This is my fourth Catherine West novel and it's my new favorite.

On the surface Where Hope Begins is a novel about heartbreaking things...adultery, death, suicide and terminal illness. The beauty comes in the perseverance and humility shown by the characters. One can choose to give up or carry forward.

All of the characters were well portrayed. I'm not sure that I have a favorite among them. As a southerner, I adored the reaction of Savanah's father to the presence of her cheating husband at a family gathering. Such a realistic scene. The entire novel was full of incredibly realistic scenes and characters.

I loved the author's note at the end in which she shares how this story came to pass and a prayer for those going through similar hurts that may have a different ending than Savanah.

Oh my goodness! This one really touched a lot of sensitive issues in my life. As the victim of a husband who committed adultery, this one really resonated with me. I could identify with so many of the feelings the wife and children were experiencing. And the loss this family endured was also something I have seen close up with my best friend being killed by a drunk driver.

I had no idea when I opened this book and started on the journey with Savannah, Maysie, Brock, Kevin...that it would be an emotional investment. But it was worth every tear I shed and tissue I used! Catherine West does a wonderful job of addressing the many serious issues that are dealt with in the pages of this novel. She handles them with grace and caring and does not minimize the tragedies they each cause in the characters' lives.

While my marriage didn't resolve in the same way as Savannah's, I know that God's love and grace are wrapped around me just as those in this book experienced. Catherine West manages to touch your heart and soul with the redemptive love God shares with each of us. She takes life experiences and brings them to light in a moving and touching manner. I appreciate her ability to give these situations the depth of seriousness they deserve while allowing the reader to see how God can work through the good, the bad, and the ugly. His love is where hope begins.

I appreciate NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book had a lot of good turns and twist in the plot. Some of the things that happened I wasnt expecting but it was very exciting to see how everything worked out in the end. This book was all about forgiveness, 7second chances, bravery, family, and love. The different characters were great and well written. Each of them have there own story that winds them together. Savannah world gets shaken in a way she never expected it. This book made me tear up a couple of times.

WHERE HOPE BEGINS by CATHERINE WEST is a sensitively written novel with a strong message of the love that never gives up.
Savannah and Kevin Barrington's marriage has been badly affected by the loss of their eldest daughter, Shelby. This tragedy hit their children, Zoe and Adam very hard too - in fact the family is in a bad way. When Kevin has an affair and moves out, the already shattered family really falls apart.
In getting to know Brock Chandler, his Aunt Clarice and daughter Maysie, at her parents' holiday home, Savannah starts to take a good look at herself and to take responsibility for her own behaviour.
The issues dealt with in the story are heavy, but through it all we feel there is a message of hope and second chances. It makes for an interesting and thought provoking read.
I was given a copy of the book by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read a number of Catherine West's novels, so I knew West really digs down deep into the emotions of her characters and allows me, as the reader, to empathize with them. With her newest release Where Hope Begins, I felt the same way. I couldn't imagine the hurt Savannah has to endure as she struggles with her husband's cheating and the loss of a child. I have never lost a child, but I have lost a Daddy, so I understand how deep the hurt goes.
I really empathized with Savannah as the hurt kept being shoved in her face. I really enjoyed how realistic West made the children's hurt too. Kids of divorce, at any age, still feel betrayed and cheated. I know firsthand because my parents divorced after I left for college and no kids were left at home. This is becoming more and more common with the baby boomers. Divorce during the empty nest syndrome. The parents finally see each other because there is no kids to distract them, and they don't like what they have left to deal with. So this story is timely and important.
I wish there was more to Kevin's side of the story. I would really like to see, not just hear from his mouth, why he cheated. What drew him to the other women? West is good at diving into the character's emotions, so I think she could do a great job at discovering this.
The plot was wrapped differently than most stories where the cheating spouse isn't trying to justify his reasons. I really enjoyed seeing the story from Savannah's perspective and watching her keep busy to better herself and move on. I finished the story in a day and a half, so I really enjoyed it
Overall, Where Hope Begins by Catherine West is a timely, yet important story of a failed marriage and dealing with the loss of someone. Filled with an interesting cast of characters, I felt like I was enduring my sister's struggle and watching her cope. I can't wait to see what West comes up with next.
I received a complimentary copy of Where Hope Begins by Catherine West from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.