This follows the tone of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s other books, tapping into the human kindness of individuals and matching them in relationship with unlikely companions.

I was walking in a shopping center recently and a sales woman invited me to try an eye serum “to help remove the appearance of wrinkles.” As I declined her offer, I thought, “I’ve earned these wrinkles. They are part of who I am. They reflect wisdom and resilience.”

In Michael without Apology, Michael is a film student whose teacher on day one helps him to understand that being a person takes practice. The teacher, Prof. Dunning has extensive scarring and invites the students to take it in and get through their initial shock. He has come to terms with his appearance because his injury was through no fault of his own and not a sign of moral failing. Michael, who has his own scars (emotional and physical) to deal with, decides to make a film about showing up as who you are, without apologizing for not living up to standards set by society. He forms relationships with people from different generations and life experiences, listening to and amplifying their stories.

Perhaps because the main character is a young adult and CRH’s writing style, this felt like it was a book more suited to YA. It also seemed to lack racial diversity. Parts of it felt rushed and lacked details for example, I did not feel like I got to know one of the characters in the initial film. And while much of the first part of the book focused on the stories of people in the film, the following films were only talk about without the same level of detail.

I appreciate the message in this book and the little life lessons that CRH is known for. It is a sweet story and an easy vacation read that moved me to tears at points.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde! I want to be her friend! The characters in her books are kind, selfless and caring. We need more people like these in our world. This story is about a college student named Michael. He's given an assignment to make a film. The film can be about anything he wants. He thinks he's going to make a film about scars but the film becomes about so much more than that and takes on a life of its own. I wish she'd publish the film along with the book! I would give it 10 stars if I could!

This book is sad and beautiful and not one that I will soon forget. This book explores different variations on vulnerability not only with the human body but with emotions and relationships as well. I was immediately drawn into this story and could not put it down. I felt so bad for Michael many times during this book, but the way he grows and processes his feelings is superbly done. This is beautifully written and thought provoking.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by this author, somewhat different from the other books I have read, but very enjoyable. Looks at many issues and
and how they were overcome. It gave me a lot to think about.

I absolutely adored this book. The struggle with accepting yourself and becoming a better person while forgiving others and embracing life even when you know there may be pain is the human condition we all strive for, hopefully. I really appreciated that you could "grow up" with the main character without being drug through years and years of his life. There was enough inference for me as a reader that I could imagine his life in the not specifically spelled out parts of the story. It was an uplifting story and would highly recommend!

Catherine masterfully portrays the raw beauty of vulnerability, demonstrating how honesty, though often painful, can be profoundly freeing. With themes of compassion, resilience, and self-love woven seamlessly throughout, Michael’s journey is a powerful reminder that scars—whether seen or unseen—are an inherent part of life. Michael Without Apology is a deeply insightful exploration of identity and belonging, leaving a lasting impact on its readers.

This was another rich and meaningful novel by one of my favorite authors! There is a lot to think about here about how we perceive our own and each other’s bodies and physical form, scarred or not. There’s also a lot here about family and what it really means to be part of a family, whether biological or non-biological. There are excellent discussion questions at the end as well so this would make a very good book club read.

Thanks to the author and publisher, as well as NetGalley, for an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange from my honest review.

This is a sad yet beautiful story about self-acceptance and love. Catherine Ryan Hyde always gives her characters a voice that makes them believable and likable.

When Michael was only 7-years-old, he had a horrific accident that nearly took his life. It left him with both physical and emotional scarring that lasted a lifetime. It wasn’t until college, during a filmmaking class, that he met a teacher who would change his life. This teacher became his mentor and his confidant. Michael took great pains to overcome the power those physical scars held over him. And only then could he accept the emotional scars also.

This book is mesmerizing and illuminating. I cried, I laughed and I cheered. I will never forget the lessons I read about in this amazing book. Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.

What a fabulous, fabulous book. It's been a long time since I teared up while reading, but this book made me do just that. Catherine Ryan Hyde is right on the money with this one - imperfectly perfect characters, people I wanted to sit down and talk with myself, and a plot that was beautifully woven together. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Michael Without Apology" and all opinions expressed are my own. I love the whole thing! I would love to listen to the audio book. Maybe also get a print copy. That is how amazing this book was to me. It just really touched my heart. Although the year just started this is probably going to be my favorite of 2025. So many messages throughout the book.

Another wonderfully written book by this author.. You’re never disappointed in one of her books. Most people have awful body image, and this book is very supportive in this instance.

This should be a 6 star rating! Catherine Ryan Hyde never disappoints. Michael Without Apology provides a look into the ideas people have about how their bodies look. The participants in Michael's film class documentary each have different reasons for their shame, and all were very real. Ms. Hyde's creative mind gives the reader a thought provoking story where a lesson is learned and the reader is thirsting for more.

I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One of the best books in my life. This was mind-blowing! I need to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

I know this book isn't out until May but I snuck a peek and kept reading. A young college student named Michael, traumatized by a childhood experience that has left him with scars-both mental and physical, has an idea for his freshmen film project. Michael will find others who also carry scars that have affected their lives and create a short documentary. What Michael could never expect is what he will learn about life, love, and forgiveness.


