Published on June 3, 2025, Finding Sutton’s Choice is the debut novel by Brenda Haas, and fits comfortably into the genre of contemporary literary fiction. This is a story about family, specifically the complicated bond between a parent and a child, and how that changes over time, especially in adulthood. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in, but what I found was a cosy read that still manages to tackle some quite heavy topics in a thoughtful and non-patronising way.
The story follows Charlotte Sutton, a guarded writer living in Pittsburgh who has spent years distancing herself from her hometown of Lakeside, Ohio, and from her estranged father Chuck, a once-famous professional baseball player. When she receives a voicemail saying Chuck may have Alzheimer’s, Charlotte reluctantly makes the drive back to the lakeside town she swore she had left behind for good. She intends it to be a short visit, but what she finds there begins to challenge her assumptions about her past, her father, and the life she walked away from.
One of the most shocking moments in the first act is when Charlotte discovers she has a half-brother, Adam. He’s fourteen and has been living with Chuck the whole time without her knowing. It’s a memorable premise for anyone to discover a sibling that they never knew they had, and thankfully their relationship is handled well and ends up being one of the more satisfying parts of the story.
The writing itself is one of the book’s strengths. It’s reflective and steady without feeling overdone. There’s a literary feel to it like a classic, but it never becomes hard to read or overly complicated, and the vocabulary choices are simple and easy to read. The use of Charlotte’s internal thoughts works well too, keeping you close to how she’s feeling without slowing things down. There are a number of beautifully written lines, others just thought-provoking, and while none feel overly showy, they do a great job of capturing the tone of the story, “How can you lose something you never really had?”
This isn’t a fast-paced book, and it’s not trying to be. It’s slower and more focused on sitting with emotions than rushing through events. The pacing is deliberate, and the flashbacks are handled well to Charlotte’s childhood and adolescence; they actually help the flow rather than interrupt it. They give useful context and deepen your understanding of both Charlotte and Chuck. I thought the contrast between Charlotte remembering everything in her past and her father gradually forgetting it all was one of the strongest ideas in the book.
Besides seeing Charlotte reconnect with her father which I really enjoyed, the book’s highlight is definitely the depiction of Chuck’s Alzheimer’s, and there are several touching scenes built around that. One of the most impactful is when Chuck doesn’t recognise Charlotte, which really brings home the horror of the situation without needing to be overly dramatic. It’s handled in a way that feels honest and grounded, “It’s me, Dad. Charlie. Your daughter. Care to share a piece of peanut butter pie?”
Another thing I enjoyed was seeing the relationships develop, particularly between Charlotte and her high school friend Sammy, as well as her newly discovered brother Adam. Both relationships add different layers to her return home, one tied to her past and one forcing her to rethink it. The conflict where Sammy doesn’t want to see Charlotte because he feels he abandoned her is also interesting. There’s also, of course, her new friend and potential romantic interest Jake.
The setting is a big plus, and a great choice. I’ve never been to Ohio but Lakeside feels really vivid, namely the cottages, the lake, the small-town atmosphere. All of it comes through clearly like part of the story. It’s the kind of place that feels both comforting and a bit suffocating at the same time, which fits Charlotte perfectly. You can tell the author has a lot of affection for it. It actually reminded me a bit of a Hallmark-type movie setting (in a good way), where everything is scenic and warm and beautiful.
The supporting characters also deserve a quick mention, as they help round out the story nicely. Characters like Mr. B and Bea add warmth and personality to the town, and they give Charlotte connections that feel genuine rather than forced. “A lot balder. A little fatter,” Mr B. says, “but also a little wiser, Miss Sutton. So, there’s that. Time is the best teacher, I always say.” They also help break up some of the heavier moments with bits of humour.
I appreciated that the book doesn’t rush its emotional payoffs. It takes its time letting relationships develop and doesn’t try to tie everything up too neatly. That slower approach might not work for everyone, but I thought it suited the story and made the more emotional moments land better when they came, and it’s a good length at 310 pages. It’s the type of book where a happy ending is more or less guaranteed, but at the same time doesn’t sugarcoat the hard things in life.
In terms of criticism, I don’t have many. The book is very professionally put together and edited well. The main thing to note is that this is much more of a reflective read than a page-turner. Don’t go in expecting constant twists or high drama. It’s more about character and emotion than plot. The ending is especially moving.
Overall, I found Finding Sutton’s Choice to be a genuinely enjoyable and thoughtful read that stays with you after you finish it, with a simple but effective plot. For its loveable characters and beautifully written story about dementia, I’m giving it five stars.
Final verdict: For fans of Lisa Genova, Emma Healey, Marianne Cronin, or Still Alice, this is a thoughtful and well-written debut that handles a difficult subject with care. A strong choice for anyone looking for a reflective story about family, or for anyone with a loved one suffering from dementia. Just bring some tissues.
You can get your copy of Finding Sutton’s Choice here!
