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Where We Belong
Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mom are poised at the edge of homelessness... again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has an autism-like disorder, and a tendency to shriek. No matter where they live, home never seems to last long.
Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge black Great Dane who changes everything. Sophie falls in love immediately, and begins to imitate the "inside of the dog," which, fortunately, is a calm place. The shrieking stops. Everybody begins to breathe again. Until Paul Inverness, the dog's grumpy, socially isolated owner, moves to the mountains, and it all begins again.
Much to Angie's humiliation, when they're thrown out of Aunt Vi's house, Angie's mom moves the family to the mountains after Paul and his dog. There, despite a fifty-year difference in their ages, Angie and Paul form a deep friendship, the only close friendship either has known. Angie is able to talk to him about growing up gay, and Paul trusts Angie with his greatest secret, his one dream. When the opportunity arrives, Angie decides to risk everything to help Paul's dream come true, even their friendship and her one chance at a real home--the only thing she's dreamed of since her father was killed. A place she can never be thrown out. A place she can feel she belongs.
By the bestselling author of Don't Let Me Go, When I Found You, and Walk Me Home, Where We Belong is a poignant, heartfelt, and uplifting story about finding your place in the world, no matter how impossible it seems.
Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge black Great Dane who changes everything. Sophie falls in love immediately, and begins to imitate the "inside of the dog," which, fortunately, is a calm place. The shrieking stops. Everybody begins to breathe again. Until Paul Inverness, the dog's grumpy, socially isolated owner, moves to the mountains, and it all begins again.
Much to Angie's humiliation, when they're thrown out of Aunt Vi's house, Angie's mom moves the family to the mountains after Paul and his dog. There, despite a fifty-year difference in their ages, Angie and Paul form a deep friendship, the only close friendship either has known. Angie is able to talk to him about growing up gay, and Paul trusts Angie with his greatest secret, his one dream. When the opportunity arrives, Angie decides to risk everything to help Paul's dream come true, even their friendship and her one chance at a real home--the only thing she's dreamed of since her father was killed. A place she can never be thrown out. A place she can feel she belongs.
By the bestselling author of Don't Let Me Go, When I Found You, and Walk Me Home, Where We Belong is a poignant, heartfelt, and uplifting story about finding your place in the world, no matter how impossible it seems.
412 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2013
4070 people are currently reading
4420 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
72 books6,160 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 836 reviews
May 22, 2021
The novel begins when Angie is just 14 years old, but seems much older than the number of years she’s been alive out of necessity—she has a mother who is not equipped to be a single mother of two children, one of whom has special needs.
Angie’s sister Sophie is on the autism spectrum, and when she’s stressed out, she screams so loud for so long neighbors call police because they assume abuse. The family is about to be homeless again because it’s not easy balancing a low-wage job with a child that neighbors refuse to live next to. However, a strange thing happens when they briefly live with Aunt Vi—a neighbor’s huge dog has the effect of calming Sophie from her screamathon. Because Sophie doesn’t speak, Angie has to guess that it’s the dog’s calm that is calming her sister.
There are moments when you really don’t know how the family is going to overcome the challenges they face. Because I’ve read several Catherine Ryan Hyde novels, I knew everything was going to be all right eventually, and the fun is following them on their journey getting to a better place.
Angie’s sister Sophie is on the autism spectrum, and when she’s stressed out, she screams so loud for so long neighbors call police because they assume abuse. The family is about to be homeless again because it’s not easy balancing a low-wage job with a child that neighbors refuse to live next to. However, a strange thing happens when they briefly live with Aunt Vi—a neighbor’s huge dog has the effect of calming Sophie from her screamathon. Because Sophie doesn’t speak, Angie has to guess that it’s the dog’s calm that is calming her sister.
There are moments when you really don’t know how the family is going to overcome the challenges they face. Because I’ve read several Catherine Ryan Hyde novels, I knew everything was going to be all right eventually, and the fun is following them on their journey getting to a better place.
