, but cleverly, raises important issues and gives wise counsel. I really enjoyed this book and thank Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review.
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The story follows 19-year-old Michael, a college freshman still grappling with the emotional and physical scars from a devastating childhood accident. Removed from his home and placed in foster care after a firework incident nearly killed him, Michael has spent years hiding his body and burying his pain. But a chance encounter with a new professor—who wears his own scars without apology—begins to shift Michael’s perspective.

When Michael decides to center his student film on how people view their flaws and insecurities, it becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation—not just for himself, but for those around him. Hyde skillfully balances moments of vulnerability and humor, crafting a narrative that’s both uplifting and thought-provoking. While the plot unfolds in a quiet, introspective way, it’s Michael’s emotional journey that leaves the strongest impact. His growth is authentic, his voice sincere, and his story universally resonant. The novel reminds readers that scars—visible or hidden—don’t define us, and learning to accept them is an act of bravery. Touching and inspiring, the novel offers a powerful message about finding worth beyond appearances.