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The Other Kind of Lion
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14 days and 05:58:34
100 copies available
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A war widow and a neglected boy form a chosen family in a profoundly moving multigenerational saga about the transformative power of kindness by
New York Times
bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
It’s 1970 in rural California where Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives with her two sons. It’s a routine life until she sees Cash Pierce, a scruffy eleven-year-old boy, trailing the fence alongside her Appaloosa, Phoenix. The horse never gave such a welcoming nicker to anyone but her late husband. Even her stubborn old dog Edsel takes to the boy. Out of curiosity and compassion, so does Shirley.
Abandoned by his father, his mother in jail, and raised by his teenage brother, Cash is lonely, bullied, but smart as a whip and starved for attention. Shirley begins inviting him for dinners, providing lunch money, sewing his shirts, and offering the maternal care he desperately needs. Neither realizes that such simple acts of kindness create a bond that will span five decades and redefine family itself. No matter where life takes Cash, he will never forget her.
Through war, loss, grief, illness, second chances, and years of separation they will meet again. Shirley was there for Cash. Now it’s his turn to be there for Shirley when she needs him the most.
It’s 1970 in rural California where Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives with her two sons. It’s a routine life until she sees Cash Pierce, a scruffy eleven-year-old boy, trailing the fence alongside her Appaloosa, Phoenix. The horse never gave such a welcoming nicker to anyone but her late husband. Even her stubborn old dog Edsel takes to the boy. Out of curiosity and compassion, so does Shirley.
Abandoned by his father, his mother in jail, and raised by his teenage brother, Cash is lonely, bullied, but smart as a whip and starved for attention. Shirley begins inviting him for dinners, providing lunch money, sewing his shirts, and offering the maternal care he desperately needs. Neither realizes that such simple acts of kindness create a bond that will span five decades and redefine family itself. No matter where life takes Cash, he will never forget her.
Through war, loss, grief, illness, second chances, and years of separation they will meet again. Shirley was there for Cash. Now it’s his turn to be there for Shirley when she needs him the most.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
77 books6,436 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 71 reviews
August 22, 2026
Another fantastic novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. One of my favorite “go to” authors who is one of the best storytellers out there! Heartwarming, loving and I certainly fell in love with Shirley and Cash! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. To be published November 3, 2026. A new favorite by Catherine and this is # 19 I’ve read by her.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another wonderful book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This one follows Shirley through the turbulent 1960s to present day. Shirley’s story is one of tremendous losses, but also one filled with kindness and caring. How one act of kindness can change so many lives is a lesson we all should learn. The story itself is absorbing and interesting. The characters are people you want to root for. A winner of a story from an outstanding author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is another endearing story from this author. This time, we follow the lives of Mrs. Shirley and Cash from 1970 through the years to 2026.
Shirley is a widow who meets Cash, an 11-year-old boy who has a home but is in desperate need of love and guidance. He is a special child, and they develop an instant bond.
Because the book covers so many years, there sometimes seem to be huge time gaps. At first, this bothered me, but I realized that the author quickly catches us up on what we missed. Otherwise, the book would have to be much longer to cover 56 years.
Ms. Hyde explores the need to nurture and be nurtured. This is a common theme in most of her books, but somehow, I never get tired of it. She creates such wonderful and unique characters that her books never seem formulaic. She often gives animals an important role in her books.
This book contains sadness, but it is well balanced with happiness. It is definitely character-driven. There isn’t a lot of action, and the story is a bit of a slow burn. That’s OK… there are plenty of feelings and emotions.
CRH books are always the bright spot in my reading life. I can depend on them to make me smile. And sometimes, I might even shed a tear.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: October 3rd 2026
"People are a whole other kind of lion. With the real lion there's the danger that he'll kill you and eat you. But with people, the danger is that they just won't care. That when it comes time to return the favor they'll be comfortable enough seeing your troubles as none of their concern."
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another awesome book by Hyde
I believe I've read almost all of Catherine Ryan Hyde books - quite a feat based on the fact that she has written so many excellent books. I have been a fan since she wrote Pay It Forward and I have been following her diligently ever since then.
This book was another heart wrencher - in many places. Hyde is good at letting the reader FEEL her books. In this offering Shirley Bennett opens up her arms and her home to young 11 year old boy Ludlow "Cash" Pierce, a neglected boy who is starved for not only attention but for food. His home life a shambles, Mrs. Shirley (as Cash calls her) and her sons welcome Cash into their home for meals and comfort.
This story follows Shirley from the early 1970s through to current 2026, with Cash popping in and out. It talks about her sons also and her late husband and the Vietnam War.
An underlying theme of the book is that of the old tale of Androcles and the lion about the slave boy who removes the thorn from the paw of the lion so in turn the lion doesn't eat him when he has a chance to.
There's a lot of good messages in this story - kindness to strangers, love, gratitude for all that we have in life, tolerance.
I highly recommend this book and this author. I read her books before even reading the description of what they're going to be about. I just trust her that much.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you.
I believe I've read almost all of Catherine Ryan Hyde books - quite a feat based on the fact that she has written so many excellent books. I have been a fan since she wrote Pay It Forward and I have been following her diligently ever since then.
This book was another heart wrencher - in many places. Hyde is good at letting the reader FEEL her books. In this offering Shirley Bennett opens up her arms and her home to young 11 year old boy Ludlow "Cash" Pierce, a neglected boy who is starved for not only attention but for food. His home life a shambles, Mrs. Shirley (as Cash calls her) and her sons welcome Cash into their home for meals and comfort.
This story follows Shirley from the early 1970s through to current 2026, with Cash popping in and out. It talks about her sons also and her late husband and the Vietnam War.
An underlying theme of the book is that of the old tale of Androcles and the lion about the slave boy who removes the thorn from the paw of the lion so in turn the lion doesn't eat him when he has a chance to.
There's a lot of good messages in this story - kindness to strangers, love, gratitude for all that we have in life, tolerance.
I highly recommend this book and this author. I read her books before even reading the description of what they're going to be about. I just trust her that much.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can always count on a heartwarming human-interest story when I read a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The Other Kind of Lion follows her formula of the benefits of kindness and helping others. Shirley's life has not been an easy one, framed by the deaths of her young husband and then her older son. Yet she manages to keep a positive attitude. She takes in an 11-year old boy, "Cash" and together with her teenage son Curtis shows him kindness. She feeds Cash, helps him when a bully attacks him, and provides him with the maternal love that he so earnestly craves. Years later, Cash is able to repay the favor by helping Shirley after she has had a stroke. Inspiring but also heartwrenching. Keep a box of tissues handy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2026
The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a very highly recommended, tenderhearted, domestic drama where an act of kindness marks the beginning of a life-long relationship.
