Family life fiction / Stories about family

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Book SynopsisIt''s the 1980s, and art historian Claire Markham reels from a series of heartbreaking losses. Desperate to escape her shattered reality, she becomes an art guide in Europe for quirky stranger Viv Chancey and embarks on a life-changing journey through the art-filled cities of Milan, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena, Rome, and Paris. Once abroad, Claire tries to hide her woes by focusing on Vivs art education, but Viv-who is not who she seems-has a different learning experience in mind. Frustrated and wanting to reimagine her life, Claire embraces the idea of reality as illusion and finds herself slipping into the tales of art and history. When threatened with one more crushing loss, Claire must learn from the spirit of her eccentric companion and the lessons from the art they encounter to take charge of her life or lose the most precious thing in it. THE ART OF TRAVELING STRANGERS is a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment inspired by the great art masterpieces of Italy and France. It''s a tale of female bonding and the amazing powers of perception. After all, reality, like art, is just an illusion.

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Book SynopsisGarréta’s first novel in a decade follows the mania that descends upon a family when the father finds himself in possession of a concrete mixer. As he seeks to modernize every aspect of their lives, disaster strikes when the younger sister is subsumed by concrete. Through puns, wordplay, and dizzying verbal effect, Garréta reinvents the novel form and blurs the line between spoken and written language in an attempt to confront the elasticity of communication.Trade ReviewRecipient of the 2020 Hemingway Grant by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy "Oulipo member Garréta’s wonderfully strange latest (after Not One Day) chronicles the misfortunes that befall a family after the father receives a concrete mixer for his birthday... Ramadan, winner of the PEN Translation Prize, makes each of the pages sing. Fans of experimental fiction will find this delightful." –Publishers Weekly "Through a unique writing style where spelling mistakes coexist with onomatopoeias and saucy allusions, the border between spoken and written language gradually ceases to exist." —The Cultural Services of the French Embassy Praise for SphinxOne of Flavorwire’s Top 50 Independent Books of 2015 One of Entropy Magazine‘s Best Fiction Books of 2015 One of Bookriot‘s 100 Must-Read Books Translated From French One of FSG editor Jackson Howard’s favorite books of 2018 on FSG's blog Work in Progress “The set-up is such a classic, relatable tale of falling in — and out — of love that one wonders why gender has always been such a huge factor in how we discuss relationships, in fiction and otherwise. . . . So, the author, and the translator, created their own language, championing love and desire over power and difference.” — Maddie Crum, Huffington Post “Garréta’s aim was to overthrow gender binaries carried by language, and in light of recent demands by transgender groups to use gender neutral pronouns, Sphinx seems curiously prescient.” — Catherine Humble, The Times Literary Supplement (TLS) “…Sphinx highlights the already limiting nature of language when it comes to matters of gender, and of love.” — Stephanie Hayes, The Atlantic “The strength of [Sphinx] lies in its philosophical eloquence . . . Take away gender and race from the book, and what’s left? Love, viewed as a nihilistic transcendence . . . considerably more than a language game.” — Adam Mars-Jones, London Review of Books

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Book Synopsis“Mothers never die. Children love to resurrect us in they stories.”Folktales and spirits animate this lively and unforgettable coming-of-age tale of two Jamaican-Trinidadian sisters in Brooklyn grappling with their mother’s illness, their father''s infidelity, and the truth of their family''s pastSisters Zora and Sasha Porter are drifting apart. Bearing witness to their father’s violence and their mother’s worsening illness, an unsettled Zora escapes into her journal, dreaming of being a writer, while Sasha discovers sex and chest binding, spending more time with her new girlfriend than at home.But the sisters, like their parents, must come together to answer to something more ancient and powerful than they know—and reckon with a family secret buried in the past. A tale told from the perspective of a mischievous narrator, featuring the Rolling Calf who haunts butchers, Mama Dglo who lives in the ocean, a vain tiger, and an outsmarted snake, The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts is set in a world as alive and unpredictable as Helen Oyeyemi’s.Telling of the love between sisters who don’t always see eye to eye, this extraordinary debut novel is a celebration of the power of stories, asking, What happens to us when our stories are erased? Do we disappear? Or do we come back haunting?

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Book SynopsisA thrilling and propulsive novel of an Antarctica expedition gone wrong and its far-reaching consequences for the explorers and their families leaves the reader moved and subtly changed, as if she had become part of the story (Hilary Mantel). “McGregor’s depiction of speechlessness, both metaphorical and physical, makes the novel much more interesting than if he had provided a page-turner about a botched expedition in Antarctica . . . McGregor’s carefully composed dialogue, filled with the repetition of so few words, had an eerie effect on me: for several days my own inner dialogue was often composed of the same words, as though I, too, was discovering how they could express drastically different emotions yet remain unreadable to the world. —Yiyun Li, New York Review of BooksRemember the training: find shelter or make shelter, remain in place, establish contact with other members of the party, keep moving, keep calm. Robert 'Doc' Wright, a veteran of Antarctic surveying, was there on the ice when the worst happened. He holds within him the complete story of that night—but depleted by the disaster, Wright is no longer able to communicate the truth. Instead, in the wake of the catastrophic expedition, he faces the most daunting adventure of his life: learning a whole new way to be in the world. Meanwhile Anna, his wife, must suddenly scramble to navigate the sharp and unexpected contours of life as a caregiver.From the Booker Prize-longlisted, American Academy of Arts & Letters Award-winning author of Reservoir 13, this is a novel every bit as mesmerizing as its setting. Tenderly unraveling different notions of heroism through the rippling effects of one extraordinary expedition on an ordinary family, Lean Fall Stand explores the indomitable human impulse to turn our experiences into stories—even when the words may fail us.

