First of all, I have to say happy release day to Susan Wiggs! Between You and Me is out today, and lucky me, it’s touring LQ today!
Susan Wiggs is a best-selling romance author with over 40 published novels. I discovered her when I read and reviewed Family Tree back in January, also on a book tour. Although I’m not a huge fan of your typical fluffy romance novel, I found Wiggs’ writing and story to have a little more sustenance to it, making it a better fit for me. Also, Family Tree was set in maple sugar country in Vermont, and it was so idyllic, I just wanted to pack up and move there.
But this is a review of Between You and Me, so let’s get to that! This one is all about family, love (of course), and stark differences between one world and another. We follow Reese, a med student, as she struggles to decide which direction her life should go in, and as she meets a family that will end up influencing her life and her decision in big ways. At the same time, we meet Caleb, who is living in an Amish community and practicing that lifestyle, but doesn’t share the belief system. He’s only there for the sake of his niece and nephew, who he cares for and acts as guardian for.
A terrible accident brings Caleb and his family into Reese’s world at the hospital, and that’s when life gets complicated, yet amazing, all at once.
My Thoughts
Between You and Me had the sustenance I need to enjoy a girly, romantic read. Sure, it’s also got fluff and those oh-so-perfect ways things happen sometimes, but that’s really what a romance novel is. This novel goes deep into some pretty tough family situations, which I think Wiggs tackles with great insight and empathy.
I also enjoyed getting the points of view from several different characters in this novel. Instead of a more typical female-protagonist-lead narrative, we got some male insight, too, and it’s not just on the romance bits. I really liked the balance of this novel between the romance and the rest of the plot.
Overall, I recommend this one. It’s a pretty quick and easy read, hits you in all the right romantic heart spots, and has an interesting story about family and secrets that’s layered amongst the romance. If you’re like me and you prefer your romance novels to have some good substance, this is one you’ll enjoy. This is a solid 3.5 stars from me!
About Between You and Me
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (June 26, 2018)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs delivers a riveting story that challenges our deepest-held beliefs…
Caught between two worlds, Caleb Stoltz is bound by a deathbed promise to raise his orphaned niece and nephew in Middle Grove, where life revolves around family, farm, faith—and long-held suspicions about outsiders. When disaster strikes, Caleb is thrust into an urban environment of high-tech medicine and the relentless rush of modern life.
Dr. Reese Powell is poised to join the medical dynasty of her wealthy, successful parents. Bold, assertive, and quick-thinking, she lives for the addictive rush of saving lives. When a shocking accident brings Caleb Stoltz into her life, Reese is forced to deal with a situation that challenges everything she thinks she knows—and ultimately emboldens her to question her most powerful beliefs.
Then one impulsive act brings about a clash of cultures in a tug-of-war that plays out in a courtroom, challenging the very nature of justice and reverberating through generations, straining the fragile threads of faith and family.
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Photo by Yvonne Wong
About Susan Wiggs
Susan Wiggs is the author of many beloved bestsellers, including the popular Lakeshore Chronicles series. She has won many awards for her work, including a RITA from Romance Writers of America. Visit her website at www.SusanWiggs.com.
Connect with Susan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Instagram Features
Tuesday, June 26th: Instagram: @wherethereadergrows
Wednesday, June 27th: Instagram: @jenabrownwrites
Thursday, June 28th: Instagram: @novelreality
Friday, June 29th: Instagram: @thats_what_she_read
Saturday, June 30th: Instagram: @thesaggingbookshelf
Sunday, July 1st: Instagram: @girlsinbooks
Monday, July 2nd: Instagram: @rendezvous_with_reading
Review Stops
Tuesday, June 26th: Literary Quicksand
Tuesday, June 26th: Thoughts On This ‘n That
Wednesday, June 27th: As I turn the pages
Thursday, June 28th: Comfy Reading
Friday, June 29th: Into the Hall of Books
Monday, July 2nd: A Chick Who Reads
Thursday, July 5th: From the TBR Pile
Monday, July 9th: Girl Who Reads
Tuesday, July 10th: Instagram: @writersdream
Wednesday, July 11th: Reading Reality
Thursday, July 12th: Tina Says…
Friday, July 13th: Novel Gossip
4 comments
[…] Tuesday, June 26th: Literary Quicksand […]
This sounds like a great summertime read! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
[…] third Susan Wiggs read and review for LQ. I enjoyed the other two I’ve read, Family Tree and Between You & Me, although I liked Family Tree more. Anyway, when I saw another Wiggs novel show up on our […]
[…] is my third review for Susan Wiggs, and definitely my favorite. I enjoyed Family Tree and Between You and Me was okay, but this one outdid both of them. It stepped outside of what Wiggs did with the others, […]