What's Left Behind

by Lorrie Thomson

When the person you’ve built your whole life around is gone, what do you do? It’s not the first time Abby Stone has faced the question. At eighteen, she envisioned a future with her childhood sweetheart, Charlie, only to have him go off to school and leave a pregnant Abby behind. But that pales beside a second loss, when her eighteen-year-old son, Luke, falls to his death from his third-floor dorm.
Abby throws herself into running her thriving B&B on the coast of Maine. With the help of Rob, a local landscape architect, she plans a backyard labyrinth as a memorial to Luke—a place to find peace and solace. Even as Charlie begins hanging around again, looking for a chance to do right by her, Abby resolves to look forward, not back. And then Luke’s girlfriend arrives on Abby’s doorstep—pregnant, as alone as Abby once was—bringing with her the unexpected gift of a new beginning, one that celebrates the past.
Rich in emotion and insight, this beautifully written novel explores the depth of a mother’s bond, resilience after unimaginable loss, and the way love’s memory can fill the gaps in a shattered heart.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Lorrie Thomson is the award-winning author of three novels from Kensington Books: A Measure of Happiness, What’s Left Behind, and Equilibrium. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their youngest offspring. When she’s not reading, writing, or hunting for collectibles, you can find her climbing indoor walls, hiking outdoor trails, and pedaling upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.

To learn more about Lorrie and her books, sign up for her newsletter, and arrange a book club chat, visit her website at www.lorriethomson.com.

Connect with Lorrie: www.twitter.com/LorrieThomson, www.facebook/lorriethomsonauthor, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lorri....

Reviews

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. After Abby loses her son, Luke, in "What's Left Behind," she is unsure how she can go on. She throws herself into her work at a bed-and-breakfast in Maine but she knows that her life will never be the same. When Luke's girlfriend, Tessa, shows up pregnant with bloops child Abby can't help but to feel that this is a sign from Luke. This book definitely tugged on my heartstrings. I was thoroughly engaged by the story and the characters.

I'm not a parent but I can only imagine how hard it must be to lose a child. It's so hard to lose somebody very close to you. I really liked how the author was able to capture the raw feelings of Abby and the feelings of Tessa. Most of the book focuses on how Abby deals with her son's death and the reemergence of his college sweetheart. She is definitely one tough lady but even she is going through something absolutely devastating. I really enjoyed reading about her because she was such a strong character! I felt that the author did a good job of making her seemed really real.

I really like the writing of this book I thought that the author was able to create dialogue and situations that felt very realistic. I love when a book can really move you and this book definitely moved me. I know that in the future I'm going to be on the lookout for more by this author. This would be a great book for her when you're looking for a book that I takes you through all different emotions but leaves you with a happy ending!

[Dianne]

http://www.lorrie-thomson.com/books/w...


From authors website
What’s Left Behind
Coming August 2014 from Kensington Books!

When the person you’ve built your whole life around is gone, what do you do? It’s not the first time Abby Stone has faced the question. At eighteen, she envisioned a future with her childhood sweetheart, Charlie, only to have him go off to school and leave a pregnant Abby behind. But that pales beside a second loss, when her eighteen-year-old son, Luke, falls to his death from his third-floor dorm.

Abby throws herself into running her thriving B&B on the coast of Maine. With the help of Rob, a local landscape architect, she plans a backyard labyrinth as a memorial to Luke—a place to find peace and solace. Even as Charlie begins hanging around again, looking for a chance to do right by her, Abby resolves to look forward, not back. And then Luke’s girlfriend arrives on Abby’s doorstep—pregnant, as alone as Abby once was—bringing with her the unexpected gift of a new beginning, one that celebrates the past.

Rich in emotion and insight, this beautifully written novel explores the depth of a mother’s bond, resilience after unimaginable loss, and the way love’s memory can fill the gaps in a shattered heart.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you cry within the first two pages of a book you know it will be an emotional ride. So I got aboard for this very touching story of love. An mother lost her son, a man lost his son, a man lost his marriage and his beloved dog and a young girl lost her boyfriend. And there you have the ingredients for the story. Abby Stone owns a B&B in Maine, but on loosing her son Luke she is lost. Charlie, Luke's father is at a loss also. Rob, a landscape architect meets Abby and helps her build a labyrinth in Luke's memory. Than along comes Tessa, Luke's girlfriend - I should say pregnant girlfriend. So Lorrie Thomson takes all of this and creates a story of love, loss, and hope. She gives us a story of the resilience and memory that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heart breaking story with a happy ending. I admired Abby strength to go on after the tragedy of losing her son.

[Ellen Gullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Lorrie Thomson beautifully weaves a dramatic story about a mother's greatest heartbreak, the loss of a child, and from it, the resilience of love. Abby Stone has made a few mistakes in her past, and now, her son Luke's death - from a tragic accident - forces her to forge ahead. Abby's an independent business owner of a vibrant Bed & Breakfast business in a small seaside town in Maine. She knows how to deal with a heavy load of responsibilities since getting pregnant as a teenager with Luke. It is her son's death that makes her confront her greatest weakness - Luke's father, a man who has yet to prove himself reliable. When Luke's girlfriend arrives pregnant with Luke's child, and a landscaper comes into her life with all the right stuff, for the first time Abby confronts her past in order to pave a new future.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby Stone's mother, Lily Beth, was single and pregnant. When Abby discovered she was pregnant, she was also unmarried.

