Shannon's Hope

The Newport Ladies Book Club

by Josi S. Kilpack

Shannon’s troubled stepdaughter has been missing for two weeks. When Keisha finally calls, Shannon doesn’t hesitate to welcome her into her home—despite her husband, John’s, misgivings. As a pharmacist, Shannon has always taken an analytical view of Keisha’s addiction problems and feels that treating her underlying depression and providing a support system can break the bonds that have taken over her life. When Keisha first begins breaking the rules, Shannon worries John will kick Keisha out and send her back to her druggie friends. Shannon commits to being even more diligent in helping Keisha. As more of her energy goes toward Keisha, a distance emerges between Shannon, her husband, and their twelve-year-old son, Landon. Shannon finds it easy to justify her own behavior as unconditional love, but as Keisha’s stumblings become dramatic falls, Shannon realizes this is no longer just about Keisha. Shannon finds herself facing the reality that addiction comes in many forms. Can she shift her perspective from Keisha’s future—which was never hers to control—to her own? Can she keep from spiraling into a pattern of obsessive rescuing and find the strength to repair her own fractured relationships before she drives her husband and son away for good?

Genres: Fiction, Lds Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Lds, Romance

212 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHANNON'S HOPE kicks off the 2nd set in the Newport Ladies Book Club series. You can start with this one, or read the 1st set (Daisy, Olivia, Paige, Athena). Shannon is a pharmacist, married, with a 12 year old son. She's also Ruby Crenshaw's niece and gets roped into attending the book club by her aunt. Just before one of the meetings, her step-daughter comes back into her life after a failed stint in rehab. Determined to help Keisha in anyway she can, Shannon brings her step-daughter to book club.

What follows it a gripping, heart-wrenching story of a woman who only wants to help her step-daughter overcome her addictions and get her life back on track. In the author's introduction to the novel, she says, "In my years of writing there are few books I've written that have explored things that are a part of my personal experience. SHANNON was one of those books for me . . . I have been a participant in the 'dance' of addiction and codependency and boundaries and letting go and forgiving . . . There is a fine line between hope and hopelessness sometimes; between love and self-preservation; between kindness and enabling . . . If you are a dancer, on any side of the issue, of which there are many sides, I wish you peace and perspective as you figure out your own steps."

Thank you, Josi. I hope my journey will be stronger from learning about Shannon's hope...

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the second set in this series. It almost had a journal-like feel to it, but I still really enjoyed it.

Shannon is Ruby's niece--the one who started up a book club--and she is roped into going by her aunt. She has a step-daughter who is nothing but trouble. Keisha is heavily involved in drugs and is trying to change, but it's a lot harder to do than she thinks. Shannon has such love for Keisha and goes above and beyond in trying to help her--to the point where it almost puts her happy marriage in jeopardy.

I think addiction is a major issue in our society today and Shannon's experience with it made it seem more real. I sometimes think, "Why can't they just quit using?" but it's really not that simple. I think sometimes, unknowingly, we enable the user by loving them too much. Making excuses for them, giving them chance after chance after chance, really doesn't cut it when the person is in too deep. I didn't think too much love was possible, but in some situations, tough love is definitely what it takes to help them. And even then, sometimes it's just not enough.

Content: nothing is graphic, but this story deals with addiction so drug use is mentioned as well as means to make money for drugs--prostitution, theft, lying, etc. I believe there were just a couple of swear words too.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I love about the Newport Ladies Book-series, is learning about perspective. This book did not disappoint. I love the emotion that and thought process of Shannon's character because it is REAL. The thing I loved about her--is that she is a positive person. She always wants to assume the best about each person, including her step-daughter Keisha, who obviously has a million problems. However, you do learn in this book, that is not always a great quality to have. This book tugs at your heart strings, and deals with a extremely serious issues--drug addiction. I can't imagine having a daughter go through something like that--and just wanting to help her.Great book! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I am particularly excited for Ruby's story.

[Ariell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was great. It was really well done. The reason I gave it a low rating was just a personal thing. The topic was a hard one to read. It made me feel pretty low. It ended okay. But, it was oh so painful to get through. Not the pace of the book just the subject matter. I have 5 children and the idea of any of them going through what Kiesha's character was going through and Shannon's was just horrid to consider.

But I love Josi Kilpack's writing and for such a hard topic she wrote it very well. I admire undertaking such a challenge. I wouldn't want to go there if I were doing the writing. ;)

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It took me a long time to finish this book, partly because I took a break to read Christmas books, partly because I was reading, not listening to it, and partly because Shannon drove me CRAZY!!!! I have really enjoyed this Newport Ladies book club series because it is interesting how each lady has their own story and their own struggle they are dealing with yet they think everyone else's life is perfect. This book though, the way she babied Keisha, I wanted to smack her up side the head!!! I was glad in the end when she realized her problem but in my opinion it took a LONG time for her to get to that point. When she was giving Keisha money I was screaming at my book, NOOO! I personally know people dealing with somewhat similar situation and I don't know what I would do if it was me, but I know I sure wouldn't do as much as Shannon did, holy cow, it was crazy. It was scary how manipulative Keisha was. The book itself was well written and I fell more informed about people who deal with this kind of addiction but I really wouldn't say I "enjoyed" it, but I definitely learned something and it was interesting and captivating to read when I had the time so it filled a purpose, at least...

[Amber Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon's Hope is short and interesting. I would have read it straight through if it wasn't for daily responsibilities and lack of quiet time before the wee hours. I became fond of Shannon because I can relate her. I love that she believes in Keisha's ability to change. Her compassionate and comforting nature is heartwarming and refreshing. Dealing with someone suffering from an addiction is never easy, especially finding the balance of being there for them and supporting them, but not getting deceived by their lies and manipulation tactics that cause you to enable them instead of helping them, or put yourself or your relationships with others is jeopardy.

[Marilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled a little with Shannon. I just wanted to sit her down and have a conversation with her about how she was handling the challenges she was going through. The book is mostly about her dealing with a child with substance addiction. It seemed so painfully obvious what she needed to do throughout the book that at times it was a little hard to read. The biggest thing was she needed better communication with her spouse. But it was good to read how a character would get through a situation like this and think about what I would do in her shoes.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all of the Newport Ladies Book Club books. I liked that each woman had a different story/life situation, and that additional details were revealed in subsequent books. Definitely a fun idea for a series and it was well executed.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving someone with an addiction really does break hearts. What do you do, and when do you say "no." I learned some things by reading Shannon's story. It wasn't a happy reading, but I do like the ladies of the Newport Ladies Book Club.

[Cherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Step mom tries to reach daughter who is rebelling

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really hard to get into and wasn’t a light read. It was heavy and I’m glad to see how the main character became more aware of herself throughout the book.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So heart wrenching! And so applicable for anyone dealing with messy life and has hope for themselves and those they love that things can get better

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to finish this series but I wanted to slap this supposed educations woman.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough subject of a mom wanting desperately to help her step-daughter who is an addict. This hit home due to a member of our extended family going thru a similar situation.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book about a topic, addiction, that is a bigger problem than most believe. The inner emotional battle that shannon went through in trying to help her stepdaughter beat the addiction of drugs and alcohol was evident. The part that really hit home was the message of: not being able to help someone change that doesn't want to change themselves. Someone that is addicted will manipulate to the end result they want. Those that love them can really help them by letting them hit bottom and find themselves alone to find their way back up. Co-dependent is a person that makes it possible for the addict to keep being an addict because it allows the codependent to feel needed or better about themselves with no change in the behavior for the addict. Shannon was this for Keisha. She risked her marriage, her relationship with her son, her aunt when she lied about the thefts, gave her money, gave her second and third chances and didn't tell her husband, but tried to "save/help" Keisha on her own.
She later realized that she was using Keisha addiction as a way to not be lonely for the friendships she could be making if she was willing to open up to people and let them in to her real world. She was able to help a book club friend, Illana with her prescription drug problem as she teamed up with Tori another concerned book club member.

[Dlora · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in the second set of the Newport Ladies Book Club focusing on Shannon, who is the niece of the woman who started the book club. Mostly Shannon attends the book club to please her aunt but because of her career as a pharmacist, she has the practical experience to help some of the book club women. Shannon's personal story is compelling and thought-provoking. Her stepdaughter, Keisha, has had a rough life and when she calls asking if Shannon will come get her and let her stay with them, Shannon is glad to do so. Shannon's hope is that she can help Keisha recover from her drug addictions and start on a path to a successful life. Keisha's father, and Shannon's husband, isn't as trustful of his daughter and her desire to change, which causes conflict in their relationship--both husband and wife and father and child. The story explores codependency and the heartache and stresses that addiction can cause in a family. Where is the line when mercy and second chances and responsibility and love and self-image are all jumbled up? Really good characterization and complex social issues in this novel.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I've enjoyed reading all of the novels in The Newport Ladies Book Club series, and I was excited when I heard that Shannon's Hope had been released. Shannon played a very small role in the other books, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I found her story to be pretty interesting. It didn't suck me in-I could put in down without a problem, but Kilpack's writing ability helped me feel a connection to the characters, and I was interested to see what would happen with Shannon and her family.

I was bothered by all of the dishonesty in the story. I appreciated that it bothered Shannon too, although it was the sort of thing that made me feel a little uncomfortable just waiting for when and how the truth would come out and the repercussions from it.

I liked the message about helping people in our lives, both close loved ones and acquaintances. And, that the best way to help them might not be the way we want to help them.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at addiction from the perspective of someone trying to help an addict. I also liked that this second set of books in the series moves forward from the last set, although I'm guessing that this set will also take place simultaneously just like the last set. I struggled with John's perspective as Keisha's dad and wondering how he couldn't want to help her like Shannon was, until the end of the book. There's still no resolution for Keisha's problem by the end of the book, but Shannon has come to terms with what course of action she must take. It will be interesting to read the 2 upcoming books from Ruby's and Ilana's perspectives, and I wonder if there's a book coming from Tori's perspective (it's not listed in the back of this book, but it would make sense to round out the 4 like from the previous series and the 8 ladies in the book club).

