Shelter Me

The last book I read I had trouble putting down. I stayed up way too late a few nights in a row trying to read just a little bit more. And now, a few days after finishing it, I'm in "mourning" over not being a part of the character's lives anymore. I was reading Shelter Me by Juliette Fay.

This book deals with one of my greatest fears...losing my husband to death, which according to an Arizona t.v. interview is also one of the author's greatest fears. I know that sounds pretty depressing and morbid, but really this book was touching and full of love. Janie, a mother of two young children, suddenly finds herself a widow when her husband dies unexpectedly. She deals with her grief using sarcasm and by pushing others away. But fortunately for her, her family takes her pushing and keeps coming back. Her aunt has sent a priest to come talk to her, her next door neighbor, who she barely knew before, is keeping track of her and then a surprise comes to her door. A contractor, hired by her late husband, shows up to build the porch that had been meant as a surprise for her. He takes his time building the porch and becomes an important presence in her life. Through these people, who she tries to push away, she finds hope and love and a way out of her grieving state and back into life.

I got so pulled into this book. My husband's job, while he says isn't dangerous, seems so dangerous to me. If he's late I start to freak out a LOT little. So reading this I could feel a sense of kinship with the main character all while hoping and praying that never becomes me. But also realizing that if it does I can go on...but still, hoping it never happens. I loved the rally of support around Janie from her pushy aunt Jude to her son's best friend's newly divorced mother. Every character, in their own way, made an impact on Janie when she didn't think she wanted it and in the end she was better for it.

I would definitely recommend this book. And I'd suggest keeping some tissues nearby just in case.

I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. No monetary compensation was received and opinions expressed are my own.