Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisIn a deeply emotional novel of family, cultural heritage, and forgiveness, estranged sisters wrestle with the choices they’ve made and confront circumstances beyond their control. Nona “Peaches” Davenport, abandoned by the man she loved and betrayed by family, left her Natchez, Mississippi, home fifteen years ago and never looked back. She’s forged a promising future in Chicago as a professor of African American Studies. Nona even finds her once-closed heart persuaded by a new love. But that’s all shaken when her father’s death forces her to return to everything she’s tried to forget. Julia Curtis hasn’t forgiven her sister for deserting the family. Just like their mother, Nona walked away from Julia when she needed her most. And Julia doesn’t feel guilty for turning to Nona’s old flame, Marcus, for comfort. He helped Julia build a new life. She has a child, a career, and a determination to move on from old family wounds. Upon Nona’s return to Natchez, a cautious reunion unfolds, and everything Nona and Julia thought they knew—about themselves, each other, and those they loved—will be tested. Unpacking the truth about why Nona left may finally heal their frayed bond—or tear it apart again, forever.Trade Review“Bentley…has written a captivating story of miscommunication, secrets, lies, and forgiveness, beautifully told with rich descriptions of Black culture and history.” —Booklist (starred review)

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Book SynopsisA woman challenges the constraints of life in Prohibition-era Appalachia in this sweeping and richly rewarding novel about endurance, survival, and redemption. The McKenzie women, empowered with a formidable history rooted in the foothills of Appalachia, have passed down their folk-healing wisdom through generations. Rosalee, the last living headstrong daughter in Granny McKenzie’s line, soaked up everything she could about the secrets of the forest before a series of tragedies left her alone, without the protection of the women who came before her. The close-knit ties of Rosalee’s childhood are long gone. Now, at her eastern Kentucky farm, she bears a marriage with a volatile bootlegger. She struggles with the demands of motherhood. And her independence is relegated to its “proper place”: under the thumb of men. Her optimism dimming, Rosalee finds solace in the Kentucky woods, a space that holds secret powers of protection from a life Rosalee can no longer control. To the graves of her female ancestors, beside the waters of an enchanting spring, Rosalee returns time and again to consider her future—and discovers a mysterious connection to her past. As Rosalee wrestles with her isolation, with being a wife in an increasingly dangerous marriage, and with being a woman of her time, she must draw on her strength and resilience to survive—and to protect—on her own terms.Trade Review“A Woman in Time by Bobi Conn is a rich novel that transports readers into the mountains of Prohibition-era Appalachia and into the lives of an incredible family of female healers. An unflinching look at the struggles and suffering that came with being a woman in early twentieth-century Kentucky, A Woman in Time is a truly unique journey into a time and place that are too often overlooked in American history. Bobi Conn proves herself to be a powerful voice for Appalachia.” —Stephanie Storey, bestselling author of Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo “The grace and lyricism of Conn’s prose stuns and sustains the reader through this lush tale of women’s strength, creativity, and will to love in Depression-era Eastern Kentucky. Conn’s poise and confidence as a storyteller hold the reader in a loving embrace through many a well-wrought and gut-wrenching episode, then brings us out the other side more awake to the preciousness of life and what it means to be accountable to one another across a span of generations. Bobi Conn’s A Woman in Time is an inspiration.” —Robert Gipe, author of Pop: An Illustrated Novel “A Woman in Time is an epic debut novel, told in intimate moments that transport the reader to a place so vivid that we feel we are walking through the lush woods, gathering flowers with these memorable characters. Especially Rosalee, a character I came to love and will not soon forget. Bobi Conn delivers on the promise showcased in her moving memoir and has become a wonderful novelist, as well. This is a book that is sure to find an admiring audience, and one that reveals the complexities of rural life and the extraordinary nature of ordinary people.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost

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Book SynopsisA woman challenges the constraints of life in Prohibition-era Appalachia in this sweeping and richly rewarding novel about endurance, survival, and redemption. The McKenzie women, empowered with a formidable history rooted in the foothills of Appalachia, have passed down their folk-healing wisdom through generations. Rosalee, the last living headstrong daughter in Granny McKenzie’s line, soaked up everything she could about the secrets of the forest before a series of tragedies left her alone, without the protection of the women who came before her. The close-knit ties of Rosalee’s childhood are long gone. Now, at her eastern Kentucky farm, she bears a marriage with a volatile bootlegger. She struggles with the demands of motherhood. And her independence is relegated to its “proper place”: under the thumb of men. Her optimism dimming, Rosalee finds solace in the Kentucky woods, a space that holds secret powers of protection from a life Rosalee can no longer control. To the graves of her female ancestors, beside the waters of an enchanting spring, Rosalee returns time and again to consider her future—and discovers a mysterious connection to her past. As Rosalee wrestles with her isolation, with being a wife in an increasingly dangerous marriage, and with being a woman of her time, she must draw on her strength and resilience to survive—and to protect—on her own terms.Trade Review“A Woman in Time by Bobi Conn is a rich novel that transports readers into the mountains of Prohibition-era Appalachia and into the lives of an incredible family of female healers. An unflinching look at the struggles and suffering that came with being a woman in early twentieth-century Kentucky, A Woman in Time is a truly unique journey into a time and place that are too often overlooked in American history. Bobi Conn proves herself to be a powerful voice for Appalachia.” —Stephanie Storey, bestselling author of Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo “The grace and lyricism of Conn’s prose stuns and sustains the reader through this lush tale of women’s strength, creativity, and will to love in Depression-era Eastern Kentucky. Conn’s poise and confidence as a storyteller hold the reader in a loving embrace through many a well-wrought and gut-wrenching episode, then brings us out the other side more awake to the preciousness of life and what it means to be accountable to one another across a span of generations. Bobi Conn’s A Woman in Time is an inspiration.” —Robert Gipe, author of Pop: An Illustrated Novel “A Woman in Time is an epic debut novel, told in intimate moments that transport the reader to a place so vivid that we feel we are walking through the lush woods, gathering flowers with these memorable characters. Especially Rosalee, a character I came to love and will not soon forget. Bobi Conn delivers on the promise showcased in her moving memoir and has become a wonderful novelist, as well. This is a book that is sure to find an admiring audience, and one that reveals the complexities of rural life and the extraordinary nature of ordinary people.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost

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Book SynopsisWhat if you woke up one day and the loved one you’d lost was suddenly, inexplicably alive again? Chloe Howard’s devotion to her job has come at a cost: spending time with the most important person in her life—her mother. Vowing to change, she plans a trip home. Sadly, hours before she arrives, her mother passes away, leaving Chloe without a goodbye and riddled with grief and regret. But maybe…maybe it’s not too late. Just days before the funeral, Chloe finds her mother unaccountably alive and well. And it’s no longer May; she’s been transported back in time to March. No one—not Chloe’s brother, friends, or colleagues—understands why Chloe is so confused. How can she make sense of this? It’s impossible. But Chloe is going to make the most of it. She’s going to do everything differently: repair family rifts, forge new bonds, tell her mother every day how much she loves her, and possibly prevent the inevitable. This is a second chance Chloe never saw coming. She’s not wasting a minute of it.Trade Review“This is a heart-wrenching novel about family and love, with a wide range of well-developed characters. Readers who enjoy novels by Jessica Strawser or Barbara O’Neal will need a box of tissues for this one.” —Booklist (starred review) “Sarah Echavarre’s debut women’s fiction is a moving story about second chances and the precious time we have with loved ones. This was a page-turner, immersive, and all-consuming, and the perfect book to pick up this holiday season. Three More Months is a must-read.” —Tif Marcelo, USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away

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Book SynopsisIn this chilling tale from the bestselling author of Wall of Silence, a spark of malice ignites into an inferno of violence. Can one woman uncover the truth before it all goes up in flames? Eager for distraction in the aftermath of her messy divorce, Ellie Mileham dives into moderating the petty squabbles on her local Facebook group. When a prankster starts trolling uptight members, it’s a welcome diversion at first. But then the war of words moves onto the streets of Forest Grove, with threatening letters escalating into violent destruction. It’s suddenly clear there’s something much more dangerous at play. With lives at risk, Ellie delves into the history of Forest Grove and realises the so-called rural paradise has a dark and sinister heart. As she pieces together the puzzle of her own troubled childhood on the edge of the forest, Ellie learns this is not the first time the villagers have been targeted by an anonymous vigilante with an axe to grind… Could the two cases be connected? Ellie is determined to find out. But with everybody watching and nobody quite what they seem, can she uncover the truth before online threats become nightmarish reality?

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Book SynopsisThe old house hides her darkest secret—and there’s no running away this time… Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely. So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night… Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?

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Book SynopsisA humorous and heartwarming novel about friendship and all its little secrets by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck.Wendy Moore hides her collection of pilfered bric-a-brac from everyone, including her husband. He thinks she licked her kleptomania in therapy more than a decade ago. Therapy did help, as did focusing her attention on motherhood. But now Wendy?s gardening and furniture-refinishing hobbies fill up only so much of the day, leaving the recent empty nester lonely and anxious?a combination likely to trigger her little problem. She needs a project, fast. Luckily, Harper Ross?a single, childless younger woman in desperate need of highlights?just moved in next door.The only thing Harper wants to change is the writer?s block toppling her confidence and career. Then a muse comes knocking. Sensing fodder for a new antagonist, Harper plays along with Wendy?s ?helpful? advice while keeping her career a secret so Wendy keeps talking. Sure, she?s torn about profiting off her neighbor?s goodwill?especially when Wendy?s matchmaking actually pans out?but Harper?s novel is practically writing itself.Just as a real friendship begins to cement, their deceptions come to light, threatening Wendy?s and Harper?s futures and forcing them to reconcile who they are with who they want to be. Easier said than done.

