A pleasant, but average, read about a girl who rescues a litter of seven puppies and attempts to keep and rear them as her secret project. Caught up in a semi-abusive family life, the Seven Perfect Things are the light at the end of Abby’s daily, dark tunnel. Raising the puppies in what she thinks is an abandoned cabin in the woods, she eventually befriends the widower who owns the home, when he unexpectedly arrives after years away. As their friendship grows, Abby thinks she sees a way out for her mother and herself, if she can only get them away from her father to start anew.

The idea of girl with seven puppies to bring her joy, as well as new life for the widower, Elliot, is a fine one. Yet, I was distracted by the general persona of Abby, who seemed to me more like a girl of nine or ten rather than a young woman of 13, as she is supposed to be in the story. Yet, some insightful and creative prose did poke through the novel here and there, thus making it a worthwhile read.

A big thank you to Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.

This book was utterly amazing!!! The story telling Catherine Ryan Hyde does just pulls you end., there's no escaping until book is finished!!

Another delightful and sweet book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, an author I turn to when I need cheering up. Although she writes about serious topics, in this case, emotional abuse, her characters all possess something that can only be called grit and a strong sense of right and wrong, and, perhaps most importantly, the wits to survive.

Highly recommended.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, to whom I am very grateful.

I adored Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde and am giving it a very well deserved five plus stars.

Great story from Hyde about a young girl with an awful family life, a lonely widower and the seven puppies that save them all.

There are a of awww moments in this book, like slurpy puppy kisses and sweet puppy yaps but wait, I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Seven Perfect Things is a sweet and uplifting book, the first I have read by this author but it sure won't be the last. I am on the hunt for more by this author now.
In Seven Perfect Things, our main character, Abby Hubble lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
She is an only child living with her mother and father.
It's an unhappy home life with her father making life unbearable for her and her mother, Mary.
Abby is strong, stronger than her mother and her mother leans on her for mental support.
One day Abby sees a man throw a sack of something into the river. Having taken swimming lessons Abby is a a strong swimmer and despite the strong current she's able to rescue the wriggling bag of live things. Is it a snake,a badger ? She's not sure but she can't allow a live animal to drown. upon opening it puppy after puppy tumbles out, seven in all.
Overwhelmed with a bunch of slimy and muddy puppies covered in river water she's not sure what to do. As she finds a solution things go from bad to worse in her home solution.
I really enjoyed this book,it's emotional and shows a personal growth in Mary, Abby's mother.
With Abby's help she becomes a stronger woman.
The puppies are the main attraction of the story though.
I suggest Seven Perfect Things for all animal lovers, it'll grab your heart and not let go!

Pub Date 04 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Hey folks, daddy Steve here again with some doggiebook talk. This time I’d like to tell you about the most recent book from a wonderful doggiebook author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, titled Seven Perfect Things.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the one who wrote Pay It Forward, the book that gave the movie of the same name. I have not read the book or seen the movie but after reading Stay, her book that came out last year and that I reviewed here (link at the bottom), I know I would love it. The same way I knew I would love Seven Perfect Things.

Ryan Hyde has shows a level of empathy that is simply out of this world to me., writing about real life with great touch. To me at least, she mades me care about her character, in this book just as she did in Stay. I’m sold now, I think I will get all of her book from now on...

Huge thanks to NetGalley who provided a free eBook advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This is as honest as it gets... The book is currently available to purchase and if you use the Kindle plaftorm, either with a Kindle reader or using the Kindle app on a tablet or a cell phone, this book is selling for super cheap right now. Something like $1.99 on Amazon.ca or $1.58 on Amazon.com. I mean, even if you don’t read it now, get it, leave it on your Kindle library and read it later. You won’t regret it.

No need to say, this is a highly recommended read for any dog lover. Even better, no dog dies and there’s a happy ending...

#Malcolmstories #doggiebooks
#SevenPerfectThings #NetGallet

Link to my review of Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde:
https://www.facebook.com/malcolmstories/posts/525574974718477/

Catherine Ryan Hyde has become one of my favorite found-because-of-Kindle authors, and once again, this book did not disappoint. It's a lovely story about Abby, a 13-year-old girl whose home life is less than ideal. It's also about her mother, Mary, who's beginning to awaken to the fact that she and Abby just might be better off without their husband and father in their lives. And it's about Elliot, whose wife has just lost her battle with a terminal illness. When Abby rescues a sack full of 7 puppies, events conspire to bring these three together, and Hyde gives us a lovely story of 3 people adjusting to the new circumstances life has dealt them. It's heart-warming in the best, non-icky kind of way. And as a bonus - there are puppies doing adorable puppy things. What's not to love??
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I loved this author's book, Have You Seen Luis Velez?, in fact it was my top book the year I read it, and it is a book I recommend all the time. However, the second book I read of hers, and this one, both started off strong, but slowly dissolved into Hallmark Movie of the Week fare.

I had higher hopes for this story because I thought the trouble with the second book I read may have been because it was an earlier work, and although it was admittedly better, it was still a huge step down from Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Overall, a sweet, heartwarming story of a truly courageous teenage girl, the seven puppies she rescues and the lonely widower who rescues her and her abused mother. We should all be as brave as Abby!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of Catherine Ryan Hyde's Seven Perfect Things!

This is the first book I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, so I do not know if it is typical of her writing style or not. The first part of this book, to maybe 70%, was a sweet, simple read. Then, I was surprised at the shift to an edge of your seat moment and the story suddenly picked up pacing. I was expecting the story to continue meandering along with nothing major really happening. I thought I knew where it was going and that it would quietly get there. It did not go quietly.

I was enjoying the slower pace in the beginning book. It was just what I expected. A sweet story about a girl who rescues some puppies and meets a man, who just so happens to need someone in his life and the distraction of puppies. But, I really enjoyed the latter part as well. For a short time the book was difficult to put down and I found that I finished it rather quickly after that shift occurred.

I thought this was a really nice story and I enjoyed how the characters developed. I would be interested in reading more of Hyde's work and have several of her books on my to-read list that I am looking forward to.

#SevenPerfectThings #NetGalley

I received and ARC of this novel from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my review. I am a huge Catherine Ryan Hyde novels and this one may be her best. The characters are so real-flawed, but not damaged beyond redemption. The plot is complicated, but the story is so special and heartfelt that you just can't help but love this story and wish for more. I highly recommend!

Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde is such a beautiful story. Abby lives in an unhappy home with a mean dad and an ever- cowering mum. Her life took a turn when she rescued 7 puppies that a stranger had attempted to drown. Finding no shelter for the puppies and knowing that her dad would never allow her to keep them, Abby decided to hide them away in a deserted cabin. At the same time, recently bereaved, Elliot returns to his secluded cabin for some quiet, alone time. Discovering 7 puppies housed at his shed was not the quiet getaway that he had hoped for.

This story is so well-written with very well developed characters. Abby is such an adorable MC and I enjoyed seeing how the puppies and Elliot changed her life. I really liked her mum, Mary, and Elliot. The support characters were all quite well developed.

This is a beautiful, captivating, emotional story about love, loss and second chances. I enjoyed every bit of it and was sad to see it end. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.

Just where do I begin???
I just finished the book, "Seven Perfect Things" by "Catherine Ryan Hyde" To say it was amazing just is not enough! I absolutely ADORED reading every single page and to be honest, I am having a very hard time letting go of the story and the characters!
As your friend and your biggest FAN, I have one request.....please, please, please write a sequel. I will beg, if need be~ It can NOT end here~ Thank you so very much!!!! ❤
and me saying THIS....is the biggest complement I could ever pay any author!!!
**** 5 of my fullest STARS

I have never read a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde before. However, I liked the blurb. Plus, who does not want to read a book with such cute little puppies on the cover!