Luke is away at college, and his girlfriend, Tessa, is pregnant. Five months ago, Luke, in a Spiderman prank at his college dorm, lost his life.

Where is Tessa's family, you may ask? Her mother left the family to go live in Europe and Tessa has not seen her since childhood. Tessa's father is a college debate professor, who is interested only in facts, and has no emotional support to offer. So, are we surprised that Tessa, the girlfriend of Abby's son Luke, shows up on Abby's doorstep alone and pregnant?

I think this easily could have been a novel about strong, resourceful women, but just as easily it slips into soap-opera mode.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Stone has lost her son, Luke, in a terrible and senseless tragedy. Living without him is the hardest thing she’s ever had to endure, but when his pregnant girlfriend, Tessa, shows up on her doorstep, she faces a whole new set of challenges. In spite of their differences, Abby and Tessa’s bond grows, and Tessa displays such courage that it made my heart flip over. The author tucked in a few surprises, as well, each one a shining example of how love can conquer even the most stubborn of hearts. What’s Left Behind is beautifully wrought story of a mother’s love, loss, and ultimate rebirth. I can’t wait to see what this talented author has in store for us next.

[Donnajo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won from Bookends Literacy agency to read/review for a honest opionion

What's left behind by Lorri Thomson is a emotional rollercoaster of a book. Having never read this author in the past I didn't know what to expect but I ended up loving the book. Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down. Enjoyable characters and dialogue. A touching story of ups, down, love and loss. I'm looking forward to reading more by Lorrie Thomson

[Rosie Genova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. Left off my own work for hours just so I could finish it. It was wonderful to go along on Abby's journey through a difficult time and experience her sorrows and ultimately, her joys. One for the keeper shelf!

[Zan Marie Steadham · Rating 5 out of 5]

By exploring what's left behind after a death, Thompson shows what it means to live our lives fully. Must Read

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book of the year that didn't engage me. At least I made to chapter 10!!!

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

good "get lost for a day" read really enjoyed it

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about strong women and grief. Loss can define you or you can work through it and live your changed life. When Abby's 18 year old son is killed in an accident in college she is devastated. She clings to serving her guests at the Bed and Breakfast she owns to preserve her sanity. When several unexpected events occur, her life begins to change. It is an excellent journey through grief.

[Laura Aase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby is dealing in grief when her beloved son, Luke, dies. She longs to feel alive again, and when handsome rob designs a labyrinth in Luke's honor
Her interest in him offers a diversion . ThenLukes pregnant girlfriend shows us and her ex- Charles shows renewed interest in her, she has lots to sort through. An enjoyable story, however, the horniness of Abby was a detriment to the story and I'm not likely to choose this author again because of it.

[Mindy Gough · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, really.

It was fine, it was a quick read. I didn't feel that this mom's grief was accurately portrayed (or maybe she was a reeeeeeeeally cool customer). And the story of her bio-father seemed to end pretty abruptly. The rescue of the one who briefly went missing felt very contrived, and how the heck did that resolve? Are we just supposed to guess?

[Mandy Eve-Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A loss of any kind is devastating and this tale of a single mother borne of a single mother herself, and the unexpected turn of events that literally crash into it, is enthralling, poignant and heart wrenching, as well as uplifting as life reenters the world.
Wonderfully written characters and landscape.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is not really my genre but it was a pretty good vacation read. I am glad I didn’t read anything about the plot of the book beforehand. The one written on Goodreads tells all. Good character development. I especially liked Abby and Rob.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this a 3+ because I did enjoy reading it. Having said that, there were flaws…not fatal flaws…but just enough to keep me from rating it higher.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good story, but it is just a high caliber romance novel.

[Gina Shupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book.it spoke of unwed teens who with help were able to raise their child. The book also spoke of love if family and how people can change. I enjoyed reading this author.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light heartwarming read.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute little romance novel. good characters. everyone lived happily ever after. Sometimes, that's the story we need to hear.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok and a sad story. I finished the book even if it was slow going and the ending was to perfect.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I felt a lot of the story was given away on the front page synopsis, so there weren’t any surprises or conflicts that took the story in any other directions.

[Sandra Landry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

I did like this book, but it was a little too predictable. I don’t think the characters were quite fleshed out as well as they could have been.

[Brianne Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect feel good story!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read and love it takes place in New Hampshire. Lots of twists and turns until the last chapter.

[Vicki Duggan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and read like a harlequin. No substance or meat to it and ended up skimming
through it. Characters were so cliche. The only character that captured any interest was Abby’s mother.

[Michele McDaniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow moving but I finished it. It was like a Hallmark movie trying to be raunchy Harlequin romance.