Falling Apart And Other Gifts From The Universe by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Rae Union , 2025. *****
Publication November 11, 2025.
Addie, a nightwatchman and former cop, is struggling through AA when at sixty -two years old, she is questioning her role in life. She befriends two young adult drug addicts who live in the warehouse next to her work and shelters them. In an effort to protect them, she offers the shed behind her house with the expectation of no drug use. Learning what the most vulnerable experience on the street and in the warehouse, propels Addie into protector mode. Her actions as a protector force her to reflect on her relationship with her son and brother.
Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories often mirror societal issues and are not always "pretty" She cautions in her Author's Note "that the book contains references to a subject sensitive to many..." Her style of writing draws the reader immediately into the story and I eagerly look forward to each new release. She is my go to writer for a feel good book even though the subject matter can be dark or good versus evil. There is always a redemption and a fresh start. This book is an excellent one for discussion for a multi-generational Book Club. I highly recommend her books and devour them in two days, and can't wait for the next one. Her characters come alive and Addie's challenges are universal as well as endearing in her personal internal struggles with helping Jonathon and Jeannie.
Other Hyde books reviewed by me:
Book Discussion Guides are available here.
Catherine Ryan Hyde is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts best-selling author of fifty books and counting. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website at www.catherineryanhyde.com
I received an electronic copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
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