Gather The Simple Soul Of Susan Written By Noel Branham Readable In Version

Simple Soul of Susan is a novel by Noel Branham, This is a really good novel and it is well written, It is evenly paced and the characters and setting are very realistic, Noel has put a lot of emotion in the book and it comes through very clearly, At first, you feel sorry for Susan, but soon come to admire her courage and bravery in facing daily life with spirit and determination to succeed.
Calder, on the other hand, you feel a little antagonistic towards as it seems he uses his friendship with Susan and others just to please himself.
He is chivalrous and does help Susan but it seems it is superficial,
Susan lived next door to Calder all her life, They had played together as infants and were best friends, She viewed his mother, Tia, as her second Mother since her own had died early on, Her own father had left her when she was young and she had been brought up by her uncle whom she called Dad.
His health was going downhill but Susan was determined to keep him at home with only the help of aides.
He had been there for her and she planned to be there for him, She was quiet and shy at school and had no true friends other than Calder, She was also in love with him and her dream was to marry him and live happily after here in town.

Calder was gorgeous, gregarious, popular, and chivalrous, His Father was sheriff while his mother Tia was a housewife who took care of

them, His ideal family, however, had a flaw, His older brother had died in a drunken accident in a pool while in college, This made his Mother more protective of him as they blamed a girl for her influence over Eric.
She set very strict rules of behavior for Calder with girls but he took this in his stride.
He was anxious to get to college and out of town and encouraged Susan to do that too.
He couldnt understand why she wanted to stay here for the rest of her life, He saw Susan as almost a sister and was very protective of her,
What would happen between Susan and Calder as they get close to graduation Could Susans intent to care for her Father instead of putting him in a home come between them What happens to Susan when she overhears the truth of how Calder feels about her
Noel Branham does not pull any punches with your emotions.
As you read, they go all over the place, You experience the emotions from all over the spectrum as you read the story, Yes, tissues are a good idea as well as plenty of time to read so as not to be interrupted.

A very sweet, oldfashioned feeling story, The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham was an easy and fun read the storytelling was charming and the characters catch your interest right away.


A small Texas town, A girl with an oldfashioned soul, A boy next door her childhood friend who has secretly been the love of her heart for years.
A hilarious group of ladies in the nursing home, A captivating little adventure.
I think what I enjoyed most about this book was the authenticity of it, It was written with such a sense of reality, you felt like you were there with Susan, Feeling her quiet, hidden hurts, Chuckling alongside her over the nursing home ladies' gambling tales, The Simple Soul of Susan may have leaned toward a narrative writing style but it was still very engaging, and there was a depth to the story.


Contemporary is generally a hit or miss for me, But maybe because of Susan's personality, I really enjoyed going with her through her last year of high school and beginning of her love life.
It was both hard and sweet,

There were just a couple things I didn't like so much, Despite there being a faith theme, Calder had kind of a careless attitude toward it, I felt like Susan should have stepped back and guarded her heart, despite him being her childhood love, because he wasn't serious about his faith like she was.

Also, Calder could have chosen a better way to interact with and pursue girls,
But, it was real and raw and showed some of the hurts that come from not being honest, cautious, and intentional about romantic relationships.
And I believe Calder did mature and grow up a bit throughout the book,

Overall, it was just an enjoyable read, with some surprises and endearing moments, that I enjoyed returning to.


I received a copy of The Simple Soul of Susan from the author in exchange for my honest review.
What an incredibly sweet book! This is the first book by the author I have read and it was definitely a worthy read.
The book is written well and easy to read, the characters are believable and wonderful, the small town of Walnut Springs, TX is charming, and the plot is fun.


The author writes in third person perspective from Susans point of view, Susan is a gifted mathematician who is painfully shy and ostracized because of her familys past and her simple way of life and the simple things she wants out of life.
Shes been in love with her next door neighbor and best friend Calder all her life but he wants to go to college in a big city and doesnt seem to return her romantic interest.
Calder is the opposite of Susan a prominent son of the towns sheriff, outgoing, athletic, and wanted by every girl in school.
The story builds on their childhood friendship and memories, The plot is carried mostly by the everyday happenings in a small town high schoolers days so there isnt a lot of intense action or suspense but plenty of sweet interactions between neighbors and notsosweet cattiness of high schoolers.
The writing and story reminded me of an oldfashioned classic black and white movie, reminiscent of Its A Wonderful Life though the story takes place in modern times where cell phones and email are prevalent.
Anyone who enjoys an innocent and charming comingofage story would love this book,

I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher through Celebrate Lit Tours.
I was not required to write a favorable review, Opinions expressed are completely my own and subjective, It was so nice to read a book about a beautiful and uncomplicated character, Even though she was painfully shy, she had such wonderful hopes and dreams that every other girl has in life.
Her life long best friend is her neighbor, Calder, The secret is that she's always been in love with him, but he doesn't know, I love Susan and how strong, kind, and loving she is, She has sacrificed so much her whole life taking care of others, People in the town and at school see her as strange and plain, Those that truly know her see so much more, It was a beautiful journey to take as the reader sees Susan for who she really is and you can't help but love her and want things to work for her.
This realistic look at small town living and everyone knowing everyone else's business is perfectly shown, It is a wonder that this is the author's first published novel, It is such a beautifully written novel full of hopes, dreams, unfulfilled promises, and redemption leading to love.


