I can't possibly do this book justice. It's full of grief, sadness, joy, hope, and even a bit of humor. The story is centered around Savannah Barrington and her journey to find healing after her husband leaves her. As she stays in her parents' house in the Berkshires and gets to know her neighbors, she examines her life over the past twenty-four years. We see the beauty of young love, the joys of marriage starting, the busyness of raising children, and the tragedy that sometimes strikes when we least expect it. We also get to see Savannah learn to heal and navigate her new life in the best way possible. Savannah's emotions are so real, so relatable, that she is my favorite character in the book. Sometimes she copes so well, and other times she just doesn't want to deal with anything. I find that I'm like that at times, but aren't we all? Savannah's faith is tested to its limits, and she has to learn to find the peace that can only come from listening to God's plan for us. His plan for the Barrington family is absolutely beautiful, and I cheered and cried along with them. Hands down, this is Catherine West's best book yet!

***I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions in this review are my own.

Where Hope Begins” is about a family that from the outside looks perfect, but yet imperfect once the reader steps inside the book. Are we not imperfect, wanting to be more Christ-like? That is if we have Jesus.

The author tackles serious real life issues that happens to couples and people everyday that tug at your emotions and heart. A family dealing with brokenness, a domino affect of a family quickly spiraling out of control from a series of poor decisions and fallout after a tragedy that affects everyone. But....... it is also a story of mercy, love, forgiveness, will challenge your faith and hope. “Where Hope Begins,” is told from Savannah’s point of view and how she handled anger, betrayal and grief. As she dealt with these emotions, I found myself getting pulled into her story. My heart ached for Savannah, the tears flowed.

Make sure you have tissues handy, you will cry, laugh and your heart will be touched. You will feel the raw emotions of each character. I felt like I was having coffee and sitting across the table from Savannah as she tried to make sense of the situation that she was faced with. I highly recommend this book.

Romans 8:28 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

#womensfiction #mustread #releasestomorrow #catherinewest #tnzfiction

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

I’d been warned about this book! I knew I’d need to stock up on tissues and refrain from reading it in public for fear of ugly crying. I’d read some of Catherine West’s stories before, so I knew I’d be in for a rip-roaring emotional roller coaster ride. I also knew that it would be worth it all in the end, because nobody writes gritty, realistic, emotional, heart-wrenching, hope-filled books like Catherine West does. Her beautiful writing style and gripping story lines have made her a favorite author of mine.

From the masterfully-crafted, multi-layered characters to the poignant, touching message of forgiveness, healing, and hope, this is a reading adventure I won’t soon forget. I could actually feel Savannah’s angst and sorrow and apprehension. Clarice and Maysie were delightful and added a fun flavor to the tale. Kevin, whose actions caused the upheaval in the story, created significant confusion in my feelings toward him. And Brock! . . . well, just . . . Brock! You’ll have to read the story to find out about him! This book is headed for my keeper shelf and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year. If you enjoy realistic, clean Christian fiction, do yourself a favor and read this book. You won’t regret it. Just remember to keep the tissues handy.

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

Grab a box of Kleenex before you sit down with this one! Wow, what a story. It’s raw and authentic, but despite dealing with difficult topics like adultery, illness, and loss, it’s also infused with rays of light: moments of sweetness with secondary characters Clarice and Maysie, a new friendship that’s as heady as it is impossible (Brock *sigh*), surprising moments of laughter, and glorious—sometimes agonizing—hope.

There were two things that made this such a powerful read for me. The first was the characters. Humans are such emotionally complex beings, and the complexity of Savannah’s emotions as she worked through her husband’s betrayal, her growing attraction to Brock, and the impact that the death of their eldest daughter (as a young girl) had on the family kept me in a constant state of tension. Not to mention a few other incidents that took place during the story…

Brock’s character is the most bittersweet part of this story. I fell head over heels for him, but I really don’t want to say anything more than that lest I give anything away. And Savannah’s husband, Kevin—we don’t even get his point of view in the story, but as the throbbing sting of his betrayal settled into the shattered remorse of a man who realises he may have irreparably destroyed what was once the best thing in his life… Well, it got to the point where I was feeling gutted on behalf of both Savannah and Kevin and I was totally in love with Brock. What on earth was I supposed to do with that?!

And that’s where the second thing that made this a powerful read comes into the picture. The plot. The winding path that took these characters to the bittersweet end, exposing and tending to some deep wounds along the way. And on that point I’m going to fall silent—again—because I don’t want to give anything away. Just make sure you have those tissues on standby! I guarantee you’ll need them. But I also guarantee it will be worth it.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I must warn you before you read this book to make sure you have several boxes of tissues. When I started the book, I immediately felt the emotions coming from Savannah. I love her character so much. She has been through a lot in the last several years. No parent should have to bury their child, but Savannah and her husband Kevin faced that difficult task. Everyone grieves differently and I can't honestly say how I would deal with the death of a child. My heart went out to Savannah. The author allows us to see deep into her soul where the pain is buried. Will Savannah be able to stop being angry at God?

Have you ever felt like you keep getting buried in heartbreaking situations? Savannah now must face the fact that her husband doesn't want her anymore. At that moment my tears flowed as I wanted to hug her and tell her she is loved by God. It's time for her to get away and have some alone time. I was cheering her on as she travels to her parents' lake house. From the moment she steps in the house , I could sense a calmness come over her. Everyone is worried that she will fall apart, but God has ordained a plan for her to heal and find hope again. Ending a marriage is like a death. All your dreams are gone and you feel your hope slipping away. Maybe when Savannah meets her neighbors, things will get better for her.

Brock is a very interesting character. He is a best selling author and one that Savannah has admired over the years. It's funny that they are neighbors and I think he may become a distraction for Savannah. One of the best characters in the book is Clarice. She is such a wise woman who has taken Savannah under her wing. Clarice does not judge others, only prays for them and listens to them. Savannah will find many people wanting to give her advice. When we are going through an emotional time, sometimes all we want is someone to listen to us, not preach to us. I believe in second chances, because I was blessed to receive one from my husband. I won't tell you the ending of this story, but I will say it is emotional and well written. Who will Savannah choose?

One thing I really liked was how the author allowed us to see how tragedies affect others around us. It is not just Savannah and Keith going through hard times, but their children as well. We sometimes forget that our children are just as upset as we are when going through changes that affect the family. If you are struggling with second chances, forgiveness, grief, hope, trust issues, relationships, or your walk with God this is the book for you. For those who aren't struggling right now this is a must read to strengthen your hope and faith. The story is a master piece of emotions and will touch you to your soul.

"Second chances don't come around too often in this life. If you get yourself one, grab it good and don't let go for anything."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The review is my own opinion.

Savannah's husband has left her for 'another woman', with whom he had had an affair for a while before leaving - but he still kept in contact. Moving to the family holiday house she comes in contact with an older woman, with her most attractive son and his young daughter - who at first glance seems almost the spitting image of the daughter Savannah had lost many years before in an accident for which she has blamed herself ever since. When her husband starts to show signs of wanting to give their marriage another go, instead of divorcing as expected, Savannah must decide how to respond - with grace or ongoing animosity. Will she learn to see hope, or stay stuck in the desperation she has been battling? Will their family come through this stronger, having sorted out the problems that have been festering for years, or will it break completely?

This beautifully written book deals with some difficult issues, but does so in a sensitive way that draws the reader in to the lives of the individuals so that they feel like real people - and friends. While definitely not a light read, I really enjoyed it and found it hard to put down. This is the second of the author's books that I have read, and I definitely hope to read more, because I've enjoyed them both. Highly recommended.

Characters: Felt realistic, including the way they developed. Well done.
Storyline: Good, not too straight forward but not convoluted. The end was probably the only possible way of resolving the problem, but didn't feel forced.
Content and language: Clean, no issues.
Message: Good messages of hope and acceptance, God-focussed but fitting in well as part of the story, with no sermonising.

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

What heart-wrenching story! This story covered so many hard topics: adultery, suicide and death. The author did great job of sharing each of the character's emotions with the readers. I felt the story was overwhelming at times and was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. In glad the author shared her notes at the end. Recommended!

