Shelter Me

By: Juliette Fay

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

In the tradition of Marisa de los Santos and Anne Tyler comes a moving debut about a young mother’s year of heartbreak, loss, and forgiveness—and help that arrives from unexpected sources.

Four months after her husband’s death, Janie LaMarche remains undone by grief and anger. Her mourning is disrupted, however, by the unexpected arrival of a builder with a contract to add a porch onto her house. Stunned, Janie realizes the porch was meant to be a surprise from her husband—now his last gift to her.

As she reluctantly allows construction to begin, Janie clings to the familiar outposts of her sorrow—mothering her two small children with fierce protectiveness, avoiding friends and family, and stewing in a rage she can’t release. Yet Janie’s self-imposed isolation is breached by a cast of unlikely interventionists: her chattering, ipecac-toting aunt; her bossy, overmanicured neighbor; her muffin-bearing cousin; and even Tug, the contractor with a private grief all his own.

As the porch takes shape, Janie discovers that the unknowable terrain of the future is best navigated with the help of others—even those we least expect to call on, much less learn to love.

©2009 Juliette Fay (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A gorgeous paradox of a book: a deep, thoughtful exploration of a young mother’s first year of widowhood that is as much a page turner as any thriller.” (Marisa de los Santos, New York Times best-selling author)

Excellent!

This is a story of a young mother dealing with tragedy and loss, and more importantly, get journey to forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion, and new love. I loved the well developed characters, the unexpected twists, and satisfying ending. recommended!

For reals

This story was very serious and yet the snarky attitude set a tone. The minds thinks.. but not always speaks out load.. very good thing In this case . Good story line.. realism prevailed, a spousal death and the people that come along the way.. sets the human behavior to a poignant tale that needs to be told. Biting the tongue in real life happens all the time!
Becky

Very touching book.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It helped me see a new perspective of the loss of my husband, the father of my children & my best friend.

Ended up really enjoying this story …

I have to admit, when this book first started I almost stopped listening immediately because the narrator rubbed me the wrong way. She just didn’t sound “right” for the reading. I felt that way throughout the book - she was very distracting. She made all the male characters (even the children) sound like they were drunk throughout, regardless of the situation.

That being said - I managed to keep listening and was able to continue in spite of the drunk men and boys. Somehow, I got used to it …

The story is honest, raw, and touching. Anyone who has ever been touched by loss, will glean something from this story. The author takes us through the honesty of Janie’s anger, sadness, and disbelief of the loss she and her children have suffered. The journey she takes - to find her way out of the darkness and see the specks of light where they appear is absolutely lovely.

Narrator definitely need work though …

Good book, annoying narrator

I almost quit listening because I found the narrator’s voice so irritating, but after a few chapters I was able get into the story and am glad I stuck with it.