Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found. Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The … The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip.
But one autumn day she overhears Calder and another boy having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal.
Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.
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What a lovely, quiet read. Just the sort that you need when you’re sick of murders and thrillers. Susan (aren’t all the best people called that?) is the simple soul, living next door to an identical house in Texas where her “second” family live. She’s grown up alongside the son of that house, Calder who, when the book begins Susan is rather sweet on.
The title is ambiguous. Yes, Susan seems to have a simple soul – she’s kind, honest, frank and rather lonely. Without complaint she’s been looking after her father (or uncle) who has on-set dementia. Yet, underneath Sue has a complexity of feeling. She’s strong, never feeling sorry for herself (her mother died when she was young and her true father left home years ago) and is quite able to stand up for herself when she’s bullied or when a teacher gives her a lower than fair grade.
Noel Branham has the author’s gift of taking the reader right into the hearts of the very believable characters, leaving the reader to decide if he/she likes that person or not, and also creates a setting that took me right out of my world and smack bang into small town Texas which was so well described with humour and gentleness. I almost devoured this novel (reading it in two days) and recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about the realities of life–which can be harsh–but at the same time finds that when the book ends, everything is satisfactory and the ends all tied up. Noel Branham is an author to look out for.
What an incredibly sweet book! This is the first book by the author I have read and it was definitely a worthy read. The book is written well and easy to read, the characters are believable and wonderful, the small town of Walnut Springs, TX is charming, and the plot is fun.
The author writes in third person perspective from Susan’s point of view. Susan is a gifted mathematician who is painfully shy and ostracized because of her family’s past and her simple way of life and the simple things she wants out of life. She’s been in love with her next door neighbor and best friend Calder all her life but he wants to go to college in a big city and doesn’t seem to return her romantic interest. Calder is the opposite of Susan – a prominent son of the town’s sheriff, outgoing, athletic, and wanted by every girl in school. The story builds on their childhood friendship and memories. The plot is carried mostly by the everyday happenings in a small town high schooler’s days so there isn’t a lot of intense action or suspense but plenty of sweet interactions between neighbors and not-so-sweet cattiness of high schoolers. The writing and story reminded me of an old-fashioned classic black and white movie, reminiscent of It’s A Wonderful Life (though the story takes place in modern times where cell phones and email are prevalent). Anyone who enjoys an innocent and charming coming-of-age story would love this book.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not required to write a favorable review. Opinions expressed are completely my own and subjective.
This book sounded so interesting. It had a sweet endearing synopsis that tugged me in just a little. Let me tell you a story about assumptions. Based on the synopsis I built in my head where I thought this book was going to take me. I was so very very wrong. Wrong wasn’t all bad but because I had assumed certain things I had to reevaluate my expectations. I had to put the kabosh on my preconceptions of where this story would take me and settle into the story that was there. You know though, peppered throughout this book were assumptions. Susan and Calder found themselves battling with their assumptions versus their realities. Sometimes assumptions help to tell a story and sometimes assumptions can distract you from the real story. It’s finding that balance of allowing the story to tell itself and setting assumptions aside so you can get to the real story, not the one you made up in your head. I am guilty of that with this book. Susan and Calder are guilty of that in their own lives. Perhaps an unintended theme of this book but one that desperately spoke to me.
That being said there was an issue that I couldn’t overcome with this book. Continuity. While the book is broken down through the passage of time (Fall, Winter, etc) there were gaps that bothered me. When Tia shushes Susan down about letting people know that her dad’s disability was getting worse as she was not yet 17 and that Tia and her husband would not be able to save Susan from child services and keeping her inheritance intact. Yet when he goes to the hospital and adult services steps in to send him to the nursing home there’s no mention or concern about her being underage. Her age came across as a big deal but then apparently she turned 18 somewhere in there off screen. I can’t give all the examples and spoiler the entire book but there’s another instance where Calder wants to join Susan at the nursing home for game night to bolster his community service for college applications. This is in the fall but by the first time he goes it’s winter and they have already celebrated Valentine’s Day. There’s a lot that happens off screen that I felt like was more important to the story than some that happened on screen. Continuity issues is the only reason this book was only rated 3 stars.
The story themes in this book resonated and were well put together. Two young people having known each other their whole lives ultimately have to actually find themselves and find each other. Her the shy retiring outcast of their class and him the outgoing pinnacle of high school success and popularity. Their interactions at school didn’t truly mesh with my experiences and understanding of how those roles are treated but it’s been a few decades and a class of maybe 50 versus my class of not quite 200. Assumptions aside Branham weaves a story of two people, a lifetime, a community, and of finding your place in the world. A story of assumptions and truths. Truly worth the read by anyone who enjoys a coming of age type story.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
I have discovered a new author to me and this story is written with such deep emotions I couldn’t put it down. There is something about Susan that draws you in to her character and goes deep into your soul. I loved how independent she is and how dedicated she is to caring for her invalid dad. She hasn’t had an easy life, but she never complains. Some kids at school make fun of her and I could relate to her immediately. When I was growing up, I was bullied in junior high and high school. I had very few friends just like Susan. I cried when I read how mean the girls were to her and wanted to tell them to stop it. Susan is really just a shy girl who lacks self confidence but she has so much to offer with her compassion and love.
