
Life, Loss, and Puffins
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Jess Nahikian
About this listen
An exhilarating and emotional novel about grief, hope, friendship, and taking life one beautiful and spontaneous day at a time by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
Freakishly smart. That’s the unwelcome box Ru Evans is put into for life. After all, she taught herself Euclidean geometry at age seven, has an eidetic memory, and is about to enter college at thirteen years old.
Boarding at a house near campus 150 miles from home, Ru meets seventeen-year-old Gabriel, an outsider himself who, like Ru, has trouble making friends—until they form a fast sibling-like bond. Finding a relatable someone in the world to talk to is a first for both of them.
But when Ru’s mother dies and the threat of living with her miserable aunt looms, Ru hatches an escape. It’s an impulsive road trip that takes Ru and Gabriel from California to Canada, where Ru can fulfill her ultimate dream: to see Atlantic puffins in the glorious wild.
Mile by mile, Ru discovers the joy of friendship, found family, dark night skies, and the aurora borealis, and she basks in going from being a smart person to just a person. Though she knows they’ll be in trouble when they’re caught, for the short time they are navigating twist by twist of an unknown road, the freedom is liberating, and she is living for what feels like the first time.
©2024 by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Trustee, or Successor Trustee, of the Catherine Ryan Hyde Revocable Trust created under that certain declaration dated September 27, 1999 (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“Hyde writes a deeply compelling novel about teenagers finding their way in the world, even if their paths look a bit different than usual. Fans of Ethan Joella's A Quiet Life, Mary Alice Monroe's The Summer Guests, and Hazel Prior's Ellie and the Harpmaker will appreciate Hyde's deft handling of Ru's complex gift and the novel's heartwarming, character-driven charm.” —Booklist
“While there are adult characters in this book, it's the children who state the universal truths that Hyde wants to share with readers. And they do it beautifully and compellingly.” —Bookreporter
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- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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When nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, everyone has an opinion. Only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the real story. Norma’s already found Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her. If he ever sees her again. To protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma quietly delivers the girl to her grateful parents in California, even though she’s conflicted. Keeping Jill safe and hidden from Jake, the press, and the public will be their secret. But secrets can’t last forever.
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the understanding of life's lessons
- By Vesta M Harder on 04-10-24
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Rolling Toward Clear Skies
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Maggie Blount, divorced mother of two and California physician, puts her private practice on hold when disaster strikes. Doctors on Wheels takes her and Alex—Maggie’s professional and romantic partner—wherever they’re needed. After rolling into rural Louisiana in the wake of a category five hurricane, Maggie immediately bonds with two sisters and their puppy, all orphaned by the storm. It’s enough to break Maggie’s heart, and she’s not leaving them behind.
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good story good ending
- By mario chiozza on 11-24-24
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The Wake Up
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Something has been asleep in forty-year-old cattle rancher Aiden Delacorte for a long time. It all comes back in a rush during a hunting trip, when he's suddenly attuned to the animals around him, feeling their pain and fear as if it were his own. But the newfound sensitivity of Aiden's "wake up" has its price. He can no longer sleepwalk through life, holding everyone at arm's length. As he struggles to cope with a trait he's buried since childhood, Aiden falls in love with Gwen, a single mother whose young son bears a burden of his own.
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I hate it when authors don't do research.
- By Leo on 03-21-18
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Electric God
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Brian Holden
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Hayden Reese has a bad habit of breaking people's jaws. Granted, he only breaks jaws that deserved some breaking, but he's starting a whole new feud, with the husband of his lover—and this time, it may cost him his life. Hayden's life has never been easy. His father tormented him, his kid brother got all the approval, and he made a fatal mistake that he's never been able to forgive himself for making. But when Hayden's future is shattered by his bad choices, he has to redeem himself in the eyes of his long-estranged daughter Allegra.
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Where We Belong
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mom are poised at the edge of homelessness...again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has an autism-like disorder and a tendency to shriek. No matter where they live, home never seems to last long. Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge, black Great Dane who changes everything.
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Can't get past inhumane treatment of sister/daughter
- By Ullanta on 09-21-15
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Just a Regular Boy
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Kate Rudd
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Out there is chaos, the collapse of society, and so much to be afraid of. All that matters is freedom. That’s what Remy Blake has been taught by his survivalist father. Raised off the grid in the middle of nowhere, his own survival skills not yet honed, Remy is days shy of his eighth birthday when his father unexpectedly dies. As seasons pass, supplies run out, and fending for himself grows more desperate, Remy sets out on foot, unprepared for the great unknown of civilization.
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Vaccine, mask, covid... and a kid.
- By Stacey Weaver on 07-25-23
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A Different Kind of Gone
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Patricia Shade
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
When nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, everyone has an opinion. Only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the real story. Norma’s already found Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her. If he ever sees her again. To protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma quietly delivers the girl to her grateful parents in California, even though she’s conflicted. Keeping Jill safe and hidden from Jake, the press, and the public will be their secret. But secrets can’t last forever.
