HEARTBREAK CAFE (Penelope J. Stokes)

Years ago I read a novel called The Blue Bottle Club by Penelope J. Stokes and to this day it remains one of my favorite books.  I know that she has written other things, but they seemed a bit too "inspirational" for me.  After a friend of mine recommended Heartbreak Cafe I decided to give Stokes another try.  I'm glad that I did!

Dell Haley's life is falling apart around her.  Her husband, Chase, has died, apparently during a tryst with one of his paramours.  No one is saying who the other woman is, but the sudden silence when she walks into a room leads her to believe that Chase's behavior might have been common knowledge in the town of Chulahatchie, Tennessee.  When she goes to see bank manager Marvin Beckstrom (known as 'Bug" along with other unpleasant names) she is informed that Chase has mortgaged their home and that she has barely enough money to survive for the next year.  With the support of her good friends Boone, Toni, and a drifter named Scratch, she rents a rundown restaurant and transforms it into the Heartbreak Cafe.  The cafe soon becomes the go-to place in town for breakfast and lunch, but Dell is barely breaking even financially when a major setback threatens to ruin her.

Heartbreak Cafe is a story about deep friendships, resilience in the face of adversity, and having faith that the truth will eventually set you free.  If you are looking for a wonderful and, yes, inspirational story about working through heartbreak and coming out whole on the other side, try this book!