Calder and Susan are next door neighbors and naturally have a deep bond for each other. I liked Calder at times an other times I thought that he should have taken up for Susan more. It surprised me when he belittled her in front of his friends. The book really does a excellent job of talking about friendship and how easily someone can betray you. It shows how jealousy can hurt someone and words can cut to the core. I loved that the book wasn’t a feel good everything is great book. What it is though, is a real look at what teenagers go through and the decisions they make .
When Susan finds out something Calder did that affects her dad, will she be able to forgive him? It is an emotional book that shares the ups and downs of a teenager but goes deeper with real life issues. I wonder how many teenagers are taking care of their parents right now? We don’t really know how someone home life unless we get involved in their lives and show them that people care. It made me think of how much I wish I had someone to go to when I was growing up. I loved the reference to Austin and how people are perceived to look different there. The truth is they feel comfortable being themselves like each of us should feel. I liked how the author expresses that very idea of being yourself throughout the book. The ending is wonderful and full of surprises. This is one book I found to be very honest, emotional and shares how the choices you make, determine your destiny. Forgiveness is not easy, but when you make the choice to forgive, you are set free.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The Simple Soul of Susan is SO good! I mean “the kind of book you will re-read a bunch of times and tell everyone about” kind of good. It’s exceptionally fast-paced (I read it in a day), well written, and gripping. I have nothing but praise for this fabulous story!!!
Susan Combs is the main character, and she is STUPENDOUS. She enjoys the simple things (which is why she is called Simple Susan) and treats people compassionately. She is so mature for her age because of what life has thrown at her since birth (it’s rough — you’ve been warned), but she is also a bit naive. I absolutely love this duality to her personality. One minute she is reading a mathematical text about complex algorithms, and the next she is confused by the phrase “getting to first base.” One of the sweetest, most innocent moments ever in the history of books occurs when Calder, Susan’s next-door neighbor, best friend, and love interest, teaches her what that phrase means. The best part about Susan’s character is that she has a strong moral compass and will not change for anyone. She does not let town gossip or the mean girls ruin who she is and what she believe in. I find Susan an exceptional role model for young adults today.
Calder is the perfect hero. He has the BIGGEST heart, and he cares so deeply. He often does things for Susan in order to help her out, and is there for her when she needs him. The entire world sees Susan as a Plain Jane and odd. They never look past Susan’s Goodwill clothes, her self-imposed 10 pm bed time, or her poverty. To the world, Susan is fodder for the mean girls and town gossips. But Calder sees past all of this to who Susan really is, which makes him the best kind of hero — the boy who gets it!!!
Of the many wonderful things this book has to offer its reader, my number one favorite aspect is the message of this story. The Simple Soul of Susan teaches its readers that real love is a choice that one makes every day. Love is hard work, but totally worth it if you are with the right person. Love is NOT about how you feel. This is such an important theme teenagers today need more now than ever before. Today’s kids are saturated in feelings, and I fear many don’t comprehend what real love is. It seems like teens today, at least the kids I teach, believe relationships are all about what the other person can do for them. This idea of love being a daily decision, a choice that means a lot of hard work and effort, is a foreign concept to many. I would put this book into the hands of all of my students today if I had the budget because I think this message is so timely and important for our young adults.
The Simple Soul of Susan is a literary gem that must be experienced. I adore this book, and I am very sad my time with Susan and Calder is over. I plan to reread this book again very soon. If you are looking for a fantastic read for not just yourself, but for your teen(s) as well, then I implore you to read The Simple Soul of Susan. Run to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of this amazing story today. This book is well worth the trip!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author and Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham
The Simple Soul of Susan was unexpected. I’m not sure what I was expecting, so please don’t ask me that. I guess I could say it fulfilled point #2 from author Noel Branham’s guest post on the blog.
I knew just from reading the acknowledgements I was in for a treat. The author said something about her aunt’s exceptional kindness that she was probably unaware of, as those who are kind are generally unaware of that fact. How very sweet and true!
I did laugh out loud at parts, but for the most part I was holding back tears. My heart was invested in the story and was touched by Susan’s lonely life. Yes, she had Calder’s family and his friendship, but she was still so very alone, especially at school. Susan was quiet and very shy. Unless some girl was trying to find out how to get closer to Calder, the others overlooked and ignored her. She wasn’t bullied. That would have required them actually to acknowledge her.
The “simpleness” of Susan was in her dreams and needs. All she desired was to be loved and to live in her small town the rest of her life. And though it wasn’t specifically mentioned, also the opportunity to serve those around her. I can’t imagine her being content if she wasn’t allowed to do that.
The Simple Soul of Susan touched my soul and lingered in my mind like a refreshing melody. I am so glad that I read it and look forward to more books by this author.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
You can read Noel’s guest post at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.