What Holds Us Together

by Sandi Ward

From the author of The Astonishing Thing and Something Worth Saving comes a tender, wise, and insightful novel of a family cat, a second chance, and the love that persists through the deepest heartache . . .
 
They say that cats don’t like change. But Luna, an imaginative tabby, understands that sometimes it’s necessary. When her owner, Annika, moved back to her small New England hometown six months ago along with her sixteen-year-old twins, Luna knew it was for the best. Ever since Annika’s husband, Peter, died suddenly, the family has been floundering. Luna, too, is guilt-ridden, sure she could have done more to save her favorite person. Luna also knows something the others don’t know. Peter’s spirit is still with them, and Luna believes there is something he needs her help to do . . .
 
Annika has been struggling to move on. It doesn’t help that her son, Donovan, blames her for his father’s death. Peter always told Annika that they had the best love story going, yet the fact is that much of their story has been hidden away, even from their children. When Annika’s first love, Sam, arrives to plow them out during an intensifying storm, the truth begins to emerge at last. And Luna—watchful and unwavering in her affection—may be her family’s best hope of learning how to forgive and to heal . . .
 
  Praise for Sandi Ward’s Something Worth Saving
 
“Told with empathy and hope, this would be a perfect gift for cat lovers or anyone who enjoys a fresh take on the family drama.”
—Booklist

Genres: Fiction, Cats, Womens Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2019

About the author

Sandi Ward is a native New Englander who now lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, kids, dog and a big black cat named Winnie. She received her MA in Creative Writing from NYU, and is a copywriter at an advertising agency. Her novels include THE ASTONISHING THING, SOMETHING WORTH SAVING, and WHAT HOLDS US TOGETHER (Kensington Books).

Visit Sandi at: http://www.sandiwardbooks.com
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandiwardbooks/
Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandiwardbooks/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiwardbo...

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gorgeous cat on the cover got me! 😻

As a cat lover, I could not resist reading a book, narrated in part by a cat helping his family heal after a death.

But, although I loved Luna, the cat...I didn’t really like any of the “humans” in the book, (except daughter Deliah) and I cannot say that I found myself rooting for any of them!

There is a lot of teen angst in this story (parental reminiscing) which I didn’t expect and since that isn’t something that I enjoy, I could not connect with this book.

Perhaps, I would have if there had been more chapters narrated by Luna!

Thank You to Netgalley, Kensington Books and Sandi Ward for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review! Available on Dec 31, 2019.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the lost review!

The gorgeous cat on the cover got me! 😻

As a cat lover, I could not resist reading a book, narrated in part by a cat helping his family heal after a death.

But, although I loved Luna, the cat...I didn’t really like any of the “humans” in the book, so, I didn’t really connect with this story!

Perhaps, I would have if there had been more chapters narrated by Luna!

Thank You to Netgalley, Kensington Books and Sandi Ward for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review! Available on Dec 31, 2019.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off the cover is what got me to take a chance on reading this book and I wasn’t disappointed. If you enjoy heartfelt books about family, love, and loss then you will enjoy this book.

Their furbaby Luna helps the family through their loss of husband/father and holds them together while they process their grief and heal. Luna tells the story of his death through her eyes and how it affected the family as well as her own feelings of guilt.

I found it to be told with care and respect for what a family of teens go through after a parents death. Having lost my father as an adult I can only imagine the pain of losing one as a teen.


I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story of loss within a family, new hope and start of new beginnings. I loved how the cats story is told throughout the story too and how it’s woven in there perfectly. The ups and downs of teenager life as they deal with growing up, loss and wanting to help those who they love. So much is unsaid and is learnt after the fathers death, told in a loving way filled with forgiveness and healing for them all. This is my favourite book of Sandi Wards so far. Looking forward to reading the astonishing thing by Sandi Ward next

[Rhinnan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked Sandi Ward's first two novels so I have no idea what the hell happened with this one. In a word: it's terrible. Like, so bad. How is this book getting good reviews? Am I reading a totally different novel than everyone else??

