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Someone to Hold
Christina Hardy's life is turned upside down when, without warning, her husband of fifteen years leaves her. Thrown into the world of single parenting, she finds it difficult to move forward with her life while she still longs for everything to be as it once was. Her anger toward her ex-husband is coupled with the confusion of loving this man who now loves someone else.
While driving on a lonely road in a blizzard, Christy feels compelled to pick up a stranger who is stranded. This simple, selfless act forms the foundation of a friendship between Christy and Cameron Chandler, and she quickly becomes part of his life. Years beyond his own divorce and the death of his son, he guides Christy through the process of grieving for all she has lost, and accepting that she cannot return to a relationship that is in the past.
As Christy begins to heal, her feelings for Cameron move beyond friendship, and her deepest fear becomes the possibility that he could never see her as anything but a friend.
From the #1 best-selling LDS romance author, Anita Stansfield, comes Someone to Hold, a story of loss, grief, and the healing that can happen when true love is rediscovered.
While driving on a lonely road in a blizzard, Christy feels compelled to pick up a stranger who is stranded. This simple, selfless act forms the foundation of a friendship between Christy and Cameron Chandler, and she quickly becomes part of his life. Years beyond his own divorce and the death of his son, he guides Christy through the process of grieving for all she has lost, and accepting that she cannot return to a relationship that is in the past.
As Christy begins to heal, her feelings for Cameron move beyond friendship, and her deepest fear becomes the possibility that he could never see her as anything but a friend.
From the #1 best-selling LDS romance author, Anita Stansfield, comes Someone to Hold, a story of loss, grief, and the healing that can happen when true love is rediscovered.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Anita Stansfield
133 books468 followersAnita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.
"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."
"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."
"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."
"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 1, 2008
I am generally a fan of Anita Stansfield's novels, but this one was disappointing. I felt like the main characters, Cameron in particular, were not really developed. Cameron seems to have all the answers so quickly. That is believable in the other books when Sean has all the answers, because he has education and experience, but Cameron doesn't. The part about him being habitually late also didn't really flow. It felt like he was too perfect, so she went back later and gave him a flaw that didn't have anything to do with the story.
I liked the story-line in the first half of the book, then Cameron and Christy are married, there are 3-4 pages that span a year, and you are slapped in the face with 9-11. She should have divided it into two books. In the first, she could have used the focus on divorce, but put more effort into developing Cameron's character. I liked the 'step-parent' struggle she started in the second half of the book, and I think it could have been developed into an entire novel rather than breezed over. Even the 9-11 storyline would work.
I liked the story-line in the first half of the book, then Cameron and Christy are married, there are 3-4 pages that span a year, and you are slapped in the face with 9-11. She should have divided it into two books. In the first, she could have used the focus on divorce, but put more effort into developing Cameron's character. I liked the 'step-parent' struggle she started in the second half of the book, and I think it could have been developed into an entire novel rather than breezed over. Even the 9-11 storyline would work.
February 14, 2018
This book turned out to be as predictable as I thought it would be after reading the first chapter -- you pretty much know what's going to happen. If you don't want details to be spoiled, don't read the rest until after you've read the book...
The first 2/3 of the book focus on Christina Hardy's life after her divorce and how she moved on with her life. It really bothered me that this mother of three half-grown children put her own desires ahead of what was good for her children. She said it all when she told her oldest daughter they weren't looking for her permission. She married a man she'd known only 2 months and didn't bother to even tell her kids until the night before the wedding... Then sent them off to school while she got married and left for a week-long honeymoon. Shouldn't the children have been a bigger part of this decision that was going to have a HUGE impact on their lives? Then they promptly bring another baby into the family... Of course everything works out for these characters with only minor bumps along the way. It is fiction, afterall. Having grown up with divorced parents and having had a step-father, I know that's not reality. Stansfield skimmed over any discomfort and made it look easy and perfect. After reading the part about their plan not to tell the children of their pending marriage (after a two week engagement), I nearly put the book down with no intention of finishing it. I've seen too many couples rush into marriage (without kids involved) and have a hard time due to not taking the time to get to know their spouse beforehand. Marriage is hard work and both people have to be willing to do what they need to in order to make it last. This book's plot is just too perfect for my taste.
The last 1/3 deals with the tragedies of Sept. 11th, 2001, and how the characters' lives were affected. This part was a little better, showing how they relied on their faith in God to get them through the loss in their lives.
Have Stansfield's books always been like this?
