When I finished reading this fascinating and remarkable story of resilience, I had to pause to absorb its impact. Michael, a first-year film student, walks into his film class on the first day to a shocking sight: Professor Dunning, who has suffered severe burns over his entire face and hands, with several disfigured fingers. Dunning does not attempt to conceal his scars; instead, when class begins, he encourages the students to “Go ahead and look,” explaining that while he has scarring over his entire body, only his hands and face are visible.
At the age of seven, Michael experienced a horrific accident involving professional-grade fireworks. Although he survived, it came at the cost of multiple surgeries and being placed in a foster home, as both his parents were incarcerated for child endangerment. His brother also entered foster care but was ultimately returned to their parents, while Michael was fortunately adopted by a loving family. He has always questioned why his parents chose to take only his brother back.
Mr. Dunning, as he prefers to be called, encourages Michael to create a documentary about body image and self-perception. Michael is surprised by the enthusiastic responses to an ad he places at school, receiving applications from a diverse range of individuals, including a 103-year-old man and a woman who has given birth to five children, including triplets. As Michael gathers these diverse stories, he prepares to share his own, willing to take off his shirt and reveal the scars he carries.
This is an incredible story about how people persevere through life-changing tragedies and includes some heartwarming surprises.
I received a complimentary copy of this book; all comments and opinions are my own.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review. I am so pleased that I got to be an early reader of this book!

In #MichaelWithoutApology, Michael is injured in an accident with fireworks when he is just 7 years old. When he is in college, Michael takes a film class, and he decides to use his experience as the topic of his documentary. Through the experience, Michael learns more about himself than he ever expected.

Michael's story is at times heartbreaking, and at times inspiring. My favorite quote from the book comes from Michael's professor, Mr. Dunning. He says, "Being a person takes practice." Oh, such a true statement! I loved watching Michael grow and practice being a person.

This was a five-star read that I will be recommending to all of my friends and family who enjoy reading!

When I first picked up Michael Without A Apology: A Novel, I did so under a bit of a mix-up. I had confused the author with Catherine Ryan Howard, whom I had previously enjoyed. However, this mistake led me to a story that was unlike anything I’ve read before—and one that I ended up really loving.

What stood out to me was the distinct writing style. It’s not the kind of book that follows a traditional plot arc, and at times, it can feel almost abstract. But it’s precisely this unconventional storytelling that makes the experience so immersive. The characters are beautifully flawed, their journeys raw and real. I found myself invested in their struggles, desires, and mistakes, even when the plot didn’t unfold in the ways I expected.

Although I was initially unsure how to navigate this new narrative landscape, I was soon drawn into the emotional undercurrents of the story. The book’s pacing can be slow at times, but it allows for deep reflection on the characters’ lives and decisions. It’s the type of story that resonates with you long after you’ve closed the book, prompting you to consider its themes long after you've finished reading.

In the end, Michael Without A Apology: A Novel was a delightful surprise. I went in expecting something completely different, but I ended up with a story that felt fresh and thought-provoking. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a novel that challenges conventional storytelling.

If I could give this 10 stars I would! Another fabulous book by the great Catherine Ryan Hyde. She’s the perfect storyteller and this one was fabulous!!!! Thank you NetGalley for this early copy in exchange for my honest review. To be published May 2025.

What a beautiful story about how we see ourselves and how other people see us. The characters in this story are so real you can just see and feel them as they tell their stories.

This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book and all I can say is WOW! This book has such wonderful characters with Michael and Mr. Dunning drawing a lot of attention. However, there were many other characters that really completed the story . This story is very deep and really causes you to think. This one will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions in my review are my own.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of her newest book. The story centers on Michael, a young man who has experienced more pain and heartache in his young life than you’d ever expect. But he’s also had the love and support of his family. Still, when he learns of a film making project in his college course, he knows exactly what his focus will be. He decides to interview people who, like him, are ashamed of their bodies for some reason. Michael has been scarred since experiencing a tragic accident as a child, and his scars have affected most every part of his life. His journey as a film maker connects him with people from all walks of life, all with amazing stories to tell. And one person in particular has a lasting impact on him. This was such a good story with a wonderful message about accepting ourselves and being our true selves. Five stars!

This is my fourth read by Catherine Ryan Hyde and after being underwhelmed with two of her other books I started this with no real expectations. I think Michael Without Apology is a sensitively written and a thought provoking story that touches on body issues, self esteem, grief and love. I love the authors writing style and was quickly lured into the story and characters lives right away. I got through nearly two thirds of this book last night in one sitting, for me it was that hard to put down. I think the author portrays her characters vividly, realistically and manages to capture their insecurities, thoughts and emotions beautifully. Michael Without Apology is one of those reads that will pull on your emotions and is a poignant and heart wrenching read at times. The issues raised are all too real in todays world and very relateable. I like how the story goes from past to present seamlessly and the ending is very fitting and gives good closure, and I'd recommend this book.

