Book Review: Stories that Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner

 

Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.

Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.

My rating:

*grins* I expected nothing less than five stars from Ms. Finkbeiner! Her storytelling ability is phenomenal.

So, was there anything I didn't like? Well, to be honest, I finished this book quite awhile ago, and I just sat down to write a review yesterday, soooo...if there is anything I didn't like, it wasn't big enough to stick in my head!

Stories that Bind Us is, as I said on Goodreads, a fresh breath of something beautiful. I mean, I'm kinda a sucker for books set in the 1960s (don't ask me why; I don't even know), so the setting was fantastic. Diners, ice cream parlors, old cars, the clothing style for that age...just so much yes! *grins*

I adored the characters! Betty, though I expected her to be annoying, was actually a super, super endearing character. Though, being a widow and talking about how hard it is to keep going up and down the stairs, I kept forgetting that she was only forty years old, haha!

Hugo was...the most adorable thing ever. Seriously. Those that know me know that I love little kids, whether fictional or real. So to have a five-year-old little boy who is as sweet as they come and not a brat?? *grins* yessssss.

The Sweet family was so...sweet! (see what I did there? *smirks*) Not only was the fact that they owned and ran a bakery so cool (I'm a sucker for books where food plays a major point), but they were all sooooo cool. Albert and Stan and Marvel (and Pop!) were just...perfection. The twins, Dick and Nick, were hilarious.

The plot hurt but was also full of hope.

If you love a good book filled with endearing characters, a whimsical historical plot, and cinnamon rolls, you'll definitely want to check out Stories that Bind Us. ;)

(Also—the way the cover and title tied in with the book? That was pretty cool.)

*I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

What's your favorite Finkbeiner book??

Book Review: Finding Hope by Katlyn Grace

Hope Lawson’s bakery has been a haven to Ethan Grey’s troubled soul ever since that horrible accident when Ethan lost everything. He lost his family, his faith, and his dignity. Now, he’s turned to alcohol to fill his voids, but is it really working? Problems seem more out of hand, and depression is slowly seeping in holes where there used to be joy. Hope’s compassion runs deep for the alcoholic whose lifeless eyes could use a sparkle of hope. When she steps out in faith to help Ethan, Ethan’s faced with the struggle of his intimidating past. Everything in him begs a second chance for a better life, but is it worth it? Is it worth giving up the alcohol that beckons him every waking second? Is it worth opening up about his past?Will Ethan begin to realize that he needs Someone better than himself to save him? Will Hope be able to help remove the blinders from Ethan’s eyes, so he can truly see his life for what it could be? And will it spark more than a friendly, Christ-like gesture between the two of them?

Series: The Lawson Series, #1

My rating:

 

*sigh* I really, really tried to like this book.

But, obviously, I didn't.

It was incredibly hard to get into this book. It took me literally weeks to get through it. I'd pick it up, read a few pages, and put it down for a few days.

The amount of pages overwhelmed me when I realized I had that many to get through before I was finished. But I pushed through, hoping that maybe it'll get better. Maybe the finale will be fantastic and breathtaking. 

Aaaaaand it's taken me over a month to talk myself into writing this review.

So, what didn't I like? *cries*

-The writing style was kinda amateurish, I could definitely tell that it was a debut novel. There was a lot of telling and less showing, and some of the scenes dragged on because of this. I'd just start to get sucked into a scene when the writing style would suddenly jerk and pull me out of it again.

-The romance. I knew that it was going to be a romance. But the COVER *heart eyes* is so adorable and from all I'd heard about it, the romance was super sweet. So I decided to give it a go. *deep breath* I...shouldn't have, honestly. This is the main thing I disliked. The first page of the book (please FORGIVE ME if I give out spoilers) has our heroine eyeing the town drunk, thinking how good-looking he is and that she'd consider marrying him...if he weren't a drunk. And our couple is constantly thinking about each other. Okay, fine, two people attracted to each other are gonna think about each other, I'll give you that. But when they insist upon just 'being friends' yet show up for each other when they're sick with soup and stay to watch a movie with them?? Not to mention forehead kissing and hair stroking when they're?? Just?? Friends?? *headesk* Oh, and let's not forget their first 'real' kiss! (they kissed once before but felt horrible about it and kept denying their feelings bc there's too many things between them...but they kissed anyway...like...no thx) Cute date, I suppose...but then a kiss and she's giggling and telling him how he tastes?? So he reciprocates?? *cough* sorry. Rant over. I'll move on.

-The plot was good enough, but cliche. Dude hits tragedy and becomes the town drunk. Finds sanctuary and stability in his daily trips to a bakery. Falls in love with the cute, sweet baker. She shows him what faith in action looks like. He has a rough journey but hopes to make it to where she is. Not bad, just...kinda meh. 

So what did I like?? (yes, there actually were a couple of things that I liked...surprised?)

-The characters were pretty good! I wouldn't say there's anything extra special about them...but they were still enjoyable. (Bri's character got on my nerves several times, but overall, she was a fun character) Mark was my favorite, though!

-The message was so good. Miss Grace brought out several excellent points and didn't shy away from the tough questions. I so appreciated this! She even gave me goosebumps a couple of times. ;)

So, yes, to say that my ride with this book was a rollercoaster would be an understatement...but I do believe that it's going to really touch someone someday! I...just am not that person.

*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Have you ever read a book that everyone loved and you didn't?

Bookish News

 NOPE, I'M NOT PUBLISHING AGAIN.

(Yet, anyway.)

Just had to get that idea out of your heads at the beginning, hehe!

But what is this bookish news I speak of, you ask?

Good question!

Well. 

If you may remember, a year ago (come Thursday, that is) Faith Potts and I each published a book on World Suicide Prevention Day. Our books have been out in the wild for an entire year. #mindblown

September is suicide prevention month. This is what prompted Faith and I to launch our books, Freedom and Beloved when we did. Because every single life matters. Because no matter what you may think, there is light at the end of this tunnel, even if you can't see it.

You are not alone.

You are loved. So, so much.

So, to commemorate the anniversary of these stories, Faith and I are hosting an Instagram challenge! #MyReasontoLive2020 is all about spreading life and hope, and if you're on Insta, come join!! (have I mentioned that there's a giveaway??)

In other news, Beloved is is ON SALE on Kindle right now for just $0.99 through Friday! Go snag your copy now!

Come join our challenge and spread hope!