January 23, 2019
Fourteen year old Angie, her young sister Sophie and their mother are for the time being living with Aunt Violet. Angie and her mother can’t help but wonder if each day with Aunt Violet will be their last. If that is the case they will be homeless again. The problem is Sophie, who is on the severe side of the autism spectrum. Although she doesn’t speak she has a tendency to shriek as loud as a siren. When she starts, it can go on for hours till she wears herself out. But then one day Sophie encounters Rigby, a Great Dan that lives next door. Sophie quietens a she appears to imitate the dog’s quiet manner. All is fine, for a while. Angie even starts to be able to get an occasional word out of Rigby’s owner Paul, who is close to retiring age and just wants a quiet life. But then unexpected problems occur and peace and quiet is threatened. Will Angie and her family ever find somewhere they can belong? Somewhere that won’t have Sophie’s shrieking fits calling the police?
From the opening page and Angie’s houses of cards she builds, I was right into this story. Angie is a very mature fourteen year old, but then she has had to be because the mother hasn’t a clue how to be a parent. When problems arise decisions and looking after Sophie are too often left to Angie. Angie is a lovely character and Paul, the neighbour although taciturn and grumpy to begin with, after a while shows another side. Most of the time Angie and, to a lesser extent, her mother do the best they can for hr. But it is far from easy.
The style of writing makes this easy to read and the characters just swept me into the story. I hated having to put the book down at any point. There were a couple of things I thought were unnecessary to the story but they were just minor quibbles. I have read several other novels by this author and they never fail to involve me. This one was no exception. I loved it and would definitely recommend it as well worth reading.
From the opening page and Angie’s houses of cards she builds, I was right into this story. Angie is a very mature fourteen year old, but then she has had to be because the mother hasn’t a clue how to be a parent. When problems arise decisions and looking after Sophie are too often left to Angie. Angie is a lovely character and Paul, the neighbour although taciturn and grumpy to begin with, after a while shows another side. Most of the time Angie and, to a lesser extent, her mother do the best they can for hr. But it is far from easy.
The style of writing makes this easy to read and the characters just swept me into the story. I hated having to put the book down at any point. There were a couple of things I thought were unnecessary to the story but they were just minor quibbles. I have read several other novels by this author and they never fail to involve me. This one was no exception. I loved it and would definitely recommend it as well worth reading.
July 27, 2013
The miraculous thing about Catherine Ryan Hyde is the way she can write about the emotions of a child and be so completely spot-on. I don't think I have ever read an author that does this so well. I was so frustrated with the mother in this book, though, and completely in love with Angie for her bravery and her honesty...which is often the same thing in this novel.
December 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, my thanks for the opportunity.
Well, that was a special book, I am still processing the journey it took me on. It's the first of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books I have read, but it won't be the last. I can see why there are some comparisons to Jodi Picoult's style of writing and subjects tackled.
So, where do we begin? Fourteen year old Angie is living with her mother and her younger autistic sister, Sophie in her Aunty Vi's house, they are essentially on the brink of homelessness and holding breath for the day they are no long welcome with Aunty Vi.
Little autistic Sophie is a beautifully written character, Catherine Ryan Hyde did an excellent job of portraying the beauty, the specialness and the difficulties that autism can bring to a family. I loved Sophie, I just loved her. (I have Aspergers and so does my own child so I often am looking closely at how authors write an autistic character, CRH did it very well in this novel).
Sophie falls in love with a great big loving Great Dane that lives next door with an elderly man called Paul. The amazing thing is that this dog helps Sophie be calm, she has a habit of shrieking for hours on end until hoarse and is unable to speak, the dog has this powerful impact on her and the family see hope. But then Paul and his dog move away.
Angie's mother decides that packing them into the car with their meagre belongings in a trailer and following Paul and his dog to his new house and town is an excellent idea, much to Angie's dismay and horror, she had made friends with Paul and has a maturity beyond her age so she is thinking of a million scenarios.
It was heartbreaking the way the author portrayed the role reversal at times between older daughter and mother, there is responsibility on Angie's shoulders that should not be there, stealing parts of her childhood as her mother looks to her for so much help with her autistic sister, life, money, everything. It's a sad situation, but it's not an unrealistic one out there.
Their story continues as Angie reconnects with Paul and his dog and a very special friendship is forged between this elderly gentleman and this wise-beyond-her-years teenage girl. The book is so beautifully written, so poignant, so stunning in it's emotive depths. We watch Angie grow into a seventeen year old young lady and her character is so likeable, she's a great kid with the weight of the world on her shoulders at times. She's suffered much pain and loss, but she keeps shining through with the biggest heart in the world.
There are some scenes that brought tears to my eyes, others that made me smile, I just loved every word of this book and am glad I was given the opportunity to read it.
Does it have a happy ending for all involved? Do read it so you can find out too.
Well, that was a special book, I am still processing the journey it took me on. It's the first of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books I have read, but it won't be the last. I can see why there are some comparisons to Jodi Picoult's style of writing and subjects tackled.
So, where do we begin? Fourteen year old Angie is living with her mother and her younger autistic sister, Sophie in her Aunty Vi's house, they are essentially on the brink of homelessness and holding breath for the day they are no long welcome with Aunty Vi.
Little autistic Sophie is a beautifully written character, Catherine Ryan Hyde did an excellent job of portraying the beauty, the specialness and the difficulties that autism can bring to a family. I loved Sophie, I just loved her. (I have Aspergers and so does my own child so I often am looking closely at how authors write an autistic character, CRH did it very well in this novel).
Sophie falls in love with a great big loving Great Dane that lives next door with an elderly man called Paul. The amazing thing is that this dog helps Sophie be calm, she has a habit of shrieking for hours on end until hoarse and is unable to speak, the dog has this powerful impact on her and the family see hope. But then Paul and his dog move away.
Angie's mother decides that packing them into the car with their meagre belongings in a trailer and following Paul and his dog to his new house and town is an excellent idea, much to Angie's dismay and horror, she had made friends with Paul and has a maturity beyond her age so she is thinking of a million scenarios.
It was heartbreaking the way the author portrayed the role reversal at times between older daughter and mother, there is responsibility on Angie's shoulders that should not be there, stealing parts of her childhood as her mother looks to her for so much help with her autistic sister, life, money, everything. It's a sad situation, but it's not an unrealistic one out there.
Their story continues as Angie reconnects with Paul and his dog and a very special friendship is forged between this elderly gentleman and this wise-beyond-her-years teenage girl. The book is so beautifully written, so poignant, so stunning in it's emotive depths. We watch Angie grow into a seventeen year old young lady and her character is so likeable, she's a great kid with the weight of the world on her shoulders at times. She's suffered much pain and loss, but she keeps shining through with the biggest heart in the world.
There are some scenes that brought tears to my eyes, others that made me smile, I just loved every word of this book and am glad I was given the opportunity to read it.
Does it have a happy ending for all involved? Do read it so you can find out too.
April 9, 2023
I have read 14 of the author's titles before reading this one and there's no question I love the CRH formula. However, I didn't warm up to the characters. I think having the whole story from teenage protagonist, Angie is the cause. I wish we had gotten a little bit of perspective from her mother or Paul. I felt like there was something I was missing in the family story to compel me to become totally immersed in my reading experience.
Goodreads review published 08/04/23
Goodreads review published 08/04/23
August 18, 2018
A family in crisis.
At 14, Angie is the adult in the family. Her sister Sophie is on the more severe end of the autism spectrum and is completely non-verbal. Her mother does her best but often ends up relying on Angie to fill in the many gaps.
They are fighting to stay a family but have been kicked out of every house they've lived in and their last chance is a distant relative they barely know. It's not a home, but at least it's not homeless.
While there Sophie forms a connection with their curmudgeonly neighbor's dog. A massive Great Dane. For the first time in years Sophie has settled down, when she is with the dog she is content and happy. But the neighbor is retiring and moving to the country, and they don't know how they will cope when he takes the dog away from them.
At 14, Angie is the adult in the family. Her sister Sophie is on the more severe end of the autism spectrum and is completely non-verbal. Her mother does her best but often ends up relying on Angie to fill in the many gaps.
They are fighting to stay a family but have been kicked out of every house they've lived in and their last chance is a distant relative they barely know. It's not a home, but at least it's not homeless.
While there Sophie forms a connection with their curmudgeonly neighbor's dog. A massive Great Dane. For the first time in years Sophie has settled down, when she is with the dog she is content and happy. But the neighbor is retiring and moving to the country, and they don't know how they will cope when he takes the dog away from them.
July 15, 2025
Another gem from Ms Hyde.
Angie is our MC, and at 14, she has a lot on her plate. Angie, her mum and her autistic sister Sophie are having to constantly move, as when Sophie gets upset, she has a piercing scream that isn't welcome by any within hearing distance. Suddenly their neighbour next door to Angie's aunt, where they have just moved, has a very large great dane, who calms Sophie when near to her. So the story begins and the ups and downs we experience with Angie kept me rapt right up to the end. 4.5 stars.
Angie is our MC, and at 14, she has a lot on her plate. Angie, her mum and her autistic sister Sophie are having to constantly move, as when Sophie gets upset, she has a piercing scream that isn't welcome by any within hearing distance. Suddenly their neighbour next door to Angie's aunt, where they have just moved, has a very large great dane, who calms Sophie when near to her. So the story begins and the ups and downs we experience with Angie kept me rapt right up to the end. 4.5 stars.
October 13, 2015
~3.5 stars~
This is my first time to read any of this writers work, and I have to say, I really enjoyed her writing style. Everything about this story felt realistic and emotional. It wasn’t a far-fetched read and you really felt as if you knew the characters. The character depth was as brilliant as the writing style. I also appreciated this being offered on kindleunlimited. Now for my complaints........... While the storyline and characters were solid, I found the plot to be incredibly slow at times. There were long spells where nothing of importance seemed to occur. I also felt the ending was rushed. An epilogue would have been really beneficial for this book. Overall, Im glad I gave this a shot and I will definitely check out more of this writers work.
This is my first time to read any of this writers work, and I have to say, I really enjoyed her writing style. Everything about this story felt realistic and emotional. It wasn’t a far-fetched read and you really felt as if you knew the characters. The character depth was as brilliant as the writing style. I also appreciated this being offered on kindleunlimited. Now for my complaints........... While the storyline and characters were solid, I found the plot to be incredibly slow at times. There were long spells where nothing of importance seemed to occur. I also felt the ending was rushed. An epilogue would have been really beneficial for this book. Overall, Im glad I gave this a shot and I will definitely check out more of this writers work.
August 26, 2013
This book will be placed in "my favorites". It tells a story from the point of view of a 14 year old girl, living with her widowed mother and autistic younger sister. The author does such an amazing job of "speaking" through the voice of a teen girl that I often forgot this was a fictionalized character. Imagine there are two children in a family and one child, through no fault of her own, is so very needy, this tells the story of what could happen when the other child is forced to forfeit her childhood in response to the family's need. Such a good story. So uplifting.
I enjoy this author's style of writing. I plan to read all of her books.
I enjoy this author's style of writing. I plan to read all of her books.
June 19, 2020
Wonderful story!
September 18, 2013
Catherine Ryan Hyde’s story of a family in crisis resonates with our human experience of frustration and reluctant leadership. Sometimes, someone just has to step up and do Something to take care of business. And when we do, we may find unexpected support that buoys us up and opens a bridge to the future.
Fourteen-year-old Angie isn’t what we like to think of as a typical teenager. Her mother is overwhelmed by the demands of Angie’s autistic younger sister. As she helplessly allows the family to slip into homelessness, Angie reluctantly steps into the parental void. Unsupervised, she encounters the world on her own inexperienced terms.
Her absorption in travel to far regions of the earth, a peaceful escape from her uncontrollable sister, who screams until exhausted when she’s frustrated, becomes an asset as she finds refuge in a bookstore. The owner offers her a job, but Angie’s unable to cope with the unexpected. When Angie realizes that the shop owner is a lesbian, she reacts with confusion and escapes from another confusing situation.
She catches a break with the neighbor’s Great Dane, whose aura of peace calms her screaming sister. The dog provides a path to friendship with her isolated owner, whose own life drama gradually unfolds.
It’s not a smooth path for any of them, but with the two-steps-forward, one-step-back progress of life, they find ways to help each other though life’s confusion. Although the characters are unusual, anyone who has survived childhood will recognize the dilemmas and missteps that carry us through our days. Catherine’s sensitive observations of both humans and dogs bring these satisfying characters to life.
Fourteen-year-old Angie isn’t what we like to think of as a typical teenager. Her mother is overwhelmed by the demands of Angie’s autistic younger sister. As she helplessly allows the family to slip into homelessness, Angie reluctantly steps into the parental void. Unsupervised, she encounters the world on her own inexperienced terms.
