Beautiful, Touching Story! 'A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro' - by Heather Norman Smith

 

About the book:

A small dose of kindness can go a long way

Andy Clark has always been different. But it isn't just the tumorous mass covering half his face that sets him apart—it's his quiet kindness. As an anonymous do-gooder in Flatsboro, North Carolina, Andy lives out what his mama taught him, even though she's no longer there.

Della Rose Miller, a well-known former beauty queen, escapes her crumbling marriage to arrogant Wade Miller and moves back to her hometown in hopes of finding reprieve. She and her daughter settle into a little Flatsboro apartment and quickly learn that they’re in the same complex as a childhood classmate whose heart Della Rose broke in third grade.

With her life turned upside down, Della Rose is uneasy about starting fresh, but when unassuming Andy turns his generosity toward her daughter, an unlikely friendship rekindles. When a heroic act suddenly pushes Andy into the spotlight, he risks his anonymity and quiet day-to-day habits to stand up for what's right.

As Della Rose navigates the end of her marriage and Andy continues his secret philanthropy, they navigate grief and trusting God. Heather Norman Smith weaves a charming and heartwarming Southern story to remind you of the power of simple kindness.

My review:

This was such a beautiful, touching story about the difference kindness can make in a person's life.  Andy was such a sweet guy, always sincere and caring about others.  He's had a hard life because of the tumorous mass that covers half his face, with some people scared or disgusted.  His own father left so his single mother raised him alone.  She was an incredible woman and taught him about faith and how to treat others.  We really get to know her even though she's passed because of letters she wrote as he grew up that he'd take out and read.  His grief over losing his best friend and roommate that he took care of was incredibly touching; he had Down syndrome and was always happy and full of joy.  Andy went through a lot of changes in the story.  Not only did he lose his best friend but a woman he knew when they were little kids moved in to the apartment building and he could tell she really needed a friend.  He also wanted to tackle a bigger philanthropy project and met a man down on his luck who could assist him.  We also get Della Rose's side of the story as she's dealing with being on her own for the first time in her life and needing to support her daughter.  Her husband becomes threatening and that creates an element of suspense in the story as I kept waiting for something to happen with him.  She also wondered if there could be something to faith after knowing Andy again and seeing the love of Jesus shine through him.  This was set in a small Southern town and that was another character in itself.  I laughed, I cried.  I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.