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Eighteen-year-old Anton never planned to use his new telescope to spy on his neighbors, but after losing his hand in a tragic accident, operating the telescope proved to be tricky. When he accidentally landed on the living-room window of a neighboring apartment, Anton could see that the woman inside was in danger. Thinking quickly, Anton posed as a survey taker to make contact with Edith, sparking an unlikely friendship despite their age difference. When Anton convinced Edith to leave her abusive husband and seek shelter at a friend's house, he knew he'd never see her again. But 15 years later, he and Edith bump into each other on a train to Washington, DC, and find their initial spark still burns brightly. Hyde (Brave Girl, Quiet Girl, 2020) is one of the best in the business at forging her characters' human connections through difficult circumstances. A heartwarming story spanning decades of shared trials and personal growth, her latest will appeal to her loyal readers and fans of Hazel Prior, Erica Bauermeister, and HBO's recent series Run.

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Prolific author Hyde (Brave Girl, Quiet Girl) has created another touching tale of resilient people struggling to use love and honesty to fight against life's blows. Anton was 17 in 1965 when he lost his right hand trying to save his brother from taking his own life. In his shattered family, his parents thought it was appropriate to leave him alone in their New York City apartment for the first Christmas after his brother's death. During this time alone, Anton discovers a neighbor, Edith, who is being abused by her husband, and he hides her until she can escape the city to an unknown destination. Anton carries a torch for Edith for 15 years until they meet again in an unlikely, but emotionally satisfying, coincidence. They form an unconventional but happy family until fate puts more troubles in their path. VERDICT Readers who want tales of love, family, and emotional strength in the face of hardship will cheer on Anton, Edith, and their efforts to create a family in the midst of pain. A great choice for fans of Hyde and a fine introduction to Hyde's brand of uplifting story of people thrown together by chance and united by love.—Jan Marry, Heritage P.L., New Kent & Charles City, VA