A 21st century version of Romeo and Juliette.

A chance meeting on a subway car changes the lives of everyone in the book. A small cast of characters, each more interesting than the next. A collection of life's traumas and questions. Some to be identified with and some, hopefully, not.

Its not a mystery and its not a thriller, and I would not describe it as a romance ... its a simple little book ... yet it had me in a state of pleasant tension through the whole read.

Someone here on the community recommended this book so I picked it up - I've never read this author but she is probably the most well known for Pay It Forward which became a movie. In this book each chapter alternates between two characters points of view - Maria and Sebastian. Sebastian is basically kept locked inside his apartment by his father - he sneaks out at night and rides the subway. Maria is an abusive relationship with two kids and works nights - or she did and she is afraid to tell Carl that she lost her job. One night they end up in the same train - and one look changes their lives. At first the story didn't grip me, but the writing did. Something about her style of writing makes you want to keep reading. Then the story did get me - I was fascinated by Sebastian and how he was experiencing everything for the first time - from hot dogs to movies to love. I stayed up late to keep reading - I was hooked. Then the ending happened. I did not love the ending like the previous reviewer. In fact, I did not like it. It left me feeling ambivalent about the book.

Sebastian is seventeen and living what you could call, well, an abnormal life. He's never watched a movie, rarely leaves the house and has no friends except for his neighbour, Delilah. But one subway ride is about to change his life and open doors that were closed on him by his overbearing father.

Maria Arquette has been married since she was fifteen. She has two children and one husband, more specifically-one abusive husband. She's lost her job but she's afraid to tell her husband for fear of the consequences. Instead, she boards the subway every night when it's time for work and rides it back and forth.

And one day, the two of them lock eyes across the subway and feel an undeniable connection. Both of their lives are about to change and hopefully they change for the better…because it can't get any worse, right?

It's hard to describe exactly why this book is so good. I'd say it has the most to do with the author's writing. Catherine Ryan Hyde's writing will pull you in-her writing is simply intoxicating. In fact, as soon as I started this book I had to finish it.
The author's writing brings the characters to life. Their issues, their reactions-all seem so real. I'd say that even her secondary characters are well fleshed out. Catherine Ryan Hyde's strengths lie in making the reader care about the characters. The entire book is laced with emotion and the author never skates around any issues. And I'm just going to mention that I loved, loved, the ending!

One more thing-the title is perfect for the book!