Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Say Goodbye for Now  By  cover art

Say Goodbye for Now

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Nick Podehl,Teri Schnaubelt
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

On an isolated Texas ranch, Dr. Lucy cares for abandoned animals. The solitude allows her to avoid the people and places that remind her of the past. Not that any of the townsfolk care. In 1959, no one is interested in a woman doctor. Nor are they welcoming Calvin and Justin Bell, a newly arrived African American father and son.

When Pete Solomon, a neglected twelve-year-old boy, and Justin bring a wounded wolf-dog hybrid to Dr. Lucy, the outcasts soon find refuge in one another. Lucy never thought she'd make connections again, never mind fall in love. Pete never imagined he'd find friends as loyal as Justin and the dog. But these four people aren't allowed to be friends, much less a family, when the whole town turns violently against them.

With heavy hearts, Dr. Lucy and Pete say goodbye to Calvin and Justin. But through the years they keep hope alive...waiting for the world to catch up with them.

©2016 Catherine Ryan Hyde. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about Say Goodbye for Now

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,469
  • 4 Stars
    547
  • 3 Stars
    162
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    17
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,326
  • 4 Stars
    414
  • 3 Stars
    115
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    14
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,269
  • 4 Stars
    442
  • 3 Stars
    130
  • 2 Stars
    26
  • 1 Stars
    12

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
  • g
  • 01-24-17

Well intended, but poorly executed story about rac

It is hard to believe the positive revues I read about this story that explores racial tensions that erupt over the friendship between an African American and White boy in rural segregated community in the United States. It is a story with good intentions, however, the responses of the characters to one another and to situations that confront them, are so naive and irrational that the story just falls flat. An African American boy has an injury and is taken by his White friend to a women doctor’s house to nurse his injuries inflicted by persons angry over the association of the boys. The boy’s father comes to see about the son, and instead of taking his son to his own house or to a hospital, the father immediately moves in with the doctor for a week, to supposedly comfort the boy while he recuperates. The White friend also becomes a guest in the doctor's house in order to avoid a whipping from his father. The actions and the dialogue of the characters are so unlikely and contrived that I could not finish this book. While the story narrators were quite satisfactory, the story appeared to be written by a stranger from another country or an idealistic pre-teen trying to fabricate reality, but doing it badly. This story just does not ring true.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Family is where you find acceptance and love


This story grazes upon on a number of sensitive subjects. There was the issue of a female doctor, Lucille “Lucy” Armstrong, whose husband left her as her professional standing exceeded his. In addition, her adolescent son resented her because of her work schedule. Adding insult to injury, Dr. Armstrong was lacking in respectable patients as many people in the rural area of Texas refused to be treated by a woman. Then author also deals with the issue of child abuse and abandonment as the reader was introduced to the life of twelve-year-old Pete Solomon. When Pete took pity on an injured wolf dog and got help from a ten-year-old black boy Justin Bell to carry the dog to Dr. Lucy, the author introduced animal abuse, racism and hate crimes into the story.

I enjoyed how the author weaved the story together although I felt she didn’t really delve deep into any of those issues. It was enough for the reader to consider each character’s plight and how they dealt with their lot in life. These four people were outcasts or not part of the acceptable society’s circle, but they found in each other an anchor. Many times, people say blood is thicker than water, but many families are “chosen” or “formed” by necessity. This was one of those times that a makeshift family provided love, acceptance, support and encouragement in a situation where it was badly needed.

Once I started this book, I didn’t put it down. It wasn’t exactly tear inducing but there was a small dose of angsty. I definitely had an emotional connection to the characters because I felt bad for Pete, Justin and for Calvin and Lucy as a couple. That journey to lasting love certainly touched me. There were different kinds of love expressed in this book and it made up for the pain and hatred shown to the characters. There was an encouraging evolution in this book that gave me hope for society today.

I didn’t give this book a five-star rating because while the author did a great job developing the heroine Lucy as well as Pete, but I had a surface grasp on Justine, his father Calvin and Pete’s father. I would have liked more information regarding Pete’s father, especially from his own perspective. Still, this book was really a moving and poignant read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Book

This is one of the best books I have ever read. From beginning to end it held my interest an it is a book I didn't want to end. This book was really great

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly a great story of the courage of love.

Just wow. what a tale. The courage of this family is inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent performance!

My initial idea of what the story was going to be about was wrong. The story had more depth and breadth and the performance was right on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best Book I've read in years

This had a great story line, wonderful realistic character and I loved the main characters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

excellent story

A few issues were left hanging, but overall, I really enjoyed the book. Worth a read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A delightful read

This book was well read and well written. It gets under your skin and you just find yourself thinking about it long after you have finished!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story!

I enjoyed this book! Wish it didn't have to end. Enjoyed the reader's. The dialog was great between the boys.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent read!

great narration. grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go. relatable characters, human interest and a bit of history.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful