I read “Have You Seen Luis Velez?” in January, so when I saw this one available for request from Lake Union, I was excited to put in for an ARC. Catherine Ryan Hyde sucks her readers in from the very start with the perfect setup of a missing toddler, and the desperation of a mother when their child goes missing.
I was anxious to find out if Brooke would get her daughter Etta back. Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen stuck in a rough situation, that wants to take care of Etta until she can get ahold of the police. But when you’re homeless and broke, getting to a phone isn’t an easy task. We watch the story unfold from both Brooke and Molly’s perspective.
Not only was this a great storyline, but I appreciated the inclusion of the real-world issue regarding homeless teens. Specifically, those that fall into the LGBTQ category and the struggles they face at home regarding their sexuality, especially in religious households. I found myself drawn into Molly and her struggle, and I cheered her on from the start.
Molly and Brooke were wonderful characters, there was a lot they learned from each other. I liked how well the author wrote Brooke’s mother, who was less than stellar. This was such a thoughtful read about healing and forgiveness, about finding light where the dark seems overpowering. A heartwarming read.
Brave Girl, Quiet Girl is available on Amazon for $4.99, it’s enrolled in KU.
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Rae's Reading Lounge 