Words Get In The Way
By Nan Rossiter
(Kensington, Paperback, 9780758246684, March 2012, 352pp.)
The Short of It:
Words Get In the Way is a heartwarming tale of redemption and hope.
The Rest of It:
When Callie Wyeth’s father suffers a stroke, she finds herself in a difficult position. Wanting desperately to help, she knows she must return to her childhood home, but the memories of her life three years before rush back to her. Particularly, Linden…the man she left behind. The man whose heart she was forced to break, in order to keep him from the painful truth. A truth which she hasn’t fully come to terms with herself, even though the evidence of that slip of judgement stares up at her each, and every day.
Last June, I reviewed another book by Nan Rossiter, The Gin and Chowder Club, and at the time, I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. It surprised me because it wasn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, and I assumed it would be a lighter read. That was not the case and after enjoying it so much, I jumped at the chance to review her next book.
As with her previous book, this one has likable, well-developed characters but this one adds a weightier element. When Callie returns home, she returns with her young son, Henry. Henry has just been diagnosed with autism. This provides an additional layer of complexity to the story since Callie is still learning about triggers and cues. Her frustration over her son’s condition, is what made her more genuine to me as a reader and Henry’s interactions with Linden is what gives her hope.
The connection between these characters and the simple story line is what made this book very appealing to me. I will say, there is more of a spiritual element to this novel than the first book I read. I do not practice religion, but do believe in a higher power so these brief moments of prayer or mentions of God did not take anything away from the reading. Personally, I found these passages to be rather comforting. As a mother, I can certainly see why Callie would pray for her child as well as the health of her father. I think it’s important to note that I never felt as if Rossiter was pushing religion for religion’s sake. Callie is not perfect and remorseful for the mistakes she’s made. It seemed appropriate that Callie would find comfort in religion.
That said, I wanted to spend more time with these characters. The novel spans a very brief moment in time and I would have liked it more (call me selfish) if I had gotten to see them a little further along in their development. I wanted to see where they’d end up. There is a glimpse of that since the story opens with Callie in the present day, reflecting back on her past, but I wanted more of the stuff in between. Mainly because I enjoyed the characters so much.
If you enjoy honest, simple stories then give Rossiter a try.
Source: Sent to me by the author. Nan, thank you!
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
Sounds like a great one for summer reading.
Sounds like a good read for summer. I agree with Diane.
This doesn’t look like your kind of book at all. It does, however, look like my kind of book!
Kathy, you’re right. It’s not the type of book I’d pick on my own but I enjoyed Gin and Chowder Club (also a book I would not have picked on my own). Setting is what pulled me in with Gin, and this one had characters that I really liked.
Always good when you never want to let the characters in a book go. Looks like a great summer read!
I don’t do fluff either (except in cats and large dogs) so happy to know about this. Kind of way I felt about last Susan Mallery stand-alone, more substance than expected.
This sounds like a wonderful novel and just the type of story I like. Love that cover too!
I love the way you know what you want in a book!
The cover is charming. Glad to see you liked it.
I remember when you were reading The Gin and Chowder Club…I still need to read that one too…this one sounds really interesting. I have a nephew who has Asperger’s and I like reading narratives along with nonfiction stuff to wrap my mind around things. We don’t get to see him much, and his mom and dad are in the middle of a terrible divorce. Sounds like I need to read this one NOW. Thanks for the great review!
I like the sound of this book and I’m especially interested since you liked the characters so much you wanted to spend more time with them. I love when that happens but it’s also so disappinting then when the book ends.
This is another pretty cover like Rossiter’s first book
love the cover but am a bit leery of any overt religious references in my reading–it’s just something that i don’t like. that said, the story sounds engrossing but i’m wondering if i figured out the big reveal and reason callie left town just from your spoiler-free review. 🙂 glad you enjoyed it, though.
On the big reveal? Maybe. LOL.
If you don’t care for religious references, even subtle ones, then the ones you see here might stick out.
“A heartwarming tale of redemption and hope” is not the type of book I normally think of when I think of you! More like “a harrowing tale of survival.” 😉
Hey…are you reading Wild? I read it this week when I was home sick.
Another one to add to my list. I remember and loved your review of her other book so now I need to get both of these!!!!!