Catherine Ryan Hyde's "Life, Loss, and Puffins" centers on the poignant journey of thirteen-year-old prodigy Ru Evans and her connection with seventeen-year-old Gabriel. Following the loss of her mother, Ru embarks on an impulsive road trip from California to Canada, driven by her desire to see Atlantic puffins. Along the way, the novel explores themes of grief, hope, and the development of an unexpected friendship as Ru experiences personal growth and a sense of freedom. Overall, the book offers a touching narrative about navigating life's challenges and finding solace in unexpected places.

I’ve read a lot of books by the author, and listened to several. I am not listing all of them here just because of the time it would take. I even had a format to talk about her books. It’s been a while since the last, which was: Seven Perfect Things.

As with most of her books, we have a lead character who is set apart from people her age. This time it’s her superior memory which has her much ahead of her schedule academically. She is set to go to college at thirteen. The book is a story she’s telling to a couple of young girls about her own childhood ( or lack thereof). I like the nature of relationships depicted in the book, the good, the bad and the average ones that people pick up with limited interaction. The last does not carry magical weight to cause a change of direction in the narrative, although some come close.

Due to unexpected and unforeseen situations changing the possible futures, two friends set out to complete a bucket list of sorts. They know they will be caught and punished, money and reality checks are part of their daily concerns, but unexpected help gives them small leg ups, just enough to keep the story going.


This book may not be on top of the list of the ones I’ve read by the author but it is one I would still recommend to anyone who finds the blurb or my review interesting.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and other works by the author.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors. I love her simpler style of writing without too many characters to keep track of. Engaging from beginning to end.

Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a poignant and uplifting coming-of-age novel about grief, resilience, and the transformative power of friendship. Ru Evans, a brilliant 13-year-old, is grappling with the death of her mother and the uncertainty of her future. In an act of rebellion and self-discovery, she embarks on a road trip with Gabriel, a fellow outsider, to fulfill her dream of seeing Atlantic puffins. Through their journey, Hyde masterfully explores themes of loss, healing, and the importance of human connection. Rich in emotional depth, this novel is a heartfelt reminder that sometimes the most important lessons come from the unplanned moments and relationships that shape our lives. A must-read for fans of deeply emotional, character-driven stories.

Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde is an emotionally charged and heartwarming novel that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, grief, and transformation. From the very first page, I was captivated by the story of Rumaki (Ru) Evans, a 13-year-old girl who is not only highly intelligent but also deeply introspective and somewhat disconnected from the world around her. Ru’s character is a fascinating mix of precociousness and vulnerability, which makes her journey even more compelling.

Ru’s story begins with a painful loss—her mother’s unexpected death—which forces her to face a new and uncertain future. Having been described as "freakishly smart" with an eidetic memory, Ru has always been different from her peers. This sharp intellect has led her to be offered a college placement at a very young age, but it also leaves her feeling out of place. Her mother’s death only deepens her sense of isolation, and as a result, she decides to embark on a journey to fulfill one of her most heartfelt dreams: to see Atlantic Puffins in their natural habitat.

The road trip to Canada is an integral part of the story, and it serves as a beautiful metaphor for Ru’s emotional journey. Accompanied by Gabriel, a 17-year-old boy she bonds with over their shared sense of not fitting in, Ru begins to explore the world in a way that she never has before. Gabriel is the perfect companion for Ru, and their sibling-like relationship is one of the book’s highlights. Together, they experience the wonders of the world, from the stunning Aurora Borealis to the magical sight of puffins, and in doing so, they both experience personal growth.

The pacing of the novel is steady, allowing for moments of reflection and connection between Ru and Gabriel, as well as the people they meet along the way. The writing is beautiful and poignant, capturing both the beauty of the natural world and the deep, complex emotions that come with loss. The author’s ability to evoke a range of emotions—from sorrow to joy, from loneliness to connection—is remarkable, and it made me feel deeply connected to Ru’s journey.

While the book deals with heavy themes such as grief and the loss of a parent, it also touches on the joy of life’s small moments, the transformative power of travel, and the importance of human connection. It’s a story about the beauty that can be found in the world and in oneself, even in the face of hardship.

One of the most touching aspects of the novel is the exploration of what it means to truly live and experience life, which Ru has never fully understood until this trip. The development of her character is so beautifully crafted, and watching her transform throughout the book is a truly satisfying experience.

