Space by Emily Sue Harvey

Book Overview:

Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child”, complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowe’s existence. Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?

My Thoughts:

I do think this book was a good depiction of what living with an addict can do to a family. The writing seemed somewhat disjointed. I was often confused as to where the story was in outlining Faith’s long road to recovery. It did occur to me that a family in this circumstance probably feels confused and disjointed, so from that perspective, maybe the book was right on.

I recently asked someone why is tough love such a hard concept to apply? Why do we sometimes allow repeated bad behavior? The response to this question was – because we usually think this will be THE TIME that if I help, that person will make a turn around. This will be THE TIME it will work. One more TIME, and then I’ll stop.

Such was the case for Dan and Deede Stowe. Good, bad or otherwise – they never gave up on Faith. Unconditional love versus tough love – which would you choose?

Thanks you to Netgalley and The Story Plant Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC.

 My rating: 3 of 5 stars