Come Back to the World: A Novel

by Catherine Ryan Hyde

A single mother strives to understand the enigma of a reclusive novelist in a poignant novel about belonging, secret lives, and the want to disappear by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Amelia Booker, a journalist and expert in American literature, receives a photograph leading to the possible whereabouts of E.L. Swann, an author who vanished forty years ago after the success of her first and only novel. It’s too intriguing a literary mystery for Amelia not to follow.

In Santa Rosarita, Mexico, Amelia and her seven-year-old son, Jaden, meet the elderly and guarded Ella Steinbach, known to locals for riding her donkey to market, then retreating from the world again to her hilltop house. Prickly and defensive at first, Ella reluctantly concedes the truth about her identity. If not for Ella’s deep affection for the bright and introverted Jaden, she would have found the intrusion unforgivable. Instead, she grants an interview on the condition that Amelia tell no one where E.L. Swann has been found.

As days turn into weeks, and Ella reveals more than expected about her past, she and Amelia form a difficult but surprising bond. From it comes the realization that the personal struggles we endure determine the necessary choices we make to move forward. But no matter how much Amelia tries to convince her otherwise, E.L. Swann really does wish to be left alone. And only by accepting the author as she is can Amelia maintain the life-changing connection.

Genres: Fiction, Family

300 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Catherine 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

Reviews

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I will request anything by this author that I see because every single book I have read makes me get all the feels...this one was no different. In fact, I think this one might have made me feel more than any others...there may have even been a tear or two...most of that can be attributed to the fact that I have always struggled with fact that it seems like people matter to me more than I matter to them...so this one really kind of hit a nerve, I guess. But I was damn near ready to sell all my stuff and move to Mexico...which is something I have always said I would never do. It was very well written and I would recommend it to anyone who is like me and wants to feel something.

[Lynn Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyde is one of those authors whose books always surprise me by how much I enjoy them. She writes heartfelt stories that make me reflect on life, and this one was similar.

Amelia is a journalist whose favorite author, E.L. Swann, disappeared after her breakout novel. When she gets a tip that the author has been spotted in Mexico, she takes 7-year-old son Jaden with her to see if it pans out. She finds the author and, through a chain of events, is given permission to stay with the author for a short time. This changes the trajectory of Amelia’s life, but also of Swann’s.

This one felt a little slow to start, but it left me with similar contemplative thoughts to Hyde’s other books I’ve read. Swann has very clear reasons for living her life the way she does, and her explanations and interactions with Amelia gave me lots to think about.

If you are looking for something heartfelt with a fun child character, I’d recommend this one.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped at this book as a read now as soon as I saw it..wow and it delivered
As much as they were so mismatched against each other it worked. Loved Jaden. We all need one of him in our lives to encourage us.
I weaved through this book so fast I'm kinda disappointed it's over. And the ending was just perfect.

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a full length, stand alone novel. The book is published by Lake Union Publishing.
Come Back to the World is a poignant novel, a special treat. I love the author's writing and every time she releases a new book its a one click for me. But I didn't expect such a deep story.
Amelia is a divorced single mom of a 7 year old boy, Jaden. Jaden is an old soul. Amelia goes on a trip with him looking to find a recluse author. She's on a wild goose chase when a tip leads her to Ella's doorstep. Ella is a grumpy mcgrumperson in her eighties, but she has a soft spot for Jaden, and soon she tolerates Amelia.
Firest I thought of Amelia as naive, who doesn't thinks about consequences; the story of removed, but soon I was unable to put this wonderful book down. A story that'll stay with me long after I finished the book that deserves all the stars.

[Tracy Eyles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a novel about an author who loves in Mexico in complete seclusion. Amelia, a journalist and scholar has studied E. L. Swan for decades. The author went into seclusion 40 years before and hasn’t been heard from since. Over the years, there have been sightings of her which never panned out. So, Amelia is sceptical at first. However, this sighting is different and leads Amelia and her son Jaden down a path that is, in Amelia’s view, truly unbelievable. I am a fan of Hyde’s novels but this one missed the mark for me.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Come Back to the World
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publisher: Lake Union Publishers
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: May 5, 2026
My Rating: 4.6 rounded up
Pages: 297

