“Saugatuck, MI, springs to life in this nostalgic, gentle story of lifelong love along with the emotional support and care that families and friends can provide. ” –Library JournalThe discovery of one woman’s heirloom hope chest unveils precious memories and helps three people who have each lost a part of themselves find joy once again.Ever since she was diagnosed with ALS, fiercely independent … ALS, fiercely independent Mattie doesn’t feel like herself. She can’t navigate her beloved home, she can’t go for a boat ride, and she can barely even feed herself. Her devoted husband, Don, doesn’t want to imagine life without his wife of nearly fifty years, but Mattie isn’t likely to make it past their anniversary.
But when Rose, Mattie’s new caretaker, and her young daughter, Jeri, enter the couple’s life, happiness and the possibility for new memories return. Together they form a family, and Mattie is finally able to pass on her memories from the hope chest she received from her mother.
With each item–including a favorite doll, family dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament–the hope chest connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and helps them find hope again in the face of overwhelming life challenges.
A beautiful story about the unconditional love and support of family, The Hope Chest by Viola Shipman will remind you that hope can be found where and when you least expect it.
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I found #TheHopeChest, ViolaShipman by accident while looking for a new book to read at my local #HalpriceBooks.This one captured my heart, reading a woman’s love romance as a young girl who receives a besutiful wooden hope chest for her wedding.
Ive been hooked to this author’s books since and have read all his books, anxiously awaiting #theheirloomgarden. Viola”s books are heartwarming full with romance, love, the care of a loving family and history with tomance found in a #therecepibox, a #Hopechest, a #charmbracelet and the Novela Christmas Angels. I always enjoy reading his childhood bits he captures in his books, while at his grandmothers summer cottage in Michigan. Not a biography but how wonderful he has many wonderful memories there growing uo with his mom and grandparents and to write about them for his novels.I feel like Ive known his family too!
You will love following Viola Shipmans books!
Mattie grew up with loving parents, spending their summers at their beach house on lake Michigan. As she grew older, the beach house became hers and her husband’s home. Mattie now is struggling with ALS and can no longer care for herself, and they must give up the beach house filled with memories. Her husband, Don, is a loving and tireless caregiver, but is starting to realize he cannot do it alone. Rose is a young, divorced single parent of daughter Jeri, she is hired to be a caregiver for Mattie, but she becomes much more. One day the young girl opens an old hope chest and suddenly the memories of Mattie’s childhood come alive. Mattie has a charming story to tell for each item in the chest, and the reader is shown her world, one item at a time. Viola Shipman tells a beautiful and unique story between the past and present. The characters are so well developed, that you really come to care about what happens to them. THE HOPE CHEST well pull at you heartstrings, it was a big tearjerker for me.
I love Viola Shipman books. They help you to remember what is important. This one tells the story of Mattie, who is suffering from ALS, and her husband of 50 years, Don. It also brings Rose and her daughter, Jeri, into their lives.
Beautifully told, very sentimental. Focuses on family and hope. I loved it! I cried more than once at this heartfelt and beautiful love story.
#TheHopeChest #ViolaShipman
With tears streaming down my face, I’ve read the last page and closed the cover of the book. The story in this book will stay with me for a long time.
What an amazing story of strength, love, family, caring, sharing, giving…the list goes on. ALS is a horrible disease, but Mattie deals with it like everything else in her life…with grace and strength. The relationship with her husband, Don, is beautiful and full of unconditional love.
I love how the book weaves a story between Mattie and Rose…from past and present. The author does a wonderful job of making you a part of their lives and how deep the connection with the characters grows. You feel every joy and sadness deep in your soul.
I am honored to have been given the opportunity to read such an amazing book and am looking forward to reading more books by this author. (I just need to make sure I have a box of tissues handy!)