🏜🚐Caring for a curmudgeon: truly touching😢

It's hard to explain how, but this novel grabbed me hard and made me rethink the way I process slings and arrows of prejudice, resentment and criticism from others. As the lead character learns, it's the critic's problem, not his. Profound ideas here in a novel that's insightful and addresses highly relevant issues.

Twenty-something Lewis, the lead in this story, loses a job and yet finds a vocation in a most unexpected way. Chester Wheeler, his outspoken, obnoxious neighbor, turns out to be a real pain but with hidden depths and insecurities as he rapidly approaches life's end. These two together on a road trip: sublimely confrontational and touching.

Another triumph of emotion and inspirational writing from one of my go-to authors. A surprisingly quick read thanks to the author's storytelling abilities. It may seem simple but it packs a punch!

Wholeheartedly recommended.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Ive never read books by this author but that’s going to change. I enjoyed this book immensely. I was absorbed in this book from beginning to end!

This author!!! Yes to everything she writes.
This book give you the feels, touches you.
I devoured this book in a few hours.
As much as you want to dislike Chester you fall in love with the grumpy old man. And I can't say enough good things about Lewis..we need more people like this in our world. It's a true look at what we gain when we put our lives on hold for others.
Bravo..brilliant
I cannot wait for the the next book from this author.


Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

I always get excited when Catherine Ryan Howard writes a new book. In her newest book, So Long, Chester Wheeler, she chose to pair two of the most unlikely people to ever get along together. Lewis Madigan and Chester Wheeler were neighbors in Buffalo. Chester Wheeler was an older man of 70. Everyone that knew Chester saw him as being a hateful, manipulative, nasty and obstinate man. Even his own children felt that way. Lewis had the misfortune of being Chester’s neighbor. Unfortunately, neighbors cannot be selected. Some people were lucky and ended up with friendly, considerate and caring neighbors. Others ended up with neighbors who minded their own business but were polite. Lewis ended up with Chester Wheeler, a very vocal homophobic neighbor. He tried to avoid Chester at all times. Lewis had come to detest Chester since he was such a vengeful old man.

Lewis, a twenty-four year old gay man had just experienced the worst day of his life. He worked in computer development and had recently been promised a promotion and a raise. To Lewis’s dismay, he was handed a pink slip instead. Lewis was out of a job. To make matters even worse, Lewis arrived home to find his boyfriend’s car packed and ready to leave. Lewis and his boyfriend had discussed moving from Buffalo to California. They had been saving to make the move. When Lewis arrived home, he discovered that his boyfriend was going to California without Lewis and had absconded all the money that they had saved. The icing on the cake was that Chester Wheeler was outside on his porch and had witnessed the entire thing. Of course Chester made homophobic remarks to Lewis about his boyfriend leaving him. What else could go wrong that day?

Chester Wheeler was terminally ill. He was confined to a wheelchair. Chester needed round the clock care. Lewis observed, that Chester being Chester, he had driven away each and every health care aide that came to take care of him. Chester’s daughter, finally, was given no choice but to come and take care of her father herself. The only problem was that her daughter was about to give birth and she needed to be with her daughter. Chester’s daughter needed someone to provide end of life care for her father and Lewis needed money desperately. Even though Lewis had no health care experience and he disliked Chester adamantly, he decided to take the job of caring for Chester. Lewis and Chester fell into a routine and Lewis was determined to fulfill his promise. No matter how difficult Chester was Lewis would do what he needed to do. Then Chester made a request. Chester’s dying wish was to go to Arizona to see his ex-wife one last time and get closure. How could Lewis deny a dying man, even if it was Chester, his last wish? Lewis and Chester traveled in Chester’s Winnebago to Arizona. That trip would change the way Lewis viewed Chester, their relationship and the way Lewis saw himself.

Catherine Ryan Hyde proved once again to be a masterful storyteller. This uplifting story was character driven and well plotted. I enjoyed how Lewis’s life came full circle and how he came to embrace the changes in his life. So Long, Chester Wheeler, brought the realization to fruition that you cannot always judge a book by its cover. Sometimes unforeseen situations can mask what was really there all along. I really enjoyed reading So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde and highly recommend it. Publication is set for December 6, 2022.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC of So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I like to save Catherine Ryan Hyde novels for when I need a lift or a smile and this latest is no exception to her long track record of making the reader care about people who might not care about themselves. Lewis takes a position caring for the elderly, dying, curmudgeon Curtis because he's just lost lost his job and his lover all at once. These two are opposites in so many ways (starting with homophobia on Curtis' part) but they find their way to acceptance and understanding. And dare I say it- affection. Yes the two of them as well as the road trip might be trope-y but you will find yourself wrapped up in the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Unemployed Lewis Madigan, a kindly young gay man, reluctantly takes grumpy homophobe Chester Wheeler on a road trip to Arizona. Off they set in Chester's ancient motor home to give him a special memory before he dies of cancer. What could go wrong? During the trip, the two come to understand each other and themselves. The banter between the two and the vivid description of their journey make this a satisfying and wryly amusing read.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always writes such wonderful, original, heartfelt novels about people from all walks of life. This one is another winner where a young, gay man comes to understand, if not like, the bitter old man who lives next door. Chester Wheeler is the next-door neighbour, who is dying of metastatic lung cancer. He never has a good word for anyone, goes out of his way to be belligerent and argumentative and never misses a chance to shout gay slurs at his neighbour Lewis Madigan. He’s worn out every carer sent by the agency and now his daughter Ellie has had to come from interstate to look after him and is pulling her hair out as she tries to work out what to do with him.

When Lewis loses his job as a software developer and his roommate, boyfriend Tim, leaves him on the same day, he suddenly finds himself in financial difficulties. Desperate to get back home to her daughter whose baby is due any day, Ellie offers to pay Lewis to look after Chester until she can return and organise other care for him and Lewis reluctantly agrees. Chester is every bit as awful as Lewis knew he’d be but he finds he can deal with him and not take it personally and even lets him talk him into wrangling Chester’s Winnebago on a 2000 mile road trip to visit Chester’s ex-wife.

This was a wonderful read. Chester does not have many redeeming features and is not easy to like but somehow you warm to him. Lewis is an amazing carer for one so young, especially in how he could see the humour in their interactions and get Chester to listen to him and eventually take his advice. One of the hallmarks of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novels is the personal growth that her characters undergo and I liked the way Lewis’ journey in caring for Chester helped him towards finding a new career that made him feel fulfilled. Highly recommended for all who enjoy a heartwarming, satisfying tale.

Lewis is put in the position of caring for Chester, who doesn’t have much longer to live. Chester has pushed away everyone in his life, including his children and caregivers. He’s not an easy man to get along with, even superficially. But if anyone can do it, it would be Lewis, who has no other choice right now.

One of my favorite things is working with people who have been deemed too difficult. I make it my mission to see them happier, even if for only a few moments. So I can appreciate Lewis doing everything he does for Chester, even when Chester made it so easy to walk away.

Chester’s character is true to life. I liked how Lewis related to him, which included a few blowups. Ryan Hyde has a way of bringing her characters to life. This is such a special read. Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for sending this along!

I loved this book!!! It is about friendship, love, death and dying. Do we make amends with relationships before we die or apologize for things we have said and done that we regret. Can we forgive the people that mistreated us.

The main character, Lewis, just lost his job and his partner. He figures he will take care of his dying neighbor until a job comes through. As he cares for his neighbor Chester and another elderly woman, Lewis comes to know himself better.

Our experiences in life give us the opportunity to know ourselves better and grow. Life can teach us that when people are rude and abusive it’s not about us. But we take things so personally and we ruminate and become angry. So many enlightening life lessons in this book.

I highly recommend this book to be on everyone’s TBR shelf. I will be reading this again. I miss being with Lewis. I was so excited every day to sit down and be with Lewis. Thank you NETGALLEY for this advanced copy!!!

Catherine Ryan Hyde did an amazing job with the characters in this book. I immediately liked Lewis and continued to like him even more as the story developed - his commitment and dedication to caring for Chester was admirable, especially when Chester was being difficult (which was pretty much all the time). He found ways to get through to Chester when no one else could. Through his relationship with Chester, Lewis learned something important about himself that would would change the direction of his life.

There was a great balance of serious topics and issues, blended with humor and adventure. I especially enjoyed the Winnebago (aka the land boat) travels.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has a knack for writing books that insightfully explore the many facets of humanity. In So Long Chester Wheeler we meet Lewis and Chester who couldn’t be more opposite in personality. These characters are well developed. As Lewis helps Chester with finding closure, Lewis learns more about himself. This story is about unlikely relationships and living life your way, regardless of others opinions.

This was such a sweet novel. Lewis, 24, is reeling. His forever-partner empties out their bank account and leaves him for someone else--on the same day Lewis is pink-slipped. Nobody's hiring. He's desperate enough to accept a caregiving job for Chester, the next-door neighbor. But Chester is a real piece of work: homophobic, mean, hateful, disgusting. And now he has "cancer of the everything," and is dying. But no caregivers will work with him because he's so nasty. Out of options, Lewis says yes. And the decision changes his life.

I absolutely loved this book. It's really funny! Lewis is practical, a likeable problem-solver with resilience. As he's challenged, he grows, and as he does, we all learn about compassion and empowerment. I loved this book so much that when it ended abruptly, I was so disappointed. I had come to love these characters and then Ms. Hyde just chops it done. Still, a five-star experience of personal growth, wisdom, and compassion.

When Catherine Ryan Hyde writes a book, I immediately want to get it and start reading! I love her characters…even the ones who seem unlikable. In this book, Lewis loses his job and an opportunity arises for him to be a companion to his elderly neighbor. There’s just one problem….the neighbor, Chester, is cranky and judgmental and not easily likable. When Chester agrees to help for a short time, his life is changed! Loved it so much I couldn’t put the book down,

Having recently finished “So Long, Chester Wheeler” by Catherine Ryan Hyde, I am happy to have had the chance for the e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing!