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the understanding of life's lessons
- By Vesta M Harder on 04-10-24
-
Rolling Toward Clear Skies
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Maggie Blount, divorced mother of two and California physician, puts her private practice on hold when disaster strikes. Doctors on Wheels takes her and Alex—Maggie’s professional and romantic partner—wherever they’re needed. After rolling into rural Louisiana in the wake of a category five hurricane, Maggie immediately bonds with two sisters and their puppy, all orphaned by the storm. It’s enough to break Maggie’s heart, and she’s not leaving them behind.
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good story good ending
- By mario chiozza on 11-24-24
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The Wake Up
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Something has been asleep in forty-year-old cattle rancher Aiden Delacorte for a long time. It all comes back in a rush during a hunting trip, when he's suddenly attuned to the animals around him, feeling their pain and fear as if it were his own. But the newfound sensitivity of Aiden's "wake up" has its price. He can no longer sleepwalk through life, holding everyone at arm's length. As he struggles to cope with a trait he's buried since childhood, Aiden falls in love with Gwen, a single mother whose young son bears a burden of his own.
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I hate it when authors don't do research.
- By Leo on 03-21-18
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Electric God
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Brian Holden
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Hayden Reese has a bad habit of breaking people's jaws. Granted, he only breaks jaws that deserved some breaking, but he's starting a whole new feud, with the husband of his lover—and this time, it may cost him his life. Hayden's life has never been easy. His father tormented him, his kid brother got all the approval, and he made a fatal mistake that he's never been able to forgive himself for making. But when Hayden's future is shattered by his bad choices, he has to redeem himself in the eyes of his long-estranged daughter Allegra.
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Where We Belong
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mom are poised at the edge of homelessness...again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has an autism-like disorder and a tendency to shriek. No matter where they live, home never seems to last long. Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge, black Great Dane who changes everything.
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Can't get past inhumane treatment of sister/daughter
- By Ullanta on 09-21-15
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Just a Regular Boy
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Kate Rudd
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Out there is chaos, the collapse of society, and so much to be afraid of. All that matters is freedom. That’s what Remy Blake has been taught by his survivalist father. Raised off the grid in the middle of nowhere, his own survival skills not yet honed, Remy is days shy of his eighth birthday when his father unexpectedly dies. As seasons pass, supplies run out, and fending for himself grows more desperate, Remy sets out on foot, unprepared for the great unknown of civilization.
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Vaccine, mask, covid... and a kid.
- By Stacey Weaver on 07-25-23
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Don't Let Me Go
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Chris Chappell, Cassandra Morris
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Former Broadway dancer and current agoraphobic Billy Shine has not set foot outside his apartment in almost a decade. He has glimpsed his neighbors--beautiful manicurist Rayleen, lonely old Ms. Hinman, bigoted and angry Mr. Lafferty, kind-hearted Felipe, and nine-year-old Grace and her former addict mother, Eileen. But most of them have never seen Billy. Not until Grace begins to sit outside on the building's front stoop for hours every day, inches from Billy's patio.
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Inspirational and humbling and awesome.
- By Michele on 11-08-15
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Worthy
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl, Tanya Eby
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Virginia finally had the chance to explore a relationship with Aaron when he asked her on a date. She had been waiting, hoping that the widower and his young son, Buddy, would welcome her into their lives. But a terrible tragedy strikes on the night of their first kiss, crushing their hopes for a future together.
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Just What You'd Expect
- By Lifeisshort on 06-20-15
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Seven Perfect Things
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis, Ryan Burke, Jess Nahikian
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won’t be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she’ll be back the next day.
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No animals died.
- By Jodie F. on 08-19-21
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When You Were Older
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Russell Ammiano works on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. On the morning of September 11, 2001, the phone rings while Rusty is rushing to work. The news is devastating: his mother has died of a stroke, leaving his brain-damaged older brother, Ben, alone. This news also saves Rusty's life. He's still at home when two planes hit the World Trade Center--and only one of his friends and colleagues survives.
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Just when you think you've heard it all..
- By Locark on 03-01-16
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Heaven Adjacent
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Laural Merlington
- Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
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.
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Lost and Found
- By Pam Pearson on 07-28-18
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Dreaming of Flight
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Janet Metzger, Michael Crouch
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Never knowing his parents, eleven-year-old Stewie Little and his brother have been raised on a farm by their older sister. Stewie steadfastly tends the chickens left by his beloved late grandmother. And every day Stewie goes door to door selling fresh eggs from his wagon—a routine with a surprise just around the corner. It’s his new customer, Marilyn. She’s prickly and guarded, yet comfortably familiar—she reminds the grieving Stewie so much of the grandmother he misses more than he can express.
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Sweet story
- By Linda Keenan on 07-26-22
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Second Hand Heart
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam, Anthony Bowden
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
Vida is only 19, but she knows a lot about dying. Her weak heart has kept her on the edge of death her whole life. It hasn't been much of a life. Thanks to her overprotective mother, Vida's only friend is Esther, an elderly Holocaust survivor who lives upstairs. Vida's heart is finally about to give out unless she can get a donor heart in time. Richard is 36 and blissfully married until he gets the call that his beloved wife has died in a car accident. His world falls to pieces.