In the Autumn of 1970 in rural California, Shirley Bennett, a widow after her husband Hal died 15 years ago in the Vietnam War, lives with her two sons, Reid and Curtis. One morning Shirley hears Hal's horse, Phoenix, nicker at an unkempt boy who is walking by the fence. The only person Phoenix ever nickered at was Hal, so she wants to know who is this boy. She asks 16 year-old Curtis to offer him a ride to school and find out. This marks the start of Ludlow "Cash" Pierce, 11 years-old and in 6th grade becoming essentially a part of her family.
Cash's mother is in jail, his father disappeared, and he is being cared for by his 18 year-old brother, Jace, who works at a gas station. Curtis comes up with his nickname and protects him from a bully. He is there for dinner every night after school. Shirley makes sure he has lunch money. She even made him a couple shirts. Even Edsel, their older dog likes Cash. He is there when Reid goes off to war and never comes home, comforting Shirley the best he can. Then one day Cash and his brother disappear, they moved away so his brother could find a better job.
Life goes on for Shirley. They write letters to Cash until one day they lose touch. Curtis moves to Canada. Shirley has a fall out with her neighbors. She eventually sells the house and moves, but always hopes Cash will reach out again. And He does, in totally unexpected circumstances. Then it becomes his chance to return her kindness and care for Shirley as well as reconnecting with Curtis.
This was exactly the novel I needed. Yeah, I cried during several parts. It is well written and the pace is even throughout, but the pages flew by because of the excellent writing, the plot, and the characters. This is the story of a life, an ordinary, realistic person, and a chosen family. It also embodies how actions always have consequences, but this time the actions are giving and caring, are for the good, and the consequences are the same. Following the narrative are discussion questions that could be very beneficial for a book club discussion.
Shirley has faced many unexpected losses in her life, but she still reached out and showed love and kindness while caring for a neglected boy who needed the support. He always remembered the kindness of "Mrs. Shirley" and returns with the same years later. (The title is based on the fable of Androcles and the lion.) The novel spans 1970 to 2026, a lifetime, but moves very quickly. Shirley is regular, normal person who is just doing her best as she ages. She's not wealthy. She has experienced great losses. She doesn't become an opinionated curmudgeon that you are supposed to love because she's grumpy.
The Other Kind of Lion is an excellent choice for those looking for an uplifting domestic drama about a life well lived. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...
In the Autumn of 1970 in rural California, Shirley Bennett, a widow after her husband Hal died 15 years ago in the Vietnam War, lives with her two sons, Reid and Curtis. One morning Shirley hears Hal's horse, Phoenix, nicker at an unkempt boy who is walking by the fence. The only person Phoenix ever nickered at was Hal, so she wants to know who is this boy. She asks 16 year-old Curtis to offer him a ride to school and find out. This marks the start of Ludlow "Cash" Pierce, 11 years-old and in 6th grade becoming essentially a part of her family.
Cash's mother is in jail, his father disappeared, and he is being cared for by his 18 year-old brother, Jace, who works at a gas station. Curtis comes up with his nickname and protects him from a bully. He is there for dinner every night after school. Shirley makes sure he has lunch money. She even made him a couple shirts. Even Edsel, their older dog likes Cash. He is there when Reid goes off to war and never comes home, comforting Shirley the best he can. Then one day Cash and his brother disappear, they moved away so his brother could find a better job.
Life goes on for Shirley. They write letters to Cash until one day they lose touch. Curtis moves to Canada. Shirley has a fall out with her neighbors. She eventually sells the house and moves, but always hopes Cash will reach out again. And He does, in totally unexpected circumstances. Then it becomes his chance to return her kindness and care for Shirley as well as reconnecting with Curtis.
This was exactly the novel I needed. Yeah, I cried during several parts. It is well written and the pace is even throughout, but the pages flew by because of the excellent writing, the plot, and the characters. This is the story of a life, an ordinary, realistic person, and a chosen family. It also embodies how actions always have consequences, but this time the actions are giving and caring, are for the good, and the consequences are the same. Following the narrative are discussion questions that could be very beneficial for a book club discussion.
Shirley has faced many unexpected losses in her life, but she still reached out and showed love and kindness while caring for a neglected boy who needed the support. He always remembered the kindness of "Mrs. Shirley" and returns with the same years later. (The title is based on the fable of Androcles and the lion.) The novel spans 1970 to 2026, a lifetime, but moves very quickly. Shirley is regular, normal person who is just doing her best as she ages. She's not wealthy. She has experienced great losses. She doesn't become an opinionated curmudgeon that you are supposed to love because she's grumpy.
The Other Kind of Lion is an excellent choice for those looking for an uplifting domestic drama about a life well lived. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Other Kind of Lion
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publisher: Lake Union Publishers
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: November 3, 2026
My Rating: 4.7 rounded up
Pages: 288
Story is told in the time period from 1970 to Present Day.
1970~ Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives in rural California with her two sons Curtis and Reid.
It is a routine life until she hears a familiar sound but one she has not heard in years- her husband Hal’s horse Phoenix nickering- a sound the horse only made when he saw Hal but the Appaloosa is following a young boy who is walking on the other side of the fence. Just then her son Curtin interrupts and says he is going to be late for school. She tells him to take dad’s truck and offer a ride to the young boy and find out more about him.
Curtis comes home and tells his mother that the young boy is eleven and in the sixth grade. His name is Ludlow Pierce and is being raised by his eighteen-year-old brother Jace who had dropped out of school. Their father left them and their mother is in jail.
Doesn’t take Shirley long to show compassion and invites Ludlow for dinner. Soon she is mending his torn shirts and is providing lunch money. She knows he desperately needs support. Ludlow is teased at school, so Curtis comes up with the idea of a nickname such as ‘Cash’ and says he will call out to him- surely sixth graders will be impressed with a High School kid having Cash as a friend.
It seems that changing his name changed everything.
As time goes on, he continues to flourish.
However, Cash and his brother leave the area as a good paying job is available for Jace. However, Cash knows he will never forget Mrs. Shirley. Shirley misses him very much, also the fact her older son was drafted makes it a very emotional time for her.
Shirley has tried to reach Cash, but her letters are returned.
As time goes on Shirley’s life is slowly changing. There is always hope that one day she will see Cash again.
[Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde]'s writing style is different than any other author I read and I love it! Her stories are character driven but there is always a message and thoughts that linger long after I am done reading.
I know the idea behind the title will stick with me. The Discussion Questions also has lessons learned. It mentions adults being honest with children and also asks – how honest? There was a time when she said something encouraging and Cash asks – Promise? – Shirley thinks about it and answers –it is very possible things will turn around.
She has had 45 and books 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 Net Galley and Lake Union Publishers for this wonderful early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publisher: Lake Union Publishers
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: November 3, 2026
My Rating: 4.7 rounded up
Pages: 288
Story is told in the time period from 1970 to Present Day.
1970~ Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives in rural California with her two sons Curtis and Reid.
It is a routine life until she hears a familiar sound but one she has not heard in years- her husband Hal’s horse Phoenix nickering- a sound the horse only made when he saw Hal but the Appaloosa is following a young boy who is walking on the other side of the fence. Just then her son Curtin interrupts and says he is going to be late for school. She tells him to take dad’s truck and offer a ride to the young boy and find out more about him.
Curtis comes home and tells his mother that the young boy is eleven and in the sixth grade. His name is Ludlow Pierce and is being raised by his eighteen-year-old brother Jace who had dropped out of school. Their father left them and their mother is in jail.
Doesn’t take Shirley long to show compassion and invites Ludlow for dinner. Soon she is mending his torn shirts and is providing lunch money. She knows he desperately needs support. Ludlow is teased at school, so Curtis comes up with the idea of a nickname such as ‘Cash’ and says he will call out to him- surely sixth graders will be impressed with a High School kid having Cash as a friend.
It seems that changing his name changed everything.
As time goes on, he continues to flourish.
However, Cash and his brother leave the area as a good paying job is available for Jace. However, Cash knows he will never forget Mrs. Shirley. Shirley misses him very much, also the fact her older son was drafted makes it a very emotional time for her.
Shirley has tried to reach Cash, but her letters are returned.
As time goes on Shirley’s life is slowly changing. There is always hope that one day she will see Cash again.
[Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde]'s writing style is different than any other author I read and I love it! Her stories are character driven but there is always a message and thoughts that linger long after I am done reading.
I know the idea behind the title will stick with me. The Discussion Questions also has lessons learned. It mentions adults being honest with children and also asks – how honest? There was a time when she said something encouraging and Cash asks – Promise? – Shirley thinks about it and answers –it is very possible things will turn around.
She has had 45 and books 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 Net Galley and Lake Union Publishers for this wonderful early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have to admit, this book’s cover photo is what caught my attention initially. Horses have a way of drawing many of us in, don’t they? If the image of the horse, or it’s inclusion in the book’s description peaked your interest, I have good news for you, and I have bad news.
The bad news? Horses only appear in a few chapters. The good news? The story doesn’t need an equine flair to be compelling.
The story drops us into 1970, where Shirley and her family are feeling anxiety over the ongoing Vietnam War, which already cost them a husband and father. A strange child, neglected but charismatic, enters their orbit by chance. He could have gone unnoticed, but Shirley is a giver, and feeds him. One might have expected it to be an isolated act of kindness, but like me and the horse, the family and our unlikely hero are drawn to one another. Before anyone knows it, this child (now known as Cash, as a bit of a joke) is part of the family.
Life continues. The Vietnam War left nobody at the time truly unscathed, in reality or in our story. Unexpected circumstances take Cash out of Shirley’s world, but didn’t alter the affection they felt for one another. Life goes on for both, independently, for years. Just as their meeting could have been entirely unremarkable but for a simple choice, so is their reunion. Finally, we get to see Shirley and Cash live as the family they should have been in 1970.
This book is an enjoyable, easy read. Even though it’s much more about feelings and thoughts than actions, and not much mystery, you still want to start the next chapter and read what’s next. I read the first 10 chapters the night I started reading the book, long past the time I’d intended to go to sleep. I did feel that the first portion of the book was strongest, and the middle feeling noticeably weaker before picking back up towards the end. But that’s more the result of how strong the book starts and continues through the early years of the story than a true criticism on the middle portion.
I think most people can find something relatable in at least one of the main characters. Maybe you’ve been the kid who was picked on at school, maybe you know what it’s like not to fit in, or experienced unfamiliar gratitude when you finally find a place you’re accepted. Maybe you’re a member of a family you chose for yourself. Maybe you’ve worried about a child, or chosen to take on care that wasn’t your responsibility, but you can’t help it. That’s one of the things that makes this book special: ultimately, the characters lives are very ordinary. If you didn’t know about their found family, you wouldn’t see anything exceptional about who they are, either. They’re just people whose connection is what makes them special.
I’d recommend this book to virtually any reader. Unless they require a horse in every chapter.
Disclosure - thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review
The bad news? Horses only appear in a few chapters. The good news? The story doesn’t need an equine flair to be compelling.
The story drops us into 1970, where Shirley and her family are feeling anxiety over the ongoing Vietnam War, which already cost them a husband and father. A strange child, neglected but charismatic, enters their orbit by chance. He could have gone unnoticed, but Shirley is a giver, and feeds him. One might have expected it to be an isolated act of kindness, but like me and the horse, the family and our unlikely hero are drawn to one another. Before anyone knows it, this child (now known as Cash, as a bit of a joke) is part of the family.
Life continues. The Vietnam War left nobody at the time truly unscathed, in reality or in our story. Unexpected circumstances take Cash out of Shirley’s world, but didn’t alter the affection they felt for one another. Life goes on for both, independently, for years. Just as their meeting could have been entirely unremarkable but for a simple choice, so is their reunion. Finally, we get to see Shirley and Cash live as the family they should have been in 1970.
This book is an enjoyable, easy read. Even though it’s much more about feelings and thoughts than actions, and not much mystery, you still want to start the next chapter and read what’s next. I read the first 10 chapters the night I started reading the book, long past the time I’d intended to go to sleep. I did feel that the first portion of the book was strongest, and the middle feeling noticeably weaker before picking back up towards the end. But that’s more the result of how strong the book starts and continues through the early years of the story than a true criticism on the middle portion.
I think most people can find something relatable in at least one of the main characters. Maybe you’ve been the kid who was picked on at school, maybe you know what it’s like not to fit in, or experienced unfamiliar gratitude when you finally find a place you’re accepted. Maybe you’re a member of a family you chose for yourself. Maybe you’ve worried about a child, or chosen to take on care that wasn’t your responsibility, but you can’t help it. That’s one of the things that makes this book special: ultimately, the characters lives are very ordinary. If you didn’t know about their found family, you wouldn’t see anything exceptional about who they are, either. They’re just people whose connection is what makes them special.
I’d recommend this book to virtually any reader. Unless they require a horse in every chapter.
Disclosure - thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Do you remember the fable of Androcles and the lion? That’s where Catherine Ryan Hyde’s most recent novel, The Other Kind of Lion gets its title and theme.
Set in rural California in 1970, 40-year-old widow Shirley Bennet lives with her two sons. Her husband Hal was killed in Vietnam. One morning, she hears her horse Phoenix give a soft nicker, which prompts her to look out. Phoenix had been Hal’s horse, and he’d never greeted anyone that way except for Hal. But there was a young, unkempt boy walking along her fence. She sends her son, Curtis, out to speak to him. This is the beginning of a relationship that will last decades.
The boy’s name is Ludlow Pierce. He’s about 12 and small for his age His father left him and his 18-year-old brother. Their mother is in jail. His brother works at a gas station to support them, but much of the time, Ludlow is left to fend for himself. Shirley invites him for supper, and this becomes a habit – more like a tradition – as he becomes part of the family. Because he’s picked on a lot, the family decides he needs a nickname. It sticks.
