| Title | : | Allie and Bea |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 352 |
| Publication | : | First published May 23, 2017 |
When fifteen-year-old Allie’s parents are jailed for tax fraud, she’s sent to a group home. But when her life is threatened by another resident, she knows she has to get out. She escapes only to find she has nowhere to go—until fate throws Allie in Bea’s path.
Reluctant to trust each other, much less become friends, the two warily make their way up the Pacific Coast. Yet as their hearts open to friendship and love from the strangers they meet on their journey, they find the courage to forge their own unique family—and begin to see an imperfect world with new eyes.
Allie and Bea Reviews
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Bea has been trying to keep her finances in order after her husband died but no matter how thin she spreads the money her saving seem to dwindle endlessly. Then when she falls for a phone scam and loses the last of her money and that month's social security she decides to take off on the road. Leaving most of her belongings behind her, except her cat, she heads out to try and figure out a way to get by. Allie's parents get arrested for tax evasion, landing her in a group home. Allie's idealistic ways end up blowing up in her face when they lead to a confrontation with another one of the girls at the home and Allie ends up running away to avoid the inevitable fight to follow. On her own and unsure of how to take care of herself, Allie falls into trouble, eventually running into Bea who she convinces to give her a ride.
A 3.5 for this one, because while I did like the plot and the ideas behind the book, the writing and characterization felt a little on the immature side. I'm not sure how to describe what exactly it was that was lacking except to say it was immature because I'm not sure there is a word for it. While the writing wasn't bad it didn't hold much in the way of complexity and nuance, and I don't need her to write like Nabokov but it felt somewhat like reading something a child would write. I also wish the characters felt more complex. Allie's incessant idealism felt so unrealistic, though I do appreciate her growth as she faces many of the harsher realities of life when a person only has limited options.
So while I liked the plot and got into the book I do wish there was more depth to the writing and that the author's style was different. I just personally prefer more showing to telling is all. -
Well, I couldn’t get enough of my last read, another Catherine Ryan Hyde book, so I selected another from the same author to read next. And again, vintage CRH. By that I mean a terrific plot, realistic and beautifully developed characters (typically a young person and an older one), a smooth reading experience with excellent writing, wonderful life lessons for us all, and a most welcome epilogue.
This time our protagonists are a 15-year-old girl, daughter of wealthy parents, who is victim to horrible circumstances due to no fault of her own and a 79-year-old curmudgeonette who has suddenly found herself homeless. These two, posing as a granddaughter and a makeshift grandma, had the worst of times and the best of times in this story, another comforting and uplifting read from one of my very favorite authors. I must add that one of the life lessons in this novel may be my favorite of all so far. To quote my mother, I can paraphrase it as “make hay while the sun is shining!” Life is so much more than just being comfortable.
Catherine Ryan Hyde has written over 30 novels so far, and by golly, I will be reading every one of them before I die. She is an author I recommend for everyone! -
Catherine Hyde Ryan writes beautiful books with relevant and important messages imparted to the reader without seeming preachy in the least. What a fabulous skill to have! As Allie and Bea begins, Bea, a tough woman in her seventies, has been fleeced of her remaining money by a con man. Left with few options, Bea decides to live in her van and make her way up the coast of California to try and find a place to reside. Meanwhile, Allie, a strong-willed teenager, has just been thrown into the CPS system because her wealthy parents have been arrested for tax fraud. Escaping from a harrowing ordeal, she and Bea encounter each other and eventually decide to team up and take an adventure up the Pacific Coast.
Initially as I began reading this novel, I was unsure that Bea and Allie were very realistically crafted. As I continued reading, I decided that I was naïve and that sadly there are people are in similar situations to one or both of them; I just do not encounter them much in my life. As a parent of two teens and a pre-teen, the fate of Allie’s character significantly weighed on my mind. The options available to her were few, and I found that so depressing and somewhat scary. Likewise, with elderly parents thankfully still around, I also empathized with Bea as she struggled with her lack of income and resources and how she could make her way in today’s world. After I finished Allie and Bea, I certainly hope that I will be more sympathetic and open to seeing and helping those individuals I encounter day-to-day that may need a helping hand.
My two favorite aspects of the book were Hyde’s focus on the thoughtfulness of humanity when people are given a chance to be kind and helpful and the relationship that Bea and Allie developed with each other. Family is not always those people who are related to each other but instead can be individuals who encounter each other along the path of life and connect. Allie and Bea’s relationship is the perfect example of the latter.