"God's taken care of that, sweet girl. You're going to be just fine." sent me into an uncontrollable, ugly sob. It has been a very long time since a book made me feel so much emotion. So, so many themes throughout this book, some so very personal and relatable to me. It was simply an amazing book & I will read this one again (and again). I cannot wait to read more by Catherine West. Thank you, thank you for an amazing story!

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

Really beautiful book. So many tough themes, but to me, those are the best kinds of books. When I get to experience real emotion, real people, then I can identify with them and the story becomes more authentic.
Many of these experiences have happened to me personally, and the perspective of time shows me that my reactions are quite similar to those of the characters. I appreciate the bravery of the author for not choosing the light, easy way out with her story. These are difficult things (adultery, suicide, death of a child), but they touch each of our lives at some point, whether directly or with people we know. But despite the themes, the story is so ultimately uplifting and meaningful.

This book made me laugh, cry, believe and hope in the same page. I absolutely loved it and it really restored my faith in love, gratitude and relationships. What a tremendous read. Highly recommend.

Where Hope Begins was an emotional read for me. The author had a way to pull me into the story. Savannah is a character that I could relate to and knew what she was going through. This is by no means a light read. It is full of real life and heartbreaking issues.
I give Where Hope Begins a well deserved five plus stars. I recommend this book for those who need to cry, need to know how to forgive, and need to know to never give up.

Let me just start by saying.....prepare yourself. If you have not already read Where HopeBegins, you will need some things before you start:

1.Two boxes of Kleenex (not joking)...and if you are menopausal, then three should do it.

2. Lots of chocolate to console yourself and commiserate with the main character. Also lots of chocolate to celebrate the other things I can't talk about because #spoilers.

3. Plenty of fluids because the crying and shedding happy tears too, while laughing may make you slightly dehydrated.

4. Clear the room or find a safe spot to read the book (because no one wants to watch you ugly cry and get all snotty and red-nosed.)


Ya know you've read a good book when you keep forgetting the characters aren't actually real and your crush on one of the characters, say.....Brock, has you wondering for way too long just what swoony handsome actor would play him in a movie adaptation.

This book is about hope when it seems there is none, life after the unthinkable, joy after the tears. Thank you Catherine West for another winner.

4 stars
Where Hope Begins is a story charged with emotional issues such as; finding your way back to faith, adultery, cancer, the death of a child and suicide. Looking back, it feels like this book shouldn’t make any sense because so much is packed into its pages, but it just does.
Catherine West is a tremendously gifted writer. She wrote a book chocked full of evocative and believable characters who suck you in and make you root for them from the very first page. I identified so keenly with Savannah, a middle age wife and mom, whose life was first shattered 10 years ago by the death of her young daughter and now her husband is leaving her for another woman. I believe many women will identify with Savannah and her issues of loss and betrayal while ultimately rediscovering her faith in God.
The only negative aspect of the book was a few chapters were written from the point of view of Savannah’s children and Brock, a best selling author whom she meets and befriends. The rest of the book was written from Savannah’s viewpoint and those few chapters just seemed a little strange. Overall, this is a fabulous book which I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I love Catherine's books, and this one exceeded all expectations. Her writing is captivating and will draw you in from the first page. An important story of forgiveness that leads to healing and hope.

Catherine West was a new author to me, so while I was unsure what to expect, this book blew away all of my expectations. This is a very emotional and thought provoking book which does not shy away from the tough topics, but rather deals with several tough situations - adultery, pending divorce, death of a child, depression and suicide, terminal illness. I did spend more time reading this book than typical, as it took some time to process all that I was reading due to the depth of these topics. This was filled with emotion and several times I found myself in tears.

This storyline is filled with very heavy topics, however, through it all there is so much hope and redemption and God’s love. These topics are dealt with in a realistic way and portrayed real life with real issues.

