Shelter Me: Indy Women Series, Book 1

By G.E. Pitts

After escaping a childhood trauma of family violence with her mother and siblings, Gina has been able to build a life of strong family ties, great friendships, and a career that gives her a chance to help others who are fleeing violence, providing them with a safe haven where they can heal and rebuild their lives. Gina is still healing, too, from losing her husband and best friend to cancer three years earlier, and pours herself into work. When the husband of one of the women shes trying to protect makes a threat on her life, Gina and her family are put under protection. But what really turns her life upside down is the police detective assigned to keep her safe. Is it possible for her to be open to romance and love again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499014563

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Gina

In my first encounter with him, I showed my ass—literally. Bending over in the back of my SUV, I was struggling to fit all the flowers I just bought at the Farmer’s Market.

Need some help?

Somehow I knew the question was directed at me, which made me stand up and promptly bang my head on the overhead door. Shit! Rubbing my head as I turned around, I saw his smile and those crinkly blue eyes. Oh my.

Are you OK? he asked as he reached into my car, and the aroma of the lavender plants gave way to the musky male scent of the man.

Thanks, I just bought this beautiful lavender, and I am now wondering how long it will take me to kill it, like I did the last time.

As he safely stows the flowers in my car, Mr. All Eyes and Smiles looks at me and says, You’re probably planting it in an area with poor drainage. Lavender likes hot sun and a chance to dry out between watering.

Really? OK, thanks. I’m Gina. I held out my hand, adding, You look familiar, have we met?

Reaching out to shake my hand, his eyes lock on mine. I’m Eric. And no, we have never met before, but I see you often at the Cornerstone Coffee House.

Of course. I immediately place him. I can’t take my eyes off his—those eyes that are such a deep, penetrating, beautiful blue, and that seem to know more than they let on. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Eric. And thanks for the tip on the lavender, I manage to mutter.

His eyes still fixed on mine, he finally says, So, I was just heading that way. Would you like to have coffee with me? A shy grin reveals itself as he tilts his head, waiting for an answer.

That sounds good. I realize I said that aloud, and I immediately become very self-conscious. His grin turns into a full lovely smile, which is quite appealing, and I say, I’ll meet you there. I should be going home to get these plants in the ground before meeting my girlfriends for lunch, but then there are those eyes, and that smile… ah hell, I can garden later.

And it is flattering that he has noticed me at the coffee shop before. I certainly remember him, sitting at the old antique saloon-style bar with his back to me every morning. As I stood in line to get my go-cup I have admired his profile and his physique, but I’d never seen those beautiful, piercing baby blues before… oh my. My favorite server, Marty, busted me once as I was checking him out. Coming up to me, she whispered, He is here all the time. Do you want me to find out about him for you? I blushed and tried to play it off that I wasn’t really looking at him but merely lost in thought. Of course, she didn’t buy it for a minute!

As I approach the coffee shop, which is nestled behind a pub in So Bro and was once a dry cleaner’s, I find Eric standing outside. As I approach, he asks, Would you like to sit outside or go in?

It was such a nice day. Let’s take a table out here. Before we could sit down, Marty bounced up to us with menus and a big grin on her face. How are my two favorite customers today?

Eric nodded and smiled. Turning to me, he said, Would you like something to eat?

I couldn’t look at either of them, as I know Marty was enjoying this too much. Not for me. Just coffee, thanks.

Eric ordered a coffee and a muffin, and Marty smiled again and left.

Suddenly feeling awkward, I fumbled with my napkin. Smiling, he asks, Do you go to the Farmer’s Market often?

Marty returns with the coffee and muffin, and as I take a sip, Yes, most Saturdays I go to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables. This is the first time I bought any plants, though. I’d never seen lavender there before and couldn’t resist.

Eric smiled. My brother has a farm in Morgan County, and started growing lavender and other perennials a couple of years ago. It’s his lavender you bought. This is the first year he’s brought it to the local markets.

I hear the pride in his voice as he speaks of his brother. So that’s how you know so much about how to plant it! Are you a farmer too? His arms and chest are quite muscular, but his hands don’t look rough like a farmer’s hands would.

Shaking his head and chuckling, he said, God no, I’m a detective with the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.

