My Name is Anton

by Catherine Ryan Hyde

[kimbacaffeinate]

When you read and listen to over two hundred books a year, you don’t always remember the character names and details, but that is not the case with Hyde’s books.

In this story we follow Anton as he helps Edith, a woman, fifteen years his senior, escape her abusive husband. They end up hiding in his family’s flat until the day after Christmas before she leaves town. We watch their friendship grow and witness Anton falling in love for the first time.

When she left Anton hit bottom but it forces him to face his fears, mourn and find himself again.

The story tugs at your heartstrings as we learn about the events that transpired during Anton’s seventeenth year and watch him mourn the loss of Edith before we fast forward to a chance encounter that changes everything.

I laughed, I cried, and I got angry. But more than anything I fell for this sweet, kindhearted young man who deserved all the happiness life can give.

Edith and Anton’s story was touching. At its core, it reminded us that love is love. It doesn’t come in perfect packages or meet everyone’s requirements. The only thing that truly matters is embracing it and making the most of each precious moment.

I adored his grandmother Maron and his Uncle. I wanted to throttle his mother, but Hyde helped us understand and see that not everyone processes life’s hardships and tragedies the same way. As a mother, I can’t forgive her. As someone who has suffered loss, I understood the need to lock it away.

Read it, listen, and gift it to the readers on your holiday list. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer