Brave Girl, Quiet Girl: A Novel
Catherine Ryan Hyde
300 pages
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description:
Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother, and holding tight to the one thing that matters most: her two-year-old daughter, Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke’s life is shattered when she’s carjacked. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night. Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness. Thrown away by her parents, and with a future as stable as the wooden crate she calls home, Molly survives day to day by her wits. As unpredictable as her life is, she’s stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm’s way to protect a child as lost as she is. Out of one terrible moment, Brooke’s and Molly’s desperate paths converge and an unlikely friendship across generations and circumstances is formed. With it, Brooke and Molly will come to discover that what’s lost—and what’s found—can change in a heartbeat.
📘{My thoughts}📘

This story is told from alternating points of view from the two main characters, Brooke and Molly. The author writes in such a way that you feel like you are there. It was well written with such great characters. I loved Molly and Etta. I didn't care much for Brooke. You feel every emotion of the characters as you turn the pages. All of the scenes were perfectly described. It was easy to feel as if you were right there in the middle of all of it. The one thing that did get on my nerves was the authors need to keep telling us over and over just how fat Brooke mother was. Other than that the book was pretty good and kelpt my attention for the most part . There was a few times it would drag .
I want to say Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story . I truly appreciate it!

*******Disclosure*******
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.
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As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !

BRAVE GIRL, QUIET GIRL by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a heart-wrenching and touching story of family, friendship and hope. Set in the present day in the neighborhoods of Los Angeles, it is told in the alternating points of view of the two main characters, Brooke and Molly. Divorced single mother Brooke is forced to move back to her mother’s house with her two-year-old daughter, Etta. One fateful night, Brooke’s life is shattered when she becomes the victim of a brutal carjacking. Unbeknownst to her assailant, baby Etta is asleep in her car seat in the back. Miles away, Molly, a homeless teen, finds Etta on the side of the road, still in her car seat. Although she has no money, food or a place to stay, Molly knows she must do everything she can to protect the baby and see that she is returned to safety despite the danger to herself. From that moment on, the lives of these young women become intertwined in ways neither could have imagined. I was completely immersed in the story. It is both heart-breaking and uplifting and shines a light on a number of timely and thought-provoking topics. I truly enjoyed this story of love, forgiveness and second chances and highly recommend it. Another powerful and emotional novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

This was a fantastic story, I immediately was connected with the characters thought the development of the relationships was so well done and I loved how well the children, all of them, were portrayed. There was so much to believe and feel sad over though the ending didn't feel convenient or tied up neatly in contrast to the ugly realities lived throughout. There were no grammatical errors, the story moved well and felt accurate and truly told. I would read more from this author and would like to thank her for this story and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in advance.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde
After reading Stay, I couldn't wait to read Ms Hyde's newest book Brave Girl, Quiet Girl. It did not disappoint . This book is told from alternating points of view. The first from Brooke, a single mother of 2 year old Etta. She is trying to make the best life possible for herself and Etta but has been forced to move back in with her overbearing and judgmental mother. Her mother sees the world as being a cold, hard and very dangerous place to live and somehow nothing Brooke can do is ever good enough for her. The second point of view is from Molly, a 16 year old street smart girl. These two stories collide when Brooke tries to take Etta to the movies and her car is carjacked with baby Etta inside, What follows is a novel involving the issues of family relationships, throw away children, the failure of Social Services, the effect of judgmental attitudes, forgiveness and second chances. If nothing else, this book causes one to reexamine their own attitudes towards homelessness, pointing out the need for empathy and understanding and less judgement. Such a timely book will stay with me and give me much to think about. Well worth reading

Such a heart warming story! Made me cry. A story of love, friendship,and survival. Survival on the streets of LA. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a favorite author. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brooke is a single mom out to a movie with her baby girl. Suddenly she is pulled from her car and thrown in the road. The car jacket takes off with Etta the baby. Molly is a 16 year old homeless girl who rescues Etta. Molly knows how dangerous the nights are now she has a baby to protect till she can find her moma. The hard thing for Brooke is learning to trust Molly and the friendship that develops is very touching.

I requested Brave Girl, Quiet Girl with reading only one thing...... Catherine Ryan Hyde.

I started this book yesterday and finished like 20mins ago..... yup I devoured this book as I knew I would because Catherine makes me with her storylines. The book will tug on your heart and soul more than I ever thought it would. The storyline of homeless teens was done in such a way. Molly was beautiful as a person. She was wiser beyond her years. She was truely the best part of this book. Catherine did an amazing job writing this book but the only thing I was sad about was I wanted a “2 year later epilogue” but I’m telling myself the ending is leaving the story open for a book two! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

As always Catherine Ryan Hyde did not disappoint me . She has such a beautiful style of writing. Enjoyed really need to snuggle up with a quilt and a warm cup of cocoa

Another great one from CRH! An emotionally driven book with real people, real lives and real issues. So much going on here between mothers and daughters, rejection, being homeless, starting over and also a lot of acceptance and caring and new beginnings. All this authors books seem to have valuable life lessons and this one is no different. Thanks to Netgalley and the Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

Thank you Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC.
As usual CRH has given us an excellent story, emotions and feelings galore. Well written and thought provoking.

