Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what’s next. She couldn’t have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.
In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button … pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.
Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.
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Susie Finkbeiner has a way of telling stories that make you feel you are sitting right at the kitchen table with the characters. I loved the family and wished I was one of them, but sometimes I felt that Betty Sweet and the Sweet family were just a little too perfect. I wanted Betty to get really angry at some point and it never happened. How I long to look at situations the way Betty Sweet does. I enjoyed this book along with every book Susie Finkbeiner has written. You will not be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I felt like I knew the main character, Betty Sweet, from page one of this book… and loved her to pieces. This book dealt with some heavy issues, but every step of the way I felt as if I was living it along with the can’t-help-but-love-them Sweet family. My daughter spilled her water bottle on my book, and I literally read it with wet pages. That’s how much I wanted to continue Betty’s journey with her. Bittersweet, with so much hope mixed in. I’ve closed the book, but the characters will stay with me for a long time!
*grins* I expected nothing less than five stars from Ms. Finkbeiner! Her storytelling ability is phenomenal.
So, was there anything I didn’t like? Well, to be honest, I finished this book quite awhile ago, and I just sat down to write a review yesterday, soooo…if there is anything I didn’t like, it wasn’t big enough to stick in my head!
Stories that Bind Us is, as I said on Goodreads, a fresh breath of something beautiful. I mean, I’m kinda a sucker for books set in the 1960s (don’t ask me why; I don’t even know), so the setting was fantastic. Diners, ice cream parlors, old cars, the clothing style for that age…just so much yes! *grins*
I adored the characters! Betty, though I expected her to be annoying, was actually a super, super endearing character. Though, being a widow and talking about how hard it is to keep going up and down the stairs, I kept forgetting that she was only forty years old, haha!
Hugo was…the most adorable thing ever. Seriously. Those that know me know that I love little kids, whether fictional or real. So to have a five-year-old little boy who is as sweet as they come and not a brat?? *grins* yessssss.
The Sweet family was so…sweet! (see what I did there? *smirks*) Not only was the fact that they owned and ran a bakery so cool (I’m a sucker for books where food plays a major point), but they were all sooooo cool. Albert and Stan and Marvel (and Pop!) were just…perfection. The twins, Dick and Nick, were hilarious.
The plot hurt but was also full of hope.
If you love a good book filled with endearing characters, a whimsical historical plot, and cinnamon rolls, you’ll definitely want to check out Stories that Bind Us. 😉
(Also—the way the cover and title tied in with the book? That was pretty cool.)
*I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
In “Stories that Bind Us,” the author moves readers without hitting them on such issues as racial injustice and mental illness, both of which have marked my own life in one way or another. Beautifully done!
Sweet, understated, and compelling, Stories That Bind Us is my first Susie Finkbeiner book. I’d heard lots of good things about this author, and I now know they’re well-deserved accolades.
Betty Sweet’s gentle voice grabbed me and didn’t let go. It’s an emotional story but never heavy-handed, tender and heartbreaking in places. I loved the time period and seeing the events unfold through Betty’s kind, steady point of view. Hugo and Betty’s budding relationship was realistic and incredibly emotional as they grew close over a shared bond.
I adored this story, and I’m eager to read more by author Susie Finkbeiner.
What an incredibly amazing story. A story of family, mental health, national crisis and racial injustice during the 1960’s, topics that are currently happening now in our nation right now.
The main character, Betty Sweet did not expect to be a widow at 40, as she is going through the grieving process, she is trying to figure out what is next, never imaging what God has in mind. When Betty’s estranged sister shows up on her doorstep with a child Betty has never met, her passion and purpose returns as she cares for them.
Susie Finkbeiner is a master storyteller and her words are powerful. A story of how relationships have the power to heal. I cried, I laughed especially when Betty hung up laundry on the line and did not want her neighbors to see her husband’s underwear. I loved all the stories that Betty wrote and read to Hugo and the life lessons they taught. Life hurts, like Betty we can all get through the hard times.
This book was provided courtesy of Revell Publishing, through Interviews and Reviews.
This was such a sweet story, with a lyrical voice to it. This was my first Susie read and I can guarantee it will not be my last. This story has a lot of things I loved about it, from the lyrical sense of the story, to the subtle wisdom peppered throughout to the Sweet family. I need more stories with this family! This was a quick read and it just has something that sets it apart from most of the books I read. I can’t quite put my finger on it, whether it’s Susie’s storytelling style or the fact the story line offers a little “something different” or a combination of several factors. I just know I loved this story. Excited to read more of Susie’s stories!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Wow! I was certainly sad to see this book end! But then again, good books usually are over before you know it. I love Susie Finkbeiner. I like how she makes me stop and think about each quote whenever I came across one. I really liked this one because it is fitting for the the 60’s at a time when things were scary in an ever changing world.