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Book SynopsisTwo devoted sisters at a tragic breaking point discover the beautiful and painful truths of being alive in a powerful novel by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Jamie Beck.Winning the lottery changed Amy Walsh?s life, but the cost was greater than she could bear. In the aftermath, she struggles to find joy and purpose. Only one thing feels certain now?she will never spend one cent of the prize money on herself.Worried, her older sister, Kristin DeMarco, invites Amy to live with her family while she heals. Unfortunately, this arrangement leads to trouble for Kristin: Divided focus affects her career. Her daughter prefers Amy to her. And Amy?s unsolicited opinions provoke tension between Kristin and her husband.Meanwhile, Amy is making drastic plans of her own, which include giving away all her money. But first she must convince Kristin not to squander her most valuable asset?time with her family.As the sisters help each other reimagine their futures, life?s unpredictability sends them to surprising places that test their love and resilience. Will they learn to live in the now, before it?s too late?

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Honeysuckle Season comes an evocative dual-timeline novel detailing one woman’s journey to discover the hidden stories of her family’s seaside resort. When a shipwreck surfaces, old secrets are sure to follow. Or so goes the lore in Ivy Neale’s hometown of Nags Head, North Carolina. When Ivy inherits her family’s beachfront cottage upon her grandmother’s death, she knows returning to Nags Head means facing the best friend and the boyfriend who betrayed her years ago. But then a winter gale uncovers the shipwreck of local legend—and Ivy soon begins to stumble across more skeletons in the closet than just her own. Amid the cottage’s clutter are clues from her grandmother’s past at the enchanting seaside resort her family once owned. One fateful summer in 1950, the arrival of a dazzling singer shook the staff and guests alike—and not everyone made it to fall. As Ivy contends with broken relationships and a burgeoning romance in the present, the past threatens to sweep her away. But as she uncovers the strength of her grandmother and the women who came before her, she realizes she is like the legendary shipwreck: the sands may shift around her, but she has found her home here by the sea.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Three More Months comes a moving novel about hope, loss, the power of memories, and the enduring bonds of family. It’s been two years and two months since trauma shattered hospital chaplain Isabel Myles’s world. Since that day, she has stopped answering calls. She’s shut out her family, friends, and coworkers. Even her faith seems to have faded. Except for her connection with her younger sister, Chantel, Isabel copes by forgetting. Then she takes on a summer job as a home caregiver for Opal, a dementia patient who is struggling to remember. The more invested Isabel becomes in Opal’s vanishing world—and in her devastated grandson, Evan—the more open she is to forming bonds, old and new. She reaches out to her best friend. She repairs the damage between her and her estranged parents. And with Evan she feels emotions she thought were lost forever. But the trauma Isabel’s kept buried for so long will be rediscovered too. What Isabel learns could change her life again, forever. This time, though, she won’t have to face the past alone.Trade ReviewPraise for Three More Months “A heart-wrenching novel about family and love.” —Booklist (starred review) “Readers will laugh and cry…” —Library Journal “Echavarre (Three More Months, 2021) once again delivers a spectacular novel that will have readers overcome with emotion.…Family, love, trauma, and friendship are themes in this novel, which will appeal to those who like Emily Giffin.” —Booklist “Sarah Echavarre’s debut women’s fiction is a moving story about second chances and the precious time we have with loved ones. This was a page-turner, immersive, and all-consuming…a must-read.” —Tif Marcelo, USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away

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Book SynopsisIt was supposed to be a good day. On the one-year anniversary of her divorce, Alex Martinez is getting closure—and margaritas with her two best friends. But just before the celebratory meetup, Alex is clobbered by life once again. Damping the cheer is the diagnosis of a brain tumor she can’t pronounce, a procedure she’d rather postpone, and the prospect of what to say to an already heartbroken mother. Not that Alex plans to tell her anything anytime soon. Going from blissful to blindsided in one afternoon, Alex has other plans: to be impulsive and embark on an adventure she’ll never forget. Expected destinations: the Grand Canyon, Puerto Rico, and zip-lining through Costa Rica. Unexpected companion: a hiker named David who’s found a woman after his own heart. But no matter how enriching the journey, how long can Alex keep running? It’s time to accept past griefs, reconnect with her mother, and find her way back to happy. For Alex, whatever the future holds, maybe everything she really needs to face is right where she left it.Trade Review“Cuban American Escudero writes a sometimes gritty, occasionally hilarious, and mostly heart-wrenching story. A relatable, gripping tale, infused with Latinx culture, that packs an emotional wallop.” —Library Journal (starred review)

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Book Synopsis“The show must go on” takes on a whole new meaning for one single mom in a witty and emotional novel by the USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work. It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS. After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set. It’s a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy's a capable person—how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It's not like she has a choice; her life couldn't get any worse. Even so, this midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue. As a single mom, she's rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn't sew, and she doesn't know a thing about dressing the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie star taken with Poppy’s unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom. When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who’s at the center of it, a revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown. Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she's always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.Trade Review“As a novelist, author Ann Garvin has an impressive and genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will keep readers with an interest in romantic comedy simply riveting from first page to last.” —Midwest Book Review “Charming, witty, and real, There’s No Coming Back from This will have you laughing, cheering, and looking at your own past through Poppy-colored glasses.” —Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good “Brimming with wit and wisdom, There’s No Coming Back from This is the story of one woman’s attempt to find meaning in the middle of a mess she didn’t create, but has no choice but to clean up—which is to say: this is one relatable book. I laughed, teared up, and sped through the pages even as I attempted to savor them. Ann Garvin’s latest just happens to be her absolute best.” —Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Good for You “Readers will root so hard for Poppy Lively as she navigates the cutthroat world of Hollywood with a scruffy dog strapped to her body. Full of warmth and humor, Poppy and her motley crew of coworkers will worm their way into your heart and stick around for a very long time.” —Lyn Liao Butler, Amazon bestselling author of Someone Else's Life and Red Thread of Fate “An Ann Garvin novel is like curling up beside your favorite, wittiest friend and laughing and crying all at once about the hilarity and heartbreak of life. In classic Ann Garvin style, There’s No Coming Back from This is an engaging look at motherhood, friendship, and dating that will remind readers everywhere it’s never too late to start over—or find out where we’re truly meant to be. Don’t pick this one up unless you’re prepared to read it all the way through; it’s impossible to put down! Five huge stars!” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil “Ann Garvin’s genius lies in creating endearing, authentic women in the throes of midlife. There’s No Coming Back from This is another gem. Just when Poppy Lively thinks her life has bottomed out, life throws her one more plot twist, and this fifty-year-old single mom digs deep in her own Midwest Nice way to finally become the hero of her own life. Readers will cheer for Poppy, and her little dog Kevin, too!” —Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Homewreckers “Ann Garvin has written my favorite kind of book—a hilarious yet suspenseful story starring a down-on-her-luck, sassy, mid-life heroine who has to reinvent herself to avoid complete disaster. Throw in a new job working backstage in Hollywood and some surprising villains, and you've got a novel you can't put down. I raced through it, loving every page.” —Maddie Dawson, The Washington Post bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners and Snap Out of It

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Book SynopsisFor two women generations apart, going home will change their lives in this funny, poignant, and life-affirming novel about family, secrets, and broken hearts by the author of For the Love of Friends. Four years into her marriage, Jenna is blindsided when her husband asks for a divorce. With time on her hands and her life in flux, she agrees to accompany her eccentric grandmother Evelyn on a road trip to the seaside Massachusetts town where much of their family history was shaped. When they hit the road, Evelyn spins the tale of the star-crossed teenage romance that captured her heart more than seventy years ago and changed the course of her life. She insists the return to her hometown isn’t about that at all—no matter how much she talks about Tony, her unforgettable and forbidden first love. Upon arrival, Jenna meets Tony’s attentive great-nephew Joe. The new friendship and fresh ocean air give her the confidence and distance she needs to begin putting the pain of a broken marriage behind her. As the secrets and truths of Evelyn’s past unfold, Jenna discovers a new side of her grandmother, and of herself, that she never knew existed—and learns that the possibilities for healing can come at the most unexpected times in a woman’s life.Trade Review“You can almost taste the lobster rolls and smell the warm salt air in Sara Goodman Confino’s latest, which will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page. When Jenna agrees to a road trip with her sassy grandmother, Evelyn, she never could have imagined how her life would change. Confino deftly weaves together two time periods to tell a charming and funny story of true love, second chances, and why we should always be open to new beginnings.” —Susie Orman Schnall, author of We Came Here to Shine “A heartfelt and endearing story where generations of women do what women do best—keep one’s feet firmly planted while simultaneously moving forward with love.” —Ann Garvin, author of I Thought You Said This Would Work “Brimming with voice and wit, Sara Goodman Confino’s She’s Up to No Good is as heartfelt as it is hilarious. This beautiful story sweeps you up in its magic and doesn’t let go—much like the vivacious main character, Evelyn, a feisty force of nature who teaches her granddaughter what it truly means to live and love without fear. Their adventures—and Evelyn’s tales—will have you laughing, crying, and cheering them on, and you’ll be transported to the setting of the charming seaside town of their family’s roots. This is a gem of a novel and a fantastic follow-up to Confino’s outstanding debut, For the Love of Friends.” —Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of The Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark

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Book SynopsisFrom the authors of Tiny Imperfections comes a riotously funny, emotionally real look at race and religion, love and heartache, and the realities of parenting through it all.Self-appointed fixer of other people’s woes Marjette Lewis is uncharacteristically determined to keep to her side of the driveway when it comes to her flawless neighbor Noa Abrams. Professionally, Marjette has her hands full as she prepares for a new class of kindergarteners and her first year of teaching without her best friend, Judy, as campus “Black-up.” And at home, her son’s budding manhood challenges her expectations, and her vexing ex-husband continues to be a thorn in her side.But when tragedy strikes Marjette’s street, and an unexpected child shows up on the first day of school with an uncle who has all the class moms aflutter, Marjette is forced to contend with both her neighbor and her own heartache over losing the life she once thought was guaranteed. Through laughter, tears, and the gift of found family, Marjette and Noa navigate the rituals of loss together and discover the strength to remake their lives—whether they meant to or not.

