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Love in the Present Tense
For five years Pearl has managed to keep the past from catching up to her and her bright, frail five-year-old son. Life has given her every reason to mistrust people, but circumstances force her to trust her neighbor Mitch with watching Leonard while she goes off to work. Then one day Pearl drops her son off…and never returns.
They are an unlikely pair: Mitch is a young, unattached business owner, and Leonard is a precocious, five-year-old boy. But together they must find a way to move forward in the wake of Pearl’s unexplained disappearance. Their bond as parent and child shifts and endures, even as Mitch must eventually surrender Leonard to a two-parent home.
Is it possible to love the people who can’t always be there for us? The answers will surprise and move you. As their lives unfold, profound questions emerge about the nature of love and family. Ultimately, this novel’s richest reward is watching Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart.
They are an unlikely pair: Mitch is a young, unattached business owner, and Leonard is a precocious, five-year-old boy. But together they must find a way to move forward in the wake of Pearl’s unexplained disappearance. Their bond as parent and child shifts and endures, even as Mitch must eventually surrender Leonard to a two-parent home.
Is it possible to love the people who can’t always be there for us? The answers will surprise and move you. As their lives unfold, profound questions emerge about the nature of love and family. Ultimately, this novel’s richest reward is watching Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
807 people are currently reading
3246 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
70 books6,071 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 502 reviews
May 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a beautiful story compassion, heartache and heartwarming.
I definitely will be processing this incredible story for a while.
Such a beautiful story compassion, heartache and heartwarming.
I definitely will be processing this incredible story for a while.
January 20, 2009
ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES!!!!! EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS touching beautiful story full of faith and hope amidst loss and struggle. It's a quick read and SUCH a WONDERFUL story!!! I read this book within that first year of horrible debilitating grief that I went through after Rob died. It was the first light at the end of my dark tunnel. It gave me the first glimpse of hope and peace. I remember finishing it on an airplane fllying back from Vancouver as the sun was setting and the sky was streaked with rainbow colored light. It was one of those little miracles that helps us to understand that there really is a spiritual world beyond our understanding....but don't let that make you think that it's a "gushing touchy-feely book" or a "lesson in spirituality." The story is fun and sweet and captivating while it's underlying message is powerful and life changing.
January 25, 2018
The story of Pearl, Leonard and Mitch was very touching. Pearl has a fierce love for Leonard. Mitch too loves Leonard in an unselfish way. I listened to the audio with a unique voice for each of these three characters.
The story tended to be confusing because it jumped around. Leonard at 5, Leonard at 18, back to Leonard at 6, interspersed with the other two voices.
My only other disappointment was the affair Mitch was having. I don't expect that kind of thing from Ryan Hyde. However, I can see that Barb (Mitch's par amour) did have a role to play.
The story tended to be confusing because it jumped around. Leonard at 5, Leonard at 18, back to Leonard at 6, interspersed with the other two voices.
My only other disappointment was the affair Mitch was having. I don't expect that kind of thing from Ryan Hyde. However, I can see that Barb (Mitch's par amour) did have a role to play.
June 1, 2012
Another Catherine Ryan Hyde book investigating the mysteries of the human condition and how regular people interact under extraordinary circumstances. I love how every character, including the "antagonists" are very real, very sympathetic, and work almost completely. I love this author. The truth of her vision shine through tight, well-crafted pros.
April 8, 2020
An understated book of genius… a boy's (Leonard's) search for his mother as narrated by himself and his unofficial foster father, Mitch. The understated prose that describes, combines and delves into soul searching matters around love, parenthood, loss and issue resolution, makes the book very special, in my opinion. Exquisite! 9 out of 12.
April 27, 2023
I'd never heard of this book or read anything by its author, but decided to do so after a GR friend highly recommended it. The first 20-30 pages felt disjointed and unfocused, which didn't inspire much confidence. However, the next chapter was better and the next chapter after that even better. By the time I was half the way done, I was fully invested. By the time the story ended I was in complete agreement that the book was excellent. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2008
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6...
On my reading list due to being a Richard and Judy recommended read. According to the cover it is the magical story of a young boy’s search for his mother.
I have not read a book I have been so disappointed in for a long time finding it a thoroughly boring and disjointed story of unconditional love.
In theory it sounded Ok, three protagonists Leonard, the little boy deserted by his mother at the age of five. Pearl his very young teenage mother who leaves him a neighbour’s care one day and never returns, finally Mitch the neighbour. The chapters are narrated by each of the three and right from the very first one I had my doubts, finding it difficult to relate to the characters or the situation. I kept reading as far as page 120 in the hope it would start to make sense. It didn’t and I have so many other books waiting to be read that I finally decided it was a waste of time. I am sorry because I rarely give up on a book. I have read some other reviews to see if I was just missing the point and it appears I must have been Somehow I feel let down by this one but I appear to be very much in the minority!
On my reading list due to being a Richard and Judy recommended read. According to the cover it is the magical story of a young boy’s search for his mother.
I have not read a book I have been so disappointed in for a long time finding it a thoroughly boring and disjointed story of unconditional love.
In theory it sounded Ok, three protagonists Leonard, the little boy deserted by his mother at the age of five. Pearl his very young teenage mother who leaves him a neighbour’s care one day and never returns, finally Mitch the neighbour. The chapters are narrated by each of the three and right from the very first one I had my doubts, finding it difficult to relate to the characters or the situation. I kept reading as far as page 120 in the hope it would start to make sense. It didn’t and I have so many other books waiting to be read that I finally decided it was a waste of time. I am sorry because I rarely give up on a book. I have read some other reviews to see if I was just missing the point and it appears I must have been Somehow I feel let down by this one but I appear to be very much in the minority!
February 1, 2020
This is not Catherine Ryan Hyde's usual writing style, but I loved it. She normally abstains from profanity. The content was more mature and often dark. However, her incredible skill to portray human nature prevailed, particularly through excellent dialog.
When I started reading, I knew I had read it before, but couldn't find it in my Goodreads "read" list. I must have read it before I joined. It's so good, I continued reading. It's the first book I've read in a long time that "called me back" when I put it down.
When I started reading, I knew I had read it before, but couldn't find it in my Goodreads "read" list. I must have read it before I joined. It's so good, I continued reading. It's the first book I've read in a long time that "called me back" when I put it down.
September 15, 2022
Leonard is a boy who firmly believes in "forever love" as shown to him by his mother Pearl from the day of his birth until she disappears one day. Mitch takes over keeping Leonard awash with love in Pearl's absence. But Leonard has his own ideas about what happened to Pearl, although no one believes him until one day the truth surfaces regarding Pearl's disappearance. You can't help but root for 5-year-old Leonard and teenage Leonard as he faces multiple challenges. Another touching tale by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
March 25, 2021
A Richard & Judy's book club recommendation.
You can't help but fall in love with Leonard ... the 5 years old boy with a vision problem. He was just so innocent, real and lovable!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
You can't help but fall in love with Leonard ... the 5 years old boy with a vision problem. He was just so innocent, real and lovable!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
March 2, 2017
This was beautiful.
April 30, 2019
Eine emotionale Geschichte von für-immer-Liebe und was die Liebe nicht ist, von Trauer, Verlust und Schmerz, durch den Glauben an die Liebe aber, hoffnungsvoll und berührend.
"Wenn es einen zerreißt, dann ist es keine Liebe. Liebe macht einen wieder ganz."
Pearl hatte es nie leicht. Um ein "bisschen Liebe zu spüren" lässt sie sich von Männern benutzen. Unerwartet schwanger, ist sie mit ihren 13 Jahren entschlossen ihrem Sohn Liebe, Wärme, Geborgenheit und Aufmerksamkeit zu schenken, ihm ein besseres Leben zu bieten, als sie es je hatte. Aber ihre Vergangenheit holt sie ein und sie muss Leonard bei Mitch lassen. Mitch, der den einzigartigen Jungen, mit den dicken Brillengläsern, wie selbstverständlich aufnimmt, kümmert sich liebevoll und es entsteht eine ungewöhnliche, tiefe Freundschaft, als hätten die zwei sich gefunden, weil sie einander gebraucht haben. Bis Leonard adoptiert wird, aber verspricht wiederzukommen sobald er 18 ist.
"Die meisten Leute, die gerettet werden müssen, müssen das, weil sie etwas getan haben, wovon jeder weiß, dass es gefährlich ist."
Es war anfangs ein bisschen schwierig sich in der Geschichte zurechtzufinden, weil der Aufbau und Schreibstil außergewöhnlich sind.
Über 25 Jahre entwickeln sich die Figuren und die verschiedenen Ereignisse auf dem Weg, werden in Zeitsprüngen, in ausschweifenden Gedanken, aus verschiedenen Perspektiven erzählt.
Trotzdem war ich von Anfang an voll dabei. Man merkt direkt wie schwierig es für Pearl ist. Wie distanziert und abgeklärt sie mit ihren 13 Jahren schon ist, macht es noch spürbarer. Der sorgenfreie Mitch, der eine eine Affäre mit der Frau des Bürgermeisters hat, verändert sich durch seinen kleinen aufgeweckten, positiven und direkten Jungen, der ganz anders nachdenkt und nichts hat, nicht einmal einen Nachnamen - nur die Liebe seiner Mutter.
Alle Figuren sind interessant, vielschichtig und gut gezeichnet. Die Autorin schafft es Verständnis zu wecken für alle Protagonisten, auch wenn ihre Handlung nicht nachvollziehbar sind.
"Ich denke, wenn man jede Minute des Lebens von jemand anderem in dessen Schuhen gehen würde, dann würde alles, was er getan hat, plötzlich Sinn für einen ergeben, sogar die schlechten Sachen."
Am Ende ist es ein wundervolles Buch, eine tolle Geschichte mit beeindruckenden Protagonisten. Vor allem Leonard wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben.
"Manchmal denken wir, wir wissen was wir fürchten. Wir kehren ihm niemals den Rücken zu. Aber dann kommt etwas ganz anderes, woran wir nie gedacht hatten. Ich frage mich, ob das, was sie am Ende eingeholt hat, etwas war, das sie die ganze Zeit gefürchtet hat, oder etwas, woran sie nie gedacht hätte."
"Wenn es einen zerreißt, dann ist es keine Liebe. Liebe macht einen wieder ganz."
Pearl hatte es nie leicht. Um ein "bisschen Liebe zu spüren" lässt sie sich von Männern benutzen. Unerwartet schwanger, ist sie mit ihren 13 Jahren entschlossen ihrem Sohn Liebe, Wärme, Geborgenheit und Aufmerksamkeit zu schenken, ihm ein besseres Leben zu bieten, als sie es je hatte. Aber ihre Vergangenheit holt sie ein und sie muss Leonard bei Mitch lassen. Mitch, der den einzigartigen Jungen, mit den dicken Brillengläsern, wie selbstverständlich aufnimmt, kümmert sich liebevoll und es entsteht eine ungewöhnliche, tiefe Freundschaft, als hätten die zwei sich gefunden, weil sie einander gebraucht haben. Bis Leonard adoptiert wird, aber verspricht wiederzukommen sobald er 18 ist.
"Die meisten Leute, die gerettet werden müssen, müssen das, weil sie etwas getan haben, wovon jeder weiß, dass es gefährlich ist."
Es war anfangs ein bisschen schwierig sich in der Geschichte zurechtzufinden, weil der Aufbau und Schreibstil außergewöhnlich sind.
Über 25 Jahre entwickeln sich die Figuren und die verschiedenen Ereignisse auf dem Weg, werden in Zeitsprüngen, in ausschweifenden Gedanken, aus verschiedenen Perspektiven erzählt.
Trotzdem war ich von Anfang an voll dabei. Man merkt direkt wie schwierig es für Pearl ist. Wie distanziert und abgeklärt sie mit ihren 13 Jahren schon ist, macht es noch spürbarer. Der sorgenfreie Mitch, der eine eine Affäre mit der Frau des Bürgermeisters hat, verändert sich durch seinen kleinen aufgeweckten, positiven und direkten Jungen, der ganz anders nachdenkt und nichts hat, nicht einmal einen Nachnamen - nur die Liebe seiner Mutter.
Alle Figuren sind interessant, vielschichtig und gut gezeichnet. Die Autorin schafft es Verständnis zu wecken für alle Protagonisten, auch wenn ihre Handlung nicht nachvollziehbar sind.
"Ich denke, wenn man jede Minute des Lebens von jemand anderem in dessen Schuhen gehen würde, dann würde alles, was er getan hat, plötzlich Sinn für einen ergeben, sogar die schlechten Sachen."
Am Ende ist es ein wundervolles Buch, eine tolle Geschichte mit beeindruckenden Protagonisten. Vor allem Leonard wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben.
"Manchmal denken wir, wir wissen was wir fürchten. Wir kehren ihm niemals den Rücken zu. Aber dann kommt etwas ganz anderes, woran wir nie gedacht hatten. Ich frage mich, ob das, was sie am Ende eingeholt hat, etwas war, das sie die ganze Zeit gefürchtet hat, oder etwas, woran sie nie gedacht hätte."