Story starts with Amelia Booker trying to get her seven year old son Jaden out of bed and ready for school. There are eleven school days left before summer break and young Jaden is ready now!
Amelia and her husband Mark are in the process of divorce. She is a journalist and expert in American literature.
Amelia received an email from friends vacationing in Mexico with a photo of a woman who resembles E.L. Swann, an author who vanished forty years ago. Amelia considers herself an authority on Ms. Swann. No one understands why she went missing her first story “The Third Labyrinth” was a big success however turned out to be her only novel.
‘Amelia’s curiosity continues and she decides that she and her son will take a little vacation to Santa Rosarita, Mexico. She is nervous about telling her ex as she is sure she will talk her out of it. So waits until they are on the plane to call.
Amelia and Jaden arrive in Santa Rosarita and find out where Ella Steinbach’s lives and make arrangements to visit in hopes of an interview. Ella is known to locals for riding her donkey ‘Francisco’ to market, and then returns to her hilltop home.
Amelia and Jaden set off for their visit on horseback – only Jaden was frighten of how big the horse is however the owner recommended a mild horse that both could ride.. When they meet with Ella, Jaden suddenly gets ill. Ella offered to call her Doctor- then states her experience is that once this hits it usually hit both ends and sure enough Jaden shouts he needs to use the bathroom. The Doctor arrives with medications and states Jaden needs rest.
Ella tell Amelia that Marta her Cook/care-taker take will take her back to the hotel/ Amelia is sure she is sending them back but Ella states she that can get a change of clothes, toothbrush etc and are welcome to stay.

It appears Jaden had softened Ella and she now has granted an interview. She reveals her identity on the condition that Amelia tells no one.
The story continues with Ella revealing more than Amelia expected.
Then decides it is time for Amelia and Jaden to return to San Francisco.
Little did I know but the real story is just beginning.

As with all of Catherine Ryan Hyde stories there is a message.
Her writing style is different than any other author I read and I love it! Her stories are character driven but there is always something to think about
long after I have finished reading.

I got on board the Catherine Ryan Hyde train somewhat late when I read Brave Girl, Quiet Girl in May 2020. I not only loved the book but have been a big fan ever since!
Psychological thrillers are my 'go to' reads – who knew I was going to love her stories so much?

She has had 40+ book published. As well fifty of her short stories have been published in professional Reviews and Journals.
Now I am willing to read anything she writes! When I saw this I knew I wanted to read it without knowing anything about it!

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for this wonderful early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 5, 2026.

[Kristin Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

CRH has been one of my favorite authors for many years. I feel honored to be able to review her latest book coming in May 2026. I love that she is always pairing up the most unlikely duos, and that those duos form deep and satisfying friendships. They typically each have a problem they are working through, and the other character offers insights and a new perspective that we’ve not considered before. Usually her books have a happy ending that leaves me shedding more than a few tears.

It’s a little different with Amelia and Ella. Imagine meeting your hero and finding them not to your liking at all. You think this relationship will develop the way we are used to with CRH, but this one really doesn’t. Ella just never really became likable to me, proving that some people really don’t change, and I was disappointed at first. I spent a lot of time thinking about the book after I finished it, and came to realize that it was really the whole point of the book.

This one is more about learning to meet people where they are at, and perhaps realizing that your idol is just a regular person too. It’s about accepting people for who they are, and let’s be honest, that’s a really difficult thing to do in this political climate. We can all learn to be more accepting of people with alternate views, or at least not let those views overshadow all of the other likable parts of someone. It’s about setting boundaries and sticking to them, and about having open and honest communication when someone is upsetting you.

The book didn’t have to have the happiest of endings to get the point across. People may not change, but we can change how we allow them treat us, while also giving them space to be themselves without judgement.

[Ahaaha4 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find myself either loving books written by Catherine Ryan Hyde or not connecting to them. Come Back to the World fell short for me. I wanted so much more information. It kept me reading because I thought there was going to be a bang of an ending, but that never happened.

