Michael has just started college. In the opening scene, he gets a call at 2:00 P.M. on his first day from his helicopter mom. She is asking how his day is as he heads toward his class on film-making. It will be the start of a journey of a young man uncomfortable in his own skin. The class is taught by a professor who should have body image issues but does not. He teaches Michael some things about self-acceptance and Michael learns even more on his way to doing his class project, a film that will lead him on a very long journey of discovering love and his capacity to accept himself. This is one of my favorites of a long list of books that I enjoy by Catherine Ryan Hyde. If you have never read her books this is a great one to start with. Just published May 6 it is available at all the usual book outlets.

In this heart-warming and sometimes tragic story, the author examines how tragedy can shape lives, especially how we see ourselves, and how we perceive others see us. These revelations happen for Michael Woodbine as he navigates college. When he meets his film professor, he learns about these deep feelings and more. Having taught at the university level myself, I loved this aspect of the story. Robert Dunning was able to change Michael's path with his wisdom and knowledge of what Michael might be going through.

There is a theme here about living life without apology. There are sad moments and uplifting moments throughout and I couldn't put this down until the final pages. It's a feel good story that starts with tragedy and concludes with hope. I also liked the how the story dealt with the importance of foster families and how they can help shape a person.

I found this to be an interesting story that I couldn't put down. Michael's project had a message for this reader too, and that was a terrific part of this wonderful story.

A captivating story of Michael, a 19 year old student whose life changes when he meets his film tutor. A man with scars who doesn't hide away. Who dispenses wisdom and common sense. Michale's documentary assignment for the class truly changes the course of his life and teaches him so much. He sees himself and his past in a new way. Fascinating characters and a really interesting concept. I was spellbound. #netgalley #michaelwithoutapology

At seven years old, an accident with fireworks left Michael severely scared and led him to be placed in foster care. He grew up struggling to hide himself. A film class his freshman year of college changed all that. His teacher, Robert Dunning, is severely scared and makes no excuses for his appearance. Under the guidance and mentorship of Mr. Dunning, Michael sets out to create a documentary that explores people's self perceptions especially regarding body image. He seeks to find people who feel unattractive. who feel they can't be accepted by society. What he discovers is not only a surprise, but causes him to rethink his attitude about himself and the way he relates to everyone around him.

The thing I like most about Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories is that they make me feel. The emotions of this story are strong, but subtle. They are honest and moving, but not always comfortable. They reveal themselves through the nature of characters and their words in their interviews with Michael. I think its the diversity of the characters, but the similarity of their feelings about themselves that ultimately emphasizes those emotions.

Michael's teacher, and ultimately Michael's mentor, is himself scarred and a part of Michael's film. But he is also the objective voice of this story. He's there to offer advice and word's of wisdom, to be the sounding board for Michael's doubts and questions.

This book has a lot to say and offers a lot to think about. I have yet to stop thinking about it. It will definitely hold a prominent place on my keeper shelf.

I just finished reading Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it has to be my favorite of her books so far. The story is incredibly endearing and left me with goosebumps more than once.

The book starts with Michael a freshman film student who meets his college professor Robert Dunning on his first day. Robert immediately stands out because of a visible scar on his face which he addresses confidently without any hint of shame. This openness fascinates Michael who has his own scars both physical and emotional that he has been hiding for years. Inspired by his professor’s boldness Michael begins a journey of self-acceptance when he is assigned to create a documentary about his scars.

What makes the story even more compelling is how Michael’s project evolves. He posts an ad looking for people proud of their scars to participate but ends up meeting individuals who carry different types of scars. These people come from all walks of life and their stories not only challenge Michael’s perspective but also help him confront his own trauma.

The writing is so heartfelt and the characters are written with such depth that it almost feels like a real-life story. I really admire how Catherine Ryan Hyde weaves important messages about acceptance and courage into her narrative. Her ability to blend fiction with real human experiences makes the book truly special.

Excellent book. I always enjoy reading her books. The content of this book was very endearing, the building of his relationship with his professor especially.

There were many things I liked about this story. Michael Woodbine and his brother, Thomas, were in a firework accident when he was 7. He was left with many scars, and his parents gave him up to foster care (reasons to be revealed later in the story). He is adopted by the Woodbines, and they have a very nice family life together. However, Michael still struggles with his appearance, and never takes his shirt off in public due to scars. He also feels abandoned by his birthparents, and thinks they gave him up because of the accident and his scars. Michael is now 19, and pursuing a film making degree. On his first day in the filmmaking class, he meets Professor Drumming. Drumming has scars all over his face. However, his approach about his scars is different than Michael's, and the 2 form a bond. Drumming assigns his class the project of making a film- this project will be the only grade in the class. He reminds them that they should have something to say in the film for it to be impactful. After talking to Drumming, Michael decides to do a documentary on how people that struggle with how they look often feel less than and try to remain invisible.

As Michael begins his interviews, he meets Madeline. She is older than he is, and has scars of her own. He also meets many other wonderful characters, and we get to hear their stories. The character development is really well done, and I wanted to hear all their stories. Michael learns nuggets of wisdom from each individual he films, and he begins to grow in his confidence and self awareness.