The cover is gorgeous and also designed by the author, She is so talented! If you want to read a book with an uncomplicated plot that will hit you straight in the heart, The Simple Soul of Susan should be your next read.

.stars. I loved this book. This was a sweet read of best friends who have always lived next door to one another and how that friendship blooms into love as they grow up.
There was no great rush to this story and that was how I read it with no great rush savouring every page.
I was totally invested in how their relationship progresses over time and I really get to know the characters in depth.
I shed tears frequently for Susan who has a tough life but for all her awkward shyness is also one of the strongest female characters I have read in a long time in her quiet fortitude and her stoicism when dealing with the difficulties life has heaped on her.
A really good recommended read, The Simple Soul of Susan is SO good! I mean “the kind of book you will reread a bunch of times and tell everyone about” kind of good.
Its exceptionally fastpaced I read it in a day, well written, and gripping, I have nothing but praise for this fabulous story!!!

Susan Combs is the main character, and she is STUPENDOUS.
She enjoys the simple things which is why she is called Simple Susan and treats people compassionately, She is so mature for her age because of what life has thrown at her since birth its rough youve been warned, but she is also a bit naive.
I absolutely love this duality to her personality, One minute she is reading a mathematical text about complex algorithms, and the next she is confused by the phrase “getting to first base.
” One of the sweetest, most innocent moments ever in the history of books occurs when Calder, Susans nextdoor neighbor, best friend, and love interest, teaches her what that phrase means.
The best part about Susans character is that she has a strong moral compass and will not change for anyone.
She does not let town gossip or the mean girls ruin who she is and what she believe in.
I find Susan an exceptional role model for young adults today,

Calder is the perfect hero, He has the BIGGEST heart, and he cares so deeply, He often does things for Susan in order to help her out, and is there for her when she needs him.
The entire world sees Susan as a Plain Jane and odd, They never look past Susans Goodwill clothes, her selfimposedpm bed time, or her poverty, To the world, Susan is fodder for the mean girls and town gossips, But Calder sees past all of this to who Susan really is, which makes him the best kind of hero the boy who gets it!!!

Of the many wonderful things this book has to offer its reader, my number one favorite aspect is the message of this story.
The Simple Soul of Susan teaches its readers that real love is a choice that one makes every day.
Love is hard work, but totally worth it if you are with the right person, Love is NOT about how you feel, This is such an important theme teenagers today need more now than ever before, Todays kids are saturated in feelings, and I fear many dont comprehend what real love is, It seems like teens today, at least the kids I teach, believe relationships are all about what the other person can do for them.
This idea of love being a daily decision, a choice that means a lot of hard work and effort, is a foreign concept to many.
I would put this book into the hands of all of my students today if I had the budget because I think this message is so timely and important for our young adults.


The Simple Soul of Susan is a literary gem that must be experienced, I adore this book, and I am very sad my time with Susan and Calder is over, I plan to reread this book again very soon, If you are looking for a fantastic read for not just yourself, but for your teens as well, then I implore you to read The Simple Soul of Susan.
Run to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of this amazing story today, This book is well worth the trip!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author and Celebrate Lit.
In no way has this influenced my review, The opinions expressed in this review are my own, WOW another new author for me Noel Branham and OMG was I impressed with his writing,

In the small town of Walnut Springs, Texas, Susan Combs is seventeen, a senior in high school, and lives with her uncle who is confined to a wheelchair.
Susan with the help of her neighbors the Hurtz family takes care of her uncle, Susan is close friends with Calder Hurtz who is also a senior in high school, They attend the same school in Walnut Springs ISD, The story covers things that happen during the senior year and the relationship between Susan and Calder, I don't write spoilers but OMG, this is an amazing story!!! It is definitely one of those books that you will find hard to put down until you read the last page!!! I have discovered a new author to me and this story is written with such deep emotions I couldn't put it down.
There is something about Susan that draws you in to her character and goes deep into your soul.
I loved how independent she is and how dedicated she is to caring for her invalid dad, She hasn't had an easy life, but she never complains, Some kids at school make fun of her and I could relate to her immediately, When I was growing up, I was bullied in junior high and high school, I had very few friends just like Susan, I cried when I read how mean the girls were to her and wanted to tell them to stop it.
Susan is really just a shy girl who lacks self confidence but she has so much to offer with her compassion and love.


Calder and Susan are next door neighbors and naturally have a deep bond for each other.
I liked Calder at times an other times I thought that he should have taken up for Susan more.
It surprised me when he belittled her in front of his friends, The book really does a excellent job of talking about friendship and how easily someone can betray you.
It shows how jealousy can hurt someone and words can cut to the core, I loved that the book wasn't a feel good everything is great book, What it is though, is a real look at what teenagers go through and the decisions they make.


When Susan finds out something Calder did that affects her dad, will she be able to forgive him It is an emotional book that shares the ups and downs of a teenager but goes deeper with real life issues.
I wonder how many teenagers are taking care of their parents right now We don't really know how someone home life unless we get involved in their lives and show them that people care.
It made me think of how much I wish I had someone to go to when I was growing up.
I loved the reference to Austin and how people are perceived to look different there, The truth is they feel comfortable being themselves like each of us should feel, I liked how the author expresses that very idea of being yourself throughout the book, The ending is wonderful and full of surprises, This is one book I found to be very honest, emotional and shares how the choices you make, determine your destiny.
Forgiveness is not easy, but when you make the choice to forgive, you are set free,

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, The review is my own opinion,

.