Author E. L. Swann wrote one novel that was a huge success. She then went into seclusion and became a hermit who disappeared from the world, hence the title, Come Back to the World. Amelia is a journalist who became obsessed with Swann and spent her life trying to find her. Her persistence pays off and eventually Amelia finds Swann living in a small town in Mexico under the name Ella Steinbach. Swann becomes attached to Amelia’s son Jaden. While Amelia and Jaden are staying with Swann she writes a second book. We never know what the first book she wrote was about and we never find out what the new book she wrote was about. I thought their content should have been revealed and should have had more to do with the book. I thought the two characters Swann and Amelia were going to have some family connection or that there would be a twist to their relationship. There wasn’t.

I felt the story was very flat. What I loved most about the book was Jaden’s character. He was a quirky, naive seven-year-old boy who stole the story.

Thank you NetGalley and LakeUnion Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I think I am an outlier on this book, therefore I would highly recommend fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde to read it.

[Anne Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Ryan Hyde is a prolific writer whom I enjoy reading immensely. Every six months or so I look to see whether a new book of hers is available on Net Galley and if it is, I request it. Each book has some of her signature character types: A young child or children? Check (Jaden). An older curmudgeonly character? Check (Swann). One or more adorable animals? Check A large donkey and multiple cats). A mother? Check. So Come Back to the World checks all the boxes that I would expect in a Catherine Ryan Hyde novel.

Amelia is a single mother of a seven year old son and in the midst of getting a divorce from her overbearing spouse. Her son is a bright and sensitive boy who is being bullied by mean second graders. Amelia is a journalist who has long been interested d in E.L Swann, a reclusive writer who has been hidden from the world after publishing one stupendous novel 40 years ago. It all begins when someone sends Amelia a photo of an elderly woman at a market in Mexico who could be Swann, aged forty or so years. She drops everything to find out if that sighting was the famous writer about whom Amelia wrote her thesis, And we're off! Be ready to stop what you're involved in until you have turned the last page. Ryan Hyde's writing is as addictive as chocolates. Every character is real and every situation believable.

Thank you, Lake Union Press, and Net Galley for the early copy of this book. The opinions are my own true and accurate ones.

[Sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relationships are hard and Catherine Ryan Hyde explores several complex ones in Come Back to the World. When Amelia travels to Mexico to find Elle, a reclusive and often ornery writer, she doesn’t expect to become an integral part of her life. After her son Jaden unexpectedly becomes the muse for Elle’s long awaited second book, Elle invites herself into their small San Francisco apartment, folding herself into their daily lives in ways none of them anticipated.
Character development is usually Hyde’s sweet spot and she brings the reader along for the emotional ride. However, this particular story didn’t resonate with me as strongly as her others. I found the characters less rich and layered than I’ve come to expect from her work and the emotional depth felt a bit muted. Jaden, the seven year old son, and his donkey friend Francisco do bring a sweetness to a story filled with contrary personalities, adding a gentle charm to the narrative.
That said, the story as a whole is heartwarming and remains an easy, gentle read. It has the familiar themes of connection and second chances that Hyde is known for, just not delivered with the same resonance I’ve experienced in her previous novels. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s, and I will continue to watch for all of her new releases.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

[HappyBookWorm2020 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many books by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This one surprised me - I was not expecting this story.

Amelia Booker is in the process of a divorce, and her almost ex-husband is not making it easy. They have a child together, Jaden. Amelia, a journalist, has also been researching a famous author who wrote only one book, and then disappeared.

One day a friend of hers called her with news that would change her life. Her friend had been on vacation and thought that she had seen a woman who looked like E. L. Swann. Her friend sent her a picture of the woman, looking at mangoes in an outdoor market. The last photo that Amelia had seen of E. L. Swann was when she was 44 years old. She is now 84.

Amelia decided to go see this woman in person, taking Jaden with her. It turned out that the woman was E. L. Swann and she was nothing at all like Amelia had imagined. She was a woman who prized her privacy and that is putting it mildly. Fortunately for Amelia, she liked Jaden, and allowed Amelia to interview her over several months. Not to give anything away, but something tremendous for both of them came from their time together. I highly recommend this one.

I received an e-arc from the publisher Lake Union Press and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

After writing a novel that became a long-standing bestseller and is still taught in schools, the author E. L. Swann has not been seen or heard from in forty years.
Amelia Booker, a journalist and literature expert, stumbles upon a photo of an older woman at an outdoor market in Santa Rosarita, Mexico. Using a youthful photo of Swann, Amelia has an age progressed image created—and the resemblance is striking enough to send her and her seven-year-old son, Jaden, on an impulsive trip to Mexico to uncover the truth.
Once there, Amelia learns that the mysterious woman from the market lives in a large house on a hill and rides into town on a donkey. She and Jaden make the trek up the hill, and when the woman reluctantly opens her gate, Amelia becomes convinced that this prickly, guarded figure is indeed the reclusive Ella Swann.
What follows is a fascinating journey filled with twists, emotional surprises, and moments of genuine warmth. I found myself racing through the pages, and as the story neared its end, I was completely stunned by the conclusion. Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers a beautifully woven, deeply engaging tale that lingers long after the final chapter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another great book I got from the Netgalley 'Read Now' shelf!
Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde is about single mother Amelia, who has spent years studying the one book written by her favourite author, a woman who disappeared from public life over forty years ago and hasn't been seen or heard of since. When Amelia gets a tip about where this elusive author might be living, she takes a trip to Mexico and finds a lot more than she bargained for.
This is a lovely, lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved all the various relationships, there was a really fun and interesting shift at the midpoint, the characters were great, and there was an awesome donkey!
I love books about authors and writing, and this one made me want to get back to my own writing, which is always a good thing.
There were some long speeches by a couple of the characters that felt a bit too much like 'the author is now on her soap box' but I could definitely overlook that for the story in general and the heartwarming ending.
I also appreciated the presentation of Amelia's anxiety. I've read a fair few books with anxiety presentation, but never one where reading the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists felt *exactly* like being in my own head.
Love this overall.

[Jean Mader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel explores a literary mystery centered on a reclusive author who disappeared decades after publishing one remarkable book. While the premise is intriguing, I found the story itself somewhat unusual in tone. Many of the characters speak in long, reflective exchanges that felt more like therapy sessions than natural dialogue, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged.

The mystery unfolds through a series of unconventional conversations, and the resolution felt understated rather than revelatory. That said, the young writer’s son was a bright spot in the novel — gentle, perceptive, and easily the most appealing and authentic character. Though the book raises thoughtful questions about identity, privacy, and creative legacy, it ultimately wasn’t a story that resonated deeply with me.

Catherine Ryan Hyde has a long, successful career, a devoted readership, and many well-loved books behind her. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

[lovemyshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Ryan Hyde knew what she was doing when she created the litte boy, Jaden. He reflected everything that is right in the world, and reminded the characters when things were not right. He and the donkey were the saving graces of this book, which I did not enjoy near as much as the author's other books. If not for Jaden, this book would have been the first 3-star rating for me for this author, who typically garners straight 5 star reviews!
The book had a lovely setting, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about it. The book is well-written too, as always. I found it to be sad, but not the type of sad I could relate to. If I could, I would have enjoyed it more. It was the kind of sad that seemed distant, and though Jaden and the donkey provide some sunshine, I couuldn't shake the bone-deep depression of Ella and the unaccounted for years of loneliness she spent just trying to get peace. I love my alone time, but I cannot imagine living that alone for that long. I don't feel like happiness was properly restored at the end and that let me down.
That said, Catherine Ryan Hyde has set my expectations so high over the years, here I am explaining to enth degree about why I held back one measly star. She is such a force and for many authors, this might easily be their best book.
I am forever grateful to Lake Union and NetGalley for continuing to receive galleys of this fabulous author in exchange for my honest review.
Why is she not a famous celebrity yet??

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

This was everything I hoped for and it deserves the 5 stars I’m awarding to this first book read in 2026. I have read a few other books by Catherine Hyde with plenty on my TBR shelf and I was glad this lived up to my expectations.

As the author describes it, this book is “set in large part in a small fictional tourist town in Mexico. It prominently features a donkey. And a boy. And his mother. And a famous author turned hermit.”

