Michael Without Apology tells the story of a college student struggling with self-acceptance, and who finally stops looking away from his traumatic past. When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. As he creates his documentary called "Here I Am," Michael learns that honesty, though often painful, can be profoundly freeing.

There was so much I loved about Michael Without Apology, but there was one thing that started to grate on me a little, and that was the fact that many characters in the book spoke in the same, perfect manner. It felt a little strange.

Don't get me wrong. This beautiful book about self-acceptance touched my heart. One of my favorite parts was when Michael was told he was too sensitive and he responded "Whenever I hear anybody tell anybody else they're too sensitive, all I hear is 'I want to feel free to say offensive things to you and it really inconveniences me when you mind.'" (I want a sign that states that!)

I believe there is something for everyone in Michael Without Apology, and I recommend it to one and all!

Big thanks, #LakeUnionPublishing, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Michael Without Apology should be available for purchase in just two more days!

#CatherineRyanHyde #SelfAcceptance

Have you ever finished a book and thought how honored I am to have read this! This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book and I am not sure why I have waited so long. What a true blessing this book is, the message, the story, the characters just remarkable. This book shows us how meeting one person or several people in your life can send you down a path you never could have imagined. The main character Michael is on that journey and what a path he leads us down. The book starts with Michael and his brother Thomas and a life changing accident that Michael is so lucky to have survived, but injuries from this accident have kept him from being a normal kid. Michael´s journey is moving and thought provoking, this book will stay with me, a book I will recommend to many especially my children. Catherine Ryan Hyde you have changed my view of the world in the absolute best way, with so many profound tips, my favorite ¨Being a person takes practice¨.

Another great book by this author. I love how she gives us so much insight into many different themes and situations. The situations are usually between two different generations and how she brings them together so beautifully.
All of the books have a serious subject to portray, and make us think about things we know, but maybe have not paid that much attention to. I for one am glad to be able to feel, and relate to the different sides of these stories.
This story is about Michael Woodbine, who when he was seven yrs old ,had a serious accident with a firecracker, and now in college is still dealing with the aftermath and the scarring he has.
When Michael signs up for a film class, and sees that his teacher is scarred as well, and when the professor give the class an assignment to make a short documentary, he right away thinks about about that subject of scarring, or something that holds you back in life.
That brings the story to many different people and their interactions.
A great story with so much more to it.
I highly recommend this author, who has brought forth so many necessary topics, in a way that is easily told.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book.

Michael is an amazing young man who has lived through childhood trauma. However, when he creates a film for his college class, he reaches a far audience and is able to truly begin to heal. Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books are wonderful! She pulls you right into the story and tugs at your heart. Once again, she has made me cry, laugh and cheer! Loved it!

Michael Without Apology is a novel by award-winning, best-selling American author, Catherine Ryan Hyde. Ever since a nasty firework accident when he was seven, Michael Woodbine has kept his scarred body covered. At nineteen, he’s an attractive young man with an interest in making films, and his first college film class is a revelation that has an unanticipated impact on his attitudes.

His teacher, Robert Dunning, has visible scarring which he doesn’t try to cover: “He tells people to look. He invites them to talk about it. He won’t be ashamed of it, and he won’t let anybody else be ashamed because of their reaction to it”.

The first assignment that Professor Dunning gives the class is a short film. Michael’s unusual idea, to film people talking about their body image problems, gets Dunning’s tick of approval, but he needs subjects to interview. The flier he puts on the college noticeboard is a little vague, with an unexpected result: people who call his number, interested in participating, aren’t scarred the way he is, but Dunning tells him “you can never go far wrong by following the direction in which the universe is pushing you.”

He learns a lot about life from his interview subjects, even though some of their problems seem less of a big deal; he decides he should listen to the other person’s reality, not mitigate it or minimize it or try to shape it in any way. “Our problems are our problems, and I think sometimes they get compared to other people’s problems in a way that makes us feel like we don’t have a right to feel the way we feel about them.”

Telling his own story: his parents giving up their eight-year-old son for adoption when they kept their older son, elicits from one subject, this insight “It must have made you feel like they thought you were damaged goods” and he sees that “it explains why I kept the scarring a secret. I guess I thought if people knew, they’d reject me”. She also offers “Sometimes people have scars. It’s not a deal-breaker for anyone who’s not shallow as hell. It just is.”

He makes his film, a powerful little piece, and what it has to say attracts the attention of others in the business. But including his own story, as it does, when it is more widely seen, it gets a reaction from those who knew him then, including his birth family. Can he confront this head on?

Again, his teacher has good advice: “almost without exception our regrets are made up of the things we didn’t do. Almost any mistake can be lived with, because you gave it a shot. But we regret the chances we let go by.”