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Book SynopsisAs her stultifying marriage is unravelling, and in the midst of mourning the loss of her creative self, Caro Tanner has a nightmare about Peter, an old love whom she hasn’t seen in twenty years. She takes this as a sign he still needs her. With her three children safely off to summer camp, Caro embarks on a pre-Facebook, pre-cell phone road trip to recapture who she once was and what she thinks she once had. Set in the rock ‘n roll ‘60s of Tucson, Arizona—when Caro and Peter were kooky, colorful, and inseparable drama students—and in the suburban ‘80s, when Caro’s creative spark has been quenched to serve the needs of her husband and children, So Happy Together explores the conundrum of love and physical attraction, creativity and family responsibilities, and what happens when they are out of sync. It is a story of missed opportunities, the alluring possibility of second chances, and what we leave behind, carry forward, and settle for when we choose. It sits in that complicated, confounding, beautiful place where love resides.Trade Review2022 American Writing Awards Finalist in Best New (Debut) Fiction and Fiction (Women’s Fiction)2022 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Marriage 2022 Firebird Book Awards Third Place Winner in New Fiction 2022 Firebird Book Awards Third Place Winner in Relationships “Shepherd takes us on a literal ride into the not-so-distant past, remembering how naïve we were before we understood there are things you just can’t change—even if you’re destined, even if you’re soulmates, even if you’re willing to risk everything . . . The reader will ache at the forced (and quite salty) sass of the young narrator, desperate to show it doesn’t hurt, and highly enjoy the ironic wit of the mature voice who knows better and goes for it all the same. A story for anyone who can relate to how we cling to a fantasy of the past to avoid committing to the present.” —Rita Dragonette, author of The Fourteenth of September “Many of us waste years fantasizing about a lost love, but the feisty heroine in So Happy Together takes to the road to track him down. This compelling novel is about how a smart and lusty drama student in the tumultuous ’60s discovers twenty years later that she’s trapped in a failing marriage. Shepherd’s engaging characters make mistakes, hurt, and lash out, yet ultimately clean up the mess with kindness and humor. Their search for understanding is what ultimately sets them free.” —Elizabeth Garber, author of Implosion: A Memoir of an Architect’s Daughter

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Book SynopsisIn her second novel, Valerie Taylor—award-winning author of What’s Not Said—gives readers another romantic comedy interwoven with forbidden love, infidelity, and family.With the court date set for her divorce and the future she’d planned with a younger man presumably kaput, Kassie O’Callaghan shifts attention to reviving her stalled marketing career. But that goal gets complicated when she unexpectedly rendezvous with her former lover in Paris. After a chance meeting with a colleague and a stroll along Pont Neuf, Kassie receives two compelling proposals. Can she possibly accept them both? Kassie’s decision process screeches to a halt when her soon-to-be ex-husband has a heart attack, forcing her to fly home to Boston. There, she confronts his conniving and deceitful fiancée—a woman who wants not just a ring on her finger but everything that belongs to Kassie. In the ensuing battle to protect what’s legally and rightfully hers, Kassie discovers that sometimes it’s what’s not true that can set you free.Trade Review2022 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Literary2022 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction (Women’s Fiction)2022 Maxy Awards Winner in Romance & Women's Fiction2022 Literary Titan Book Awards Gold Winner2022 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Romantic Comedy2021 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Series2021 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Chick-Lit2021 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Contemporary Fiction2021 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Marriage2021 Firebird Book Awards Second Place Winner in Romantic Comedy“Valerie Taylor’s prose is crystalline . . . she does not waste words, rather using them to create a tense, nerve-shredder that offers full entertainment to readers. What’s Not True is compelling, real, and utterly enjoyable.”—Readers’ Favorite 5-star review“What’s Not True is an engaging story of love, honesty, tangled family relationships, jealousy, and ambition. . . . As a beach reach and satisfying stand-alone sequel to What’s Not Said . . . What’s Not True expands upon many themes while staying true to the course of charting Kassie’s emotional and romantic growth.”—Midwest Book Review“This was a dramatic, comedic telenovela of a women’s fiction about infidelity and fickle hearts . . . Overall, this was an enjoyable read, with spicy characters and drama galore.”—Reedsy“What’s Not True is a heartwarming story that would make a great beach read, filled with plot twists and interesting characters. This captivating and romantic story is anything but predictable.”—Literary Titan 5-Star review“A sizzling sequel that stands on its own with quick-witted dialogue, steamy love scenes, and a landslide of secrets and lies—but woven throughout is a tender love story with a heroine you will never forget.”—Debra Thomas, author of the award-winning novel Luz“Once again Valerie Taylor draws the reader into a web of love, secrets, infidelity, and all the repercussions that follow. Taylor’s talent for weaving events that produce unexpected outcomes kept me on edge. There was no way for me to predict ‘what’s not true.’”—Heidi Daniele, author of The House Children

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Book SynopsisIt’s Pittsburgh, 1910—the golden age of steel in the land of opportunity. Eastern European immigrants Janos and Karina Kovac should be prospering, but their American dream is fading faster than the colors on the sun-drenched flag of their adopted country. Janos is exhausted from a decade of twelve-hour shifts, seven days per week, at the local mill. Karina, meanwhile, thinks she has found an escape from their run-down ethnic neighborhood in the modern home of a mill manager—until she discovers she is expected to perform the duties of both housekeeper and mistress. Though she resents her employer’s advances, they are more tolerable than being groped by drunks at the town’s boarding house.When Janos witnesses a gruesome accident at his furnace on the same day Karina learns she will lose her job, the Kovac family begins to unravel. Janos learns there are people at the mill who pose a greater risk to his life than the work itself, while Karina—panicked by the thought of returning to work at the boarding house—becomes unhinged and wreaks a path of destruction so wide that her children are swept up in the storm. In the aftermath, Janos must rebuild his shattered family with the help of an unlikely ally.Impeccably researched and deeply human, Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash delivers a timeless message about mental illness while paying tribute to the sacrifices America’s immigrant ancestors made.Trade Review2022 16th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards Winner in Historical Fiction 2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Historical2022 IPPY Awards Silver Winner in Mid-Atlantic (Best Regional Fiction)2022 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Book Awards Finalist2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Montaigne Medal Finalist2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Grand Prize Short List2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Honorable Mention in Historical Fiction2022 ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition Finalist2021 CIBA Goethe Book Awards Finalist in Post-1750s Historical Fiction“Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash exudes atmosphere and intrigue and gripped me from the very first page. . . . The storytelling in this novel is second to none, telling a gripping story of the struggle immigrants faced, whilst keeping twists and turns you won’t see coming that serve to keep the story engaging throughout.”—Readers’ Favorite 5-star review“A gripping, immersive story of immigrant grit in early 20th century America. Set against the grim backdrop of Western Pennsylvania’s steel mills and coal mines, Tammy Pasterick weaves an engrossing tale of poverty, desperation, and betrayal. Above all, Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is a tale of overcoming tragedy, and the transformative power of love. Pasterick’s deftly-wrought prose is nothing short of sublime.”—Tonya Mitchell, author of A Feigned Madness“The novel’s structure presents many short chapters from different points of view, giving energy to the complex exposition, which addresses such topics as mental illness, infertility, rape, and postpartum depression.”—Kirkus Reviews“Drawn from the author’s family archives, this richly-wrought family saga invites readers inside immigrant coal mining communities in early 20th century Western Pennsylvania. Gritty and riveting, Pasterick’s debut novel exposes the depths and lengths humans go to protect honor, family, and love.”—Ashley E. Sweeney, award-winning author of Answer Creek“At the turn into the 20th century, immigrants were forced to accept the most dangerous jobs to sustain their families. This is the unforgettable story of one such family, struggling to survive against unimaginable odds and heartbreaking challenges in the cruel mines of Pennsylvania.”—Kathryn Johnson, author of The Gentleman Poet“Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash tells the compelling and very human story of working class immigrants in early twentieth century America. Meticulously researched, the author’s compelling account captivates the reader, while also providing insight into the harsh and harrowing experience of immigrants coming to this country. In doing so, the book highlights the enormous strength and sacrifice required of those who came before us.”—Paul F. Clark, director and professor, School of Labor and Employment Relations, Penn State University“The novel presents a striking portrait of the constant danger and risks associated with immigrants working in the mines and factories of early 20th century industrial America.”—Professor Michael Kopanic, Jr., University of Maryland Global Campus"Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is a riveting, graphic etching of the impossible choices and unthinkable consequences forced upon early 20th century immigrant workers by a bigoted society bent on ensuring they had no other options. Pasterick’s vividly empathetic page-turner brings together an ensemble cast by turns relatable and reprehensible, drawn from a family history that could belong to countless American families. Heart wrenching, yes, but don’t turn away from this one. We have to read stories like this to truly know who we are as a nation.”—Ellen Notbohm, award-winning author of The River by Starlight