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

From the first line: “My husband is leaving me.” This book grabbed and did not let me go.
I’ve read one other book by this author, and I loved that one! But I found this one to be even better!
Savannah is in so much pain, and such a very hard place. She’s trying to come to grips with the end of her marriage. Moving on. All of that.
This book displays such real emotion. For anyone who is or has been married, you will be able to feel this right with Savannah. A good marriage is hard, and takes work. We’ve all faced hard times.
I was warned before I started reading about the need to have tissues handy. I found myself needing them quite frequently. This book just brought out my tears.
I could feel the hurts right with them.
Savannah. And then there’s Kevin. He knows what he did was wrong. But what about grace. And forgiveness?!
And where is God in the midst of all these hard times?
So many life lessons are shown here. Marriage problems. An affair. Seemingly inevitable divorce. Death of a child. Going on with life. Grieving. Faithfulness. Forgiveness.
This book is written with a gut-wrenching realness that will leave your emotions all twisted and tangled in knots.
It will stay with me for a long time.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Where Hope Begins is my first book by Catherine West and it is a book about love, family, divorce, betrayal, adultery, and forgiveness. A lot of it is heartbreaking to read. So many emotions in this book! As I first started to read it, I thought it was all about loss and despair but as I read further, I realized it was about hope and survial. There can be HOPE after divorce. The characters are all believable and it was an easy story to connect to. I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

Where Hope Begins

Catherine West


Wow, all I can say is, keep the tissues handy! WHERE HOPE BEGINS by Catherine West will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! I have only read one other book by Catherine West but I know this won't be the last! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Savannah after so much heartache! Wow! What an awesome story. WHERE HOPE BEGINS hooked me from the very first page and never let me go until the very last. Catherine West has written a contemporary story that takes place on Nantucket and is filled with strong, caring characters that everyone will be able to relate to and care about. Soon, you will feel as if you are on the island with the Barringtons, struggling to figure out where their lives are going.


WHERE HOPE BEGINS is all about family and the past and the secrets that come out are heartbreaking. It deals with terminal illness, adultery, death, suicide and had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Savannah and Brock and all the secondary characters. I hope there is going to be another book and that this becomes a series or at least a trilogy. I want and need more contact with this family. The characters are all well written and totally believable.


WHERE HOPE BEGINS is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in 2018 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters and especially with Brock's daughter, Maysie and I need more of her story. My heart broke for Savannah and Kevin and for all they were dealing with but Brock shredded me. Catherine West really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. Well done Ms. West, you have a new fan.

Where Hope Begins is a deeply emotional story about how one family deals with issues that can tear them apart-death of a loved one and the death of a marriage. Catherine West does an amazing job of conveying the emotions a family goes through when vows are broken, especially the spouse who is broadsided by the act-shock, hurt, anger, rejection and feelings of fear and not being enough. When things are so bad, the pain is too hard to deal with and we can't take another step, God is always there if we reach out to Him. Only He can use our situations to bring something good out of bad-no matter the outcome.
When we close ourselves off in pain, we can't always see what our loved ones are going through. The Barringtons have a lot of unresolved issues that go back to the loss of a child. The whole family has a lot of pain to work through. This is a layered story of faith, forgiveness, trust and maybe even second chances. This is a beautiful story that too many people can relate to but it is a story where God's love and healing shine through and there is always hope.
As I was reading, I wondered how I could review this story and convey the emotions that it evoked in me and do it justice. I realized that I can't.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read every one of Catherine West’s novels. Bridge to Haven was my first introduction to her writing and gripped me with its poignant tale. I wondered if I was a fluke so read Yesterday’s Tomorrow, which utterly wrecked me. But as I close the pages of Where Hope Begins, I realized that Ms. West has out done herself.

Hands down. Her best book. EVER.

Y’all, from the opening line my heart ached and my body tensed, prepared for the onslaught I was sure to come. But nothing went like I expected. And even when I could tell the direction Ms. West was going, I still wasn’t prepared.

I’ve heard that early readers were crying. I admit I thought I would remain untouched by that. But yeah almost down to the last page and the tears started. She got me. J Now I admit, there are parts here and there which are utterly heartbreaking and could spark some tears. But the Epilogue tore me to pieces.

But I’m glad I cried. I’m glad I took a chance on a book that has a rough subject matter. Because that beautiful saving grace that God’s in the business of making made the ending all so sweeter.

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