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Come Back to the World
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publication Date: May 5th, 2026
Lake Union Publishing
300 Pages
Amazon | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women’s Fiction
What can I say about Catherine Ryan Hyde that hasn’t already been said? She writes poignant, character-driven stories that deal with human connection and how grief and isolation can take over one’s life. She always has animals in her plots, and I like how she shows how our furry friends (a donkey, this time) can help us understand ourselves and heal. This story is about Amelia (and her son, Jaden) looking for a reclusive author named E.L. Swann.
This story, like many of Hyde’s works, is about unlikely friendships and the bond that forms between two people from completely different generations and backgrounds. It shows that it doesn’t matter how different we are; we can all use a support system or “found family.” Hyde writes about realistically overcoming grief and trauma, as it is often a slow and painful process. The story is a slow burn, but the character development more than makes up for it. I love reading about the simple moments in life that often mean the most to us, like small acts of kindness.
If you enjoy literary fiction or contemporary drama stories that take a close look into the minds of the characters, I can highly recommend this one. Hyde has a knack for writing about thoughts and feelings; she has such empathy for the animal world and human connection. Her characters come to life on the page, and I just adored seven-year-old Jaden. He was my favourite character in this one. Hyde writes children very well, and this book is like a hug; it’s a gentle reminder that we don’t have to go through the hard things in life alone, and sometimes the ones who help us the most are the ones we least expect. I really connected with Come Back to the World. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way of tugging at the heartstrings without being overly sentimental. All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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