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Book SynopsisThirteen-year-old Evan Hanson is always the last in her family to know what’s going on—at least, that’s how it feels. Her father, Gene, who’s been meaner since he began serving in Vietnam, isn’t around much, and she likes it better that way. But then her brother, Adam, gets drafted and her anti-war mother, Endura, takes him across the border to Canada, leaving Evan alone with Gene and her younger, special needs brother, Teddy. When he realizes Endura isn’t returning, Gene takes Evan and Teddy to Eat and Get Gas, his mother’s café and gas station in Hoquiam, Washington. There, as well as her no-nonsense but loving grandma, Evan encounters Aunt Vivian, a teasing but caring know-it-all; Uncle Frankie, injured in Vietnam and suffering from PTSD; Paco, the draft dodger Frankie is hiding; Hal and Hubert, the strange but gentle next-door neighbors who play the piano like virtuosos and help out when they’re needed; and Louanne, Frankie’s reserved, sensitive sister. She is drawn in particular to Louanne, who was disfigured by a car accident that killed the rest of her and Frankie’s family. At Eat and Get Gas, Evan finds a new freedom, and she starts to carve out a place for herself by helping in the café and sorting mail for Uncle Frankie, who runs a postal route in addition to running the gas station. She eventually, too, learns some of the family secrets she’s been kept in the dark about—and comes to understand that her mother isn’t coming back any time soon. Then, after reading a letter that wasn’t meant for her, Evan discovers the biggest secret of all.Trade Review“Tender moments of genuine connection mix with hard truths in Eat and Get Gas, a poignant coming-of-age novel in which a teenager from a complicated family forges new, life-giving bonds.”—Foreword Reviews“J.A. Wright’s second novel reprises her brilliance in creating the authentic voice of a young narrator who grips the reader in a story that is often painful but always mesmerizing . . . . The writing is lean and penetrating, with enough depth to allow the reader to feel Evan’s hopes and dreams along with the searing pain of a young girl taking command of her challenging life. Evan’s resilience and emerging grace is a balm amidst the wounded world she comes from, and Eat and Get Gas is a welcome antidote to the unremitting pessimism of our time.” —Barbara Stark-Nemon, author of award-winning author of Even in Darkness and Hard Cider“J.A. Wright’s uncanny ability to place the reader at the very center of 13-year-old Evan’s head captured me, from page one. Evoking 1970’s America and the long reach of the Vietnam War, Evan’s confused, loyal, angry, lonely, and forgiving coming-of-age as she finds her place in the heart of a colorful cast of characters at ‘Eat and Get Gas’ kept me from sleep right up to the perfectly pitched ending.”—Jenni Ogden, award-winning author of A Drop in the Ocean and Call My Name “Storytelling at its best, Eat And Get Gas grabs the reader from page one and doesn’t let go. Daily, life confirms for Evan that people can disappoint us even when they love us. But she has three things going for her: soothing music from the pianists next door, the skating rink, and a honeybee bracelet. The unexpected twist at the end is oh-so-worth the wait!”—Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson novels“It’s 1972 and thirteen-year-old Evan has her hands full. Her old brother is a draft dodger; her mother is ill; her baby brother has a learning disability; and her father, a Vietnam vet, has another family overseas. When Evan’s mother and brother head for Canada, Evan’s father takes her to his family home in Hoquiam, Washington. As she waits for her mother’s return, surrounded by a cast of quirky characters and damaged adults, Evan learns a new definition of family, the cost of untold secrets, and the value of her burgeoning self-esteem. A powerful story about a sad chapter in America’s history that is thoroughly modern, relevant, and inspiring.”—Anne Leigh Parrish, author of An Open Door “Eat and Get Gas is a compelling and affecting read that highlights experiences I haven’t often seen in fiction. This masterful study of family acts as a microcosm of Vietnam War–era America and expresses extremely well the way the trauma of this war reverberates deeply and widely. The book hums with a deep sense of love, in complicated and sometimes painful situations, and describes a group of people loving each other in ways that are complicated and poignant.”—Pip Adam, author of Nothing to See, The New Animals, I'm Working on a Building, and the short-story collection Everything We Hoped For“Great cast of characters, a compelling story, and convincingly told.”—Joe Bennett, New Zealand columnist and travel writerPast Praise for the author, for How to Grow An Addict:2016 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS - WINNER IN ADDICTION & RECOVERY2016 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS (NIEA)- WINNER IN ADDICTION & RECOVERY 2016 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS (IPPY)- BRONZE MEDAL — LITERARY FICTION 2015 FOREWARD REVIEWS INDIEFAB BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS HONORABLE MENTION FOR GENERAL FICTION 2015 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS FINALIST FOR GENERAL FICTION“Wright deftly and insightfully describes how a life can spiral toward addiction and rehab. The story is raw and touching and I found myself rooting for Randall as she navigates redemption and sobriety. A gritty and honest read.” —Susie Orman Schnall, award-winning author of On Grace and The Balance Project“Wright dares to stomp where others only lightly tread, and does so with grace, craft, and an unusual ease. This is not a sob story about abuse, damage, and addiction, it’s a story of how bravery, self-recognition, and the desire for happiness slap the former in the face and gleam with hope. A great read and lesson for anyone who’s been there, hopes to get elsewhere, or simply needs to read a story that resonates.” —Maria Kostaki, author of Pieces: A Novel

