The Shadow of Your Smile (Deep Haven)

Susie May does it again! I read The Shadow of Your Smile when it first came out, but that was before I started writing book reviews. I knew this was the only Deep Haven book I hadn't reviewed--perhaps because by then, funnily enough, I didn't remember it well. But I never got around to rereading it until now. With the coronavirus raging and spring feeling confining, I guess I needed winter. I needed a place that was isolated and introvert-friendly but free of enforced restrictions. And I needed a favorite author.Once again, Susie May more than delivers. I loved the dichotomy of the two romances here--Kyle and Emma just starting out, and Eli and Noelle, married for twenty-five years but floundering until a fateful patch of black ice took it all away...and gave it all back. I hesitated to read this book because I didn't want to watch Noelle lose so much of her life, but Susie balances the gravitas with a heaping dose of hope. Noelle comes across as naturally confused and upset much of the time, yet never a victim. She comes across as prickly, but eager and willing to get her marriage back. That's not easy to pull off, especially when you consider Eli and Noelle's history.Speaking of Eli, he too is a complex and enjoyable character. I don't see myself falling for him the way I would some of Susie's other heroes. Maybe he's too old, or maybe, as Noelle mentioned, he just comes across too gruff even when he doesn't mean to be. I have to admit, her first reaction to him in the hospital was slightly funny--it was the way I'd react if told I was married to Bear Gryllis or Willie Robertson. Underneath that gruff exterior, though, is a man who not only realizes his mistakes but is determined to right them. Eli needs to learn to show up--boy, does he--but when he does, he's all in. I loved seeing him and Noelle relearn about each other. While there aren't many classically romantic moments between them, I loved the moments that existed, like the snowmobile ride or Noelle inviting Eli back to their bedroom.Of course, Kyle and Emma provide plenty of traditional romance, with some trademark Susan May Warren sizzle. I loved the idea of the romance starting as a one-sided high school crush, but then Emma and Kyle learning to relate to each other as adults and as multifaceted, not idealized, people. Their romance expertly mixes the sweet, such as Kyle making Emma pizza and stargazing with her, with the bitter, such as how Emma's mother's reactions influence her to reject Kyle. What you get is a plot that feels young and carefree, yet keeps itself grounded in the reality of life beyond the stars and sparkles.The spiritual element in Shadow of Your Smile is spot-on as well. Kelsey and Emma's music is the perfect conduit, and I loved music as an overall motif. The addition of Psalm 13 was perfect, grounding the story in a theme Scripture without being heavy-handed. I also loved Eli's conversation with Pastor Dan, and how Noelle's paintings reflected her spiritual journey. There's a place where she is asked, "Was this worth twenty-five years of your life?" And, wow. If that wasn't a punch in the gut, in a good way.Throughout the book, heavy or bitter moments mix expertly with sweet and light ones, such as Noelle struggling with her memory while lamenting the almost total lack of femininity in her environment. Or Lee Nelson preparing to sell her house, but having a snarky inner reaction to the realtor. What you end up with reminds me of a cup of dark chocolate cocoa with just a hint of marshmallow--sweet, but not too sweet, slightly edgy, but you lean into the edge. My only regret is not rereading and reviewing this one sooner.

I spent a lot of time crying during this book but found joy in the realization of the love shared by this family. They found love and joy from the good memories.

Book 5 is an outstanding small town story! The plot is exciting and well written. The characters are amazing in every way. ENJOY!

Noelle and her husband Eli have been drifting apart after their daughter was murdered. Noelle is on her way home one day when she has an accident. She wakes up in the hospital thinking she's a college student, not a mom and wife of 25 yrs. It seems like the perfect way for them to start over. But the men who caused the accident are out looking for her, Noelle can't remember even a small part of her life with her family, and Eli must deal with the consequences of his actions.I love how the author tells two stories at once that tie together, but are also their own individual stories. The romance is there, but is more subtle than a typical romance. The author also weaves in a tiny bit of mystery, faith, and a small town feel. While this book is part of a series, it can definitely stand alone. One of the things that I appreciate most about this author and her books is how her books make me think. They are more than just a story.I received this book free of charge from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

This deep haven novel is not a light & fluffy story but deep, realistic drama. I will be honest at first I couldn't really dig in to this one. Most likely because I was in the mood for something more humorous and breezy ... You know when you've had a rough few days you want to escape into something light & happy. This however was a story I am so glad I didn't set aside... In the end this was exactly what I needed to read. Warren speaks to some deeper truths & reminds us to trust God. Trust in God's goodness, His love, His faithfulness.The Shadow of Your Smile is a story of people coping but not really living... They struggle through but have to learn many things like forgiveness (to others & yourself), love, commitment, and most importantly the lesson of letting go and trusting God.What started out as ugh turned into something beautiful in the end. Isn't that what God does with our lives when we give them to Him... He brings beauty from ashes.

I fell in love with Susan May Warren's Deep Haven series last year and I was excited to read a new addition to this series, "The Shadow of Your Smile."Noelle remembers nothing of her current life - her home, her husband, her family, nothing and not only that, but it is not the life she would have ever dreamed she's have. However she tries to remember and settle into the life that is supposedly hers. Noelle discovers some things along the way that make her question whether it is time to move on or to stick with the marriage and her family.This is a great book to read! It is very realistic and I am sure that many individuals will be able to connect with Noelle and the other characters throughout the book. There is humor mixed in as well as moments that will tug at your heartstrings making this an excellent book that you will not want to put down once you start reading! So sit back, relax and escape to Deep Haven and the lives of the individuals that you will meet and fall in love with.

Yet, another great story from the Deep Haven series. Susan May Warren has captured the heart breaking story of loss and turned it into a gain.

Wonderful story about a marriage that had a tragic loss, then fumbles. Noelle and Eli were lost within their marriage, but Noelle had an accident and lost her memory. That forced them to deal together and in a way, liberate them from their tragic past so they could find their way again. The book turned too religious for me at the end, but it didn't detract from the good story.

I have to say, when I started this book it really bothered me. It bothered me as I saw Eli getting closer to Lee and the hint of an affair on the horizon. I really didn't like the character of Eli at the beginning and I had trouble continuing, except for the fact that I trust Susan May Warren and knew something good would come out of this. I was right. I loved the way she brought Eli and Noelle back together and that they found forgiveness and healing. Only God can bring that kind of healing and it was beautifully written into this story. I love how Susan May Warren brings her characters to the point where they realize their need to let go of the hold they have on their life and let God be God. Another great story!