Hyde has written an incredibly thought-provoking novel that will stay with me for a long time, and I definitely recommend Allie and Bea to everyone. Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
A very pleasant book. I wanted something light, and about 30 percent in I was so terrified for both of the characters I wasn't sure I was going to get it. It did lighten up significantly after that, but it's not always sunshine and roses. I really ended up liking both characters and their unlikely friendship. A great quick read, would be a perfect vacation book.
Bea has already lost her husband, but now she's lost everything. Thanks to a telephone scam that cleaned out her bank account, she's flat broke. She can't even afford the meager lifestyle she's been living. She can't pay the rent on her trailer or her utilities and has to figure out a way to survive. With only her old cat for companionship, she loads up her van and hits the road. She has about a month until her next social security check deposits, so she's gotta figure out a way to get money for food and gas... and fast.
Allie is a teenager in an awful situation. Used to living a fairly privileged lifestyle, both of her parents are arrested and she's suddenly on her own with no family to care for her. Her new abode is a group home... complete with food vegan Allie can't eat and a thieving and dangerous roommate. Fearing for her life, she bolts with a new friend... but that just leads her to a situation more dangerous than the first.
These two vagabonds find each other by chance. Bea is in her 70s and Allie is only 15, but they both have things to learn from each other... and things they'll learn together on their journey along the coast.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased. -
How have I never read a book by this author? This is a story of a woman in her 70s and a 15 year-old girl who fall on hard times and unexpectedly meet one another at the exact right time. I thought this was just going to be a run-of-the-mill, lighthearted story, and while it did have some cute and funny parts, there was great depth of character and growth throughout the book. It is well-paced, and the author really made me care about what was happening with the characters. I was thinking about the book even when I wasn't reading it, which is always a good sign. I'm looking forward to checking out some of this author's other works.
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“Seems all my life I had to make choices between what I considered wasting money and what I now see was wasting my life. If it keeps you from wasting your life, it can’t very well be a waste, now can it?”
It doesn’t happen very often for me to see a book and immediately think “this is exactly what I need right now” and be absolutely certain that I’m going to love it, but this is what happened when I saw Allie and Bea. I recently read a lot of heavy and depressing books with questionable characters and I needed something lighthearted that would make me feel good and yet not be too mushy. This is exactly what Allie and Bea delivered, a beautiful journey with two unlikely friends that embark on an adventure that will change them forever.
The book starts with Bae, a 70-something widow that lives on Social Security. After falling for a telephone scam she ends up losing all her savings and no longer being able to afford to live in her trailer. She is forced to abandon everything, hop in her van and try and make a living on the road, homeless. Meanwhile, Allie, a 15 year-old girl is taken by the Child Protecting Services and taken to live in a group home after her parents are jailed for tax fraud.
Both characters have it pretty rough after being taken away from the places and people they were familiar with and forced to make do in a completely different environment. I know I said that this book is lighthearted but I have to warn you: the first part, until Allie and Bea meet, is tough, depressing and shocking. The circumstances that these characters have to endure are even harder to read because of how real they feel. It’s hard not to start imaging that there are so many people that go throw the same thing, if not worse.
It’s what Allie and Bea decide to do with their situation that makes this book so satisfying and a joy to read. Both characters end up growing so much in the course of this book.
Catherine Ryan Hyde wrote a beautiful tale of how friendship can arise in unlikely places, a story that delights and that doesn't shy away from focusing on real social problems. A thoughtful and mesmerizing novel.
I received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Allie and Bea by Catherine Ryan Hyde
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another absolutely creative read and always enjoyable thanks to the heartfelt writing by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Bea and aging senior with financial difficulties and Allie a fifteen year old who’s parents have just gone to jail come together to share a courageous journey. I loved reading this story because I could not guess any of the twists and turns of this incredible adventure. -
This is my first read by Catherine Ryan Hyde & will not be my last this was beautifully written a light fun but terrifying at times for both characters. Bea loses all her money by a phone scammer, she has trouble paying for utilities & has recently lost her husband Herbert, so decides to live on the road in a van with her constant companion Phyllis her cat.
She picks up a girl on her travels Allie whose parents have been jailed by tax fraud, she runs away from a group home but there are shady girls that she wants to keep away from. Allie & Bea set on taking themselves where ever the stop , along the way they encounter hardships & people who are liked but some not likeable.
