Consolation summary

The Beginning of a Journey

In Consolation by Corinne Michaels, the story begins with the heart-wrenching loss of Natalie's husband, Aaron. A soldier, Aaron is killed in the line of duty, leaving Natalie alone and devastated. The only solace she finds is in Aaron's best friend, Liam, who has been a constant support for her, even before Aaron's death. As the story unfolds, we see Natalie struggling to come to terms with her loss, and it's Liam who becomes her pillar of strength.

Initially, Natalie and Liam's relationship is purely platonic, with Liam being the good friend and the godfather of Natalie's daughter, Brantley. However, as time passes, Natalie's feelings towards Liam start to change, and she begins to see him in a different light. She is struck by the realization that she's falling in love with her late husband's best friend.

Exploring New Beginnings

In the middle section of Consolation, we witness Natalie's internal struggle. She feels guilty for having feelings for Liam and fears that her moving on from Aaron would be a betrayal to his memory. On the other hand, Liam is also battling his own feelings for Natalie, trying to maintain his loyalty towards his best friend while wanting to be there for Natalie and Brantley.

Despite their feelings for each other, Natalie and Liam decide to keep their distance, respecting Aaron's memory. However, they soon realize that their connection is too strong to ignore. They both come to terms with the fact that they're not replacing Aaron, but rather, they're building a new future together. Their love for each other grows, and they begin to explore the possibility of a life together.

Embracing New Love

In the latter part of the story, Natalie and Liam's relationship deepens, and they finally admit their love for each other. They understand that their love isn't a consolation for their loss but a new beginning. They decide to embrace their feelings and start a life together, with Brantley included as an essential part of their family.

The novel ends with Natalie and Liam's wedding, symbolizing their commitment to each other and their future together. Despite the pain and loss they have experienced, they have found happiness in each other's love. The ending of Consolation leaves us with a sense of hope and new beginnings, showing us that even in the darkest of times, love can provide comfort and healing.