Stories That Bind Us, (Revell), by Susie Finkbeiner is a coming of age story. Our main character Betty Sweet marries her childhood sweetheart only to be widowed at 40. Her in laws are her greatest support system but she is quickly unraveling. Unexpectedly her estranged sister shows up accompanied by a nephew Betty didn't know she had. As we learn of her sister's mental health issues stories from her childhood explain the full picture. As Betty's sister tries to heal, Betty is left as the sole caretaker for her 5 year-old nephew.
As they are both grieving in their own ways Betty tells stories. She uses them as a way to teach, inspire, and help Hugo (her nephew) not to feel so alone. The way story is used to heal is so endearing.
Other heavy topics are touched upon lightly as Hugo is a mixed child being raised during the hight of the Civil rights movement. A 5 year old that feels abandoned by his mother, has to struggle to understand why he is ostracized because of the color of his skin, and learn to drop the heavy responsibility of care taker and learn to be just a little boy.
As heavy as that all sounds this was a pretty light read. Hallmarkish in a sense. It felt southern although it wasn't. And I had to remind myself Betty was only 40 as she felt a lot older.
I would recommend as a poolside read (that is if you have access to a pool this pandemic summer...otherwise just as an easy relaxation).
A copy of this book was provided to me for review by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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