MY THOUGHTS
I loved every bit of this book especially how both Bea & Allie formed a close bond considering the age difference it was a heart-warming beautifully written novel that is enjoyable & sad at the same time. If you have not read Catherine Ryan Hyde you are missing out on a good light hearted book. -
I really liked this book. (Thanks, Laura, for suggesting it.) Such great storytelling, such two endearing, wonderful main characters, and many other interesting and well-drawn characters. I read it quickly because whenever I could I read; I didn’t want to put it down, including choosing it over all other free time recreational activities.
There were some unbelievable and unrealistic events, and a few large story/plot holes. And not just toward and at the end but from the start through the end, but I don’t feel like listing them all. The characters & story were so good that they didn’t matter to me as much as they probably should have.
This book was made for me. Issues of financial troubles, homelessness, lack of family/support, etc. etc. etc. and mostly I loved that one of the main characters is vegan, and while she is definitely a health food vegan she is also an ethical vegan, vegan for animal cruelty reasons, and she sticks to her ethics, despite often being in many difficult to eat situations. In most books with vegan characters the books are message books and they’re not usually very good books. This is definitely not a message book and, despite its flaws, I think it’s a very good book.
Pure pleasure reading but not at all dumb. It made me think, a lot. Is it chick lit? Maybe, but if so it’s sans romance, and I appreciated that.
4-1/2 stars -
Bea is already worried about money when she falls for a phone scam and loses the last of her savings. Leaving her trailer and unpaid bills behind, she heads out in her van with her cat Phyllis, who is almost as cranky as Bea is.
Fifteen-year-old Allie is living a comfortable life when both of her parents are arrested for tax fraud and she’s tossed into a group home. Unfamiliar with street smarts, Allie promptly makes enemies with a girl who believes violence is an appropriate response to a perceived slight. Trusting the wrong girl, Allie almost gets into even more trouble when she stumbles into Bea. Together, they rescue each other.
Vegan Allie and grumpy Bea make for an unlikely pair, but they manage to evade authorities and road trip their way along the California coast. Like all Catherine Ryan Hyde novels, this deals with difficult topics that make for a wonderful story. -
I'd always meant to read more of Hyde's work after loving
Have You Seen Luis Velez? Her altruistic philosophy is what my heart was asking for right now. A story of two people who view the world in black and white and are suddenly forced to see shades of grey, in others and within themselves, while accepting the kindness of strangers, felt like the right read at the right time.
Bea has been beaten down by life, a scammer takes her last dime and she is forced into homelessness. Teenage Allie has been living in the lap of luxury, but suddenly her parents are taken away in handcuffs and she finds herself in the foster system. Both characters were finely drawn and a good reminder that many senior citizens live hand to mouth, their golden years tarnished. And many children end up under protective services where resources are stretched and despite the good intentions of those they serve, social workers are hampered by an imperfect system.
While Hyde is a bit heavy-handed with some of her messages, the overall significance is one of community and hope. This was not as emotional as the previous book I’d read, but still a heartwarming road trip of a book. -
As always, you can't go wrong with choosing a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
Immediately I fell I love with the characters, Allie & Bea. The 2 are an unlikely pair. A young teenage girl who gets taken from her parents into protective custody, and an elderly widow who has fallen for a scam and lost everything. They meet up after Allie runs away from some scary situations, and they embark on a journey up the west coast along with Bea's cat, Phyliss. Allie is extremely honest and Bea is a bit jaded about life. I am always amazed at the insight this author has with her characters. Some great lessons are learned.
I never wanted to see this tale end, and I wanted to continue the journey along with them indefinitely. I often wondered how it would wrap up and I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. I was happy with the conclusion.
Look no further if you're looking for a great summer read with characters you will love. Another favorite by a favorite author!! -
What a heartwarming story. Bea who becomes homeless and lives in her van. Allie whose parents are arrested and she is put in a group home. Two separate lives who meet up when Allie runs away from the terrible things that happen in the home.
This unlikely couple become friends, travelling together....their adventure makes you believe in the kindness of human nature as they meet so many helpful people; and the ending will make you smile.
Love Catherine Ryan Hyde - never get tired of her books. -
This is my 2nd book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I loved her book Take Me With You and gave it 5 stars so I had high hopes for this one. This book is pretty good. I felt like it started off slow but once both Allie and Bea got together, it picked up speed! It’s a beautiful story and how the 2 formed a bond and the friendships they made along the way. If it hadn’t been slow in spots, I would give it 5 stars but I’m giving it 4 stars.