This had all that, Catherine Ryan Hyde magic that makes me return to her books again and again. The characters are well-written and I love to champion the ones that stood out- Michael, his adoptive parents, Madeline, Caroline, Professor Dunning etc. The chapters flowed smoothly and I never felt that the plot stalled or got weighted down with filler details. I appreciated the book club questions at the back of the book.


However, one general request I have is that I wish the author would write us an author's note which explores her reasons why it was these specific character voices that called out to her. I do realize that Catherine Ryan Hyde releases at least 2 books in a year but gosh I would love to hear a little more about her processes.

Also, could her publisher please update her biography at the back of her books? In 2025, do I care that she once shared a" dais with former president Bill Clinton'? "

Not particularly.

Maybe she had lunch with Angela Merkel? Or attended a fashion show with Gisele Bundchen? Or that she caught the papers that flew off the podium when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation? Humour aside, it might be time to bring us updates on a great author. Just my two cents!!

All in all, Michael Without Apology is going to be the perfect Mother's Day gift. Just remember to also get the woman in your life that you're celebrating some tissues. She will need it!




#MichaelWithoutApology #NetGalley
Expected Publication 06/05/25
Goodreads Review 12 /01/25

Michael Without Apology is about body image. Michael was severely scarred as a child. He is in film school and meets a professor whose story inspires him to create a documentary about body image for the class project. In seeking out people to contribute to his film he learns that people of all ages experience issues.

This would be a great addition to high school libraries.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

I think what I like the most about Catherine Ryan Hyde books are the way that her characters process emotions and make meaning out of literally everything. I think that this style may drive some people nuts but it really, really works for me. I enjoy her novels and this was no exception. There were parts of this one that made me tear up.

Thank you to NetGalley and LakeUnion for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read so many Catherine Ryan Hyde books. This is probably one of her best. She has returned to her greatest form.
It was just so powerful and so provocative that you had to stop and reread a quote or sentence and just think about it. The novel starts with a simple premise of how a boy injured in childhood felt about his body. He thinks he’s the only one who is ashamed of how he looks and how he has hidden himself or not done certain things because of it . Now a freshman in college, he enrolls in a film class and sees that the professor is very badly burned. Each student must produce a film by semesters end. We follow the journey of Michael, the main character, through the making of the film and way beyond. I feel this is one book you will never forget. It shouldn’t be missed.

What a read. It cuts to the soul and challenges the reader to introspect. The lesson to stop apologising for things not in ones control resonared deeply with me. There are truly so many life lessons in the story that this book is timeless. Catherine Ryan Hyde you deserve all your success as no book disappoints.

“Michael Without Apology” is by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I’ll admit, while Ms. Hyde’s books aren’t an auto-read for me, I do look forward to her new book. The one thing I wished this book had (and maybe the final version will) was how/why Ms. Hyde was inspired to write this book. Anyway, when Michael is eight years old, he is badly burned by a firework. He was in the hospital for many weeks and removed from his parents. Michael’s foster family decided to adopt him. While Michael loves his adopted parents, he always felt that something was wrong with him for his birth parents to not want him to return to them. When Michael is in college, he takes a film course and meets Robert Dunning, his teacher who is also badly burned. Mr. Dunning becomes Michael’s mentor - and it’s a wonderful refreshing relationship. Michael makes a student documentary film about body issues - Michael tells his own story but there are also the stories of others, including a former US gymnast who competed in the 1936 Olympics. Michael learns more about himself - and relationships. There were so many good things in this book - the former Olympian’s story about his wife was so touching (and, yes, with one of my now passed loved ones, a five minute conversation would be wonderful). Michael’s story is told in both the past and from the ages of 19-25. While the book focuses on Michael, the story touches upon his relationship with his birth family, his adoptive family, and even Michael becoming more comfortable with himself. This was a fast read for me - and a storyline that kept me turning the pages as it was rather engrossing. Was this an easy book to read - no, some rough topics are mentioned in this book. But I’d recommend this book strongly to people who want to be seen as they are no matter what their outside looks like.

I'll read anything that Catherine Ryan Hyde writes, and she never fails to surprise me. She has such a way of making her readers experience the emotions of her characters.

This book begins with a small family at the beach: father, mother, two sons. It's cold in the ocean, and the breezes are cold too. Their parents kept going back to their car, leaving the two boys unsupervised on the crowded beach. Then the older boy coerces his younger brother into stealing some professional grade fireworks from a cordoned off area. This was the final precipitating factor that changed the lives of every family member.

Michael is the younger son, the one who was most seriously injured and scarred by the fireworks. We meet him as an adult when he goes to college. He signs up for a film workshop class, and it changes his life.

When he first saw the professor, he was shocked. Robert Dunning, the professor, also had a significant amount of scarring, including on his face and hands. Unlike Michael, he could not hide his scars. He taught Michael by example to accept his scars and to not be ashamed. Michael's whole life changes from meeting this one man. It was amazing to see the man he became.

I received an e-arc of this book from Lake Union Publishing and voluntarily read and reviewed it. These are my own opinions.