I loved this book & highly recommend it. You will see a maturity in a young boy that will touch your heart. I loved all the characters & was drawn into the cabin where Zoe lived with her 2 dogs.

1969, Lucas is 14, his older brother is in Vietnam, his parents are locked in the world of there own, yelling and screaming at each other...his best friend is even more of a nerd than he is. While running thru the woods( forbidden as "you could get lost") Lucas meets two big dogs and they become his running buddies. Then one morning they lead him to cabin of the lady who owns them, pawing at door distressed. Lucas realized she was in trouble and runs home to call police, saving her life. This starts a friendship with many ripple effects...great coming of age story. I do believe Christine Ryan Hyde has again written another winner!

What a book!! Loved the characters and how the author made them so believable. Ithe story line was believable. I was riveted through the entire book. All of the authors books teach you lessons about life the good and the bad.

Another great story from the master story teller, Catherine Ryan Hyde. I keep a constant watch on NetGalley, waiting for the next CRH novel. She never disappoints and this is one of her best.
As usual, the novel centers on a young character who seeks guidance from an older wiser person. The difference this time is that Lucas, the 14 year old protagonist, is the best grounded person in the book. Lucas’ only flaw is that he takes on the problems of everyone around him. Lucas meets Zoe, an older woman who lives alone in the woods. An outcast due to a tragic event in her life from years earlier. His brother is having a difficult time in Vietnam. His best friend Connor is in the depths of depression. Somehow, through Lucas’ intervention, their lives intertwine and they find meaning through helping each other.
There are many subjects in this book: depression, suicide, unstable families, patriotism, the value of exercise and relationships with animals. It is a well written and meaningful book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a prepublication ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stay is the coming of age story of a boy, Lucas Painter, in 1969. This is the point in his life where he becomes a man, even though he feels inadequate and responsible for so much more than should be on his 14-year-old shoulders. He finds peace when he begins to run one day in the woods near his house and happens upon two huge dogs by an old cabin that begin to run with him daily. The dogs, Rembrandt and Vermeer, give unconditional love and support, as is their nature.
He soon meets their owner, Zoe Dinsmore and from that point, his life takes the path to become the person he was meant to be.
I do not want to write more details of the storyline. I think this book should be read not knowing more than that, but I will say that this story is about the ups and downs of life. Finding strength that you never knew you had. Going on when you lease want to. What it is to be a friend. Finding a way to feel worthy to go on when deep inside you don’t believe that can ever happen.
The characters are so life-like with admirable qualities and flaws. The town and woods are etched in my mind by the wonderful descriptions. The (characters) people of this book are now a part of my life. They will not leave my memory for a long time.
There is so much wisdom is written in this story. So much of it touched my heart and soul. I wanted to read fast to find out what was going to happen and I also did not want it to end! I cannot express how much I love this book! I want everyone to read it! I want it to become a movie, so the non-readers out there can experience this story also. I wish I could give this book more than just 5 stars!
I want to thank NetGalley.com and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC for this amazing book. Catherine Ryan Hyde is an excellent storyteller. I wanted to write my opinion in hopes others will also discover this author and enjoy her books.

Follow a 14-year-old Lucas as he faces life with a depressed best friend and a brother in Vietnam. Lucas finds a love for running when he encounters 2 big dogs in the woods. The dogs turn out to be friendly, and a whole new world opens up to Lucas, including Zoe, an isolated older woman who lives with the dogs. This is a sweet story of friendship, and it reminds us that we do, indeed, need a village. Lucas is the individual who brings all of the characters together, and proves that human beings need one another.

WOW! This book has it all ... amazing characters, backdrop, plot etc. You are right there from page 1 until the end. It is so hard to put down because you want no have to know what happens next! I loved this book for so many reasons .... the basic theme throughout is you do the best you can with the cards you are dealt.

In this book it is set in the late '60s .. you meet Lucas and Roy .. brothers .. one in Vietnam and one just trying to survive being a 14 year old boy. You meet Conner .. Lucas best friend .. living in a house where no one talks .. he lives in a shell until you meet Zoe! Zoe has her own demons she must live with and has a way to making the boys see who they are not who they think they are ...

I can not recommend this book enough! It truly has it all and would be a great book club read! I was given a copy of this ARC by Netgalley for my honest review and received no money for my review.

I have loved all of Catherine Ryan Hydes books and this one was no exception. Such a wonderful book about friendships and families. I especially loved how she wrapped it all up at the end. Will definitely be adding this to our book club list.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author I can not get enough of. Her stories always tug and my emotions. Her words make me feel and think and this is why I read. This newest novel was no different. A teen in the late sixties with things on his mind. He walks and it is his walking that leads him to dogs and another soul with "issues". This is a wonderful story that will leave the reader looking for more of her works.

This book was extremely well written and I loved the characters. Luke has parents that are constantly arguing, a brother that's been drafted, and a best friend that might be suicidal. He has no one to talk to about his issues and he needs help. He starts running in the morning and meets a couple of dogs in the room that start running with him. He becomes curious about their owner and finds her during an overdose. I love that they are able to save each other and have such a huge impact on themselves and the life of others. This is one of several books I have read from this author and she never disappoints. I will definitely be recommending this book to others. Thanks for the ARC, Net Galley.

