The Home for Broken Hearts

For the past year, ever since Ellen Wood lost her husband in a car accident, she's been afraid to leave the house. She struggles to keep her head above water and care for her adolescent son, Charlie, which becomes that much more difficult when she discovers just how little money she has. At a loss for ideas about how to keep her home, Ellen reluctantly agrees to her sister's suggestion that she take in lodgers, and soon a German businesswoman, a handsome journalist, and Ellen's favorite romance author are all living under her roof. Coleman's newest novel tells a mature, thoughtful story, successfully juggling a large cast of characters and creating men and women alike with balance and humor. While some of the twists are predictable, the engaging cast and heartwarming story go a long way toward making up for it. (Sept.)