Stories That Bind Us: A Novel

By Susie Finkbeiner

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 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Jun 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781493423187

Book preview

"Susie Finkbeiner graces us with a quiet novel about ordinary people who use storytelling to navigate a life that has become far more complicated than they wished it was. As she peels away the layers of self-protection around her characters, revealing them to us in all of their complexity, the people we see staring back look a lot like ourselves, cloaking past hurts with present distractions and misdirections. Stories That Bind Us reminds us that life is messy and love hurts sometimes—but it is always worth it."

Erin Bartels, author of We Hope for Better Things and The Words between Us

Well, Susie Finkbeiner has done it again, giving us a heartbreaking, heartwarming story so fixed in real time that reading it feels like visiting some familiar past. Her narrator is warm and genuine and brings us along at just the right pace. I’m left wishing I could spend time with the Sweet family in person, play with the boys, taste the pastries. Is there anything more wonderful than a story full of characters that take up residence in our own history? This story is a gift.

Shawn Smucker, author of the award-winning novel Light from Distant Stars

"There is a timelessness to the experience of reading Stories That Bind Us. With soft, exquisite precision, Susie Finkbeiner doesn’t quite deliver a story with a discernible beginning, middle, and end. Instead, the reader enters midstream in a lifelong romance and, in a masterful interweaving of present action and flashback, feels the life of Betty Sweet lap at the edges of the page. Grieving the loss of her husband, Betty finds focus and solace in caring for her troubled sister’s young son. This is especially poignant, given that she and her husband, Norm, were not able to have children during the course of their long, loving marriage. Her healing is gradual and surprising and achingly sweet. And while, yes, this is a work of historical fiction, it is an era that lives in our photo albums and home movies. In a voice that will be welcomed by fans of Anne Tyler, Finkbeiner creates compelling drama from the breath-to-breath moments of an ordinary life."

Allison Pittman, author of The Seamstress

"Stories That Bind Us is a lyrical, evocative novel about sisters, the beautiful complications of maternal love, and sacrifice. In the process of showing us how to love, Finkbeiner reminds us that we, too, are worthy to receive it."

Jolina Petersheim, bestselling author of How the Light Gets In

"Rich with more texture and tenderness than the sweets from the family bakery, Stories That Bind Us is a novel that takes readers not only back in time, but deep into heart issues we may have forgotten but can’t afford to ignore." 

Cynthia Ruchti, award-winning author

Books by Susie Finkbeiner

All Manner of Things

Stories That Bind Us

© 2020 by Susie Finkbeiner

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-2318-7

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

To Jocelyn and Sonny.

Storytellers, both, and very good friends.

Contents

Cover

Endorsements

Half Title Page

Books by Susie Finkbeiner

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Epigraph

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Epilogue

Author’s Note and Acknowledgments

About the Author

Back Ads

Back Cover

Be like the bird that, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.

—VICTOR HUGO

CHAPTER

one

My Norman had never understood why I liked to hang laundry on the line when I had a perfectly good dryer inside. Especially considering my reluctance to create even more work for myself around the house. But on days like that morning, when the sun shone just the way a child might draw it—with beams streaking the sky and clouds full and soft as cotton balls—I simply could not resist.

Days like that made the clothes smell fresh in a way a gas dryer never could.

I pinned half a dozen of Norm’s undershirts to the line along with a pair of Wranglers he liked to wear on the weekends, a soft flannel shirt he’d had since the Truman administration, and the dress socks he wore with his church shoes. His briefs I hung on the middle line so the neighbors wouldn’t see them.

I certainly didn’t want the entire street goggling at my husband’s skivvies.

Done with that chore, I stood in the yard, laundry basket resting on my hip, and breathing in the earthy smells of late spring.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, I put down my basket and kicked off my kitten heels so I could feel the blades of grass through my hose-covered toes. That time of day, the neighborhood was quiet. All the children were in school and the men at work. Housewives were inside mopping the floors or dusting their knickknacks like I should have been.

No one was around to see me plant myself on the soft ground, legs stretched out in front of me, my head tipped backward so the sun could warm my skin, pale from the long Michigan winter.

Shielding my eyes with one hand, I watched a bird soar far up in the sky, its dark wings spread wide at either side. Even though I knew the sun was millions and millions of miles away, from where I sat it looked as though that bird was going to fly right into the center of it.

Now, what was that story? I whispered to myself.

A shard of memory pierced its way into my mind. A story my mother had told my sister and me, more than thirty years before. Listing my head to one side, I tried to remember how it went. There’d been a little girl, I knew that much. A little girl who was afraid of the dark.