Her absorption in travel to far regions of the earth, a peaceful escape from her uncontrollable sister, who screams until exhausted when she’s frustrated, becomes an asset as she finds refuge in a bookstore. The owner offers her a job, but Angie’s unable to cope with the unexpected. When Angie realizes that the shop owner is a lesbian, she reacts with confusion and escapes from another confusing situation.
She catches a break with the neighbor’s Great Dane, whose aura of peace calms her screaming sister. The dog provides a path to friendship with her isolated owner, whose own life drama gradually unfolds.
It’s not a smooth path for any of them, but with the two-steps-forward, one-step-back progress of life, they find ways to help each other though life’s confusion. Although the characters are unusual, anyone who has survived childhood will recognize the dilemmas and missteps that carry us through our days. Catherine’s sensitive observations of both humans and dogs bring these satisfying characters to life.
September 12, 2014
One word. Great! One name. Angie.
It never ceases to amaze me how Catherine Ryan Hyde can get to the very core of her characters.
Angie, the little girl with the grown up mind and decisions.
Angie. The little girl with the huge responsibilities.
Angie.
Truthful. Honest. Understanding beyond her years.
If anyone ever questions the way Angie is portrayed has never had an experience in life where you have to grow up fast.
Angie did. Her sister had special needs. Any disability or illness makes children grow up fast. I know first hand.
The friendship with her neighbour, the man who wanted to retire away from it all.
Right down to Sophie and the dog. This kept me reading for hours.
Catherine, you've done it again. Another awesome read that will stay with me.
My thanks go to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via Net Galley for allowing me an advance copy
It never ceases to amaze me how Catherine Ryan Hyde can get to the very core of her characters.
Angie, the little girl with the grown up mind and decisions.
Angie. The little girl with the huge responsibilities.
Angie.
Truthful. Honest. Understanding beyond her years.
If anyone ever questions the way Angie is portrayed has never had an experience in life where you have to grow up fast.
Angie did. Her sister had special needs. Any disability or illness makes children grow up fast. I know first hand.
The friendship with her neighbour, the man who wanted to retire away from it all.
Right down to Sophie and the dog. This kept me reading for hours.
Catherine, you've done it again. Another awesome read that will stay with me.
My thanks go to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via Net Galley for allowing me an advance copy
August 4, 2013
This was my 5th CRH book. not one has yet to disappoint me. I devour them. And then I'm sad when I've come to the end because I know I'll miss the characters. the writing is effortless and the emotions are real. Awesome read.
July 15, 2024
This is the 22nd book of this author that I’ve read. And loved. Every single one. She just knows how to tell a simple story and makes it special.
March 18, 2015
Angie is a young teenage girl whose father is deceased and her younger sister is autistic. Her mother is dealing with trying to support two children -- one with very severe disabilities -- and making a life for them. The autistic daughter never speaks but and is known for her "keening", which is a siren-pitched scream that lasts for hours. When they move in temporarily with the mother's aunt, the young daughter, Sophie, bonds with the neighbors dog, Rigsby, and a new friendship is formed. The backdrop of this story had potential and I was hoping for much more than I received. I thought the author created wonderful images of the characters, especially Angie, the mom and the dog's owner, Paul. Perhaps her attention to detail in characterization was too good and that is why I grew to dislike some characters, find disappointment in others and others were just too unrealistic. I found the mother to be childlike, leaving the mainstay of the young child's wellbeing to her eldest daughter. With odd jobs that the teenager would get, the mother felt she had every right to her pay and I found her very self-centered, selfish and thoughless.
The story of the love and friendship between the girl, Sophie, and the dog, Rigsby, was the best part and was heartwarming and touching. Their relationship was the redeeming quality of the book. The teenager (who turns 17 before the book ends) was WAY TOO mature for her age and I felt the way the author portrayed her reasoning, conversation levels, interpersonal skills, etc. were not believable. I had trouble with a 65 year-old man learning to confide in a teenager, especially a female, about his own life. I could have believed a mentoring type of a relationship, but the strong bonds of friendship between two completely different age groups just didn't fit. I have marked several books by this author as "want to read" because the story lines sounded promising. This book was a bit of a disappointment, but I most likely will not let it stop me from reading more of her work. I do feel like she has a good grasp of human emotion. Her writing style is smooth and flows well so I'll give her books another shot at another time. I'm sure there is much to reflect upon in this story -- friendship, trust, overcoming adversity, positive thinking, etc. so don't let my less-than-perfect review deter you. Make your own judgement -- perhaps in the middle of this book is right where you belong.