3.5 stars

A beautiful, unique story about love, self-image, difference and, above all, living unapologetically, “Michael Without Apology”, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, is also a journey of discovery and acceptance.
I loved the approach to scars, ugliness/beauty, age, difference, and how to accept our ageing, decaying, not beautiful, mutilated body: unapologetically, that is. No shame.
There’s a great message in characters like Michael, Robert Dunning, and Madeleine, and a lot to learn from them.
I also loved Michael’s character and personality: his honesty, humbleness and selflessness. The way his talent and creativeness develop and work is wonderful to watch.
I liked the relationships that develop in the story, particularly the non-romantic ones, with people that Michael befriends.
The relationship with professor Dunning is so interesting to watch, as they become more than student/mentor and develop a strong friendship.
There's loss and sadness in the story, but also a lot of love, tenderness and a very sweet romance.
I found the romance between Michael/Madeleine was too quick and the dialogue felt a bit forced sometimes.

Michael Without Apology by C R Hyde, published by Lake Union Publishing is an highly emotional, raw and gritty story that goes deep. A book that stays with the reader long after finishing it.
A story about loss, scars visible and invisible, healing, growing and love.
I highly recommend the book, 5 stars.
Blurb: A film student struggling with self-acceptance finally stops looking away from his traumatic past in a powerful novel by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself.

When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth.

As he collects these stories—and finally tells his own—Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn’t fight to keep him.

I love when Catherine Ryan Hyde comes out with a new book. Something about her writing and storyline that always touch you right there in the heart. A story that you can relate too . We all have scars of one kind or another and we should embrace them. I loved everyone of the characters. I'm sad this book is over
Definitely a book hangover.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

The impact of a good teacher lasts a lifetime, and this novel is evidence of just that. I absolutely loved both Michael’s and Mr. Dunning’s characters. A beautiful, poignant story about self-acceptance and love.

I was delighted to see there was a new Catherine Ryan Hyde book out and thrilled to be approved to get an early copy. Michael is a young man who has just started college. He's handsome but he has deep insecurity about some physical scars on his torso. The book flips back and forth between Michael now, learning to accept himself and when he was a child and the accident that caused them. Its an easy read though predictable.

Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde was such a powerful story. A five star read! I loved it!

This is a story of Michael learning to accept himself with his scars and becoming a person, as Mr.Dunning put it. I loved Michael and Mr. Dunning, his teacher in his film class. Yet another example of how great Hyde is at drawing characters.

Mr. Dunning has the insights that Michael needs. I was so invested in the characters not just Michael and Mr. Dunning, but all of the people who helped Michael make his movie. I didn't want to put the book down to go to bed. It was just that good.

This book will make you think not just about the characters, but about the scars everyone carries, even if they hide them. I am very much like Mr. Dunning, I accept my body for what it is and I make no apologies for it, but others may not be so kind as to accept me as I am.

I wish people everywhere could read this book and see just how words can have such a huge impact on someones life, be they good ones or bad.

Go grab this book, you won't regret it!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors and this book just re-iterated why I love her so much. I could not put, 'Michael Without Apology' down and it will be one of those books that stick with me for a long time. This book is so much more than an entertaining story; it is a lesson for all of us about the 'scars' that we all carry and how we can learn to accept and love despite these flaws. I'm at a loss for words on how to describe this fully because there is just so much to dissect and love. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing for the copy of Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This is a story of Michael learning to accept himself with his scars and becoming a person, as Mr.Dunning put it. By the time I reached 5%, I loved Michael and Mr. Dunning, his teacher in his film class. It showed how great Hyde is at drawing characters. Dunning has insights that Michael really needs and I wish I had this book or teacher like Mr. Dunning when I was younger. By 15%, I had already teared up twice because of Hyde’s compelling storytelling skill, and I was so invested in the characters. After I reached 25%, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put the book down until I finished it, and I didn’t. Don’t miss this book, I promise it will make you think not just about the characters, but about the scars everyone carries, even if they hide them.

I have not read a story quite like this. It was just absolutely beautiful. All the heartstrings pulled. I could not recommend this book enough. It’d be a great book club pick. A lot to discuss with it. So wonderfully done!!

I have loved Catherine Ryan Hyde books in the past and wanted to love this one. The thing is - the concept was great, the writing was solid , but I just did not click with the pacing. I also wished for more description. I couldn't get an idea of what anyone looked like (minus scarring/burns/etc). However, as always, Hyde's books make me THINK. Which is a gift of a book.

I read all the author's books; this latest one was terrific. I thought the connection between the main character and his professor was engaging and authentic. The way Hyde writes just sucks you in! I couldn't put this one down. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.