I just recently discovered author, Susie Finkbeiner, and she has quickly become a favorite! I loved her latest book, Stories That Bind Us. Set in the 60's, this historical Christian novel sucks you into the story right away. At age 40, Betty Sweet unexpectedly becomes a widow and is overcome with grief. She and her husband never had children and she was a homemaker, so she has no family or career to distract her.

While struggling with to find her purpose in life, Betty's estranged sister,Clara, and her young son come to visit and Betty quickly falls in love with her nephew, Hugo. When Clara spirals into the darkness of depression and is hospitalized, Betty is left to care for Hugo. Although inexperienced and unsure, she turns out to be a wonderful mother figure for her nephew and delights in telling him wonderful stories that she weaves just for him.

This oh so charming tale is a joy to read and I enjoyed very page, reluctant for it to end. Although a sweet story, it also deals with raw topics like depression, suicide, and racism. If you have not yet discovered master storyteller, Susie Finkbeiner, I urge you to check her out. I'm quite sure you can't go wrong with any of her books, but this one would be a great place to start!

I am very late in writing my review for this excellent book. Guess I've been working on my own story in the months since I read it. This story has stayed with me, though, and I think of Betty Sweet and her family quite often. Susie Finkbeiner keeps getting better and better with each of her novels. I was touched by the humor in this book, balanced with the sadness of prejudice and the uncertainty of mental illness. Susie treats both subjects with discernment and compassion. I can't wait for this author's next book!

I enjoyed this book. The story kept my interest and I especially liked the use of historical facts in the book. I am looking forward to this author’s next novel.

This book deserves 10 Stars!

What a masterfully written and heart touching story! 

Betty’s journey through her unexpected and sudden widowhood while continuing to love and cherish her extended family was so beautifully and painstakingly painted into such a captivating tale that I read the whole book in the span of a few days.

As we see Betty move through the initial grief of losing her husband and then continuing on to assume care of her young nephew, it paints a beautiful picture how when we live life of faith, fully trusting God, we can make a true difference in the lives around ours, even while we are dealing with our own struggles.

This story is a filled with moments of joy, sadness, and just about every other emotion you can think of.

It reminds us our Faith in God and the Stories He gives us to live truly are what binds us together.

Definitely recommend this book.

***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***

*grins* I expected nothing less than five stars from Ms. Finkbeiner! Her storytelling ability is phenomenal.

So, was there anything I didn't like? Well, to be honest, I finished this book quite awhile ago, and I just sat down to write a review yesterday, soooo...if there is anything I didn't like, it wasn't big enough to stick in my head!

Stories that Bind Us is, as I said on Goodreads, a fresh breath of something beautiful. I mean, I'm kinda a sucker for books set in the 1960s (don't ask me why; I don't even know), so the setting was fantastic. Diners, ice cream parlors, old cars, the clothing style for that age...just so much yes! *grins*

I adored the characters! Betty, though I expected her to be annoying, was actually a super, super endearing character. Though, being a widow and talking about how hard it is to keep going up and down the stairs, I kept forgetting that she was only forty years old, haha!

Hugo was...the most adorable thing ever. Seriously. Those that know me know that I love little kids, whether fictional or real. So to have a five-year-old little boy who is as sweet as they come and not a brat?? *grins* yessssss.

The Sweet family was so...sweet! (see what I did there? *smirks*) Not only was the fact that they owned and ran a bakery so cool (I'm a sucker for books where food plays a major point), but they were all sooooo cool. Albert and Stan and Marvel (and Pop!) were just...perfection. The twins, Dick and Nick, were hilarious.

The plot hurt but was also full of hope.

If you love a good book filled with endearing characters, a whimsical historical plot, and cinnamon rolls, you'll definitely want to check out Stories that Bind Us. ;)

(Also—the way the cover and title tied in with the book? That was pretty cool.)

*I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Recently widowed, Betty Sweet is grieving and losing track of time. She is a young widow at 40 years old and reeling from the circumstances. Thankfully, she has a strong support system in the family of her husband. They surround her through the story. Betty’s own sister, Clara, enters the scene just a month after Betty is widowed. Clara brings with her, her delightful 5 year old son, Hugo. The story is set in the mid-60s in Michigan. Hugo is biracial and it doesn’t matter at all to Betty and the Sweet family.
Clara is battling mental illness and needs to rely on Betty for stability for Hugo. As the depression worsens, Clara and Betty must make difficult decisions.
The “stories” of the book are tales that Betty crafts to help Hugo deal with the changing circumstances. They are clever and insightful, yet told on his level so that he can understand what is happening.
This was a quick moving, enjoyable story with a focus on race relations and mental illness, plus a big helping of loving family.

What a beautiful story!  Reading about Betty’s unexpected journey through widowhood and seeing her love and care for her family might not sound like an exciting book, but it was so heart-tugging that I could hardly put it down.  This is also a good look at life and attitudes in the 60’s, especially the years leading up to President Kennedy’s assignation.  As Betty travels through her initial grief of losing her husband and then assuming care of her young nephew, we see how a life lived in faith and trust in God can make a difference in those around us.  This story is a perfect picture of our lives that are filled with moments of joy, sadness, and everything in-between, and how faith takes everyday moments and make them special and meaningful.

Just a note:  This story depicts Betty’s sister’s struggle with depression.  The author does a great job of presenting this sad situation with compassion. I’m mentioning this for those that need to be aware of this.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Susie Finkbeiner has once again written a great story with her newest release, Stories That Bind Us. I adored this whole story and it is getting five plus stars from me.

This is my first ready by Susie Finkbeiner, but it will not be my last.  It was such a delight to read a book that told a beautiful story about every day life.  Betty Sweet is recovering from the death of her husband when her sister, Clara whom she hasn't seen in years, appears at her door with her sweet 5 year old son, Hugo, who is obviously the child of a black father.  Clara is suffering from severe depression, the same illness that took their mother's life.  So Betty becomes Hugo's temporary guardian.  

Susie writes a heartwarming and loving story about the interrelationships within a family that bring them closer and help them survive the ups and downs of life:  its loves, losses, and surprises.  The way she used the stories Betty told Hugo which helped him weave his way through all the transitions in his young life were so touching, and the bond they developed was incredible.  This book could easily be turned into a wonderful Hallmark movie that would leave the audience spellbound.

This quote seems to sum up what Finkbeiner was trying to say with her lovely spiritual content:
"The people in our lives, they were God's before they were ours.  And just because we've got them doesn't mean they stop being His."

**I received a complimentary copy of this book  from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I quite enjoyed this book. The subject of widowhood is never a pleasant one, but I enjoyed watching Betty find joy and purpose in life again. Watching Clara struggle with life was heartbreaking, but Hugo is a dear little boy. It was very special to see how Betty cared for him and helped him through his struggles. This is a delightful story—and I enjoyed that it's set in Michigan, my home state.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Stories That Bind Us
A Novel
by Susie Finkbeiner


 Revell 
 Christian 
Pub Date 02 Jun 2020 



I am reviewing a copy of Stories That Bind Us through Revell and Netgalley:



Betty Sweet did not expect to be widowed at only 40.  With so much life left in her, she must figure out life without her husband.  She couldn’t have had any idea what God had in store for her.   After her  estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew, a nephew she never even knew she had.







They make an odd pair in 1960s Lafontaine Michigan, Betty with her pink Button nose and bouffant hair, Hugo with his light brown skin, and big brown eyes.  What is more powerful than what makes them different is what they share, the heartache of the empty space they both have in their lives.






In time they will learn to trust one another and they’ll be able to find common ground through Storytelling.




I give Stories That Bind Us five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

The simplistic cover called out to me.  This heartfelt story will make you think, evaluate yourself and even shed a tear or two.  You must read this novel to experience the highs and lows of this beautifully written novel.  Five Stars.

First things first. While I am a fan of illustrated or art-text covers like this, I mostly see them on contemporary romance or contemporary women’s fiction, often with an element of humour. Stories that Bind Us is neither contemporary, humorous, or romantic. (If that’s what you’re looking for, check out Kara Isaac or Victoria Bylin.)

Instead, Stories that Bind Us is a typical Susie Finkbeiner novel. It is set in the “Goldilocks-sized” town of LaFontaine, Michigan, “smack-dab between Detroit and Michigan.” It’s the story of Betty Sweet, wife of town baker Norman Sweet for twenty-three of her forty years. But what starts as a chatty story soon turns into something more serious when Betty’s pleasant life is turned upside-down.

Stories that Bind Us examines grief, mental illness, and racism through Betty’s experiences with her husband, sister, and nephew … and even her memories of her long-dead mother. There’s not an over plots with Things Happening. It’s more a story of life and living, even when life is hard.

Susie Finkbeiner doesn’t write action-packed novels that keep you turning the pages. Instead, she writes quiet novels that keep me thinking about her characters and themes long after I’ve finished the novel.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction thought-provoking historical fiction. Thanks to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Finkbeiner's stories are ones that will move you - sometimes to tears, sometimes to remind people that you love them, and sometimes to remember how to live as a kind person. This book is no exception to that. Stories That Bind Us is a heartwarming story that I will find myself rereading for years to come. The emotions that Finkbeiner manages to stir within me are unlike any other. She writes real characters, with real issues at heart. And yet she doesn't over present anything, or add so much drama that it's not believable. Instead everything is done with subtlety and grace, and has more of an impact on a reader then they could ever imagine.

