I really loved this book! Yes, it's sad for several reasons: Helene's comatose state for ten years and counting; Shelby's guilt; the death of Sue; the estranged relationship between Shelby and her father; Shelby losing Ben.... For every sadness though, something positive happens - even if it's just a deeper understanding of something or someone.
Shelby talks about her "angel", but I think she had four "angels" looking after her: her mother, Ben, Maravelle and James. If every person had four people in their lives that loved them unconditionally and never gave up on them, no matter what, there would be less troubled people in the world.
I really wanted Shelby to end up with Ben. Ben loved her so much - and tried so hard - and was so incredibly patient and kind. I kept waiting for them to reunite. I thought their online dating match would be the catalyst for them starting over. I was so bummed when he walked away, even though I understood it too. Then when he announced he was getting married, my heart broke for Shelby. Too little too late. In the end, when Ben came back, I was relieved that they came to terms with each other - and also that Shelby didn't hurt James by going back to Ben. I honestly don't know who was the better match for Shelby, but at that point, James loved her just as much and Ben was married with a baby on the way. Shelby definitely made the right choice.
I am a firm believer that when someone is despondent, like Shelby was after the accident, that giving them responsibility is a great way to fight depression. I think it was awesome for the pet store owner to tell Shelby that she was the new store manager, even when she didn't deserve it at the time. His belief in her was the starting point for Shelby's life turning in a different direction.
There was an underlying sense of forgiveness throughout the book. People got hurt, both physically and emotionally, but people worked through their hurt/anger/sadness and came out the other side of it. Helene's parents welcomed Shelby into their home; Shelby understood that she had shut her dad out of her life after the accident and that their estrangement wasn't all on him; Ben & Shelby made peace with their life choices and not ending up together; Sue was unhappy in her marriage, but didn't lay that burden on Shelby; Harper felt remorse for what he had done for Shelby and Shelby trusted him so much as a vet that she brought her dying dog to him despite what had happened between them.
Loved it!
Wendy's Rating: *****
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