This was a moving story of lost, broken people trying to mend themselves and help others which ultimately leads to helping themselves heal.

Addie has nearly 8yrs of sobriety and is struggling in a job she hates but feels she deserves, for letting her past problems with alcohol get her drummed off the LAPD and cut short her military career. Addie is tough as nails and will power through, but she needs to learn to give herself a break, and to recognize that she has a ton of unprocessed trauma that contributed to her situation.

Fortunately help comes, in the form of the young homeless Johnathan, who appears at the door of her graveyard shift security job. He is scared and hungry and also sweet and so grateful for every little kindness, that Addie feels compelled to keep helping him. Addie is then motivated to get a new sponsor who makes her review the steps as if Addie was just starting her recovery, focusing on the personal inventory. Digging deep into her history, brings up many issues from her past that she had buried and also unlocks a period of depression. Jonathan, opens Addie's heart, and risks losing her trust by reaching out to her brother Bill and asking for help for Addie.

This bold step helps the siblings reunite and mend fences, assuage old guilty feelings, and find a better way forward. It also leads to ending a long estrangement between Addie and her son, because finally Addie can vocalize the trauma that led to Spencer's birth, and why Addie was more focused on being strong, than on being warm or loving.

Jonathan isn't as lucky reconnecting with his mother but is still grateful for what he has with Addie. Your heart will break for this sweet young man, who just wanted a place to belong and feel safe in. Sometimes taking a chance on someone helps both parties.

I had to read this book as soon as it was offered to me. She is a favorite author, beautiful stories that come alive, as did this one. A story of empathy , forgiveness, love and family. Jonathan, a young homeless lad, has every reason to be bitter and angry and yet he survives with an open heart. Addie has had a hard life and yet is open and empathetic when she meets Jonathan. A family can only be a family if there is a lot of love and understanding.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A wonderful read featuring improbable but very lovable characters, “Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe”, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, tackles serious and somehow sad subjects but is still a story full of hope.
I loved watching Addie’s journey and her personality sort of blooming as she gets closer to Jonathan.
Jonathan is also a lovely character, a wonderful, guileless teen kid, solid and responsible despite a tragic childhood and his recent life.
I loved how these two characters became closer and dependable for each other.
Harsh realities are dealt with in the story, cruel, poignant, violent situations are shown.
It’s an enjoyable read despite dealing with the impact of addiction and alcoholism, poverty, childhood neglect, mistakes and the power of forgiveness.
The dialogue sometimes felt a bit contrived (with Wendy and Jonathan), and Wendy’s wisdom unrealistic.

Addie shelters a homeless teenage boy. An unexpected real relationship blooms. This book is skillfully crafted by a popular author. There is angst, loss, and a realization of how difficult life can be. This book tugged at my heartstrings. Highly recommend.

I received a digital ARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have loved every book that I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and this is another book to add to that long list. I loved how Addie, and Jonathan both learned from one another throughout the story. This is a story about second chances, making changes, and being willing to continually learn about yourself and other people.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Very touching and emotional, but a little too cheesy for my liking.

Lake Union Publishing has done it again. Rarely do I receive a book from them that I didn't like.
Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe is no exception. I also love the work the author has done in the past.

This novel struck a chord in me. Healing sometimes (most of the time) comes with tough work. The author has found a way to plot a novel that is good fiction but has a lot of information you might identify with.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

#FallingApartandOtherGiftsfromtheUniverse #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley #CatherineRyanHyde

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union publishers for the ARC copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. The thoughts and opinions are all my own.

I loved “Falling Apart And Other Gifts From The Universe” by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Dealing with teenage homelessness is hard, but it absolutely needs to be done. Catherine wrote the story marvelously; she touches your heart and soul. I had all sorts of emotions while reading it. She has a unique way of writing that touches you and leaves a lasting impression.

This book is a great read for teenagers and for those who love them.

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Addie is a 60ish recovering alcoholic, a veteran and a former police officer, and lives a pretty isolated life. She is in a night watchman's job that she really doesn’t like. Jonathan is a 17 year old homeless boy, He has had a pretty rough life but, in spite of it all is a good kid and just a decent person. Their lives intersect one night when someone attempts to sexually assault Jonathan in an abandoned warehouse where many homeless young people gather to sleep. This is the story of the development of their relationship and how it changes both of their lives.

This is a multi-faceted story that deals with many topics, including family, biological and chosen, and forgiveness, both of others and self forgiveness. This author has an amazing gift for developing characters in all of her books that you feel that you know and come to care about. This book is no exception.

I highly recommend this book! Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

“Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe” by Catherine Ryan Hyde is an absolutely stunning novel by one of my favorite authors. It is a highly emotional story of two people; a young man discarded by his mother and living on the streets, and a recovering alcoholic with reoccurring demons of her own. Slowly they learn to trust each other and the world they live in, and ultimately become the family they each always wished for. The story is raw, emotional, and authentic dealing with addiction, homelessness, and abuse, but at the same time offering a powerful message of redemption and second chances.
Ms. Ryan always draws her readers into her stories but for me this book was totally immersive. I felt like I was standing right along side the characters in every beautifully written chapter.
I could not put this book down and finished reading it in one day. I would give it 10 stars if I could and I’m convinced this book will be on the top of the list for the best books of 2025,

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again! The worlds she creates are so real and deep that it's hard to believe it's all in one book that's only a few hundred pages long. Jonathan and Addie are the perfect characters for each other, and the way they speak is just soothing to read and think about. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

I downloaded this touching story as a Read Now on NetGalley because I enjoy works by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I've read over 15 of her books and they always put a smile on my face.

