Brooke Hollister is a financially struggling, divorced mother of
Etta, her two year-old daughter;

Molly, a young homeless girl living on the streets of Los Angeles, who has a set of ethics one might not expect of hardly anyone, yet she has little reason to trust anyone.

Catherine Ryan Hyde draws a picture, but it's not a simple line drawing. It's a 3-D, technicolor moving picture of a story populated with real people saying and doing real things. Anyone familiar with her books will find her voice familiar, but it's not really her voice. It's the voice of each character, hero or villain. Reading this book, I got lost in the voices, each one different, and with Hyde's knowledge of what each person is thinking, each one unique.

Brooke is carjacked, and her beloved little daughter is in the back seat in a car seat. The car is eventually recovered, but her daughter Etta, is nowhere to be found. I am not a parent, but Hyde put me in Brooke's head, both during the carjacking and in the following days. The reader sees each sight and feels each emotion Brooke experienced during those hours and days.

Molly finds the child and, even at sixteen years of age, Molly knows what to do, but not quite how to do it. She doesn't have the tools to do what needs to be done. The relationship between Molly and Etta is instant and close. How will Molly keep her life on the streets from affecting little Etta, while Molly works to do the right thing? What will the lasting effects be among the characters in this story?

This is another in a growing, exceptional line of Catherine Ryan Hyde books that will stay with me for a good, long time.

I was given an ARC of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was so good! I felt such sadness for both characters and their relationship with their mothers.
Both basically thrown away by the one person who should have always been there. It was a quick story, kept me turning the pages! Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

RR Rating: 4 page-turning stars
Format: Ebook*, 300 pgs., pub. 5/19/20
RR Synopsis: A lost teen finds a lost toddler, whose mother subsequently finds new definitions of empathy and family.
RR POV: My first CRH book, and it won’t be my last. While the writing felt a little pedestrian in some places, the story is quick-moving, memorable, and uplifting.
Recommended Readers: Women’s Fiction fans, and those interested in the topic of homeless youth.
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #bravegirlquietgirl #catherineryanhyde

This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat for a couple of chapters. I could really feel the urgency, fear, and helplessness of Brooke when she lost trace of her child after the carjacking. I can't even imagine how a parent would feel after such a traumatic experience. Etta was very lucky that she was found  by Molly, a homeless teen, rather than someone who would hurt or use her in any way. Molly did everything in her power to protect and reunite Etta with Brooke. After mother and child were reunited, Brooke didn't know if she could trust Molly, and acted in a way that wasn't really fair towards Molly. However, overtime she realized that Molly always had Etta's best interest in mind. Also Etta was clearly attached to Molly, which wouldn't be the case if she was bad. 

Both Molly and Brooke have their own issues and things they have to deal with. But Brooke couldn't in good faith forget about Molly and continue her life. I loved the relationship that grew between these two. I loved when they opened up and could find similarities in each other's lives. Brooke started feeling protective over Molly, and it was just so heartbreaking seeing how much Molly needed to feel that from a grown-up. Her family and the system failed her, and she just wanted to feel safe and cared for by someone. The bond between Molly and Etta was beautiful. They were just so cute together. Brave Girl, Quiet Girl was an emotional and inspiring Women's Fiction. It was a story about motherhood and friendship. It kept me interested until the end, however, I did want to see how Molly and Brooke were faring further into the future. I look forward to reading more books by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Brooke's life shatters after she is carjacked and the criminal takes off with her toddler in the backseat. Brooke is recently divorced, without a stable job, living at home with her unpleasant mother. Little Etta is the only good thing in her life, and Brooke doesn't want to think about what will happen if she's never found again.

Molly is a runaway teenager, living on the streets because homelessness is better than her family back in Utah. She stumbles upon Etta, and Molly's kind, maternal heart leads her into Brooke's life instead.

This is less a story about a crime (thankfully, I never really felt that Etta was in much danger, especially after Molly finds her), and more about people, reaching out and taking chances with another. Molly and Etta are both strong characters, but I was often frustrated with Brooke, who lacks empathy during most of the book. I also wanted more about the relationship between Brooke and her mother, as it was held up as a better example than Molly and her mother's relationship. All in all, however, I enjoyed this novel.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books so was eager to read brave girl quiet girl and so glad I did ,such a powerful emotional read that will resonate with mothers everywhere!
This book details motherhood, complex mum and daughter relationships and female friendship and solidarity!
Fantastic characters Brooke goes through a whole gauntlet of emotions during the emotional rollercoaster of a journey that she is put through, etta is a resilient, sweet little one and molly the true heroine of the book is amazing so compassionate, forgiving and wise beyond her years due to the life experiences she has endured! Lovely ending in which all three characters benefit from each other’s company would be lovely to see a sequel!
Thank you so much net galley for this read.

I'm so glad I read this book. I hesitated over requesting it because I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but in fact I finished it in a day and I absolutely loved it.

The story is told from two alternating perspectives, Brooke's and Molly's. The difference between their voices is very well done; it's always clear who's talking. Brooke is a very sympathetic character whose responses to her child being taken and the aftermath of her safe return are believable and understandable. I liked Brooke a lot, but I loved Molly. At just sixteen she is wise and funny and a genuinely good person, despite the horrible things that have happened to her, whilst still being recognisably a teenager.

The story itself is quite tense to start with as Molly battles to see Brooke's daughter safe, but after that it becomes a more gentle exploration of prejudice, belonging and found family. I was really happy with the way it ended; it left me wanting more, but in a good way (I wanted to see what the future held for this new little family).

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a very realistic look at the failures and foibles of human nature whilst still ultimately remaining optimistic. And I will certainly seek out more books by this author.