Book Review: Finding the Grain

Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt

Finding The Grain delicately navigates the complexities of love and healing.

 Following the devastating loss of her husband Dave in active duty, Izzy Stark, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, endeavors to rebuild the civilian life they had always dreamed of together.

Inheriting a house from Dave’s Uncle Will, Izzy embarks on a cross-country journey to Whistle Canyon, Colorado, to start fresh. What she encounters is quite unexpected though—a crumbling house and an unforeseen sense of purpose. Izzy is driven by her determination to renovate the 1940s relic in Dave’s memory, but she uncovers more challenges than she anticipated.

Faced with the daunting task of completing the mounting list of renovations before winter sets in, Izzy reluctantly accepts assistance from Ben McCully, a local shops teacher, furniture maker, and charismatic cowboy. A widower himself, Ben becomes Izzy’s guiding light, showing her the power of healing, discovering a supportive community, and the potential for love to blossom once more.

Ben exudes patience, tenderness, warmth, and kindness, offering a beacon of hope for Izzy, especially in moments where she battles her flashbacks. The standout scene for Ben is when he meets his grandson for the first time. In a moment alone with the baby he talks through each stage of life: of growing up, of being a parent, and how important it is to stay true to yourself. This bit could melt hearts across the world. His character is a testament to the author’s keen understanding of the complexities of love and healing.

As Izzy settles into her new life accompanied by Dave’s former partner, Bix the German Shepherd, long-buried secrets from the weeks preceding Dave’s death slowly emerge. Tom Biddoe, a friend and fellow soldier, extends a lifeline through his non-profit, Boots and Hammers, intertwining his presence with Izzy’s life as he aids in renovating her kitchen. His insistence on addressing the past to reconcile with his own guilt threatens to disrupt the life and progress Izzy has painstakingly cultivated in the serene Colorado countryside.

Hitting her breaking point amid her conflicted feelings for Ben, Izzy faces a pivotal decision: cling to the past and what she thought her life would be or forge ahead and discover what it could be. Can she navigate forgiveness, overcome betrayals, mend her heart, and ultimately find home?

Author Linda Fifer gently navigates sensitive subjects like grief and post-traumatic stress disorder with a nuanced and empathetic touch. More than a few tears will be shed along Izzy’s journey—from Izzy and the reader both. Something about Finding The Grain resonated with me profoundly; witnessing her resilience was not just inspiring but also deeply moving.

The novel’s standout feature lies in its vivid setting, transporting readers to the enchanting Whistle Canyon. The town becomes a character in itself. As I neared the end of the book, I didn’t want to leave this world. It feels like coming home, the same way it starts to feel for Izzy. Secondary characters, such as Earl from the hardware store, the high school kids who jump at the chance to help Izzy with a project, and Neil, the veteran and local legion head, add depth and provide glimpses into life in Whistle Canyon both before and after Izzy’s arrival.

Fans especially of Virgin River and Nicholas Sparks will love Finding The Grain. Linda Fifer delivers a compelling, emotionally fulfilling read—a journey that every romance enthusiast should undertake.

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