Love In The Present Tense

von Catherine Ryan Hyde

'A sweet and honest look at the pains and pleasures of love' Jane Green

Mitch is a 25-year-old with commitment issues. Leonard is a five-year-old kid with asthma and vision problems, who captivates everyone he meets. Pearl is Leonard's teenage mother, who's trying to hide a violent secret from her past. Life has given Pearl every reason to mistrust people, but circumstances force her to trust her neighbour, Mitch. Then one day, with a heart full of agony, Pearl drops Leonard off with Mitch and never returns.

Pearl, Leonard and Mitch each have a story to tell and as their lives unfold, profound questions arise about the nature of love and family. How do you go on loving someone who isn't there? With Leonard's absolute conviction in 'forever love' always present, Leonard and Mitch grow up side by side and piece together the layered truths and fictions of their almost magical lives. The answers are heartbreaking, but ultimately triumphant.

'A work of art...enchanting' San Francisco Chronicle

'Haunting' Washington Post

'Hyde excels in her story of a love that transcends time, place and human weakness' Publishers Weekly

'A magnificent storyteller' Denver Post

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WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

'A powerful and inspirational book that will keep you hooked from the very beginning right up till the last page.'

'True, real and meaningful.'

'Had me laughing one minute and crying the next.'

'A beautiful story about love in its various forms.'

'Heartbreaking and uplifting.'

'I highly recommend this book, it'll move the hardest of hearts!'