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Worst one yet
- By SAL on 06-23-16
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My Name Is Anton
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Michael Crouch
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
It’s 1965, and life has taken a turn for eighteen-year-old Anton Addison-Rice. Nearly a year after his brother died in a tragic accident, Anton is still wounded - physically and emotionally. Alone for the holidays, he catches a glimpse of his neighbor Edith across the street one evening and realizes that she’s in danger. Anton is determined to help Edith leave her abusive marriage. Frightened and fifteen years Anton’s senior, Edith is slow to trust. But when she needs a safe place to stay, she lets down her guard, and over the course of ten days an unlikely friendship grows.
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She did it again!!
- By Cheryl Coen on 12-07-20
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Take Me With You
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his 19-year-old son died. Every year he’s spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philip’s ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go. What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip - and the bonds that develop between them- would prove....
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Perhaps My Biggest Surprise of 2014!
- By Kathy in CA on 12-28-14
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Leaving Blythe River
- A Novel
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Will Ropp
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Underwood is totally unprepared to search for his father in the Blythe River National Wilderness. Not only is he small, scrawny, and skittish but he's barely speaking to the man after a traumatic betrayal. Yet when his father vanishes from their remote cabin and rangers abandon the rescue mission, suddenly it's up to Ethan to keep looking. Angry or not, he's his father's only hope.
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Another good story from this author!
- By DeRoseBreathe on 07-18-20
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The Language of Hoofbeats
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd, Laural Merlington
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
New to a small town, Jackie and Paula envision a quiet life for their kids: a young adopted son and two teenage foster children, including the troubled Star. However, they quickly butt heads with their neighbor, Clementine, who disapproves of their lifestyle and is incensed when Star befriends her spirited horse, Comet. Haunted by past tragedy and unable to properly care for Comet, Clem nevertheless resents the bond Star soon shares with the horse.
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Simple yet captivating story
- By Chicago & Indiana Scientist/Gardener/Hiker on 05-22-15
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Love in the Present Tense
- By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
- Narrated by: David Coburn, Jeremy Redleaf, Duana Speights
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Abridged
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For five years Pearl has managed to keep the past from catching up to her and her bright, frail five-year-old son. Life has given her every reason to mistrust people, but circumstances force her to trust her neighbor Mitch with watching Leonard while she goes off to work. Then one day Pearl drops her son off, and never returns.
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Amazing
- By Linda McMurray on 04-18-16
What listeners say about Life, Loss, and Puffins
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Wendy E. Olk
- 07-07-24
A lovely inspirational story and the reader was excellent!
A coming-of-age story that was totally engaging. Great character development with endearing qualities.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 05-29-24
Great Story
Made me think about what we have. Life is a blessing. Ru reminds me of my son.
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1 person found this helpful
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- cptmelissa
- 12-09-24
wonderful story of love, loss, and finding yourself
I started the audiobook and found the narrator a bit off putting with the way that she read the main character Ru. The story was slow to develop but gradually pulled me in until I could not stop reading it. I switched to the Kindle edition and finished it within a few hours. I really loved Ru and Gabriel's relationship, and how their friendship developed so deeply over a short period of time. And I loved the little twist at the end.
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- Shauna
- 06-01-24
Fantastic... as usual!
You can never go wrong with Catherine Ryan Hyde. She tugs at your emotions each and every time. This one was so unique and a little different than her usual. I loved the story of following your dreams and bucket list items. The narration was so superb. Made listing to this even better. She did such a fantastic job between male and female and it was just so enjoyable.
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- peppy
- 06-16-24
Dreaming big
I liked how the characters were not afraid to try new things They had a great adventure
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- Elaine Chanteloup
- 05-21-24
This was the most enjoyable book I’ve listened to in a long time. WOW. The story and characters were intriguing.
I loved this book from beginning to end. I loved the characters and their experiences. The book is awesome and so worth your time. I highly recommend it.
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- Danette
- 05-19-24
Brilliant
I have never been disappointed by one of her books. I don’t have any idea how she keeps finding new topics, but I hope she never runs out of ideas.
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- Carole V
- 06-04-24
We all need to Live and let Live
This is another beautiful story from CRH that shows us another view of how different yet the same we all are. I hope she writes a sequel to this beautiful story.
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- Kimberley Earl
- 10-22-24
One of my favourite books by this author!
This story was so easy to read and to love the characters. I laughed out loud so many times!
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- Kimberly
- 01-27-25
Freedom Born of Tragedy
Sometimes awful events lead to self discovery and growth. That's what happens to Ru in this coming of age story and we get to take that journey with her.
Hyde has a knack for writing interpersonal relationships that are meaningful and deep and Ru and Gabriel's friendship is no exception. I enjoyed their instant connection and comfort with one another and the us against them roadtrip of a lifetime.
I can definitely see myself listening to this one again.
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