For starters, nothing happens. Which fine, that might be forgivable if the prose was beautifully—or even entertainingly—written, but instead, the writing is amateur and repetitive—so, so repetitive—and contradictory. The dialogue is equal parts clunky, inane, and ridiculous (particularly in the high school flashbacks and that of the two teens in the present timeline). In fact, a lot of the high school flashback scenes do not ring true at all—to the extent that it's laughable, except it isn't even laughable because the entire book is so painfully bad.

Let's start with the high school in the flashback scenes: for some reason, this school seems to call the cops for every little thing—things that could probably be resolved internally. Graffiti in the gym? Call the cops. Kids having a snowball fight (apparently this also constitutes a senior prank)? Call the cops. Someone stole the cheerleading fundraiser money? Call the cops. And what teenage boy uses the term "sweetheart" for someone who isn't even his girlfriend? Someone he can barely work up the nerve to kiss? And the same teenager, upon getting the stink eye at prom from a gym teacher gets so upset and depressed that he has to leave. What? (And petty nitpick: The author apparently doesn't know the difference between a corsage and a boutonniere.) Or how weird it is that Luna, the cat, refers to her owner as "my woman" and her late owner as "my man." How about how two of the characters the protagonist (Annika) hasn't seen in 30-some years seem comfortable just walking into her house unannounced, with one of them just repeatedly helping himself to her liquor, and she doesn't bat an eye? Speaking of Annika, oh my god, she is completely gormless. I don't know how these two, according to her, supposedly amazing dudes (her h.s. boyfriend and her late husband) find her so captivating. Although, as they're written, they're not exactly all that amazing. One day she's hiding from her ex, the next, they're all of a sudden calling each other sweetheart again, despite the fact she's supposedly still emotionally incapacitated by her husband's death almost a year and a half prior. It's. So. Bad.

I wanted to DNF this mofo but I have never not finished a book and like the masochist I am, I hate-read it to the end. Long story short, this book is boring, repetitive, and just plain bad. Nothing happens. Even at the end, when there's a house fire set by one of the characters, it's off-stage, so to speak, and from beginning to end, the whole episode is unbelievably, ridiculously preposterous. Just like the rest of the book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sandi Wards books especially as she writes from both human and cat perspective. I enjoyed this book but not as much as her previous two books... I’m not sure why, maybe I didn’t connect with the characters as much as in her previous books? But if you love books about families coping with difficult life issues and cats, you will enjoy this book I’m sure :)

[Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What Holds Us Together” by Sandi Ward is a touching story about a family coping with the grief of Peter’s death, their husband and father from sleep apnea. Coping with this loss, the family moves back into Annika’s (mother, and wife of the family) parent’s cottage. Hoping a change of scenery will help with the grieving process. Annika is trying to keep it together but the challenges with raising teenage twins during this time is proving difficult. Soon after, a snowstorm strands them in the cottage, along with the men plowing the snow and their driveway. Coincidentally, one of the men is Annika’s high school boyfriend. Memories and old feelings of their time together as well as what broke up the relationship soon resurfaces. Being stranded forces everyone to deal with their grief, face their guilt, sadness, blame and helps them to forgive and start the healing process.