April 2, 2008
Terrible. Reads like a sappy movie script. Dialogue is appallingly written and the plot asks for a ridiculous level of suspension of disbelief. Not heartwarming or life affirming in the least, just silly and a complete waste of time.
April 17, 2008
This story took me to an unlikely part of life and really did open my eyes to the varied and suprising forms of Love and relationships that life brings to us if we let it.
An easy read, yet sensitive and dramatic.
An easy read, yet sensitive and dramatic.
December 29, 2017
Pearl hat in ihrem Lebem viele falsche, aber auch viele gute Entscheidungen getroffen. Die beste war wohl, ihren Sohn Leonard mit ihrer Liebe zu überschütten und alles dafür zu tun, dass er sicher aufwachsen kann. Als Pearl plötzlich verschwindet bleibt der 5-jährige Leonard bei Mitch, der sich wie ein Vater um ihn kümmert, bis er schliesslich zu Adoptiveltern kommt.
Das Buch zeigt die unterschiedlichen Arten der Liebe, die unerschütterliche Liebe einer Mutter, die Liebe zwischen Mann und Frau und auch die Liebe zwischen guten Freunden. Leonhard hat es nicht einfach in seinem Leben, trotz der Liebe die ihm entgegengebracht wird. Er scheint zwischenzeitlich nicht ganz auf dieser Welt zu sein.
Ich fand das Buch nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten hinein zu kommen, ganz wunderbar. Leonard ist ein wirklich toller Junge, auch wenn man manchmal das Gefühl hat, dass er schon viel älter ist, als seine Jahre es vermuten lassen. Mitch hingegen hat sicher seine Fehler, aber sein grösstes Plus ist, dass er Leonard ohne darüber nachzudenken bei sich aufnimmt.
Wir begleiten die beiden und anfangs auch Pearl über 25 Jahre hinweg, in denen aus dem Kind Leonard ein Erwachsener wird. Dabei wird immer wieder die Perspektive gewechselt, sodass wir verschiedene Erlebnisse aus unterschiedlichen Sichten zu sehen bekommen. Das macht das Ganze zu etwas besonderem, sieht man doch wie unterschiedlich verschiedene Menschen doch ein und dieselbe Situationen einschätzen.
Mich hat das Buch sehr beeindruckt, daher eine volle Leseempfehlung von mir.
Herzlichen Dank an NetGalley und den Verlag für die Bereitstellung des Leseexemplars.
Das Buch zeigt die unterschiedlichen Arten der Liebe, die unerschütterliche Liebe einer Mutter, die Liebe zwischen Mann und Frau und auch die Liebe zwischen guten Freunden. Leonhard hat es nicht einfach in seinem Leben, trotz der Liebe die ihm entgegengebracht wird. Er scheint zwischenzeitlich nicht ganz auf dieser Welt zu sein.
Ich fand das Buch nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten hinein zu kommen, ganz wunderbar. Leonard ist ein wirklich toller Junge, auch wenn man manchmal das Gefühl hat, dass er schon viel älter ist, als seine Jahre es vermuten lassen. Mitch hingegen hat sicher seine Fehler, aber sein grösstes Plus ist, dass er Leonard ohne darüber nachzudenken bei sich aufnimmt.
Wir begleiten die beiden und anfangs auch Pearl über 25 Jahre hinweg, in denen aus dem Kind Leonard ein Erwachsener wird. Dabei wird immer wieder die Perspektive gewechselt, sodass wir verschiedene Erlebnisse aus unterschiedlichen Sichten zu sehen bekommen. Das macht das Ganze zu etwas besonderem, sieht man doch wie unterschiedlich verschiedene Menschen doch ein und dieselbe Situationen einschätzen.
Mich hat das Buch sehr beeindruckt, daher eine volle Leseempfehlung von mir.
Herzlichen Dank an NetGalley und den Verlag für die Bereitstellung des Leseexemplars.
January 13, 2021
“So much of how it started was when that cop got out and came up to me. But I didn’t know all this when it first happened. I didn’t know there would be a Leonard or that this man would be his father, or that anybody would have to die.” - Pearl
Pearl, the devoted teenage mother of five year old Leonard has spent the last five years hiding from a violent past. Life has given her every reason to mistrust people but circumstances force her to trust her neighbour, Mitch to look after her son while she’s at work. Then one day Pearl drops her son off and never returns.