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Book SynopsisFrom Icelandic author Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir comes a heart-wrenching thriller about a woman’s desperate quest to save the people she loves from a natural disaster. After an eight-hundred-year slumber, the volcanoes in Iceland’s most populated region are showing signs of life. Earthquakes dominate the headlines. Echoes of the devastating eruptions in the past stir unease in the people. Volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir has spent her entire life studying the volcanic powers under the earth’s crust, but even she cannot fathom the catastrophe at hand. As a series of eruptions threaten most of Iceland’s population, she’s caught off her rational guard by the most terrible natural disaster of all—love. The world as she knows it is about to fall apart, and so is her heart. Caught between the safety of a nation and her feelings for her children, her lover, and her past, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to save the lives of the people she loves—and her soul.Trade Review“This fiercely wrought thriller from Björnsdóttir perfectly balances science and psychology…Björnsdóttir smoothly integrates geological and historical information about Iceland’s volcanos into the action. This explosive tale of adulterous passion is not just for Scandi noir fans.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) “[Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir] weaves together the hearts of men and the hearts of the earth and the magma of the earth and does it so wonderfully. The Fires is a huge success. Such a profound, well-thought-out, romantic thriller.” —Kiljan, Iceland’s foremost literary TV program “A shocking love story as well as an existential speculation about the role of the mother, but first and foremost it is an extremely accomplished thriller.” —Víðsjá “The Fires is a thriller, a love story, and a tragedy. It is absolutely fantastic, though one cannot help but hope that Reykjanes will not start to shake and tremble with as much force as in the book…The Fires is a must read. Except maybe for those who are very terrified of earthquakes.” —Morgunblaðið (5 stars)

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Book SynopsisFrom Icelandic author Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir comes a heart-wrenching thriller about a woman’s desperate quest to save the people she loves from a natural disaster. After an eight-hundred-year slumber, the volcanoes in Iceland’s most populated region are showing signs of life. Earthquakes dominate the headlines. Echoes of the devastating eruptions in the past stir unease in the people. Volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir has spent her entire life studying the volcanic powers under the earth’s crust, but even she cannot fathom the catastrophe at hand. As a series of eruptions threaten most of Iceland’s population, she’s caught off her rational guard by the most terrible natural disaster of all—love. The world as she knows it is about to fall apart, and so is her heart. Caught between the safety of a nation and her feelings for her children, her lover, and her past, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to save the lives of the people she loves—and her soul.Trade Review“This fiercely wrought thriller from Björnsdóttir perfectly balances science and psychology…Björnsdóttir smoothly integrates geological and historical information about Iceland’s volcanos into the action. This explosive tale of adulterous passion is not just for Scandi noir fans.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) “[Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir] weaves together the hearts of men and the hearts of the earth and the magma of the earth and does it so wonderfully. The Fires is a huge success. Such a profound, well-thought-out, romantic thriller.” —Kiljan, Iceland’s foremost literary TV program “A shocking love story as well as an existential speculation about the role of the mother, but first and foremost it is an extremely accomplished thriller.” —Víðsjá “The Fires is a thriller, a love story, and a tragedy. It is absolutely fantastic, though one cannot help but hope that Reykjanes will not start to shake and tremble with as much force as in the book…The Fires is a must read. Except maybe for those who are very terrified of earthquakes.” —Morgunblaðið (5 stars)

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Book SynopsisIn this rapturous coming-of-age debut, a naive-yet-determined Appalachian boy will go to any length to save his family over the course of one life-changing summer. “If you’re famous, you don’t have to go to war.” Summer 1968. When thirteen-year-old Jack Elliot overhears the barbershop men grousing, he devises a secret plan to keep his oldest brother, Pete, from the draft. If famous boys don’t go to war, he’ll make his brother their small town’s biggest celebrity. Jack gets unexpected help when his book-smart cousin Frankie arrives in their rural Pennsylvania town for the summer. Together, they convince Jack’s brothers to lead an expedition to find a fighter jet that crashed many winters ago—the perfect adventure to make Pete a hero. But with a greedy developer determined to flood their valley, a beautiful girl occupying his middle brother’s attentions, a wild motorcycle gang causing trouble in town, and a disturbed neighbor setting fires, Jack realizes it isn’t just Pete who needs saving. Set during a single, tumultuous summer, this beautifully told tale is a heartwarming tribute to innocence, first love, and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.Trade Review“A wonderfully evocative coming-of-age tale about a young boy’s determination to hold on to all he holds dear during the tumultuous sixties in rural America. The setting and the time period are perfectly captured, but it was the characters in Last Summer Boys that really pulled me in. I found myself rooting for these boys from the first page to the last in this unforgettable debut novel that’s sure to capture your heart, too.” —Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Every Now and Then and Whistling in the Dark “Over the course of one life-changing summer, one boy will do whatever it takes to save his oldest brother from the draft. But when other hurdles arise that threaten his family, he’ll summon every ounce of his courage and strength to try to protect them all. Part coming-of-age tale, part adventure narrative, this heartwarming and uplifting debut is perfect for fans of William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land or the beloved film Stand by Me (adapted from Stephen King’s The Body).” —Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and The World Played Chess