What makes this story different is that the story is told through many character’s point of view, especially, their cat, Luna. Because we have Luna’s point of view, we see things that only she can see and that Peter’s spirit is still with them, lingering, and needing Luna’s help to move the family toward healing. I love that the cat is given a voice and shown how the death has also impacted her, while showing how a fur-baby can help with the healing process. This was a good, easy read and provides a different perspective on what really holds us together. Memories, guilt, family, pets are just some of the themes raised in this story of what holds people together through life, and difficult, challenging times.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read! Great for a relaxing cold winter day sitting in my chair with a cup of hot cocoa and a quilt. Nicely put together, it touched on grief and the way each person in a family will grieve in their own way. With my cats here...which is partly why I was drawn to the book. I love cats! Thank you, Luna, for making my day even more enjoyable!
They say that cats don’t like change. But Luna, an imaginative tabby, understands that sometimes it’s necessary. When her owner, Annika, moved back to her small New England hometown six months ago along with her sixteen-year-old twins, Luna knew it was for the best. Ever since Annika’s husband, Peter, died suddenly, the family has been floundering. Luna, too, is guilt-ridden, sure she could have done more to save her favorite person. Luna also knows something the others don’t know. Peter’s spirit is still with them, and Luna believes there is something he needs her help to do . . .
Annika has been struggling to move on. It doesn’t help that her son, Donovan, blames her for his father’s death. Peter always told Annika that they had the best love story going, yet the fact is that much of their story has been hidden away, even from their children. When Annika’s first love, Sam, arrives to plow them out during an intensifying storm, the truth begins to emerge at last. And Luna—watchful and unwavering in her affection—may be her family’s best hope of learning how to forgive and to heal . . .

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here; In the aftermath of Peter’s death, Luna’s family moves back to the town where her woman grew up and met her future husband in senior year of high school. That was the same year Peter lost his leg and Annika fell in love with him. But there are secrets and guilt and confusing emotions that return to haunt Annika. Thankfully, Peter’s ghost returns with them and with the aid of Luna, cat extraordinaire, all the characters involved in that fraught time come together and finally can move on.
Peter enlists Luna’s help, as she is the only one who sees him and with whom he can communicate. She is troubled by the state of her family after his unexpected death by sleep apnea. His son, Donovan, blames his mother for his father’s death. She did not see the signs. But he is also dealing with his own guilt and lashes out. His twin sister, Deli,lah, is a mostly steadying influence but this is a truly dysfunctional family in crisis.
IIt is going to take a blizzard, a ghost, a cat and a diary to help everyone deal with their grief, their guilt and learn forgiveness and acceptance of their own foibles and the foibles of others. It is a moving story that sometimes leaves the reader grinding his or her teeth but it all works out as the characters learn not what keeps them apart but what holds them together.. And the glue is Luna.
Five purrs and two paws up.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is told from 2 perspectives, Annika, the woman who lost her husband and Luna, the family cat. Peter died in his sleep while Annika was on a business trip, their son Donovan blames his mom. He is a ver moody teenager. His twin Delilah is more up beat an tries to built a bridge between mother and son.
The family has moved back to Annika’s childhood home. They get stuck in a snow blizzard. Annika’s high school sweetheart Sam and his brother are plowing the snow, but they get stuck. They stay with Annika and her kids. Luna finds them very suspicious, because they talk about dealing with something.
When they all go to get Lisa, Annika’s sister, she plots with same to keep Donovan preoccupied. She wants to find her husband’s journal, before her kids read awful things. She doesn’t find the journal. Luna sees Peter’s ghost and he tells her to help Annika let go of him.
In the end she does and Annika ends up telling everyone the big secret from prom night. Everyone, including Sam and Lisa are surprised, but it helps on her journey to heal.

I thought this book was an ok read. I especially like the chapters from Luna’s perspective. They are a bit quirky, just like I think a cat thinks. The love story, with the flashbacks is sweet, but maybe a bit too much for me.

[Aly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plusieurs détails m'ont empêchée d'apprécier ce roman.


-J'ai trouvé les dialogues pas très convaincants (certaines actions des personnages manquaient aussi de crédibilité, particulièrement vers la fin. Sans déconner, je me pose des questions sur leur santé mentale). Je me suis demandée, tout au long de ma lecture, si c'est une question de traduction ou non.

-La quatrième de couverture laisse entendre que c'est le chat qui réunit les protagonistes alors que même si on a droit à quelques chapitres avec son point de vue, au final, il est plutôt accessoire dans l'histoire et n'a rien à voir avec les retrouvailles et les rapprochements quasi-inexistants de Sam et Annie.

-Tellement de flashbacks de l'adolescence de Sam et Annie au bahut que j'ai eu l'impression de lire un livre pour adolescents et il ne restait donc plus beaucoup de pages pour que nos protagonistes retombent en amour. Ce qui ne les empêche pas de s'appeler par des petits noms d'amour deux jours après s'être revus.

-La trame narrative de leur passé avait aussi quelque chose de décousue.

-POURQUOI AUTANT DE PHRASES OU DE MOTS EXPRIMÉS PAR LES PERSONNAGES SONT EN CAPS LOCK?

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read any of Sandi Ward’s books in the past, you don’t want to miss this one. As the others, it features a beautiful cat on the cover and a heartfelt family story.

After Annika’s husband, Peter, suddenly dies in his sleep, she moves back to her family home with her twin teenagers and their cat, Luna. Only Luna knows Peter is still with them. She can see and communicate his ghost. While trapped at home during a snow storm, along with Annika’s high school boyfriend and his brother, Luna helps her family heal from their loss. Annika also learns to trust in love again.

This was an enjoyable, and emotional, book and I liked how it was told from different points of views, including Luna’s. The story switches from the present to the past, telling Annika’s story about her life with Peter, Sam and the troubled relationship with her sister, Lisa. The author fully uses her imagination to weave a tale that is unexpected and highly memorable. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know up front that part of this lovely novel is narrated by Luna the cat. Luna the cat who can communicate with the ghost of Peter, Annika's husband and father of Donovan and Delilah. Peter died in his sleep while Annika was away on business and now she's moved the kids (who are twins) back home, which seemed like a good idea when she did it but now....Luna's chapters alternate with the story of Peter and Annika's relationship, which also includes her sister Lisa. Then there's Sam, who Annika adored as a teen. This is about family and grief, and if the teens (especially Donovan) seem a bit much at times, remember how their lives have been turned upside down. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I admit to being a fan of Ward's books and the fact that she gives the perspective of the family pet. This one has a good dose of ups, downs, and emotions.

[Nicole reading_with_nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annika has just lost her husband Peter; Peter passes away in his sleep while Annika is away on a business trip.
Annika and Peter have twins; Donovan a typical moody teenage boy; who blames his mother for his father’s passing and Delilah who is sweet and kind and wants nothing more tan her mother and brother to repair their relationship; and there is Luna, she is the family cat.
After her husbands passing Annika makes the decision to move back to her family home with her children and Luna.
Luna knows that Peter is still with the family in spirit, she can communicate with him in the afterlife. This story is told from the perspective of Annika and Luna; while reading Luna’s chapters you see just how she helps this family heal and move on to find love again. If you love cats this a perfect book for you!!

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the prior books by the author and highly recommend this new release for all who love cats and stories of family and love. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. .My review opinion is my own.

This is a charming heartfelt story of family loss after the death of a husband. The charming cat Luna helps the family through their loss and bind them together. Luna tells the story of his death through her eyes and how it affects the family and her as she also has guilt over his death. It is told with reverence to Grief and with thoughtful care for what a family of young children go through after a parental death. This was a charming lovely read..
I recommend this book for all who love cats as a featured charcter and those who appreciate loving family stories told with heartfelt love and care .

[Sonia Bellhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Browsing in the library and this book caught my eye, I was attracted by the beguiling cat picture on the front cover. Reading the blurb further intrigued me, so I took the book home. Serendipity as I enjoyed reading it, especially the perspective of Luna, the family cat. This is a reflective and thoughtful book, dealing with the sudden death of a husband and a father and how the family must try and come to terms with it. Guilt and anger cloud the points of view as Annika wasn’t home when Peter died and Donovan, her son is unforgiving towards her. Luna is the only one who is aware of the presence of Peter’s ghost. Donovan has Peter’s journal and won’t return it, while Annika is concerned about what it might reveal. Things become complicated as Sam Annika’s old high school boyfriend and his brother Danny come to plough them out of a snowstorm. A positive and hopeful book

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I can't cling to guilt for the rest of my life. It does no good, and it isn't what Peter wants for me."

