The Other Kind of Lion
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 9781662522352
Publisher: Lake Union
Publication Date: 11/03/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
A war widow and a neglected boy form a chosen family in a profoundly moving multigenerational saga about the transformative power of kindness by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
It’s 1970 in rural California where Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives with her two sons. It’s a routine life until she sees Cash Pierce, a scruffy eleven-year-old boy, trailing the fence alongside her Appaloosa, Phoenix. The horse never gave such a welcoming nicker to anyone but her late husband. Even her stubborn old dog Edsel takes to the boy. Out of curiosity and compassion, so does Shirley.
Abandoned by his father, his mother in jail, and raised by his teenage brother, Cash is lonely, bullied, but smart as a whip and starved for attention. Shirley begins inviting him for dinners, providing lunch money, sewing his shirts, and offering the maternal care he desperately needs. Neither realizes that such simple acts of kindness create a bond that will span five decades and redefine family itself. No matter where life takes Cash, he will never forget her.
Through war, loss, grief, illness, second chances, and years of separation they will meet again. Shirley was there for Cash. Now it’s his turn to be there for Shirley when she needs him the most.
My Review
"A quiet multigenerational look at the loudest kind of kindness."
Why Catherine Ryan Hyde’s 1970s rural drama delivers a classic found-family story.
Intro
The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde focuses beautifully on the signature dynamic she is famous for: an unconventional, multigenerational bond that serves as the foundation for a profound coming-of-age journey. Set against a quiet rural backdrop, it explores how a single season of deliberate maternal kindness can anchor a drifting child's life.
The Hook
A stubborn old dog and a skittish Appaloosa horse both instantly trust an eleven-year-old intruder—forcing a grieving war widow to look past his scruffy exterior and open her home to a boy who has nowhere else to turn.
Elevator Pitch
In rural 1970 California, a Vietnam War widow struggling to raise her two sons crosses paths with an abandoned, bullied eleven-year-old boy. Brought together by the uncanny reaction of her animals, she steps in to provide the steady maternal care and stability he lacks. It is a gentle multigenerational drama about chosen family and the subtle, quiet moments of coming of age under the umbrella of safety.
Setting
Rural California, 1970
Vibe
Heartwarming, melancholic, reflective, and deeply grounded.
Genre
Historical Fiction / Multigenerational Drama / Coming-of-Age
Themes
Coming of age through chosen family, healing from grief, and the quiet impact of domestic stability.
Standout Characters
~Shirley Bennett: A forty-year-old war widow balancing her own immense grief with a boundless capacity for compassion that bridges the gap between her family and an outsider.
~Cash Pierce: A lonely eleven-year-old raised by his teenage brother. His coming-of-age journey is the heartbeat of the narrative as he finds safety and guidance under Shirley's roof.
Author Writing Standout
Catherine Ryan Hyde excels at capturing the tight, internal perspective of a child discovering what it feels like to be safe. Her dialogue is sparse and deliberate, letting the everyday domestic interactions—lunches, hand-sewn shirts, and quiet spaces—build a comforting emotional framework.
Takeaway
True family is defined by who steps in to offer stability when your own foundation crumbles, proving that maternal care doesn't require a biological tie to reshape a child's future.
Title Significance
The title hints at an internal, quiet courage. While the traditional "lion" symbolizes overt ferocity and strength, the "other kind" represents the bravery it takes for a boy to stay gentle, to choose vulnerability, and to maintain an open heart.
Metaphor
The horse, Phoenix, acts as a living bridge between Shirley's past and Cash's future, showing that animal intuition often mirrors the unspoken, protective instincts of the human heart.
Why You Should Read
You should read this if you look for character-centric stories that spotlight complex, multigenerational relationships and authentic coming-of-age arcs. It is a grounded look at found family that values quiet, developmental milestones over fast-paced drama.
My Thoughts
"A quiet coming-of-age story that reminds us how a single moment of maternal stability can anchor a drifting child."
The premise builds beautifully on the unique multigenerational connections Hyde is celebrated for, making for a solid, well-crafted uplifting read. Rather than relying on high-stakes drama, the narrative shines in its subtlety. It unfolds through quiet, understated gestures, delivering a deeply comforting reading experience that celebrates the steady, predictable routines that help a child heal.
Verdict 4.5/5 Stars
"A gentle, beautifully paced coming-of-age multi-generational story about found family that delivers a reliable, comforting, and uplifting read. The true magic of Hyde’s storytelling lies in the everyday, domestic spaces where an unconventional family is built."
Audio Standout
"Eva Kaminsky’s narration delivers a steady, dignified voice to a narrative rooted in quiet grief and resilience." Her deliberate narration perfectly mirrors the slow, meditative rhythm of the 1970 rural setting. She captures Shirley’s weary dignity and Cash’s youthful vulnerability with incredible grace, offering a reserved and soothing performance that emphasizes the gentle nature of the text.
Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing an advance reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 3, 2026
Nov 2026 Must-Read Books
About the Author
Catherine Ryan Hyde is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of more than fifty books and counting. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website.
Her novel Pay It Forward was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than twenty-three languages for distribution in over thirty countries. Both Becoming Chloe and Jumpstart the World were included on the ALA’s Rainbow Book List, and Jumpstart the World was a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards. Where We Belong won two Rainbow Awards in 2013, and The Language of Hoofbeats won a Rainbow Award in 2015.
More than fifty of her short stories have been published in The Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train, and many other journals; in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts; and in the bestselling anthology Dog Is My Co-Pilot. Her stories have been honored by the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and have been nominated for The Best American Short Stories, the O. Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize. Three have been cited in the annual Best American Short Stories anthology.
As a professional public speaker, she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with AmeriCorps members at the White House, and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.
For more information, visit www.catherineryanhyde.com.