This is the beginning of a life-long relationship. Despite time and distance, they are family. “Mrs. Shirley” her sons, and her “adopted” son, plus their families too.
Shirley is a strong woman. She’s dealt with loss. Over and over. She grieves, but she keeps going. It’s what a wife does. What a woman does. By her example, she teaches her children to do the same. She’s kind and nurturing. She’s not well off, but that doesn’t stop her from reaching out and caring for others. And when she needs it most, there is a lion who is there for her.
Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde has penned a wonderful story about a family made up of individuals who feel very real, very human. I love your books! Keep ‘em coming!
5 stars
I received a digital copy of The Other Kind of Lion as an ARC. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Do you remember the fable of Androcles and the lion? That’s where Catherine Ryan Hyde’s most recent novel, The Other Kind of Lion gets its title and theme.
Set in rural California in 1970, 40-year-old widow Shirley Bennet lives with her two sons. Her husband Hal was killed in Vietnam. One morning, she hears her horse Phoenix give a soft nicker, which prompts her to look out. Phoenix had been Hal’s horse, and he’d never greeted anyone that way except for Hal. But there was a young, unkempt boy walking along her fence. She sends her son, Curtis, out to speak to him. This is the beginning of a relationship that will last decades.
The boy’s name is Ludlow Pierce. He’s about 12 and small for his age His father left him and his 18-year-old brother. Their mother is in jail. His brother works at a gas station to support them, but much of the time, Ludlow is left to fend for himself. Shirley invites him for supper, and this becomes a habit – more like a tradition – as he becomes part of the family. Because he’s picked on a lot, the family decides he needs a nickname. It sticks.
This is the beginning of a life-long relationship. Despite time and distance, they are family. “Mrs. Shirley” her sons, and her “adopted” son, plus their families too.
Shirley is a strong woman. She’s dealt with loss. Over and over. She grieves, but she keeps going. It’s what a wife does. What a woman does. By her example, she teaches her children to do the same. She’s kind and nurturing. She’s not well off, but that doesn’t stop her from reaching out and caring for others. And when she needs it most, there is a lion who is there for her.
Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde has penned a wonderful story about a family made up of individuals who feel very real, very human. I love your books! Keep ‘em coming!
5 stars
I received a digital copy of The Other Kind of Lion as an ARC. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Every so often, I feel the need for a new Catherine Ryan Hyde novel. And because she is such a prolific writer, there is a new book when I search of Net Galley and download it to my Kindle for hours of thoughtful pleasure. I find something new to learn in everything she writes and am always uplifted after I've just finished reading a sad or difficult novel.
This one grabbed me from the start as Shirley's husband's old horse nickered to the passing young boy as he had only responded to Hal, Shirley's husband.
The Other kind of Lion did not disappoint even though it differed from her previous books in one way. Rather than staying in the time it begins, this story leaps forward years at a time to encompass almost an entire lifetime, ending in the present.
As is her gift, Ryan Hyde writes about thoughtful, caring people. Shirley is one of those. As a young widow living on a California farm, she is raising two sons alone, her husband having been killed in the early Viet Nam action for which he had volunteered. As she has done previously, Ryan Hyde introduces us to a young boy who is being bullied and abused in school, whose mother is in jail, and whose older brother cannot take care of him. We meet Ludlow, soon to be nicknamed "Cash", whom she feeds and cares for.
Surprisingly, the novel skips ahead many years in several jumps. In the process of development, we learn not only about loss, but also about strokes and rehabilitation from severe ones. There are also some philosophical discussions that include certain aspects of life after death and even quantum physics (I know)
.0.
I should have known that no matter how different the format of her novels may be, they will change you, move you and keep you reading until the very last word. In this case, you may likely end in tears as I did, having felt that you shared a life well lived.
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union for the chance to read an early copy of this novel and to write an honest review.
This one grabbed me from the start as Shirley's husband's old horse nickered to the passing young boy as he had only responded to Hal, Shirley's husband.
The Other kind of Lion did not disappoint even though it differed from her previous books in one way. Rather than staying in the time it begins, this story leaps forward years at a time to encompass almost an entire lifetime, ending in the present.
As is her gift, Ryan Hyde writes about thoughtful, caring people. Shirley is one of those. As a young widow living on a California farm, she is raising two sons alone, her husband having been killed in the early Viet Nam action for which he had volunteered. As she has done previously, Ryan Hyde introduces us to a young boy who is being bullied and abused in school, whose mother is in jail, and whose older brother cannot take care of him. We meet Ludlow, soon to be nicknamed "Cash", whom she feeds and cares for.
Surprisingly, the novel skips ahead many years in several jumps. In the process of development, we learn not only about loss, but also about strokes and rehabilitation from severe ones. There are also some philosophical discussions that include certain aspects of life after death and even quantum physics (I know)
.0.
I should have known that no matter how different the format of her novels may be, they will change you, move you and keep you reading until the very last word. In this case, you may likely end in tears as I did, having felt that you shared a life well lived.
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union for the chance to read an early copy of this novel and to write an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful tale of love, loss, making a difference and living. Set starting in the 1970s, where Shirley and her family are feeling anxiety over the ongoing Vietnam War, which already cost them a husband and father. With two sons soon to be of age for the draft there is an underlying stress of what will happen. A strange child, neglected but charismatic, enters their orbit by chance. He could have gone unnoticed, but Shirley is a giver, and feeds him. One might have expected it to be an isolated act of kindness, but the family and our unlikely hero are drawn to one another. The boy’s name is Ludlow Pierce. He’s about 12 and small for his age His father left him and his 18-year-old brother. Their mother is in jail. His brother works at a gas station to support them, but much of the time, Ludlow is left to fend for himself. Shirley invites him for supper, and this becomes a habit – more like a tradition as he becomes part of the family. Due to the meanness of children and he’s picked on a lot, the family decides he needs a nickname. It sticks. Before anyone knows it, this child (now known as Cash his nickname) is part of the family. Shirley is a strong woman. She’s dealt with loss. Over and over. She grieves, but she keeps going. It’s what a wife does. What a woman does. By her example, she teaches her children to do the same. She’s kind and nurturing. She’s not well off, but that doesn’t stop her from reaching out and caring for others. And when she needs it most, there is a lion who is there for her. She shows the strength needed to deal with a world of loss, not having much and still giving as well as the endurance to carry on. The book unravels the story of Shirley her family the times as well as acceptance and strength to still move forward no matter what is thrown at someone reminds my of Job. It is moving, flows well and I would recommend. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m drawn to stories centered on belonging and connection, and I can always count on Catherine Ryan Hyde to pen an emotionally resonant story about found family. This one, also showcasing the transformative power of kindness, will stay with me for a long time.
The story begins in California in 1970 and follows a five-decade bond between a war widow and a neglected 11-year-old boy from the neighbourhood.