The best books are when they’re so readable I don’t want to put them down, and I think about the characters when I can’t be reading. This novel was like that – a poignant story that was realistic, believable, and memorable. I’ll be thinking about this ultimately heartwarming story for a long time. I highly recommend it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde books. She is such an awesome storyteller. I was a little discombobulated because the publisher didn’t allow this arc to be downloaded onto my Kindle. I needed to read it from NetGalley bookshelf. But it was Catherine Ryan Hyde and I would have read it any way possible. This book did not disappoint. What interesting characters and storyline. Her characters could be your neighbors or your third cousin. The main character was in journalism and she read a book from a reclusive author. This was the author’s first book and then she just disappeared. But Amelia got a tip several years later that the author had been spotted in a small village in Mexico. And that is all of the story I will share. But did I tell you that I love novels written by Catherine Ryan Hyde? Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book for my honest review.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel by CRH. Unlike most of her writings, this book is primarily about an reclusive elderly woman rather than a young person in a desperate situation. Hyde pulls off the story in magnificent form.
There appears to be an autobiographical theme running through the book. E L Swann, the reclusive writer, hates stupid questions asked by journalists, is superstitious about inspiration for writing and knows that a work of fiction comes from the imagination rather than people who are observed.
Another theme is the book is our judgment of people and their beliefs. Swann fled civilization after her one successful novel and fears being revealed. When questioned about the reason for her isolation, Swann points out that she is being judged for her choice rather than being accepted for who she is.
Like all CRH novels, the story line is unpredictable and the writing is superb. I read it quickly and am impatiently waiting for the next drop.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Come Back to the World” by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a deeply human and powerful story about a journalist who discovers the location of a celebrated author, who after publishing a critically acclaimed novel mysteriously disappears.
The journalist and her young son impulsively travel to Mexico after seeing an age progressive photo of an older woman who has a striking resemblance to the author. The author reluctantly admits her true identity, and invites the journalist and her son to stay with her in her home. She also grants permission for an article to be written about her very secret life. What follows is the growth of a surprising bond between the two women and the son, and a journey filled with twists, emotional surprises and genuine warmth.
This is a memorable book that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this very readable but it wasn't as endearing to me as some of her other stories.

Amelia is the expert on E.L. Swann, an author who wrote one amazing book and then disappeared 40 years ago. On a tip from a friend she locates Ella in Mexico. Ella is very reclusive and just wants to be left alone but when Amelia and Jaden show up on her doorstep she seems to connect with Jaden. I liked Jaden a lot. He was seven years old. I thought he acted his age and was very insightful. Amelia comes off as passive-aggressive and kind of impulsive. She takes Jaden out of the country to find Amelia but only tells his father when they are on the plane. I understand why Mark would be angry. The author writes him as angry and controlling but not much is said about the divorce. I'll continue to read this author.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Lake Union for providing me with a digital copy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Amelia Booker wrote her thesis on E. L. Swann and throughout her career respected the author's prose. Despite receiving critical acclaim following her debut novel, Swann disappeared from the limelight. Hoping to persuade the author to #ComeBacktotheWorld she takes her 7-year-old son to Mexico after an author sighting. Will Amelia find what's she looking for or only the next chapter in her search.?

Addressing if people can really change, Catherine Ryan Hyde shines a light for self reflection. Do we retreat to find ourselves or escape from the world? Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition in exchange for an honest review. As a fan of the author's work, I looked forward to her latest read. Reaching the end, the book delivered a compelling story that depicts what makes us human and humane.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde; her books always have a message of human connection, trauma, hope, unexpected relationships, and overcoming loss and adversity. It is the power of putting it together and not repeating herself that makes her a number-one author and one I seek out. I was thrilled to get an advance copy of her new novel, Come Back to the World, and I was not disappointed. I love that not all her characters are likable, her characters have growth, you can empathize with them, and they show resilience.
This is a heartwarming story about a boy, his mother, a famous author turned hermit, and a donkey.
The subtle lesson here is: if you can meet your hero, would you?
Hyde includes book group questions at the end of the novel to inspire discussions…
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Amelia Booker who is a journalist gets a tip that her all time very favorite author , E.L. Swann may have been spotted after forty years,
Amelia goes off on a trip with her young son in search of this recluse to see if it might be a true sighting.

The journey begins and it is good!
There is mystery, heartbreak, and many challenges as we learn who this woman really is.

