Book Beat - Hidden in the Heart by Catherine West

Sometimes when life is a mess, you wonder just who you are.

For Claire Ferguson in Hidden in the Heart by Catherine West, a series of tragedies sends her life spiraling out of control into addiction and awakens her lifelong question: Who am I? Adopted into a loving, doting family as an infant, Claire feels she's betraying them by wanting to know about her birth mother. But she does.

A cryptic note leads her to a friendly inn in Maine, where she finds much more than she was looking for.

Realistic and memorable characters, a charming setting, and beautiful writing all support this incredibly moving story. Catherine West doesn't hold anything back - the grittiness of addiction, the pain of infertility, and the multi-layered emotions wrapped up in adoption - they're all here. I highly recommend this book.