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Book SynopsisFrom Melissa Payne, bestselling author of The Night of Many Endings, comes an emotional and suspenseful novel about the weight of secrets and the healing power of friends and family. Vega Jones escapes an abusive relationship with nothing but her two-month-old baby and the van she grew up in. Her destination is a small Ohio town her late vagabond mother left years ago. It’s one full of nobodies, her mother warned. That makes it the ideal refuge for Vega to lie low, feel safe, and maybe learn more about a past her mother never spoke of. Vega warms to the town and to new acquaintances like Heff, the young deputy and artist who prefers his yard art to actual policing, and empathetic Eve, a local farmer whose near-death experience gave her more than just her life back. But even in this welcoming community, there’s an undercurrent of something unsettled, talk of a tragedy that unfolded in the woods years ago, and a mystery connected to Vega in ways she couldn’t have anticipated. As a mother on the run and following a path of mounting risks and illuminating secrets, Vega discovers that even during the darkest of times, there’s light in unexpected places.Trade Review“The authentic characters and their realistic struggles make this introspective tale entirely believable. Vega’s resilience is sure to endear her to readers.” —Publishers Weekly “A Light in the Forest is a thrilling portrait of women finding their footing when all odds seem stacked against them. ” —BookTrib

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Book SynopsisIn the wake of a personal tragedy, four women face the past, their futures, and each other in a novel of broken ties and healing by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids. When famed chef Augustus Beauvais dies, he leaves behind a celebrated reputation—and four women grappling with loss, anger, pain, and the question of how the world will turn without him… Meadow, the ex-wife with whom Augustus built an empire—and a family—still holds a place for him in her heart, even as she continues to struggle with his infidelities, which ended their twenty-year marriage. More unforgiving is Maya, his estranged daughter, who’s recently out of rehab but finally ready to reclaim her life. Norah, his latest girlfriend, sidelined her own career for unexpected love and a life of luxury, both of which are now gone with Augustus. And then there’s Rory, Meadow’s daughter, the voice of calm and reason in a chorus of discontent. As Meadow, Maya, Norah, and Rory are flung together by tragedy, grief, and secrets yet to be revealed, they must accept—or turn away from—the legacy of great intentions and bad decisions Augustus left them. And when the circumstances around his death are called into question, their conflicted feelings become even more complicated. But moving forward is the only choice they have, and to do so, they’ll need to rely on family, friendship, and inner strength. Set on the stunning, rugged California coastline, This Place of Wonder is an emotional, lush, and empowering story of four women finding their way in a changed world—and what a wondrous journey it will be.Trade Review“Kristin Hannah readers will thoroughly enjoy the family dynamic, especially the mother-daughter relationships.” —Booklist (starred review) “Barbara O’Neal’s latest novel is simply delicious. Engrossing, empathetic, and profoundly moving, I savored every sentence of this story of several very different women who find solace and second chances in each other after tragedy (though not before facing some hard truths and, yes, a few rock bottoms). This Place of Wonder is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.” —Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Everything Must Go “I have never much moved in the elevated circles of California farm-to-table cuisine, but O’Neal makes me feel like I’m there. Rather than simply skewering the pretensions, This Place of Wonder pinpoints the passions. Some of these characters have been elevated to celebrity, some are newcomers to the scene, but all are drawn together by the sensuality, the excitement, and ultimately the care that food brings them. Elegiac but also forward-looking, this is a book about eating, but more than that, it’s a book about hurt and healing and women finding their way together. I loved every moment of it.” —Julie Powell, author of Julie & Julia and Cleaving “This Place of Wonder is a wonderfully moving tale about four women whose journeys are all connected by one shared love: some are romantic, some are familial, but all are deeply complicated. Dealing with loss, love, hidden secrets, and second chances, this stirring tale is utterly engaging and ultimately hopeful. Set along the rugged California coastline, This Place of Wonder will sweep you away with the intoxicating scents, bold flavors, and sweeping views of the region and transport you to a world you won’t be in any hurry to leave.” —Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisIn this charming novel from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Gift, food was once the language of Evie’s soul. Now, can she remember the recipe for happiness? Revised edition: Previously published as The French for Christmas, this edition of The Recipe for Hope includes editorial revisions. Evie’s running away: from her soon-to-be ex-husband’s shiny new life, from the devastating loss of her baby last year, from a memory-filled London and, most particularly, from Christmas. A remote cottage in the South of France seems like the perfect peaceful place to soothe her sorrows. But the countryside soon proves anything but quiet, from the rooster crowing at dawn to the barn owl hooting through the night—not to mention Evie’s handsome neighbour, doctor Didier, who works away in his garage at all hours. Unexpectedly, the sights and sounds of life amid the sparkling beauty of the Dordogne give Evie a renewed sense of inspiration, and with her French grandmother’s recipe book for company, she begins to rediscover her love of cooking. Soon, the tight-knit community begins to enfold her, reminding Evie what really matters in life. But are Didier’s gorgeous blue eyes on more than Evie’s delicious dinners? And can a cancelled Christmas—complete with a Not-Christmas feast for two—heal her heart?

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Book SynopsisIn this tale of fresh starts in the Escape to France collection from bestselling author Fiona Valpy, Gina has lost everything. Can a crumbling old cottage offer her a new life, new love—and new hope? Revised edition: Previously published as The French for Love, this edition of Light Through the Vines includes editorial revisions. Gina’s London life lies in tatters: she has lost her father, her steady job as a wine buyer and her suave but unfaithful boyfriend. When she also suffers the loss of her beloved aunt, a silver lining dawns in the shape of an unexpected legacy: Aunt Liz has left Gina her beautiful, if slightly ramshackle, house in the heart of Bordeaux wine country. With nothing left to lose, Gina takes a chance on a fresh start. Throwing herself into her new life in the beautiful French countryside, Gina discovers the warmth of a close-knit—sometimes too close-knit—rural community and the exhausting exhilaration of the grape harvest under the late-summer sun. But just as she is beginning to feel like she belongs in her crumbling but charming home, she uncovers a long-hidden secret that makes her question the one person she used to trust the most. While she’s worrying that this is a sign to pack her bags and run, a storm blows a hole in the roof, and Gina finds herself with nowhere else to turn except her neighbour’s capable son for help. Before long Gina finds herself admiring handsome Cédric for more than just his stonemasonry skills…But everyone she’s ever held dear has left her or betrayed her. And as the grapes ripen on the vine, can Gina find her way to forgiveness, and could it finally be time for her to open her heart to love again?

