Thank you to Union Publishers and Catherine Ryan Hyde for allowing me to read and review this book. I have read several books by this author. Her books that I have read have the same vibe as a young adult who goes on a journey. This book is no exception it involves RU a teenager and her friend who participated in a journey, To be honest I found some of this book to be a little boring especially the beginning.

This is the most delightful book. We start with Ru Evans, a very smart teenager, who has just won a place at college at the ripe old age of thirteen. The college is one of the very best and nowhere near where she lives so, after some begging, manages to persuade her mum to let her board with a local family. There she meets Gabriel, the 17 year old son, who she identifies with right from the off, the both of them having similar trouble fitting in and finding friends. After a couple of weekends where her mum cancels plans or visits, Ru returns home only to find out that her mum is dying. And then the worst happens and Ru is left an orphan, with only an Aunt left as family. An Aunt who pretty much doesn't want the hassle... Long story short, she hatches a plan with Gabriel and the two of them set off on a journey of a lifetime, one of discovery, and shenanigans, one which will lead them to big trouble when they are eventually caught, as they obviously will be, no spoiler, but in the meantime, they have an open road and a plan...
I loved this book. I loved Ru, old beyond her years, and Gabriel equally. They are so well suited and their bond transcends the walls they both have with most people. I also loved the to-do list they crafted and the way they worked out what they had to do to make it happen. It's quite the lesson that a lot of people would benefit from heeding.
It could be described as a coming of age tale, but that would be simplifying things and doing the book and the author an injustice as it is so much more than that. It's sad and magical, grief and sorrow, loss, and living, adventure and wonder. It's a brilliantly crafted, character driven story, which gives so much more than you'd expect as you are reading. It's a book that kept on giving for me, even after I turned the last page. And one which will stay with me a while yet. I'd love an update on our duo in the future too...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde was one story I didn’t want to escape from.
This was a heartwarming story. I enjoyed the writing. The story and characters are written in such an inspiring and beautiful way.
Catherine Ryan Hyde does an amazing job of writing books that are emotional, captivating, and full of characters you adore.
This was such a delightful read.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Catherine Ryan Hyde has such a unique way of storytelling that just doesn’t compare to any other author I’ve found. This book is another one of my favorites of hers. A story about loss, identity, and living in such a way that you feel alive. So good.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has become one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed this book so much until it abruptly ended. The book is about an amazing young woman. She is brilliant beyond likely what can be tested. Orphaned and being raised by an aunt who doesn't seem to understand her, she finds herself on a long trip north, to see the Northern lights with a friend who just happens to be male and almost legal age. When they are accosted on the return at the Canadian border crossing life changes, for both. The young woman finds herself befriended by teachers at a community college then off to another major university where her intellect remains unchallenged. However, the young man who is her soul mate is lost to her. All is well in the end as she follows her heart. Loved this book and the characters but so much wanted to know more. How about bringing them back? Thanks to #netgalley#Life,Loss,andPuffins#CatherineRyanHyde for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This is my second book that I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It was a quick easy read with some heavier topics. The story follows Ru, a thirteen year old who is quite intelligent. As she is attending University, she meets Gabriel who becomes more of a friend. Ru’s life changes in a few short weeks, which leads to her and Gabriel going on an adventure. Hyde wrote the book in an interesting perspective with Ru telling the adventures as a story to two unnamed characters. I would have liked a little more backstory to those characters but overall it was an enjoyable read.

A heartwarming read, I loved the relationship between Ru and Gabriel and the story of their road trip. It did feel a little like the middle bit of Ru's story was missing though.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

An unusual and interesting book. A look at the world through the eyes of a child genius. Book smarts are quite different from street smarts. I'm still cold after reading about their adventures to see the Northern Lights. Not on my bucket list as I am definitely not a fan of the cold. Sweetly sad story. Many misty-eyed moments. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

4.5 stars. I have loved all of the novels by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I have read, and this one is no exception. What a beautiful written and feel-good story! The development of the friendship between Rumaki (Ru) Evans, a freakishly smart 13-year-old, and Gabriel, who is 17 and attends a college nearby the one in which Ru as enrolled as a freshman, is so very heartwarming. Their bond, one which is a like a very strong big brother/little sister bond, forms the basis for the storyline as both decide to take out on an adventure from California to Canada in order to fulfill a couple of dreams: to be able to view the Aurora Borealis in all its glory and to see Atlantic puffins. This is a superb, affirming and uplifting tale focusing on the very strong bonds that “found family” can have and the fact that the world is really full of great wonders that we can discover if we go looking for them just as Ru and Gabriel did.

Ru Evans was thirteen years old and in her mother's words, "freakishly smart". Ru had been like that since a very young age, and entering college which was situated a long way from home, meant she needed to board close to campus. A mother and son, and Gabriel was an outsider like Ru. They quickly formed a bond of the sibling type, close friends, the only ones each other had. But when Ru's mother died and she had to return to her aunt's home, knowing her aunt didn't want her - and she definitely didn't want to go there - meant Ru and Gabriel came up with a plan.

Gabriel was seventeen, had a driving license and owned a car. So the two of them set off on a road trip through the US and into Canada. Ru had a wish list of things she wanted to do, and they were determined to do them all. Passing themselves off as siblings, with Ru older than Gabriel, they picked up jobs along the way, helped strangers and felt a happiness deep inside which they hadn't felt before. The cold dark nights with the aurora borealis surrounding them, was an experience they wouldn't forget. Soon, they had to return to the US - would they get through the border without complications?

Once again Catherine Ryan Hyde has hit the nail on the head! Life, Loss, and Puffins was an amazing, heartwarming book, filled with happiness, new friendships, deep sadness and freedom and I loved every minute of it! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors . Why? Because all of her books contain some type of life-lesson or message that is put in there to make the reader really think about the importance of that message and what it means in their own life. This was an interesting and enjoyable read about two young kids, Ru - a 13-year old "freakishly smart" girl and Gabriel - a 17-year old boy who likes fingernail polish and eye-liner. They form a remarkable friendship showing that an intense love is certainly possible at that age between a guy and a gal that isn't built on sexual attraction - but that they are both considered "different" and yet they are the same in their need to be themselves. Ru enters college at 13 and is boarded by Gabriel's mother. Both have a difficult relationship with their mother. When Ru's mother dies and she sees she is going to be forced to go live with an unlikeable Aunt Bitsy in Kentucky, she and Gabriel decide to leave on a road-trip to see the things they otherwise probably never get to see. Their road-trip is quite the adventure and they meet a few characters along the way that help them both discover more about themselves along with emotions that they never really knew they had: especially Ru regarding her mother. The dramatic ending to their road-trip separates them physically and brings them to another stage in their friendship. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #LifeLossandPuffins

Another heart warmer from Ryan Hyde, who has excellent storytelling chops. While this tale of a road trip by Ru and Gabriel is more than a bit implausible (or is it?) it's still filled with good vibes. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. As always a positive read.

Rumaki Evans is thirteen years old, she’s gifted academically, Ru gets bored easily and she taught herself Euclidean geometry at age seven, she has an eidetic memory, and is about to start college. This means she has to move 150 miles from home, she stays with Paula Gulbranson and her son Gabriel. Ru has never had a friend before, Gabriel doesn’t fit in himself and she accepts him how he is and vice versa.

When Ru’s mother dies six weeks later, she will have leave college and go live with her Aunt Bitsy in Kentucky. Ru is sad and angry, and she doesn’t understand her feelings and Gabriel gets it. They decide to run away and go on a road trip, from California to Canada and so Ru can visit the Cosmic Campground, Aurora Borealis or the northern lights and both want to see Atlantic puffins. As Ru and Gabriel drive along they talk about everything, meet some interesting people, tell them a farfetched story about Ru being much older than she looks and gaze at the stars snuggled up in their sleeping bags and both question what their future holds.

I received a copy of Life, Loss, and Puffins from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for a review. Catherine Ryan Hyde likes to look at situations and life from different perspectives and angles and makes you think outside of the box. Could two teenage teenagers drive across America and into Canada with a little help, possibly and kids runaway all the time and if caught Gabriel is the one who’s going to get into the most trouble.

A story about being different to everyone else, both of the main characters can associate with this and acceptance, how teenagers deal with their feelings and adults often don’t listen, Gabriel's wise for his age and he explains the bond between mother and child to Ru, sky watching and dancing ribbons of light, and four stars from me.

To me there are so many times that this story is implausible. However, the friendship between Ru and Gabriel comes across as very believable. I found myself cheering them on and wishing that their journey is an adventure that fulfills their hopes and dreams. As always, Catherine Ryan Hyde tells a tale that is uplifting, heartwarming, and well-worth reading.

Easy to read, definitely a YA book.

Storyline was not something that seems possible, but it was still an easy read. They both need escape, found friendship in each other, and then sneaking across the Canadian border. Challenges, acceptance, life. Lots of life lessons taught, and lots of character growth as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union publishing for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3/5~4★
“ ‘I’m sorry. I’m just . . .’

‘You’re just what, Mom?’ I asked when I got tired of waiting for her to tell me.

‘I feel like this is it.’

‘Like this is it for what?’

She sighed deeply and dramatically before answering. ‘For your childhood, I guess. I feel like your childhood is ending.’

‘Interesting,’ I said.

‘You don’t agree?’

‘That it’s ending now? No. I don’t agree. I think my childhood ended when I was five.’ ”

I’m sure it did end then. Ru is 13 years old chronologically but is so “freakishly smart” (as she is told) that her knowledge and comprehension are far beyond that of most adults. The book opens with her addressing two girls after making the sit down to hear her life story. We don’t know who they are or care, but Ru dives right in and begins talking.

She tells us (and them) everything in the first person, and only a handful of time throughout the book are we reminded that she has an audience of two girls. It’s only at the end that she clears that up – sort of, but unconvincingly, I thought.