Mitch and Leonard are an unlikely pair but in the wake of Pearl’s unexplained disappearance, the two form a bond that will change the course of their lives forever.
Love in the Present Tense is my second read by the author following the previously highly acclaimed Allie and Bea novel. Set in modern day Los Angeles, the novel is written in alternating chapters in the voices of three individuals; Pearl, Leonard and Mitch at various stages in their lives.
Pearl, the daughter of a drug addict, has been on the run from the law following a violent incident which resulted in her falling pregnant at the tender age of 12. Five years later, she’s a doting single mother of a son who she loves above all others until fate deals her a cruel blow and her past catches up with her. While Pearl’s appearance is brief, Leonard’s love for her permeates throughout the story.
Mitch is a twenty five year old, unattached successful business owner who is having an affair with a married woman.
Leonard is a precocious intuitive five year old boy with asthma and vision problems as a consequence of being born premature. He’s grown up without a father but his love for his mother is absolute. When she disappears, it’s his unlikely relationship with Mitch that takes centrefold. Leonard’s chapters alternate between the ages of 5,17,18 and lastly 30.
I couldn’t help falling in love with Leonard from the opening chapters. He’s such a sweet, loving, altruistic soul who is wise beyond his years. While Pearl’s fierce and unconditional love for Leonard combined with her tragic end had me tearing up, it was Leonard’s enduring bond with Mitch that had me continually welling up at the most inopportune moments.
‘He reached out and put his hand on my chest, feeling around for a heartbeat. Pearl must have done this with him, I thought. A kid this young doesn’t make these rituals up on his own. Or does he? I wasn’t sure. When he was sure he had my heart, he held his hand still, and it felt warm against my skin. “That’s how much I love you, Mitch. Okay? Do you feel it now?” Then a second later he said, “I didn’t mean to make you cry, Mitch.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s a good thing. Thank you. Thanks for the forever love. It helps.”
“Yuh.” Leonard said, “I know.”
Often dark, with themes of poverty, statutory rape, teenage pregnancy, single motherhood, murder, corrupt policemen etc this is nevertheless a heart wrenching story about love, loss and devotion. The bond between Mitch and Leonard as parent and child alternates and endures throughout the book with each needing the other equally. Their lives are richer as a result of their camaraderie.
“This is the problem every time I see Leonard. I go in as a guidance counsellor, come out as his personal cheerleader. Everything he does seem so right in person and in proximity.”
There were times when I felt a sense of unease as to where the author was going with Leonard. That he’d meet a tragic end.
“I’ve noticed too lately, that Leonard has been dancing really close to the edge of danger. Real, physical danger. But he is a human being. Somewhere deep down he has the same make up, the same basic urges as all of us. He just has this thing about transcendence. Doesn’t want too many earthbound connections. This makes me edgy because I get the sense that this is just a stopover for him, that he has no real plans for staying. Like if a guest came to my house and refused to unpack his suitcases. I might tease him about it. I might say, hey, loosen u and stay awhile. But the statement of intent would be pretty damn clear. That’s Leonard approach to life itself. He refuses to unpack.” - Mona speaking about Leonard to Mitch
I’m glad that the author included the note towards the end and that Pearl’s absence wasn’t left unresolved. A small part of me hoped that by some small miracle, Pearl would return. At least Leonard was able to get some closure at the end.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story of selfless unconditional love than look no further. This is a powerful well written story of love, friendship and so much more, delivered with characters you won’t soon forget.
Pearl, the devoted teenage mother of five year old Leonard has spent the last five years hiding from a violent past. Life has given her every reason to mistrust people but circumstances force her to trust her neighbour, Mitch to look after her son while she’s at work. Then one day Pearl drops her son off and never returns.
Mitch and Leonard are an unlikely pair but in the wake of Pearl’s unexplained disappearance, the two form a bond that will change the course of their lives forever.
Love in the Present Tense is my second read by the author following the previously highly acclaimed Allie and Bea novel. Set in modern day Los Angeles, the novel is written in alternating chapters in the voices of three individuals; Pearl, Leonard and Mitch at various stages in their lives.
Pearl, the daughter of a drug addict, has been on the run from the law following a violent incident which resulted in her falling pregnant at the tender age of 12. Five years later, she’s a doting single mother of a son who she loves above all others until fate deals her a cruel blow and her past catches up with her. While Pearl’s appearance is brief, Leonard’s love for her permeates throughout the story.