I noticed his eyes probing, and his jaw set as he waited for a reaction from me. Just then, my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was my daughter Carly calling. I’m sorry, do you mind if I take this call?

He nods, leaning back to give me some space.

Hi, Carly, how are you? I ask, and hope this will be brief.

I’m OK, just down after leaving the home of my patient. He’s so young, Mom, only thirty-six, and he has two young kids. He was crying, saying he and his wife were planning to take the kids to Disney World at Christmas, but now he knows he won’t be around then… After a pause, she continued, I encouraged him to go now, but he said he has a mountain of medical bills and they couldn’t afford it. Life just isn’t fair sometimes.

I sigh, realizing my daughter has a big heart that is well suited to work in hospice, but she really struggles when the patient is young or has young children. No, it isn’t. Carly, let me give this some thought, and we can talk more tomorrow at dinner. In the meantime, take care of you.

Carly perked up. Mom, what are you concocting?

I smile. Later, sweetheart, love you.

Hanging up, I apologize again to Eric for the interruption. He nods, and asks, Is everything OK?

I explain that my daughter is a hospice social worker and just needed a bit of cheering up. He smiled, saying, So there are two social workers in your family. I see.

I chuckle, responding, Well, as they say, the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree. No, wait, how did he know that? Furrowing my brow, I look at Eric. So, Detective, how did you know that I am a social worker too? I tilt my head sideways, waiting for his answer, mimicking his earlier gesture.

He grinned again. "Your picture was in the Indy Star the other day, promoting a fund-raiser you have coming up in support of the women’s shelter you run, and I connected the dots that you were that sexy woman who comes in here every day. You look all businesslike in the morning when you’re on your way to work, though."

Sexy, really? This is getting interesting. All businesslike, eh? More like jonesing for some caffeine. I’m addicted to their Black Thunder, and gave up making coffee at home.

On cue, Marty returns to refill our cups. As Eric looks away, Marty looks at me, raising her eyebrows as if to ask, How’s it going? I grin and ignore her.

When she leaves, I look back to Eric, and he’s wearing a frown. Finally, he says, You have a dangerous job, providing shelter for women and their children who have escaped from violent men.

I recognize that, given his job, he probably sees this up close and all too frequently, so I don’t sugarcoat my response. It can be, but we have security at the shelter, and we do a threat assessment with every new client and make changes, adding other measures as needed. I have an unlisted number and an alarm system at home. I’m also a survivor, Eric. Many years ago, my mother fled from my dad with her three young children in tow, and we never looked back…

He was quiet for a few moments, and I could tell he was letting what I said settle in. Finally, Eric looked at me, his eyes piercing, and asked, Do you carry?

Carry? A gun? Hell no, I responded, rather emphatically.

I could teach you how to handle one safely, he offered.

I sigh at this age-old argument. I know that guns are part of his world, a necessary tool for those in public-safety jobs; but I detest guns. Still, I’m touched by the gesture. Thank you, Eric, really. But I don’t believe in guns and don’t want one around me. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with a weapon in my house.

He sat silently, and I expected him to argue, but he didn’t. In an effort to lighten the mood, I smile and say, Sorry to go all bleeding-heart liberal on you!

He burst out laughing. No, you’re not sorry one bit!

Oh god, he’s got a dimple too! Oh my! I join him in laughter, admitting he was right.

After the second refill of coffee, conversation comes easily. We both were born in Indy, living on the Northside, and both attended Broad Ripple High School—although, obviously, not at the same time. I figure that would make him four to five years younger than me, hmm… The owner of the restaurant came by at one point and shook Eric’s hand. I’d seen him here before but thought he was another regular customer.

Eric introduces us and invites Chuck to join us. Chuck was very engaging, but I kept getting distracted, stealing glances at Eric. He is dressed in a faded T-shirt and jeans, and fills them out very nicely with powerful biceps, broad shoulders, and a fairly flat stomach. It also appears that his legs are quite muscular. His wavy hair is sandy brown, with graying in the temples. But what makes me weak-kneed are those piercing, crinkly blue eyes—yum! God, Gina, do you hear yourself? You sound like one of your daughters; get a grip!

Gina, it was nice to meet you. Now I have a name to go with the lovely person! Chuck stands, reaching out to shake my hand.

Thanks, Chuck, a pleasure to meet you as well. I think I might be blushing—geez! I glance at my watch and realize we’ve been here for nearly two hours, and in exactly one hour, I have to meet my girlfriends for lunch. Oh my, I’ve lost track of time, I mumble as I look at Eric while gathering my bag. I’m afraid I have to go, I say and start to stand.

He stands with me and nods and says, Maybe we could do this again, perhaps over a meal? Eric’s shy grin and head tilt are coming out again as he asks.

I’d like that. Here, let me give you my card… Oh no. I don’t have them on me right now, I mutter.

His grin deepens, his eyes sparkling. That’s OK. I know how to find you.

Oh, the cop comes out! I tear off a piece of the place mat and write down my unpublished number. Of course you do, Detective… ? I don’t know his last name.

Ireland, Eric Ireland, he replies.

Smiling, I repeat, Of course you do, Detective Ireland. Gina Delarosa, pleased to meet you! Here’s my home number.

He takes it, reads it, then shoves it in his jeans pocket as he bends down and kisses me on the cheek. Wow, does he smell good!

Thanks for the coffee, Eric. Sorry that I have to run, I say, giving him another smile as I turn and hurriedly cross the street to get to my car. As I do, a car comes up fast, passing me a bit close, and continues down the street! Damn, Gina. Watch what you’re doing, woman.

As I get in the car I look back at Eric, who had moved down to the curb, his arms crossed; he was now looking intently down the street at the car that had just whizzed by. By the time I started the car and was pulling away, Eric looked back to me, smiling and waving good-bye. Oh my!

CHAPTER 2

Forty-five minutes later, having unloaded my new plants, I quickly changed and touched up my makeup. I double-click on my cell phone to get into my calendar to confirm where we were having lunch. Oh shit, back at the Cornerstone Coffee House! God, what if Eric is still there—how embarrassing! Well, there’s no time to change plans, so I grab Jude’s birthday present and head back out the door!

By the time I arrive, Stella, Cara, and Jude—my closest friends—are all settled in at the exact same table where Eric and I enjoyed coffee! When they spot me, they all greet me with silly grins like Cheshire cats! What’s going on?

Damn, ladies, I’m sorry to be late, I say as I lean in to Jude and give her a big hug and hand her the gift bag.

Thank you, Jude says, but that will be $5 for cursing!

Cara snorts at that, and I respond sarcastically, Well, happy birthday to you too, Jude, while digging into my wallet. I only find $20 bills. I hand her one and ask for change.

Jude shakes her head. Lunch hasn’t even begun. We’ll settle up later.

We all break into laughter then. Jude is a peaceful soul, and one of the most positive people I know. She’s been trying to get Cara, Stella, and me to quit cursing, telling us it diminishes the power of our words and disrupts one’s inner peace. Recently, she started assessing $5 fines, and we started paying closer attention. I also know all the proceeds go to support the shelter, so I think it’s a win-win game!

Cara leans over to me, batting her eyes, and asks, What’s new, Gina?

As the others lean in to listen, I blush. Just then, Marty approached, asking, More coffee, or is it time for something stronger?

Everyone broke into giggles. Really, how old are we? I knew there was no sense trying to hide anything with this group. I said, I’ll have a Bloody Mary, you traitor!

Marty just smiled and left to get my drink.

So, sexy cop, Gina? Cara prompted, as she is nothing if not direct.

Ladies, it was just coffee, was my lame response.

All three women just nod and wait. Obviously, that response isn’t going to get me off the hook, so I recap my encounter with Eric at the Farmer’s Market, ending with me walking out into traffic while thinking about his beautiful eyes.

Jude was the first to speak. So I’m feeling romance in the air. I hope he’s a good man, Gina, one worthy of you. And I hope your heart is open, as that will tell me you’re healing nicely.

My eyes tear up as I looked at my dear, beautiful friend with her ageless, smooth mocha skin, her short twistee braids—she who possesses such a warm smile, such wisdom reflected in her eyes, a heart as big as all outdoors. I know she has shouldered some of my grief at losing my husband three years ago, just as Cara and Stella have. And while she is a gentle soul, her words cut to the heart of the matter. She has two beautiful children, twins, Miles and Jazz. The only thing she ever has held back on is the story about their father, except that he has never been involved in their lives.

Thinking

Reviews for Shelter Me

[junipersun · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I sank into this novel as into a featherbed, & didn't want to get up. The story covers most of the year when Janie is left with 2 young children after the untimely death of her husband. I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed Janie's anger, since I am not expressive of anger. It was refreshing to read. I loved her joking relationship with her cousin Cormac. Poor Carly seems to be just an appendage--except when Janie complains of having spent the morning keeping her from crawling up the stairs we mostly see Carly being hauled around. But this fits with the story, and Janie's belated realization of how much of Carly's life she's missed. I sort of wonder why men wanted to be around her, given her attitude. All I can figure is that she was exceedingly beautiful, & that men assume that all that fiery passion will carry over to bed. Not that there was much sex--we're talking Catholics here.

[staciele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was fortunate to get an ARC of this book from Harper Collins. I was very interested in this book because I think it hit at one of my biggest fears. As a mother and wife, I can't imagine losing my husband. Janie's emotions in the story were so raw and yet so believable. I felt her pain and have often shared the same thoughts when I dare to think about "What if?" The story deals with family relationships, friendships, motherhood, anger, grief, forgiveness, fear, and love. Really anyone could relate to some portion of this book. I loved the way the author brought in the letter writing at the homeless shelter. "Beryl" one of the homeless says to Janie "A typed letter is so cold and impersonal. It can be sent to so many people at once! Only a handwritten letter can convey the sense that the writer is actually with you, saying the words to you alone. When you write a letter with your own hand, you give a tiny piece of yourself" This was a great reminder for me and after just reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and how that was also completely letters written back and forth, I am even more driven to write more to those I love.I loved Janie's journal writings as they allowed the reader to see that real raw emotions Janie was having over the death of her husband and whatever else may be bothering her that day. I just think it made her more believable and identifiable. I liked that she too, made mistakes with her kids. No one is perfect and it's ok, if you feed Rice Krispies to your kids for supper once in a while!There were so many other parts of the story that I reflected on, cried, and laughed about. Even though the book is over 400 pages, I quickly became wrapped up in the story and hated to put it down. I believe Ms. Fay has a winner of a novel!

[carolee888 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Shelter Me by Juliette Fay sat on one of my to be read shelves for a long time but I finally took it down and really enjoyed the story. After a little bit of reading it became addictive.The main character Janie LaMarche has recently lost her husband and is grieving for him. They had a wonderful life together and her husband, Robbie gave her a gift that he had not told her about, an addition of a porch to their house. Janie has two children to raise, Dylan, a bright inquistive and sensitive 4 years old boy and Carly, who is 8 months old. It seems that without the children, she might pull into herself and become a hermit. But she has to deal with getting on with life even though her husband's death still seem unreal. Her mother abandons her in her grief for a trip to Italy and she has never learned how to relate to her brother who has Asperger's. She wants shelter and comfort and reaches out the parish priest who has weekly visits to her house. But he has secrets to deal with and they become intertwined emotionally.In the background is the carpenter who creates the porch as something that is to be loved and and he emerges into her life. She feels guilt for enjoying his friendship and closeness so soon after her husband's death. The author does very well in creating believable characters and and ones that you are for. Reading it makes me feel affection for the author and I hope to read many more of her books.

