The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

Tragedy and despair has driven them apart ~ another heartbreak may shatter their marriage completely.

Eli and Noelle Hueston's marriage is on the brink of divorce when an accident results in significant memory loss for Noelle, hurtling her back to college life without any recollection of her husband, marriage or children.  Fearful of the imposing man calling himself her husband, Noelle is shocked at how her life has turned out and searches for answers about the loss of her youthful dreams and desires.

Eli Hueston is surprised by the woman who emerges from unconsciousness, so different to the withdrawn and aloof Noelle he has been avoiding by seeking alone time fishing at his ice house and helping our the widow of his best friend.  

In high school, Emma Nelson was a little bit in love with her best friend's brother but Kyle Hueston never gave her the time of day.  An unexpected meeting proves nothing has changed when Kyle doesn't even recognise her.  Trying to chase someone else's dream has left Emma weary and homesick but nothing will ever make her return to the town of Deep Haven.

The Shadow of Your Smile, a beautiful story of loss, love and discovery, is refreshingly honest with both funny and poignant moments scattered throughout, and is Susan May Warren as her best.  Written with heartfelt emotion and deeply layered characters, Noelle and Eli's journey is captivating, both in its tender moments and the occasions when you want to stop a them from making an inevitably  foolish decision.  Eli and Noelle are intriguing and authentic characters, trying to make the best of a difficult and awkward time as they negotiate their future based on a past only one of them knows.  Emma and Kyle's tentative relationship is equally enthralling as they negotiate the impact of attraction on their divergent future plans and commitments. Susan explores serious themes that impact marriages and relationships with authenticity and honesty, while maintaining the charm and whimsy of that have marked her Deep Haven stories.  If you haven't read any of Susan's books, The Shadow of Your Smile is a great place to start and will undoubtedly garner her readers for life.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

 

With thanks to Tyndale & Litfuse for my review copy via NetGalley 

Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of My Foolish Heart, Hook, Line & Sinker, Waiting for Morning, Nothing But Trouble, Double Trouble and Licensed for Trouble
Character spotlight on PJ, Boone & Jeremy 
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