Luna is the family cat. She and her family are grieving. They are desperately trying to move forward in life and yet each one has an abundance of guilt. Why?
Peter the patriarch has suddenly died.
How did they miss the signs? Or did they?
If only Luna had tried to help him. If only Annika had been home. If only Donovan and Delilah had realized that he may have not felt good.
If only....
Luna knows that Peter is around and needs her to find the answers for him so "her People" can understand that they can move on this journey and begin to take the climb upward.
A wonderful, heartfelt book that was definitely well written with enough detail to feel all the emotions!

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved "Something Worth Saving," and was excited to read more from this highly talented author.

Luna "the cat" and her family are trapped in grief and guilt following the sudden death of the family's patriarch.
Every one of them is questioning him/her self about the signs they missed and could have saved him.
But Luna believes that it is her mission to overcome her sorrow and help her family in their journey towards acceptance and heeling.

A warming and heartfelt story that is both compassionate and thought provoking, highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat]

I liked reading the story from the cat's perspective, though it caught me off guard the first time it happened. Got a little bored rehashing high school years with Annie and Sam (and his brother...) Annie's oldest son's behavior was a bit over the top and his sister just not that interesting. Oh, well... Not my favorite read of the year, but not an awful story to pass the time in these last days of autumn. Maybe it would read a bit better over the winter with a cup of hot chocolate. It's a quick, easy read and the cat, Luna, tells a great tale!

I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I read way past my bedtime. The narrator alternates between the main character, Annika, a mom who has lost her husband, and the cat, Luna, who gave us an omniscient view of happenings. It was a realistic cat narrator (if that can be said) that wasn't cheesy or overly cutesy. The book dealt with issues that often happen after a death in the family; depression, anger, anxiety, and broken relationships as well as shows us the past when the main characters are in high school. The light romance was a nice addition without being over the top. I enjoyed this so much, I have put Sandi Ward's other books on my wishlist. Well done!

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story. I really kind of wished that the entire thing would have been in Luna's POV but alas that wasn't the case. At the start it wasn't as good as I was hoping and I was kind of bored. But once the chapters with Luna came in I was hooked. I loved those parts so much and it made the story have a new kind of flare. I hope to find another story like this all in an animal POV because it makes it freaking cute.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Holds Us Together was such a different read for me. As a cat person, I was instantly drawn in by the cover. And was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the book. The book is told from two different perspectives: Luna, the cat; and Annika, the cat's owner. They are all struggling after Annika's husband dies and they move, hoping that the move will help them move on.

I will most definitely be looking for more books by Sandi Ward to read!

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover and really liked this book.
It's heartwarming and poignant, engrossing and enjoyable.
I liked Luna, a great character, and the well thought cast of characters. The plot flows and it kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Kriska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do feel like the cats point of view is less in this book compared to the 2 prior books. Its still a good book & I always enjoy the discussion questions. Question 9 is perfect for this COVID situation, its not a snowstorm or any other weather situation, but its certainly debilitating. I hope author continues to write more books like these 3.

[Karen Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of Sandi Ward’s books. I enjoy the loyal and naive perspective of the family cats (Luna in this book). This is another emotional journey with a family in need of healing. Tissues required!

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Story

I wanted a little light reading and this fit the mold. I enjoyed both narrators, and enjoyed how the cat's character was developed.

[Brenda Nuffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the original story, and Luna's understanding of what was happening.

[Emel Ozer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark in a book

[Joanne Passman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three in a row!

I certainly hope she continues to write. I’ve now read all three books. Easy, twists, humor, mystery, great characters. BEST OF ALL, A LOVING CAT!

[Cindy Overcast]

As someone with two cats, I enjoyed the feline perspective this story presented. Looking forward to reading her other books.