3.75 ⭐️ Thank you Lake Union and NetGalley. Part coming of age (first half) as well as a life long love story, this is a quiet somewhat slow story. But I have high expectations after two of the author’s books (Take Me with You and Heaven Adjacent both 5⭐️.) The author has a gift at creating very special relationships. I especially loved Anton’s grandma and great uncle

I am a devoted long time fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde and I have loved every book I have read by her. To say that I loved My Name is Anton shouldn’t be a surprise, yet I am always pleasantly surprised with the intensity of my love every time I read one of her books! She has such talent with creating characters and storylines that tug at your emotions and heart, and dig deep into your soul. I don’t know how else to describe the feelings conveyed when I read her books.

With My Name is Anton, she covered areas I hadn’t read before, ones that really make you take a step back and ponder over, to reflect within to check how you feel personally about what is happening. As is her nature, she stirs a myriad of emotions and her characters pull at you, begging you to hear their story and invest yourself to the end.

Bravo once again Catherine, you once again have written an absolutely amazing novel!

Catherine Ryan Hyde is fast becoming a favorite author. Her stories are so well written and emotional and I love her characters. I feel this about My Name is Anton. A great read and highly recommended for book clubs. I have already mentioned this for mine.

MY NAME IS ANTON by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a beautifully-written and heart-wrenching story of enduring love, grief and overcoming adversity. It was so compelling, I read this book in one day and still can’t stop thinking about it. Beginning in 1965 when he is eighteen-years-old, we follow the life of Anton Addison-Rice over the next 55 years. Just the year before, Anton suffered two devastating events, the tragic death of his brother and his own life-changing injury. One evening while setting up his new telescope, Anton inadvertently witnesses a woman across the street being assaulted by a man in her apartment. Certain he must do something to help her, Anton approaches the woman, Edith, and offers her a safe place to hide from her abuser until she can disappear. Edith takes him up on the offer and so begins a complex and unlikely relationship that will impact both of their lives forever. As the story progresses through the years, the reader gets to follow the emotional journey of the characters. I really connected with both main characters. Despite there being many difficult themes addressed, the strength of the bond between Anton and Edith was poignant and uplifting. I loved this powerful book and know that the story will stay with me for a long time to come. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Another amazing human interest story from the lady who is the master of them. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Ms. Hyde for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.

My Name Is Anton is a novel by award-winning American author, Catherine Ryan Hyde. After a truly horrible year in which eighteen-year-old Anton (call me Anthony) Addison-Rice loses his loving and beloved grandfather, his mentally-ill older brother and his own right hand, his parents take his “I’m OK” at face value and depart for a three-week South American vacation in early December, leaving him on his own.

Anthony is fiddling with his early Christmas present, a telescope, when he accidentally sees a young woman in an apartment across the road being physically abused by her husband. Over the next few days, he manages to find her, express his concern for her welfare, and offer the family’s apartment as a refuge should she need it.

She turns up, beaten again, in the middle of the night, and he promises to help her escape, while promptly falling in love with this woman theoretically old enough to be his mother. Sound advice from his cherished grandmother helps him understand what he must do if he loves her as much as she suspects he does: “What’s best for her, even if it doesn’t include me.”

He lets her go, and his heartbreak triggers the reaction to all the grief he has been suppressing. His recovery is aided by the words and actions of his wise great uncle, and he steps out into the world to live his life, but never forgets her parting words: “I love you too.” And then, one day, fifteen years later, he bumps into her on the train…

As with many of this author’s novels, this one is very much character-driven, and she gives those characters wise words and insightful observations and sound philosophies to deal with the challenges life throws at them. Ryan Hyde easily captures the era, from 1965 to the present day, and takes the opportunity to include two of her favourite diversions, star-gazing and horses, into this wonderfully moving love story.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

The newest work by Catherine is so charming!! I loved Anton's character and his genuine goodness despite the many hurdles he was facing at the beginning of our story. I have to admit, I teared up a little twd the end. Ms Hyde really knows how to write a sweet love story ending.

Thanks netgalley for providing me with the ARC so that I could share my opinions with y'all 💛

I am a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde. She tackles some heavy issues in her books in a amazing way. She does it with such respect and information. My Name is Anton deals with mental illness/suicide and domestic violence. Now with saying that I’m sure some reader are like ekk will it be to heavy. The answer is always no. Catherine writes these trigger situations with a delicate hand. You will always always get a feel good ending. That is honestly one of my favorite things about Catherine Ryan Hyde, I know I will get a story with substance but it will remain positive and light hearted.
Well all need that right about now...... right lol

This one opens in 1965 and we meet Anton Addison-Rice, a young man of 18 who has faced his share of tragedy already with the death of his brother. Anton has not had the benefit of much help healing from this tragedy, nor have his parents. The writer does a great job writing about mental health in this book and I appreciate that we have made some progress in this area since 1965.

Anton is alone over the holidays and catches an encounter with a neighbor and he worries that she is in danger. He later befriends the woman, and they enjoy an intense friendship for a short time before Edith leaves town.

Anton has a great relationship with his grandmother and uncle and I really enjoyed that dynamic of a supportive family. The second half of the novel is the return of Edith to Anton’s life. I must say that I never quite connected with their romance and I felt distant from these two characters.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is a prolific writer (30+ books) and I’ve just started reading her books, this was the third for me. I find that she is not afraid to tackle tough issues and her writing is very easy to read. Her characters are flawed realistic ones. I enjoyed the other two books of hers that I’ve read a bit more than this one.

his is only the third novel I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. As in all her books, she touches on some crucial subjects; this book in particular having to do with domestic violence, mental illness, and suicide. She approaches these topics in a tasteful way, never overwhelming her readers, but simply bringing awareness to these difficult problems. The main characters, Anton and Edith, are authentic and relatable. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way of constructing a plot that draws you in and creating characters who make you fall in love with them.

I recommend this book to mostly any reader looking to read a feel-good story that will bring some positivity to your life.

Anton is an 18 year young man who lost his hand and brother all at one time, which he needs to come to terms with. His irresponsible parents leave him home alone during the holidays, they give him a telescope before they leave and he sees an act of violence across the way. He becomes obsessed with Edith giving her refuge in his apartment until she can figure out her next move, her leaving rips his heart open and he realizes he needs help to do this. He never stops thinking about Edith until a chance meeting on a train many years later propels them to their future. I relay liked this book as I do all Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books, she tackles the tough subjects. My only complaint is it ended abuptly leaving me wanting more!

Have you ever wished your name was something different? This story is told through the perspective of Anton who as a young man wishes to be called Anthony. As the story evolves we learn about Anton, and a traumatic event that shapes his transition into adulthood and embracing his given name. Through a strange twist of events he meets Edith, who seems to understand him better than anyone else in his life. Their story spans decades and isn't neat and tidy, instead it is complex beautiful. Catherine Ryan Hyde examines the themes of healing, the power of family and what it means to love unselfishly.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own

3.5

At eighteen years old, Anton has endured more than his fair share of tragedy, but despite that, this selfless young man, will make it his mission to try and help the woman across the street, who is being abused by her husband.

The first half of the book, has a slow, gentle pace, as a friendship develops between the two, and, Anton struggles to say goodbye to Edith, who he has fallen in love with, despite the circumstances.

They will not keep in touch, and he will not know where she is going, so that each can remain “safe” from her abusive husband.

The story picks up 15 years later, when a chance encounter will bring them together again, and each will learn about what has transpired since the day, Edith got on a train to parts unknown.

The crossing of their paths, will alter the direction of their futures.

Whether or not you “buy into” what happens from that point on, will ultimately decide your feelings about the story. It was a tough sell, and a bit too saccharine for me.

As always though, the author delivers wonderful characters, and many touching moments and although this was not My favorite from the author, I look forward to reading whatever she pens next.

I received a gifted ARC from the publisher.
It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!

Available Dec. 1, 2020

What a truly beautiful story! Catherine, as usual, grabs the reader by the hand and introduces us to the most wonderful characters. Along the way we age with them. We feel their pain, along with their joy. We cry their tears and say goodbye to some people. I absolutely loved this book! Thank you for introducing me to Anton and bringing me along through his life. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this wonderful story.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It is 1965 and we meet this kind gentleman names Anton. His story will touch you and also make you see love differently. Beautifully written and a great read.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but I don't think it will be my last.

This story begins in 1965 when Anton, and 18 year old boy, receives a telescope from his parents as a Christmas present right before they leave for 2 weeks. One night, he witnesses a domestic violence incident and it bothers him...so much so that he finds the apartment and goes there the next day to see if she is ok. Eventually, they strike up a friendship and spend a lot of time together during the 2 weeks his parents are gone. They don't see each other again for almost 20 years and a chance encounter puts them in the same place at the same time.

This is a story about finding love, losing it and finding it again.

I enjoyed this story. I connected with Anton from the beginning. The fact that this story spanned so many years made it an interesting read.

Could not get into this novel. I wanted to like Anton, but he was a very boring protagonist. And the relationship with him and Edith took too long for me to get into. DNF at about 40%. Thank you for the advanced copy. I wish I had a better experience reading it.

This, in my humble opinion, is another one of Catherine’s finest and most intricate novels about the value of human kindness, moral decency, and the real meaning of love as being able to let someone go, even if it hurts, if letting go is best for that person. All of that, with a truly beautiful love story mixed in! Deeply moving and immensely satisfying. Highly, highly recommend.

4+ stars

ARC Provided by NetGalley/Lake Union Publishing - My sincerest thanks.

I'll jump at the chance to preview a novel by CRH. She is one of my faves and I have read many of her past novels. This one will be available at your favorite retailer on 12/1/2020, a nice diversion from your holiday tasks.

This is a character driven novel. When we first meet Anton, he is 18 y/o and going by Anthony, as he prefers. Anton was his grandfather. That will change over time and he will proudly bear his grandfather's name. Life has dealt Anton a few blows, the loss of his brother, losing his right hand in an effort to save him, which failed. He has quite a lot of baggage to sort, not to mention self-serving parents that have never been there for him and his needs. Fortunately his extended family, grandmother, uncle & aunt provide the emotional support he has been denied.

When he accidentally witnesses through his telescope a woman in danger in another apartment in the building across from his, he feels compelled to find out if she is safe. This action is the catalyst for a life-long obsession he has with this woman who becomes first a friend, then someone he loves but can never have. l cannot disclose more. You just must read it.

The first 40% may seem slow to you, but it is all significant. It gets better as you meander through the chapters, as this author has a talent for drawing her readers in with an emotional fluency that will stop your heart in your throat several times with its simplicity and depth.

She has not disappointed me, and I am happy to recommend this to you if you are a fan of women's fiction, romance and emotional but meaningful story lines with characters you hate to say goodbye to.
#netgalley #mynameisanton #catherineryanhyde #lakeunionpublishing