The first 2/3 of the book focus on Christina Hardy's life after her divorce and how she moved on with her life. It really bothered me that this mother of three half-grown children put her own desires ahead of what was good for her children. She said it all when she told her oldest daughter they weren't looking for her permission. She married a man she'd known only 2 months and didn't bother to even tell her kids until the night before the wedding... Then sent them off to school while she got married and left for a week-long honeymoon. Shouldn't the children have been a bigger part of this decision that was going to have a HUGE impact on their lives? Then they promptly bring another baby into the family... Of course everything works out for these characters with only minor bumps along the way. It is fiction, afterall. Having grown up with divorced parents and having had a step-father, I know that's not reality. Stansfield skimmed over any discomfort and made it look easy and perfect. After reading the part about their plan not to tell the children of their pending marriage (after a two week engagement), I nearly put the book down with no intention of finishing it. I've seen too many couples rush into marriage (without kids involved) and have a hard time due to not taking the time to get to know their spouse beforehand. Marriage is hard work and both people have to be willing to do what they need to in order to make it last. This book's plot is just too perfect for my taste.
The last 1/3 deals with the tragedies of Sept. 11th, 2001, and how the characters' lives were affected. This part was a little better, showing how they relied on their faith in God to get them through the loss in their lives.
Have Stansfield's books always been like this?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
I don't remember reading this before, but it was with my mom's books, so I must have.
Stansfield has a very distinct writing style, especially in her dialogue. Sometimes I get annoyed. But I haven't read one of her books in years and was less bothered.
This was an easy, clean romance. It did, however, take quite a turn of events towards the end when it covered the events of 9/11. This book came out in 2002, when everything was still fresh. It's interesting to look back at how much we all said we wouldn't forget.....
Stansfield has a very distinct writing style, especially in her dialogue. Sometimes I get annoyed. But I haven't read one of her books in years and was less bothered.
This was an easy, clean romance. It did, however, take quite a turn of events towards the end when it covered the events of 9/11. This book came out in 2002, when everything was still fresh. It's interesting to look back at how much we all said we wouldn't forget.....
April 7, 2018
I feel like this was two books—a love story and a 9/11 + member missionary story. And while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I picked up this book for a good romance.
The romance itself is good, and is focused more on healing through grief and anger, and on friendship before romance. Both of which I believe are good things to understand about relationships—it’s not all puppies and rainbows. Relationships need to be built on something more substantial.
The romance itself is good, and is focused more on healing through grief and anger, and on friendship before romance. Both of which I believe are good things to understand about relationships—it’s not all puppies and rainbows. Relationships need to be built on something more substantial.
March 24, 2025
Must read every year. Feel good book with a great message.
September 14, 2025
This story brought a new understanding of the compassion and the atonement of Christ.
January 20, 2011
I read this book during the preliminary moments of my aunt's divorse. This book brought home to me the feelings that my aunt must have been feeling at the time. I hope that I never have to go through that kind of pain and loss. My heart goes out to those who have. I found that, though the book had its sad moments it was really funny as well! Most definitely a good read!
February 2, 2008
I've read almost all of Anita's books, so I'm not going to add them all. This is just the current one I'm reading. I like other authors better though, Anita's books has to many problems in them (she creates a lot of drama to write a book).
June 16, 2008
So far, this is the only book by Anita that I've really disliked. I didn't like the story at all. I also didn't like how she involved the 9-11 tragedy into this story. It was completely unnecessary, in my humble opinion.
January 12, 2009
Is there a way to rate this book less than one star. I put it down halfway. It was all the mind of a divorced woman dealing with her pain in a quick fix fashion that would never happen to a real divorce.
August 8, 2012
I chose to read this book because the main female character was a divorced single mom. I enjoyed this book. I was surprised that the author chose to include 9/11 in the book, but it was wonderfully done and added an additional depth to the story.
September 26, 2012
An LDS fiction book about a divorced woman who must cope with the fact that her husband left her. Of course there is a new romantic interest. Blah, blah, blah. Way too much drama, especially with the whole 9/11 aspect during the last part of the book. Didn't like it at all.
June 5, 2015
i'm reading this book now so good
January 15, 2009
Own: Book/Tape
Read
March 31, 2009Someone to Hold is about a story of loss, grief and the healing that can happen true love is rediscovered.
September 4, 2009
This book is an excellent lesson on forgiveness and moving forward with your life despite heartbreak and adversity.
September 27, 2009
I loved this book and the author is so great at writing from the heart.
December 7, 2009
I think this is where I finally quit this series. It went too long. She should have stopped at book 3.
Read
March 24, 2011this one was a little difficult for me being that there is parts about 9/11 but excellent book about finding love again
May 26, 2012
A low point in my reading experience.
April 4, 2013
I loved this book. I'm not a fan of books that cover the 911 tragedy. But I think she did a great job with it where I could emotionally connect with the characters suffering through it.
Read
November 1, 2012Audiobook
March 6, 2013
This book was really cheesy in parts. I don't know anybody, spiritual or not, that speak the way the main characters of this book do.
September 4, 2015
Pretty sappy
April 26, 2010
One of my favorites
November 11, 2012
This was very good
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews