Book Review: A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith

Book Review: A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith 
5 Stars 

This book completely blew me away. As a special needs mama, this book touched my heart and didn't let go y'all. It's one of those that truly will stick with me. It's about friendship, second chances, forgiveness, being kind to one another...especially when no one is watching. This book shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a beautiful way. Our characters navigate grief, life's hardships, and how to trust the Lord in those moments. A favorite book of 2025 for me for sure.

Andy Clark has always been different. That's how the synopsis starts this book off. He's always had a tumorous mass covering half of his face but he's also the anonymous do-gooder, in quiet kindness....in Flatsboro, North Carolina. Andy is living his life exactly how his mother taught him. She left so many notes on cards for him that he reads after her passing over and over to continue to get her advice. He is a believer in Christ and wants to always do what is right. He was the caretaker for his best friend with down syndrome and when he passes away, Andy is devastated. How will he get through this?

Then we have Della Rose who is a former beauty queen with a crumbling marriage to Wade Miller. He cheated on her and from the first chapter, we see Della leaving Wade with their daughter as she goes back to her hometown of Flatsboro with an unknown start and hopeful second chances. Della and Andy used to be best friends back in third grade but things happened where they were forcefully separated years ago. The Lord puts Della on Andy's heart and their friendship helps her navigate the grief of her ending marriage and Andy's continued grief over the loss of his best friend. 

Just writing this review I am in tears again and it's been a week since I finished the book you guys. I was just so moved by this friendship story between Andy and Della Rose. Della's little girl also added so much to the story as well. 

We saw the beauty of being kind. 

We saw redemption in Christ. 

We saw small town kindness on display, even in the hard times of people who may be unkind sometimes. 

We saw honoring those that are different that you. 

We saw the ability to have a second chance after your marriage ends. 

We saw a beautiful southern, small town story and so much more.

Thank you Heather for such a beautiful story. I won't forget it. A special thank you to Kregel Publications for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*content warnings for mention of suicidal thoughts, loss of a friend, husband cheating on wife, loss of a mother, grief

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7843588118?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pM8hb2
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825455643_a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro
Kregel: https://www.kregel.com/fiction/a-simple-kindness-in-flatsboro/

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