” Don’t let the scary things of the world keep you from seeing the good.” “Even the darkest night can’t put out all the light.” I really think that this advice from Betty to Hugo applies even in today’s world. Not just the 60’s. I like how Betty reminds herself while she’s telling Hugo this. Even adults need gentle reminders too.
I remember sitting in church listening to Preacher Joe preaching this very thing. As long as there’s light there will be hope. I think that’s why this particular quote stood out to me. God is always a beacon of light. He’s there for us all the time.
Fear can often make people do things they normally wouldn’t do. This is how Satan can get under our skin if we let him.
Another quote was a lady talking to Betty when she was visiting Clara told her that all we can do is love them if we can’t do anything else. We love them because they are still family. How true this is!
I couldn’t put this book down because everytime I did it would holler at me to pick right back up until I finished it. I love when books yell at me like that. It means they’re fabulous!!
Hugo stole my heart from the beginning and at times made me cry. I just wanted to snatch him right out of the book and keep him for myself. He would be a wonderful friend to my son if he were real.
Betty was a fabulous character too who had a big heart of gold. For what she done for Hugo. I wish she was my aunt. My the stories that she told! I had to laugh at a few of them.
The places that the author described I have actually been there. But I didn’t mind visiting again. I rather enjoyed it! Michigan is my favorite place to visit.
I really liked the actual historical events that took place in real life and I feel that the author has done her research to the T. She’s done an excellent job in bringing them to life so that we can imagine being there ourselves.
Finkbeiner write the best stories ever! This book definitely comes from the heart! I hope this isn’t her last.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! It certainly deserves it. I would reread this book over and over because it’s just that good!
Friends you just have to read this heartwarming tale of an era gone by! So so good!
I highly recommend!
My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a beautiful read! One I highly enjoyed!
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own. NO compensations were received.
What a beguiling and captivating novel, Stories That Bind Us is! Susie Finkbeiner captures the era of the ’60s in vivid, powerful and striking detail.
Betty Sweet and her sister, Clara, grew up in tough circumstances. Betty was able to overcome most of her younger life with the help of her husband, Norman, and her penchant for inventing stories. Her faith in God lifted her above the adversity in her life. Sadly, Clara was not so lucky.
Stories That Bind Us takes us through tumultuous times for our country and for Betty and Clara. Even though there seems to be a lot of turbulence and upheaval in their lives, Betty is able to ground herself and Clara’s son, Hugo, with her stories. Betty’s tales are relevant to the situations she and Hugo often encounter.
Reading the novel instilled a positive, encouraging and heartening feeling about life. Despite depressing and heartbreaking times, both in their lives and in the United States, Finkbeiner shines the light on the good and wonderful aspects of life, family and love.
I enjoyed the flashbacks to the “oldies” music of the ’60s, which reminded me of my childhood. Accounts of historical events also teased my mind, as I vaguely remembered news stories and happenings in areas I lived in or near, which resonate with current events now.
A novel that will stay with you for a long time after reading it, Stories That Bind Us, is a must-read for anyone interested in faith-inspired historical fiction.
I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to write a review.
#StoriesThatBindUs #NetGalley
Stories That Bind Us
By Susie Finkbeiner
Betty Sweet’s life is just about as close to perfect as it could be. She’s married to her first and only love, Norman. But all of that changes when she is left a widow at 40 years of age. Lost in her grief she cuts herself from her life until her sister-in-law won’t take no for an answer and helps her see that the rest of the family is hurting too. Just because Norman died doesn’t mean Betty is no longer part of the Sweet family.
When Betty’s long-estranged sister Clara returns, parts of Betty’s past return to her. Memories of her mother and the darkness she often found herself in. Memories of her childhood with Clara. But Clara isn’t alone, she has a son Hugo whom no one knew about. Hugo stands out in LaFontaine, Michigan as biracial persons don’t call the small-town home.
Betty almost instantly falls in love with the 5-year-old nephew she has just met. But she is concerned as Hugo shows signs of having a mother just like Betty’s. Clara is slipping into a darkness and despair that she seems unable to pull herself out of. With love and care, Betty shows Hugo that love can be given freely and that accidents happen without outbursts of anger. As Hugo begins acting like a little boy instead of a careworn old man Betty finds herself dreading whenever Clara decides it is time to again leave home behind.
The Stories That Bind Us is a beautiful and moving read about the power of family and the stories of our past that bind us together. This book is set in the tumultuous days of the 1960s – calls of equality, threats of war, and political upheaval with the assassination of President Kennedy. What seems so far removed LaFontaine finds itself becoming news that enters Betty’s world when she is mourning her own private loss. Betty is about to become a fighter – fighting for her sister and the nephew she has come to love – inspired by a story she shared with Hugo of Clara’s determination years before. Family and love are worth taking a risk for.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Betty Sweet suddenly becomes a widow at age 40 and author Susie Finkbeiner eloquently shares her journey in Stories That Bind Us. I was especially moved by the description of Betty’s early days of mourning, when she stayed hidden in her house for almost a month because “I was grieving and I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it.” (p. 48) It is when her sister is placed into a mental institution that she experiences another life-changing event. Betty, who never had children, becomes the caregiver for her five-year-old nephew, Hugo. He is as needy as she is and it’s obvious that a special bond is about to be created between a grieving widow and a sweet little boy with light brown skin and big brown eyes. As Hugo struggles with the absence of his mother, it is his Aunt Betty who chooses to comfort him with the stories that she shares. Some are true and some are made up but they become the stories that bind them together.
Stories That Bind Us is a realistic portrayal of widowhood, depression, mental illness, and the racial climate of our country in the early 1960s. It is historically accurate because I myself experienced the shock and grief of President Kennedy’s assassination and felt the despair over the four little girls who were killed in a Birmingham church bombing. I lived during those events and Finkbeiner vividly depicts every emotion! She also captures the racism that existed and there is a moving moment when Betty takes Hugo to see a castle and notices how the caretaker keeps looking at them. She realizes that “the man didn’t think we went together. We didn’t match. Me with my light skin and Hugo with his dark.” (p. 157)
I highly recommend this beautiful story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I won’t soon forget Stories That Bind Us. There are moments of both tears and laughter sprinkled throughout but isn’t this true of life? Finkbeiner reminds us that love can heal us and that the events that threaten to break us are often preparing us for a happiness that we didn’t know was waiting! “Love hurts sometimes. But it was always worth it.” (p. 311)
I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.
This book was absolutely amazing, a tearjerker and heartwarming story. I loved the author’s writing style. I loved the Sweet family in the story. Their pains and losses was so relatable and heartfelt. Sweet little Hugo, a wonderful gentleman even at his young age stole my heart. My heart went out for Clara but I was grateful her story did not end poorly. I admired her fighting spirit. It was impossible not to love Betty, she was amazing, caring, loyal and loving. Pops made me laugh out loud with his mischievous antics. Marvel was a sister that everyone would love to have. Shy and sweet Albie! The full of life Twins Dick and Nick brought constant excitement to the lives of everyone around them. Stan the ever supportive husband. Norman, the exceptional husband who always loved.
The lives and stories of these captivating characters spelt a story of love, loyalty, forgiveness, family and the fact that we would have trails of all kinds but God always wins and overcomes for us.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Such a timely book! I’m sure when author Susie Finkbeiner wrote this she was not expecting it fit so perfectly into current events.
Finkbeiner writes a heartwarming story that contains family love, pain, discrimination, addiction, and hope. Her characters are strongly written and I found myself becoming very attached to them. They could be the people who live next door and little Hugo could be attending your child’s school. They were caring, fun, and determined.
With sight seeing trips that were fun and written in details that allowed me to see where Betty and Hugo traveled, and engaging bedtime stories for Hugo, there was whimsy along with the depth. I truly hope Finkbeiner branches out and writes some children’s books for us.
If you enjoy historical fiction then you must get a copy of Stories That Bind Us.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This is a book that you can sit back and enjoy. There is no suspense, mystery, murders nor romance, just a young widow living her life and reflecting on the past. When she was a child, when she married and the unexpected death of her beloved. There are some serious issues like the death of a spouse, death of a parent, mental illness, and racism. These topics are not dwelt upon, just mentioned as they are a part of her life. She sometimes finds herself floundering in her faith but has friends and family to help lift her spirits. All in all a well written story that reaches into the heart with the the issues of life that Betty Sweet deals with in her life. It has real life situations, wonderful believable characters, and a story that flows so well.
“Stories That Bind Us” by Susie Finkbeiner is one of those rare, special books that truly made me happy. To clarify, I enjoy reading almost any book; that was also the case with this one. What I mean is that, during and after reading it, I was left with a sense of personal happiness…a sense of abiding joy. This is truly a special book, and I recommend it very highly.
Main character Betty Sweet is a genuinely good person. She cares about others, is loyal to her family, and always does whatever she can to help in any given situation. The story focuses on her relationships with her family, both past and present. Through this, the reader is treated to an in-depth study of her character.
The story itself comes through in three main components. First, we have the present day, in which Betty is coping with the death of her husband, the surprise arrival of her estranged sister and her son, and the opening of a chain competitor to her family’s business. Second, we have Betty’s memories of the past, through which we learn more about her, her complicated relationships with her parents and sister, how she met her husband, and how her relationships with his family members evolved over time. Third, we have Betty’s stories. These are a mix of stories she remembers from her own childhood and new ones she makes up. All are told to her young nephew as she tries to help him cope with his mother’s illness and feel comfortable in his new life.
