Catherine Ryan Hyde can write well and this book is no exception. There is a good story line and good character development. This is a book you could find yourself curled up with and reading it in one sitting. I thank Netgallery for my free review copy, admittedly some years ago.

I really enjoy the books this author writes. I had a difficult time putting this book down. I think this book should be one read in a classroom. The trials and tribulations are real. I have suggested this book to my 12 and 14 year old sons. I will also share title with English teachers in the school district I work at.

It was an OK book, I would put the reading level for mature YA. I didn't like the authors portrayal of the Pete. It made it seem like he was a simpleton. I think the story line had great truths during that time period b/t white and black couples. But Hyde wrote it in such a way that made the "struggle" seem ehhh.

This book was a surprise. What started out as a story about a rescued dog, a recluse doctor and an abused teen became a sweet, but unsettling story about the meaning of family and about love and racism in the 1960s US. The characters are well formed and engaging and I came to really care about what happened to Pete, Justin, Mr. Bell and Dr. Lucy and even Prince, the wolf-dog. Spanning almost a decade, there's time to tell their stories and for them to develop. Although, I admit it becomes a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it. For fans of Hyde's other books and fans of stories that show real life, real emotions, and who love happy endings.

Another great novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I read this one back to back with Allie and Bea, her latest work. I would not try that with any other author, but CRH does a wonderful job of making each of her books and characters unique.
CRH always has a strong ethical issue in her writings. This book is about racism in Texas in the late 1950's. Having lived in Texas my entire life, I know that the setting she created is real. Thankfully, things have changed--somewhat.

I love this author. She is a wonderful story teller and this book was one of her best.

I must start out by stating Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors. Many times after reading her stories, I am not quite sure I have the right words to adequately explain why people must read her work. This happens to be one of those times.

I could tell you this story is about two boys, a wolf-dog, two adults, and a certain time in society where beliefs were outrageously cruel. And all that would be true. It's also a story about love and how it shapes your life.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde! She can move you in books with her words and pull you in to where you feel what the characters are going through. Great story! I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this title. An abused young boy finds a "dog," on the side of the road. He later learns it's a cross between a wolf and dog. He meets another boy, and things turn bad. It's a very good coming of age story, with some racial problems. It's realistic and is a good lesson how we should all look beyond color.

I loved this book. First, can I say that it screams Make a Movie Out of Me! Personally, I fell so in love with the characters that if I didn't have my own animals to stay home and care for, I'd love to move in with Dr. Lucy and hang out with Justin and Pete, and Prince, of course. The plot is a fresh take on an unfortunate and unsettled theme, and the characters are so well drawn as to be three-dimensional.
I would find it difficult to imagine anyone not completely drawn in to the story, and touched by the colloquial speech patterns of the boys. Not sure if that's a correct way to express that, but the way they speak places them in a certain time and place.

Thank you to Ms. Hyde, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to take this adventure.

Excerpt from Review: "...Say Goodbye for Now is a captivating story filled with emotion and social relevance. The book is well-written and the main characters are extremely likeable and believable. I loved the references to the Loving court case – history is one of my favorite subjects and I believe it is important for people to learn from this country’s past mistakes. Tolerance is something I believe in strongly and this novel is definitely a good teaching tool for tolerance. This novel shows that some love is worth waiting for and that love, hope and perseverance will always conquer hate. And it’s just plain enjoyable – definitely worth the read!"

I just don’t know how Catherine Ryan Hyde does it, she writes such heartwarming stories yet they are all so different & worth reading! This novel is set in 1959 in a small town where racial prejudice is rife. Pete, a young man of 12, suffering abuse at the hands of his father, finds an injured dog (or so he thinks) by the roadside. His friend abandons him to go fishing leaving him to tend to the dog. Turned away from the vets because the animal is part wolf he trudges miles out of town to a recluse lady doctor he’s been told may help. Along the way he meets a young African American boy called Justin. Together they visit Dr Lucy who is destined to become their friend & salvation. When Pete’s father finds out about his growing friendship with Justin he forbids them to be friends. Justin is attacked & beaten up & shortly afterwards Calvin Justin’s father is arrested. Dr Lucy is the saviour looking after them all in her way as well as all the animals she cares for. This is a lovely story, not all happy by any means, but the strength of the characters & how they overcome prejudice of many sorts, even the dog/wolf is inspiring

This is the first book I have read from this author. I absolutely loved it. The story touched on several difficult topics including interracial relationships (in the 1950s), child abuse, loss, and family. Descriptions were so real that I could picture the story as it occurred. The characters were extremely fleshed out. I felt that I personally knew each of them. I will definitely be searching for more from this author.

Sweet YA book about an abused boy rescuing a wolf-dog and bonding with a loner lady-doctor, and befriending a black boy and his father in rural TX in 1959.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

In 1959 Texas, 12-year-old Pete finds a dog on the side of the road, having been hit by a car. He gets his wagon and takes the dog to the vet in town, who tells Pete that he will not treat the animal because it is actually a wolf-dog hybrid. Pete ends up on Dr. Lucy’s doorstep. Despite being a human doctor, Lucy takes care of animals too. On the way there, he befriends Justin, an 11-year-old black boy who has just moved to town. Pete’s, Lucy’s, and Justin’s lives become intertwined over the next few days.

The plot for this story was a good one, but I felt the execution was just OK. The writing seemed a little simplistic, and the characters were flat. The good people were good, and the bad people were all bad.

Catherine Ryan Hyde's Say Goodbye for Now is the first novel that I have read by her. And I am so glad I did! From the first pages, the main character (Pete) has a heart of gold with courage, loyalty, and determination to match. He feels compelled to save an injured dog (who clearly represents Pete himself), and saves himself in the process.

There are plenty of life lessons in this book. The doctor who helps the dog experiences her own epiphany, and Pete's new best friend is the catalyst for much of the happiness this novel holds. The novel takes place in the fifties in the American south, and triumphs over the varied obstacles armed against the characters.

The depth with which this novel captured my heart surprised me. For days after I finished it, I thought about the characters. Though I read many books, it is a rare find that leaves me with a contented sigh at the end. I even had to delay beginning any other books, because this one stayed with me so long.

The writing style is excellent -- you feel each character, and can distinguish one character from the other. The dialogue is compelling, and genuine. The author manages to craft a story where you feel you are eavesdropping on real people's lives. And you are grateful to have met them.

The novel has a satisfying ending -- even though you want the story to continue, you are satisfied with where the author leaves this glimpse into the characters' lives.

I will be reading more of Hyde's novels, and I recommend you read this one now! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Say Goodbye for Now is set between 1950s to the 1960s in Texas. It's main story to me was the tension of that era due to racism. Four people, good people, targeted and worse because they form friendships, just because two of those people happen to be black and two white.
In some ways this book reminded me of To kill A Mockingbird. It's a very good read and I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the four main characters especially Doctor Lucy. I loved Prince, the Wolf dog and the happiness he brought to Pete, when he really needed it.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

I love all of Catherine Hyde's books. This one wasn't too deep butt a very heart warning story that moved quite quickly and comfortably. Looking forward to get next book.

Do you remember 'Pay It Forward'? If you live under a rock or somehow never got to see it, I'm about to give a spoiler. Skip to the next paragraph where I will strictly talk about this book. The author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, wrote that book which became the most up-lifting and crash ending movie. I bought the movie because I loved that concept so much. But the ending of the movie, when the main character was killed, keeps me from watching it ever again. Ms. Hyde, though set up the foundation of Pay It Forward which is a marvelous way for folks to live. Maybe I will buck up and give it another try for the meat of the movie (or read the book). I would have loved to know that about the author before I began reading this book. But unfortunately, that information was in the back of the book after the book club questions.

A series of events in the 1950s gives the reader so many character-lines to follow that one wonders where this is leading. A wolf-dog hit by a car. An abused but wiser-than-his-age boy tries to find help for this poor creature. Seem to make it look like a simple book, a boy and his dog, kind of thing. But the story gets deeper and deeper. Some surprises happen as opposed to how the reader may think they would. The story was well-written and draws one in. The characters are deeper than some books offer. Sometimes I wanted more. But I think the author knew how to pull us through.

Yes, there is a bit a romance but it isn't the leading subject. But neither is the dog. Have I made this vague enough to incite interest? Don't come into the book thinking, like I did that it was going to be a sweet book about a boy and his dog. This book is worth the read. I wish there was a book two as I already miss these character and wonder what happens next.

By the way, I received this book free of charge from NetGalley. Thank you!