Macomber’s newest novel tells a story of healing

Anne Perry, in her recent appearance at an Out Loud! Author series program, described the essential emotional support a chaplain gives wounded soldiers in the trenches. 'I will stay with you” is the sustaining message given. The central relationship in Debbie Macomber's new book, 'If Not for You” is based on a similar sort of experience, albeit in much different circumstances.

After leaving a disastrous blind date, conservative 25-year-old high school music teacher Beth Prudhomme, is crashed into by a texting teen. Sam Carney, her blind date, witnesses the auto accident, and is Beth's lifeline as he waits with her during the seemingly interminable wait for an ambulance. They forge an emotional connection, and as Beth undergoes an extensive, painful recovery process, Sam finds himself increasingly drawn to her. She in turn credits him with helping save her life and discovers hidden depths in his character. Despite their many differences - he's a mechanic with a hidden past and penchant for 'loose” women - they slowly become friends. A shared love of music plays an important part in the plot.

As their relationship deepens into love, they encounter conflict from family, friends and unresolved past issues. Can two people with unlike backgrounds and major differences make a go of it?

'If Not for You” (the third installment in the author's New Beginnings series) is a story of healing - physical and emotional - as Macomber has indicated. Themes of differences as strengths, overcoming obstacles, and forgiveness figure prominently in this healing. The philosophy that love conquers all pervades the novel, and to paraphrase the Dylan song for which it is named, without love we'd be nowhere at all. In addition to Sam and Beth, several noteworthy secondary characters and subplots bolster the narrative. Some characters, unfortunately, are a bit stereotypical and diminish what otherwise is a readable tale of optimism in romance.