Betty. My heart goes out to her. I cannot imagine being in her shoes, and at the scene where she loses her husband, I almost lost it. I got thinking, "What if it was me? What is my husband suddenly passed? Would I be able to pick up the pieces?" I mean talk about having to pause for a moment and reflect on life, and that was in the very beginning of the story! But Finkbeiner didn't stop there. The moments kept coming. It took awhile to read this, mostly because I not only wanted to savor each and every word, I wanted to reflect on what I just read. I don't know the last time this happened for me - probably when I read one of her other books!

I cannot recommend this book enough. It will touch your heart, and surprise you in the process. This is for sure one of my favorite reads of 2020! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having been struggling with COVID-19 symptoms, "Stories That Bind Us" was a welcome escape and helped me get out of a reading slump.

I love the character development seen in this book, and the way things unfold primarily through the voice of Betty Sweet, a kind and loving soul who has a wonderful outlook on life, despite her hardships. I really enjoyed getting to know this main character and found her to be quite inspirational. I also loved reading about Betty's relationships with her in-laws and her nephew, Hugo.

An emotional and heartfelt tale, "Stories That Bind Us" made me smile, laugh, and shed tears of sadness and joy. This book carries a strong message of finding strength, hope, and faith amid life's most difficult moments.

This is a book I would like to revisit with my book club some time soon.

Susie knows how to write a beautiful story. Her books are so unique. The time period isn’t one most authors write in, the 1960s. The other things I love about her books is that they are set in Michigan. Her last series was set in my hometown. This one I had never heard of the town and didn’t find it so I am thinking it is fictional but based on a small town in Michigan. But the surrounding areas, Detroit, Lansing and Jackson are all very real.

The heartache that Betty has walked through, yet she never let it bring her down. She saw her sister as a fighter, but she is as well. The Sweet family is one I would love to spend time with. What a blessing that Betty got to be part of that family.

Hugo pulled at my heart and made me want to cry. I can only imagine what a small child would go through when you have a mother who is unstable.

Overall, Susie has knocked another one out of the park.

Visit Susie here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Stories that Bind Us is a moving novel that touches on so many issues surrounding us today, while holding God in the very center of them. The novel, by Susie finkbeiner, is about Betty Sweet, who loses her husband at the early age of 40. Widowed and heartbroken, she is trying to make sense of life now, when her younger sister Clara shows up with her young, mixed son Hugo. When Clara has to go to a sanitarium  for help, Betty and Hugo find joy again in the stories Betty tells. But, the early sixties is a time of racial strain as the civil rights movement is pushing forward. Betty discovers that her own ideas need to be examined and changed. She also discovers that living Hugo will change her and help her heal. Touching on racism, mental health, and loneliness, this book will have your crying, thinking, and also smiling and giggling some too. Well worth the read. I freely offer my opinion for this story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read it.

Set in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, this story could just as easily be told today!

When Betty married her high school sweetheart, Norman Sweet, she had dreams of a long life together.  But after 20 years of marriage, her husband felt ill one afternoon and quickly passed due to a heart attack.  They’d had a good marriage filled with love and lots of bakery treats from the Sweet Family Bakery that they helped run.  But she quickly fell into depression and if not for her sister-in-law, she might have stayed there.  Then one day she had a surprise visitor at her door, her estranged sister and her five-year-old son.  Betty forges a bond with her biracial nephew and learns the ugly truth about the world as well as herself.  She reflects upon stories that her mother told her growing up that begin to bind their family’s relationships even tighter.

Susie Finkbeiner is a master at storytelling.  Her books can bring historical events into a picture that allow readers to see what happened in a new light.  From the dust bowl to the Vietnam War to the Civil Rights movement, she doesn’t capture the high points of the era and press on.  What she captures is so much more beautiful and crucial to our understanding of the times.  She captures everyday life of a normal person and family.  

Betty is this person.  An average white female living in Michigan.  She’s far from the throes of the racially charged south and she sees the news, but largely ignores it as it does not directly affect her.  But when she meets her nephew Hugo, that begins to change.  She never sees him as anything more than a little boy, which is all that he is.  And her family only sees that as well.  But other people in the town do see him as different and she quickly realizes how ugly people can be.  I hope that readers are able to take this book to heart and begin to understand the importance of true relationships with one other.  As the stories Betty shares throughout the book bind her and Hugo, so do they bind us as readers!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

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 was going to give this book 4 stars when I started reading it because the first page connected with me, also it dealt with a subject, death of someone still in prime that society generally avoids. I saw more and more that was so heartfelt and then at a point it began to taper off, getting into racial tension that I just skipped to the end (after reading atleast 80% of it) but I’m glad it had a happy ending.