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Book SynopsisFrom The Brighter the Light author Mary Ellen Taylor comes an uplifting tale of hope and love between a mother and daughter as they learn that life is a masterpiece in the making.When artist Dani Manchester learns she’s slowly losing her vision, she becomes unmoored. Her ex-husband died only months before, leaving Dani and her preteen daughter grief stricken. Suddenly, the life Dani built for her family on the Outer Banks feels like a painful reminder of all they’ve lost.On a whim, Dani sells her waterfront home and buys an old farm inland near the Virginia state line. But Dani’s daughter recoils at the sudden, drastic change. The Outer Banks’ sun-swept beaches, pink dawns, and savage storms are all she’s ever known.But Dani is resolute, and the pair move to Virginia to embark on a challenging renovation. That summer, their efforts to turn a run-down silo into an art studio bring forth new friends, new loves, and new challenges.As mother and daughter navigate the fiercest storm of their lives, they learn that instead of waiting for the skies to clear, they can withstand the wind and rain, so long as they do it together.

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Book SynopsisFrom million-copy bestselling author Imogen Clark comes a story of two families, two babies and one maddeningly hot day that will change their lives forever. It’s the hottest day of the 1976 heatwave and there’s not a breath of fresh air in the labour ward at Lincoln County Hospital. Michelle is having her fourth child, a girl, while beloved husband Dean is sipping a cold pint in the pub. Their little house is already bursting at the seams, but Michelle is sure they’ll find a way to stretch their budget and continue life as a blissfully chaotic happy family. They name their new baby Donna. In the next bed, exhausted and wearing a perfectly impractical lace-trimmed white nightgown, Sylvie has just given birth to her first child at forty and wants to sleep, while her oblivious husband Jeremy hovers and suggests he sketch this ‘perfect moment’. The midwife thinks she’ll feel more like bonding with her baby when she’s had some rest, but Sylvie isn’t so sure. She and Jeremy call their daughter Leonora. When the two little girls are taken to their respective homes, the date of their birth seems to be the only thing to connect them. But one day, years in the future, their paths will cross again when Michelle comes looking for Sylvie—because something happened that blistering hot day, something they both deserve answers to…

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Book SynopsisShe ran from her past, abandoned her dreams. But is it too late to start again? Since the death of her big sister, Beth has felt lost, a shadow of her former self. It’s been years since she abandoned her youthful musical aspirations and settled for playing piano in a hotel bar; when she lost Lucy, she lost the one who was always there to encourage her, the one who stopped her from giving up on life entirely. In her grief, Beth finds herself sinking deeper into the rut Lucy was forever trying to lift her out of. But then a posthumous gift from Lucy, a puzzle box, arrives weeks after the funeral, containing clues that Beth must follow to reopen long-closed doors to the past—including memories she’s been running from for years. As she reluctantly follows the trail, rediscovering friendships she discarded on her downward spiral, Beth realises that she lost her way long before she lost Lucy. But is it too late to find her way back to the hopeful, trusting person she was before—and to finally start living the version of the future that Lucy always wanted for her?

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Book SynopsisHeartwarming, funny and bold, Natalie K Martin’s Unplanned asks: what if the unplanned moments are what life’s all about? Travelling the world for eleven years, Zoe and Sam have been living the dream—Sam’s dream. But when Zoe discovers she is pregnant, she decides it is time to find a new dream, even if Sam isn’t a part of it. Back in London and sleeping in her childhood bedroom, Zoe’s new life at first seems nothing more than her old single life, but with a bump. But then her best friend, Nina, challenges Zoe to take the next nine months to complete a pre-baby bucket list. Now forced to look at her life through a new lens, Zoe has to decide what she wants, and whether that includes a man or not. But after a decade of being part of a ‘we’, is nine months enough time for Zoe to find out who she is as a ‘me’?

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Book SynopsisA heartfelt story that spans continents and generations, about a young woman who searches for answers about a mother she barely remembers. Sophie Shah was six when she learned her mother, Nita, had died. For twenty-two years, she shouldered the burden of that loss. But when her father passes away, Sophie discovers a cache of hidden letters revealing a shattering truth: her mother didn’t die. She left. Nita Shah had everything most women dreamed of in her hometown of Ahmedabad, India—a loving husband, a doting daughter, financial security—but in her heart, she felt like she was living a lie. Fueled by her creative ambitions, Nita moved to Paris, the artists’ capital of the world—even though it meant leaving her family behind. But once in Paris, Nita’s decision and its consequences would haunt her in ways she never expected. Now that Sophie knows the truth, she’s determined to find the mother who abandoned her. Sophie jets off to Paris, even though the impulsive trip may risk her impending arranged marriage. In the City of Light, she chases lead after lead that help her piece together a startling portrait of her mother. Though Sophie goes to Paris to find Nita, she may just also discover parts of herself she never knew.Trade Review“An absorbing and emotional read that follows two women on their journeys to self-discovery while breaking from social confines.” —Booklist “The Direction of the Wind is an unexpected and compelling exploration of the way culture shapes us. This is a gritty, lyrical, heartbreaking, and deeply moving novel. I found myself reading far into the night, unable to leave behind the quest of these two women, a generation apart. Mansi Shah writes with a fresh voice and clear eyes.” —Barbara O’Neal, USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids “A tender novel about the push and pull between families and independence, obligation and freedom, and the past and the future. The Direction of the Wind will both break your heart and send it soaring. Bravo, Mansi Shah!” —Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of The Rewind “Mansi Shah’s second novel, The Direction of the Wind, is an absorbing exploration of the price of passion and blazing one’s own path despite the weight of convention, family obligations, even motherhood. Using interlocking mother-daughter perspectives spanning decades and continents, Shah gives an unflinching portrayal of lost innocence, addiction, and misplaced romance. Despite heavy losses, this is a hopeful novel set in the city of light, where love prevails in unlikely friendships and the unbreakable bond of chosen family. Perfect reading for travelers and journeys of the heart.” —Yoojin Grace Wuertz, author of Everything Belongs to Us “A poignant and heart-wrenching story that explores the footsteps of the past as well as the ties of family and the bravery needed to break free. Mansi Shah’s latest novel takes the reader on a journey of love, risk, betrayal, and forgiveness.” —Gian Sardar, author of Take What You Can Carry “The Direction of the Wind will grab your heart from the first page. Beautifully written, this haunting story about a young woman searching for her mother is heartbreaking and uplifting as it immerses you in both Ahmedabad, India, and Paris, France. Mansi Shah is now a must-read author for me.” —Lyn Liao Butler, author of Red Thread of Fate “How far would you go to save the core part of yourself? The Direction of the Wind is a fearless novel that explores the boundaries of motherhood and takes readers on a journey across the globe.” —Jennifer Bardsley, author of Sweet Bliss “A heartfelt and empathetic look at a free-spirited mother and her daughter, separated by choice, time, and circumstance, irrevocably bonded by their shared desire to learn who they are meant to be. Shah creates an unforgettable story, steeped in Parisian atmosphere and braided with compassion. This book will break your heart and then mend it, in the most wonderful way.” —Paulette Kennedy, author of The Witch of Tin Mountain “The Direction of the Wind is an incredible story of one woman coming into her own by unearthing the past and learning new truths by searching for a mother she’s never truly known. Once again, Mansi Shah has written an immersive novel that grips your heart by the fist and doesn’t let go until the end.” —Namrata Patel, author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave “With an immersive setting and captivating storytelling, Mansi Shah weaves a gripping tale of the complex relationships of mothers and daughters. The Direction of the Wind sweeps readers along as Sophie retraces her mother’s footsteps through the city of Paris, embarking on an emotional journey of self-discovery and forgiveness that ultimately teaches her the meaning of family and the importance of choosing one’s own path. Fans of Shah’s breakout debut, The Taste of Ginger, will love this outstanding sophomore novel.” —Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of The Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark

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Book SynopsisAn unusual inheritance leads to a life-changing journey in a novel of romance, secrets, and the treasure of found family. Blythe Harmon is on the fast track to a life she never wanted. On her thirtieth birthday, just as she’s about to lock herself into a high-powered job and accept a marriage proposal to match, an unusual bequest from her beloved late grandmother, Nomi, offers an escape and an invitation to adventure. Equipped with Nomi’s urn of ashes and a treasure map, Blythe sets off for a small island in the San Juans where she rents the mysterious and unsettling Improbable House. Secret by secret, clue by cryptic clue, she begins to unravel the puzzle her grandmother has left her to piece together. Her quest is complicated, though, by a powerful attraction to an enigmatic islander and empathy for his orphaned niece, both of whom are inexorably tied to the old house. Just when Blythe thinks she’s on the verge of solving the mystery, her quest takes an unexpected turn, and she discovers that the treasure she’s really seeking is something that could never be buried in the ground. While she’s on the treasure hunt of a lifetime, the past and the future are coming together in this magical novel by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This.Trade Review“Fans of Lia Louis, Samantha Verant, and Linda Francis Lee will appreciate King’s deft handling of Blythe’s fish-out-of-water experience and her journey of self-discovery that’s more valuable than any buried treasure.” —Booklist “An enchanting read filled with satisfying mystery and romance. And I love a hint of magical matchmaking!” —Willa Reece, author of Wildwood Whispers “This book has it all—a quirky island, a hot Viking, even ghosts!—but most of all, it has soul. I was charmed and moved by this lovely story that reminds us sometimes we have to dig up the past to remember who we are in the present. A real gem.” —Colleen Oakley, author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island “Kerry Anne King’s charming novel will warm your heart as you follow the clues to where X marks the spot. I flew through Improbably Yours faster than a talking raven!” —Amy E. Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club “In my next life, I want to come back in a world created by Kerry Anne King. She expertly weaves tales filled with love and suspense and flashes of magic into generous, fun stories of people finding their way through adversity and discovering the lives they were meant to live. Improbably Yours is just the best: an antidote for tough times. I loved it!” —Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners “If you’ve never read a book by Kerry Anne King, remedy the situation now. She conjures the most enchanting characters able to rise above self-doubt and past tragedy to seize their finest hopes and dreams. I dare you not to fall in love with Blythe, Savannah, Flynn, and the book’s other brightly rendered characters as events lead them toward a fulfilling, nearly magical future—if only they have the courage to believe.” —Christine Nolfi, bestselling author of A Brighter Flame “If you’re looking for a book with all the feels, Kerry Anne King’s latest novel is it. Woven with a hint of magic and a heartwarming cast of characters, Improbably Yours is the story of a young woman determined to fulfill her dead grandmother’s last wish, only to find herself on the trail of long-buried secrets and an unexpected path to self-discovery. A treasure of a novel about finding your true place in the world and embracing the life you were meant to live.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings

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Book SynopsisA tragedy upends a family’s delicate balance in an emotional novel about secrets, guilt, friendship, race, and reconciliation by Jerry McGill, author of Bed Stuy: A Love Story. Who wants to believe their family could ever be broken? Devon and James Payne are brothers and rivals since childhood. But they share an affinity for sports that brings glory to their Connecticut town and promise for the future. Then they’re in a car accident. Devon is paralyzed for life, while James goes on to live the dream. For the Paynes, the tremulous repercussions of that evening never settled. Over the course of a decade, Devon decides to visit his seven siblings now scattered across the globe. Each has moved on, yet each struggles to cope with the traumatic event that irrevocably connects them. Devon confronts not only his own demons and family secrets but also the guilt and heartbreaking betrayals that followed in the wake of the tragedy. He also discovers the power of forgiveness—and that coming to terms with the past is the only way to live free in the present.Trade Review“A uniquely structured novel with memorable characters and a generational scope.” —Kirkus Reviews “The shifting perspectives give contours to the sprawling family and its painful secrets.” —Publishers Weekly “McGill’s prose is theatrical, packing every paragraph with action. The Color of Family crosses vast expanses of time and space, with secrets and twists unraveling at breakneck speed; it’s deeply engrossing. The family’s voices are alive and expressive through diary entries, interviews, rich dialogue, and detailed accounts of their familial relationships and social circles. The Payne family is unforgettable, and the humanity McGill observes through them is a gift.” —Booklist (starred review) “In sparkling slivers of stories set from the early 1960s to the early 2000s, fortune batters a wealthy Black family of Connecticut, whose six children initially seem set for stardom in sports and beyond. A car wreck, [a] drug bust, illicit passions, and long-kept secrets change all that.” —People Magazine

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Book SynopsisA tragedy upends a family’s delicate balance in an emotional novel about secrets, guilt, friendship, race, and reconciliation by Jerry McGill, author of Bed Stuy: A Love Story. Who wants to believe their family could ever be broken? Devon and James Payne are brothers and rivals since childhood. But they share an affinity for sports that brings glory to their Connecticut town and promise for the future. Then they’re in a car accident. Devon is paralyzed for life, while James goes on to live the dream. For the Paynes, the tremulous repercussions of that evening never settled. Over the course of a decade, Devon decides to visit his seven siblings now scattered across the globe. Each has moved on, yet each struggles to cope with the traumatic event that irrevocably connects them. Devon confronts not only his own demons and family secrets but also the guilt and heartbreaking betrayals that followed in the wake of the tragedy. He also discovers the power of forgiveness—and that coming to terms with the past is the only way to live free in the present.Trade Review“A uniquely structured novel with memorable characters and a generational scope.” —Kirkus Reviews “The shifting perspectives give contours to the sprawling family and its painful secrets.” —Publishers Weekly “McGill’s prose is theatrical, packing every paragraph with action. The Color of Family crosses vast expanses of time and space, with secrets and twists unraveling at breakneck speed; it’s deeply engrossing. The family’s voices are alive and expressive through diary entries, interviews, rich dialogue, and detailed accounts of their familial relationships and social circles. The Payne family is unforgettable, and the humanity McGill observes through them is a gift.” —Booklist (starred review) “In sparkling slivers of stories set from the early 1960s to the early 2000s, fortune batters a wealthy Black family of Connecticut, whose six children initially seem set for stardom in sports and beyond. A car wreck, [a] drug bust, illicit passions, and long-kept secrets change all that.” —People Magazine

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Book Synopsis“Bursting with humor, banter, and cringeworthy first dates, Sonali Dev’s The Vibrant Years is a joyful and fun read, but it’s also very much a timely tale about a group of underestimated women demanding respect and embracing their most authentic selves.” —Mindy Kaling Living on their own terms means being there for one another. When sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars, she’s astounded—and horrified. The windfall threatens to expose a shameful mistake from her youth. Desperate to keep the secret, Bindu quickly spends it on something unexpected: a condo in a posh retirement community in Florida. The impulsive decision blindsides Bindu’s daughter-in-law, Aly. At forty-seven, Aly still shares a home with Bindu even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. But maybe this change is just the push Aly needs to fight for the segment she’s been promised for years at the news station where she works. As Bindu and Aly navigate their new dynamic, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is faced with losing the business that made her a tech-world star. The only way to save it is to deliver a new idea to her investors—and of course they want the half-baked dating app she pitched them in a panic. Problem is, Cullie has never been on a real date. Naturally, enlisting her single mother and grandmother to help her with the research is the answer. From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes a heartfelt novel about three generations of hilarious, unconventional, ambitious women navigating bad dates, a spiteful HOA board, reemerging exes, and secrets that refuse to remain hidden. Join the Desai women on a shared journey of self-discovery as they dare to live their most vibrant lives.Trade Review“These Indian American women and their struggles will appeal to readers from every age and culture.” — Washington Post “An intergenerational tale of self-discovery and the relationships that matter most…A cozy cup of chai for the soul.” —Kirkus Reviews “Dev easily gets the reader to root for her well-rounded characters, and the intertwined story lines wrap up with a delightful ending. This effervescent tale is sure to please the author’s fans and win her new ones.” —Publishers Weekly “Three generations of Indian American women strive to find what makes them happy in this heartwarming rom-com about the compromises that held them back and how they finally reclaimed their freedom.” —Booklist (starred review) “Dev weaves humor and romance through her tale of three generations of women.” —Audible “A super-fun, bingeable story about three generations of vibrant women navigating relationships, friendships, mishaps, and ambitions.” —Ms. magazine “Fun and heartfelt.” —BookRiot “A sweeping intergenerational tale showcasing the importance and value of family, relationships, and finding oneself as the world does what the world does: change.” —Apartment Therapy “A laugh-out-loud story full of love, regrets, and secrets.” —Marie Claire “I would give this book five stars for the concept alone, but it’s Sonali Dev’s trademark character depth and beautiful writing that really make The Vibrant Years shine. A gorgeous story of evolving female relationships and how love, hilarity, and the bonds between three generations of women help them thrive in even the fiercest winds of change.” —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation “Oh, what a glorious tangle of love, career, the past, and family is The Vibrant Years! Sonali Dev writes beautiful prose and complex, delightful characters in this story of rediscovery and girl power for three generations of the Desai women. A delicious treat.” —Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author “A vivid and touching story of the relationships between three women who love each other and their quest to find each other’s soul mates. Funny, fast paced, and insightful, The Vibrant Years gracefully explores questions of meaning and hope and regret and most of all the love between women. A beautiful book!” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of This Place of Wonder “I loved this story of three generations of women navigating life, love, and the patriarchy. Sonali Dev’s writing is lush and evocative, her characters vibrant with rage, humor, and wisdom.” —Virginia Kantra, New York Times bestselling author of Meg & Jo and Beth & Amy “Sonali Dev has done it again in this sparkling page-turner about the unbreakable bonds of women and the necessity of forging an authentic path. Three generations of women from one dynamic family band together to navigate each chapter of life proving that, with the right people by your side, they can all be vibrant years. Dev’s storytelling shines!” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil “Just the kind of book I love to get lost in. Great characters, tons of energy, perfect pacing. Sonali Dev absolutely nailed it. Loved it!” —Susan Elizabeth Philips, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisWhat if all you inherit from your mother are her secrets? Isla knows her family kept things from her. When she inherits the cliffside cottage where she spent her childhood, she must face dark shadows of her past—the mother who rejected her in favour of her art, the aunt whose death haunted them both, and the silence that permeated every room. Digging through the belongings of someone she realises she never really knew, Isla finally has the chance to find answers to the secrets her mother spent a lifetime hiding. But lies can’t be swept away by the tide. And when Isla crosses paths with a mother and young daughter visiting her remote hometown, she becomes entangled in their family’s secrets, too, forcing her to wonder whether the truth she is seeking will really set her free. Isla’s past is as dark as the ocean around her. But when she comes up for air, the mysteries of this lonely shore will reveal themselves in unexpected ways…