As always, Ryan Hyde gives her characters wise words and insightful observations: “Whenever I hear anybody tell anybody else they’re too sensitive, all I hear is ‘I want to feel free to say offensive things to you and it really inconveniences me when you mind’” and “I don’t completely believe what I can’t prove, and I don’t completely rule out what I can’t disprove” merely two. Topical, thought-provoking and heart-warming: classic Catherine Ryan Hyde.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

When Michael is seven years old his brother bullies him into stealing fireworks from a professional display. When the fireworks ignite Michael is injured so severely he almost dies and is left with extensive permanent scarring. He is removed from his parent’s custody and placed with a loving foster family that eventually adopts him. Michael is left not only with physical scars, but also with emotional scars stemming from feeling that his biological parents discarded him.

The book opens on Michael’s first day of college. He walks into his film studies class and finds that his professor also has extensive scarring. Professor Dunning becomes his mentor and his friend. As a requirement of the class Michael develops and films a video, and chooses body image as his topic, since this has always been an issue for him. Filming this video lead to unexpected results and revelations for Michael.

This is a powerful book that stayed with me a long time. It deals with issues such as child neglect, addiction, self esteem and dealing with loss. You will love many of the characters, especially Michael. I highly recommend this book!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

A very emotional story about Michael who after a near fatal accident at 7 years of age, ends up in foster care and has been carrying his scars and hurt for many years.

Michael is encouraged, through his teacher, to seek out others who has similar feelings of despair and rejection to make a documentary.

A powerful story and one not to miss!

This book is a fantastic glimpse of boyhood and tugs at the heartstrings. Seeing Michael grow up throughout this book made me reflect on my life and my future.

This novel is a beautiful, heartfelt journey that left me genuinely moved. Michael’s struggles and triumphs feel so authentic—his quiet moments of reflection and his unexpected acts of courage really resonated with me. The writing is tender without being overly sentimental, and the pacing kept me turning pages.

If you’re looking for a touching story about self‑acceptance and finding your voice, I wholeheartedly recommend Michael Without Apology.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Michael Without Apology is a fascinating read and one that will stay with me for a long time. He was seven years old when together with his brother he made a mistake that scarred him and shattered his self-esteem and home life. When he went to college guided by his teacher (who was even more scarred than he was) he was finally compelled to accept his body. As he interviews people for his documentary his prejudices against himself become more alive and understandable and through filming the diverse stories he made clear how society makes we act to accept a "normal" that should not exist, people should be happy and accept how they are and not made feel ashamed for it. Beautifully written, although sometimes rather sad, it's a sliver of hope for those struggling with body shame and low self appreciation.Highly recommended!
I thank Ms. Hyde, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Michael was only seven years old when his older brother Thomas coerced him into something dangerous, which went horribly wrong, with Michael ending up in hospital, almost losing his life. Once out of hospital, but with a lifetime of scarring, he was placed with a foster family, who eventually adopted him. Now, at age nineteen, and beginning a film course at the college, Michael met his tutor, Robert Dunning, who became a friend and mentor. Making a film was part of his course and Robert aided Michael with his thoughts as he ventured into the unknown. Body image had always been an issue for Michael, but as he moved forward with his journey, and opening the way for others who felt the same way, he wondered if he'd ever find self acceptance - could he stop apologising for the things he couldn't fix?

Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde is another powerful novel by an author who can't do any wrong in my opinion. Michael is a well written character, and those who are placed beside him - his tutor, his parents, his girlfriend - are exceptionally done as well. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

Another winner from Catherine Ryan Hyde

Hyde has been a favorite author of mine for years, since the Pay It Forward days, and I believe I've read all of her books. This one left me an emotional mess.

It's about the scars or deficiencies we ALL have, whether they be physical or emotional, and how everyone believes they have something to hide. I don't know, maybe I'm not saying this correctly but read the book and see how Hyde presents this idea.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. Just have some tissues handy.

I received this book as a Digital Review Copy from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This book seeped into the crevices of my heart in so many ways. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a genius storyteller about the human condition. In this case: self-redlextion, love, and body image are the topics that get dug deeply into. You would have to be made of stone not to be deeply impacted by this wonderful book. Michael is the person we all strive to be; he unabashedly looks at his problems or weakness and does what he can to fix or strengthen them. I feel like a better person after reading this book. This is my 8th book by this author and every so, gle one has been a five-star rating. She is that good. This book is a testament to her skill and heart. Many thanks to her publishers Lake Union, and NetGalley, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC of “Michael Without Apology” by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a young boy who loses his confidence after a terrible injury that almost killed him. Not only was he physically changed he was also emotionally changed after his experience. As he goes to college he meets a very influential teacher in a film class where he feels led to film a documentary about his scars. The journey this documentary takes him on was so interesting. I loved so many aspects of this book. At the end of the novel there were book club discussion questions provided that were quite thought provoking.
This book comes out on May 6, 2025 and I think this would be a very intriguing book club choice and generate great conversation.