Shirley Bennet and her two sons befriend Ludlow ‘Cash’ Pierce and form a found family. Putting her own grief aside, Shirley creates a safe place for Cash by offering him an environment of safety, significance, and belonging. He remembers this kindness his whole life and returns the favour when she needs him.
Hyde’s novel focuses on how we respond to loss. Shirley had every right to bemoan her circumstances, but I love that she chose to reach out to help others. There’s a lesson in that for us. War stole from her, but because Shirley didn’t stop being free with her heart and just kept going, she was ‘saved’ when she needed it most.
Hyde also reminds readers of the importance of creating sanctuary for others. Giving Cash the space to heal emotionally and set down his burden came back to Shirley tenfold. The author shows us that we’ll all face circumstances that push us out of our comfort zone, but having someone to catch us makes the experience easier and helps us “write our own silver lining”.
Grab some tissues and make time in your schedule to binge this one.
I’m still mulling over how the title connects to the story….
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The story begins in California in 1970 and follows a five-decade bond between a war widow and a neglected 11-year-old boy from the neighbourhood.
Shirley Bennet and her two sons befriend Ludlow ‘Cash’ Pierce and form a found family. Putting her own grief aside, Shirley creates a safe place for Cash by offering him an environment of safety, significance, and belonging. He remembers this kindness his whole life and returns the favour when she needs him.
Hyde’s novel focuses on how we respond to loss. Shirley had every right to bemoan her circumstances, but I love that she chose to reach out to help others. There’s a lesson in that for us. War stole from her, but because Shirley didn’t stop being free with her heart and just kept going, she was ‘saved’ when she needed it most.
Hyde also reminds readers of the importance of creating sanctuary for others. Giving Cash the space to heal emotionally and set down his burden came back to Shirley tenfold. The author shows us that we’ll all face circumstances that push us out of our comfort zone, but having someone to catch us makes the experience easier and helps us “write our own silver lining”.
Grab some tissues and make time in your schedule to binge this one.
I’m still mulling over how the title connects to the story….
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Other Kind of Lion is the latest standalone feelgood fiction novel from one of my favourite authors.
This one is about a beautiful found family relationship between a neglected boy and a middle aged widow, and while sadder than many of her other books, brings us wonderfully thoughtful characters.
In 1970, Shirley is in her early 40s and lives with her teenage son, Curtis, having lost her husband to the Vietnam war. When she spots a skinny boy talking to her horse, she encourages Curtis to bring him home, and discovers that 11 year old Ludlow is living with his older brother while their mother is in jail, and barely getting enough to eat. She sets out to help him any way she can, informally bringing him into her small family until his brother moves them across the country and they lose touch. Decades pass and Shirley has faced one devastating loss after another, when events conspire to bring her old friend back into her life - which will change everything for both of them.
I’m being deliberately vague here to avoid spoilers, but this is another moving tale that fans of the author’s previous books will not want to miss. Some elements are familiar - lovable animals, a child wise beyond their years, an unbreakable friendship, but despite publishing two books a year, CRH still manages to bring us an original story to tug at the old heartstrings. I liked how Ludlow gets his nickname, and the meaning behind the title. Some parts were predictable, but in a comforting way, and the sad parts are balanced out by the happy and funny moments. The kind of book that makes you want to be a better person.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC. The Other Kind of Lion Is published on November 3rd.
This one is about a beautiful found family relationship between a neglected boy and a middle aged widow, and while sadder than many of her other books, brings us wonderfully thoughtful characters.
In 1970, Shirley is in her early 40s and lives with her teenage son, Curtis, having lost her husband to the Vietnam war. When she spots a skinny boy talking to her horse, she encourages Curtis to bring him home, and discovers that 11 year old Ludlow is living with his older brother while their mother is in jail, and barely getting enough to eat. She sets out to help him any way she can, informally bringing him into her small family until his brother moves them across the country and they lose touch. Decades pass and Shirley has faced one devastating loss after another, when events conspire to bring her old friend back into her life - which will change everything for both of them.
I’m being deliberately vague here to avoid spoilers, but this is another moving tale that fans of the author’s previous books will not want to miss. Some elements are familiar - lovable animals, a child wise beyond their years, an unbreakable friendship, but despite publishing two books a year, CRH still manages to bring us an original story to tug at the old heartstrings. I liked how Ludlow gets his nickname, and the meaning behind the title. Some parts were predictable, but in a comforting way, and the sad parts are balanced out by the happy and funny moments. The kind of book that makes you want to be a better person.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC. The Other Kind of Lion Is published on November 3rd.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the chance to read an early copy of this novel and to write an honest review. Due out November 2026
The book begins in 1970 rural Northern California. A difficult time due to the continuing war in Vietnam and the loss of so many lives. It doesn’t linger on this topic but it sets the tone of experienced loss, grief and how kindness can change the trajectory of peoples’ future, and even come full circle. The story involves two main characters and their relationship. It skips years and seasons with life’s challenges and ends in the present.
There’s Ludlow aka Cash, a young awkward boy experiencing a hard and challenging life and his intersection with a neighborhood mother (Shirley) and her two sons (Reid & Curtis). It’s an emotional telling of knowing when to step up and help when and where it is needed most. How family doesn’t always mean a blood relative. Doing the right things in life matter most.
My thoughts: The possibilities, choices, challenges and the cycles of life are presented in respectful, honest and thoughtful terms. The characters are well developed and draw you into their lives and relationships. You may end up with a catch in your throat with the common sense and honest narrative. It left me thinking and pondering long after I finished. This is true, thoughtful writing by an author that continues to bring her stories to life in all the right ways.
Note: The questions at the end are appreciated and will add to a great book club discussion.
The book begins in 1970 rural Northern California. A difficult time due to the continuing war in Vietnam and the loss of so many lives. It doesn’t linger on this topic but it sets the tone of experienced loss, grief and how kindness can change the trajectory of peoples’ future, and even come full circle. The story involves two main characters and their relationship. It skips years and seasons with life’s challenges and ends in the present.
There’s Ludlow aka Cash, a young awkward boy experiencing a hard and challenging life and his intersection with a neighborhood mother (Shirley) and her two sons (Reid & Curtis). It’s an emotional telling of knowing when to step up and help when and where it is needed most. How family doesn’t always mean a blood relative. Doing the right things in life matter most.
My thoughts: The possibilities, choices, challenges and the cycles of life are presented in respectful, honest and thoughtful terms. The characters are well developed and draw you into their lives and relationships. You may end up with a catch in your throat with the common sense and honest narrative. It left me thinking and pondering long after I finished. This is true, thoughtful writing by an author that continues to bring her stories to life in all the right ways.
