Heaven Adjacent Paperback – June 19, 2018

Catherine Ryan Hyde is a great story teller. This is a story about a woman who decides to run away from life as she knows it. The more she tries to keep to herself and tries to live alone the more she gets involved with people. At least she is not in the big city anymore but on a nice country farm land. She discovers so many things about herself and her son. You will not want to put this book down.

Like all of Ms. Hyde’s books, this one is sweet and easy. I loved the characters, even crusty Rosie. The story is gentle, yet thought-provoking, and left me with questions for myself that I’ll be mulling over for quite awhile. It made me wish the zoo was real so I could go visit. All in all a nice read for a rainy weekend.

I liked the honesty of the characters who face issues with relationships. As each one struggles with the daily problems in relationships, the answers require self examination as to true values about life, living and loving. Well done.

What’s not to like with beautiful country living, strangers who become family, a couple of pets thrown in, and a closer relationship with her son.First, I would have liked to have those beautiful 27 acres described. The run down buildings are described in detail, but the land is not.Also, beyond the surface story there are two plot holes. One is small, and the other looms large as the Grand Canyon. Since the main character is a lawyer she would know this. Squatters have rights, and cannot be removed from a place they have made their home. So to let the husband and wife who were arrogant and did nothing to contribute stay on her land was an action begging for her money to be tied up in more legal issues. As they added nothing good to the story, it made the main character look more like lacking backbone than being kind when letting the other squatters stay.Now for the huge plot hole: In the story the lawsuit was settled for the larger amount. The author tells us the main character was only left with the land, her used truck and the Maserati. The most that car is worth new is 108,500 That is for the higher end model. Resale would be less. My point is that this story would only work if the lawsuit was settled with the lower figure and she sold her car. Here is why: Property tax in NY is 2% of the value of the land. Adding more buildings on the land only increases its value and taxes. Dog food and vet bills in NY are an average w1,500. a yr. (Remember, Lyme disease runs high in the country so the dog would not only need regular shots but flea and tick treatments. Humans can get Lyme from their pets transferring ticks.) Ernest would cost 11,200 for feed; vet bill of 1,500. To keep him healthy. He would also need his stall and the barn mucked out daily in addition to being shoes, having his hoofs picked and basic grooming. Cost of basic equipment for horse, 2,000.Humans would also need health insurance. As the main character was over 50 and would never want to loose her home like the 80 year old squatter nor have her son stuck with her debt. Average monthly health insurance in NY state750.Her son added on a home and the squatter shed was expanded. Building permits and fees: 6,000.In the story she mentioned she needed to grow her own food. If some of that 27 acres were able to support crops she could possibly rent some land out. In the meantime she would need a tractor for her own use. 9,000. to 150,000Upstate NY gets lots of snow. Snowplow to add to truck: 2,000.Truck Insurance: 900. to 1,600. yearlySnowblower: 700. to 3,500.Finally since two adults living on her land finally got work hopefully it came with health insurance. With several small children now added they would need it. No one was old enough to qualify for Medicare and to get Medicare they would have to be 138% below poverty.The story of choosing to live dirt poor and land rich only work when the author factors in the basic costs for living on a farm. Wood and propane was the tip of the iceberg.Other than that, I would like to have seen more character development with all the squatters who stayed.

A beautifully written book full of life lessons. A woman starts a new life after the unexpected death of her law partner. The estrangement with her son resolves, she meets new people who become family and she learns that life is better filled with non-material treasures. Characters are well developed. Had a hard time putting it down! Excellent book!

One has to wonder what kind of job Lance had that he can take all that time off? Then she was one of the founders of the law firm, why was she forced to pay someone else for leaving? It just seems strange to me. Other than those things the storyline and characters were great.

Heartfelt, growth. Overall this book is a great read I really love the Author so give some of her other books a try too. I don’t think it disappoints one bit

This author has become one of my all time favorites! The characters are very in depth and so believable. The storyline of a very successful woman leaving it all behind to live a simpler life becomes her journey to make new friends and mend broken family fences .I can't wait to read another book by her.

Great read. Well written - great points to consider. One of the books I will re-read - and there aren’t many that I ever have

A nice book although not as much as the other books that I have read by this author. Focuses on the importance of doing things in life which make you happy .

Audio Version - I absolutely love Catherine Ryan Hyde's books. This one did not disappoint and I enjoyed every second listening to it. I love her writing style. Her character's are so true to life and you can actually imagine these people existing together on the farm. A heartfelt novel with a powerful message. Highly recommend.

Wonderful characters, great storyline-couldn't wait to get back to it. Tears and laughter, just like life. And an ending making me want for more.

Started really well and if I'm honest should have been a short story. The ending was protracted and then suddenly all over but will read more of her work