Must Read Monday: The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

“If God would start playing by the rules, it would sure be easier to trust Him.”


I’ve had the opportunity to read Susan May Warren’s The Shadow of Your Smile. If you’re a Susan May Warren fan and stories from Deep Haven, you won’t be disappointed in this novel.

Plot and subplot are rich with drama, romance, and humor.

This novel is about a couple in their mid-forties, who’ve already had a tragedy strike their lives, now–Noelle Hueston is thinking about leaving her husband and starting over. One last kiddo to graduate and she’s making a new life, but an incident leaves her injured and her memory past college is gone. Funny, when she wakes up, she truly thinks she’s twenty-one! Which is sad and hilarious at the same time.

This main plot is about loving, forgiving, and starting over. A beautiful story of two married people who’ve grown apart through time and unfortunate circumstances.  I thought the ending to this plot was well done and I closed the book with satisfaction.

The subplot involved the couple’s oldest son, Kyle, and his love interest, another local from Deep Haven, but the tragedy that wrecked the Hueston family reached into Emma Nelson’s family as well. 

Susan May Warren has a unique way of describing using all the senses and when I read one of her books, including this one, I feel like I’m transported to Deep Haven. I live there as long as it takes me to read the book. I had lots of time yesterday, so I read it in one long stretch. 

This book is set to release in 2012. I recommend you nab it up when it does. You’ll enjoy winter in Deep Haven, the crackling fires, fresh powdered snow blanketing a story of lost love, found. 

I appreciate Tyndale giving me the chance to review it in return for my honest opinion.
Here’s a sneak peek at The Shadow of Your Smile: 

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle’s memory. 
Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. 
But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future?

When it comes to romance, what season do you think is the most romantic? A hot steamy summer, spring with new blossoms sprouting, fall when nights are cool and the leaves are turning, or in winter when sleigh rides and hot cocoa beckon you to snuggle up with your honey? 

13 thoughts on “Must Read Monday: The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

  1. Good morning! Sounds like an interesting story. I awarded you the "Versatile Blogger" award this weekend. Claim it if you want 🙂

     
     
  2. The back cover blurb sounds really good!

     
     
  3. This book sounds wonderful! I like the plot line and that she can't remember the man she was falling out of love with.

     
     
  4. Oh jealousy!! Susan May Warren's latest…you lucky duck. I love Susie's Deep Haven series, especially My Foolish Heart. And her recent historicals – esp. Sons of Thunder and Heiress – seriously rock.

    And…autumn is definitely my favorite and most romantic season. 🙂

     
     
  5. Oops, I titled my post today "Must Read…" today as well. Didn't mean to infridge on your title. This book looks excellent.

     
     
  6. I love Susan May Warren. I'm looking forward to this one. My books always seem to take place in the summer. I forced myself to set the last one in the fall. I'm working on a proposal for a Christmas novella now. That should be fun! In real life, I think spring and summer are the most romantic seasons.

     
     
  7. Sounds wonderful!

    I took a course with her at the St. Louis conference. Wonderful lady, but man I don't know how she has time to write with all the courses she leads!

     
     
  8. The book sounds good.

    I'm a sucker for the Christmas
    romance…

     
     
  9. I've got to start reading Susan's books! Heard so many great things about them.

    My favorite season for romance would be fall. Cool nights, autumn leaves, the different spices used in food during harvest time. I think there are many opportunities in nature that a couple can experience at this time. Summer's great because it's all warm and steamy, but fall has just enough chill to snuggle 🙂

     
     
  10. That book sounds wonderful. Thx for sharing your thoughts on it.

    Hmm…I think sleigh rides and cocoa sound pretty romantic. 🙂

    PS. I'm still chuckling at your comment about getting a Mama Mia mug. LOL

     
     
  11. This book sounds wonderful!! As far as seasons? Hmmm. I can do romance in just about any season. But if I had to pick just one, I'm going to go with curled up in front of a fire with a glass of red wine in winter.

     
     
  12. This will be perfect for winter break – I'll add it to the TBR. Susan Warren is such a versatile author, I love her books.

    Oh – and as for my chair (hehe) typically I sit on the couch to give my bum a break, otherwise I'm in one of my hard-bottomed, child-size spinny chairs that my kids use to do their school work (and I am far from child-sized!). Hence the chair-envy over that new cushy office chair;)

     
     
  13. Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing the review. As far as what season is most optimal for romance, I'm going to go with fall or spring. 🙂

     
     

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