The Shadow of Your Smile is the newest offering in the Deep Haven series by Susan May Warren. Although I have read several of the other books in the series, it has been a while and I don’t recall many of the details, so I was glad that this story stood on its own.
After being brutally attacked during a robbery in the nearby city of Duluth, Noelle Hueston wakes up in the hospital thinking she is still a 21 year old college student pursuing her passion for art. Being told she is actually a 46 year old wife and mother who hasn’t painted in years seems like a cruel joke until she looks in the mirror and is stunned by what she sees.
Noelle has good reasons for wanting to forget her life. Her grief over the loss of her teenage daughter, Kelsey, and the emotional distance from her husband, Eli, had led to the secret trip out of town, although now she doesn’t know why she was there or even what she was running from in the first place. As Noelle struggles to remember the missing years, Eli is battling his own guilt and shame over his reaction after his daughter’s death, and her best friend, Lee, is still mourning her husband, killed in the same tragic event as Kelsey.
Although the use of an amnesia storyline often makes me wonder if the author is looking for a convenient way to create dramatic moments, I felt that the story here was allowed to unfold gradually. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two love stories, with Eli and Noelle wondering if they can fall in love again while their older son Kyle is encountering his own first love.
All in all, an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28. Be sure to click on the image below for more details.

We also have two copies of the book to give away! Just leave a comment below to be entered to win. Giveaway is closed.
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Trish thanks Litfuse Publishing and Tyndale House for the review copy of this book. She blogs at In So Many Words.
A giveaway not to be missed.
And curious about how the story resolves.
My sister really likes Susan May Warren. I agree that sometimes the amnesiac plot lines stretch a bit thin – but this sounds interesting.
I’d love to give this a try. Thanks!
Sounds sad, but good to read.
Sounds like a good one! Count me in! Thanks!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
thanks for the chance-sounds very interesting
I love Susan’s books! THanks for the chance!
I would like to be entered to win The Shadow of Your Smile! I have not read any of this series and this book sounds action packed.
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Many thanks for your great review and the giveaway.
I adore the writing of Susan May
Warren…Many thanks for this wonderful
book giveaway opportunity!
Cindi
Thank you for the chance to win this great read.
I’d enjoy reading this book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
This is a new author for me. The story sounds interesting and I would enjoy it. Thanks.
This book sounds so good, would love to win!
It’s ages since I read a book my Susan May Warren. I don’t mind stories where someone suffers from amnesia.
Sounds like an interesting book. I would enjoy reading it. Thanks for this chance.
I’d love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for offering! 🙂
This book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love this!
Enter me please. I love this author. 🙂
This book sounds really good, enter me also please.
Looks like a good book!
I love to read and this sounds interesting!
Thanks for all the good reviews! I would enjoy this one.
Very good review, would like to read.
I’d love to read this!
I would like to give this book to my girlfriend if I win it.
I would love to read this! Thanks!
Will enjoy for sure.
You won June! Please reply to this email with your shipping address.
It sounds like a story that will keep you reading!
I’ve enjoyed the Deep Haven series and this newest book sounds like another winner.
My wife would like this one.