I found Seven Perfect Things to be a gripping and uplifting read. The book has a heart-wrenching beginning which provides a glimpse into Mary’s unhappy marriage and its repercussions on young Abby. Despite having a father, she feels bereft of a father’s love. On seeing her mother miserable, she feels miserable too.

However, one day she sees a man throwing a sack into the river. A sack full of puppies. She selflessly dives into the river and saves all seven of them. Now comes the big question, where would she keep them. This is where Elliot’s cabin comes into the picture and thus, starts a friendship between Abby and Elliot. Abby soon realizes Elliot is the perfect husband for her mother.

The book features a slow-burn romance between Mary and Elliot. Both are cautious with each other as one has suffered abuse at the hands of her partner while the other has lost his wife recently. Yet, as they spend time with each other and get to know each other, romance and hope blossom.

Elliott is a level-headed man. He makes Mary realize the extent to which she is being abused. Mary is a loving and responsible mother yet is afraid to walk out of the abusive marriage as she doesn’t have a job.

However, it is the puppies that make Seven Perfect Things so special. They not only provide a cuteness overload but are a catalyst for the change in Elliott and Abby’s lives. They also help both heal from the blows that life has landed on them. Abby started being happy again, full of hope for tomorrow, something to look forward to because of the puppies, while Elliott got moments of respite from his grief after losing his wife. When he would be with the puppies, he would be enjoying the present moment.

Hyde deftly portrays the stifling marriage that Mary is trapped in. She also clearly portrays the actions of Stan, Mary’s disgusting husband. Stan gaslights Mary like many other abusive spouses. It is to Elliott’s credit that she recognizes the extent of the abuse she is undergoing. I was frantically turning the pages to see if Abby and Mary would be successful in escaping this oppressive household.

I would recommend this uplifting novel to lovers of women’s and contemporary fiction.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book approved via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion on the book.

Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a charming contemporary novel that will delight the reader.
At the heart of the novel are seven wonderful puppies who are bundles of fun. A thirteen year old girl rescued them and she needs them as much as they need her. The puppies give unconditional love and enable her to experience the freedom to express her true emotions.
Within the novel there is an abusive relationship that affects all those within the family. The abuse is emotional but it leaves scars.
In contrast we see a loving widower who also lets the puppies minister to his heart and soul.
The healing power of small puppies as their helplessness and playfulness brings out the best in those around them.
The reader witnesses the value of kindness. When one is starved of it, a little kindness goes a long way.
I always love Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novels and Seven Perfect Things is my favourite so far. The characters and the puppies ministered to my heart and made me smile. I adored the tale.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has become one of my favorite “go-to” authors when I want a story that will satisfy my heart and nourish my soul. Her newest novel, Seven Perfect Things, illustrates what Hyde does so well. Her characters are so authentic that it is hard to believe that they are not living and breathing somewhere. Second, they struggle with real issues that we all confront. Third, in all the books that I have read, there is at least one wonderful dog. This novel has seven! This book made me laugh, cry, and hold my breath during tense scenes. I highly recommend it and any others you happen to find. Several are sitting on my TBR shelf and others are tucked away on my digital reader! I look forward to each one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read a digital ARC. It was a pleasure.

This was an enjoyable read. It was warm, engaging and I loved the characters. The only thing that didn't flow for me was the ending that was a bit flat in places.

Overall a recommended read though.

Thank you Netgalley.

Everyone loves puppies, right? So how can you not fall in love with this cover with these adorable puppies? I know I did!

And I always know when I start a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, that I'm going to love it too. Seven Perfect Things is the perfect story about love, friendship, respect, growth, determination, and plenty of puppy love. I love and admire the character of Abby, such a mature 13 year old. She rescues those seven adorable puppies even while she and her mom need rescuing too.

This is a book filled with caring, kind, and considerate people (well, except for one), which is trademark for Catherine's stories. This one will not disappoint if you are looking for more of her standard fare, full of goodness, growth, and love.

Catherine is a must-read author for me and I highly recommend Seven Perfect Things!

This is a well written book that will tug at your heart strings. It's an emotional read that will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.