Overall, Life, Loss, and Puffins is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel. It’s a story about finding your way through life’s challenges, discovering the magic in the world around you, and embracing the people who help you along the way. Catherine Ryan Hyde has created a moving, heartwarming story that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Any book that references puffins in the title is going to be a winner for me. Add Catherine Ryan Hyde's signature emotional core, and you have a book I will recommend to many.

Big thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

A heartwarming and emotional story that delves into grief, hope, and friendship.The story is engaging and hard to put down as-the plot is filled with moments of both sorrow and joy. It is a beautifully written story that will stay with you.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wonderful poignant read about friendship, loss and family. Ru and Gabriel embark on an adventure to see the Northern Lights. Evocative descriptions of both the US and Canada.

Always a pleasure to read books by this author.

This is nice book about life, loss and being different. Teen age is complicated and it's more complicated when you are trying to find yourself losing your family or feeling that your don't fit in the boundaries others want to put you in.

What a surprising find from the author of “When I Found You”.

Such a beautiful story and reminder of friendship and that there really is no such thing as normal.

The shaping of Ru’s character is delightful. The chaos of everything going wrong for Ru and Gabriel makes these characters bond stronger.

I enjoyed the opportunity to join them on their journey to see the puffins.

Life, Loss and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde is an amazing story about a very smart girl losing her mom and a boy that decides he needs to help her on her journey.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Life, Loss and Puffins" and all opinions expressed are my own. I do like this authors books. I really loved this one a lot! Such a great story!

I was so excited to read Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Her stories are full of heart and emotion. They have a layer of depth that some stories don't include. I was super excited for this book - who wouldn't want to read a book about a girl fulfilling her dream of seeing puffins in real life! That would be incredible to experience. However, much of this story fell flat for me. While I loved the concept, I had a hard time keeping fully engaged in this story. I loved reading about Ru and Gabriel and their journey across the country. But I just felt like I kept wanting more from the story.

I love any book by Catherine Ryan Hyde and was thrilled to get this arc. This book was really sweet, following the loss of her mother and the road trip she went on to discover herself. I would highly recommend this to others to read!

Beautiful story of unlikely friendship and love in a time of loss. I love how she brings people together and makes you love them even more!

Wow, where to start reviewing this book?! Such a hard book to put into any particular genre. Suffice to say that I loved it :)

Ru is 13 years old and very smart. She is enrolled in College and boards with a family that includes 17 year old Gabriel, himself not a very mainstream sorta guy. The two of them hatch a plan to to go Canada to see the aurora borealis and puffins for themselves and this book is about that journey.

Not the physical journey per se, although that is fascinating as well, but the journey they take as friends and which cements their bond into something unbreakable.

Beautifully told, their individual quirks are told a little bit at a time, as are the characteristics of the people around them. This is a book about friendship, loss, grief and love in all its forms.

Gorgeous read. I am still processing it.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favourite authors and I was delighted to receive a copy of her book Life, Loss and Puffins.
A story that tugs at your heartstrings and characters that keep you interested and entertained.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ru and Gabriel’s adventure and I can’t wait for her next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading an advance copy.

I have pretty high expectations when I start a Catherine Ryan Hyde book because I have yet to be disappointed by one of her books. This book delivered just what I've come to expect - interesting, relatable characters who find themselves thrown into unusual circumstances and are adjusting to their "new normal". In this case it's focused on Ru, a 13-year-old "freakishly smart" girl and Gabriel, a 17-year-old boy. They form a friendship based in part on the fact that neither of them really fits in with their peers. They get to know and understand each other, and help each other see other ways to look at themselves and the world. When she experiences a big upheaval in her life, they set off to have an adventure before she has to begin her new normal. One has to suspend disbelief a bit in these days of Amber Alerts and suspicion of everyone and everything. But once I thought about how the particular adults in the situation would have looked at things in this very particular situation, it made sense. I enjoyed watching Gabriel help Ru realize that there was much more to herself than just her IQ, and watching their relationship develop into an exceptionally strong platonic friendship. This book has humor, heart, characters to love (and actively dislike) and there's character growth. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

This was a beautifully written its story about a 13 yr old genius and her best friend. This book covers all the emotions and feels. I really enjoyed reading it. You will travel the entire spectrum of emotions during this book.Catherine Ryan Hyde can always bring emotions out in her writing. Thank you to Net Galley , the Publishers and Catherine Ryan Hyde for the chancecto read this book.

I had a hard time believing the relationship between Ru and Gabriel. I understand Ru is advanced, but those four years of age make a big difference. I just didn't invest in this story.