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This was such a heartwarming story that absolutely delivered the comfort and pleasant mental escape I was looking for! It's my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book, and I was intrigued by all of the high praise I've heard about the author. I'm happy to report that my expectations were sufficiently met!
The story is about the unexpected friendship of Bea, a down on her luck septuagenarian with reclusive tendencies, and Allie, a sheltered fifteen-year-old who is forced to grow up quickly when her parents are thrown in jail for tax fraud. The circumstances that bring them together are kind of dark, but I thought Hyde struck a good balance of going deep enough to address the seriousness of the situations while helping the reader embrace the more uplifting nature of the story. The book explores a number of themes, such as trust, need vs. want, kindness, and personal growth, in a lovely way without crossing the line to mushy or silly.
I was pulled into the book within the first couple pages, and I couldn't put it down. The story and the characters felt like a giant hug of pleasantness, and it was so nice to be in this state for a few hours. If you are looking for an uplifting, easy read, you won't go wrong with this one! -
4.5 stars
Man oh man, I love Catherine Ryan Hyde. She tells such profound and heartwarming stories that show the complex and tender sides of humanity. She writes in such a realistic yet beautiful way, and always gets right to the heart of the story she's telling.
These characters, Allie and Bea, couldn't be more different despite the fact they've each been through some jolting hardships that bring them together. They have to work together to grow and learn about how to view the world in new ways. In their own rights, they must learn to be open to embracing change. And they definitely get to see some amazing sights along the way as they trek up nearly the entire west coast of the USA.
I will say, I liked the first half of this book. But I loved the second half. You need everything that happens in the first to play out so that the rest of the adventure means more, but I won't lie, I definitely am playing favorites to the final 50% of this one.
CRH has amazed me with all three of her novels I've read. With such a substantial list of titles to her name, I feel as though discovering her is one of the greatest treasures a bookworm like me could hope for! -
Master storyteller, Catherine Ryan Hyde returns following
Say Good-Bye for Now landing on my
Top 50 Books of 2016 with another emotional thought-provoking saga ALLIE AND BEA – two protagonists from different generations caught up an unfair system find they may learn something from one another.
The best and worst of humanity.
Bea a senior barely making it on her small social security check. Her husband is deceased and she resides in a mobile home with her cat Phyllis. Her savings is nearly depleted trying to make ends meet.
Then a phone scammer saying he is from the IRS to collect back taxes. Quickly her money is gone. Wiped out. She has nowhere to turn and nowhere to live. Even her rent check will bounce since someone wiped out her bank account.
Feeling stupid and helpless, she has to change her direct deposit bank account and decides she has no choice but to live in her old van with her cat; and leaves her things with a friend. She barely has enough money for gas and food for another month until she receives her next social security check.
Then she is faced with the impossible and begins doing things she never thought she would do in order to survive. Bea does not have any knowledge of cell phones, nor the internet. She never had the opportunity to do much traveling nor see the world. She is rough around the edges, and over the years she has learned not to let others in or get too close. She does not trust easily, cynical, and now alone. How will she continue to survive sleeping in her van and too old for a job?
Told from two points of view, we meet Allie. Allie is a teen and wise beyond her years. She is smart and has strong principals and integrity. She is a devout vegan and very strict with her food and lifestyle.
She has just discovered her mom and dad are being arrested for tax fraud and being sent to jail. She is left with a social worker, and has to leave her home, friends, school, and all her possessions -
taken to a group home. Allie has no clue of the evil of this world.
All this is foreign to Allie. She soon learns people in this world are not so nice. Some of the girls are very dangerous at the group home and things get out of hand. She has nowhere to turn and no money. Then her only hope is a friend who helps her escape and soon finds herself in another nightmare even worse than what she left. Human trafficking.
She has one shot in order to escape a madman. Soon an unlikely old woman and a runaway teen connect. Two lives both desperate. They soon discover they may learn some hard life lessons together.
As always, Hyde takes readers on a thought-provoking adventure. It may not be an easy road; however, her characters always find a way to connect with someone on a different path to change their lives. Fate intersects. They may not know the reason for the encounter, but you can be assured they were meant to take the journey.
Even though I could relate to Bea being a senior, had to think of my recent experience with my dad, age 86 yrs old with this horrible healthcare system and a recent phone scam which fortunately he did not get sucked into.
