I’ve just finished Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it was such a heartwarming and beautiful read, one that had me in tears within 50 pages.

‘It’s always worth it to love someone. Even at the risk of losing them’ is quoted on the back of the book and it sums this book up perfectly. Stewie has suffered more loss in his young, eleven-year-old life than most people ever will and when he finds himself with leftover eggs, he ventures to the next house in the street where he sells his eggs and he meets Marilyn. The two soon form a relationship that could crack at any time as Marilyn has secrets she doesn’t want anyone to find out.

Dreaming of Flight was such a gorgeous, beautiful read. Catherine’s novels are always so full of heart and warmth and I absolutely adored Stewie - and Marilyn, actually, she was spiky but she had a good heart too, deep down. I flew through this book in such quick time, as I was so absorbed with Stewie’s story and I just loved how he saw the world, he clearly felt everything deeply but he also had more wisdom in his little finger than I do in my whole body.

I adored this book, these characters and I was very sad when I finished this book - I’m just going to have to read another of Catherine’s books soon because they are truly wonderful reads.

This book sure did pull on the heartstrings! I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book or not, but by the end of the story I had fallen in love with Stewie and Marilyn. The author is a brilliant writer who knows just how to pen beautiful stories about found families.

Oh, man. I love Catherine's books so, so much. This one was, as almost always, 5 stars. I will continue to read everything of hers I can get my hands on!!

The best part of any Catherine Ryan Hyde book is how it makes you FEEL the story. She slowly builds the characters into people you'd love to meet and talk to, even if only to discuss the book. She does not shy away from hard topics, her characters learn to handle life head on.

At 11 yrs old, Stewie has already learned not to expect much from life. He's not the brightest child in his class and he doesn't have friends, so his life focus seems to be selling eggs to his neighbors. And then he meets Marilyn. She sees a little of herself in Stewie and he sees in Marilyn something he has been missing since his grandmother died. Each interaction they have will only strengthen the feelings and the bond that will ultimately make you cry....just like I did.

Jeanne's reviewAug 14, 2023 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: netgalley, currently-reading

She writes such heartwarming stories. Stewie is an 11-year-old who lost his parents when he was a baby and was raised by his gram. When she passes away Stewie takes over the raising of her chickens and selling the eggs to help support his sister, Stacy, who is raising Stewie and his brother, Theo. One day he sells eggs to an older woman who reminds him of his grandmother and they form a relationship. The story was predictable but the layers of Marilyn and Stewie are revealed so slowly that it kept me turning pages. I felt the end was way more predictable and even though I loved the characters I wanted to know more about Theo and Stacy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for providing me with a digital copy.

Oh my goodness, it is extremely rare that I cry when reading a book. This novel had me reaching for the tissues well before the end, and of course, at its conclusion also.

The main character, a child called Stewie, has what my mum would have described as 'an old head on young shoulders'. He has had to deal with so much loss in his short life, and consequently, he is a boy who is filled with sadness and takes life very seriously. He is an utterly delightful character and one I felt fully invested in. My heart ached for this little boy, and I wanted to scoop him up and cuddle him.

His relationship with his surly, elderly neighbour Marilyn is the main theme of the book. Marilyn is a woman with secrets of her own and initially it appears to be a very unlikely friendship. However, it serves to demonstrate Stewie's character perfectly. He is caring, sensitive and loyal to the extreme.

Although the book is the story of Stewie's sadness and inability to deal with his grief, it is ultimately a life-affirming and hopeful story which I highly recommend.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde books and this one does not disappoint. It's an all around great story told by a boy with a very deep, but troubled personality. His outlook and life and everyday situations makes for an interesting read.

A young boy deals with the loss of his grandmother by pouring his love and grief into her chickens and selling their eggs. A chance encounter with a guarded new customer, Marilyn, brings a chance for healing - for both of them.

This was a profound look into grief and mental health issues aimed at a young adult audience. Heavy topics such as parental death, the death of caregivers, depression, anxiety, disability, dementia, and familial estrangement were handled with empathy and kindness, and we also witness friendship and growth and healing alongside these more sensitive topics.

This was a bittersweet book that tugged at the heartstrings. Beautifully written, we feel Stewie's sorrow, his sister's worry and exasperation, Marilyn's feeling of being trapped, and so many more emotions throughout the book.

5 stars

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

This book really read like it was written for a young adult age group. As is typical with Catherine Ryan Hyde books, you will meet people who are gracious and caring people and experience the difference they make in the lives of others. What an emotional tale that will touch your heart. Seeing Stewie as he cares for the chickens and delivers eggs and the positive family relationships will have you smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Like all other books that I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, this is a beautiful, poignant read. I really liked the lead character, Stewie, and sympathized with all his struggles especially with loss. His unlikely friendship with the elderly lady, Marilyn was so beautiful to read about. I also absolutely adored Stewie’s siblings.

I did feel like this book is more suitable for younger readers unlike the other titles that I have read by the author. It was a little slow though the pace did fit the narrative. Unfortunately, children’s fiction is not a genre that I read and so I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

Nonetheless, with lovable characters, an emotional storyline, and wonderful writing, this is still a book that I recommend especially to younger readers.

wow, what an amazing book. This is a story about the friendship of an unlikely kind of an 11-year-old boy and an elderly woman Shaun the evil generation does not mean friends or I missed that you can make friends of any age. This is a truly emotional story and it challenges you both intellectual and emotional whilst reading. This novel handles a lot of different and difficult emotions and does them well and it hits you in the heart.