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. It's been a while since I read the first four books in the Newport Ladies Book Club, and I loved getting back into the series! These books are not light, happy reads. They deal with tough situations and very real emotions. This book faces the problem of addiction and especially how it affects those who love and are trying to help the addict. Very heart wrenching! I found myself getting so angry with Shannon at times and wondered how she could not see the manipulation, but at the same time, I think what she felt and went through was probably very realistic. I appreciated what the author said in the acknowledgments: "There is a fine line between hope and hopelessness sometimes; between love and self-preservation; between kindness and enabling." A very touching story - now I'm anxious to read the rest!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shannon's Hope is another amazing installment in the Newport Ladies Book Club. Ruby's niece Shannon is everything to everyone; wife to her husband, mother to their son, niece to Ruby, guide in their daughter's addiction recovery, all the while working insane hours as a pharmacist. It all starts taking its toll when Keisha, her recovering addict daughter, moves back in with them. Shannon finds it difficult not to compromise her relationship with her husband and son while trying to support Keisha in recovery. Shannon finds she must define love and support from enabling and being in denial. As always, the books and ladies of the book group lend perspective and guidance ultimately leading to friendships and healing.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay - not my favorite in the Newport Book Club series. The characters of Shannon and Keisha are extremely unlikeable. Overall, I think the book is well-written, but I almost couldn't get past Landon being referred to as the stepbrother when, of course, he is Keisha's half-brother. I will continue to read this series as the books are published - just because they are written by some of my favorite authors - but I gotta say, what I expected to be an enjoyable, happy reading experience is turning out to be one book after another of increasingly depressing, dark, and heavy stories to slog through.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching!
Gripping!
Revealing!

This book will bring out a lot of emotions within its readers...

Maybe empathy.
Maybe anger.
Maybe hope.
Maybe healing.

Each one of us knows an addict...it is all around us.

So many pains, so many ways to handle it, and sometime people make a wrong choice....

We must be willing to TALK about it...

Shannon's stepdaughter, Keisha, is an addict and has come to live with Shannon's family.
Shannon desperately wants to help her.

But is she helping or enabling?

The women from the Newport Ladies Book Club help Shannon see some revealing truths about herself and her situation.

I found this book to be very fascinating!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the second set of the Newport Ladies Book Club series. Shannon's step-daughter is an addict who calls home for help. While her father doesn't think he can go through helping her one more time, Shannon convinces him to give Keisha another chance. It's a view of addiction and its effect on all the members of the family. Kilpack does a convincing job of showing what happens in the face of addiction. Shannon wants to help and show her love, but Keisha keeps lying and breaking promises. This is a discouraging but honest story. I'll look forward to seeing more of the stories in this second set.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favorite Newport Ladies Book Club book so far. I found myself getting very angry with Shannon. I guess I don't understand people who refuse to do the hard things and make dumb decisions to avoid having to tell the truth about what is really going on. My inability to empathize with her got in the way of my reading enjoyment, I guess.

That said, it was well-written and offered new insights into some of the ladies we hadn't yet learned much about. I continue to look forward to the next installments.

[Marie Engberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Has done it again! She has successfully created a character that is so relatable you would swear it was your sister. I even at times thought if I looked in the mirror I'd see myself. Shannon's step daughter is addicted to drugs and Shannon wants so badly to help her break free from the addiction, but does Shannon have an addiction of her own? And when we have our own addictions can we truly help others with theirs?

I give this book 5 ⭐because it is so realistic for today's world and makes you stop to look at our own struggles, which we all have.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in the second set of the Newport Ladies Book Club. Shannon's step-daughter, Keisha, is struggling with drug addiction. Shannon tries to help and support her in overcoming her addiction. This was a really interesting read and so sad. Hearing about the problems addiction brings--both to the person addicted and to their friends and loved ones-- was so sad. I thought the author did a great job.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It made me anxious and frustrated for about 90% of the book. I guess this is a good thing. But it's hard because then it carries over into daily life. Oh well. The story was good. I was just so frustrated with Shannon. She couldn't "see the forest for the trees". But I guess that happens to all of us. It's easier to see and advise someone else than it is to recognize and deal with your own issues. This is a great series.

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Five in the Newport Ladies Book Club series. Shannon's troubled stepdaughter has been missing for two weeks. When Keisha finally calls, Shannon doesn't hesitate to welcome her into her home--despite her husband, John's, misgivings. As Shannon devotes more care to Keisha, a distance emerges between Shannon, her husband, and their twelve-year-old-son, Landon. Shannon finds herself facing the reality that addiction comes in many forms.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series. This one tells Shannon's story. She is Ruby's niece. Shannon's husband, John, has a daughter, Keisha, who is addicted to drugs. Shannon tries to help her in many ways, even lying to her husband about some things. Keisha's addiction almost drives Shannon and John apart. I really liked this story. It has some good messages.