Mitch is a twenty five year old, unattached successful business owner who is having an affair with a married woman.
Leonard is a precocious intuitive five year old boy with asthma and vision problems as a consequence of being born premature. He’s grown up without a father but his love for his mother is absolute. When she disappears, it’s his unlikely relationship with Mitch that takes centrefold. Leonard’s chapters alternate between the ages of 5,17,18 and lastly 30.
I couldn’t help falling in love with Leonard from the opening chapters. He’s such a sweet, loving, altruistic soul who is wise beyond his years. While Pearl’s fierce and unconditional love for Leonard combined with her tragic end had me tearing up, it was Leonard’s enduring bond with Mitch that had me continually welling up at the most inopportune moments.
‘He reached out and put his hand on my chest, feeling around for a heartbeat. Pearl must have done this with him, I thought. A kid this young doesn’t make these rituals up on his own. Or does he? I wasn’t sure. When he was sure he had my heart, he held his hand still, and it felt warm against my skin. “That’s how much I love you, Mitch. Okay? Do you feel it now?” Then a second later he said, “I didn’t mean to make you cry, Mitch.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s a good thing. Thank you. Thanks for the forever love. It helps.”
“Yuh.” Leonard said, “I know.”
Often dark, with themes of poverty, statutory rape, teenage pregnancy, single motherhood, murder, corrupt policemen etc this is nevertheless a heart wrenching story about love, loss and devotion. The bond between Mitch and Leonard as parent and child alternates and endures throughout the book with each needing the other equally. Their lives are richer as a result of their camaraderie.
“This is the problem every time I see Leonard. I go in as a guidance counsellor, come out as his personal cheerleader. Everything he does seem so right in person and in proximity.”
There were times when I felt a sense of unease as to where the author was going with Leonard. That he’d meet a tragic end.
“I’ve noticed too lately, that Leonard has been dancing really close to the edge of danger. Real, physical danger. But he is a human being. Somewhere deep down he has the same make up, the same basic urges as all of us. He just has this thing about transcendence. Doesn’t want too many earthbound connections. This makes me edgy because I get the sense that this is just a stopover for him, that he has no real plans for staying. Like if a guest came to my house and refused to unpack his suitcases. I might tease him about it. I might say, hey, loosen u and stay awhile. But the statement of intent would be pretty damn clear. That’s Leonard approach to life itself. He refuses to unpack.” - Mona speaking about Leonard to Mitch
I’m glad that the author included the note towards the end and that Pearl’s absence wasn’t left unresolved. A small part of me hoped that by some small miracle, Pearl would return. At least Leonard was able to get some closure at the end.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story of selfless unconditional love than look no further. This is a powerful well written story of love, friendship and so much more, delivered with characters you won’t soon forget.
January 19, 2025
Left me in tears. Couldn’t put it down, the beautiful bond between characters and the longing and spiritual connection between mother and son.
October 12, 2015
This is one of those amazing book that I don't know how to review.. I loved it <3
Pel, makasih udah pinjemin buku ini!! :*
Pel, makasih udah pinjemin buku ini!! :*
November 1, 2023
The organization of this book could be confusing at times. It jumped from person to person and from the future to the last. It was quite a puzzle to put together. I actually listened to the beginning a second time after I finish the book and it made much more sense to me then. It was quite creatively constructed. I was interested and continue to listen. But this did not pack the emotional punch I have come to expect from her books. I still found it more than worth the read though.
April 29, 2025
I don't understand how this book has a 4 star rating. I read it but didn't like it very much. There were no relatable characters. They just didn't make sense. And why would the single male neighbor get the kid? Maybe I was just too tired when I read it, but now I'm getting irritated at how much I didn't like it. Don't waste your time on this one.
August 13, 2019
This was a very sad story and beautifully written. Another novel about very believable people in a violent world. The author has a gift of developing charters and bringing them to life. I really enjoy her writing style.
March 24, 2020
This is the 4th book I’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Take Me With You was my favorite one. Up until now. It’s safe to say that after reading Love in the Present Tense is now my favorite book by her.
September 11, 2022
Really, a 4.5 and not a 5 because I wanted more, to know more of these characters. Perhaps that’s part of this author’s gift, an invitation to allow her stories to intersect with our lives that much more deeply.