Do not start a CRH book unless you want to spend the rest of the day or night with it. They are impossible to put down. After every one I read I always say this one is the best, and I am saying it again. This one hit me straight in the heart for so many reasons. I would love to imagine a world where everyone was like the characters of her books. So many life lessons and so much to think about. I will be highlighting a lot in a hard copy of this amazing book. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for the ARC

This story explored the relationship between one boy and the people he loved the most in his life. It was a story about not being afraid to save each other when we need help the most. I read this book in less than 24 hours, I could not put it down. I was given the chance to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review from #Netgalley. I would not hesitate
To recommend this book to anyone.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing me a copy of this book on NetGalley to read and review.

I wanted to like this book, I really, really did. It just had too many subplots and too many characters that seemed not to go anywhere. I really like other books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but found this was a bit of a slog to get through. The epilogue also seemed to come out of left field and there just didn't seem to be a need for it, except to wrap up everything in a neat little bow.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazing author and this book was one of her best. I devoured it in two days and was disappointed to see it end. Her characters are so well developed that you feel like you know them and miss them when the last page is turned. This is a book that stays with you long after the reading is done.

I love this Author's writing. This book really makes you feel. Lucas is 14 in 1969. He has a brother fighting in the Vietnam War and a best friend (also 14) with suicidal thoughts. He meets a recluse living with her dogs in a cabin in the woods. Do yourself a favour and read this book. It is absolutely fantastic. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This is a book about true friendship, loyalty ,healing and redemption. This is a well written book in the words of a 14 year old boy . The characters are believable and well crafted. Read this book you will not be disappointed.

I wasnt sure about this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley but it wasnt my usual genre - mystery/thriller/psychological so I wasnt prepared for what I read. The story starts with Lucas, a fourteen year old boy, who was very confused. His home was unsettling with his parents fighting all the time and as a teenager he had loads of questions about life. And no one to talk to.

His best friend, Connor wasnt much help either - having an unstable mom and being depressed himself. The story takes you through their friendship and relationship with Zoe, grandma-aged lady living in the woods who was responsible for the deaths of two children when the school bus she was driving veered off the road.

And from there the story took hold of me and wouldnt let go. It hit home a bit because it also covers the time of the Vietnam War which Lucas' brother served in and I grew up in that era. I found myself turning pages and reading every minute I could because the home life these boys had was what brought them to be closer and rely on each other for their well being.

Lucas' philosophy on life was amazing especially the book , in the second half, fast forwards 50 years and finds Lucas telling his stories to Connor's grandson.....who states "everyone dies in your story" to which Lucas replies: "If you think having and losing is so bad, try never having." So profound are the statements in this book. A must read. I was glad I read out of my usual genre.

This is a thought provoking, heart felt story that I loved! Ten stars!!
Lucas is a fourteen year old young man with a heart of gold. He longs to try to help anyone and everyone, and wishes that life would be perfect for all.
The time is the late 1960’s when the Vietnam War was in full blast. The world and life in general is in turmoil.
He is troubled by his best friend Connor, who seems to be depressed. Can he help him?
"You can’t make somebody leave and you can’t make them stay.” Can you?

Lucas saves, befriends and truly loves Zoe Dinsmore who will be just what both need as their lives intersect.
The quote: “Nothing in my life has ever been a mistake” is the perfect description for Lucas. He is in exactly the “right” place at the required time.
Zoe is my favorite character and has guts,heart and a strength that I admire!
However, Lucas is her angel at a time when desperately needed!

I am so grateful that the last piece of this story is a fast forward to present day.
It gave me the closure needed to say “ see you later” to each of these characters that I had spent a few days living with.
Definitely a book people should read! Excellent!

Summer, 1969
Lucas Painter, aged 14
Connor Barnes, also 14, Lucas Painter's best friend since they were three years old
Leroy "Roy" Painter, Lucas Painter's brother who's been at war in Viet Nam

This book is like coming back to a comfortable room to talk to an old friend. The narrative is like the voice of someone dear and familiar.

Lucas Painter is at that awkward age when things inevitably start to change in the lives of most people his age, but he knows the moment the biggest change happens in his life. It becomes that moment when he crosses the invisible line between what is and what will be.

Lucas happens upon a cabin in the woods near his home. The two big dogs who belong to the occupant of the cabin become his running buddies, and one of the first things Lucas learns is that he really loves running. He's good at it, and the dogs love running with him. The mystery of the occupant of the cabin becomes known to him over time.

Zoe Dinsmore has her burdens to bear and she does the best she can, on her own and with no help from the townsfolk. Slowly but surely, her layers get peeled back, though. We begin see her as a whole human woman, and not just the pieces the people of the town have assigned to her. Her friendship with Lucas seems to be just what they both need.

I love the way this story ties up loose ends and gives each character the knowledge of how their lives might have been different if not for the fact that each of them dared to step out of their comfort zones and say or do a thing that, while small, was huge in the lives of each the them.

I long ago ran out of superlatives to describe the books Catherine Ryan Hyde writes. There is no bottom to the depth and breadth of her stories and characters.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, I loved it the writing was brilliant and the characters so believable. I would definitely recommend this book.