Saturday Morning

A Novel

By: Lauraine Snelling

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Broken by life's disappointments, four women forge a friendship that leads in unexpected directions.

Hope Benson is determined to do all she can for the broken souls who come to Casa de Jesus, a women's shelter in the heart of San Francisco. When a difficult pregnancy forces her to relinquish control, she draws support and strength from an unlikely group of women, each struggling with her own heartbreak.

Andy Taylor, a reluctant transplant to California, was compelled to leave behind her lavender-growing business and her home to support her workaholic husband. Attorney Julia Collins is searching for her teenage granddaughter, believed to be living on the streets. Clarice Van Dam's life has been shattered by the disappearance of her husband, who appears to have relieved her of all earthly possessions except a fur coat and her overnight bag.

Drawn together at the weekend market held in the shelter's parking lot, the women pool their resources to fend off an unscrupulous conglomerate that threatens to replace the facility with a commercial development. As they fight to retain this haven for women in need, they find their own longings for home answered by the solace of faith and friendship.

©2005 Lauraine Snelling (P)2022 Tantor

Would've been better...

...without the use of "Big Dad" and other disrespectful and casual terms used when referring to Jesus and God the Father. It grated across my nerves worse then fingernails on a chalkboard.

Sweet Storyline

While it was a bit slow to start, the storyline grabbed my heart. I, personally, loved the reminder that God is right here with us and that He wants us to talk to Him like our Father. He doesn’t require formal language but waits with open arms for us to turn to Him and call out to Him. He wants us to trust that He is, indeed, in every detail.

Different But Very Good!

The book begins with the introduction of a variety of characters in very different situations and settings. Then slowly but surely, Ms. Snelling began gently weaving her beautiful "tapestry" together. I loved all the emotions and tears I felt and marveled at how God does just these very things in our lives when we take time to look back and reflect. Callie Beaulieu is a wonderful narrator. I find her style unique and very engaging. Thank you both!

Characters Left Unfinished

I listen to Lauraine’s books with my mom, and both of us felt like the story started strong with all of the characters, but then it lagged in the middle, but not for any good reason. The reader doesn’t get a good ending for Clarice or Julia, and the very end seems super rushed. You don’t get any satisfying resolution for some of the side characters either, like Cindy or Julia’s daughter or even Angel Annie. It was just an unsatisfying story that left us feeling disappointed.