She’s an outsider at school, and when she starts college at the age of 13, she seems even more out of place. She still looks 13. She meets Gabriel, who is 17, and he seems to be a fellow misfit. He’s the son of the woman who takes in boarding students, arranged by Ru’s mother, since Ru’s so young. He wears eye makeup and paints his fingernails. He’s unique, but better still, he has an Atlantic puffin as the screensaver on his phone, and so does Ru! The both love Atlantic puffins.

Their bedroom shares a common wall and an air vent that carries their normal speaking voices, so the two of them chat at night privately. She has said that she has an eidetic memory and hyperthymesia, meaning she never forgets anything. She is inclined to lecture on any given subject, which isn’t always welcome.

She tells Gabriel about her memories of a happy trip with her late father to look at the night skies in the Mojave Desert. It is obvious she loved it, and the memory makes her happy. Gabriel asks if he can make a comment without annoying her. Of course.

“ ‘Your reaction to that beautiful feeling was to decide to study the formation of the universe and how stars and planets are born and die. You made the whole thing academic.’

‘Of course I did. That’s what I do.’


He didn’t answer.

‘I mean . . . should I do something different?’

‘I can’t decide that for you. But it’s something to think about.’

So I thought about it.

I thought about it so much that night that I only got a couple hours of sleep and I was super tired in all my classes the next day.

But here’s the problem: I ‘thought’ about it. I thought about how I have a problem with thinking too much.

Leave it to me to think I can solve a thinking problem by thinking.”

Ru’s mother keeps making excuses not to drive the 150 miles to the college on the weekends, as promised, so Gabriel and Ru hop in his little car and drive to Ru’s home.

When they arrive, who should come to the door but Aunt Bitsy, her mother’s sister, whom Ru can’t stand.

Ru’s mother is at death’s door with cancer. Six weeks after her diagnosis, Ru’s mother dies, leaving her in the care of Aunt Bitsy, who lives in Kentucky, far from the other home Ru has enjoyed with Gabriel’s mother and far from her college.

Ru considers running away, hiding, maybe making a bucket list of things to experience before she goes back to college. She may be freakishly smart, but she has real living to catch up on. Before you know it, the two have packed up his little car, waited until his mother has taken her sleeping pill, left her a note on the kitchen table, and decided to tick some things off Ru’s college list.

1. Camp in the darkest place in the country and see the night skies. (Ru elaborates – I’ll spare you.)
2. See the aurora borealis. (She made sure they had their passports.)
3. Meet an Atlantic puffin.

Their adventure is completely unbelievable (as are they, really), but it’s an entertaining ride and their growing friendship is nice to watch. I particularly liked Ru’s description of finding your people or your tribe as your herd. We are herd animals, and she has a practical turn of phrase.

Had Ru’s audience of two little girls been better explained (adoption, I think), and had the story not seemed to stop right in the middle, I’d have enjoyed it more. Still, it was a good read, and I thank #NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of #LifeLossandPuffins for review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a wonderful way of pulling you right into her books. This was no different and I loved this story. It has a very coming of age feel to it and our characters were so special. The story was funny and heartbreaking but overall warmed my heart.

I have read and enjoyed several of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, and I loved this one as well. She is generous with her character depictions, and reading her work will open your eyes to people with different life experiences, often traumatic ones. The characters in this book, R and Gabriel, form a delightful friendship and meet life-changing people on their road trip across the border. Highly recommended if you are looking for a comforting, cozy read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
#Lifelossandpuffins

I’d like to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Life, Loss, and Puffins’ written by Catherine Ryan Hyde in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Rumaki Evans (known as Ru) is ‘freakishly’ brilliant and has won a scholarship at a prestigious university 150 miles from home. She lodges with new best friend Gabriel and his mother but no sooner does she get there than circumstances force her to leave. Rather than move to Kentucky to live with her miserable Aunt Bitsy, Ru and Gabriel decide to go on a road trip. They have three things they want to do, to go to Cosmos Campground to see the stars, watch the Aurora Borealis, and see Atlantic puffins face-to-face. But it’s not going to be easy as they’re both under-age.

‘Life, Loss and Puffins’ is the fifth novel I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and in my eyes she can do no wrong. From the beginning I was enthralled by the wonderful Ru and the relationship she formed with Gabriel. I loved the descriptions of the characters they met on their journey, Freddy the cook and his kind wife, Gladys who sneaks them across the border and her generous and friendly family, who all added to this wonderful story. Every step they took on their journey I was there with them until I reached the final few pages that were absolutely delightful and heart-warming, though I admit to having a tear in my eye. Absolutely brilliant!

I'd never read anything by Catherine Ryan Hyde before - but it's safe to say I really enjoyed this. I'd recommend it to fans of Lessons In Chemistry who want to see another way that a 'freakishly smart' young girl can end up trying to make her way through the world. Just enough sublimely ridiculous things happen to make the soul-touching parts of this book ring out really sweetly.