March 6, 2023
This is a really sweet book, super wholesome and I love how it is written in different perspectives. It is also a very different book to what I would usually read so it was interesting to discover these different genres
January 9, 2019
A story about how love, found sometimes in the most unexpected ways, can overcome tragedy. Well written and a pleasure to read.
April 3, 2021
4.5*
A thoroughly enjoyable & moving story.
A thoroughly enjoyable & moving story.
December 8, 2023
CRH continues to be one of my all time favorite authors!! Another beautiful story about uplifting relationships.
June 8, 2019
Another amazing book by this author, filled with amazingly real characters and a very smart little boy. It is the story of a very young teen mother, who has to leave his 5 year old with almost strangers. As she thought, they become his family, until social services force him into a two parent home.
I enjoyed this book so much and want to tell new fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde to give this one a read.
I enjoyed this book so much and want to tell new fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde to give this one a read.
March 29, 2015
Love in the Present Tense
By
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
So for a reader. And I do mean a reader, somebody that lives to read the next best book, little is as frustrating as not having a person, persons to tell all about your current amazing read. And as a reader, little is as frustrating as having a person tell you alllll about a book, a brilliant book, in the most minute detail. So we have a catch 22. While me the reader of the most brilliant book right this read wants to tell you everything about Love in the Present Tense a part of me knows I cannot.
What I can do is to tell you that if you love a hero/anti hero all in one then the ready made "father" in this story is your ultimate character. He is so human. So frail. So strong. So perfectly imperfect.
Pearl. She is present for so little of the book but the entire plot line, sub plot runs through her like breath through a human body. She is the perfect mom. Even at 14 this girl has her act together better than most real people I know. She is truly a pearl. A precious treasure. Not at all common.
The kid. At 5 this little guy climbed into my heart. At 18 he has done so much. Lived so much. Grown so much that I moved from love to admiration. Not a perfect human. None of these people are. But real, intense and with a wisdom unique to all their own experiences.
Can I recommend this book to any one?
Yes indeed I can. I think everybody can learn something from this and I think everybody should read this to learn more. You have all of this inside of you but trust me, the chances of you actually voicing all of these emotions and realizations are extremely limited.
I listened to this book on audio narrated by
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s... and
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
These three people made a brilliant story into a production to fall in love with.
Incase you guys do not recall who the author is. She wrote the following book amongst others;
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Pay...
This is one of those books where a 5 star rating simply does not do it justice.
WaAr
By
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
So for a reader. And I do mean a reader, somebody that lives to read the next best book, little is as frustrating as not having a person, persons to tell all about your current amazing read. And as a reader, little is as frustrating as having a person tell you alllll about a book, a brilliant book, in the most minute detail. So we have a catch 22. While me the reader of the most brilliant book right this read wants to tell you everything about Love in the Present Tense a part of me knows I cannot.
What I can do is to tell you that if you love a hero/anti hero all in one then the ready made "father" in this story is your ultimate character. He is so human. So frail. So strong. So perfectly imperfect.
Pearl. She is present for so little of the book but the entire plot line, sub plot runs through her like breath through a human body. She is the perfect mom. Even at 14 this girl has her act together better than most real people I know. She is truly a pearl. A precious treasure. Not at all common.
The kid. At 5 this little guy climbed into my heart. At 18 he has done so much. Lived so much. Grown so much that I moved from love to admiration. Not a perfect human. None of these people are. But real, intense and with a wisdom unique to all their own experiences.
Can I recommend this book to any one?
Yes indeed I can. I think everybody can learn something from this and I think everybody should read this to learn more. You have all of this inside of you but trust me, the chances of you actually voicing all of these emotions and realizations are extremely limited.
I listened to this book on audio narrated by
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s... and
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_s...
These three people made a brilliant story into a production to fall in love with.
Incase you guys do not recall who the author is. She wrote the following book amongst others;
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Pay...
This is one of those books where a 5 star rating simply does not do it justice.
WaAr
May 5, 2018
This is my favorite book of all time. It is an unequaled story about the never ending power of love and how it can overcome the merciless ravages of evil people and terrible circumstances. Pearl's love for her son Leonard and his for her is the most wonderful story I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Followed closely by Mitch and Leonard's enduring relationship that never fails to bring tears to my eyes when I read it. Catherine Ryan Hyde's ability to take us into the human heart and show us how the heart can break, then mend itself is without parallel. CRH is a peerless author and we are all richer for having the opportunity to read her words.
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