Catherine Ryan Hyde has done it again with a heartwarming story of second chances. Aiden is a cattle rancher who begins to have strange, unexplained experiences. He meets Gwen, a single mom with two children - Elizabeth and Milo, who is very off putting and cannot seem to relate normally to people. As Aiden and Gwen's relationship grows stronger, Milo seems to withdraw further and act out. Treading carefully, each character learns more about themselves, and what is needed to grow into the family they may yet become. I received an early reader's copy through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

'The Wake Up' is an archetypal Catherine Ryan Hyde read. The plot is very simple, but the emotion and feelings of a small number of characters and their relationships really make the story.

At times this was difficult to read as there is so much pain for one of the main characters but the growth of the individual characters and their bonds strengthening throughout the novel make for a satisfactory ending.

'The Wake Up,' isn't one of my favourites from this author but nonetheless it is still worth a read.

Aiden Delacorte, a cattle ranch owner since his step father died and left him the family ranch some forty years earlier, suffers the sudden onset of a crisis of conscience. He had gone out deer hunting and shot dead a fine specimen. But then he realised he could no longer dress it and prepare it for the table as he had done dozens of times in the past. He felt sad at the death of the deer, he imagined its suffering and no longer had the heart of a hunter. He felt the pain of the fine animal and knew he could never hunt again. Then, after a young calf of his is ill-treated right before his eyes, he decides that he could not go on with raising calves, castrating them without pain relief, slaughtering them when the time came; it just felt plain wrong. He made a life changing decision to give up his herd of cattle and continue breeding horses. He called this episode his ‘wake up’.
He meets and falls in love with Gwen, who was new in town, and whose first marriage ended when she discovered that her husband was abusing their youngest son Milo, who is left deeply traumatised. Her husband didn’t touch his kind and gentle daughter, just the son, who he felt needed hardening up to become manlier. When Gwen and Aiden first meet, he feels an immediate fizz of attraction, Gwen too, but they take things slowly, bearing in mind the impact a relationship could have on Gwen’s two children. Milo is especially very closed up and troubled. He is surly, difficult, prone to tantrums and angry outbursts; he is strong willed and cruel. Aiden tries his hardest to try to figure out a way to help Milo be a happier little boy, hoping that he can show him the right way to behave. He remembers his own childhood through rosy glasses; the good times he had with his step father, how he taught him by being a fine role model and how he always wanted to grow up to make his father proud of him. He leads by example, and gradually Milo begins to turn a corner.
'The Wake Up' is not only a story about How Aiden and Milo learn to interact, but also a lovely romance story of a more mature couple; Aiden and Gwen. As Aiden looks back to his own boyhood, so he finds ways to engage with Milo. He comes to terms with his ‘wake up’ and uses his experience and natural instinct to guide Milo. They share quality time together and grow to enjoy and look forward to those times. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a superb storyteller. She understands emotional issues so well and writes about hard topical subjects like abuse with compassion and empathy. She, like Aiden, is an animal lover and she draws on her own emotional involvement to paint a vivid picture of how he feels. I loved his character because he was so kind and caring. He stepped up to take responsibility for Gwen and her family and to provide a happy and stable family life for them.
I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Lake Union for my copy of this novel, sent to me in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it. I have no hesitation at all in recommending it as an excellent read. Catherine is a prolific author whose novels never disappoint. In fact they are a joy to read and this one is amongst my favourites.

Another exceptional read by CRH! Loved the wake up experience; I could practically feel what Aiden was feeling. Amazing relationship between Aiden and Milo; loved how it seemed full circle to his own childhood.

I'm a big fan of this author. This book is a little different from other books of hers that I have read. It centers on Aiden, a late twenties ~early thirties young man. Aiden has had a somewhat troubled past that is both alluded to and somewhat explained. He is very sensitive to animals and how they feel. Gwen and her two children come into his life. This book borderlines on an almost sci-fi genre at times but it is a good love story. Milo, Gwen's young son also has had a troubled youth and the trust and love that grows between Aiden and Milo is truly beautiful. This book is a little different than others I have read by Ms. Hyde and not my favorite of hers but still worth reading. I would recommend this book to family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

I predict this book is going to be a bestseller!
"When you realize that who you become and what you do seem to rely on a combination of factors that are partly out of your control..." This statement from the psychiatrist in the novel, may need to be re-read more than once.
Upon reading further in the book, you will agree that this statement is true and wise.
This is a beautiful story. It shows the importance of love, compassion,empathy, patience and acceptance as we deal with others, especially those with problems.
This book could prove to be a "wake-up" experience to each of us as we read.
A 10 star book!

Readers, you are in for a treat! Catherine Ryan Hyde’s newest book, The Wake Up, will give you a serious case of the “feels.” Main character, Aiden, has found himself in a strange place in life, where his newfound empathy makes it impossible for him to continue raising cattle for slaughter. He is also in a new relationship, and his love interest has two children, one of whom comes with many emotional issues. Aiden finds himself remembering pieces of his own past that were long forgotten. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learning how to trust and empower a child many would consider beyond help. The author’s rich descriptions allow the reader to feel the emotions of the characters and leave one discovering there is hope in difficult circumstances. This was my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and I will be sure to read her others as this one has made me a true fan!