Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde

4.03 AVERAGE

mlz's profile picture

mlz's review

4.5
Another Amazon freebie turns out to be a really great read. I give this heartwarming novel 4.5 of 5 stars. The storytelling, language, and characters are really well done. It’s about a 13-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, each with traits that isolate them from others, including their family. Their support of each other is beautiful and fun. Their friendship leads to a crazy bucket list of travel that opens their eyes to life and possibilities outside their immediate world. They learn about spontaneity, living in the moment, and having fun. Of course I loved their adventure, but it’s their friendship that makes the story special. The ending explains who the audience is in the beginning, and that part of the book is lovely in its own way. 

stephwardwell's review against another edition

4.0
Catherine Ryan Hyde did not disappoint in this book. This story was sweet and sad at the same time.
Ru is a very intelligent 13-year-old girl who lost her mother too soon. Ru’s mom agreed to have her go to college and stay with Gabriel, a 17-year-old boy and his mother.
Ru and Gabriel run away and complete a “college list” which they created like a bucket list.
The brother/sister friendship that is created between Ru and Gabriel is so sweet.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review.
gettsmug's profile picture

gettsmug's review

4.0
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

acarmon's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

rachel716's review

4.25
emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
jlm1120's profile picture

jlm1120's review against another edition

4.0
4.5. Excellent story.
marty_camino's profile picture

marty_camino's review

3.5
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
j_arnett20's profile picture

j_arnett20's review

4.0
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

browneyes112890's review

3.0
adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
alstonetx's profile picture

alstonetx's review

3.5
dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes