Fiction Review: Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner

Book Description:

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 Review:
I love this beautiful story of courage and hope. The author captured the decade of the 1960s with great insight. I was about Hugo's age at that time, and remember so much of what Susie Finkbeiner has written. I love how Norman's family wraps Betty in graciousness and kindness as she faces difficult times. And the stories Betty tells to Hugo are precious. Susie intertwined them perfectly with what the characters are going through. If you enjoy a good read that leaves you with a feeling of hope, you'll want to read Stories that Bind Us. From the lovely cover to the last sentence, I enjoyed every word. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.