The story of the love and friendship between the girl, Sophie, and the dog, Rigsby, was the best part and was heartwarming and touching. Their relationship was the redeeming quality of the book. The teenager (who turns 17 before the book ends) was WAY TOO mature for her age and I felt the way the author portrayed her reasoning, conversation levels, interpersonal skills, etc. were not believable. I had trouble with a 65 year-old man learning to confide in a teenager, especially a female, about his own life. I could have believed a mentoring type of a relationship, but the strong bonds of friendship between two completely different age groups just didn't fit. I have marked several books by this author as "want to read" because the story lines sounded promising. This book was a bit of a disappointment, but I most likely will not let it stop me from reading more of her work. I do feel like she has a good grasp of human emotion. Her writing style is smooth and flows well so I'll give her books another shot at another time. I'm sure there is much to reflect upon in this story -- friendship, trust, overcoming adversity, positive thinking, etc. so don't let my less-than-perfect review deter you. Make your own judgement -- perhaps in the middle of this book is right where you belong.
March 16, 2015
WHERE WE BELONG by Catherine Ryan Hyde, another winner, from one of my all-time favorite authors.
For all you Hyde fans, you will be excited to find re-issues of four of her all time favorite books, Available Now, on audio. Making my way through these heartfelt stories, from a master storyteller!
Check out the Four New Audiobooks. WHERE WE BELONG, When You Were Older, Second Hand Heart, and Don't Let Me Go. Her characters meet the best strangers, which become lifelong friends. Complete review to follow.
For all you Hyde fans, you will be excited to find re-issues of four of her all time favorite books, Available Now, on audio. Making my way through these heartfelt stories, from a master storyteller!
Check out the Four New Audiobooks. WHERE WE BELONG, When You Were Older, Second Hand Heart, and Don't Let Me Go. Her characters meet the best strangers, which become lifelong friends. Complete review to follow.
January 3, 2021
I just love Catherine's books. They are heartwarming and realistic about life's challenges.
September 10, 2021
BELÍSSIMO. 5 estrelas favoritado com louvor.
February 23, 2022
Once again one of my favorite authors finds a way to show how people can figure out how to work together to solve challenging issues. I love the creative ways Catherine Ryan Hyde displays her characters, their dialogues, and interactions.
A wonderful read by a great writer.
A wonderful read by a great writer.
July 3, 2023
3.5/4⭐️. Good read but slow at times and a bit long.
October 16, 2025
It’s hard to not give 5 stars to every one of Catherine’s books. They hit you in all the right places and keeps you reading. Always a lesson and something good to come from it.
June 22, 2019
Review to Come!
December 10, 2015
Our MC and first person narrator, Angie, is seven years old when we first meet her. She is happily constructing houses and villages with her playing cards…and her father is helping her.
When he leaves to get cigarettes, he will never return. His body is found…murdered.
Years later, we enter Angie’s life again, and she and her mother, with preschool sister Sophie, have just been evicted from another in a series of homes. On the verge of homelessness, they move in with Aunt Vi, who is not that happy to have them there. A sense of “waiting for the other shoe to drop” follows their every move. For Sophie has special needs—on the autism spectrum—and one of her unfortunate behaviors is shrieking endlessly until the neighbors call the cops, leading to yet another eviction.
One of the things we learn early on is that Angie is primarily the one in charge of making the plans, deciding how to handle Sophie, and finding their next move. She is only fourteen at this time, and suffering from the extra burden. But she doesn’t come across as resentful…just tired and sad and overly troubled about their future.
Then a reprieve comes their way. Next door is an older man, Paul, whose Great Dane Rigby has a powerful effect on Sophie. She watches him through the fence, he sits down near her, and they seem to connect. When she is near Rigby, Sophie is calm. There are actual hours in the day when she does not shriek.
But then everything changes. Paul is moving to the mountains…and Rigby will be gone. How will they cope?
Strangely enough, Angie’s mother takes charge of this one, and follows Paul up to his mountain home and stays nearby, waiting for the chance to reconnect with Rigby.
How does Angie manage to negotiate a new arrangement with Paul? What has brought the teenage girl and the remote man, who has always wanted his privacy, into a friendship? What will happen when life’s circumstances change again?
Where We Belong is the kind of book I savor. The pace was calm, with the only suspense coming from wondering what Angie will do next to make their lives better. I really rooted for Angie, and while I felt sorry for Sophie, I often wondered if the mother’s inability to be firm and in charge contributed to the problems. I know that I did not like the mother and felt exasperated with her behavior and her inability to be “the mother.” I thought it was interesting that we never find out her name…and there was also a sense of a long-held secret about her husband’s murder.
A book I recommend to all who enjoy the author…and stories about dysfunctional families. In the end, I felt really good about how things were turning out. 4.0 stars.
When he leaves to get cigarettes, he will never return. His body is found…murdered.
Years later, we enter Angie’s life again, and she and her mother, with preschool sister Sophie, have just been evicted from another in a series of homes. On the verge of homelessness, they move in with Aunt Vi, who is not that happy to have them there. A sense of “waiting for the other shoe to drop” follows their every move. For Sophie has special needs—on the autism spectrum—and one of her unfortunate behaviors is shrieking endlessly until the neighbors call the cops, leading to yet another eviction.
One of the things we learn early on is that Angie is primarily the one in charge of making the plans, deciding how to handle Sophie, and finding their next move. She is only fourteen at this time, and suffering from the extra burden. But she doesn’t come across as resentful…just tired and sad and overly troubled about their future.
Then a reprieve comes their way. Next door is an older man, Paul, whose Great Dane Rigby has a powerful effect on Sophie. She watches him through the fence, he sits down near her, and they seem to connect. When she is near Rigby, Sophie is calm. There are actual hours in the day when she does not shriek.
But then everything changes. Paul is moving to the mountains…and Rigby will be gone. How will they cope?
Strangely enough, Angie’s mother takes charge of this one, and follows Paul up to his mountain home and stays nearby, waiting for the chance to reconnect with Rigby.
How does Angie manage to negotiate a new arrangement with Paul? What has brought the teenage girl and the remote man, who has always wanted his privacy, into a friendship? What will happen when life’s circumstances change again?
Where We Belong is the kind of book I savor. The pace was calm, with the only suspense coming from wondering what Angie will do next to make their lives better. I really rooted for Angie, and while I felt sorry for Sophie, I often wondered if the mother’s inability to be firm and in charge contributed to the problems. I know that I did not like the mother and felt exasperated with her behavior and her inability to be “the mother.” I thought it was interesting that we never find out her name…and there was also a sense of a long-held secret about her husband’s murder.
A book I recommend to all who enjoy the author…and stories about dysfunctional families. In the end, I felt really good about how things were turning out. 4.0 stars.
December 28, 2015
When I need something lighter but interesting to read, I can usually count of Catherine Ryan Hyde to come through for me. This story, written from the viewpoint of a 14-17 year old girl (14 when it starts, 17 when it ends) who is forced to be older than her years because of a mentally disabled little sister and a less than adequate mother, is a heart warmer.
Hyde is a very character-driven writer. You feel you know her people and experience things with them and, as an added bonus, she is almost always able to work a delightful dog into the story. She understands the relationship between dogs and people and how complicated they can be and how much that relationship can substitute for human relationships that are off or missing. I never put down a Hyde book feeling like I have read something erudite that makes me want to ponder it, but then I don't put it down thinking I wasted those hours and wish I could have them back. It is like watching a good film for the second time and liking it anyway.
I am trying to cull out some titles that have been waiting on my Kindle all year unopened. I'm glad I got around to this one. If I don't get around to another before Friday, it is positive note to end a year on.
Hyde is a very character-driven writer. You feel you know her people and experience things with them and, as an added bonus, she is almost always able to work a delightful dog into the story. She understands the relationship between dogs and people and how complicated they can be and how much that relationship can substitute for human relationships that are off or missing. I never put down a Hyde book feeling like I have read something erudite that makes me want to ponder it, but then I don't put it down thinking I wasted those hours and wish I could have them back. It is like watching a good film for the second time and liking it anyway.
I am trying to cull out some titles that have been waiting on my Kindle all year unopened. I'm glad I got around to this one. If I don't get around to another before Friday, it is positive note to end a year on.
October 12, 2015
Sorry, but this book was stupid. I should have read up more on the actual story but I *had* thought it was about a little girl that was struggling with autism who befriends a dog.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
I had picked up this book in an attempt to find something that my wife would like too. However, she couldn't even finish it. I have some perverse disorder that forces me to finish every book I start, even if it's a terrible read.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
I had picked up this book in an attempt to find something that my wife would like too. However, she couldn't even finish it. I have some perverse disorder that forces me to finish every book I start, even if it's a terrible read.
March 1, 2017
3.5 stars. This isn't my usual choice of book, but I read an excerpt and there was something about it that caught my interest. Okay, yes, it's saccharine -- but sometimes you just need a sugar hit, you know? This was unashamedly feel-good, even though it's like Catherine Ryan Hyde went through a checklist of clichés. ("Okay, I've got a grumpy old man with a heart of gold, a dog that's unnaturally perceptive, an autistic young girl... Ooh, let's make the mother irresponsible and the family homeless!") There weren't really any surprises with this book, but it made me feel things, and that's one of my markers of a good read -- even though my strongest feeling was annoyance at the mother. God, she was useless! I completely felt every ounce of Angie's frustration at having to be the mature one and look after both her mother and her younger sister. I loved her innate goodness and determination to do the right thing despite her mother constantly trying to steer her wrong. (No, seriously, I wanted to reach into the book and strangle Angie's mother.)
December 15, 2015
This really was one of the best books I have read this year. I have never read any books by Catherine Ryan Hyde before but I am definitely a fan now. The story is told through Angie's voice, who is 14 when the book starts. Growing up with just her Mother and her little sister who has an autistic type of disorder. After moving from place to place but never finding a place they can call home they move in with an Aunt. After all the moves though, Angie has given up on finding a place to really call home until her sister Sophie has a strange and wonderful reaction to the dog next door and Angie gets to know the owner Paul. She finds out that home can be found not just in a place but in friends as well.
July 29, 2018
This story was about Angie, a teenager who has a sister with ASD, named Sophie, who tends to shriek. Due to this fact they have to move constantly. They move in with aunt Vi who lives across from a man named Paul. Paul has a dog named Rigby. Sophie gets attached to the dog and becomes quieter. This also leads to an unlikely friendship between Paul, who is in his sixties with, with Angie.
Angie was my favorite character. She is an honest and hard working teenager. I also really relate to Angie and understand what she's going through.
I really liked this book. Many parts of this book were full of emotions.
I would recommend this book to whom ever enjoys reading contemporary realistic-fictions, and also to people who have a sibling with ASD. It reminds you that you are not alone.
Angie was my favorite character. She is an honest and hard working teenager. I also really relate to Angie and understand what she's going through.
I really liked this book. Many parts of this book were full of emotions.
I would recommend this book to whom ever enjoys reading contemporary realistic-fictions, and also to people who have a sibling with ASD. It reminds you that you are not alone.
December 27, 2016
Finding a home
Where We Belong is a heartfelt story filled with some of the loveliest, complex characters I've ever read. Angie is 14 going on 30, mature beyond her years, whose mother leaves her to make decisions for the family, and who also must help care for her special needs sister. Although this is a fabulous coming-of-age story, it's also about true friendships, and a struggling family trying to make a home for themselves. A very touching story about love and honesty, home and family.
Where We Belong is a heartfelt story filled with some of the loveliest, complex characters I've ever read. Angie is 14 going on 30, mature beyond her years, whose mother leaves her to make decisions for the family, and who also must help care for her special needs sister. Although this is a fabulous coming-of-age story, it's also about true friendships, and a struggling family trying to make a home for themselves. A very touching story about love and honesty, home and family.
January 3, 2016
Smile your beautiful heart out!! 4.5 stars..rounding up.
This book was glued to my face for the better part of the day and it's official- I will now read anything Catherine Ryan Hyde writes. The plot is irrelevant. Her characters are realistically flawed and simply fantastic. Relationships sprout in unlikely places. But most importantly, her novels are like bring wrapped in a fuzzy warm blanket. Who doesn't want that?!
This book was glued to my face for the better part of the day and it's official- I will now read anything Catherine Ryan Hyde writes. The plot is irrelevant. Her characters are realistically flawed and simply fantastic. Relationships sprout in unlikely places. But most importantly, her novels are like bring wrapped in a fuzzy warm blanket. Who doesn't want that?!
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