Things We Surrender

by Heidi Hostetter

Family has to take you in, no matter how many mistakes you’ve made. At least that’s what Joanna Rutledge Reed thought. At eighteen, she left her family’s ancestral home in Charleston, South Carolina, despite promising to stay. For years, she did whatever she wanted, barely giving her family back home a second thought. But a string of bad decisions results in heartbreak, forcing her to return, her life in tatters. While her wayward sister traveled the world, Marcy remained in Charleston, caring for her aging grandmother and managing the family business. She's got problems of her own that no one seems to notice or care about. When Joanna arrives unexpectedly, Marcy bristles at the intrusion, suspicious of her sister’s motives. As Joanna picks up the threads of her old life, she discovers things are not what they appear to be. Painful memories and hidden secrets resurface, leading Joanna to question everything she thought she knew about her family. When her life begins to crash around her again, she needs her sister more than ever. Set against the rich tapestry of Charleston, South Carolina, three generations of strong Southern women share a history and not-quite-forgotten secrets. Will the bonds they forged years ago be strong enough to give them a second chance at being a family?

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2018

About the author

I love books, always have. There’s just something about the way a story unfolds that seems magical to me. I remember riding my bike down to the public library when I was a kid. I'd filling my basket with anything that looked interesting - fairy tales, detective stories, mysteries. Then I'd pedal home and spend hours lost in story.

So, when I began writing my own stories, I made sure to weave together immersive description, characters you'll root for, struggles that reflect real life, and always –– always –– a happy ending.

THE GIRL I USED TO BE is the newest book in the New Jersey Shore collection. It asks "how much of yourself are you willing to give up for a comfortable life?" And "how hard are you willing to fight to find your way back?"

THE SHORE HOUSE is the first in the Dewberry Beach collection. A story of misunderstanding, forgiveness and the power of second chances, it’s a heartfelt summer read. Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Pamela Kelley and Nancy Thayer.

THINGS WE SURRENDER is the first book in my Lowcountry collection, novels set in Charleston, South Carolina. Three generations of strong Southern women share an ancestral home and not-quite-forgotten secrets. Can they learn to forgive past betrayal for a second chance at becoming a family? THINGS WE KEEP, the second book in the collection, is Eudora’s story and shows how she salvaged an fractured beginning to became a strong family matriarch.

If you like Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow, you’ll love my Inlet Beach series. A small beach town on the coast of Oregon, Inlet Beach is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else, and they all have an opinion. THE INHERITANCE begins the collection, with three estranged sisters staking a claim to what looks like a dilapidated beach house but is actually a landmark beloved by the residents. A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW revisits Inlet Beach for Christmas, with a runaway teen desperate for help. Can the community come together in time to give a boy a home for the holidays?

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things We Surrender: A Lowcountry Novel is by Heidi Hostetter. This novel takes place in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the story of two girls who had lost their way from being sister to being strangers.
Joanna had her life laid out. She would marry a man from an admirable family, live in Charleston and raise her family. She would lead a gentile life here in Charleston. Her life didn’t turn out that way. She did marry a Charleston man; but he moved her to Chicago, divorced her, and disappeared leaving her with $500 and a child. She moved to Italy with a wonderful man who turned out to be abusive. When she caught him hitting her daughter, she took her child, her purse, and left, heading home to Charleston and her Grandmother.
Marcy had stayed home in Charleston. She had taken over the reins of their Grandfather’s company. She was working hard to keep it alive while caring for her Grandmother. Marcy is having problems with the bank and loans since the family friend retired. She doesn’t really trust the man she hired; Grandmother won’t give her real power over the company which ties her hands; and she had to let Letty, the family housekeeper, go due to health reasons and Grandmother is mad at Marcy. Now after years of no communication, Joanna comes home!
Can the two sisters work things out? Can Joanna keep Nicco away from her daughter, Gracie? What is going on with Grandmother? Will Marcy figure out the company’s problems? Can you really ever go home again?

[Pam Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is classic and well written; however, the publisher's line by line edit wasn't good--missing words.

[Sally Brandle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drop into Charleston and root for two sisters to rekindle their friendship. Shame and pride have driven them apart, but they're dealing with challenges the best they can. Enjoy the journey, as Heidi blends past history, current surroundings and personal growth into an engaging story.

[Staci Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Things We Surrender is a lovely story! I received an advance copy and am volunteering my review (as a matter of fact, I don’t write many reviews at all). I don’t get hung up on typos or missing words that are overlooked in the publishing of a story. Often times the author does not have control over the typesetting, etc... I love a story with strong characters that stick with me after I set the book down, and compel me to pick it up again. Strong characters that I can cheer for even when they are in conflict with one another. Hostetter did an amazing job weaving family history, setting, and characters together to absorb my being (at one point in reading, I started crying...while getting a pedicure). From the title of the story, to the picture on the cover, to the blurb, to the first word all the way to the last, I was enveloped like receiving a warm hug from a good friend.

[Sherry Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy book to read. The writer's style is simple, but powerful. I enjoy reading novels about the old south, and I especially loved that six females end up living in a grand historical home of Charleston. I was quite relieved that the family pulled together to solve family problems of the past, address domestic violence, conquer financial business issues, and find solutions for the aging grandmother. Charleston seems to be the place that can protect all of them. Each female character becomes stronger as they learn to lean on each other.

[Suzanne Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nostalgic novel of two sisters who live in Charleston, South Carolina. After an abusive relationship, Joanna, has come home to the Low Country to live with her grandmother and sister, Marcy. There is friction with Marcy, but the two learn to love each other and be close. The story has hints of sexual abuse in the grandmother's relationship with her husband, the sisters relationship with their stepfather, and Joanna's relationship with her boyfriend. In the end, healing takes place and the novel ends happy. Glad I read it.

[Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good chick lit.

What is it about the Lowcountry? Great authors and good stories.
The plot isn’t new and you can guess the ending but the players are interesting and the distance from start to finish provides enjoyable reading. The main character is, IMHO, a tad severe and is a total contrast to her sister, who’s lack of a backbone has
caused her unending grief and problems. It’s a decent family drama with the ubiquitous HEA.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is her second book plus there is a Novella. Haven't read the novella yet but her two novels were both excellent. This was a story of two sisters who live in Charlston with their grandmother and the relationship of the women living in this historic home. Truly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it. Wonderful to read a book with no curse words.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a book club selection for July, 2019. Very easy read - so filled with lessons in life. Deals with family, secrets, and forgiveness. I always enjoy a story when the setting is Charleston - I feel right at home!
One of my favorite statements was . . . "she can look beyond the broken and see potential." A good reminder for getting through life! Great read!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great change of pace from the thrillers I usually read — and being from Charleston made it even better. The relationship between Eudora and Letty was perfect - much like the one my Grammy had with her housekeeper. The sisters who dealt with struggles growing up, growing apart after college and finding it in themselves to connect again years later. I enjoyed every aspect of this novel.

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

I enjoyed it but then I love all books written about the South or by Southern authors. Little things only a person who is from the South would pick up on, let me know this book was not written by a Southern Author. I still enjoyed it!

[julie bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Story

This was a captivating story and I found myself unable to put this book down. I would love for it to be a series because I've come to love the characters. I would like to see Joanna get her pearls back!

[Jeanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the Southern aspect of this book but the real estate detail did not appeal to me. There was some significant disjointed ness in the story, in my opinion. Could have been a super book!

[Tere Land · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lovely Story

Don't be put off by only a 4-star review. This is well worth your time. I don't care for long reviews, so I'll just say if you like stories about families, you'll love this one.

[Patricia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters

Great storyline! Wanted it to continue, enjoyed the book so much! Read The Inheritance as well, really like her novels and wish she’d hurry up and write more, especially re: Charlston.

[madeleine mcelroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit lite for my taste, not enough depth. Happy and expected ending.

I love looks about the Lowcountry Good beach read or rainy days read. A few surprises but Shauna no brainer, fun lite reading . Very descriptive of the area.

[Pad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a few days. Count not put it down.

Compelling story about two sisters who eventually reunite and a wonderful interesting grandmother with secrets. It takes place in beautiful Charleston, NC.

[Megan E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanna - The younger sister and mother to Gracie
Marcy - The older sister
Eudora - Grandma
Gracie - Joanna’s 6 year old daughter
Set in Charleston mostly with a bit at the beginning set in Rome.
Palmetto Holdings - the family business dedicated to restoring old properties in Charleston.

[Carolyn J. Macklem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I have read her Beach book too. Great writer.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This book is good from page one. Love.to read stories from the low country. Good summer read that deals with family

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there's a sequel... would like to know what happens in Rome and with the new tea shop

[Michele Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 4.25-4.5. was a quick read and a good sister story

[Novella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick summer read

Good book for a beach trip or road trip. Light and easy read to find yourself connecting with the characters

[erin demers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great read,but too quick of an ending.

I loved this book until it ended. The ending came too fast and was too tidy. Too many unanswered ideas.

[Carole A Burchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Low Country Summer Read

My summer is never complete without a couple of good low country good to read. I've found this to be a perfect ending for the summer of 2018!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Ok read

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice family story. Great
Story,

[Paula Boyer larue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

Didn’t realize that I had read this before, and loved it as much as I did before. A start to the series you should read.

[Suzanne Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The storyline was sweet and the setting in Charleston was perfect. So delighted to find a new author!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, light summer reading.

Having visited Charleston last year, I fell in love with it. This story gives a taste of the city, but not enough. It is, however good “fluff”.