This is one of my favorite authors, and I like how her stories make one feel. She always gives us a glimpse of the positive, giving one hope even in hard circumstances. The way she has her characters interact, the words used and wisdom given, so spot on. She uses a straight forward and relatable style.
The story follows best friends Lucas and Connor, both 14 and a woman, Zoe Dinsmore who lives in the woods outside of the town, with her two large dogs.
Both Lucas and his friend Connor, have difficult family lives, both sets of parents are very dysfunctional. Lucas has a family that is constantly fighting and Connors family do not really talk and both fathers are distant.
The way Lucas, deals with his stress is that he likes to run in the woods, where he runs into Zoe's dogs who have decided to make this their ritual as well.
Zoe in her mid 50's has had tragedy and repercussions from that tragedy throughout her life, and has a hard time wanting to go on at times.
Both she and Lucas finally meet when one day on his run, where he sees her dogs distressed in front of the cabin, when he sees that she may be unresponsive he calls the authorities. After that Zoe and Lucas become friends, both helping the other get through things.
She also helps him navigate life, by listening and answering his questions, something that his parents should have done. Connor also with his troubles is introduced to Zoe, and they all benefit from this friendship.
A beautiful story of people who even though, they may be lost in their own situations, are able to be there for each other.
Like the saying, “don't judge a book by it's cover” here it is more “don't judge a person for their faults.”
I cannot wait to read her next book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.

I loved this book. Illuminating, enlightening, thought provoking, touching to my core loved it. Touching on serious life subjects there was so much wisdom in this story.. Catherine Ryan Hyde has done it again with Stay!!!

Stay was my first Hyde book and I’m officially a fan! Lucas, a fourteen year old, teaches us that friends can become family and that personal connections can mean everything. This heartwarming, honest read will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. I’m typically drawn towards fast paced thriller novels, but this story kept me entertained and engaged throughout! I will be reading more from this author.

Have you ever met someone who seemed an unlikely friend, but they changed your life? That’s exactly what happens when Lucas stumbles across Zoe’s cabin in the middle of the woods and saves her life. Their unlikely friendship changes his life - and the lives of those around him - for the better.
Such an amazing book! Very eye opening to how much of an unexpected and unknown impact we have on others, and the ways in which our lives have value. Definitely recommend!

I'm a big Catherine Ryan Hyde fan. Stay is another hit. Interesting and thought provoking. I liked that the majority of the book is told from a 14 year old boy's point of view. Very different from an adults take on life.

This is a story about Lucas a 14 year old boy who has the tendency to take on responsibility for things out of his control. His parents fight all the time. His brother Roy writes to him from Vietnam about the war only for the letters to be censored before Lucas gets them, which leads to him worrying what his brother was trying to say. His best friend Connor is struggling because his mom is too dependent on him and his parents never talk to each other. All this pressure has Lucas running through the woods where he comes across 2 dogs. Lucas runs everyday with the dogs and the owner Zoe doesn’t seem to mind. Then one day the dogs won’t come running and they sit by the cabin door. Lucas goes to check it out and Zoe is not waking up. Running as fast as he can he goes to get help. That is the day Lucas saves Zoe’s life. As a result, they become friends and Zoe’s straightforward talks help Lucas to navigate the storms of his life. Can Zoe help Connor when he becomes depressed? Can Zoe encourage Lucas when Roy returns from war not himself? Can one decision made alter the course of Lucas’s life?

This is a story written from a 14 yr olds perspective in how he sees the world. It gave you food for thought when seeing life from that perspective.

This book was FANTASTIC...I read it in 2 days! Connor,

Roy and Zoe are all brought together by Lucas . Throughout the book they form a special bond where they're all taking out of each other through friendship and a bond caring for others - all though it may not always seem that way.

Zoe sums this all up in the book by telling Lucas - "People need help with perspective sometimes. If they’re all alone in their own head, they can lose perspective. Sometimes you need to use somebody else like a mirror. Let them reflect back to you the way the world really is."

This was such a wonderful story. Ms. Hyde is a masterful storyteller and touches my heart and soul with her novels. Lucas, Connor, and Zoe with be with me for a very long time. Their friendship and the problems that they dealt with will long be remembered.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Absolutely one of the best books I’ve read in last several months
Well written easy to keep up with the characters

In 1969 Lucas Painter was fourteen years old with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He finds a release by taking long walks until one day he is chased by two large dogs who just want to play and discovers the joy of running.

As the summer holidays begin he meets Zoe Dinsmore, who owns the dogs, and an unlikely friendship begins. The days pass quickly as they discover as much about themselves as each other and gradually Lucas begins to understand a little more about what is happening and how he needs to deal with it. He is a nice boy who cares deeply for his brother and his best friend but doesn't understand his role in any of what is happening to them. Gradually he learns how to offer and accept help and his load is reduced as his confidence increases.

This is a beautifully written study of an ordinary boy and how no one is an island unless they want to be. His family and friends come under the microscope and as he tries to help those closest to him he learns how what he, or any of his close circle, do can have repercussions for many others.

I enjoyed this book very much; it was an easy read but covered a lot of problems as relevant today as they were then. The book is written from Lucas's point of view and I wanted him to succeed and rise above the problems he has to face. I  especially liked that the final chapters were in the present which meant all the important questions were answered.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stand alone novels with likeable and believable characters which have the feel good factor.

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.

Thank you Catherine Ryan Hyde and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. This book stayed with me for a long time, just thinking about it....It’s about a boy Lucas, who is 14 yrs old. He lives in a home where the parents are constantly yelling and arguing. He usually goes to his friends house which is completely opposite, very quiet, with his friend in his room all the time... one day he cuts through the woods by his house and comes upon a cabin with two dogs. He is at first Leary of the dogs but they start running with him every day...he eventually meets the owner Zoe, who is suffering from a past trauma. Between Connor, his friend, and Zoe Lucas wants one thing for them and that is a promise to Stay.

There is so much more to this book, I loved Lucas, Zoe and Connor, great characters. I was so glad the author took us to a time where they were older.. We meet them again at the cemetery and find out how their lives played out....

I can’t say enough about this book. Thanks to the author and publishers. This was a great book.....

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.