I also related to Allie in so many ways. She is wise beyond her years. She has integrity. I am also a vegan and some of the reactions are ones I face daily. I had to laugh when I went to a shelter during our last Florida hurricane evacuation. I could eat nothing they had. It was good I packed some healthy snacks and was able to go home the following day. Being a vegan is foreign to many in our world. Lots of laughs between the two.
I admired Allie for her strong principals; however, it also demonstrated how when faced with survival, how people get desperate enough to cross moral and ethical lines. A heartwarming story of the kindness of others. She taught Bea so much about herself.
No one can take you on a better road trip adventure than Catherine Ryan Hyde— mixed with life messiness, emotion, heart, and lots of humor. I think we have all been close to living in our car at one time or another, in our lives when things have looked hopeless.
A good look at our broken system and how it fails the young and the old in different and similar ways. When this happens, we may not always have a family; however, there may be a guardian angel where we least expect through the kindness of a stranger.
The highs and loves of life! The cracks in life let the light through. After reading a CRH book you want to rush out and do something good for someone, or volunteer at a homeless shelter. Help someone less fortunate. You want to give back. Life changing moments. Inspiring.
In addition to the reading copy, also purchased the audiobook, narrated by Lauren Ezzo and Janet Metzger with an engaging performance for both voices. Loved the journey along the Pacific Coast. One of my favorite cities: Santa Barbara, CA! I was curious to see how these two souls from different walks of life would connect - fans will enjoy this one.
From an online interview with the author we get a glimpse into what’s coming next:
“After Allie and Bea will come a novel called The Wake-Up, about a former cattle rancher who becomes so sensitive to the emotions of others that his entire life is turned upside-down. And all this just as he’s trying to find his way with a seriously abused new stepson who can’t be trusted with his animals.”
Read more (A 5 Star-just finished it).
A special thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks -
All of my reviews can be found on
www.novelgossip.com
4.5/5
I think we’ve all read plenty of books about characters that are down on their luck and struggling to get back on their feet, but in Allie and Bea both title characters are truly fighting for survival, there is nothing cutesy or whimsical about their situations, things are drastic, life threatening even. But don’t be mistaken, as much as this book deals with some heavy themes, at it’s core it’s uplifting and a story of hope and how small acts of kindness can have life altering impacts.
It begins from Bea’s point of view, she’s a seventy something widower barely scraping by on her social security checks. When she gets scammed by someone claiming to be from the IRS, she’s virtually penniless and all hope seems to be lost. It then switches to Allie’s POV, a fifteen year old girl who’s parents are arrested leaving her in the care of the state and stuck in a group home with some unsavory characters. When the two have a chance encounter, their storylines merge and now these unlikely allies find themselves on an adventure that takes them places neither could have ever imagined.
I wondered what a seventy year old woman and a teenage girl could possibly have in common, and the surface answer is not a whole lot. Though they are as different as two people can possibly be, they wind up having more in common than meets the eye and they also have lessons to teach each other. Ryan Hyde has a real knack for developing outstanding characters that steal a piece of your heart, they really get under your skin in a good way. Watching their relationship grow and blossom was just amazing and made me smile.
Ryan Hyde tackles some timely issues in this book, the one that touched me the most was homelessness, she sure made me think about the issue in a different manner than I have in the past. Seeing how fast someone can find themselves on the street or sleeping in their car was scary and humbling. While tough issues are definitely at the forefront there are still many moments of humor, heart and warmth making this a truly feel good read. This was thought provoking and would also be a great choice for a book club, but it’s an easy enough read that you could read it poolside as well. -
4.5 stars. I didn't want this book to ever end.
Synopsis: A 15 yo girl and a 70-something widow both find themselves homeless, and soon after, their paths cross. They help each other along and impact each other's lives in ways neither expected.
Catherine Ryan Hyde also wrote the book "Pay it Forward" (the GR links aren't working), which became one of my favorite films. I've read another of her books, "Chasing Windmills", which was also excellent.
At this point, I'd read anything she wrote. She keeps you enthralled, she sucks you in fast, and I love her characters. This takes place in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and in parts of the northern Pacific coast. Themes include non-traditional families, foster care / group homes, poverty, homelessness, loneliness, friendship, travel, adventure, and one of the main characters embraces the vegan lifestyle. There is also a cat character. 💙😺
This would have been a five-star read for me, except that I felt the ending was rushed. Most of the loose ends were tied up, so that wasn't the problem. It almost felt toward the end as though the timer dinged and she had to finish within a minute or two, or else. I think adding another chapter which described the beginning of the trip mentioned at the end would've given the story that "ride off into the sunset" feeling, vs the abrupt ending we got here.
