Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mom are poised at the edge of homelessness… again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has an autism-like disorder, and a tendency to shriek. No matter where they live, home never seems to last long.
Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge black Great Dane who changes everything. Sophie falls in love immediately, and begins to … begins to imitate the “inside of the dog,” which, fortunately, is a calm place. The shrieking stops. Everybody begins to breathe again. Until Paul Inverness, the dog’s grumpy, socially isolated owner, moves to the mountains, and it all begins again.
Much to Angie’s humiliation, when they’re thrown out of Aunt Vi’s house, Angie’s mom moves the family to the mountains after Paul and his dog. There, despite a fifty-year difference in their ages, Angie and Paul form a deep friendship, the only close friendship either has known. Angie is able to talk to him about growing up gay, and Paul trusts Angie with his greatest secret, his one dream. When the opportunity arrives, Angie decides to risk everything to help Paul’s dream come true, even their friendship and her one chance at a real home—the only thing she’s dreamed of since her father was killed. A place she can never be thrown out. A place she can feel she belongs.
more
I’ve just read two of Ms. Hyde’s books back to back and will be going after more. Her characters like Angie absolutely leap off the page, and her storylines are both complex and original. Angie is luminous, unique and captures your heart, the way she negotiates the world so bravely and compassionately. A very touching story I won’t soon forget, …
No one writes about the human experience like Catherine Ryan Hyde. Her characters are raw, unfiltered and real. This emotional journey – about a young girl who takes care of her special needs sister and the Great Dane who becomes a beacon of hope is my favorite.
I have enjoyed all the books that I have read of hers. Each really different but meaningful and thought provoking to me.
Loved it!
An autistic little girl and a Great Dane that she relates to. Great story.
I listened to this book via Audible and honestly think I would have enjoyed more if I had read on my own. The narrator’s voice was annoying which spoiled the book for me. I gave it 3 stars but really think it could be a 4-star book.
Interesting, believable and well written historical novel. Thoroughly enjoyable
Great book filled with wonderful characters including a dog, an autistic youngster, a other memorable characters. This is a wonderful read.
I loved this story.
all her books are great
This is a story about an improbable deep friendship between a teenage girl, Angie, who has become wise beyond her years from a hard life and a man, Phil, who is retiring and -he thinks- just wants to be left in peace. She lives with her severely autistic little sister, Sophie, who is given to screaming for hours on end if upset, and their mother …
Great story – as all her books seem to be.
It felt very real and I loved the characters. So sad when it ended.
This book was so good. I cried while reading some parts. It was a book that made me think what would I do in that situation.Gave the book to a few friends to read and they also enjoyed it. Ms. Griffen keep up the good work.
I’m a total sucker for stories about adoption, specifically those that tell the birth mother’s story. I grew up in a house where a story similar to that unfolded. It’s not my story, but it’s one that I watched and participated in, and it’s long, and kind of wistful and sad to some people—maybe, and gut-wrenching for a few.
Because of that, …
It was great I loved it.
Another great read by Emily Giffin!
Could not put it down.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were genuine and likable. The plot was believable and I liked that the author left the ending open rather than writing a cliche ending.
Loved the characters. Loved how this young lady took charge and find her birth parents. How she realized that the parents and her life was how it was meant to be. I would b love to see a follow up book following all the characters.
Enjoyable read. I could follow the characters and it was a lot of fun to read a book that was “Happily ever after”. I would definitely suggest this book if one needs a feel good read.
A touching story about adoption, love and forgiveness.