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These Empty Places - by Sarah Loudin Thomas (Paperback) - 1 of 1

These Empty Places - by Sarah Loudin Thomas (Paperback)

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About this item

Highlights

  • When their worlds are upended, two women brought together by their loss discover what truly matters most.
  • About the Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas is the ECPA bestselling author of numerous acclaimed novels and winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year and of the 2015 INSPY Award.
  • 368 Pages
  • Fiction, Christian

Description



About the Book



Claire Roth sacrificed love for a life of comfort on Lake Toxaway--until the dam broke. Lena Hawkins and her husband arrive in town after losing everything, and she forms an unexpected connection with Claire. When Claire is given a second chance at love and Lena a tempting chance at wealth, both women must release the past to fill tomorrow with promise.



Book Synopsis



When their worlds are upended, two women brought together by their loss discover what truly matters most.

Claire Roth sacrificed love for a life of comfort on Lake Toxaway--until the dam broke, and the lake washed down the side of the mountain. Fourteen years later, she longs to see the lake restored to its former glory even as the country faces hard economic times on the eve of the Great Depression.

Socialite Lena Hawkins married her first love, who swept her off her feet after skyrocketing from rags to riches by speculating in the stock market. Now penniless and rejected by her family, Lena and her husband have arrived at Lake Toxaway for a fresh start. There, Lena forms an unexpected connection with Claire, who hires her to assist with the personal library Claire is building to provide jobs and education for their struggling North Carolina community. When Claire is given a second chance at love and Lena a tempting chance at a life of independence, both women must release the past to fill tomorrow with promise.

Sarah Loudin Thomas paints a rich Southern historical story of friendship, second-chance romance, and new beginnings set in small-town North Carolina on the eve of the Great Depression. This read is perfect for book clubs and fans of Patti Callahan and Lisa Wingate.



From the Back Cover



When their worlds are upended, two women brought together by their loss discover what truly matters most.

Claire Roth sacrificed love for a life of comfort on Lake Toxaway--until the dam broke, and the lake washed down the side of the mountain. Fourteen years later, she longs to see the lake restored to its former glory even as the country faces hard economic times on the eve of the Great Depression.

Socialite Lena Hawkins married her first love, who swept her off her feet after skyrocketing from rags to riches by speculating in the stock market. Now penniless and rejected by her family, Lena and her husband have arrived at Lake Toxaway for a fresh start. There, Lena forms an unexpected connection with Claire, who hires her to assist with the personal library Claire is building to provide jobs and education for their struggling North Carolina community. When Claire is given a second chance at love and Lena a tempting chance at a life of independence, both women must release the past to fill tomorrow with promise.



About the Author



Sarah Loudin Thomas is the ECPA bestselling author of numerous acclaimed novels and winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year and of the 2015 INSPY Award. She has worked in public relations for Biltmore Estate and was the founding director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. She now divides her time between writing and leading a ministry serving foster and adoptive families. Learn more at SarahLoudinThomas.com.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.3 Inches (H) x 5.5 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: .75 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction
Sub-Genre: Christian
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Theme: Historical
Format: Paperback
Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas
Language: English
Street Date: May 5, 2026
TCIN: 1007044386
UPC: 9780764245930
Item Number (DPCI): 247-41-6328
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.3 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.75 pounds
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4.5 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
4 August, 2026

A Beautifully Woven Tale of Healing and Hope

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas is such a beautiful story set in an equally beautiful setting. What truly anchors this book is the wonderful, unexpected friendship between Claire, in her 40s, and Lena, in her 20s. Despite their age gap, they find an essential place for each other in their lives. Widowed Claire's daughter is the same age as Lena and has left home, allowing Claire to become a much-needed mother figure for Lena, who grew up with a cold mother and never had a good relationship with her. Both women face complex romantic hurdles. Claire is being pursued by a man ten years her junior while dealing with her unhappy daughter. Meanwhile, Lena is struggling to adjust to a lower income level after quickly marrying Preston below her station. Their marriage starts to fracture as Lena questions whether she can trust him; he has a severe drinking problem and is always scheming to get rich. I really disliked how Preston treated her. While I understand that the historical time period explains why he didn’t want her working outside the home, they desperately needed the money, and Lena had never been allowed to pursue anything for herself. It leaves you wondering: will she give him a second chance? Woven beautifully through it all is the mystery of the “Toxaway Treasure.” It adds an intriguing layer to the plot without ever taking away from the deep, emotional journeys of these two incredible characters. If you love a story that perfectly blends deep female friendship, sweet romance, and an intriguing historical mystery, this is an absolute must-read.
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5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
6 May, 2026

These Empty Places

These Empty Places is a touching story. Lena grew up in a wealthy family, the daughter of a politician father and socialite mother. They did not approve when she married Preston, who grew up poor but now lived large. After the stock market crash left them practically penniless, Lena and Preston moved to Lake Toxaway, North Carolina to stay with his brother and wife. I liked the way Lena was able to adjust to the changes, though it was certainly not what she was used to. She soon met and became a friend of Claire Roth, a wealthy widow. Claire became her employer, mentor, and mother figure. Lena soon found joy in work, though Preston didn't understand. He wanted to provide elaborate things for her, which caused trouble. Claire also learned to know herself better and readjust her expectations and dreams. There are many lessons to be learned by all the main characters. I was in tears a couple of times while reading this lovely, well written book. I highly recommend These Empty Places. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Pam K
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