A Touch of Southern Grace : Where The Heart Left Off

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Where The Heart Left Off

Where the Heart Left Off, by Richie Frieman, is the perfect book to cuddle up with on a chilly fall night. Where the Heart Left Off is easily one of “those books” where you promise yourself you will read just one more chapter then go to bed, but of course the cycle continues until the book has been almost finished or finished. I love how the book is written in such a way where the story line draws the reader in; you are internally cheering for something to happen, waiting for a past secret to be revealed, or waiting for another piece of the puzzle to come together.

Albert Abraham, a man in his eighties, who has developed a daily routine of calling the hospital to check on his wife, who has been in a coma for many years, have his morning coffee, read the newspaper and let the day unfold how it may. Albert’s routine changes slightly when his grandson, Geoffrey, and great-granddaughter, Layla, come to stay with him. Once Geoffrey discovers the lack of food in Albert’s house a trip to the grocery is in order. While shopping at the local grocery store Ella Pearlman spots Albert after not seeing him in over 60 years, when they were both deeply in love with one another. Both Albert and Ella remember their time spent together, especially that last day, as if it were yesterday.

As teenagers Albert and Ella spent time together planning their futures together and dreaming of all the possibilities that lie ahead. From Ella’s point of view Albert abruptly vanishes from her life leaving no explanation as to why, little does she know the circumstances Albert left under were so unimaginable and hurtful that even 60 years later he would have a difficult time explaining exactly why he left. Albert and Ella went on with their separate lives – Albert a retired architect and Ella the very wealthy owner of the grocery store chain where they had their chance encounter.

Ella is eager to spend time with Albert and determined not to let Albert slip away again and is intent on spending their remanding days together. Geoffrey persuades Albert to spending time with Ella, but Albert does not share in Ella’s enthusiasm to spend time together, fearing that he will have to reveal the true reason why he disappeared without reason so many years ago. Once Geoffrey, with the help of Madilyn, Ella’s granddaughter, discovers there is more to Albert and Ella’s relationship than Albert let on Geoffrey is even more determined to reunite the two and uncover the real reason for Albert’s abrupt departure.

Where The Heart Left Off is a story of love, loss, and second chances. It is definitely one to add to the book collection and one that you will draw you in with descriptive details and likable characters whom you’ll become very fond of.