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of These Tangled Vines comes a gripping novel about one woman’s search for answers when her husband vanishes in the night. Olivia Hamilton is married to the love of her life, Dean, a charismatic pilot who flies private jets for the rich and famous. But when he vanishes over the Bermuda Triangle, Olivia’s idyllic existence unravels. After years of waiting, Olivia must eventually let go of the fragile hope that her beloved husband might still be alive. Melanie Brown is a particle physicist who spends late nights studying the Bermuda Triangle. But her research interests falter when her mother dies in a tragic accident. Struggling to reboot her life and career, Melanie begins a forbidden love affair with her therapist. When a shocking discovery shows Olivia’s and Melanie’s paths are intertwined, it casts Dean’s disappearance in a new light. The two women’s strange connection threatens to unlock secrets that will change everything Olivia thought she knew about her marriage, her husband, and most importantly, herself. Full of spellbinding twists and turns, Beyond the Moonlit Sea is a vivid, emotional novel about the stirring power of love lost and found—and the incredible strength of one woman who fights for happiness in the wake of tragedy.Trade Review“I started this twisty, page-turning, five-hankie tale and didn’t stop till I was through. The multidimensional characters are artfully drawn, and you care, really care, what happens to them. The end was a bombshell, satisfying to the bone.” —Tanya Anne Crosby, New York Times bestselling author “Beyond the Moonlit Sea brilliantly intertwines myth and science to create a stunning story full of romance and intrigue that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. Julianne MacLean is a master storyteller, and this riveting page-turner might be her best work yet.” —Suzanne Redfearn, #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant “The Bermuda Triangle is a fitting backdrop for Beyond the Moonlit Sea: a vortex of love found and lost, mistakes made and buried, and secrets too deep to let go. Julianne MacLean has crafted an irresistible premise all the way to the satisfying finish.” —Jessica Strawser, author of A Million Reasons Why “MacLean does it again with this intense story about relationships, family bonds, and the truth about loving fully and fearlessly. Beyond the Moonlit Sea will open your eyes…and your heart.” —Michelle McMaster, bestselling author of the Watch Me series “Bestselling author Julianne MacLean has outdone herself! Filled with as many twists and turns as the Bermuda Triangle itself, in this breathtaking saga of love, loss, and redemption, an unsuspecting wife attempts to unravel the mystery of her pilot husband’s disappearance—and discovers that the greatest unexplained force of nature is the power of enduring love. I could not put down Beyond the Moonlit Sea!” —Pamela Callow, bestselling author of the Kate Lange Thriller series “There’s something dazzling about Julianne MacLean’s writing, how she sets these small and subtle fires and then slyly connects them in what always promises to ignite into an engulfing blaze of a story. You just never know when she’s going to sneak up behind you with a clever twist that gets your heart going. Beyond the Moonlit Sea is her best yet, and you’ll have a blast trying to guess where she’s going—even though you won’t be right. Why are you still here? Buy this book.” —Boo Walker, bestselling author of The Singing Trees

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Book SynopsisThree spirited wives in nineteenth-century Utah. One husband. A compelling novel of family, sisterhood, and survival by the Washington Post bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow. 1857. Three women—once strangers—come together in unpredictable Utah Territory. Hopeful, desperate, and willful, they’ll allow nothing on Earth or in Heaven to stand in their way. Following the call of their newfound Mormon faith, Tamar Loader and her family weather a brutal pilgrimage from England to Utah, where Tamar is united with her destined husband, Thomas Ricks. Clinging to a promise for the future, she abides an unexpected surprise: Thomas is already wedded to one woman—Tabitha, a local healer—and betrothed to still another. Orphaned by tragedy and stranded in the Salt Lake Valley, Jane Shupe struggles to provide for herself and her younger sister. She is no member of the Mormon migration, yet Jane agrees to marry Thomas. Out of necessity, with no love lost, she too must bear the trials of a sister-wife. But when the US Army’s invasion brings the rebellious Mormon community to heel, Tamar, Jane, and Tabitha are forced to retreat into the hostile desert wilderness with little in common but the same man—and the resolve to keep themselves and their children alive. What they discover, as one, is redemption, a new definition of family, and a bond stronger than matrimony that is tested like never before.Trade Review“An interesting and readable story, but what makes it more profound is that all these characters actually existed, with nearly unchanged backstories.” —Booklist “A deeply moving novel that is so beautifully crafted you can’t help but feel the sun beat down on your back or the snow bite into your skin. The evocative setting and well-researched history combined with nuanced characters make this novel one not to miss.” —Historical Novels Review “With The Fire and the Ore, Olivia Hawker delivers a compelling and epic novel that proves she is a master of her craft, a storyteller of supreme talent. This book is all heart. It’s meticulously researched, brilliantly constructed, and rich with historical detail. On top of all that, it’s a stunning and breathtaking page-turner…This is, quite simply, a beautiful book that readers will love and devour.” —Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author “A beautiful and nuanced story about a little-known and little-understood period of history and three women who have every reason to dislike one another but, driven by different levels of faith, need, and ambition, find their way to a deep and lasting bond. The Fire and the Ore is a well-researched and deeply felt novel of tragedy, hope, and connection.” —Megan Chance, bestselling author of A Splendid Ruin “Based on real family history, this is the heartrending story of the trials endured by Mormon converts as they made their way across the American wilderness to their promised land and of the triumph of sisterhood over adversity. A must read for fans of Western history.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of The Venice Sketchbook

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Book SynopsisA young mother has done everything possible to put the past behind her, but it might not be enough in a gripping novel of suspense by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Jane Doe novels. Abandoned by her fugitive ex-husband, Lily Brown is rebuilding her life on the edge of a Kansas town that still feels the sting of his crimes. Lily lies low, managing the isolated storage facility where she lives with her twelve-year-old son, Everett, and planning a better future for them both. That requires keeping secrets. Everett has them too. After breaking into a storage unit, Everett finds photographs and news clippings of five girls missing for decades. For Everett, it’s an adventure and a tempting mystery to solve. But digging further into a stranger’s obsession is putting Everett and his mother in the crosshairs of a killer. Then Lily’s ex resurfaces from the shadows. Just as suddenly, an attentive new man enters Lily’s life. And a suspicious detective, responding to reports of a prowler, watches every move Lily makes. It’s getting harder for Lily to know who to trust—or whose secrets pose the most frightening threat of all.Trade Review“The plot’s many twists and turns will stun and surprise readers. Suspense fans will get their money’s worth.” —Publishers Weekly “I raced through the pages of At the Quiet Edge. This propulsive story places you inside a world of secrets, and locks you inside. And like our heroine Lily and her son Everett, it’s hard to know who to trust. This is taut, heart-pounding suspense.” —Kaira Rouda, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Next Wife and Somebody’s Home “Sharp and sophisticated, At the Quiet Edge commanded my attention from the captivating first chapter to the electrifying ending.” —Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author “As a single mom, I couldn’t help but identify with the complex dynamics between mother and son as each protected the other in this gripping thriller. It is a thrilling game of cat and mouse that kept me guessing all the way up to the jaw-dropping conclusion.” —Lucinda Berry, bestselling author of The Best of Friends and The Perfect Child “An utterly compelling blend of family drama and suspense, At the Quiet Edge pulled me in and didn’t let go. I read this riveting, twisty book in one sitting. Not to be missed.” —A. J. Banner, #1 Amazon, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author

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Book SynopsisThree siblings. Three promises. Three lifetimes of saying all the wrong things… “A family drama with a huge amount of heart… A powerful, hopeful read.” —Bobby Palmer “A layered and powerful story about family and identity. Tufayel Ahmed is a talented and vital voice.” —Lauren Ho “Entertaining, poignant, and eye-opening.” —Justin Myers (The Guyliner) Since their mother’s death, siblings Imran, Sumaya and Majid have drifted in three very different directions, trying to live up to the last promises they each made to her. But when a viral news piece throws an unwanted spotlight on the family, they’re drawn back into each other’s lives for the first time in years. With the media attention exposing the cracks in Imran’s already fragile marriage, he begs Sumaya to return from New York to help—but living under the same roof again after all this time brings up all the secrets they’d both thought long-buried. And now nothing can stop the truth from coming out… With the promises they once made in tatters, is this a chance for the siblings to finally live the lives they’ve always wanted and rebuild the bond they once had? Or has too much already been said?Trade Review“With its vividly-rendered cast of characters and an intriguing plot that gives up its secrets with great emotional precision, Better Left Unsaid is a layered and powerful story about family and identity. Tufayel Ahmed is a talented and vital voice.” —Lauren Ho, author of Last Tang Standing and Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic “A family drama with a huge amount of heart, I tore through it in about two days. A powerful, hopeful read.” —Bobby Palmer “With insight and sensitivity, Better Left Unsaid explores complicated family dynamics and the eternal push-and-pull conflicts between tradition, repression, grief and the desire for openness, healing and joy. Entertaining, poignant, and eye-opening.” —Justin Myers (The Guyliner)

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Book SynopsisA family, broken by the shattering turns of a single day, will do anything to find their way back to one another. Lena Sharma is a successful San Francisco restaurateur. An immigrant, she’s cultivated an image of conservatism and tradition in her close-knit Indian community. But when Lena’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble, her ties to her daughter, Maya, and son, Sameer—both raised in thoroughly modern California—slip further away. Maya, divorced once, becomes engaged to a man twelve years her junior: Veer Kapoor, the son of Lena’s longtime friend. Immediately Maya feels her mother’s disgrace and the judgment of an insular society she was born into but never chose, while Lena’s cherished friendship frays. Meanwhile, Maya’s younger brother, Sameer, struggles with an addiction that reaches a devastating and very public turning point, upending his already tenuous future. As the mother, daughter, and son are compromised by tragedy, secrets, and misconceptions, they each must determine what it will take to rebuild their bonds and salvage what’s left of their family.