This book deals with some serious issues: death of a spouse, death of a parent, mental illness, and racism. Despite these heavy topics, the story still feels uplifting; I never felt overwhelmed by the difficult subjects, but instead found inspiration from the way Betty dealt with them.
Overall, this book is a wonderful slice-of-life and character study. Nothing monumentally exciting happens to the characters, but I still eagerly anticipated each new small development in their lives. I wanted to learn what happened next just as much as if I’d been reading a best-selling thriller.
Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about “Stories That Bind Us”. Read it, enjoy it, and give some thought to the stories of your own life, and how they bind you to the people around you.
Five out of five chunks of creamy mild cheddar!
This was my first time reading a book by Susie Finkbeiner, and I had no idea what I was walking into when I opened up her book. It with so much bittersweetness, and about finding joy in the everyday moments. Susie Finkbeiner took the bad things that happen and made them into a blessing in disguise. This book came out at the perfect time for the world today, it deals with loss, racism, and mental health. It takes those themes and shows God’s love through them in such a good way. A very heart-warming story filled with great life lessons and a great example of faith lived out. The synopsis does not do this book justice. Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this journey down memory lane.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the compelling story, the great characters, and the themes discussed within this book. The only thing that could have made it better was something that happened at the beginning of the book (I am NOT going to give a spoiler) but you will understand when you read it.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
There are authors that have the ability to take readers inside a story and make them feel as if they are part of it. This author is one of them. Her writing is emotional, honest and forever feels your heart with warmth. Betty was easy to like with her gentle spirit. She is only forty and already a widow. My heart broke in pieces as I could feel her loss. I love the time period and how the author lets us experience history making news.
It seems only yesterday that we were watching a man named Martin Luther King Jr. give a speech that was so powerful I have never forgotten it. Yes he had a dream that one day there would be no prejudice and we would all love one another. The author also includes the tragic death of President Kennedy.
When Clara and Hugo were introduced into the story, I immediately knew this would be a journey that would take me through tissues, laughter and hope. The author shares stories about Betty and Clara’s childhood. It wasn’t easy for them to have a mother who spent more time in bed than with them. Bless their father for trying to make their lives as normal as he could. Hugo is a sweet child who is timid and has fears of being left. Oh if I could hug him I would. That little boy captured my heart and I loved how Betty connected with him through stories. He was easily welcomed into the family and never once was he made to feel anything but family.
The stigma of mental illness is one that many families face everyday. As Clara begins to show signs that she needs help, Betty was right there to help her. I loved how Betty stepped up and took over the care of Hugo and showered him with love and security. It was hard to watch Clara start to descend into a state where hospitalization was needed. I can’t imagine the treatments she received were easy, but Betty was there to give her sister encouragement. I think it helped Clara to know that she had family that cared and would not abandon her.
The story is a look at a broken family that finds their way back to each other in a moving journey through tears, joy and hope. I cheered at the ending because the author gives readers a glimpse at what unconditional love looks like.
I received an arc copy of this book from Revell Reads. The review is my own opinion.
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.
I have always enjoyed the books I’ve read by Susie Finkbeiner and this book is no exception. The story is easy going and on the bland side, but that is not a criticism but that it is not action-packed. It shows what a regular family is like when bad things happen. The main character, Betty, goes through a couple of really bad experiences in a very short time and this story shows how she deals with the situations and how her family helps her.
The story is set in the early 1960s, in lower Michigan. I can relate to these descriptions as I live near the areas described. I understand the background and surroundings.
This is a Christian book, but it is not preachy in any way. It shows how a Christian woman uses her faith to get through rough times. It also shows how weak our faith can be at times.
Towards the end of the book, there were a couple of historical happenings that were incorporated that I felt could have been left out. I felt like they were added to lengthen the timeline of the story but were not really needed. This is my biggest criticism of the book.
The editing was very well done. This is very important to me as poor editing can ruin an otherwise good book.
This review is my own, personal opinion and I received this book through the Revel Reads Blogger program. A positive review is not required. I give this book a 3 out of 5-star rating.
Susie Finkbeiner is a master storyteller who never hesitates to tackle hard subjects with sensitivity. Stories That Bind Us is a snapshot of life in the middle 1900s—the ups and downs, the everyday struggles, and the events that defined and shaped the people who lived through them. It’s about the stories that surround us in our lives, how they make us who we are and form our memories, and how they can comfort and help heal.
This tale is full of realistic, ordinary, broken characters trying to navigate through the messiness of life. The author seamlessly pieces together snippets from the past with ones from the present to form a beautiful tapestry of life. Having lived through much of the same era, it was interesting to read some of the slices of history that she wrote into the story.
Powerful themes of compassion, healing, and love of family combine to make this a heartwarming and memorable read. I’m looking forward to more stories from this fantastic author. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany Publishing/ NetGalley. All opinions are my own.