She was called Lily. It was the kind of name that sounded elegant to me. A name that belonged in a story or a song. I tried with all my might to remember how it had sounded when my mother had said it.

For the life of me, I couldn’t manage to bring her voice to mind. It had been so long since I’d last heard it.

What I did recall was that the story had a sad ending. At least I’d thought so when I was younger. It had made my tummy hurt and my heart feel tender for poor Lily.

I shut my eyes, letting the sun glow a pinkish-red through my lids, and tried to imagine a happily-ever-after for her.

The sound of a screen door opening and slapping shut a few houses away made me jump, causing my wandering mind to retreat back where it belonged. Namely, that wandering mind belonged inside where there were floors to be scrubbed and windows to be washed.

Getting myself off the ground, I picked up my basket, smoothing the skirt of my housedress and hoping I hadn’t managed to get a grass stain on my behind.

It would have been completely normal for a younger woman to sit in the middle of her backyard, daydreaming the morning away. But a younger woman I was not, so I made my way inside.

It wasn’t until I’d put the laundry basket downstairs in the basement that I remembered I’d left my shoes in the grass.

When Norman and I were first married, we had next to nothing. An apartment with very little elbow room, a rusty bicycle Norm used to make deliveries for the family bakery, and a mismatched set of dishes collected from the extras of a few church ladies. That was it. I hardly had a pot to boil water in.

Oh, but we were young and in love. We hardly realized what we lacked.

We lived in that little apartment for five years before we were able to buy a house. Of course, two of those years Norm was gone at war in Japan and I was glad I didn’t have to keep up anything with a yard while he was gone.

After he came home, we bought a charming two story on Deerfield Avenue in Norm’s hometown of LaFontaine, Michigan. It was a red brick house with white trim and black shutters. The yard was a nice size with plenty of shade trees and flower beds. Norm apologized for not being able to afford something more palatial. But it was just right for me. It was a home of our own, and that was all I’d ever dared dream.

On the day we moved in, Norm had carried me over the threshold, shutting the door behind us with his foot. He didn’t put me down in the living room but just kept on lugging me through to the doorway of our new-to-us bedroom.

What are you doing? I’d asked, giggling and blushing in a way that I hoped was becoming of a twenty-two-year-old woman. Norman!

Well, sweetheart, he’d answered, I thought it was a good time to get started on filling this house with children.

The rest of that memory was best left between my husband and me. I’d always been prone to blushing. Unfortunately, flushed cheeks on a forty-year-old woman wasn’t as becoming and a signal of a different kind of change on the horizon.

As sweet as that first day in our home had been and most of the eighteen years after, there were a few bitter times.

From where I stood at my pink porcelain sink, doing up a few dishes, I could see where Norman might have built a playhouse or put up a swing set. I blinked away my imagination and drained the water from the sink before drying my hands. It was a bad habit of mine, pining away after what could never be.

Now, Betty, I said to myself. Carry on.

If there was one thing I’d learned, it was that God did give and take away. I didn’t have to like it, I only had to accept that he knew what he was doing.

Instead of letting myself think of it too much, I made my grocery list for the week. While some women, it seemed, could work their way through the aisles of the store knowing by instinct what their pantries lacked and only getting what they needed, I tended to wander if I didn’t have something to keep me on task.

My list had changed quite a bit in the twenty-three years since we’d gotten married. I no longer had to scrimp and save the way I had at the beginning. I could even splurge a little now and then.

I tried to never take it for granted.

Slipping the list into my purse, I noticed the brown paper bag on the kitchen counter. Norm had forgotten his lunch, the silly man. I grabbed it as I headed out the door.

I never did mind an excuse to stop in at the bakery and see him in the middle of the day.

LaFontaine was a Goldilocks-sized town. Not so big that someone could be completely invisible. Not so small that everyone knew the business of everybody else. It was just right. Our little community was smack-dab between Detroit and Lansing. If ever we wanted something only a bigger city could offer, it was just a forty-five minute drive in one direction or the other.

Usually, though, everything I needed was less than a mile from my front door. I could have walked to get my hair cut or have my teeth cleaned or any other number of things. Of course, I usually drove to save myself a little time.

Besides, I never felt so sophisticated as when I was behind the wheel of my coral and gray Chevy Bel Air. It had been a birthday present from my husband just a few years before. That man of mine certainly knew how to spoil me.

I was glad to find a parking spot on the street, right in front of the bakery. Sweet Family Bakery was as much home to me as the house on Deerfield Avenue.

Before I even reached the propped-open front door, I could smell the warm, inviting scent of bread baking. I tried to ignore how it made my mouth water. Being married to a baker meant that I’d never had to make my own bread or cakes. It had also caused me to be a little thicker around the waist than I needed to be.

Norman said that it was just more to love, which was kind of him, I supposed. Still, I didn’t like the way I had to move to the next size up in girdle every few years. As I stepped through the door, I promised myself I wouldn’t take a single goodie from the display case, no matter how delicious it smelled.

I knew I wouldn’t keep that promise, but at least I made a valiant effort, even if only for a moment.

Hey there, Betty, Stan said from behind the counter, folding the newspaper he’d been reading and tossing it next to the cash register. Old Norm didn’t say you’d be stopping in today.

I lifted the paper bag. He forgot his lunch.

Typical man. He shook his head.

I lowered my eyebrows and smirked at him. That brother-in-law of mine had an interesting sense of humor.

I was out and about anyway, I said, stepping toward the display case to look at the Danishes, my resolve crumbling. How are sales today?

Pretty good. He nodded at the pastries. Raspberry. You want to try one?

I pulled my hands up to my chest, still holding the paper bag.

Oh, I shouldn’t.

Come on. It’s got fruit. That makes it healthy, doesn’t it? Stan grabbed a wax paper square and plucked a Danish from the case, passing it over to me. It’s a new recipe. Tell me what you think.

I took the goodie and held it up to my nose. Oh, it smells wonderful.

Stan winked at me and turned when he heard Norm step beside him, then went to the back where he, no doubt, had bread dough churning in the mixer.

Well, I thought I heard your voice, Norman said. Hi, sweetheart.

It was in that very spot that I’d first seen him. Of course, we were both so much younger then. He was every bit as handsome as he’d been that first day. Just a little gray at his temples and some padding on his stomach too. But his smile still made my heart pitter-patter like it had years before. His hazel eyes just as bright. More green than brown.

That day, though, something wasn't quite right with him. He looked tired, a little pale.

Are you feeling okay, honey? I asked.

Sure thing. He raised a fist to the middle of his chest, rubbing along his sternum. Just a case of indigestion.

What did you have for breakfast? I asked.

A good wife would have been up with her husband at four in the morning when his alarm went off. I, however, was of the opinion that if the early bird wanted the worm so badly, he was free to it.

I had some of that leftover sausage on a bun, Norm answered. And a couple cups of coffee.

Maybe that sausage was a little spicy. I cringed.

Could be.

I’m sorry.

It’s nothing to be sorry about. He came around the counter. Besides, how can I be upset with a woman who brings me my lunch?

I handed him the bag and accepted his kiss on my cheek.

Thank you, sweet Betty Sweet, he whispered into my ear and put his hands on my hips. I’m happy to show my appreciation when I get home tonight.

Oh, you’ll do up the dishes after dinner? What a treat that would be. I pulled away from him and gave him what I hoped was a flirty little wink.

If that’s what you want to call it. His grin was only half-hearted, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes more defined than usual.

Do you need me to get you an antacid? I asked. Maybe you should just come home and rest for a little bit.

Already took one. He grimaced. Hasn’t kicked in yet, though. I’m not sick enough to leave work, hon. They need me here. I’ll be all right.

Okay. Maybe try a little baking soda in water if that doesn’t work. Then I raised my voice loud enough to be heard in the back. Have Stan send you home if you’re still feeling puny.

Stan peeked around the corner. You got it, boss.

Well, I better get to the grocery store, I said. Bring home a few dinner rolls if you think about it, please.

All right, Norm said, this time kissing my lips.

I patted his chest before turning for the door, the Danish still in my hand. As I was going out, my father-in-law was coming in, leaning heavily on his cane and smirking at me in a way that made me think he was planning on a little mischief.

One of the many things I loved about Pop Sweet was that he treated everyone as if they were God’s gift to him. But he reserved his teasing for those of us he called family.

You pay for that? he asked, nodding at the Danish.

I’ve been paying for it ever since I became your daughter-in-law, I answered, raising my eyebrows and trying not to giggle at my own response.

Oh, don’t I know it. His eyes sparkled. Best thing that ever happened was you coming along and marrying that boy of mine so he’d finally get out of my house. I could hardly afford the grocery bill while he was at home.

Now, Pop, Norm said from behind me. I know you cried at the wedding.

Tears of joy! Pop lifted his arms, wobbling just a little when the cane lifted off the ground.

Baloney, I said. Don’t you remember what you said to me right before the wedding?

I’m old, Bets. I don’t remember what I ate for breakfast.

