Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner ~ Review

My Review:

A compelling character driven novel, whose quietest moments speak loudest.

Betty Sweet is only forty years old, and still reeling from the death of her beloved husband, recounting memories, when her estranged sister pops back into her life, along with her five year old son, Hugo.

Told through the eyes of Betty, she recalls moments from years past, both painful and beautiful, from life with her sister, father and mother, to meeting her husband, as well as stories all her own.

The Sweets are a close knit family, and I loved every single one of them, and how they band together, doing whatever they can to help each other. If you asked me to pick a favorite I don't think that I could, from Norm, Pops, Marvel, Albert, Mom Sweet, Nick and Dick they were all brought so vividly to life that I could just see them in my mind's eye. I suppose my least favorite was Stan, purely from a lack of page time standpoint and the fact that he technically isn't a Sweet, but even he is pretty fantastic. I love how Nick and Dick include Hugo in all of their games and mischief, not minding that he is half their age.

This was a heart-tugging read, and like I mentioned earlier more character driven than plot driven,so there were some slower moments, but since they fit the flow of this story I didn't really mind them that much even though I noticed them.

This is an enjoyable and compelling read set in the 1950's, capturing snapshots of a life, and the little moments that turn into memories. This story works well in the first person POV, and I couldn't help falling in love with little Hugo and his curiosity about the world around him and innocent intelligence. Spellbinding, would lose track of time as I became immersed in Betty's world as she shared it with Hugo. Full of faith, this beautiful book shows the bonds of family and the Stories That Bind Us. 


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.