Come Back to the World
Feb. 2nd, 2026 09:32 pmYet another great book I got from the Netgalley 'Read Now' shelf!
Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde is about single mother Amelia, who has spent years studying the one book written by her favourite author, a woman who disappeared from public life over forty years ago and hasn't been seen or heard of since. When Amelia gets a tip about where this elusive author might be living, she takes a trip to Mexico and finds a lot more than she bargained for.
This is a lovely, lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved all the various relationships, there was a really fun and interesting shift at the midpoint, the characters were great, and there was an awesome donkey!
I love books about authors and writing, and this one made me want to get back to my own writing, which is always a good thing.
There were some long speeches by a couple of the characters that felt a bit too much like 'the author is now on her soap box' but I could definitely overlook that for the story in general and the heartwarming ending.
I also appreciated the presentation of Amelia's anxiety. I've read a fair few books with anxiety presentation, but never one where reading the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists felt *exactly* like being in my own head.
Love this overall.
Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde is about single mother Amelia, who has spent years studying the one book written by her favourite author, a woman who disappeared from public life over forty years ago and hasn't been seen or heard of since. When Amelia gets a tip about where this elusive author might be living, she takes a trip to Mexico and finds a lot more than she bargained for.
This is a lovely, lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved all the various relationships, there was a really fun and interesting shift at the midpoint, the characters were great, and there was an awesome donkey!
I love books about authors and writing, and this one made me want to get back to my own writing, which is always a good thing.
There were some long speeches by a couple of the characters that felt a bit too much like 'the author is now on her soap box' but I could definitely overlook that for the story in general and the heartwarming ending.
I also appreciated the presentation of Amelia's anxiety. I've read a fair few books with anxiety presentation, but never one where reading the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists felt *exactly* like being in my own head.
Love this overall.