You said that I should be good to your son because he was one of your three greatest treasures. I took a good-sized bite out of the Danish. The flaky pastry full of butter and sugar nearly melted in my mouth. And you should try one of these. They’re scrumptious.

I know. He leaned on his cane. It’s my recipe.

He patted me on the shoulder when he walked past me, his hand warm through the fabric of my dress.

I wouldn’t have told him this, but I knew that the reason Norm was such a good man was because Pop had always been such a good man.

John and Lacy Sweet had raised three of the very best people I’d ever met, and I was grateful they were my family. As I walked out of the bakery, I passed a picture on the wall of the Sweets when they first opened the business. Seven-year-old Norman to the left of Pop and five-year-old Albert to his right. Mom Sweet stood beside Norman, hand on the slight bump of her belly that would eventually become round with baby Marvel.

Someone had taken an ink pen to the bottom of their picture and written Sweet Family Bakery grand opening. February 1928.

I wondered if they had any idea that the bakery would still be open even thirty-five years later.

Looking into the photographed eyes of Mom Sweet, I saw determination enough to know that she’d entertained no doubts.

We’ll stay open until God tells us it’s time to quit, she’d said to me just a few months before she passed away. Some are meant to preach and some to build houses. We Sweets were made to bake, and that’s what we intend to keep doing.

I thought that if heaven had a bakery, Mom Sweet would be there keeping the ovens going.

Goodness, I missed her something awful.

Sometimes I tried to figure out how I was so lucky to end up marrying into such an incredible family. Most of the time I realized it hadn’t been luck at all.

It was nothing short of a gift.

CHAPTER

two

It wasn’t yet eleven in the morning when I heard the low rumble of Norman’s Impala pulling into the garage. I set my knife on the cutting board beside the onion I was chopping and opened the door to see what was the matter.

It certainly was unusual for him to be home at that hour in the middle of a workday.

He hefted himself out of his car, the collar of his shirt unbuttoned and pulled loose, his flour-covered apron still hanging from his neck but untied around his middle. Red of face and droopy of jowls, he looked horrible.

Poor dear, I whispered, wiping my hands on the skirt of my apron and stepping aside so he could get in past me.

It wasn’t often that Norm got sick, but when he did, he really got it.

He trudged into the house, sandy blond hair plastered to his forehead.

Is it the indigestion? I asked.

Nah. I think I got a touch of the flu, he said, leaning against the back of a kitchen chair. Don’t get too close. It’s a bad one.

At this time of year? I moved toward him, putting a hand on one of his. Do you have a fever?

Well, I’m perspiring like a pig. He lumbered through the kitchen and to his chair in the living room, plopping down in it.

I can see that. I took a hanky from the pocket of my apron and dabbed it along his forehead. You’re sure it’s just a bug? Should I call the doctor?

I’m sure. Nothing to worry about. He cleared his throat.

I felt of his forehead with the soft inside of my wrist. You don’t have a fever. Are you sure it isn’t something else?

Betty, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry, he said, taking my hand in his, putting it to his lips, and giving it a peck. Your hands smell like onion.

What a romantic you are, I said, taking my hand back and crossing my arms.

I thought I could make it to the end of the day. He rested his head on the back of the chair. But, thanks to you, Stan kicked me out.

Well, I’m glad he did.

I lifted his head with one hand and pulled the apron off with the other. The smell of the bakery still clung to his clothes, mixed with his Old Spice and Brylcreem.

I forgot your rolls. Norman lowered one side of his mouth in a half frown. If you really need them, I can go back out.

You aren’t going anywhere, I said, shaking my head. How about I get you a little ginger ale? And maybe a mug of beef bouillon?

Norm nodded and then cringed as if a great pain had seized him. You better wash that kiss off your hand. I don’t want you getting this. It’s awful.

That’s the least of my worries.

I went directly to the kitchen, putting water on to boil and finding a can of Vernor’s in the pantry. I considered calling Doctor Lange anyway to see if he could make a house call on his way home that evening, but thought better of it.

What Norman needed was a sip or two of something to soothe his tummy and then a long rest in bed. He’d be shipshape by the morning. He’d always healed quickly. All the Sweet men did.

I hummed Moon River as I moved around the kitchen, swaying my hips from side to side as I poured and stirred and reached into the cupboard for a few saltine crackers, wishing I had a voice half as smooth as Audrey Hepburn’s. While I was at it, I pictured myself wearing a hanky on my head and playing a guitar on the fire escape the way she had in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

I shook my head, putting a small stack of the crackers on a plate for Norman. What would he have thought of me playing make-believe? And at my age. I chuckled at myself just to think of it.