Note: The questions at the end are appreciated and will add to a great book club discussion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am so grateful I was able to read an ARC of this wonderful book. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Unión Publishing. Catherine Ryan Hyde has long been one of my favorite authors, and this may be her best book yet. It was incredible! It is about love and loss, motherhood, family and found family. In the beginning, we find Shirley raising her two boys with an old horse and an old dog in rural California. It is 1970, and she had lost her husband Hal 15 years ago when he was only 25. Hal was killed in 1955 in Viet Nam before war had really broken out there. She notices a scruffy eleven-year-old boy following the fence alongside her horse, Phoenix, the Appaloosa who had belonged to her husband. Phoenix is nickering, something he only ever did for her husband. She becomes concerned for this boy and has her son Curtis find out about him. It turns out he was abandoned by his father, his mother is in jail, and his older brother is struggling to take care of him. It is obvious that he isn’t getting enough to eat. Shirley feeds the boy, mends his shirts, and basically welcomes him into her family. As the story unfolds she suffers much loss but manages to carry on, all the while continuing her relationship with the boy, Cash. This book spans five decades through war, loss, grief, illness, and separation. One act of kindness leads to a relationship that lasts a lifetime. Death is a part of life, and it is dealt with in such a sensitive, beautiful way by this amazing author. Thank you, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for this utterly amazing story! I absolutely loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this electronic advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. Thank you for this opportunity to read.
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author who has a story to tell and lessons to be shared in everyday life. She is an author I have recently found and now I want to read everything story she has written because I know that I will learn some attribute that I would like to have and use in every day life. Her stories have the ability to change how we view situations in real life and improve upon our mindsets.
This story is about the deaths that Shirley has endured as she how outlived her entire immediate family. Her attitude is outstanding. She finds the good in her circumstances and lives her life abundantly. She even mothers a pre-teen boy Cash whose mother is in jail, and he is being raised by his brother who does not know how to raise his brother.
Cash and Shirley have a wonderful bond; however, throughout their story they have their lives have grown apart and it isn’t until much later in life they run into one another again and rekindle their mother-son relationship. It is very touching.
From the beginning of the story until the end, there is a strong theme of family, friendship, and the ability to overcome any situation. I appreciate this type of story and the positive message it presents.
Thank you again for the e-ARC! I’m honored.
Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author who has a story to tell and lessons to be shared in everyday life. She is an author I have recently found and now I want to read everything story she has written because I know that I will learn some attribute that I would like to have and use in every day life. Her stories have the ability to change how we view situations in real life and improve upon our mindsets.
This story is about the deaths that Shirley has endured as she how outlived her entire immediate family. Her attitude is outstanding. She finds the good in her circumstances and lives her life abundantly. She even mothers a pre-teen boy Cash whose mother is in jail, and he is being raised by his brother who does not know how to raise his brother.
Cash and Shirley have a wonderful bond; however, throughout their story they have their lives have grown apart and it isn’t until much later in life they run into one another again and rekindle their mother-son relationship. It is very touching.
From the beginning of the story until the end, there is a strong theme of family, friendship, and the ability to overcome any situation. I appreciate this type of story and the positive message it presents.
Thank you again for the e-ARC! I’m honored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of a kind and one of my favorite authors. I've just finished reading this book for the second time - every time I read one of her books, I discover something new.
The setting begins in the 1970's and ends in 2026. Shirley Bennett is a 40-year-old widow when she meets a young boy named Cash Pierce. Cash is being raised by his 18-year-old brother, who is working to support them both but can't quite make ends meet. Their mother is in jail, and their father had abandoned them and they didn't know where he was. Cash didn't have lunch money most of the time. Shirley was in a low spot of her own emotionally, and Cash was a saving grace to her. She began making sure he got at least two meals a day, and found clothes for him.
The two were separated for many years when Cash's brother came and got him, and took him to Nevada, where he had found a job. Shirley had no way of contacting him, since she didn't have an address. It was such a joy to this reader when Shirley and Cash reconnected when she was in the hospital, many years later. If I could chose one phrase to describe this book, it would be 'pay it forward'.
I received an e-arc of this book from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.
The setting begins in the 1970's and ends in 2026. Shirley Bennett is a 40-year-old widow when she meets a young boy named Cash Pierce. Cash is being raised by his 18-year-old brother, who is working to support them both but can't quite make ends meet. Their mother is in jail, and their father had abandoned them and they didn't know where he was. Cash didn't have lunch money most of the time. Shirley was in a low spot of her own emotionally, and Cash was a saving grace to her. She began making sure he got at least two meals a day, and found clothes for him.
The two were separated for many years when Cash's brother came and got him, and took him to Nevada, where he had found a job. Shirley had no way of contacting him, since she didn't have an address. It was such a joy to this reader when Shirley and Cash reconnected when she was in the hospital, many years later. If I could chose one phrase to describe this book, it would be 'pay it forward'.
I received an e-arc of this book from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a book that reminds you how powerful kindness can be, The Other Kind of Lion absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
This story follows Shirley, a widow still carrying the weight of loss, and Cash, an 11-year-old boy who's been neglected and forced to grow up far too soon. What begins with a few small acts of compassion grows into a bond that stretches across decades, proving that sometimes the people who change our lives aren't related to us at all.
What Catherine Ryan Hyde does so beautifully is show that kindness isn't always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it's a meal, a safe place to land, or simply someone choosing to see you when everyone else looks away. Those small moments create ripples that last a lifetime.
I laughed, I cried more than once, and by the end I felt like I was saying goodbye to people I'd actually known. The characters felt incredibly real, and the themes of found family, healing, and hope stayed with me long after I finished.
If you love emotional, character-driven stories that leave your heart feeling full, even after breaking it a little, this is one I can't recommend enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC!
Pub. date: Nov. 3rd 2026
#TheOtherKindofLion #NetGalley
This story follows Shirley, a widow still carrying the weight of loss, and Cash, an 11-year-old boy who's been neglected and forced to grow up far too soon. What begins with a few small acts of compassion grows into a bond that stretches across decades, proving that sometimes the people who change our lives aren't related to us at all.
What Catherine Ryan Hyde does so beautifully is show that kindness isn't always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it's a meal, a safe place to land, or simply someone choosing to see you when everyone else looks away. Those small moments create ripples that last a lifetime.
I laughed, I cried more than once, and by the end I felt like I was saying goodbye to people I'd actually known. The characters felt incredibly real, and the themes of found family, healing, and hope stayed with me long after I finished.
If you love emotional, character-driven stories that leave your heart feeling full, even after breaking it a little, this is one I can't recommend enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC!
Pub. date: Nov. 3rd 2026
#TheOtherKindofLion #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Whenever I need a break from thrillers I am so glad that there is always a Catherine Ryan Hyde book. This bittersweet but sometimes heartbreaking stories title and theme is based on the fable of Androcles and the lion where the slave takes the thorn out of the lions paw and years later is saved by the lion. Although there are no real lions in this tale there are people and kindness, and kindness that is remembered and repaid years later.
