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Liked It “Loved seeing people helping people!” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This book is written by the same author who wrote the novel -Pay It Forward- which was made into a movie.
pam e wrote this review Wednesday, April 17, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
A bunch of somewhat disfunctionaly apartment neighbors take on the task of trying to help raise a little girl from their complex whose mother is a drug addict. A good read!!”“Loved seeing people helping people! ”
Mrs. Branham, CHS Library Media Specialist wrote this review Tuesday, March 26, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The story starts out with a group of odd people who all need help. It goes on to become odder and more engaging as Grace affects everyone she touches. Highly recommended and I will be buying more from this author.”
Perry A Wilson wrote this review Thursday, February 28, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“02/13: Found this in my Kindle Acct. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Shannon C wrote this review Monday, February 25, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Amazon Book Description: 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 9-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. Troubled by this change in the natural order, Billy makes it far enough out onto his porch to ask Grace why she doesn’t sit inside where it’s safe. Her answer: “If I sit inside, then nobody will know I’m in trouble. And then nobody will help me.”
Her answer changes everything.”
“Refreshingly positive story about breaking out of our self-involved lives, if not a little too easy.”
thinwhiteduke wrote this review Sunday, January 20, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Who remembers the movie, Pay It Forward, starring the little dude from The Sixth Sense? Did you know that the movie was based on a book? And did you know that the brilliant author who wrote that book has written other books to? And that one of them is Don't Let Me Go? Although I often seem to forget about her, every time I read one of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, it becomes one of my favorites. Don't Let Me Go is no exception.
Nicki MAnn wrote this review Thursday, September 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Like many of Hyde's books, the story involves a group of lonely, misfit people who bond together and become a makeshift family.
the story takes place in a dilapidated apartment building in a low income neighborhood. The residents of this building include former actor and dancer Billy Shine, now confined to his apartment by severe agoraphobia; Rayleen, a woman who grew up in the foster care system and has learned not to get close to anyone; as well as a cranky and bigoted old man, an elderly woman with bad knees, and a big-hearted Hispanic man. And then there is Grace, a neglected child who lives in the basement apartment of the building. Realizing that she isn't being taken care of, but unwilling to be separated from her mother, Grace sits outside the building each day and hopes that one of her neighbors will rescue her.
But which one of the adults in the building will be able to overcome his or her own fears and insecurities in order to reach out to Grace?
This is exactly the type of book I love to read. The characters are beautiful, and easy to care about. I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for the type of story that will make you want to do more with your life! ”
“Grace Johnson is a nine year old girl whose mother Eileen is a drug addict. Grace knows that life with her mother wasn't normal and that she needed help, but didn't know how to go about getting it. So she would sit for hours outside on the stoop of her apartment building hoping someone who notice her.
Kathleen A wrote this review Friday, September 21, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Billy Shine is a former Broadway dancer who suffers from agoraphobia and hasn't left his apartment in over a decade. From his patio, he notices that Grace has started to sit on the stoop for hours on a daily basis and he ventures out enough to ask her why.
When Grace tells Billy about her home life with her mom, this precocious little girl finds out that there are many people in her corner. The tenants of the apartment building ban together to take care of Grace, and along the way they learn to overcome their own issues while building a strong community bond.
Every once in a while a profoundly compelling story comes along that completely sweeps you off your feet, and for me, Don't Let Me Go is that book. This poignantly beautiful story is thoughtfully written in the third person narrative with alternating perspectives between Grace and Billy. Rich in detail and description, the author weaves a tale of the powerful bond of a small community to step out of their comfort zone to protect one of their own, while each learning to overcome their individual flaws and issues that will ultimately change their lives. This story is simply amazing, the author engages the reader to open their eyes to the beauty and power of the human spirit that allows people to open themselves to others to form a strong community bond.
The author has created a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters who are realistic, complex, intriguing and engaging people that the reader can relate to. The reader is introduced to each of the characters, and you can't help but get drawn into their individual stories. I absolutely fell in love with Grace, this lovable little girl had my heart and I couldn't help but feel for her and want to just hug her cares away. She is an amazing little girl with an old soul and who is wise beyond her tender young years. I also couldn't help but feel for Billy, this gentle man who hides within the shadow of his apartment, I wanted to hug him too and help him let go of the fears that have kept him trapped for so many years. I think the beauty of Grace and Billy's relationship was simply touching and pulled at my heartstrings. The quirky cast of supporting characters: Rayleen the manicurist, elderly Mrs. Hinson, bigoted Mr. Lafferty, and the kind-hearted Felipe, each added their own uniqueness along with the dialogue and interactions to make this a powerfully compelling story.
Don't Let Me Go is a story that will touch your soul and pull at your heartstrings, it will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride, but will leave you with a smile on your face, and the message that there really is goodness in the world.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/dont-let-me-go-by-catherine-ryan-hyde.html”
“EXCELLENT Book. Took me by surprise. I will be looking to read more by this author. I loved the characters. Billy became my friend and I worried about him. I had to check in to see how he was doing. Deep, yet funny book. Highly recommended.”
bluestocking7 wrote this review Sunday, September 9, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“WOW!! a very easy read, great characters and inspiring. I was hooked from the moment I started and cried like a baby”
Elvia wrote this review Wednesday, August 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Give this one a chance and it could touch your heart!”
Gladys Ashenfelter wrote this review Thursday, July 12, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No