[mckait · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ass kicking widow? Loving mother? Betrayed daughter? Vulnerable friend?, November 16, 2008By K. wagner "*Mitakuye Oyasin or We are All Rel... (Southwest Pa.) - See all my reviews Yes. All of these and more. When this book came my way as an advance copy I expected it to be an interesting and light read. It is. It is that and so much more. Janie is a thirty something mother of two small children who lost her husband in a freak accident. There are many ways to lose a loved one, but to lose a soulmate with no time to say good-bye has to rank as one of the most difficult. I expected to find a story that was sad and depressing and maybe a little difficult to read. Sad was there, betrayal, vulnerability and fear were all there. And humor. There is lots of humor. Hard to believe I know, considering the basic story. But difficult, no...no. I was drawn into this story, and found myself caring about the characters immediately. Janie is strong, hurt but strong. When she was young, she simply did not believe that she would be one of those women who found true love and a happy life. But she did. She found a man who was able to "Get" her. To understand where she was coming from and to support her, love her and be a wonderful father to their children, Dylan and Carly. Her life had become so much more than she expected. Then he was gone. A fatal decision, a moment in time and he was gone. Suddenly a single mom who felt broken, she was carrying on as best she could. She had a wonderful supportive family behind her. Cormac, her cousin and a variety of slightly nutty but caring relatives and friends. Counseling from her priest was at first just an annoyance, but became more, much to her surprise. Life was not through with surprising her, or testing her. This book will land on my KEEPER shelf with the books never to give away and to read again and again. This will be another book I will recommend and in fact give as a gift to friends. I have said before that I love stories about strong women. Women who do not let the stumbles on lifes path get them down. I love Janie and her family and friends and I know you will too.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Janie LaMarche is suddenly widowed at age 38 after seven wonderful years of marriage. Her husband Robby, out riding his bike, was hit by an older driver. She has two children, Dylan, 4, and Carly, who is only 8 months old. Janie is sad, angry, and fearful. Into this house of emotional land mines comes Tug Malinowski, a 45 year old contractor hired by Robby to build Janie a screened-in porch. Tug doesn’t know the man who hired him is dead; he offers to tear up the contract, but Janie decides that if Robby wanted it, she should go through with it.But this isn’t a straight-forward predictable romance. There are a lot of other issues added to the story. Janie feels abandoned by her mother, who took off for Italy rather than helping Janie through this period of mourning. Janie has a twin brother Mike, but he has Asperger’s, and is not someone from whom she can get emotional sustenance. Her best friend and neighbor now has a boyfriend, and is moving away to be closer to him. Janie turns to the young parish priest, Jake, who insists on visiting her weekly, and with whom Janie gets dangerously close. Through it all, including numerous angry outbursts from Janie, Tug hangs in there, helping quietly in the background. Eventually Janie thinks there might be a path to happiness for herself, but like many people in her position, she is afraid to be happy; afraid to betray the memory of her husband, and afraid of risking more loss.Evaluation: This is a good “women’s lit” book, with perhaps too many issues thrown in (some problems of contemporary Catholicism also come into play, such as pedophilia, celibacy, and holiday Catholics; as well as conflicts with relatives and urban crime), but then again, life is complex in just that way. The author does a good job of keeping the reader’s sympathies with Janie, despite Janie’s petulance and emotional volatility.

[oldblack-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reasonably pleasant reading with just enough reality to rescue it from the mushy end of the romance spectrum - although everyone does live happily ever after in the end. I listened to the audiobook version over 11 CDs and it kept me company over many kilometres of nocturnal running. Unfortunately, the reader (Marguerite Gavin) wasn't that great, IMHO. She voiced the young child with slurred speech like a drunk, and quite often put pauses in the wrong place, altering the meaning of the text.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Young wife loses husband in accident and struggles to move on. Lots of mis-cued emotions. Interesting subplot re the priest. Not a perfect ending, but a believable one.

[rockyroad2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the book but sometimes it went off on tangents that were somewhat boring.

[theunorganizedmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a wife and mother I cannot imagine what this character is going through, but the author, Juliette Fay did a wonderful job of showing us. This book was one of the first on my summer reading list and as soon as it arrived in the mail I couldn't wait to get started. It is a heartwarming and honest account of the life and experiences of this young widow and mother of two. Having experienced a heartbreaking loss I completely understand her answer to the question, "how are you doing", where she replied, "shitty"! This book is a must read, although the topic is sad, the book is not. Great job Juliette....I'll be anxiously awaiting your next book!

[mholles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good book. Lots of levels but not too deep or too fluffy. The titlewas very fitting. Plot and characters were great.

[staci_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this is a new author to me and one that I will definitely be reading more of in the future. This book was truly a great read. I enjoyed how the author went between entries of Janie's journal and then back to the story. I loved Janie's character and even loved her when she would get pissed off and throw a fit. She misses her husband so much that she is drowning in the day-to-day monotony of life. With the help of her cousin and aunt, plus a few other characters you will get to know, she manages to hold on and make it through that first year of grieving. I found myself rooting for her, wanting her life to be good, wanting her to heal and to start enjoying the life she now had, one without her beloved husband Robby. Her oldest child, Dylan, will make you laugh, smile, and tug at your heartstrings. Fay has captured an old soul with this precious character. An added bonus to this book is an outstanding Author Insights Q&A, recipes (very cool!), questions for discussions for a book club (this would make for a fantastic book club read!!) and a funny story about how this book ended up all over I-89 in Vermont. If you're looking for a good book with a heartfelt story then I would totally recommend this to you.

[pamv-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I liked it OK and it was not a book that was hard to get into or anything. There just wasn't much "meat" to the story. In fact, it was pretty predictable. For what ever reason, though, I really liked the main character of the book. I think that the author (Fay) had so many things going on in her own head that she wanted to write about that she seemed to have just thrown in a bunch of stuff she just couldn't seem to develop or she didn't have enough time to finish...Not sure.

[nevusmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really good, somewhat predictable. The central figure is a newly single mom, widowed after her husband is killed in an accident, and how she copes in the first year following his death. While the vast majority of the story revolves around the woman and her relationships, a few contemporary issues were given some paragraphs: the pedophile priest scandal, abuse of prescription meds, even Asperger's Syndrome. The message of forgiveness towards the end brought me to tears. While I appreciated the experience and description of the Self-Defense for Women course, it was a given that Janie would be attacked at some point. Of course.

[coolmama_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Juliette has such a way of writing - not trite or chick lit at all - full of full character development, with such empathy and understanding and warmth - she is quickly becoming my new favorite author!Janie LaMarche has recently been widowed. Her husband of 9 years, Robbie had an accident and left her with 4 year old Dylan, and 3 month old Carly. One day, Tug Malinowski, a local contractor, shows up at her door to talk to her husband about the plans for the porch he requested as a gift for his wife.Thrown in the mix is a local priest, Father Jack, who comes to Junie on Fridays since she won't attend a grief group...and he has his own dark secrets.This story about family, love, expectations and loss is a winner!

[fearsomefoursome · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Janie's husband died in an accident, leaving her with two young children. As she deals with her overwhelming grief and anger at his senseless loss, a stranger arrives to build a porch on their house - a gift her husband had arranged as a surprise for her. The building of the porch is a perfect metaphor for the other changes in her life, as she must figure out how to proceed without the husband she loved. Her emotions are raw and real, and Ms. Fay captures them perfectly as Janie struggles through the everyday routine of a life she never planned and resents now having. There are so many characters, all of whom are layered and interesting, who weave through Janie's life. I was just as interested in their stories as in Janie's. I'm recommending it to my book club and look forward with great anticipation to Ms. Fay's next book.

[readingrebecca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shelter Me by Juliette Fay is beyond any doubt one of the best books I’ve read in the last 10 years. This is the story of Janie LaMarche and her first year as a widow with two small children. Her emotions are raw and convincing and her anger is palpable. It sounds so easy to say I felt her pain, but I did. It was real. No matter what her loved ones did for her, there was still the absence of Robbie. No one could change that. Sometimes I wanted to shake her and tell her to straighten up, sometimes give her a big atta girl, and sometimes just wanted to sit down and have a cup of coffee with her and tell her to hang in there. Because isn’t that what we all want; just to know that someone hears you and understands you?Juliette Fay has given a truly remarkable voice to her protagonist, Janie, and has allowed her to have all her emotions, all her anger, all her distrust of her family and friends. After all, they’re not nearly in as much pain as Janie and cannot know how her life has been affected. Slowly I saw Janie come to realize that she did not live in a vacuum; there were others who were affected by Robbie’s death.The characters were all true; these were all people I have known in my former New England neighborhood. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a true to life story about anger and grief and survival, sometimes just making it from minute to minute. This is a book I will keep and read again, something I seldom ever do because there are so many books to read. But I feel connected to these characters and don’t want to let them out of my life just yet.

[askum_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a first time reading one of Juliette's book and I am interested in reading more of her books. I found this book to be really good and very emotional the way people deal with loss.