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Book SynopsisThe truth behind a teenage girl’s disappearance becomes something to conceal in a gripping novel about justice, lies, and impossible choices by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde. When nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, everyone has an opinion. Only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the real story. Norma’s already found Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her. If he ever sees her again. To protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma quietly delivers the girl to her grateful parents in California, even though she’s conflicted. Keeping Jill safe and hidden from Jake, the press, and the public will be their secret. But secrets can’t last forever. Five years later, the disappearance stirs a new media frenzy when Jake is arrested for the murder of Jill Moss—and Norma knows he didn’t kill her. As Jake is about to stand trial, lust for retribution inflames public opinion and Jill’s family refuses to come forward, forcing Norma to make a life-changing decision. What are the consequences if she stays silent? And what are the risks if she dares to finally tell the truth?Trade Review“Prolific author Hyde raises thorny issues around domestic violence, examines the power of misplaced guilt, and illustrates the bonds of shared experience in her take on a ripped-from-the-headlines story. Her characteristic empathy is on full display…” —Booklist “In Catherine Ryan Hyde’s gripping novels, ordinary people become extraordinary because of their determination to do the right thing…No matter which Hyde book you read, life after that reading seems just a bit different, a bit more satisfying and a bit more hopeful.” —Bookreporter

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Book SynopsisA thrilling story of wealth, power and the true cost of ‘having it all’. Because sometimes the price of the perfect life…is death. In cosmopolitan Johannesburg, three high-flying couples form the core of the elite Khula Society: part investment group, part social club, with meetings where the champagne flows, the dresses are designer and the one-upmanship is off the scale. Noma, Moshidi, Lerato and their husbands are living the dream—or so it appears from the outside. In reality, the cut and thrust of ‘keeping up with the Khulas’ is taking its toll on all three couples. Behind the facade of their ocean-front mansions, Italian supercars and lavishly catered receptions lies a tangle of explosive secrets—and deadly consequences. But as long as every member toes the line, plays the role they’re here to play, the dark truth remains crushed beneath the heels of so many Louboutins… That is until, in her bid to have it all and more, one of these rich and powerful women oversteps the mark—with someone else’s man. The group soon comes to learn that you can’t have it all without paying the ultimate price… Revised edition: Previously published as Critical But, Stable, this edition of Critical But Stable includes editorial revisions.

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Book SynopsisFrom a delightful new voice in fiction comes the story of a stay-at-home dad reclaiming his past and discovering a new future. Jack Parker didn’t set out to be a stay-at-home dad, but his professional dreams went up in smoke after he accidentally burned down his office building. Six years later, Jack’s got parenting his two kids down cold. Then comes an unwelcome blast from Jack’s past: high school nemesis Chad Henson. He beat out Jack for class president, stole his girlfriend, and never had so much as a pimple in his four years of adolescent bliss. Now Chad has moved to the same midwestern town Jack calls home. When Jack learns Chad is running for president of his daughter’s school board, he decides to run to settle old scores. But parent politics prove more cutthroat than Jack could have imagined, and he’s facing unexpected challenges in his marriage, too, forcing him to question his role in the family. Suddenly, the election is about more than Jack’s past. It’s an opportunity to discover the person he wants to become. People grow up, but some high school rivalries never die. It’s time Chad Henson got schooled once and for all—and for Jack to learn a few things of his own.Trade Review“Introducing a witty new voice in literary fiction, Schooled explores the uneasiness that comes with trading high-powered business lunches for leftover macaroni and cheese and the importance of taking the little wins wherever you can find them.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisA sweeping, emotional tale of hope and perseverance, Swan Light weaves together the stories of two people separated by a century but connected by family, purpose, and one extraordinary lighthouse. 1913. Eighty-three-year-old Silvestre Swan has dedicated his life to the care of his Newfoundland lighthouse. His petition to relocate Swan Light from its precarious cliff’s edge is going unheard by town patriarch Cort Roland—that is, until a terrible storm brings an unlikely ally into Swan’s life. But is it too late for the stone lighthouse? 2014. Marine archaeologist Mari Adams’s attempts to fund her search for the notorious SS Californian are realized when she accepts a job to find the remains of Swan Light, rumored to have collapsed into the sea one hundred years ago. She teams up with salvager Julian Henry, and the pair unearth more than they bargained for in their search for the ruins. But when a group of treasure hunters threatens their mission, their hunt for the truth turns dangerous. As past and present collide, the secrets hiding on the ocean floor begin to surface. Can Mari find the answers she is looking for—and at what price?Trade Review“In this phenomenal first novel, the lighthouse at Norman Cliffs is not only a beacon to guide foundering vessels to safety, it is a comforting light in the darkness. It speaks to those who listen. While it stands, it lives.” —Historical Novels Review “There is nothing not to love about Phoebe Rowe’s debut novel. Flawlessly researched and wholly immersive, Swan Light is a story about the importance of honoring the past. Rowe writes beautifully and takes readers on a journey to places both old and new, reminding us that sometimes the things we’re looking for are looking for us too.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings “Phoebe Rowe expertly interlaces the fascinating world of competitive shipwreck searching with a wonderful mystery about a vanished lighthouse. Two protagonists and two timelines can be tricky to pull off, but Rowe does so with aplomb in this excellent debut—I adored both the lighthouse keeper Silvestre Swan and the intrepid diver Mari Adams. I highly recommend this delightful novel.” —Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Edward “Phoebe Rowe’s descriptive writing in Swan Light transports readers to the harsh Newfoundland coast of the nineteenth century during the time when lighthouses rose from cliffs and harbors to both welcome and warn sailors. A story rooted in love and loss, the characters’ lives are woven together like a fishnet, drawing to the surface secrets that were buried beneath the waves for generations. Swan Light drew me in from the first stone dropped into the sea by the young Silvestre Swan and carried me through Mari Adams’s journey to unravel the mystery of the light and the people whose lives were intricately connected to its fate.” —Jean E. Pendziwol, bestselling author of The Lightkeeper’s Daughters “A wonderfully absorbing story that swept me away to Newfoundland and the mystery of a lost lighthouse and secrets hidden beneath the ocean. With a gentle narrative and rich atmosphere, Rowe creates subtle tension, keeping the reader guessing as the dual timelines and cast of characters tangle and entwine. Swan Light is an accomplished debut by a writer I look forward to reading much more from.” —Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

