Published by Lake Union
Date: 4th May 2021
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won’t be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she’ll be back the next day.
To grieving widower Elliot Colvin, life has lost meaning. Looking for solace, he retreats to the hunting cabin he last visited years ago, before his wife’s illness. What he discovers is not at all what he expected: seven puppies and one determined girl with an indomitable heart.
As Abby and Elliot’s friendship deepens, Abby imagines how much better her life—and the puppies’ lives—would be if her mother were married to Elliot instead of her father. But when Abby’s father moves the family hundreds of miles away, Abby and her mother must decide how long they’re willing to defer happiness.
Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another delightful, heart warming story. Its full of kindness and courage on the part of most of the characters.
Abby is one perfect person herself. When she sees a bag that seems to be alive thrown in the river she follows through, rescues them and then ensures that they are safe and cared for and that takes some doing for a thirteen year old. She can’t take them home because she has a father who is controlling and lacking in anything to do with fatherhood.
Elliot is a middle aged man, he has just lost his wife – it was a good marriage and he is so sad and lost. Spending a little time in the country at his cabin, his life and Abby’s life and the puppies intersect.
Mary – Abby’s mother is in a very unhappy, controlling relationship. Her husband is mean and really is the pits. When Mary discovers Abby’s puppies and Elliot she begins to see how things could be different. She gathers courage as time goes by. Plus Abby is so plucky, it must have come from somewhere, and there is a lovely relationship between mother and daughter.
The puppies of course provide a lot of joy and life, although seven puppies. I can’t even imagine looking after them! But Abby is nothing but determined.
So great characters, the plot moves along and a good steady pace and it wasn’t long before I was wishing for the very best for Abby, Mary, Elliot and the puppies.
We watch the unlikely friendship of a ninety two year old woman – Mrs G, and Raymond a seventeen year old, develop. And its a meaty friendship – genuine and full of caring. I loved both these characters and how they related to each other. Mrs G is blind, she has lived a full life and has a lot of wisdom. But she is in need of help big time. Raymond is a lonely seventeen year old – one who feels he has never been “seen” or understood. Mrs G really sees him! Loved this relationship.
In One Summer in Paris we see the friendship between Grace – in her forties and a teen Audrey. Grace has come to Paris to escape the fact her husband has left her for a “new version” about the same age as their daughter! Audrey has come to escape the alcoholism disease that her mother has. Due to various circumstances they form a great friendship that helps both of them move forwards in their lives. Loved the two of them, loved the book.
The beautiful friendship that develops between Arthur and Maddy. An old man who visits his wife at the cemetery every day, and Maddy an eighteen year old teen who really is very alone.
There’s more than friendship in this book, but.. there is some examples of wonderful, positive friendship. Especially the one that develops between Gray and Diana. Gray is divorced and 34. Diana is about 40 and is really down on her luck. Diana ends up working for Gray who is a reasonably wealthy woman who needs some good organisation and Diana is your one. They both have big challenges in life but the bond that forms between them, moves each of them forwards and into what is likely to be a life long friendship.
I’ve mentioned this book before in terms of an author I now want to read everything he writes. But here I want to mention the theme of friendship where it makes a huge difference in some lives. It’s between an old woman and a young child and the old woman and the little girls parents. I really loved seeing how it all developed.
The Book Date 