Shelter Us - by Laura Nicole Diamond (Paperback)

About the Book

Lawyer-turned-stay-at-home-mom Sarah Shaw is struggling to find a steady happiness after the death of her infant daughter, when she meets a young homeless mother and toddler she can't get out of her mind. Rescuing them becomes her mission--one that takes her on a journey that may destroy what's left of her marriage.

Book Synopsis

Gorgeously written and deeply felt, this heartrending, ultimately hopeful narrative about motherhood, loss, and the meaning of life becomes a true page-turner. Lawyer turned stay-at-home-mom Sarah Shaw is struggling to be present for her two young sons and law professor husband, three years after the death of their infant daughter. Then one day, walking in L.A., Sarah's heart catches at the sight of a young homeless mother and toddler, and saving them becomes her secret, obsessive mission. When tragedy threatens them, Sarah discovers she is capable of deceptions and transgressions she never imagined. Her lies unleash a downward spiral that will threaten her marriage, family, and her sanity. Shelter Us speaks to the quiet joys and anxieties of parenthood, and illuminates the shadowy space between unconditional love and fear of unbearable loss.

Review Quotes

"A sensitively told exploration of layers of loss, isolation, motherhood, and marriage. Diamond knows there are no easy answers and her portrait of Sarah is drawn by a skillful, compassionate hand."
--Aimee Bender, author of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and An Invisible Sign of My Own

"Shelter Us is beautiful novel that strikes every emotional chord--hope and fear, love and loss, betrayal and forgiveness. Laura Nicole Diamond is a talent. Her moving story will resonate with anyone who has ever walked past a homeless person and wondered, Could I make a difference? With flawed characters who come alive on the page, Diamond captures her readers with honesty and heart."
--Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List

"A watercolor portrait of a family at a crossroads, Shelter Us is a deftly rendered narrative of the everyday joys and devastating heartbreaks of parenthood, love, and loyalty. Laura Nicole Diamond's is a new voice that rings with an old truth: the only way to survive life is through the grace and kindness of the living."
--Gina B. Nahai, author of The Luminous Heart of Jonah S.

"Shelter Us is about characters in search of refuge both literal and metaphorical, seeking comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. In spare, unsentimental prose, Laura Nicole Diamond explores how grief can divide people, how the bonds of marriage can twist and fray under pressure, and how consolation can be found in the unlikeliest places. I couldn't put this lovely book down."
--Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

"Recommended for book groups interested in discussing issues relating to women, the loss of a child, and family relationships."
--Library Journal