By the time I carried the tray of bouillon and ginger ale into the living room, he was gone.

I found him slumped over in his chair, his right arm hanging limp over the side. The tray fell to the floor before I’d known that I dropped it. Hot broth splashed up and through my hose, and the ginger ale spilled into a puddle on the carpet.

Norman? I whispered, even though I knew from the deepest part of me that he couldn’t hear. Wake up, darling.

Stepping around the tray, I reached for him, trying to straighten him back up in the chair. But he was heavy, and I was weak. Try as I might, I couldn’t move him more than an inch. His skin was warm to the touch, his cheek still smooth from the morning shave. But there was no life in him. No breath. No pulse.

Oh, honey, I whimpered. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

I knelt on the floor, taking hold of his still dangling hand. I put my forehead on the arm of the chair.

What am I supposed to do now?

CHAPTER

three

My

Reviews for Stories That Bind Us

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have to first say that I haven’t read a book by Susie Finkbeiner that I have not absolutely loved. Her characters are strong and the setting and time come to life with her deft storytelling. Every time I pick up one of her novels, I think that it cannot possibly be as good as the ones I have read before. And every time, the new book becomes my favorite. This is the case with Stories That Bind Us. Oh my goodness, I was caught up in Betty Sweet’s life and stories from the get-go. Probably the best book I have read this year, I highly recommend you read it right now!Characterization is one of Finkbeiner’s strengths, and in Stories That Bind Us each character is lovingly crafted. There is not one that I didn’t fall in love with — even the difficult ones. If I have to pick a favorite it is, of course, Betty, whose first person voice gives life to her family. Betty tells her tale as it happens, along with reminiscences that flesh out their backstories and illuminate where each character is coming from. While small town LaFontaine in the 1960s is an idyllic place to live, the backdrop of the turbulent decade is a great parallel for the changes going on in Betty’s life. Another favorite character is Hugo, Betty’s nephew who blooms under Betty’s care. I loved that Betty poured herself into Hugo, but never tried to usurp her sister’s place in his life. Betty tells Hugo stories to help him make sense of his life. These stories bind the characters together as well as binding the wounds that each carries. While Betty’s narrative is often gentle and calm, the themes the book explores are jarring to the senses. Race, prejudice, and mental illness are treated realistically and with a touch of grace.Stories That Bind Us is a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel. The author stated that it was a very personal story for her, and it sure shows. I readily admit to missing LaFontaine, Betty, Hugo, Stan, Marvel, and Nick and Dick, among others. It made me laugh and it made me cry. And it made me glad that I got to read this treasure. After reading Stories That Bind Us, you will want to talk about it, so just go ahead and get someone to go along for the ride. I promise you will love every minute.Very Highly Recommended.Great for Book Clubs.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[mizroady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As soon as I see Susie Finkbeiner has a new book out, I HAVE to read it! She never disappoints! I was able to totally lose myself in the story and characters! The story takes place in the 1960’s. Betty Sweet’s beloved husband of 23 years dies suddenly right before her eyes. She is only 40 years old and of course is devastated. They had one of those special sweet marriages and he was the love of her life. I could relate to so much of her emotions and experiences having lost my husband. Grieving the loss of the love of her life consumed her in every area. As if this was not enough to deal with, out of the blue, her sister Clara whom she has had no contact with for years, shows up at her door with her 5 year old son. She needs a place to stay and she needs help. Betty pulls herself together to welcome them to her home and life. Clara’s problems are serious. Their mother suffered from mental illness throughout their childhood, finally dying in a sanitarium. Betty lovingly shoulders the responsibility of her sister’ mental illness and the care of her young nephew, Hugo. It matters not to her he is black, but during this era others where not so accepting. There was so much to the book! I don’t even know where to begin! Betty’s putting her sister’s and nephew’s needs before her own was an incredible Christian testimony. I couldn’t imagine being her shoes after losing my husband. She had never been able to have children so Hugo captured her heart immediately. He was such a sweet and gentle child. There were times I wished I could reach into the book and hug him! With his mother’s problems his short life had struggles that needed healing too. Betty’s love and sacrifice knew no bounds. I loved her in-laws. They were her true family and support. Her relationship with them was so comforting and loving. The interactions between them gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling. This is a beautiful, heartening story, showing that with unconditional love and strong faith in God no problem is too big! I am amazed how the author wove an enthralling story with such difficult subjects as the grief of losing a spouse and a parent, parental rejection, family mental illness and racial prejudice. Yet the book is not depressing but inspirational and uplifting. A definite want to read!!!

[mandat_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Now here is a story that is satisfying to read. Susie Finkbeiner touches all kinds of emotions as she leads the reader through a story that is mixed with shock, questioning, sadness, determination and joy. Since the story takes place in the 1960's, the author doesn't shy away from hard topics like racism, depression and anxiety, and death of a loved one, but brings them up with such care and grace throughout the book. I loved that the book takes place in my home state of Michigan. It's always fun to read about cities you're familiar with, and my home city of Grand Haven even got a mention. Betty Sweets' character is so down-to-earth, and I loved the stories she made up to tell her young nephew, Hugo. I can't say enough good about this book and would highly recommend it! You can check out her books by clicking here to visit her website.*I received this complimentary book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[hes7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Susie Finkbeiner, so I had high hopes for Stories That Bind Us—luckily, it did not disappoint.Widow Betty Sweet is unsure of her next step—until she must take care of her young (and previously unknown) nephew. Together, they make an unlikely pair, and yet, there is still so much they have to offer each other as the story progresses. FInkbeiner has a way of writing stories and crafting characters that feels so authentic. Betty and Hugo come to life—full of dueling emotions—and their growth throughout Stories That Bind Us is just right. And the history surrounding them proves relevant, but does not overwhelm. I loved every page of this book, highly recommend it, and cannot wait to read more from Finkbeiner.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[asheley-627878 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Betty begins caring for her sister's young son Hugo out of necessity, which helps her move through the most intense part of fresh grief after the sudden loss of her husband. Having a defenseless little human depend on her helps Betty to focus a little bit more on her own health and the activities of their daily lives, like eating and taking showers, which she struggled with after losing her husband. Betty's story felt real to me. Her grief was raw and painful, and the way she took on Hugo was hopeful and sweet and wonderful.Beginning with Hugo's arrival on Betty's front porch, the story took a different direction that I anticipated. All along the way, things were a surprise to me. What I'm saying is that I thought I had this one figured out early on, but I did not and I'm grateful for those surprises. The characters in this story are all delightful, even when they grieve, and I loved the way it ended. And Hugo is precious. I don't always gravitate toward books with little children occupying large roles, but Hugo's portion of the story moved the overall narrative so well, and I enjoyed all of his scenes.Even though there is a lot of grief and sadness in this book, the story is not a sad one. I felt a lot of hope while reading it, especially with how everything ended for everyone.I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Revell Books!

[lynnb_64 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Betty Sweet, recently widowed at 40, she is dealing with an unexpected loss and depression. Her in-laws are a strong family and their support is life-saving. Betty's estranged sister arrives with a son and Betty discovers she is an aunt. She ends up having temporary custody of her nephew and the two form a bond through the telling of stories. Yes, it sounds a bit like a made-for-TV movie....BUT the characters are real and complex and that kept me interested in their lives. This is a character-driven story...my favourite kind. It's a story about life and how we can help each other in big and small ways.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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, and 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. 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.

[marypo-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stories That Bind Us is the kind of peaceful read that's perfect for the beach.
It doesn't rely on suspense or action to get the reader's attention. Instead, readers are treated to a captivating narrative with relatable characters who face challenges that readers can understand and with which they can empathize.

But just because this book is comforting doesn't mean that tough issues aren't addressed. Grief, abandonment, loss, mental illness, the inability to have children, and parent issues--- the author deals with these challenging topics in a way that acknowledges the pain and emotional impact, but also gives hope.

Betty, the main character who finds herself a widow at forty, is sweet, caring, and patient, but not unnaturally so. The reader is shown that she is not perfect or attempting to appear flawless, but that she deals with the feelings of jealousy, discouragement, fear, and the rest with self-control, and she extends love in very challenging situations.

I found Betty's in-laws endearing, and the twins Dick and Nick were so adorable, whether they were sneaking Betty a cat, helping her nephew Hugo learn to swim, or making a mud pit in the backyard, and they did it all without losing their charm. Albert, Stan, Marvel, Norman, Clara, and Pop are so memorable, and they are so authentic that they could exist off the page. And I love how they all care for and support each other.
This book is such a gem.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required.

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Betty is the temporary guardian of her young nephew. The book moved too slowly for my tastes and I could not finish the book.

[simmmba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"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!

[willowone_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Betty Sweet had a great life with her husband, Norman. Things weren't perfect, but it was a good life until everything got turned on its head when Norman died from a sudden heart attack. Betty was left to figure out much of the world, that she had left up to Norman. Things she had never done, like mow the lawn became hurdles that she needed to jump. Betty felt alone. She knew she had Norman's family, which had become her family even before she and Norman were married. But, she couldn't bother them with everything that Norman once did. The Sweet family took her and her sister, Clara, in when their father moved them in to the apartment above the Sweet Family bakery. Betty's mother had passed years before after a bout with depression and other mental illness when she committed suicide in a sanitarium. Clara, Betty's younger sister, tended to be more like their Mother and Betty and Clara didn't have much of a relationship as adults. Then out of the blue Clara shows up and she isn't alone, she has her 5 year old son Hugo, who was of mixed race, with her. This was the time of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King and so much more. Betty took them both in and realized Clara was not well. Over the months Clara became worse and eventually was placed in a sanitarium like their mother. Betty and Hugo slowly healed hurts that they both had, one who could never have children and the other that needed the love and care of a mother. Clara had tried to be the best mother she could but her mental illness reared its ugly head much of the time causing her to be strict, mean, and unable to effectively love Hugo. Through stories and spending time together Betty and Hugo took life as it came. They entered uncharted territory together and withour prejudice or bias. This book shows that we may be different in color but we all have the same need to be loved and to love. Great book.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[grammy57 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stories that Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner has Betty Sweet becoming a widow at forty years of age in 1963 in LaFontaine, Michigan. She met her husband, Norman when she was fourteen and they married after graduating from high school. Unfortunately, the couple never had children. Betty loves spending time with her rambunctious twin nephews. Betty is surprised when her estranged sister, Clara arrives one evening with her five-year-old son, Hugo. She can tell that the pair have gone through a journey and she happily settles them in her guest rooms. Clara seems to do nothing but sleep leaving Betty to care for a frightened Hugo. People look at them suspiciously when they walk together with Hugo’s little light brown skinned hand enclosed in Betty’s larger white one. Hugo is frightened of losing his mother and Betty helps him overcome his nightmares with stories that she has created. There will be difficulties ahead, but the family can get through them if they have each other.Stories That Bind Us is one of those books that lingers with you after you finish it. I thought it was well-written and captured the era. Significant historical events are included in this book including the assassination of JFK, Martin Luther Kings “I Have a Dream” speech, and an elephant that rampaged a city. The author touches upon the difficult subjects of depression, death, and racism. I thought she handled these sensitive topics very well. The present is interspersed with stories and memories of the past. We learn about Betty’s growing up years, how she met the Sweet family, her marriage to Norman, how much Mama Sweet meant to Betty, and other memories. It all comes together into one lovely tale. The Sweet family is realistic with their joys and struggles. They have a bakery in a small town where a chain bakery is trying to run them out of business. Pops Sweet is getting older and Albert still pines for Clara. Marvel and Stan are raising their mischievous twin sons who are kind to their grieving aunt. The stories that bind people together are their memories of loved ones and friends. I like how Betty’s make-believe stories fit into the book and how they help a frightened little boy. They formed a bond between Betty and Hugo. Hugo was such a sweet little fellow. I had to laugh along with Betty and Marvel when Hugo jumped into the mud pool with the twins. I thought the Stories That Bind Us is timely considering what is currently going on in our country. Stories that Bind Us is a heartwarming tale filled with hope, love, special memories, and family.

[simplykelina · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was sent this book from the publisher/publicity team. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.I was not really sure what to expect from this one. I will say that this one really pulled me in right from the start. It had me in tears right from the very first few chapters. I thought I was going to fly though this one, but it ended up not being for me.I was not able to finish this one. After the first few chapters, everything slowed down way too much. I had to go back and read the synopsis to see if anything else was mentioned happening after the initial chapters. The pacing was just not working for me and I did not find myself absorbing much of what was going on.Sadly, I did not finish this one.

[jkj94 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Susie Finkbeiner, is a new to me author who has instantly become a top pick for me. I cherished her most recent book, Stories That Bind Us. Set during the 60's, this chronicled Christian tale sucks you into the story immediately. Betty, at the young age of 40 unexpectedly becomes a widow and is suffering from extreme melancholy.I enjoyed reading how laid back the 60's were compared to life in this day and age, and how easily it was to become part of the Sweet family through Finkbeiner’s writing. All good books must come to an end, unfortunately.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[kaylynvh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this ARC through the LibraryThing April Giveaway. Family commitment, God, unconditional love and memories of the 60’s. This story has it all.

