Map of the Heart Book Review

I was surprised when a book showed up on my reserve shelf.  I put a bunch of things on hold and they seem to be coming off at the strangest times when I am totally not ready for a new book because I am already reading another and these books come with no renewals.  I normally have to read really quickly to get done before the deadline and this was no different.  I finished Map of the Heart: A Novel by Susan Wiggs in time and returned it to the library to then have to review it without the book which I hate to do but this was such a great book that I wanted to make sure to pass on the recommendation.

Widowed by an unspeakable tragedy, Camille Palmer has made her peace with the past and settled into the quiet safety of life with her teenage daughter Julie in a sleepy coastal town. Then the arrival of a mysterious package breaks open the door to her family’s secret past. In uncovering a hidden history, Camille has no idea that she’s embarking on an adventure that will utterly transform her.
Camille, Julie, and Camille’s father return to the French town of his youth, sparking  unexpected memories — recollections that will lead them back to the dark days of the Second World War. And it is in the stunning Provençal countryside that they will uncover their family’s surprising history.
While Provence offers answers about the past, it also holds the key to Camille’s future. Along the way, she meets a former naval officer who stirs a passion deep within her — a feeling that she thought she’d never experience again.

Camille Palmer is making the most of her life with her daughter Julie in Bethany Bay, Delaware after the death of her husband.  Camille is working with many people to develop film and work with historical pictures in order to make a living.  Her life is turned upside down when her daughter gets hurt and Camille uncovers that Julie is being bullied at school.  It is upsetting to see her child hurt and continually hurt but an unexpected family secret is revealed when a large crate is delivered to her father's home from his childhood home which brings up more questions then answers.  They decide to head to France even though Camille has a great fear of flying after loosing her husband.  The best part of this book is that they went back and forth between the past and the present so that you could get everyone's point of view on what was happening.  Of course, you have to pick up the book for yourself to see what happens but I promise that it is totally worth it.  This is a very different book by this author and goes into a lot of emotion and pain from the past.  It is best if you pick it up for yourself and check it out because I know that you will enjoy it.