Beautifully written and emotionally gripping. When a single mom who lives with her mom gets car jacked losing her most precious gift, it unites 3 very different women. After losing her daughter in a car jacking Brooke tries frantically to find her daughter Etta. Molly was thrown away by her mother and is living on the streets. She finds a precious gift one night. She spends the night trying to keep Etta safe until she can get her back to where she belongs. When Etta is finally brought home Brooke and Molly are brought together by Etta. The two learn to heal and find strength from each other. I adored this book and how it brought so many issues to the forefront. Two very different women from very different worlds learning to love and trust and brought together by a very Brave and Quiet Girl.

Another amazing book by the very talented storyteller Catherine Ryan Hyde. I could relate to the inner struggles that the characters faced. They had to make very difficult decisions. The story is interesting and emotional. I recommend this book.

Brilliant read from a brilliant author. Thoroughly enjoyed. I have heard a lot of good things about Catherine Ryan Hyde as the author is in a book group I’m in on Facebook and I couldn’t resist requesting this book. I’m so glad I did because I definitely would recommend.

I actually liked this book more than I would've thought based on the premise. The main characters were quite special. It wasn't necessarily predictable and I think it would make a good movie.

The aspect I love most about Catherine Ryan Hyde’s writing is her focus on the small details of human reaction in the midst of a big event. Rather than being laden with heavy, wordy descriptions of the weather or the setting, the detail is in the humanity, and it is fascinating to read.

Each of the three main characters in this book are so well defined, but the detail is less their physical appearance and more the inner person. There’s a small amount of wondering how the story will end, but not enough to interfere with the enjoyment of the story as it goes. Once again, a wonderful read.

Read this book!
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This is my first foray into @netgalley (thank you!) and @catherineryanhyde and I'm definitely going back for more of both!
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I was deeply engaged in this book from beginning to end! This book hits on so many important topics: crime victims, homelessness, LGBTQ youth, foster care, policing, family dynamics... and more. These topics fit and flow well, which is no easy task. It does not delve deeply into any of these topics but it doesn't need to in order to handle them with care. It introduces the reader to these very real issues in a way that evokes emotion, and concern for the characters and their stories. It's told from the perspective of the two main female characters in voices unique to each one's stage of life. This book is thought provoking, can start a conversation, and motivate the reader to learn more while entertaining and connecting us like books can do so well.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. Emotional read and beautifully written. I'm a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is an emotional journey into what it is that really makes a family. It takes you through the lives of Brooke, a divorced single mother, currently living with her own mother, and Molly a sixteen year old transient living on the streets of LA, what brought them to the moment where one lost a child, and the other found her, and how they will forever be entangled together thanks to a little voice that can’t quite pronounce the “Qu” sound in quiet.

I am prefacing the remaining portion of this review with a quick warning, this book deals with adult themes, and some topics may be triggering for some readers. Catherine Ryan Hyde composes a masterpiece on the human condition and how a little compassion for a stranger can help make you a better person than you ever imagined. I will tell you that this book is a lot of internal monologues and the main characters expressing themselves and working through things that I felt were very realistic, but may be at too slow of a pace for some. If you are looking for a quick read, this is not the book for that.

When I ended this book, it was rough. I wasn’t ready to walk away from the lives of Brooke and Molly. I wasn’t prepared, even though Catherine Ryan Hyde did everything she could to wrap the ending in a nice and tidy bow, I didn’t want to let go. This is a book I will definitely read again in the future and you will be seeing more books from Ms. Hyde pop up here in the future. I want to thank the author, publisher, and netgalley for an early copy of this book so that I would have the opportunity to share my review.

This Author is AMAZING. This book is PHENOMENAL. I love the characters (especially Etta, Molly and Brooke). The story took hold of my heart and squeezed it so tight. This is my third Catherine Ryan Hyde book and I have loved them all. There are some words that Molly says to Etta and Etta says them back. They are running in a continuous loop through my mind. I am honoured and grateful that I was given the privilege to read this ARC. I am sure this book will be at the top of my favourite book list. Many thanks to NwtGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

I discovered Catherine Ryan Hyde years ago through Kindle Unlimited and she quickly became a go to author. When I found her newest book through @netgalley I was excited dive in. Fortunately it didn't disappoint.

Brooke is a single mother just doing her best for her young daughter, Etta. She has a complicated relationship with her own mom only made worse when she is forced to move back in with her. Molly is a homeless teenager (later in the book you learn because of her mother's poor parenting but I don't want to give too much away.) It explores the complexity of mother daughter relationships.

Their lives are crossed when Brooke's car is jacked with her baby in the backseat. By some miracle Molly thinks it's her lucky day that she has a carseat to sell, but instead finds a scared and afraid baby strapped into the seat. I was smitten by the relationship these young girls quickly developed. Chapter by chapter is bounces between each woman's point of view. While Hyde's writing is simple and good for a quick read, she does a good job at making me feel. I felt a mother's fear and pain, I felt a teens helplessness and eventual hope.