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Book SynopsisA bighearted novel about motherhood, friendship, moving on, and love of all kinds. Ever since Beth Bailey was a girl, she’s been in love with her best friend’s older brother, Mark. She’s continued to hold out hope that maybe, someday, he’ll love her back. But now Beth is thirty-five years old, and on the day of Mark’s wedding to another woman, she finally accepts the wake-up call she needs to move on. Beth’s dream of marrying her first love may be over, but her other biggest desire is still within reach: becoming a mother. Having lost her own parents very young, there’s nothing Beth wants more in life, and nothing she’ll stop at to make her wish come true. Over the course of five years, and with unexpected twists along the way, Beth will come to startling realisations about family, friendship, the meaning of love, and most importantly, herself on the winding path to happiness and, she hopes, to motherhood.Trade Review“Kitty Johnson’s Five Winters features such a warm, relatable protagonist in Beth and is a wonderful story about finding yourself—and love, of course! I very much enjoyed this read.” —Emily Stone, author of Always in December “This book is such a tonic. Entertaining characters, a heartwarming story line, and an ending guaranteed to make you smile.” —Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Impossible to Forget “Told in a fresh and original voice, Five Winters is a moving and hopeful study of one woman’s quest for love and motherhood. Readers will adore Beth and cheer for her all the way. Kitty Johnson’s book follows the tradition of all the best Christmas books: it gives you that warm feeling that, if you try hard enough, you can make all your dreams come true.” —Anita Hughes, author of A Magical New York Christmas

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Book SynopsisSpanning decades, an unforgettable novel about reckoning with the past, the true nature of friendship, and the dream of finding home. 1944, Poland. Jacob Stein and Zalman Mendelson meet as boys under terrifying circumstances. They survive by miraculously escaping, but their shared past haunts and shapes their lives forever. Years later, Zalman plows a future on a Minnesota farm. In Brooklyn, Jacob has a new life with his wife, Esther. When Zalman travels to New York City to reconnect, Jacob's hopes for the future are becoming a reality. With Zalman's help, they build a house for Jacob's family and for Zalman, who decides to stay. Modest and light filled, inviting and warm with acceptance--for all of them, it's a castle to call home. Then an unforeseeable tragedy--and the grief, betrayals, and revelations in its wake--threatens to destroy what was once an unbreakable bond, and Esther finds herself at a crossroads. A Castle in Brooklyn is a moving and heartfelt immigration story about finding love and building a home and family while being haunted by a traumatic past.

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Book SynopsisSpanning decades, an unforgettable novel about reckoning with the past, the true nature of friendship, and the dream of finding home. 1944, Poland. Jacob Stein and Zalman Mendelson meet as boys under terrifying circumstances. They survive by miraculously escaping, but their shared past haunts and shapes their lives forever. Years later, Zalman plows a future on a Minnesota farm. In Brooklyn, Jacob has a new life with his wife, Esther. When Zalman travels to New York City to reconnect, Jacob's hopes for the future are becoming a reality. With Zalman's help, they build a house for Jacob's family and for Zalman, who decides to stay. Modest and light filled, inviting and warm with acceptance--for all of them, it's a castle to call home. Then an unforeseeable tragedy--and the grief, betrayals, and revelations in its wake--threatens to destroy what was once an unbreakable bond, and Esther finds herself at a crossroads. A Castle in Brooklyn is a moving and heartfelt immigration story about finding love and building a home and family while being haunted by a traumatic past.

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Book SynopsisA daughter discovers the dramatic history that shaped her mother’s secret life in an emotional and immersive novel by Zhang Ling, the bestselling author of A Single Swallow. There was rarely a time when Phoenix Yuan-Whyller’s mother, Rain, didn’t live with her. Even when Phoenix got married, Rain, who followed her from China to Toronto, came to share Phoenix’s life. Now at the age of eighty-three, Rain’s unexpected death ushers in a heartrending separation. Struggling with the loss, Phoenix comes across her mother’s suitcase—a memory box Rain had brought from home. Inside, Phoenix finds two old photographs and a decorative bottle holding a crystallized powder. Her auntie Mei tells her these missing pieces of her mother’s early life can only be explained when they meet, and so, clutching her mother’s ashes, Phoenix boards a plane for China. What at first seems like a daughter’s quest to uncover a mother’s secrets becomes a startling journey of self-discovery. Told across decades and continents, Zhang Ling’s exquisite novel is a tale of extraordinary courage and survival. It illuminates the resilience of humanity, the brutalities of life, the secrets we keep and those we share, and the driving forces it takes to survive.Trade Review“Zhang’s strengths in Where Waters Meet are her intriguing interwoven plot; vivid, surprising characters; and evocation of the political crises during Chunyu’s lifetime.” —Historical Novels Review “This emotional and heartbreaking novel is a tale of courage, survival, and human resilience in the face of war and repression.” —Booklist “A stunning, gorgeous novel. Zhang Ling’s Where Waters Meet is haunting and heartbreaking as it navigates mother-daughter relationships in the face of war and famine. I simply couldn’t put it down.” —Devi S. Laskar, author of The Atlas of Reds and Blues and Circa “Where Waters Meet brings us back to the turbulent decades in China where people fought one war after another, suffered famine, and endured political persecutions. However, instead of focusing on misery, Zhang Ling introduces us to those who defy their fates. They are brave enough to try sneaking across the border, determined enough to adopt a foreign tongue, and kind enough to care for their families no matter what. A true masterpiece filled with idiosyncratic yet admirable characters, suspenseful mystery, historical complexity, and ironic humor.” —Jianan Qian, O. Henry Prize winner and staff writer at The Millions

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Book SynopsisFrom India to America, a woman’s search for family, home, and self becomes a journey of secrets and forgiveness in a powerful novel by the author of No Ordinary Thursday. At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and events company. Gia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. It’s Gia’s first real job; her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan; and her first romance with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive.

