I just got the sequel to this book to review so I figured I should read the first one. This was about a recovered alcoholic with two teenagers. Her younger son Andy has special needs because of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the older daughter is pretty much left to herself because the mother is so wrapped up with Andy. Anyway, after a fire breaks out at a school dance, Andy becomes a hero when he leads many of the kids to safety -- but then later, clues point to him as the one who started it. Enjoyable read. ( )

I like most of Chamberlain's other books, but this one just didn't appeal to me. ( )

Should you measure your life by the mistakes you’ve made? Or whether or not you let those mistakes define your life? “Before the Storm” by Diane Chamberlain is a gut-wrenching tale of mistakes, forgiveness, and endurance. This story made me cry. No, not just cry, but sob. This is NOT a happily ever after tale. This is a getting through and learning to live with what life throws at you tale. There’s so much more that you’ll just have to read the book to understand, but I’ll do my best to give you an idea of what to expect.

This is the story of Laurel. She met the love of her life in college. Jaime. Jaime who was more saint than sinner. Their life was happy until she bore their first child Maggie and was stuck with a serious case of post partum depression which went untreated but left Laurel unattached to Maggie and feeling like a complete failure…at everything! During a separation, Laurel was pulled from her loneliness by Jaime’s brother Marcus. Marcus was the black sheep to Jaime’s golden boy. He deadened his pain with alcohol, and unintentionally taught Laurel to do the same. Their relationship changed one drunken night, but both agreed NEVER to think about it again. Jaime and Laurel got back together…just in time for Laurel to find out she’s pregnant again. Still depressed and spiraling out of control, she continues to deaden her pain with wine coolers—and gives birth to a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. That’s Laurel’s wake-up call to turn her life around.

Fourteen years later Laurel is a survivor. ’s life is about to fall apart all over again. She survived Jaime’s death. She survived single parenthood. But now her life is about to fall apart all over again. Her beloved and special son Andy is accused of setting a fire that killed three people, hurt countless others, and destroyed a church. Now she’s fighting to save her son. But there are still secrets to be discovered and the more Laurel learns, the more she wonders if she really knows any of the special people in her life, especially her children.

This novel is written mostly in first person, so if that bothers you, you’ve been warned! The story moves between time and perspective. From Laurel’s early life, to Andy’s view of the world, to Marcus’ efforts to be involved, to Maggie’s heartbreaking efforts to become a woman—they’re all here and each characters words drive the story and plot to its inevitable conclusion. The reader feels the pureness of spirit behind Andy’s actions, the enthusiasm and naiveté of Maggie, Laurel’s desperate attempts to atone for her earlier actions, and Marcus’ efforts to become a better man for all of them. I keep deleting parts of this review so as not to give too much away, but it’s so hard. Even with the time and voice changes, I didn’t get confused. Ms Chamberlain has a talent for pulling the reader INTO the story. So many times I found myself wanting to comfort one character or warn another. I felt the small-town ties and the burdens of everyone knowing too much about everyone else and how actions of youth in a small town can and do follow you forever into adulthood. The bias of have vs have not, old-timer vs newcomer, normal vs not normal, family vs family, religion vs religion and all those other things that pretty much define small town America.

If I keep writing I’ll just give too much away. So if you’re looking for a sweet, pleasant read, then you should just move on along. If you’re looking for a book that will make you think and worry and cry and laugh and likely hug your loved ones a little harder…then please find a copy of “Before the Storm” by Diane Chamberlain. It’s an emotional, yet cathartic read about life, relationships, and learning. ( )

I like most of Chamberlain's other books, but this one just didn't appeal to me. ( )