A story of a 14 yr old boy who finds himself ?responsible? for the lives of his best friend, his brother and Zoe. Each has attempted suicide, contemplated suicide or is overcoming addiction. He learns how to help in a way that does not bring him down, but is not smothering to those he feels responsible for.Kirkus: In the summer of 1969, 14-year-old Lucas Painter takes up running in the woods behind his house and ends up saving three lives, one of them his own.It all begins when two enormous dogs start chasing him one afternoon, and Lucas is delighted to discover that Rembrandt and Vermeer, two Weimaraner?Great Dane mixes, are out to play rather than attack. Running with them is a great way to escape the tension in his own home, where his parents do nothing but argue while his big brother, Roy, has been drafted to fight in Vietnam. But one morning the dogs won?t budge from the porch, and Lucas discovers that their owner, the mysterious Zoe Dinsmore, has tried to take her own life. By fetching help, Lucas saves Zoe?s life, and in the months that follow, Zoe saves Lucas? life, too. Ostracized by the town for an accident years earlier, Zoe keeps to herself. But as Lucas shows up every day, the two slowly forge a profound friendship. Meanwhile, Lucas? best friend, Connor, is struggling with his own demons. Rather than helplessly watch Connor slip deeper into depression, Lucas introduces him to Zoe, whose ability to listen without judgment becomes a lifeline. So when Roy returns, wounded and troubled, it?s only natural that Lucas and Zoe find a way to help him, too. A master of tales shaped for the human heart, Hyde (Have You Seen Luis Velez?, 2019, etc.) deftly balances tears against courage, avoiding trite sentimentality. Lucas and Connor both come from troubled homes, but the troubles ring true, never gratuitously abusive; and Hyde never plays Zoe?s and Roy?s tribulations for melodramatic effect.A compelling tale of damage and the healing powers of acceptance.

I Hope You'll Stay. This was a solid coming of age story of a boy dealing with quite a bit in the summer of 1969 - though only one of those things is directly related to that very notable summer. Instead, we mostly see several very relatable dramas playing out through the eyes of our narrator. Very well written, all but a single chapter take place during that one eventful summer - with the final chapter providing answers to how everything turned out, from a perspective of many years afterward. Very much recommended. ( )

I just want to start over and read this again....such a lovely, beautifully told story. Compelling, gripping...wonderful characters...especially, of course, Lucas. There are so many emotions in this book---you're pulled into the lives of each character and their relationships to each other. Catherine Hyde writes only special books, every single time. ( )

Much like Pay it Forward, this is another feel good young adult book. The young man learns invaluable lessons from an unlikely older lady, and is able to help his best friend and brother. The psychological lessons are sound, and presented in very down-to-earth, approachable ways. ( )

My on line book club chose this book. I probably would not have read it otherwise but I am glad I did. There are some good lessons here although at times I thought the author tried a little too hard to get them across.

The main character, Lucas Painter, is a fourteen year old boy in 1969. I was 15 in the summer of 1969 so the time resonated with me. However, since I am Canadian and Lucas is American our lives were quite different. I was aware of the Vietnam War but it didn't personally affect me. Lucas's older brother was overseas fighting and Lucas was fearful about his safety. Lucas's parents argued constantly so his home wasn't a restful spot and his best friend, Connor, is severely depressed. Lucas goes into the woods on the edge of town and gets lost but during his wanderings he discovers a small cottage with two big dogs outside. Afraid he is going to be attacked by the dogs Lucas starts running as fast as he can. Eventually he realizes that the dogs aren't chasing him but running alongside him. Every morning after that he goes back to the woods to run with the dogs. Then one morning the dogs are lying on the porch of the cottage trying to get in. Lucas looks through the window and sees a woman lying in a bed. She doesn't wake up no matter how much noise Lucas makes. He runs back to town and calls the Sherriff's office who sends an ambulance for the woman, Zoe Dinsmore. Zoe has a tragedy in her past and she tried to end her life thinking that Lucas would look after her dogs. However, Zoe survives and she starts helping Lucas, then Connor, and then Lucas's brother who has returned home wounded from Vietnam but with an addiction to narcotics.

In some aspects I thought the book was unrealistic. Lucas's relationship with a girl seemed too reserved from my memories of teenage relationships at the time. I also couldn't quite buy that Zoe would turn from being a lonely depressed tragic woman into a fount of pschotherapeutic help almost overnight. Nevertheless I am glad I read the book and I look forward to seeing what the other members have to say about it. ( )