I suspected that this book was LGBTQ, but when I read the description it didn't seem so (to me). So often the term "coming of age" means LGBTQ.

4 boys are friends in high school. The one that is gay has feelings for another boy; this boy needs to go into hiding as a result of his dad. Can one teenage boy keep another boy alive in an out building (without heat) for weeks on end without his parents noticing? He is taking food and supplies to his friend. Wouldn't he have worn a path to his friend or someone on the farm notice? The logistics seem pretty far fetched to me.

But all in all, it is an interesting concept. The non-gay boy felt so indebted to the gay boy and seemed to have wanted to have feelings but it just wasn't what was going to work for him.

Had I known that it was a LGBTQ book, would I have read it. Probably not. Will I remember this one, yes. Probably.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

5⭐️
Tag line this really tugged on my heartstrings.

A coming off age story of a teenage boy Steve set against the backdrop of WW2. It incorporates family relationships, friendships, prejudices, love and hate.

The story is a first person narrative of Steven now an old man recalling his younger life. The story is set between 1941-1945 with a modern day epilogue.

I love the writing style it’s got that easy feel that you would expect with a group of teen friends. It has an old fashioned feel to the dialogue which feels authentic. It’s so emotionally charged.
Even in a serious situation there’s humour and such emotion portrayed it really made Stephen endearing, I was very invested in him and his friends. I just love Steven to bits.

The characters are beautifully crafted and believable.
As it’s very character driven the pace is a little slow, as I was heavily invested in the characters and friendships I didn’t care.

It pulled on my emotions that a teenage boy is the only one to have a caring and compassionate attitude, that the adults responses of the time are fuelled by hate, fear and prejudice.

A favourite quote ‘…..we’re a team you and me. We belong together’

At times I was an emotional wreck reading this book. It’s just lovely.
It wasn’t the ending that I was expecting, but it worked well for me.
I totally loved this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

This is my 9th book by Catherine Ryan Hyde so I was excited to see a brand new book coming out in December 2021. This books tells of 4 teenage boys growing up in California in the 1940’s. I have to admit I wasn’t sure where this story was headed through a lot of it but I just kept turning the pages and could not wait till I got to the end. A very heartwarming, telling story it was! I don’t want to give any spoilers away - but I’m giving it 5 stars as I do to most of Catherine’s books because they are just that great! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This authors is one of my favorites as she always gives us a lesson about controversial topics and scenarios that we see and face in everyday life. Her characters are well developed and their stories make us develop a bond with each of them. So many life lessons to learn on acceptance and prejudices, and there repercussions on all of us. She makes us see things with a new eye and possibly a more open mind.
The story follows four friends, Steven Katz the son of a well to do farmer and Suki, Ollie and Nick who are sons of the field workers on the farms near this small town in California. It is a strong bond which will last a lifetime.
Steven, would rather hang out with these friends and do what ever he can for them, over his family who would not except them, because of race, social status, or sexuality.
This story test the limits of racism, friendships, and how to stand up for what you believe is right.
I highly recommend this book and would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book.

I am a fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde and peeps she has done it again! Boy Underground is a beautifully yet brutal story that will stick with you long after reading it. Boy Underground is about four young friends navigating through diversity durning WWII.

I have to say I truly feel that Catherine Ryan Hyde writes with her heart! Her books deal with some hard topics but she does it with such humanity that really gives me hope!

I was aware that the timeline was during WWII and the setting was California but I was surprised to learn that the location was Northern California. I have read a lot of WWII novels but was not aware that Northern California was affected also. The story is a coming of age story between 4 male friends. Two of the friends become very close and when one is running from the law he asks for help and his friend hides him for quite a long time. I am not one to give out the whole story as I think the reader should read it for themselves. The end brought a nice finish that wrapped up how each friend survived the times and where they are currently. Thank you NetGalley and Catherine Ryan Hyde for a great ARC.

This is an excellent read. It is wonderfully written and sensitively handles many emotional topics with great care and respect. It tells a story of tragedy, injustice, racism, homophobia and sexual orientation. The topics are dealt with in a considerate and understanding way. It provided much food for thought and is a book I think should be read by many.

Boy Underground by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The Boy Underground was well written. The book deals with some really tough issues in the world.

I loved this book, from the moment I picked it up it was hard to put down. I’ve read many of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books and while I won’t say this one was my favorite it still
Kept me interested. The story follows four young men Steven, suki, Ollie and Nick in the 1940s, the World War II and the shocking trials and tribulations of their lives. Thought it all they remained friends and stayed in touch. It touched on sensitive subjects and how choices can affect our life’s. It was a beautiful story and I am grateful for the chance to be able to read early and give my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and the author for this opportunity! Wasn’t my first CRH book and I’m sure it won’t be my last!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author is new to me but I will be exploring her back catalogue based on this book. The premise would not have attracted me to the book, mainly due to the market saturation of WW2 related books. But when a story is told as well as this, it is well worth taking the plunge. Rather than being just another story with a wartime backdrop, there is originality here in exploring the detentions camps for Japanese citizens in the US and the exploration of a young boy's homosexual awakening. There is a very bleak view of parenthood here with many of the characters finding the only care from friends in this case life long friendships. Beautifully written and evocative of its time, this is much more than yet another wartime novel.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has done it again. She has written an insightful beautiful, although sometimes brutal story you will finish, ponder and remember. Each of her books are different but each special in it's own way. This book was set in the begining of WWII. told mainly from the point of view of 14 yr old Steven Katz. A true coming of age story of 4 friends from diverse backgrounds and income levels.Acurate history and great interpersonal interaction. Thank you to Net Galley, Catherine Ryan Hyde and the publisher for ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful story about friendship standing up to prejudice. Themes of homosexuality, Japanese internment we’re handled beautifully

Grateful to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of Boy Underground. I am a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde. No one tells a story quite as exquisitely as she does. 4 friends, 4 different backgrounds. Was not easy for any of them growing up. This is not just a coming of age story. It is much more than that ! Beautiful from beginning to end. This is a must read !

I’m a fan of this author, though this book was nothing like her others! I loved it… she writes with such compassion and always leaves you reaching the end of a page and wanting more! The four main male characters were genuine, believable and true friends! I would recommend this book

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

14-year-old Steven Katz has found new friends in Nick, Ollie and Suki, a friendship his parents disapprove of. The boys bond during a hike in the Sierra Mountains. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour they go their separate ways: Ollie enlists, Nick must flee and Suki and his family are forced from their home and brought to the internment camp Manzanar.

This is a beautifully written novel and Steven is an amazing protagonist. He is incredibly lonely even when admidst his family until he meets the other boys. Even though their time together is short, their bond is strong. Although the events threaten to overhelm Steven, he tries everything to help the other boys, never conforming to society.

I will be recommending this book to others and will continue to look for works by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

I loved this book so much! All of Catherine Ryan Hyde's
books are different from each other and such a wonderful
story.
All of them have a lesson to be learned and I remember her
books long after I finish each one.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, the Publisher, and the writer
for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for my
honest review.

When I started this book by Catherine Ryan Hyde I expected to read an amazing book as her other books were so great. When it started off different I was surprised that I wasnt thrilled with it. It was a story of friends - Suki, Nick, Ollie and Stephen which takes place the beginning of a war, the middle and the end of which brings us through many decades of friendship.

I was prepared to make this a 3 star read but the more I read the book the book hooked I was. The friendship of these men was amazing, heartwarming and chilling. When the bombing of Pearl Harbor draws the US into World War II, Suki and his family are forced to leave their home for the internment camp at Manzanar. Ollie enlists in the army and ships out. And Nick must flee. Betrayed by his own father and accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he turns to Steven for help. Hiding Nick in a root cellar on his family’s farm, Steven acts as Nick’s protector and lifeline to the outside world.

It takes place at a time when people were more narrow minded and not so forgiving. So what I am saying is stay with the story because it will bring you to tears and make your heart wrench because friendship is what it is all about. #fivestars #kindleunlimited

Big fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde! This could be my favorite book from her! The characters are well developed and makes you think of someone you know in real life. She is such a great story teller! I love historical fiction, and she did an amazing job with this book. Would definitely recommend!

A wonderfully written book. Reading about a 14 year old realizing he is gay and his life evolving dealing with this. It takes place in the 1940’s and touches on the internment of the Japanese people during the era of Pearl Harbor. He is a very compassionate child as you read about the length he’ll go to help his Japanese friend. There are several other boys with their own problems and how he deals with them. along the way to trying to make everyone have a happier life including himself

I really enjoyed this book, as is so often the case with books by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Her characters are so well written. This book is about a group of friends living in America at the start of World War II and the large American Japanese population of the community, who are interned in camps when Japan becomes involved it the war. This is am of history that I don't know enough about and definitely plan to explore further.