Goodreads: Heaven Adjacent by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Rating: Very Good
Source: Little Bird Publicity
Description: Roseanna Chaldecott spent her life as a high-powered lawyer in Manhattan. But when her best friend and law partner dies suddenly, something snaps. Unsure of her future, Roseanna heads upstate on one tank of gas and with no plans to return.
In the foothills of the Adirondacks, Roseanna discovers the perfect hideout in a ramshackle farm. Its seventy-six acres are rich with possibilities and full of surprises, including a mother and daughter squatting on the property. Although company is the last thing Roseanna wants, she reluctantly lets them stay.
Roseanna and the young girl begin sculpting junk found around the farm into zoo animals, drawing more newcomers—including her estranged son, Lance. He pleads with Roseanna to return to the city, but she’s finally discovered where she belongs. It may not provide the solitude she originally sought, but her heart has found room for much more.
Genre: Fiction
Why I Picked This Book: I've seen this author around for quite some time but never managed to actually read her. This book really appealed to me with the main character upending her life and whatnot.
My Impression: I love books where the main character is taking a long look at their life and determining what really makes them happy and this was a very interesting take on that. This isn't a unicorn and rainbows kind of book. The author doesn't wave a magic wand and make Roseanna likable and happy and things are not always easy. I enjoyed how perplexed she was by the influx of squatters and visitors all looking for their own peace as she's trying to hold on to the bit she's found for herself.
The developing relationship between Roseanna and her son Lance was interesting and felt very genuine. It wasn't always smooth and there were some step backs or plateaus. As well her own self-discovery isn't always smooth. Her epiphanies don't always stick and sometimes it takes her awhile to really process stuff.
This a kind of a quiet book. There aren't big events for the most part and while there is conflict that isn't the real meat of the book. The focus is on relationships, development, and self discovery but in a subtle way that feels incredibly genuine. This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book but it definitely won't be my last!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I really enjoyed this one.
Would I Recommend this Book? Definitely! This was a really lovely read.
Just read another review of this book and I like the sound of this book. I've not read any of this author's works either, but I think I'd like to try them. When I'm in the mood for this type of story. Nice job, Katherine!
ReplyDeleteOnce in a while, I'm in the mood for this tone of story, too. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Katherine!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very good. I think I will add that to my Goodreads shelf!
ReplyDeleteIt's the third book I've read by CRH. I really enjoyed it! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI liked the development too with her son Lance and the fact it was very real, as you say no magic wand.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one, but I have read two or three books by the author, and your caveat about being a quiet story is exactly right. All her books that I know about aren't big on action, more on "feels".
ReplyDeleteBy the way, did you know she wrote Pay It Forward? I saw that movie years ago, then read the book. When the movie released people made the news for "paying it forward" such as at coffee shops, toll booths, etc. Too bad that movement seemed to run out of gas after a while.
I read a review of this one yesterday, and downloaded the book. I like the sound of this kind of "starting over" book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I really like the sound of this one, Katherine - it's gone on my wishlist. Many thanks for sharing and have a great weekend:)
ReplyDeleteThis author has such a way with characters. The books I have read by her have all been on the quiet side--but very good. My first book by her was Pay It Forward, which became quite popular in movie form.
ReplyDeleteI like books like this also because they show life isn't a straight line in career and happiness. We change as we age and there is always time for something new.
ReplyDeleteI read this author for the first time earlier this year and was really impressed by her writing. She did a fantastic job with the characters and relationships in Say Goodbye for Now as well. Great review!
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