At first I thought it was unusual how Addie and Jonathan met, but then when she began to help him out it made me scratch my head even more wondering how the story would play out.

The author began to explain Addie's history with addiction, her military and police background to how Jonathan became homeless and his challenges at the warehouse...it started to come together and it made sense that their relationship would blossom from strangers into caring for each other.

A heart warming story about unlikely friendship between Tate and Addie that morphs into a special connection that they both were lacking in their lives. It was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is an emotional story of two unlikely people who meet by chance-- or maybe fate-- and slowly become family.
With no one else to turn to, they learn to trust. heal, and find joy.

Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers another beautifully written, uplifting novel filled with warmth and a quiet wisdom.
A moving reminder that love, trust and connection can come when we least expect it.

Open your heart and this wonderful book and you won't go wrong!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

Dorothy is a recovering alcoholic who is just trying to get by, working as an overnight security guard to make ends meet. Jonathon is a teenager who was sent away by his mother and left to live on the steeets. He often stays in an abandoned warehouse near Dorothy’s job which is where they meet after Jonathon is sexually assaulted and asks Dorothy to let him sleep in the floor of her office for just one night. The two form a heartwarming bond and discover the meaning of family.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s Falling Apart and Other Gifts from the Universe is a deeply moving, realistic story about healing and unexpected friendship. Hyde’s characters feel incredibly real—Addie, a tough but vulnerable 62-year-old veteran, and Jonathan, a homeless teen with a gentle spirit—connect in a way that’s raw and authentic. The book tackles tough issues like addiction and homelessness with empathy and hope, never sugar-coating the struggles but offering a powerful message of redemption and second chances. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you finish. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a heartwarming yet honest read.

Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories often mirror societal issues and are not always "pretty" She cautions in her Author's Note "that the book contains references to a subject sensitive to many..." Her style of writing draws the reader immediately into the story and I eagerly look forward to each new release. She is my go to writer for a feel good book even though the subject matter can be dark or good versus evil. There is always a redemption and a fresh start. This book is an excellent one for discussion for a multi-generational Book Club. I highly recommend her books and devour them in two days, and can't wait for the next one. Her characters come alive and Addie's challenges are universal as well as endearing in her personal internal struggles with helping Jonathon and Jeannie.

I have loved every book I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and this one continued that. 2 people at very different stages of life randomly meet and while it seems at first that Addie is saving Jonathan it ends up being that the two save each other. Very raw look at addiction and how it has such a huge effect on lives. I loved that it ended well and both lives are headed in a great direction. Thanks Catherine Ryan Hyde and publisher for my ARC.

In this touching story, sixty-two-year-old Addie serves as a night security guide near an abandoned warehouse that has become a refuge for homeless teenagers. Among them, seventeen-year-old Jonathan stands out to Addie with his gentle and kind nature. Each morning, she goes the extra mile, brewing an additional cup of coffee to share with him—a small gesture that blossoms into a deep and meaningful friendship. Over time, Addie comes to view Jonathan as the grandson she never had and eventually invites him to live in her spacious garden shed, asking only that he help her reclaim her overgrown yard.
Addie is a military veteran and once served as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. However, her battle with alcoholism led to the loss of her career. Now eight years sober and an active participant in local AA meetings, she continues to grapple with various facets of her life. When a devastating incident forces Addie into a dark place, it is Jonathan who becomes her anchor, providing support when she needs it most.
This story beautifully illustrates the unlikely friendship between two individuals from vastly different backgrounds, capturing the profound connections that can emerge in unexpected circumstances. From the very first page, it touched my heart and left a lasting impression.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

Addie is an older woman who is still working full time as she can't afford not to and she's in the AA programme. At her job as a night guard she finds a young homeless boy and decides to help him out. The pair embark on a friendship that means a great deal to them both and helps them in their own ways.

This is very much a classic Catherine Ryan Hyde book, its her signature style of heartwarming and gripping. I really liked it.

Once again I have to say it. There's no other novelist like Catherine Ryan Hyde and I still don't understand how a writer who is so prolific manages to create characters who are so real. As in her previous work, Falling Apart etc. will teach the reader about something they may not have known about before. In this novel it is Alcoholics Anonymous and its related meetings and rules. I had been unaware of the Inventory of Step 5 of the Twelve Steps.

I finished reading in one day because I simply had to know what happened next to these people who felt like wonderful human beings you would love to know. Addie is a 62-year-old army veteran and former LAPD officer, and the novel takes place in Los Angeles. As a night watchman at a self-storage facility, she comes across Jonathan, a 17-year-old boy who is homeless, beaten and had been assaulted in a deserted warehouse in a bad neighborhood which is populated by homeless teens and adults, some of whom are on drugs and some of whom are just violent abusers.

How Addie passes through her own challenges and helps Jonathan to survive and heal while both her own mental health and that of others in her life help her to change and grow. Hyde's understanding of human nature and her amazing empathy makes this one must-read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Press for an ARC copy of this book to read, review and appreciate.