Vietnam war widow Shirley lives in rural California with her two sons. Its a hard life but they manage, and she and younger son Curtis end up helping eleven year old Ludlow as he is hungry and bullied with his only family a big brother who is struggling to support them both. The story time spends time initially in 1970, but then jumps through periods of Shirleys life in chronological order, as we see the joys and grief that this woman goes through throughout the years. It is a story of found family, of life and death, and of how an act of kindness can make a tremendous difference. If you are a fan of the authors other books, you will enjoy this one as well, although you may need some tissues.
Thank you to net galley and Lake Union Publishing for the a galley, my opinions are entirely my own.
Vietnam war widow Shirley lives in rural California with her two sons. Its a hard life but they manage, and she and younger son Curtis end up helping eleven year old Ludlow as he is hungry and bullied with his only family a big brother who is struggling to support them both. The story time spends time initially in 1970, but then jumps through periods of Shirleys life in chronological order, as we see the joys and grief that this woman goes through throughout the years. It is a story of found family, of life and death, and of how an act of kindness can make a tremendous difference. If you are a fan of the authors other books, you will enjoy this one as well, although you may need some tissues.
Thank you to net galley and Lake Union Publishing for the a galley, my opinions are entirely my own.
July 1, 2026
This book made me ugly cry. In fact, Catherine Ryan Hyde always makes me ugly cry. She just has that Midas touch with her writing that really tugs on the heartstrings and she tells such a complete story that you feel like you really know the characters you’re reading about.
The Other Kind of Lion was such a wonderful, life-affirming read. How one persons kindness can radiate through someone else’s life - what Shirley did for Cash was such a simple thing, multiple simple things, and how it resonated through his entire life was astounding.
This novel spans an immense amount of time, from the 70s to present day and I was hooked, the story was so incredibly well written and Catherine is one of my favourite authors for really absorbing you into the story so that you don’t even feel like you’re reading a book, it’s like it’s actual real life if that makes sense.
Animals are a huge theme in Catherine’s books and Edsel and Phoenix (and, eventually, Stu) felt like animals I could reach out and touch.
I cried multiple times reading this book, there were so many little touching moments that made me choke up and I devoured this book incredibly quickly.
The Other Kind of Lion was such a wonderful, life-affirming read. How one persons kindness can radiate through someone else’s life - what Shirley did for Cash was such a simple thing, multiple simple things, and how it resonated through his entire life was astounding.
This novel spans an immense amount of time, from the 70s to present day and I was hooked, the story was so incredibly well written and Catherine is one of my favourite authors for really absorbing you into the story so that you don’t even feel like you’re reading a book, it’s like it’s actual real life if that makes sense.
Animals are a huge theme in Catherine’s books and Edsel and Phoenix (and, eventually, Stu) felt like animals I could reach out and touch.
I cried multiple times reading this book, there were so many little touching moments that made me choke up and I devoured this book incredibly quickly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“The Other Kind of Lion” by Catherine Ryan Hide is a stunning book about loss, grief, second chances and the power of kindness. I have never read a book written by this author that I haven’t loved but this extraordinary novel has struck a profound chord within me.
The story follows a 40 year old Vietnam war widow raising her two sons, a dog and her husband’s beloved horse in rural California. Life is routine until a scruffy 11 year old boy enters her life. His mother in jail, and abandoned by his father, bullied at school and starved for attention, she begins to invite him for family dinners and offers the maternal care he desperately needs. These simple acts of kindness create a lasting bond that spans five decades of loss, separation, and devastating illness.
I laughed and cried a lot, but most importantly learned life lessons about the impact one person can havre on another, found family, and unconditional love. This poignant, heartfelt novel will easily be one of the best books of 2026, and one that every person needs to read!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows a 40 year old Vietnam war widow raising her two sons, a dog and her husband’s beloved horse in rural California. Life is routine until a scruffy 11 year old boy enters her life. His mother in jail, and abandoned by his father, bullied at school and starved for attention, she begins to invite him for family dinners and offers the maternal care he desperately needs. These simple acts of kindness create a lasting bond that spans five decades of loss, separation, and devastating illness.
I laughed and cried a lot, but most importantly learned life lessons about the impact one person can havre on another, found family, and unconditional love. This poignant, heartfelt novel will easily be one of the best books of 2026, and one that every person needs to read!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 18, 2026
Ì received an ARC of this upcoming novel via NetGalley.
Catherine Ryan Hyde cannot write a bad book. Again, she delivers compelling characters. The stories of these characters are uplifting.
The main character is Shirley, a young widow at the beginning of the book, who lost her husband while he was doing military service. She has two boys. The older one also enters the military and the younger one faces a moral dilemma when his time comes. Should he register for military service when he has seen the devastating impact it has had on his family or dodge military service somehow?
But the second most significant character in this story is Cash, a young boy being raised by his 18-year-old brother. They are quite poor but Shirley takes him under her wing.
The story continues through Shirley’s long life and she lives to be 90. Cash returns into Shirley’s life as an adult and Shirley is able to see and benefit from the mentorship she provided Cash when he was just a poor boy with crooked teeth.
Maybe a little less drama in this book than others CRH has written, but a very enjoyable and encouraging read.
Catherine Ryan Hyde cannot write a bad book. Again, she delivers compelling characters. The stories of these characters are uplifting.
The main character is Shirley, a young widow at the beginning of the book, who lost her husband while he was doing military service. She has two boys. The older one also enters the military and the younger one faces a moral dilemma when his time comes. Should he register for military service when he has seen the devastating impact it has had on his family or dodge military service somehow?
But the second most significant character in this story is Cash, a young boy being raised by his 18-year-old brother. They are quite poor but Shirley takes him under her wing.
The story continues through Shirley’s long life and she lives to be 90. Cash returns into Shirley’s life as an adult and Shirley is able to see and benefit from the mentorship she provided Cash when he was just a poor boy with crooked teeth.
Maybe a little less drama in this book than others CRH has written, but a very enjoyable and encouraging read.
July 2, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this book in advance.
This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, and she has easily become one of my favorites. Everything about this story is beautiful, from the writing and the deep growth of the characters to the lessons learned along the way.
The plot follows Shirley, a war widow trying to navigate a massive transition in her life as her own sons head off to war. Just as she starts realizing it’s time to move forward from where she's been stuck, she meets a young boy named Cash and steps into a motherly role for him. They build this wonderful routine together, but then one night, Cash doesn't show up for their usual dinner and ends up moving across the country with his brother. Years later, she gets back in touch with him, and they get to rebuild and re-blossom that relationship.
What I loved most were the lessons about human connection. The story is a beautiful reminder of how easy it is to get wrapped up in our own lives and forget to look across our own horizons. It really shows that, at the end of the day, it's our job as human beings to look out for and care for one another.
This story captures the true power of kindness and the massive impact a single person can have on your life. This will easily be one of my top reads of the year, and I honestly can’t wait to dive into more of this author’s work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, and she has easily become one of my favorites. Everything about this story is beautiful, from the writing and the deep growth of the characters to the lessons learned along the way.