“Nothing screamed Chester Wheeler as loudly as that Winnebago screamed it.”

This was a trip that I am so glad to have taken with Lewis, Chester, (and Estelle.) I felt like I was along for this journey, from the Southwest red rock vistas, Las Vegas strip, and Rocky Mountains to scenic Mount Rushmore. Everyone was in need of something and found it in the time spent with one another. I was not expecting to find a “feel good” story with death as the major theme, but Ms. Hyde took me on a memorable journey from the comfort of my cozy Michigan home.

Another great read from this author. It is a heart warming story of loosing your way in life and then discovering who you really are and what is important. It is exactly as described on the cover so get reading and absorbed for a great easy read over a couple of days.

When Lewis Madigan lost both his job and partner on the same day, he was shattered. He didn't have any idea what he could do to pay the rent, and to top it off, his obnoxious neighbour, Chester Wheeler, constantly was on his case. Chester was wheelchair bound and cancer ridden, but that didn't stop him. His nasty comments had driven away more than one health carer and his daughter Ellie was desperate. She could stay no longer as her daughter was about to have her baby, so she put it to Lewis that he could provide end-of-life care for her father, and she would pay him well. Wondering what he had let himself in for, Lewis was mentally and physically exhausted at the end of each day. And then Chester asked for a favour...

The Winnebago Chester owned was in good shape and the mechanic who checked it over said it was ready to go. Lewis had not driven a vehicle as big but with a little training, he more or less had the hang of it. Heading off to Arizona with Chester strapped in beside him, the days ahead would be long and tedious, filled with vitriol, nastiness and a bucket load of patience on Lewis' part. Two thousand miles and Chester's ex-wife Sue was at the end of the trip. Chester didn't let her know he was coming...

So Long Chester Wheeler is another well-written novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde which I adored from start to finish. Although an angry and bitter old man, Chester was frightened and vulnerable; Lewis was a caring and compassionate young man who learned a lot about himself on the journey. I haven't long been reading this author's work, but have loved each and every novel. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Lewis thinks he's having the worst day ever when he loses his job. Little does he know it will only get worse. When he arrives home, his boyfriend is packing his car and leaving with all their money. If that isn't enough for one day then throw in your old, cranky and homophobic neighbor. Now it really is the worst day of Lewis' life so far.

Desperate for a job, Lewis very reluctantly accepts a temporary job caring for the neighbor, Chester. What could be worse you ask? Well, maybe a road trip to Arizona.

Funny, alarming, heartbreaking and heart lifting all at the same time. Always is with Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Loved this one as much as the other books by the author. When I'm in the mood for a real life honest story I reach for Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Thanks to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc.

I've been meaning to try this author for a while now, and there was just something about the blurb of So Long, Chester Wheeler that I couldn't resist. I mean, a grumpy older main character and a road trip with two characters who couldn't have been more different?! I definitely HAD to see how things would unfold. I'm glad I didn't resist this title, because I might just have just found a new favorite author to follow. I ended up having such an excellent time with this story!

I can definitely understand why people love Catherine Ryan Hyde's books now, because there is something almost magical about them. The writing style itself is extremely engaging and makes it easy to keep turning those pages, and the character development is simply sublime. The characters are definitely the star of the show here, and I loved both their development and their growth over time. Lewis makes for such an interesting character and you will both feel for him as he has to deal with Chester, enjoy seeing his character evolve AND appreciate seeing the connection with Chester grow. Grumpy and insufferable Chester might be hard to like initially, but like Lewis himself, you slowly get to know him and you start to understand his character better. Both characters felt well rounded and realistic, flaws and all.

I do always love a good story with a road trip, and you will get plenty of that while Lewis and Chester travel all over the country in a rusty old Winnebago. I loved how the journey wasn't only physical, but also psychological; there were quite a few life lessons thrown in along with the character growth. So Long, Chester Wheeler also had a few plot twists I didn't see coming, and a very powerful ending that ended up sealing the deal for me.

This is the first time I read one of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books and I know I'm a bit late to the party, but it definitely won't be my last because I've become an instant fan of her writing style and ability to create fantastic characters. If you enjoy well written contemporary stories that mixes heavier moments with humor and a life lesson or two, So Long, Chester Wheeler is a must-read.

So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde is hopeful and positive about the struggles to understand ourselves and others. So well written that I felt a bond with the characters.

A heart-warming, character driven novel about two people on a road trip, "So Long, Chester Wheeler" is my first book by author Catherine Ryan Hyde. It was humorous and engaging with a touch of poignancy, as we follow Lewis, who's gay & lost his main gig and is now the hired caregiver of cantankerous old Chester, who convinces him to get on the road in an RV from NY to AZ. They both learn along the way, with some deep reflection, of course. Recommend! My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC - opinions & ratings my own.