[sherylhendrix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ever so often, you run across a book that is really important - significant and lasting. Stories That Bind Us is such a book. I would call it an American classic, every bit as important as John Knowles' "A Separate Piece" or J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye." Set between the spring of 1963 and the epilogue in the spring of 1964, it is the story of Betty Sweet and what happens to her, and to her small-town world near Detroit during that time. It is a sweet and simple story, rich in memories and nostalgia but with an importance that belies its simple sweetness. After her husband dies unexpectedly, Betty is surprised by a visit from her long-estranged sister and her sister's five-year-old son. What happens between them and in the history and headlines of that day are what makes this novel so very important for our time. I loved this from the very beginning, but it was only in the closing chapters that I realized how very important I believed the novel to be. You must read "Stories That Bind Us."

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stories that Bind Us is another amazing story from Susie Finkbeiner--a story of a family who has captivated this reader's heart and will not easily be forgotten. It is a story that is heartbreaking and yet, oh so heartwarming too. The author infuses a little humor throughout the story that keeps the hard parts from becoming dark and desolate. The richness of the characters and their emotions is genuine and deeply moving, resonating within the reader. Betty, an all too young widow, and a wonderful auntie-mama; Pop Sweet who made everyone feel as if they were God's gift to him; Marvel, a woman who knew just what to do at just the right time, and each of the other characters that bring so much into the story. The author tackles the gritty subjects of depression and mental illness, death and grief, and does it well. Readers will get caught up in the lives of these characters and their stories. The author has captured well the setting and era of Stories That Bind Us as she has expertly written the distinctive dialogue and descriptive scenes of the book. Having lived in Michigan for much of my life, I loved the references to places I know and have visited. Poignant and intense, this character-driven story takes the reader into the heart and soul of a family and their hard journey to a place of hope. Don't miss the chance to fall in love with the Sweet family as they find the power and beauty in stories--the power of stories that can change a life, can bring healing, and beauty in the words that can work their way into one's heart to bring wholeness.I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a beautifully written heartwarming family story that shows with love and faith, even the most severe problems can be overcome.At 40 years of age, Betty becomes a widow. She was deeply in love with her husband of 23 years and didn't know how she would live her life without him. His family was very supportive of her as she tried to find her way out of the darkness of grief. Her sister-in-law, Marvel finally convinced her to get out of bed and out of the house. Her 10 year old twin nephews also helped her find herself again. Just as she was beginning to feel more normal, her estranged sister Clara showed up at her door needing a place for her and her 5 year old son to stay. Betty was surprised that her sister was a mother and equally surprised that her nephew Hugo was black. Betty never questioned her sister but made up the beds so they would both have a place to stay no matter how long they needed to. Clara can't seem to cope with her life and begins to stay in bed all day, leaving Betty to take care of Hugo. As she tries to help him overcome his fear and shyness, she finds that she is falling in love with the little boy. " Don't let the scary things of the world keep you from seeing the good."Interspersed with this story that takes place in the late 50s and early 60s, Betty tells the story of growing up, of having a mother who was manic depressive and died in a sanitarium when Betty was 10. She talks about how sad she and her sister were but that her father became more and more distant from them and left Betty in charge. When it turns out that Clara is also mentally ill and goes to the hospital, Betty takes over full custody of Hugo. She tells him beautiful stories about imaginary people and characters but they all pertain to whatever is going on in his life. Even though she worried at first how to take care of him because she had never had any children, she soon finds out that love and faith can solve her problems.I loved the characters in this book - not just the main characters but the secondary characters, too. Betty is a kind and loving woman, Hugo is a delight as he learns to have fun, Marvel and the twins are funny but also very protective of Hugo. And the entire Sweet family are full of love and caring for each other. This story takes place in my home state of Michigan and these people all resemble people that I knew growing up in the 60s. I also enjoyed the references to places like Belle Isle and it brought back a lot of memories of going there with my family.This is a beautiful book about love and faith and family and shows that family isn't just family by blood but people that you love also become part of your family. I loved this book and can't wait for the next book by this author.Thanks toLibraryThing for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You won't soon forget Betty Sweet or the stories she tells. Her beautiful starting-over story carries deep themes of mental illness, loss, grief, and love, yet it carries a sweet air that is never depressing. A powerful, somewhat nostalgic story full of hope, sure to touch the most tender pieces of your heart.I received a complimentary copy of this book via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another magical read from Susie Finkbeiner, and she does not disappoint, you will be drawn in from the first page. She sure has a way with words, and while you will find your heart breaking at times for the main character here, you will also find that it is being warmed and bringing smiles to you at a different time.We are offered Betty Sweet, but with her comes her husbands family, and they will wrap you up in their warmth and kindness, they sure lived their faith!I found myself wondering how this was going to end, but we are entertained through out this read with delightful made up stories, and we find that the gifts keep giving, in the most unexpected ways!I received this book through LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.