Summary
Sarah’s husband, Tom, disappeared without trace eleven years ago.

Now her son, David has died.

Tom appears at David’s funeral and tries to reestablish contact, which Sarah refuses but Kate, her daughter accepts. The growing closeness between Kate and her father worries Sarah because she believes that Tom is dishonest and unreliable, at best.

Then Sarah finds David’s diary and follows the steps he took in search of his father.

It becomes a journey of self-discovery: what she uncovers forces Sarah to reassess her view of herself, her origins and her certainties.

A relationship novel, but also a detection novel with a difference: this story traces a woman’s drive to uncover and understand the truth about a family she thought she knew…her own.

Review
When Sarah’s ex-husband, Tom, disappeared 11 years ago, he left her heartbroken with two young kids to take care. Not knowing what had happened, she went on with life the best she could. Then one day, tragedy came by news that her son David has died. While at the funeral, Tom resurfaces with the attempt to make amends but Sarah will have no part of it. Kate, their daughter decides differently and welcomes the invitation against the advice of her mom.

As Sarah struggles to deal with David’s death, while in his room, she finds a diary that details his life leading up to his death. In attempt to find out what happened, she discovers not only was he looking for his father but it took her on an introspective path that uncovered many secrets that changed her life forever.

The book was definitely multi-dimensional with the story being told. There are aspects of the book that I think will resonate with some people who have experienced what Sarah has. For those who ever lost a child can relate to that feeling of guilt and what ifs with internal blame. If you have ever been in a position where the death is unknown, that quest to find answers can really challenge a person’s strength. The evolution of Sarah dealing with her grief not only with the death of her son but also the husband who abandoned her made an interesting read.

Once you get going in the book, there are several layers of this story that gets peeled away that add little twists and turns that make the story engaging. The characters are well defined with depth that enable you to escape into their story with the intrigue to learn more about them and want to follow their journey. There is a section where there is a strong dialect that might be challenging but other than that it’s a quick read I think you will enjoy.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publication date: 12/8/2008
Pages: 284

Amazon

Summary
Kate had a home, but her heart wasn't in it... or in her marriage. So she left them both. Phyllis had a home... and her heart was in it... but she wanted something more. So she shopped. Naomi had no home and her heart was in cold storage, frozen by grief and fear. So she shopped. They found one another in a department store, shopping. The problem with 'retail therapy'; you can overdose. As friendship grows between these three women, they help one another face up to their problems, realizing along the way, that every heart needs a home and it takes more than a house to make one. A contemporary novel about three women who want more.

Review
Home is where the heart it. It not only is our shelter but is our comfort and holds many of our inner thoughts and most precious memories. We live, love, grow and build relationships that stand through the tests of time. Sometimes in life, couples get to a place where it's not that you don't love each other but you feel like you are complete strangers. If you just go on the assumption that love and your partnership is just what is over time with its' passing, than that binder that holds your foundation will develop some cracks in it. Sometimes all it takes is someone or something to restrengthen that foundation to make it strong again.

Making It Home was a complete testament to this wholeheartedly. This is one of those books that just grabs your heart because like so many who have fallen to this place in their relationship, this is such an inspiration of hope and validation that love conquers all, communication is so important and time heals all wounds. Such a beautifully written story that just captivates your heart and engages you throughout its entirety. The emotional depth of the characters as the story progresses just absolutely captivates you as a reader to where you feel completely invested. You grow as they grow. You feel as they feel and by the way, I would suggest a box of tissues because you will need them to sooth your melting heart.

When it comes to books like this, the first person I always seem to think of is Nicholas Sparks. I haven't seemed to find an author who captures sincerely on the true purity of the human relationship at its' raw and purest form along the journey of the strength and commitment of love between two people or the development of a true friendship until now. As I sing her praises loudly, as a reader to be able to just glide through the pages because the story just illuminates your mind and your heart into complete bliss just makes this book at it completion worth every moment.

So, the heart of the book were its' amazing characters. There is so much about this book that I think many people can relate to. We get introduced to Kate and Dan whose journey is a long introspective but inspiring one. What I love about this part of the book is the sincerity and truth of marriage. Whether you are married or not, you want that fairy tale that you meet a guy and live happily ever after but then life happens. You grow apart and you begin to doubt about the other person because you don't know how you got there or how to get back to what once was. The little arguments develop into resentment towards one another. Being in a room with each other is challenging an all you want to do is find that peace even if that means that you are in two separate places.

Kate, is like so many women out there. She got married young, had children and sort of "lost" her life. All she wants to do is start living. You never know who or what gets put in your life but everything happens for a reason. When Kate meets Phyllis, this is probably one of the most beautiful friendships anyone could have. Then they meet Naomi, whose heart and spirit have been broken. Like so many women who have been broken emotionally and physically, it's hard to let love in out of fear. The development of their friendship is my favorite part of the book. Their journey together defined her quest to find themselves, love for what it really means and healed whole hearts.

There is so much about this book that I want to share but I don't want to ruin it for you. This is one of those books that you have to experience for yourself. It will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the precious gift of life and its limited time of essence. We learn the beauty of friendship and that love can heal life's most challenging times. You will not be disappointed. You will be left with your heart smiling.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles