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Love in the Present Tense

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: David Coburn, Jeremy Redleaf, Duana Speights
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Publisher's summary

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.

They are an unlikely pair: Mitch is a young, unattached business owner; and Leonard is a precocious, five-year-old boy. But together they must find a way to move forward in the wake of Pearl's unexplained disappearance. Their bond as parent and child shifts and endures, even as Mitch must eventually surrender Leonard to a two-parent home.

Is it possible to love the people who can't always be there for us? The answers will surprise and move you. As their lives unfold, profound questions emerge about the nature of love and family. Ultimately, this novel's richest reward is watching Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart.

©2006 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"Brutally lyrical....Hyde movingly conveys the toll of years of emotional damage." (Publishers Weekly)
"Hyde is a remarkable, insightful storyteller, creating full-bodied characters whose dialogue rings true, with not a word to spare." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about Love in the Present Tense

Average customer ratings
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I’m a CRH fan!

Another beautiful story of love and relationships from CRH. People step up in the most unexpected ways.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What a story!

OMG! What a story! Yet another perfect book by Catherine Ryan Hide. Thank you for the great performances too.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

This was very tastful

I thought about pearl and lenord for days, Mitch was a real man who did what was right .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing

Catherine Ryan Hyde is such an inspired writer. The book touched me in ways I have no words to explain.

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4 people found this helpful

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Devotion

Love in the Present Tense by author Catherine Ryan Hyde was a touching novel of connection, devotion, and trust. Mitch, an adult, and Leonard, a five-year-old boy, make a lasting relationship that endures all. I found this novel to be a touching, warm, and charming story. Narrators David Coburn, Jeremy Redleaf, and Duana Speights all did an excellent performance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A great audiobook!

I didn’t like the way this book started, but I’m so glad I stayed with it..one of catherine Ryan Hyde’s best!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

So so

Wasn't enthralled with this story. I was driving so I was a captive audience, otherwise probably would have stopped.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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All time favorite book

I read this book back in high school as a 16 year old, and now again 25 I have reread it, and understand it even more greatly than when I read it before. Absolutely amazing book!

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Terrible - quit very early in the book.

It just felt too trashy and evil - right from the start. Quit early on - couldn't continue. I'll spend my reading time with something more uplifting.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Disappointed

I have read most of her books and I’ve them. This one was mangled, disconnected and just not interesting!! She can do better, she has done better.

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1 person found this helpful