I truly, truly loved Ella and young Jaden. He is wise beyond his years and seems to accept the this stranger and her donkey without question and she accepts him.
Perhaps this is a lesson in friendship that we all might learn.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always has a beautiful story to tell us and this one is included! Sit and enjoy!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel for review purposes. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a prolific writer and I’ve read more books by this author than any other. Her specialty is developing relationships between unique characters and in that aspect, the novel delivers. The story centers on E. L. Swann, an 84 year old reclusive author who disappeared from the world after writing an extremely popular novel when she was young. Swann is a very private person who didn’t want to compete with her own success so she withdrew from public life.

The elder Swann is tracked down and discovered by Amelia, a reporter who idolizes her. Amelia convinces Swann to reluctantly tell her life story. The tentative and strained relationship that develops between these two women is one of the novel’s strengths, along with the budding friendship between Swann and Amelia’s 7 year old son Jayden.

I couldn’t help but draw parallels between this author and the novelist Harper Lee who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. Both E. L. Swann and Harper Lee were overwhelmed by their first novel’s immense success and the intense publicity and pressure that caused both authors to become reclusive.

Hyde’s writing style is simple yet effective. She avoids overly complex language, which allows the human connection of the story to take center stage.

This book has all the feels and it leaves you with a wonderful, heartwarming feeling.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always pulled into the story and characters right away when reading one of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books. Her new book, Come Back to the World, is no exception. From the eccentric and reclusive, Ella, to young Jaden with his tender heart and inquisitive mind, this story came to life for me in so many ways. I found myself staying up past my bedtime to read “one more chapter” and ended up finishing the book in a few days. If you enjoy real-life characters and stories that grab you from the first chapter, you will love this book. I highly recommend it and give it five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to preview this book and provide my honest review.

[Linda "Lilybug's Library" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about a woman who finds her favourite author who has become a recluse and the relationship between them. That's the general premise, but it's also about friendship, trying to change people, expectations of people and so much more.

I found myself irritated with the recluse writer and like the woman who found her, I had certain expectations of her that weren't met. She was a curmudgeonly old woman and for the most part she wanted nothing to do with humanity.

Even though I found the story interesting, I didn't feel like I really gelled with the characters and so I'm giving this book 3 starts. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read an advanced copy.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for providing the copy of Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The characters in Hyde’s books are always fully realized and feel real. I admire how she writes books all with different characters, stories and plots, which is remarkable considering how many books she has written. The reclusive author Amelia finds isn’t the most likable character, but I loved what a straight-shooter she was and how she stuck to her beliefs. The writing shines, but I would bet that Hyde’s books are so popular because of their emotional impact. While this one was more subtle, the lessons Amelia learns have a powerful effect on her life. 5 stars

[Hannelore Cheney]

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARC.
What an amazinly lovely book; I'm not usually someone who gets teary when reading, but there were a few times when I got very close.
I understood Amelia's wish to meet up with E. L. Swann, but also the author's wish to be left alone. In a way I felt it unfair of Amelia to disturb the woman who so obviously wanted to shut out the world and it made me uncomfortable for her. Jaden is sweet, instinctively smart and I found his obvious love for animals appealing.
Once the 2 women click, it's heartwarming.
The area the author has retreated to sounds beautiful, more so than Mexico itself.
I loved it, and it's a solid 5 stars for me.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
A singular take on the labour of writing, journalism, creativity and fame, “Come Back to the World”, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, is also an interesting story about relationships, love, ageing, and unexpected affections.
The unusual circumstances gathering Ella, Amelia and Jaden in a small Mexican village and the ties that develop between them are fascinating.
I loved the close friendship between Ella and Jaden, how the boy became the writer’s source of inspiration, her muse, and how she was so unabashedly transactional about it.
The secondary characters and the romantic plot add to the story, and even the donkey has a major, heartwarming role.
The older lady’s capriciousness, others relenting to it or what seems sometimes as Amelia’s imprudence with her son might annoy.
I felt the lack of contact later between the author and the small family was a bit sad, but that's life.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Catherine Ryan Hyde books in general, but this, I think, is my favorite one! Come Back to the World is about a writer who wrote a book, and then just fell off the face of the planet. A big fan and gives talks about E.L. Swann, Amelia, who also happens to be a single mother, is given a glimpse of a chance to see if she can see for herself if the person in a photograph really is the elusive E. L. Swann. Amelia takes her son to Mexico, and you just have to read what happens and if she is or is not able to confirm the sighting. Very well done! Highly recommend!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*