Beautifully constructed characters and plot. I loved all of the compassionate relationships, but especially the one between Stewie and Marilyn. Stewie is your perfect example of dealing with the poor hands your dealt and doing everything you can to overcome them.

Every time I read one of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books I think it’s my new favorite. I loved and identifies with sweet, worried Stewie in this book and there were so many well written sentences I wanted to store myself to remember them. Another 5 star read! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

3.5

While I think that the audience that would typically pick up this book would enjoy this, it sadly was not my cup of tea. I enjoyed some of the characters and the writing, but the plot failed to hook me and I just did not feel compelled to read this.

This beautiful, moving story has characters that are full of depth with my favourite being 11 yr old Stewie Little.
Stewie is a lonely boy who desperately misses his grandmother. After her passing he is determined to look after her chickens for her. Selling fresh eggs he meets Marilyn, a rest home resident who reminds him of his grandmother. Stewie's grief lessens and his life becomes enriched as he enriches the lives of the residents of the rest home.
This novel tugged at my heartstrings and will stay with me for a very long time!
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I was ready for a feel-good book and I know this author can deliver. Told through 2 POVs: a 12-year-old boy with a tragic backstory and a woman in her 80s with a questionable past. The author does a great job of writing from both viewpoints. It was somewhat predictable and sappy but not overly so. It was the right book at the right time. 4.5 stars.

I loved this book. From the first chapter I was drawn in to the sweet little boys story and perspective. The kind of book that makes you want to be a better person! Highly suggest reading this one. Clean and wholesome.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde was a beautifully written book that just stole my heart. This is a story of unconventional family relationships and dealing with bereavement and I was gripped from the beginning till the end. From the very beginning I just fell in love with Stewie, He is only eleven years old and he is a really sweet young lad and he shows his love and takes great care in providing the very best care for all his hens. These hens, were his grandmothers. To make a little money he sells his eggs to his friends and people around his neighbourhood. Stewie has had it tough as his parents died when he was a baby and his grandmother stepped in to care for him, has just passed away. All alone on the big world, Stewie is in the care of his sister who is busy and studying to be a nurse.
Stewie has another brother and he has cerebral palsy. All three of them have a wonderful relationship between them.

Sadly, Stewie doesn't have any friends his own age But, he does mind he has his hens. Then, one day he befriends a grumpy old lady who he delivers eggs too. When everything changes!

This book is so beautifully written and the cover says a thousand words.......

I highly recommend this book and I found it a great holiday book.

Big Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another beautiful story by Catherine Ryan Hyde. She has never disappointed me.

I've read several of this author's books and each one has been a treasure. Each leaves you feeling so good. You get a lesson out of each one. A life lesson if you will. You meet people who are usually down on their luck or have something else going on and get to walk with them through each book. They make you feel so many emotions. This one was no different.

A boy of 11, Stewie, who lives on a farm with his sisters sells eggs from the chickens that belonged to his grandmother. He meets an older woman, Marilyn who is a bit of a recluse. She stays hidden. Away from everyone. Of course you will learn why. Even though she is a big harsh with Stewie at first he, like most children, keeps going back. She reminds him of his grandmother and that is important to him. Of course being a child and innocent in so many ways he doesn't pay much mind to her being a bit cold towards him. And of course they strike up a friendship.

You will learn what it's like for this child after losing his parents and his grandmother. Living with his older sister and taking care of a farm. Caring for chickens. Making friends. Helping a woman come out of her shell without really meaning too. The innocence of a child is priceless. The relationship between these two will melt your heart. Lots of tears of course but also a few chuckles along the way. Ms Hyde has woven another beautiful story of friendship between two unlikely people and made you feel their pains and happiness. As though you are right there.

This author's work always gives you hope that things can get better. No matter how sad or how much pain is involved you leave these stories with hope for a much better tomorrow. That is what I always love about Ms Hyde's books. Never give up. Keep going. Things can and do get better.

Thank you #NetGalley, #CatherineRyanHyde, #LakeUnionPublishers for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book. I loved it.

5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.

Dreaming Of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde is the most delightful contemporary novel that completely warmed my heart. It is a hug in a book.
The novel looks at the topic of grief. We all handle grief differently. There is no right or wrong way, you just have to get through it. Our reactions to loss change. It is perfectly normal to swing from sad to mad in an instant.
Eleven year old Stewie forms a relationship with an elderly neighbour who reminds him of his Gam. Both the old and the young need each other. It is beautiful to witness the development of their relationship. As their relationship buds and blossoms, life begins to open up further for both. They need each other and bring out the best in each other.
Stewie is kindness personified. He always tries to help everyone and spreads love and kindness wherever he goes. If he spots a wrong, he makes it his mission to try to right that wrong.
Stewie’s love extends to his hens. They belonged to his Gam. He feels the connection with her as he pours himself into their care.
We reap what we sow. Nowhere is this clearer than in young Stewie’s life.
I absolutely adored Dreaming Of Flight. It was a most charming novel and I am sorry that it has ended. I always love everything that Catherine Ryan Hyde writes.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.