Shelter Me

Juliette Fay

Dec 2008 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

“A gorgeous paradox of a book: a deep, thoughtful exploration of a mother’s first year of widowhood that is as much a page turner as any thriller.” Maris de los Santos, New York Times bestselling author of Belongs to Me

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, over-manicured 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.

“Tinged with searing insight and often hilarious wry humor.” —The Boston Globe

“A widow embarks on a year of transformation in Fay’s wise and inspirational debut. . . . The concerns of single motherhood after sudden tragedy come vividly to life, and as Janie learns to appreciate everyday miracles, readers will be charmed.” —Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

I won't summarize the book but I will admit there were many times when I was rooting for Father Jake. Amazingly well written and it kept me hooked until the very end. I felt so many different emotions throughout the book... but it was nonetheless worth my sleepless nights where i just could not put this book down. Look forward to the next novel.

The impact this book has on you touches every emotion in you,as I unfortunately could relate to the character so well. Cried n laughed throughout,didn't want the booke to.end!!

I found myself crying throughout this entire story; however I couldn't put it down. The characters draw you in and the emotional connection is fabulous! Although tragic, the lessons and growth are prominent. Great story, very well done!

About the author

Juliette Fay is the bestselling author of seven novels, including THE HALF OF IT, CATCH US WHEN WE FALL, CITY OF FLICKERING LIGHT and THE TUMBLING TURNER SISTERS, a USA Today bestseller and Costco Pennie’s Book Club Pick. Previous novels include THE SHORTEST WAY HOME, one of Library Journal’s Top 5 Best Books of 2012: Women’s Fiction; DEEP DOWN TRUE, short-listed for the 2011 Women’s Fiction award by the American Library Association; and SHELTER ME, a 2009 Massachusetts Book Award “Must-Read Book” and an Indie Next pick.

Juliette is a graduate of Boston College and Harvard University, and lives in Massachusetts with her family. Visit her at www.juliettefay.com, Facebook: Juliette Fay author, Twitter: @juliettefay, and Instagram: Juliette_Fay.