[moonshineandrosefire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Janie LaMarche has recently lost her husband Rob in a biking accident. In the four months since his death, she has been balanced on the edge of an overwhelmingly emotional crisis - teetering from heartwrenching grief to blazing anger from day to day. However, her mourning is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a contractor with a building order to add a porch onto her house. Bewildered by his sudden arrival, Janie slowly realizes that the porch was actually meant to be a surprise from her husband - now his final gift to her.As a reluctant Janie allows the construction to begin, she steadfastly clings to the familiarity of her sorrow - mothering her two small children with a fierce protectiveness, avoiding well-meaning friends and family, and stewing in a rage she can't release. Yet Janie's self-imposed isolation is continuously breached by a motley crew of unlikely interventionists, all determined to break through her steely shell of grief. The cast of loving intermediaries includes: Janie's chatty Aunt Jude, for whom a stiff slug of ipecac solves everything; her over-manicured, tremendously nosy neighbor Shelly, whose home visits are so regular Janie can almost set her watch by them; her muffin-bearing cousin Cormac, who considers baked goods to be downright therapeutic; and even Tug, the contractor with a private grief all his own.So, as the porch begins to take shape, Janie discovers that the unknown terrain of the future is better charted a day at a time. And that any potential potholes she may encounter along the way are best navigated with the help of others - even those who she never expected to call on, much less learn to love.I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Everything about it resonated with me: the story was well-written, the characters were entirely believable, and the plot was very well-developed. I'm going to be putting this author's name right at the top of my wishlist and would certainly give this book an A+!

[speedy74_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Faced with the unexpected death of her husband, Janie is now a single mother working through her first year of grief. In addition to the normal holiday "firsts" without her husband, Janie has to adjust to being a single parent and dealing with all of the people in her life that have stepped in to help her, sometimes against her will. One of these characters is Tug, a contractor hired by Janie's husband to build a porch, a project which is a total surprise to Janie and is her husband's last gift to her. Janie's irritation, sarcasm, and even her deep felt relief make this book a page turner. While the plot is for the most part predictable, this is a quick and entertaining read that may even provoke a tear or two.

[didishoo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good book that I read in two days. I was surprised to learn that this was Juliette Fay's first novel and I cannot wait to read more of her books. The storyline was very interesting and the characters were also very intersesting and likeable.

[voracious_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a wonderful, heartwarming novel that I am devastated that it is over!!! Janie is a young mother whose husband was recently killed in an accident, leaving her with two young children and a broken heart. She spends the majority of the novel trying to make sense of her grief by lashing out at the world, while tryiing to care for her children. A number of memorable family members and friends play roles in stepping in to support Janie, Dylan and Carly as they start their new life without their husband/father. The lessons Janie learns throughout the novel about love, forgiveness, second chances, and unexpected relationships are memorable and poignant. I sincerely hope Juliette Fay considers bringing Janie's family back in a future novel as I miss them already!

[librarymary09 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really loved this book - have been recommending it to lots of people. I liked how the main character was flawed and hurting, and all the characters were compelling -- had a hard time putting this one down!

[teeth_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first book I've read by this author and I will be reading more . This book is about loss and how a mother of two deals with the loss of her husband. The charachters are very real and the emottions are raw.

[readerwritergirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful first book, one of the best books I've read lately. Fay is an extremely accomplished writer with an amazing ability to get every word just right. Her characters are real people with whom we can sympathize, and her dialogue pulls no punches. Her writer's voice is unique and assured. More please!

[krittersramblings · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing read! I absolutely enjoyed and believed in each character. I feel as though each character could be walking the streets of our hometowns today. I have lost some people in my life to the world beyond - and to hear from one woman's perspective her battle with grief was both heartbreaking and eye opening. I loved how her story felt real. I felt her ups and downs and believed that each moment could be happening to a widow at any time. Without revealing the whole plot line, I appreciated her internal judgement and fear of how others would perceive her taking steps towards moving on from this tragedy.A deep and though provoking read that I would absolutely recommend.

[teenielee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is probably more of a 3.5 star book, but I'm being generous tonight. I was really glad to see some realistic emotions and mean thoughts from the main character.