This story is very relational, and that is what drives the plot. However, it is not a slow moving story- but one that the reader becomes immersed in because the relationships being developed are so well written. There are moments of tenderness, anger, frustration, acceptance, humor, and understanding that had me feeling all the emotions.

The only area I struggled with was when Michael and Thomas meet up. Michael has grown so much in his empathy towards others, and ability to see things from their perspective. However, I did not feel that this was demonstrated in his relationship with his brother. Although Thomas is a bit of a jerk, once Michael learned about what Thomas had been through his actions seemed very abrupt and almost unfeeling. This did not seem to gel with the Michael we were seeing evolve.

Overall, this was a well written, emotional story about the beauty and love we find around us, and accepting that it comes in all different ways. I look forward to reading another by Ms. Hyde as she always seems to be the perfect read when I want a bit more emotion in my stories! And she makes me think!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary reciew.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Michael is the main character in Catherine Ryan Hyde latest bestseller. He is involved in an accident and as a result has scarring from being badly burnt.
We go on a wonderful journey with Michael as he learns to begin to accept his scars and imperfections as well as recognising that others he meets throughout life also carry imperfections.

I really enjoyed being transported with Michael throughout this book.


Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC in return of my honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde continues to write stories that touch people's hearts. I jump at the opportunity to read her books and know they will make me stop and think and perhaps be a more understanding person. This was excellent.

We tend to live life apologizing for our self-proclaimed failings. Society portrays what constitutes as the perfect body or what success means. If we don't measure up, we hide those 'imperfections. from the world. This book brilliantly rejects that viewpoint and turns tragedy into a life lesson.

Due to a firework accident when Michael was a child, he was badly burned and taken away from his parents. Fortunately he was placed in a loving foster home but the scars on the inside continued to fester while he was able to hide his outer scars.

When a film professor teaches Michael to be proud of what makes him different, that makes an imprint on his life. Instructor Robert Dunning wears his scars as a badge of honor daring others to judge him by proudly proclaiming 'Here I Am' and that mindset inspires Michael's film project. As his student film takes on a life of its own, Michael realizes that even deemed 'perfect' people are battling their own insecurities.

Catherine Ryan Hyde pens a poignant novel that readers will ponder long after finishing the final chapter. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #MichaelWithoutApology in exchange for an honest review. The heartfelt novel is one of my favorite books I've read this year.

Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde is the story of Michael, a burn victim who had hidden his burns his whole life until he walked into his first film making class, his first day of college. There he met a man with burns worse than his, who let every one look their fill. It was not a moral failing, it was what it was. That opened Michael’s whole life. After a personal conversation with the professor, Mr. Dunning, Michael decided to make a film on this topice. He posted an ad on the bulletin board in the coffee shop but had just said, for persons not happy with their bodies,” and he got a wide variety of responses: A 103 year-old man who had shaken Adolf Hitler’s hand and always regretted he hadn’t spit at him; a tall man, very skinny, beyond skinny, who couldn’t seem to gain weight, Professor Dunning; and Madeline, a breast cancer victim who had had both breasts removed. From this he cobbled together interviews and produced a film: a good film. It opened all kinds of doors for him, not just in film making.

Michael had lived his entire life believing one thing and learning another. It happened time and again. Of course, he was only nineteen years old in the beginning. He was a virgin. Madeline took care of that, neither taking off their shirts, hiding their scars. Such a touching book, and very little about scars, as everyone has them in one form or another. He met people from his former life, learned to re-appreciate his adoptive parents, and he learned how to love himself and others. In the end all of us forgot about his scars as did he. He grew to be a good man. He had the beginnings but met the right people to move him along. Pulls at one‘s heart strings. As always Ryan Hyde knocks it out of the park.

I was invited to read Michael Without Apology by Lake Unions Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing #CatherineRyanHyde #MichaelWithoutApology

As always Catherine Ryan Hyde has brought us a tender and compassionate book about the human condition. This time it’s about body image and our acceptance of our scars and other flaws and those of others. It would be a great book for teenagers to read and discuss in class.

Her MC, is Michael, a freshman college student who wants to study film making. Due to a bad accident with an exploding firework when he was seven, he has bad scarring to his chest and legs. He has had a lot to deal with in his life and it was enjoyable to watch him develop into a confident young man through his film making and the people he met as a result. His story is told with empathy and sensitivity and, although I felt the last third dragged a little and could have been more compact, overall it was an insightful and thought provoking read.

Excellent book!! I read this in one sitting!!

Michael was only 7 years ago when his whole world changed in one minute. He was in an horrific accident with fireworks that scarred his body and got his biological parents thrown in jail. He went through many surgeries and got adopted by his foster family because his parents couldn't support him. But at the time he saw that as them not wanting him anymore, because his older brother got to go home to them when they were released from jail.

