Where Hope Begins is one of those books that draws the reader in and doesn't let go. Then after you finish, the story lingers. Savannah Barrington's life is filled with sorrow, confusion, and trouble. But God has a plan. While I read, my emotions roller coastered up and down. At one point I thought I knew how I wanted the book to end, then changed my mind several times. I was pleased that the author created the perfect ending for Savannah. Catherine West is a talented writer who tackled some very difficult subjects in this book. Some that are hard to think about but need to be understood. If you do read this book, read the author's notes after you finish. FYI-Some of the characters drink alcohol even though this is considered an inspirational/Christian book. I'm not a fan of that, but that said, the story is five star. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The characters in this book face several diffult subjects. Savannah starts out extremely depressed.
Her life is pretty much taken away from her when her husband moves out of their home. Their marriage lost its way after the death of their young daughter. Savannah decides to spend some time in her family’s vacation home. That step is the beginning of her life.
I couldn’t put this book down. It was more spiritual in nature than any novel I have read.
It was an incredible story. It is not to be missed!

I really enjoyed this book. I typically don't chose or seek out books that involve God or religious themes. However, in this book it fit the book. Not heavy handed or too much. There were difficult themes in this book (illness, suicide, adultery), but it wasn't a "heavy" book or a depressing book. I recommend this book.

Where Hope Begins is everything that I love in a summer reading. From the very beginning to the last page, Ms West keeps you entranced with the characters. This is an exceptionally easy read that keeps you guessing until the end. I would highly recommend it.

First time reader of Catherine West and this book was probably one of the best books I have ever read. It tells a tale of a marriage in the rocks, it tells a story of heartbreak, and it tells a story of redemption. Its filled with real life grief, what it truly means to be a family and what friendships mean. This is one book that I had a hard time putting down. A great job done by Catherine and I can not wait to find more of her books.

I read this book in just a few settings and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I truly related to and completely admired Savannah. The author has a wonderful way of covering the range of emotions you would really experience during several stressful life changing situations. The way the story was told was like we were right there watching over Savannah, Kevin, Brock, Clarice, Maysie, Zoe, Adam and Mitch. Some of the heated conversations were spot on, you could envision exactly the way the excuses were given for placing blame on someone else for your own despicable behavior.
The story is written so well, you feel love, loss, death, life, kindness, hope, caring, faith, and especially forgiveness. It really makes you think about your own life and have you given of yourself enough to truly forgive someone. Life doesn’t always work out the way you had expected, so you have to learn to live with and overcome the unexpected, prayers and listening work wonders. And yes, it is sometimes harder to forgive and go for the second chance.
The ending was so appropriate. I laughed, I cried and I really didn’t like Kevin a lot of the time.
I give this 5*****’s and I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A great plot with wonderful characters, and if that were it I’d have given 5 stars. But there was too much heavy preaching going on, and it rubbed me the wrong way.

What starts out as an utterly heartbreaking read shows us there is hope at the end. This book focuses on some dark things: Mental illness, Divorce etc. it's shown that in the darkest of times we can find light if we don;t give up. We can find it in the most unexpected of places.

This story is very much character driven. We see these people grow not only as Christians but as a person as well. The writing in this book blew me away. Such dark themes were handled well and not glamorized nor made to be something its not.

This book is absolutely beautiful and had me shedding tears throughout it. Don't get me wrong its a great book but i ugly cried reading it. Catherine has been added to my authors to watch for list as this book is quickly climbing its way to my favorites of 2018.

Overall I say this book would be great in a book club. I think the themes in this book can be good lesson points and topics to discuss as they are not discussed enough. Much less as Christians how we handle them. Great study material and thought provoking read!

5/5 Stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

‘Where Hope Begins’ by Catherine West is a wonderful novel. This is my first novel by Ms. West. I read this book in one sitting. I found that once I started reading this book it was very hard to stop. This story centers around one family and their history and how it impacts their future. The book deals with very difficult issues many of which are heartbreaking. I usually don’t cry during a book but for this one I needed the tissues. The book had me emotionally invested almost right away.

Ms. West develops very believable characters. Her writing is very easy reading while discussing real life, hard subjects. She writes with honesty, humor, grace and healing.

Well done Ms. West, you have a new fan.

Excellent and emotional story! Catherine West has once again crafted believable characters and placed them in an unimaginable scenario. I’m falling in love with her writing style and look forward to more from West!

If you’ve read any of the conversations about Catherine West’s May release anywhere online, you’ve probably read phrases like “keep tissues near” or “ugly cry.” I just want to reiterate this because in Where Hope Begins, West writes about some of the ugliness of this life.

She doesn’t avoid difficult topics (which include broken marriages, suicide, adultery, and more). Readers are thrown into the trenches of life with the Barrington family. The way past events affected each member, the way they deal (or don’t deal) with their grief.

Yet through all of the messiness, West remains true to the difficulties many people face daily. There are tears, there are anger and remorse, there’s the difficulty of forgiving those who hurt you, there is even a little healing and laughter in the mix.

The beauty of this book is the healing that takes place in this family. The way they rally when one of them is in trouble. The way they begin to talk to each other instead of holding everything inside.

A stunning picture of God’s grace in a hurting and devastated world, Where Hope Begins has shot to the top of my must-read books for anyone and everyone who feels alone, forgotten, unseen, or disappointed.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This book discussed how to find faith amidst hurt and loss, how to find hope in the darkness, and how fate can truly allow for the crossing of some people’s paths. This was easily one of the best books I have ever read. It was one of those rare books you seldomly come across where you find yourself completely wrapped up in it all: the characters, the story, the setting.. all of it. One of those books where you’re truly mourning over the final page while trying to come to terms that it’s actually over. Nothing I write will give this book the credit it deserves. I feel inadequate of even summarizing this book in fear of butchering its beauty. I finished Where Hope Begins in less than 24 hours (oops) and the ONLY problem with this book is that I read it too fast. I want to punch myself in the face for not reading it slower and savoring this book just a little longer. Ugh. This was a good one ya’ll. Now go and read it.. read it and weep (literally)! Thank you so much Netgalley, Catherine West, and Thomas Nelson Publishing!!

WHERE HOPE BEGINS is my first book by Catherine West and definitely not my last. With warmth and wisdom, Ms. West, creates a richly emotional story about a woman, Savannah, who is blindsided by her husband of 21 years, the death of a daughter and her children leaving home. Kevin commits Adultry and wants a divorce. She just can’t stay in their home so she goes to the lake house hoping to heal. She meets Clarissa, a woman with visions, Brock, Savannah’s favorite Author and his daughter, Maysie, who is adorable and reminds Savannah of her daughter, Shelby. When Kevin wants her back can Savannah forgive and forget? I wasn’t sure she could. I really liked the story. It was very emotional: I cried, I laughed, I smiled while always hoping for a happy ending. I didn’t want the story to end yet I couldn’t stop turning the pages until the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a story of loss and hope. A story of family life marred by tragedy. This is a powerful book where one ends up with the characters with all their flaws ,doubts regrets and their dreams for a better future.
This is also a book based on faith lost and found. I really loved this book she is such a beautiful writer and one keeps on thinking of the characters long after the book has been read. You must read this book !

Where Hope Begins
By Catherine West
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Such a powerful book!
“Where Hope Begins” is a hope filled story that grabs you so hard, you can’t stop reading...literally nothing can stop you from reading it to the end. This story has so much going on! I laughed, I cried and cried some more.
If you aren’t comfortable reading a book containing references to God, faith, adultly, suicide, loss of a child, family drama and heartbreak, this isn’t the book for you. I loved it!
*Gentle warning: a box of Kleenex should be kept on hand while reading this book.

I generally avoid books with a religious theme but was drawn to Where Hope Begins and am glad I read it. It is not a preachy, in your face novel but one that gentles maintains the hope that can be found in God. The novel covers topics of suicide, betrayal and imminent death in heartfelt tones while still imparting the pain that was caused or will be caused by each event. The religious side of the events is not written in an in your face, believe it or not, your choice manner but in one that is credible and believable. The story itself is very well written, conveying the myriad of emotions that each character feels and expressed in a realistic, sometimes heart wrenching manner. It is a book well worth reading.

This is one of those books in which you see the author’s heart stamped on every page.
Catherine compassionately and purposefully tackles difficult situations sowing a story that will bring us to tears and joy as reconciliation and grace find firm foundation in love.

Life many times takes us by surprise and leaving of bereft, fighting to regain our sense of normal. The scars might not all be shown at once and as time passes we might find life more and more challenging. Nevertheless, "the things worth having are the ones we have to fight the hardest for". I believe independently of our personal journey, as similar or not to the outcomes of this story, there is much to take from it. When we get to the point of learning how stubborn hope is, we might jus appreciate the chance to begin again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I'm sorry this book wasn't for me. I didn't realize that it's classified as 'Christian' fiction. There was just a little too much of it throughout the book for me. From the start, I could not find myself engaged with any of the characters. Perhaps because the breakup of the marriage happened previous to the start of the book - either way, I was not interested in Savannah, nor the rebuilding of her life. The first part of the book flew by as if in a time warp.. Husband moves out, son goes back to school, Savannah moves to the family cottage and suddenly meets people and a potential love interest? Just too fast for my taste.

"Because I know now, this is life. This is what it's all about. This is what we were made for. Living through the pain, the heartache, facing fear and finally...finally...finding the courage to grab hold of grace and savor the chance to begin again."

I finished the book days ago and I'm still reeling from the impact this book has had on me. Talk about a book hangover! This book grabbed my heart and throat from page one and still hasn't let go of either. Catherine West weaves a masterful and heart-wrenching tale from Savannah's first person present tense point of view as she watches Kevin, her husband of twenty-one years, leave their home to start another life with another woman. Wow, Savannah is brutally honest and completely devastated. She definitely does not mince words. Yet even in her hysteria, she can be quite funny and introspective. Much of her past comes out in bits and pieces and self-realization is a long and tough road for Savannah.

What caught me by surprise was the interjection of third-person limited narrative from Brock and Zoe's perspectives. Brock is the reclusive author who lives next door to Savannah's family vacation home and Zoe is Savannah and Kevin's daughter. Surprising as it was, I understood why the author changed the point of views and it made the book richer and more layered. The writing is beautifully lyrical and haunting. The dialogue is witty and wickedly funny at times. And the outpouring of mercy, grace, and hope found even in the main characters' suffering and pain touched my heart deeply. The strong theme of redemption held me up through the tears I shed for all the characters, even Savannah's cheating husband Kevin. The author addresses some tough and painful issues in this book but does it with great sensitivity and tenderness.

The characters are real and engaging. I wanted to hate Kevin but couldn't. I didn't want to love Brock but I did. And I just wanted to hug Savannah and never let her go. Clarice, Brock's great aunt, showed so much wisdom and heart knowledge and I loved the metaphors sprinkled throughout the book. Two-thirds way into the book, I knew how the book would end but couldn't hold back the floodgates of emotion from being torn down when the last pages were being read. I am richer for having experienced the book and it's truly an experience - of living life and loving those around us. I am still pondering Savannah's last words of wisdom: "You're seeing everything we don't deserve, but somehow get. It's the miracle of faith. Grace. And hope. Isn't it glorious?"

I was provided copy of the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective.

Where Hope Begins by Cathy West is a powerful, life changing novel. From the moment you read the first sentence of the first chapter, you will be hooked. Rarely have I read a book about such serious issues without needing to stop and get a breather. Not so with this novel. It is written in first person and puts you right there in the middle of the action, in all of its raw pain and vulnerability. Ms West has a unique ability to weave threads of hope into this novel and it never feels too overwhelmingly sad or hopeless. Buy this book and give copies to your loved ones. This book may be a work of fiction, but it has the power to change lives with its emphasis on never ending hope. I highly recommend this book! I also recommend reading it somewhere where you can cry without an audience— learn from my mistake! I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions in this review are my own.