What an incredibly empowering and uplifting novel. Michael Without Apology conveys a strong, profound message about acceptance - both of ourselves and others.

How many of us struggle with or worry about our body and its appearance; perhaps due to scarring from burns or injury; aging; changes after childbirth; medical conditions; disfigurement or trauma. But when we accept our bodies and stop feeling ashamed; stop apologising for our appearance, then we can truly live a life of freedom.
Scars are a fact of life:
“It’s not a secret. It’s not a scandal. It’s not a moral failing on my part. It just is.”

Michael Without Apology is a book that made me ‘think’ and ‘feel’ and I loved its powerful, poignant message. All of humankind should read this book - perhaps there’d be a little more kindness in the world.

Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for an advance digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers again. I'm a super fan, so it's no surprise I enjoyed her latest novel. If you are in need of a "literary hug," pick up a CRH novel. I love how she unpacks difficult and traumatic situations. Her portrayal of foster care is the best I've seen in fiction, having been a foster care provider myself.

Michael is a compelling and complicated teenager, and I loved watching him grow into himself as the story progressed. I wish I had a little CRH in my head helping me find the words for difficult conversations. No one writes these better.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-book in exchange for a review.

When I read a book that really impacts me, I have a hard time reviewing it. This is one of those books. There is so much to absorb with this one.

In a nutshell, it is a book about scarred people—not just physically but also emotionally or both. It is about self-worth and acceptance.

As a young boy, Michael is critically injured in a fireworks accident. He carries scars for the rest of his life. While in college he decides to make a documentary about scarred people. He realizes (as does the reader) that almost everyone carries some kind of scars. And, everybody deals with them differently. With the help of an incredibly kind and intuitive instructor, Michael makes the impactful documentary.

This book really makes me think. Catherine Ryan Hyde has the ability to pull the reader right into the story. She picks intense subjects to write about. And, she writes about them in depth.

This book will stay with me for a very long time.

What I got out of the book: Live life without apologies, unless I actually owe one.
The book will explain.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

I received an ARC of the latest new novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde through NetGalley.

I have rated most of CRH’s novels 5 stars, but this might be the best of the best. The storytelling skill is always there. And the subject matter this time resonates with everyone. Who doesn’t feel uncomfortable with how they look?

Michael, this book’s subject, was nearly killed in a fireworks incident when he was 7 years old. He has been self-conscious about the scars on his body ever since. His story is picked up when he is a college student. His relationship with a film professor was instrumental in overcoming his feelings of negativity. His transformation is chronicled in this beautiful story. He comes to understand that everyone is scarred in some way and there is no need to apologize, as everyone has.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Michael Without Apology’ written by Catherine Ryan Hyde in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Following an accident with a firework, seven-year-old Michael ‘s body is so severely scarred that he’s always kept covered up. His parents hand him over for adoption where he has a happy life with the Woodbines and it isn’t until he’s nineteen that he signs up for the college film class and meets his tutor Robert Dunning who himself is badly scarred. Michael comes to rely on Robert for advice on the making of films and decides to make one himself that he calls “Here I Am” about people unhappy with their own bodies.

‘Michael Without Apology’ is the spellbinding story of Michael from the age of 7-and-a-half years to when he reaches twenty-five, who at nineteen makes a short film revealing not only his own body with its scars but those of people who are unhappy with their own bodies and have replied to his advert. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a wonderful storyteller who seamlessly blends her characters into an inspiring and thought-provoking novel, the characters so perfectly described that I didn’t want to put my Kindle down even for a minute. I’ve loved reading about Michael who hid his scars away for fear of them being seen and the people he met who wanted to tell their stories, especially Madeleine and Rex Aronfeld, and several times I had tears in my eyes. I’ve loved this novel and am disappointed it’s come to an end as I don’t feel ready to say goodbye to Michael just yet.

I always look forward to reading a book written by Catherine Ryan Hyde and was thrilled to get this one. Michael Without Apology is about a 19 year old college student who has been hiding his scars since his accident when he was 7 years old. He enters his college filmmaking class and his life changes when he meets the teacher who has burns all over his body. As usual I look forward to the message that is always in her books. This book does not disappoint. It is so thought provoking and is capable of offering the reader the opportunity to look inside and become aware of their own perceptions of body image and how it might influence life behaviors. It certainly gave me a lot to think about and I highly recommend reading this book!!