The plot follows Shirley, a war widow trying to navigate a massive transition in her life as her own sons head off to war. Just as she starts realizing it’s time to move forward from where she's been stuck, she meets a young boy named Cash and steps into a motherly role for him. They build this wonderful routine together, but then one night, Cash doesn't show up for their usual dinner and ends up moving across the country with his brother. Years later, she gets back in touch with him, and they get to rebuild and re-blossom that relationship.
What I loved most were the lessons about human connection. The story is a beautiful reminder of how easy it is to get wrapped up in our own lives and forget to look across our own horizons. It really shows that, at the end of the day, it's our job as human beings to look out for and care for one another.
This story captures the true power of kindness and the massive impact a single person can have on your life. This will easily be one of my top reads of the year, and I honestly can’t wait to dive into more of this author’s work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Life is funny sometimes. Two months ago I found out that I had kidney cancer and had to have my right kidney removed. I was looking through NetGalley for a book to read while I was in the hospital and convalescing at home. Catherine Ryan Hyde is my favorite author and I was fortunate enough to find one of her books on NetGalley. This book was perfect for me at this time. Shirley is the main character and we amble through her life with her, a little of her marriage, some of her child-raising years- two sons. And along the way Shirley sees a little boy that is being bullied at school, has little to no home life and is walking by her front pasture. I could go on and tell the whole story but people need to read this themselves and find out what a great story teller Ms. Hyde is. Her characters are real and any one of us could have lived this story. This book helped my body be still so it could heal and it helped my mind to appreciate the love around me. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book spans from autumn of 1971 until present time. Shirley Bennett's husband Hal is killed in Vietnam and she is raising two sons, Curtis and Reid. One day Hal's horse Phoenix nickers at an unkempt 11-year-old boy named Ludlow Pierce who is walking along their fence. Shirley knows there is something special about this boy since Phoenix nickered at him. She asks her son Curtis drive him to school to find out about him. His name is Ludlow Pierce and he is living with his 18-year-old brother who works in a gas station and struggles to make ends meet. Shirley and her sons take Ludlow under their wing and give him the nickname of Cash because kids bully him because of his name.
Shirley gives him lunch money, feeds him, makes him shirts, cuts his hair and becomes somewhat of a surrogate mother for him since his mother is in prison. This is a wonderful story of kindness and how it shapes a person, tragedy and family love.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for the ARC of this very heartfelt book that I really enjoyed.
Shirley gives him lunch money, feeds him, makes him shirts, cuts his hair and becomes somewhat of a surrogate mother for him since his mother is in prison. This is a wonderful story of kindness and how it shapes a person, tragedy and family love.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for the ARC of this very heartfelt book that I really enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
OH! My Heart!
I love all of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books. There is so much meaning, lessons and love in each one.
The Other Kind of Lion is no exception.
I adored the main character, Mrs. Shirley who shows what it truly means to be positive and to love completely despite so many years of heartbreak.
Family is who we choose, not just who we are given. This is ultimately the theme within the pages of this wonderful story as Cash, a young neglected boy meets Mrs. Shirley, her son and her elderly pets that help and love him.
His promise is to reciprocate that devotion which is shown throughout the years as we follow and learn what caring for one another should be.
This is a tissue alert book! In fact take the whole box!
But.. it is a book not to be forgotten and should be read by all the world!
I will be buying this to save for my grandchildren to one day read!
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
I love all of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books. There is so much meaning, lessons and love in each one.
The Other Kind of Lion is no exception.
I adored the main character, Mrs. Shirley who shows what it truly means to be positive and to love completely despite so many years of heartbreak.
Family is who we choose, not just who we are given. This is ultimately the theme within the pages of this wonderful story as Cash, a young neglected boy meets Mrs. Shirley, her son and her elderly pets that help and love him.
His promise is to reciprocate that devotion which is shown throughout the years as we follow and learn what caring for one another should be.
This is a tissue alert book! In fact take the whole box!
But.. it is a book not to be forgotten and should be read by all the world!
I will be buying this to save for my grandchildren to one day read!
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Other Kind of Lion is a good, ok read although I have enjoyed some of the authors other books more so for me personally this fell a bit short. The authors writing is good and I was pulled into the story fairly quickly. The themes are of family, love, loss, kindness and hope. The story follows Shirley's life after she meets a young boy who makes a lasting impression on her. When she meets him years later he wants to be there for her as she was for him and makes good on his promises. I think the story is good although it is both overly sentimental and very predictable at times. Both Shirley and Cash are likeable and relateable and characterised well, and their strong bond shows that family isn't defined by blood. Overall a good, easy read but not one of my favourites by this author.
3 stars
3 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My first thought after finishing this book was WOW! Shirley Bennett has been raising her two sons alone for fifteen years. She lost her husband in Vietnam.
Cash Pierce lives with his teenage brother. Their father abandoned them and their mother is in jail. The brothers are barely surviving l, if you consider Cash is thin, hungry and bullies at school.
Shirley has started giving him money for lunch and inviting him to join them for dinner. Giving him a safe environment and a sense of belonging.
A beautiful story of courage, friendships, death, tragedy, separation, heartbreak, aging, a mother’s love, grief, power of kindness and so much more.
This book has really touched me and is thought provoking. An emotional story that at times me crying. Keep a box of tissues near by.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
Cash Pierce lives with his teenage brother. Their father abandoned them and their mother is in jail. The brothers are barely surviving l, if you consider Cash is thin, hungry and bullies at school.
Shirley has started giving him money for lunch and inviting him to join them for dinner. Giving him a safe environment and a sense of belonging.
A beautiful story of courage, friendships, death, tragedy, separation, heartbreak, aging, a mother’s love, grief, power of kindness and so much more.
This book has really touched me and is thought provoking. An emotional story that at times me crying. Keep a box of tissues near by.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s 1970 in rural California where Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives with her two sons. It’s a routine life until young Ludlow “Cash” Pierce enters their lives. Will they ever be the same?
This is my eighth book by this author, and I have absolutely loved all of them! I adore her believable characters, emotional depth, and moral dilemmas instead of dramatic plot twists. Her writing style is accessible, warm, and reflective, and her characters are deeply developed. I also love her ability to create ordinary people facing extraordinary emotional challenges – this novel suggests that real strength may come not from aggression or dominance, but from empathy, patience, and quiet courage. I’m pretty stingy with my 5-star reads, but this is definitely one of them! Can’t wait to read another one of hers!
This is my eighth book by this author, and I have absolutely loved all of them! I adore her believable characters, emotional depth, and moral dilemmas instead of dramatic plot twists. Her writing style is accessible, warm, and reflective, and her characters are deeply developed. I also love her ability to create ordinary people facing extraordinary emotional challenges – this novel suggests that real strength may come not from aggression or dominance, but from empathy, patience, and quiet courage. I’m pretty stingy with my 5-star reads, but this is definitely one of them! Can’t wait to read another one of hers!
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