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Book SynopsisAll it takes is one lie for the best-laid plans to go awry. After decades of pushing away traumatic memories from childhood, Colette De Luca is ready to start a family of her own. It’ll be healthy, a wish come true, with a man she believes is the love of her life. Thankfully, she thought ahead when she was younger and froze her eggs for this very moment. Greta O’Brien, a wealthy hedge-fund manager, is forced to confront the making of her own family when tragedy strikes her twin teenage sons. As she debates whether to confess a betrayal to her husband, the ripple effects of the family’s devastating circumstances begin to spread far beyond their home. These two women, hopeful, disillusioned, and desperate, are on an emotional decades-long journey to motherhood by any means necessary. Strangers whose lives explode in the wake of a shocking event—and converge in more ways than one—Colette and Greta are forced to face the twists of fate and the choices they’ve made.Trade Review“An Imperfect Plan uncovers dark secrets that haunt ordinary families. Addison McKnight has written a novel that turns comfort and convention inside out, examines the wishes and desires of women we think we know, and reveals how long-ago trauma can affect everything that happens today. The emotion is visceral, the heartbreak and suspense are almost unbearable, and it all leads to a stunning ending. McKnight is a superb observer of domestic drama.” —Luanne Rice, #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author “The lives of two women run parallel in An Imperfect Plan, where one deceit eventually rips apart the fabric of a carefully calculated life. An emotionally resonant debut that will stay with you long after you read the last word.” —Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, authors of How to Save a Life “Edgy, relatable, and heartbreaking—this unflinching thriller will have you turning the pages as fast as you can. How far would you go to get what you want? When family is involved, there are no boundaries—and Addison McKnight’s debut grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the gasp-worthy ending.” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life “Provocative and gripping…An Imperfect Plan is a visceral exploration of the quest for perfection—our modern addiction to having the perfect life, the perfect partner, and the perfect children. But perfection has a cost and is not without secrets. Addison McKnight tackles the dark side of deceit, infertility, and mental illness in this powerful debut novel that fans of Lisa Jewell and Luanne Rice will love.” —Andrews and Wilson, Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of Tier One

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Book SynopsisA widowed father and his young daughter embark on a life-changing journey in a heartening novel of family and second chances by the bestselling author of The Singing Trees. Adjusting to the death of his wife hasn’t been easy on Baxter Shaw—or on their eight-year-old daughter, Mia. Baxter has left his band and abandoned his dreams to focus on being a single father, but it’s not enough: Mia’s exhibiting escalating behavioral problems. And neither has been able to face the past head-on…until the past reaches out to them. After surprising results from a DNA test, Baxter and Mia journey to southeastern Spain to connect with their mysterious roots. Staying in a centuries-old villa on a renowned olive oil estate, they come to know the family they never realized they had, including a woman whose strength and passion for the estate remind Baxter of the love he lost—and that it’s not too late to rekindle his own dreams. For Baxter and Mia, it’s a healing season in Spain, and the romance of the culture awakens a new outlook on life. But when long-simmering family secrets surface and the estate’s fate is called into question, Baxter must choose to let go of the past if he ever hopes to find love and live again.Trade Review“Walker dazzles in this heart-wrenching tale about a grieving father’s restorative trip to Spain with his daughter… Transporting descriptions of Ester’s farm bring the setting to life, the characters all earn the reader’s emotional investment, and the pacing is perfect. Readers will fall in love.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Set against the lush backdrop of a centuries-old villa, A Spanish Sunrise explores a heartbreaking question: How do you rebuild your life after losing a beloved spouse? For Baxter Shaw, the road to healing starts in earnest when his daughter Mia—an eight-year-old unable to process her own grief—begins acting out in troubling ways. With her wellbeing in mind, Baxter sets them on a journey into his late wife’s mysterious past, where an unexpected homecoming awaits. Readers will cheer on these memorable characters and savor every page to the story’s wonderful and uplifting conclusion.” —Christine Nolfi, bestselling author of A Brighter Flame “Boo Walker’s A Spanish Sunrise is a beautifully written tale about overcoming grief, embracing the true meaning of family, and resurrecting lost dreams. Walker takes a deep dive into grief’s many guises, yet manages to deliver a story that is both heartfelt and hopeful. A splendid cast of characters and settings that positively come to life on the page make this one of the most satisfying books I’ve read in a long time. Clear-eyed, thoughtful, and thoroughly charming, A Spanish Sunrise is the perfect escape!” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings “A delightful novel. Lose yourself in the evocative descriptions of the Spanish countryside as you sink into the lives of this loving but complicated family. This touching story of a man doing his best for his young daughter in heart-breaking circumstances will stay with you long after you turn the final page.” —Imogen Clark, million-copy bestselling author of Impossible to Forget

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Book SynopsisWhen life stops making sense, it’s time to raise the anchor and follow the tide. Twenty-two years of marriage, and all Becca Larkin’s divorce settlement includes is a live-aboard sailboat and a huge helping of heartache. So when normally cautious Becca proposes a girls’ trip with her daughter, Liv, boating from Maine to a ready buyer for the boat in Miami, it seems like a recipe for a fun summer and a fresh start. After all, how hard can this sailing thing be? Enter Grant Murphy, a stunning Irish sailing coach that Liv can barely stand—and Becca can’t seem to resist. Grant’s too young for Becca, but he’s insightful and kind, and his passion for sailing is contagious. Through his eyes, Becca sees for the first time in years a future she might want to navigate toward. There are seventeen hundred miles between Maine and Miami, but the journey Becca’s on can’t be charted on any map. And the only way to get there is to hoist the sails and throw caution to the wind. From the bestselling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler comes a sparkling novel about mothers and daughters, change and escape, and learning to love again.Trade ReviewPraise for Wherever the Wind Takes Us “Fans of Marian Keyes, Nicola Yoon, and Karen Raney will appreciate the evolving mother-daughter relationship, while a surprising source of romance adds intrigue to this journey of self-discovery, self-reliance, and perseverance.” —Booklist Praise for Kelly Harms Seven Day Switch “Harms’s latest captures the messy, complicated, and often all-consuming mindset of motherhood.” —Booklist (starred review) “Written with Harms’s disarming humor and honesty, The Seven Day Switch is fun and funny—and leaves you with a powerful punch.” —Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners The Bright Side of Going Dark “A surprisingly easy read containing a little romance, a lot of personal growth, and an honest look at weighty topics.” —Kirkus Reviews The Overdue Life of Amy Byler “A great light read full of tears, laughter, and charming, relatable characters.” —Library Journal (starred review) “No one cuts right to the heart of life—in all its hilarity and heartbreak—quite like Kelly Harms.” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of Slightly South of Simple “A laugh-out-loud funny, pitch-perfect novel that will have readers rooting for this unlikely, relatable, and totally lovable heroine, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is the ultimate escape…” —New York Journal of Books

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Book SynopsisA cherished heirloom opens up a century of secrets in a bittersweet novel about family, hard truths, and self-discovery by the author of Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish. Melanie Barnett thinks she has it all together. With an ex-fiancé and a pending promotion at a Kentucky bourbon distillery, Melanie has figured out that love and career don’t mix. Until she makes a discovery while cleaning her Jordan MX car, a scarlet-red symbol of the Jazz Age’s independent women that she inherited from her great-great-great-aunt Violet. Its secret compartment holds Violet’s weathered journal—within it an intriguing message: Take from this story what you will, Melanie, and you can bury the rest. Melanie wonders what more there is to learn from Violet’s past. In 1921 Violet Bond defers to no one. Hers is a life of adventure in Detroit, the hub of the motorcar boom and the fastest growing city in America. But in an era of speakeasies, financial windfalls, free-spirited friends, and unexpected romance, it’s easy to spin out of control. Now, as Melanie’s own world takes unexpected turns, her life and Violet’s life intersect. Generations apart, they’re coming into their own and questioning what modern womanhood—and happiness—really means.Trade Review“Tori Whitaker’s tender and lighthearted work of historical fiction…journeys between Kentucky’s present-day Bourbon Trail and the bustling metropolis of 1920s Motor City, Detroit. Whitaker’s multigenerational dual narrative probes into how women, driven by a thirst for success and independence, have advanced over the last century, while exploring what it has cost them to achieve their dreams. An explosive secret…will crack open deep issues between mother and daughter, challenge their placement in the family, and question the history they believe to be true. As they come together through the experience of sharing Violet’s diary, Whitaker brings about a reckoning that is heartfelt and beautiful.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution “This witty and engaging story is about Melanie, an up-and-coming executive in the whiskey business in Louisville, Kentucky, and her ‘Grape Aunt Violet.’…The plot flows easily, and the characters, both modern and in the 1920s, are interesting people.” —Historical Novels Review “This novel provides glimpses into the growing automobile industry in 1920s Detroit, where Violet lives. We also get to see the growth of the boutique spirits world in twenty-first-century Kentucky as Melanie tries to make a name for herself. Ultimately, A Matter of Happiness is a story about listening to and trusting yourself, while surrounded by family, friends, love and loss. [A]n entertaining historical fiction read.” —BookTrib “A thrill of a ride and a beautiful read. Violet and Melanie are connected across generations by blood, bourbon, cars, and a great need for independence. Tori Whitaker unfolds the narrative with a deep sense of history imbuing every sensational page, weaving the women’s stories until the inspiring conclusion. This is a compelling story of women who understand that we can choose our happiness and we can choose our lives. Whitaker crafts a riveting read about strength, fate, and choice that you will not want to put down until the very last page.” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah “A Matter of Happiness will take you on a wild ride to remember, from the modern-day bourbon distilleries of Kentucky to the speakeasies and parties of Detroit in the twenties. With astute attention to historical detail, Whitaker tells the tale of two strong-willed women, Melanie and Violet, determined to make it on their own terms. You’ll find yourself rooting for these two young women, connected by a cherished 1923 Jordan MX, as they attempt to navigate modern womanhood and what it really means to be happy.” —Nicola Harrison, author of The Show Girl “Tori Whitaker weaves an inspiring inter-generational story that goes down with the sweet surprising warmth of a “Kentucky hug”—that first sip of bourbon. Secrets unravel, revealing the loving sacrifices made by the women of a family with roots on the Bourbon Trail. Their strength is passed down, woman to woman, only to be more appreciated over time like the best aged spirits. A tale to be savored.” —Lynn Cullen, national bestselling author of Mrs. Poe and The Sisters of Summit Avenue “Tori Whitaker’s A Matter of Happiness is an absolute trip back to the Roaring Twenties, so vividly written the reader can see the fringe of the flappers’ dresses, hear the jazz from the speakeasies, and taste the bourbon. A dual timeline novel, both the 1920s and the contemporary stories proceed with delectable suspense and feature strong, independent women characters I adored—and am still thinking about all these days later.” —Joy Jordan-Lake, author of the bestselling Under a Gilded Moon and A Bend of Light

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Book SynopsisNavsari, India. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, Nirmala spends her days anxiously caring for her sick young son, Varun. Looming over Nirmala’s impoverished home is an imposing mansion built by her grandfather, and from its balcony her cruel aunt scorns them, refusing to help in any way. But when a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father arrives from Zimbabwe, it opens a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible. If the contents of the letter can be believed, not only does she have family in Africa, but they might also hold the answers to a family mystery that spans three generations. While travelling to Zimbabwe might lead to a brighter future for Nirmala and her son, it could also reignite the bitter family feud that condemned her family to poverty. Nirmala is ready to risk it all to uncover the truth, but how will she cope when this journey changes her life forever?Trade Review“Tailor’s debut is both evocative and intriguing.” —Booklist “The Secret of Elephants is a novel of beauty, wisdom, and discovery. Prepare to fall in love with Vasundra Tailor’s writing, I know I did…” —Amanda Prowse, international bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s bighearted novel about family, secrets, small-town Texas romance, and—with a little bit of luck—starting over.Family doesn’t mean everyone has to like each other. That’s the case when cousins Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja return to Shamrock, Texas, to help manage their grandmother’s flower shop, the Lucky Shamrock. The reunion isn’t exactly a beautiful arrangement—considering they’re as compatible as ranchers and coyotes.Thank heaven for a handsome go-between like Clinton, who lives above the shop. The easygoing war vet, and most eligible bachelor in Wheeler County, is now throwing romance into the mix and setting the local women to gossiping. But as the hot months wear on, hidden secrets begin to surface for the temperamental Irish trio. And it’s bringing them closer together than they ever thought possible.With a flurry of weddings, a love story in the making, a surprise baby, and crazy good fortune, maybe that shamrock painted on the window does bring luck. Because for Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja, this could be the summer that’ll change their lives forever.

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Book SynopsisFrom USA Today bestselling author Tif Marcelo comes a timeless tale of motherhood inspired by Little Women about one woman’s grief, hope, and second chance with the daughter she lost. It’s been two years since Celine lost her daughter Libby. Desperate to escape her grief, Celine throws herself into her work, determined to be the strong, capable woman the world believes her to be. But there’s no fooling her family. A shocking intervention brings an impossible choice: confront her grief or risk losing the family she still has. Reeling, Celine wonders what her life would have been like if she’d chosen her first love instead of her husband and avoided this pain altogether. Celine wakes the following day and is shocked to realize that what-if has become reality. She’s with her high school sweetheart, her daughters aren’t quite her daughters, and her home is being rented by the daughter she thought she’d lost forever. As she reconnects with Libby in this parallel world, Celine is forced to face the problems in her real life: her unwillingness to move forward, the tension that’s always rocked her family, and the hard truth that not everything can be fixed by a mother’s love.Trade Review“Marcelo’s (It Takes Heart, 2021) latest, inspired by Little Women, is an emotional story with hints of humor and Filipino baking. Readers will be drawn in by Celine’s conundrum and root for her happy ending.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisShe’s always wanted a sense of belonging. The last place she expects to find it is home. Vale Lightner’s dreams turn to ash when the Pittsburgh bar she owns goes up in flames. Just like the past she escaped, very little seems salvageable. Facing unavoidable change, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia to stay with her grandmother. She knows that returning also means facing everything she left behind: a mother and stepfather who shunted her into the background from the day they married, and her charmed and favored half sister, Blythe, who has abandoned a perfect marriage and is now at a crossroads of her own. Everyone has their secrets, and this reunited family racked by them is about to reach a crisis point. For a mother and her two daughters, this reunion is a chance for closure, newfound love, and forgiveness. As each of them reassesses her own memories of the past, only the truth can bring them together—in ways that could last forever. From the bestselling author of The Passing Storm comes a poignant novel about family secrets, healing, and the hope of second chances.Trade Review“I devoured this book in one sitting. An uplifting novel which explores how misconceptions and half-truths can taint even that closest of relationships—the one with our own family. Nolfi draws us into this complicated family drama and doesn't let us go until the story reaches its intense and captivating climax.” —Imogen Clark, million copy selling author of Impossible to Forget “A Brighter Flame is a deeply touching and uplifting novel that explores the troubled history and buried secrets of a family torn apart long ago. The book captured my heart and drew tears as I was reminded that it’s never too late to heal.” —Boo Walker, bestselling author of A Spanish Sunrise “In this layered family drama, Nolfi explores the unreliability of memories and how inaccurate perceptions of past events impact the present. As estranged sisters Vale and Blythe uncover a clearer picture of their childhood and the circumstances that shaped their contentious relationship, understanding and forgiveness blossom, bearing the fruit of previously unimagined acts of generosity and love. A story that is sure to keep book clubs talking late into the night.” —Kerry Anne King, bestselling author of Improbably Yours “Memories blurred by years of estrangement pit sister against sister in Christine Nolfi’s emotionally complex new novel about a family torn apart by secrets. Authentic, poignant, and enormously uplifting, A Brighter Flame is certain to touch the heart of anyone who’s ever struggled to heal old family wounds—and remind us all that with love, second chances are always possible.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings

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Book SynopsisA woman embarks on an unexpected journey into her past in an engrossing novel about identity, family secrets, and rediscovering the need to belong. Meena Dave is a photojournalist and a nomad. She has no family, no permanent address, and no long-term attachments, preferring to observe the world at a distance through the lens of her camera. But Meena’s solitary life is turned upside down when she unexpectedly inherits an apartment in a Victorian brownstone in historic Back Bay, Boston. Though Meena’s impulse is to sell it and keep moving, she decides to use her journalistic instinct to follow the story that landed her in the home of a stranger. It’s a mystery that comes with a series of hidden clues, a trio of meddling Indian aunties, and a handsome next-door neighbor. For Meena it’s a chance for newfound friendships, community, and culture she never thought possible. And a window into her past she never expected. Now as everything unknown to Meena comes into focus, she must reconcile who she wants to be with who she really is.Trade Review“A thoroughly entertaining rendition of one woman’s search for belonging.” —Kirkus Reviews “Full of lively characters who will win readers’ hearts and keep them thinking long after the book is finished, this book is a genuine, charming debut. Long-buried secrets and a journey of self-discovery will keep the pages turning.” —Booklist “Namrata Patel’s debut is a delightful exploration of identity, community, and growth. I was drawn into Meena Dave’s captivating journey from the first pages and was rooting for her until the end. This poignant and witty story is perfect for book clubs!” —Saumya Dave, author of Well-Behaved Indian Women

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Book SynopsisA perfumer in Paris is forced to return to her California roots in an exhilarating novel about family, self-discovery, and taking risks by the author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave. The daughter of proud Napa Valley hoteliers, Asha “Poppy” Patel chose a different line as a Paris perfumer, gifted with a nose for fragrances and business. Until her heightened sense of smell disappears. Her career in jeopardy, her world now muted, Poppy returns home. Maybe tending to her grandmother’s massive aromatic garden, where Poppy’s gift first flowered, will bring restorative hope. But when she arrives, Poppy discovers that the land upon which the beautiful garden once thrived has been uprooted and destroyed. She realizes that the years she spent away from her home have loosened so many ties with the past. Torn between a mother who lives vicariously through her and a father who wants her to embrace her family’s legacy, Poppy is determined to chart her own path of rediscovery. Poppy must juggle family drama, childhood friendships, and a former love to forge a future of her own choosing and, in time, heal an unscented life.Trade Review“Patel has written a touching tale of one young woman’s reckoning with her family’s generational legacy, staying true to her roots and traditions while at the same time forging a path for herself. Full of warmth and humor, this book is recommended for all fiction collections.” —Booklist “Full of softly beautiful descriptions and remarkably rendered characters, Patel’s sophomore novel grapples with familial pressures and legacies. It’s a sensual read, full of details pertaining not only to scents, as might be expected, but also to foods and visual descriptors.” —BookRiot.com Praise for The Candid Life of Meena Dave Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Finalist A Texas Library Association 2023 Lariat Adult Fiction Selection “A thoroughly entertaining rendition of one woman’s search for belonging.” —Kirkus Reviews “Full of lively characters who will win readers’ hearts and keep them thinking long after the book is finished, this book is a genuine, charming debut. Long-buried secrets and a journey of self-discovery will keep the pages turning.” —Booklist “[A]n inherently fascinating and impressively scripted novel…” —Midwest Book Review “Namrata Patel’s debut is a delightful exploration of identity, community, and growth. I was drawn into Meena Dave’s captivating journey from the first pages and was rooting for her until the end. This poignant and witty story is perfect for book clubs!” —Saumya Dave, author of Well-Behaved Indian Women

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Book SynopsisA funny, warmhearted novel about falling in love, falling apart, and pulling it all together again by the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners. After three marriages and a lot of living, resilient Billie Slate knows exactly what trouble love can bring. Now she’s reinvented herself as the Heartbreak Bunny, an on-call performance artist who can heal anyone who’s been burned by that four-letter word, LOVE, by hopping about and whisking away sad mementos from their past relationships. Call it magic. Call it peculiar. But her bunny costume is as perfect as her breakup mantra: SNAP OUT OF IT. As Billie’s business goes viral and skyrockets her to sudden fame, her comfortable life turns surreal: her daughter’s marriage begins to fail, and Victor, aka Worst Husband Ever, wants not only to bond with the daughter he left but to win Billie back. Only, he’s got competition: a charming widower might be falling in love with a woman who no longer believes in love. As every romantic notion Billie had pushed away starts pushing back, the Heartbreak Bunny must confront the possibility that, just maybe, love has some tricks left up its sleeve.Trade Review“Snap Out of It is a laugh-out-loud delight from start to finish with characters that are drawn with a unique wisdom and insight into human nature. My heart is full, and I am still smiling. I absolutely loved this book.” —Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script “Maddie Dawson has a rare ability to craft quirky, offbeat characters that are also utterly believable. Dawson is at the top of her game with Snap Out of It, a magical, wise, tender, joyously relatable read. From the moment Billie the Heartbreak Bunny stepped onto the page, I felt as though I’d met a soulmate. There is only a handful of authors whose name on the cover elicits from me an automatic buy; Maddie Dawson is one of them.” —Marie Bostwick, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Restoration of Celia Fairchild “Maddie Dawson’s Snap Out of It is as delightful as it is original. Protagonist Billie Slate is on a one-woman mission to rid the world of unnecessary heartbreak—while dressed in a bunny suit. The consequences are both messy and magical. Dawson has given us an utterly charming story that manages to be both light and profound; it is a clear-eyed and sometimes laugh-out-loud look at the complications of grown-up love with an important lesson at its heart: healing is always possible when we keep our heart open to the possibilities of love.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings “Maddie Dawson just gets better and better. I utterly adored this fast-paced, big-hearted beauty of a book! It’s bursting with light and humor and hope, guaranteed to cure your blues or heartbreak or just make your day bright. I wish there was a Billie in everybody’s life.” —Barbara O’Neal, USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids “Maddie Dawson has done it again. Snap Out of It is the enchanting story of a woman on a mission to ease the pain of the lonely hearted while dealing with her own lifelong loves and losses. The modern mother-daughter relationship will sit in your head for weeks. Delightful and magical, Snap Out of It will snap you out of it—with the perfect witty and light-hearted book club read.” —Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Crazy to Leave You and Husbands and Other Sharp Objects “Where has Billie the Heartbreak Bunny been all my life? Maddie Dawson’s latest novel will have you arguing against the title only because you will want to fall deeper in rather than snapping out of it. Filled with heart, healing, laughter, and the complexities of modern families, Snap Out of It is a warm blanket of a novel that will make you believe in love and second chances at any age.” —Sara Goodman Confino, author of She’s Up to No Good “In Snap Out of It, Maddie Dawson proves once again she is truly the queen of hearts. Whimsical, quirky, and a touch magical, there is much to ponder in this captivating story as the Heartbreak Bunny cleans house. With guaranteed laughter and an ending that makes you cheer, this is the perfect story to warm any heart and be reminded it’s never too late for a second chance.” —Patricia Sands, bestselling author of the Love in Provence series “I was in at the premise: a sixty-year-old woman in a bunny suit hopping into people’s houses to remove the detritus of lost love so they can snap out of grief and get on with their lives? Yes, please. But wait—it gets better! Add in a supporting cast of delightfully quirky (but deeply human) characters, family drama, and an unexpected (and unwanted) romance, all sparkling with Dawson’s trademark touches of magic and found family, and you’ve got an absolute winner. Snap Out of It is a wise, funny, heartfelt novel filled with complex relationships and whimsical surprises—a book that leaves you better than it found you. Love it.” —Kerry Anne King, bestselling author of Improbably Yours

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Book SynopsisA richly rewarding novel about family bonds, the power of words, and the resilience of mothers and daughters in 1930s Appalachia. The folks in the Kentucky Appalachians are scraping by. Coal mining and hardscrabble know-how are a way of life for these isolated people. But when Amanda Rye, a young widowed mother and traveling packhorse librarian, comes through a mountain community hit hard by the nation’s economic collapse, she brings with her hope, courage, and apple pie. Along the way, Amanda takes a shine to the MacInteer family, especially to the gentle Rai; her quick-study daughter, Sass; and Finn, the eldest son who’s easy to warm to. They remind Amanda of her childhood and her parents with whom she longs to be reconciled. Her connection with the MacInteers deepens, and Amanda shares with them a dangerous secret from her past. When that secret catches up with Amanda in the present, she, Rai, Sass, and Finn find their lives intersecting—and threatened—in the most unexpected ways. Now they must come together as the truth lights a path toward survival, mountain justice, forgiveness, and hope.Trade Review“This moving tale of family bonds and the resilience of mothers and daughters is filled with rich period details, regional dialect, and fascinating local customs and foods…Readers of Kim Michele Richardson, Ann H. Gabhart, and Kim Vogel Sawyer will also enjoy this engaging historical novel.” —Booklist “A gorgeously written and well-layered novel that immediately transports us to the Appalachian Mountains of the 1930s. The ways, superstitions, folklore, and justice of the mountain people are woven deeply into the story. Rich in color, tradition, and character, this mountain saga will hold you spellbound.” —Historical Novels Review “A bright and vibrant debut. Light to the Hills is a touching meditation on motherhood and the importance of community, especially during difficult times. Bonnie Blaylock will be one to watch in the realm of historical fiction.” —Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow “The packhorse librarians of the 1930s opened up entirely new worlds to people through the power of literature, a power no better showcased than within these pages: the vibrant Appalachians, courageous women, and a moving tale of compassion, justice, and forgiveness. Lush and rich with detail in a setting like no other, Bonnie Blaylock’s Light to the Hills will transport readers, capturing not only the resilience of those living among the Appalachians but of the lasting and binding magic of stories.” —Gabriella Saab, author of The Last Checkmate “Bonnie Blaylock is a gifted author, and her Light to the Hills is an impressive debut. Set in the eastern Kentucky mountains during the Great Depression, Blaylock takes the reader into the lives of an Appalachian rural coal-mining family hit hard by hard times. Blaylock skillfully weaves a grand story of moonshiners, coal miners, tough people, regional language, a beautiful setting, danger, romance, and more than a little humor. The compelling characters in Light to the Hills will live with you long after you finish the last page. This is a beautiful novel, and I recommend it heartily!” —John Carenen, award-winning author of the Thomas O’Shea series and Keeping to Himself “Bonnie Blaylock’s Light to the Hills paints a loving, vivid portrait of the families, communities, and landscape of 1930s Appalachia. Its characters endeared themselves to me in their pluck and spirit, their attunement to the natural world, and their fierce love for one another. I wanted to stay immersed in their world.” —Susannah Felts, author of This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record and cofounder of Porch Writers’ Collective

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes the moving story of a man whose life is changed in an instant. How do you start again when you lose the only love you’ve ever known? When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly. In the depths of his heartbreak, Nick must find a way to navigate life that pleases his son, his in-laws, his family and his friends—while honouring what Kerry meant to them all. But when it comes to his own emotions, Nick doesn’t know where to begin. Kerry was his childhood sweetheart—but was she really the only one who could ever make him happy? And in the aftermath of tragedy, can Nick and his son find themselves again?Trade Review“Amanda Prowse manages to talk about [grief] with heartbreaking accuracy…It seems strange to call a book like this uplifting, but it really is.” —Yahoo! “A moving read.” —Bella “There’s sorrow and joy to be found in this emotional story.” —My Weekly “[An] absorbing and emotionally acute tale of grieving, family, and new beginnings. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure.” —The Lady magazine “…a moving story.” —Yours Magazine “Prowse writes about these life-changing situations with such finesse.” —Woman Magazine

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