These Empty Places

By Sarah Loudin Thomas

When their worlds are upended, two women brought together by their loss discover what truly matters most.

Claire Roth sacrificed love for a life of comfort on Lake Toxaway--until the dam broke, and the lake washed down the side of the mountain. Fourteen years later, she longs to see the lake restored to its former glory even as the country faces hard economic times on the eve of the Great Depression.

Socialite Lena Hawkins married her first love, who swept her off her feet after skyrocketing from rags to riches by speculating in the stock market. Now penniless and rejected by her family, Lena and her husband have arrived at Lake Toxaway for a fresh start. There, Lena forms an unexpected connection with Claire, who hires her to assist with the personal library Claire is building to provide jobs and education for their struggling North Carolina community. When Claire is given a second chance at love and Lena a tempting chance at a life of independence, both women must release the past to fill tomorrow with promise.

Sarah Loudin Thomas paints a rich Southern historical story of friendship, second-chance romance, and new beginnings set in small-town North Carolina on the eve of the Great Depression. This read is perfect for book clubs and fans of Patti Callahan and Lisa Wingate.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764245937
• ISBN13: 9780764245930
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Gem To Treasure

When you pick up a book that immerses you and you do not want to put it down then you have a keeper that you will revisit over and over again like an old friend. That is exactly what this is as you are made aware of a slice of history you might not know about. A master storytelling of Lake Toxaway and how the Great Depression affected lives and the rebirth of this lakeside after the dam burst. We meet Claire and Lena and their points of view and are given insight into how each handle their own challenges. I love the relationship that develops between these women and the strength they each show. It captures my attention quickly when talk ensues of a library that is being built and one of my favorite quotes about it as it described perfectly how I feel. “All those books containing all those ideas. It’s like being in the most wonderful city, in the world, with thousands of people waiting inside the books to tell you their stories or teach you interesting things.” You will be taught a slice of history and meet interesting people that capture your heart and that are real and identifiable. I admit I was captivated and stayed up way too late reading. The mystery of the missing box and the key Claire posses had me intrigued. This will be on my keeper shelf along with her other books. I highly recommend you do not miss reading this gem. I received a complimentary copy from Baker House. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.