Now Michael is 17 years old and a Freshman in college. He's taking a film class for the first time, but his professor is the man who had the biggest impact on his life. Professor Dunning was in a fire when he was very young. He proudly wears his scars for the world to see. That alone made Michael feel comfortable showing what he's always hidden his whole life.

So when the class assignment is to make a film, Dunning encourages Michael to do a film about his image. Michael puts up a flyer looking for volunteers who feel unattractive to today's society to interview them for their stories. Seeing others with different body image issues really opens up his eyes like never before.

After the film is made, all sorts of things change for Michael, especially when people from his past emerge.

A must read!

*I received a complimentary copy of this ARC via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was published May 6, 2025.

This is the fifth book I’ve read by this author and they have all been either 4 or 5 stars!

Young Michael is involved in an accident and is left with burn scars. Fast forward to college when he meets film Professor Dunning who also has scars. It’s the first time Michael witnesses someone who invited people to stare at his scars. Michael decides to make a documentary titled “Here I Am” about scars we all carry, either physical or emotional.

“We go through our lives apologizing for things that either aren’t wrong at all or are totally out of our control…So, life without apologies is the theme.”

There is a perfect amount of humor, heartbreak, forgiveness and bravery in this story. Highly recommend. I loved this book and its message!

I have read several books by this author and loved each one. This one is no exception.
There is something about the way the author uses realistic, relatable issues that the characters have to get through that make these stories so profound on so many levels.
There were so many times when this story could have gone the easy route and not touched on difficult issues but thankfully, the author didn't flinch at bringing you there and making you feel all sorts of different emotions.
This story could be triggering for some people, or healing for others. There is a lot to take in. But overall, this was a remarkably engrossing, enlightening, wonderful story.
Enjoy!

This book was a nice and quick easy and fast read. I read and listened to it. The narrator was a good choice and fit the story.
It has a very good message about acceptance and not letting what others might think of your outward appearance hold you back. It did feel more like a full on lecture, rather than reading a book. The only other issue I had with the book was that every person he met, he learned something major and that is not real life. You might meet a few people that share something with you that is so moving or an idea that might change you but you aren't getting that from every single person you meet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book and audiobook arc.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher this ARC!
I absolutely love this author!
She always delivers a story that pulls at your heartstrings many times throughout the book!
I will absolutely be telling everyone about this one!

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s not as if it was a gripping, what will happen next, sort of thriller. It’s not. But it’s Hyde’s (no relation) usual superb examination of human nature and what it is to be human that compelled me to keep going.

In this case, Hyde looks at our relationship with our own, flawed bodies. And, as always, she exhibits such a deep understanding of how people think and feel. I really am in awe.

Michael’s relationship with his professor, Robert, as well as with Madeline, helps him to find his own peace with his scars. The unexpected turn that his film project takes, thanks to vague wording in his advertisement for volunteers, leads him on an eye-opening path to discovering that we all perceive flaws with our bodies, for a multitude of reasons. It is Hyde's sensitive handling of this idea that humanizes the story and gives the reader—any reader—a touchstone.

Not all of Hyde’s books have a romantic aspect; this one happens to, as Michael gains the confidence to allow himself to be loved, scars and all.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Drug use. Neglectful parents. Physical issues. Nudity. Some swearing. Sex between unmarried people. Death from a variety of causes. Trauma. Adoption.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-good-week-for-readers.html

This author is such an incredible storyteller - she writes honestly and realistically about the human condition. This novel, like the others, shines with wonderful characters and a unique plot. I couldn't put this one down.

Michael is a college freshman who was severely injured when he was 7 years old. The firework accident nearly ended his life. He has always hidden his scars - he didn’t swim or participate in anything that required him to take off his shirt!!

During his first film class, his teacher Robert Dunning, “ wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception.”

Finding volunteers for his documentary leads him to realize that almost everyone has experienced the feeling of not being good enough, pretty enough, thin enough, etc either from scars, being too thin, too fat, etc.

As he works with these people he himself finally learns to accept his body the way it is and not apologize for the way he looks!

There is much more to this novel as Michael meets a woman who becomes the love of his life - but they have limited time to be together.

He also has always wondered why his parents didn’t take him back after he was released from the hospital??

I found myself wishing EVERYONE could read this novel - it is a really remarkable story that left me feeling uplifted.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

Catherine Ryan Hyde does what she does best in her latest release and that's creating characters that you care about, and she brings out real emotions in the reader.

The beginning is 4th of July, and 7-year-old Michael has an accident with a firework that sends him to the hospital resulting in massive scaring on his torso and thighs. He is sent to foster care because of neglect by his parents and is adopted by the couple. Jump to Michael at age 19 taking a film class in college. The teacher becomes a mentor when Michael idolizes him for his honesty and no shame for his scars. It gives him confidence to produce a short film letting his subjects reflect on their imperfections and the weight of being perfect in an imperfect world. It's very moving as Michael learns about self-acceptance and forgiveness as he grapples with the past.

Another great addition to CRH's long list of books. Take this book, a box of tissues (just in case), and be prepared to be transported to the tragedies and triumphs in Michael's life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an early copy.