A note re: the audiobook: There were two narrators, one for each of the main characters. Both were good performers of their respective stories; however, once their paths crossed and the older woman had to speak the younger girl's lines, the voice she used grated a bit. It was a little whiny and not at all true to Allie's personality. Other than that, though, the audiobook was fine.
A book to sink into quickly and completely every single time you pick it up, regardless of what else is going on is pretty much what I call an ideal read. Definitely a book I would recommend to most anyone interested by the synopsis and GR blurb. -
This is one of those novels that pulls you in immediately—the voice, the premise, the characters, the everything—and you just know you're in the good hands of a storyteller who will not disappoint. I adored the unlikely friendship between Allie and Bea: Two very different strangers whose lives intersect just when each has hit a respective, heartbreaking rock bottom. A wholly original, believable, and powerful reminder to keep faith against all odds—that with the right person by our side, we just might find the strength to save ourselves (and each other).
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When I have been reading a lot of 'heavy' books and need to lift my spirit to remember that good things can happen in this world of trials and conflict, I am glad to have Catherine Ryan Hyde to turn to. Her newest book, Allie and Bea, did not disappoint.
Hyde's books have a common thread: imperfect people with real life problems, often mired in anger or despair, are lifted through an empowering, healthy relationship.
This novel begins with Bea, a widow in her senior years, living on Social Security that can not cover her basic needs. Scammed out of her meagre savings, she has reached rock bottom and becomes a homeless vagrant living out of a panel van.
Enter Allie, a fifteen year old on the run for her life. When Allie's upper class parents opted for lifestyle over paying the IRS they ended up in jail. Allie is taken under Child Protective Service and placed in a group home for delinquents until a foster home opened up.
Allie has high standards for herself and holds others to them. It brings her into conflict with a violent girl, and fearing for her life, Allie joins a runaway girl only to find herself faced with a human trafficker.
Allie flags down Bea's van and forces her way into Bea's life, and in nine days together on the lam, Bea is brought to reevaluate her entire life and Allie finds someone who will stand by her when her family has failed her.
I enjoy how Hyde takes contemporary social issues and through likeable characters elicits an emotional understanding from readers. Yes, her endings are neat and sweet, but that is why I turn to her books. Sometimes we all need a wish fulfillment tale.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. -
Very pleasant read
This was a very easy read. The characters kept me interested throughout the story. Really enjoyed the book and will recommend it to my friends. -
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain
That’s one of my all-time favorite quotes, and it could apply to the two main characters of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s fiction novel,
Allie and Bea. This is the third book I have read by this author, and each one has featured a teenager and an older woman. In this case, Allie is a fifteen-year-old girl, and Bea is a widow in her seventies.
Part One introduces Bea, a widow who lives with her geriatric tortoiseshell cat named Phyllis in a trailer. Bea and her husband had owned the trailer at one time, but due to financial difficulties had to sell the trailer back to the owner of the lot and rent it back from him. Not an ideal situation. Financial difficulties seem to be the story of Bea’s life, we come to realize. Soon she is scammed out of almost every last cent and flees with her van, a few belongings she has scraped together to fit inside the van, and Phyllis. Of course, Phyllis, who has never in the van before.
Allie comes along in Part Two. Her problems are mostly the fault of her parents, who are arrested, which means that Allie becomes part of “the System.” This is very frightening for her because she’s been raised in a well-to-do Pacific Palisades home, complete with a swimming pool. And, oh, yes, she’s a vegan. More than anything, this may be her biggest concern, other than fearing she will be sent to juvie.
But Allie discovers that life in the real world is far scarier than she could have imagined. She is bewildered. Angry, so angry at her parents. And she feels powerless. She naively trusts someone who gets her into a dangerous situation. But Allie is not stupid. Or powerless. Or gutless.
She may be young and inexperienced, but she is willing to take chances. On her own and without food, money, or clothing, she meets Bea. Due to her recent experience, Bea is extremely wary and suspicious. Her first inclination – and her second, and third – is to find the nearest police station and drop off Allie so she can turn herself in. But Allie has other ideas.
Mind over matter. Allie doesn’t mind about their age difference. She’s willing to trust Bea; actually, at this point, she has no other choice. Bea isn’t so easily convinced. The evolution of their relationship is a wonder to behold. What begins as a chance encounter gradually becomes one of interdependence as the two women find they have much to learn from one another. They open their minds and their hearts to each other as well as to strangers they meet along the way. Often, Allie is the leader, but through Bea’s eyes, Allie discovers new insights about herself and her own life. Bea, too, becomes aware of some of her long-held ideas and habits, and, at Allie’s urging, dares to try new things. She doesn’t always give in easily without grumbling, nor does Allie, but for two people who start out as strangers, they form an uncommon bond in a short time.
As I began this book, I found myself gasping, “Oh, NO!” when Bea was about to make that big mistake. And it happened again when Allie was too trusting with her new friend in the group home. “Oh, NO!” But I didn’t get that sense at all when she met Bea. I just knew I was in for quite a ride. Thank you, Catherine Ryan Hyde for a wonderful adventure. I know I will be reading more and more of these stories.
5 stars -
This is my first book by this author. Story was very unusual; a 70 year old Bea loses all her life savings by a telephone scammer. After her husband's death, life has been a struggle for her, so this was the last straw, so she takes off on the road. Allie's parents are jailed for tax evasion; to escape a dangerous situation, Allie runs away. And kismet plays a hand, throws these 2 unlikely characters together and they go on a road trip, where they teach each other some lessons of life
The author, Catherine Ryan Hyde has written well. The story is heart warming, plot line is good and different. It's difficult to imagine how a 70 year old and a 14 year old would get along, without anything in common, but surprisingly Catherine makes the story work and as the pages turn, both Allie and Bea, grow, mature, and learn from each other.
The core of the book deals with a hard hitting social problem of homelessness in the elderly, especially when life should be comfortable. Catherine makes us think in this novel. At the same time, she has shown us that friendships can arise between two people whatever be the age and lessons can be learnt from each other, if we are ready to listen.
There are some niggles.. I wanted to connect more with the characters, I needed a bit of depth in them, just to make them more real.
The book went a bit slow for me, as the writing style was a little different.
But in saying this, I did like the story on the whole, the kindness and helpfulness of humans made me feel positive through and through.
A road trip which was a great book reading trip by Catherine Ryan Hyde. -
This has been my favorite book by Catherine Ryan Hyde so far. I will admit I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book when I first started. Bea was not that likable at the beginning. By the end, I was crying.
Bea is a widower with not much money in the bank. Then she is scammed for what little money she has left. So she decides to pack up her toothless, old cat and live in her old van. Bea is not a friendly old woman, she is gruff and speaks her mind. Allie is a fifteen year old girl who finds herself in a group home after her parents are arrested for tax fraud. Allie has a with her roommate when she steals Allie's $30 socks. Allie runs away with Jasmine, but ends up in an even worse place. That is when Bea and Allie find each other. The best part of the book is they were what each other needed. Allie and Bea have their own adventure traveling up the west coast.
I think the tears started when Bea showed up at the court hearing. I loved reading about them and I love how they ended up together at the end. Bea just wanted a large tub to soak in and Allie was able to provide it for her. I think their adventures will keep continuing, just with the addition of Allie's mom.
I definitely recommend it. I loved, loved, loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for a free electronic ARC of this novel. -
4 1/2 stars! A wonderful story about and older lady Bea and a 15 year old young girl, Allie. It's their interaction and growth that was beautiful to experience. I loved this book!
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This captivating tale will capture you from page one. Allie and Bea are the most unlikely people to become friends, let alone family. On a journey rife with danger, and sweetened by several heartwarming turns, they forge a bond than transcends age or class distinctions. Highly recommended.
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I thought this was a nice enough and enjoyable story.
I didn't love the characters the whole time and I'm sure that was by design. Bea comes across as pretty abrasive, but it is understandable after what she went through early in the book. Allie was pretty sheltered and naive about some things. However, I could appreciate that none of what she was going through was really her fault and she was doing the best she could. I definitely liked her character more than Bea's for a while.
As expected, there is a pretty tidy neat-little-bow type ending. Overall, it was a fairly quick and easy read with a decent story, but nothing really surprising.
3, maybe 3.5 stars -
Full review and giveaway on my blog:
http://www.thebookwhisperer.org/2017/...