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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 SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Kindness of Strangers comes a poignant and life-affirming novel about our connections to the past, and the promise for the future during the least promising of times. Grieving but feisty widow Vivian Laurent is at a late-in-life crossroads. The man she loved is gone. Their only daughter is estranged and missing. And the assisted-living facility where her husband died is going into quarantine. Living in lockdown with only heartache and memories is something Vivian can’t bear. Then comes a saving grace. Luna, a compassionate nursing assistant and newly separated mother, is facing eviction. Vivian has a plan that could turn their lives around: return to her old home and invite Luna and her two children to move in with her. With the exuberant eleven-year-old Wren in her hot-pink motorized wheelchair and Wren’s troubled older brother, Cooper, the new housemates make for an unlikely pandemic pack, weathering the coming storm together. Now it’s time to heal old wounds, make peace with the past, find hope and joy, and discover that the strongest bonds can get anyone through the worst of times.Trade Review“With compassion, candor, and humor, Katrina Kittle explores how a ragtag group of people on the verge can redefine what it means to be a family, in all its messy unpredictability. Told through multiple perspectives, this life-affirming, heartwarming novel captures the unlikely friendships and connections that can emerge out of perilous circumstances—and ultimately make life worth living.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles “Morning in This Broken World is a heartfelt take on the family we’re born with, the family we choose, and the messy, beautiful intersections between the two. Katrina Kittle gifts us with an unforgettable protagonist, an endearing supporting cast, and a moving story about what it really means to call a place ‘home.’ The world would be a better (and dare I say less broken) place if it were filled with more novels like this one.” —Jessica Strawser, author of A Million Reasons Why “Katrina Kittle’s latest novel puts a moment in our collective memory into a context so comforting, so beautiful, and so hopeful that it is impossible not to look back on that time in a new light. Morning in This Broken World offers an emotional read full of heart-stirring highs and cathartic sorrows. I am buying stock in tissues before this novel comes out.” —Kelly Harms, bestselling author of Wherever the Wind Takes Us “There are very few writers who can address the human condition in such a thoughtful and poignant way as Katrina Kittle. If you are looking to escape into a wonderfully diverse and entertaining world, this book is exactly what you are looking for as a reader.” —Angela Jackson-Brown, author of The Light Always Breaks “Morning in This Broken World is a heartening reminder that even early in the COVID-19 pandemic, joy found a way to persist. Without contrivance or sentimentality, Kittle gives us a cast of characters who fight to be their best selves against terrible odds—both personal and global—armed with humor, hope, and the strength of human connection. This novel is in some ways an apocalypse story and, like the best of them, a powerful reminder of what we have to live for.” —Erin Flanagan, Edgar-winning author of Deer Season and Blackout “Kittle has written a beautiful and emotional novel about the families we choose to create when we need them the most. This is a novel that celebrates love and hope and why we matter to one another.” —Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left Undone

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Book SynopsisA bighearted romantic comedy about family and finding the perfect match set against the exuberant backdrop of contemporary Delhi. Home has always been a temporary arrangement for Samara Mansingh, a wayfaring wedding photographer and the daughter of a diplomat. When her father is uprooted once again, Samara needs a place to stay in Delhi. Next stop: the Khanna family. Samara’s memories of the Khannas are vague at best, but she doesn’t remember their home feeling so much like a war zone. And the last thing their surly eldest son, Sharav, wants is a houseguest eavesdropping on the chaos. Sharav has a melodramatic sister pushing back on an arranged marriage, a withdrawn lead-singer brother who won’t sing, and a widowed mother hiding her grief in the garden. Sweeping into the household like a tornado, irrepressible Samara is a practically perfect distraction. She has a mind to help a girl find true love, push a young man to find his voice, and bring a lonely and loving widow out of mourning. Maybe Samara can even get on Sharav’s ruggedly handsome good side. The only sure thing is that the Khanna family will never be the same again. Neither will Samara, who may finally find what she’s been missing her entire life: a home.Trade Review“This quick-paced and refreshing tale will have readers rooting for Samara and Sharav’s love story—and for the entire Khanna clan.” —Publishers Weekly “Filled with quirky and lovable characters and sexual chemistry so hot it will leave you breathless. Unputdownable and delightful—a must read!” —Sonali Dev, bestselling author of The Vibrant Years “Never Meant to Stay is a sumptuously layered feast for the senses—part fam-dram, part romance. Trisha Das portrays Indian family dynamics with thoughtful, tender care, especially the ways in which love gets tangled up with past hurts, romantic relationships, and familial and societal expectations. As much about belonging as it is falling in love, Never Meant to Stay follows Samara Mansingh, a transient Mary Poppins–esque heroine who (unlike Poppins herself) is very much meant to stay. Das writes the Khanna family with empathy and warmth, from their squabbles to the fierce way they claim Samara as one of their own. Das’s Delhi setting bursts onto the page with vibrancy, with almost every chapter liberally sprinkled with dishes you’ll salivate for. You’ll gobble up this book.” —Lillie Vale, author of Wrapped with a Beau and The Shaadi Set-Up

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters fulfilling their grandfather’s dying wish uncover decades of secrets in a powerful novel about family, truth, and forgiveness. Dallas, Dealey Plaza, 1963. Nineteen-year-old Mariah Byrne is following her dream of a career in photography. One moment she’s filled with joy and hope watching the president and Mrs. Kennedy drive past. In the next, the world—and Mariah’s life—is split into before and after. What follows, and the unconventional decisions Mariah makes, will affect her and her family forever. Sixty years later, sisters Raine and Jessica grieve the death of their grandfather. For both his beloved grand girls, Papa leaves behind a last wish and an unexpected keepsake: the key to their grandmother Mariah’s hope chest. Explore its contents, he writes, and follow where they lead. But what secrets can their family history possibly hold? Raine and Jessica unite to piece together the mystery of a past they never knew existed. But facts can’t reveal the whole story. With Mariah’s memories fading, the sisters struggle to understand her choices before the truth disappears forever.Trade Review“This poignant novel tells of trauma, abuse, young love, secrets, lies and estranged family…A lovely story of family dynamics told with warmth and understanding.” —Historical Novels Review “A riveting and emotional read! Langston takes us on a generational journey of discovery, uncovering secrets that threaten to tear a family apart. Fast paced and heartwarming, The Measure of Silence illustrates the struggles of motherhood, and power of love and forgiveness with endearing characters.” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire “The Measure of Silence is a touching, compelling novel of the family secrets that bind generations and can also tear them apart. Elizabeth Langston deftly weaves the trauma of President Kennedy’s assassination through the pain and difficulties of her character’s lives. The family dynamics are very relatable and the characters' struggles with both their present experiences and the past kept me reading until the end.” —Georgie Blalock, author of An Indiscreet Princess and The Last Debutantes “The Measure of Silence delves into the explosive results of a last wish that rips up deep family secrets. Elizabeth Langston powerfully illustrates the struggle of mental health issues in a world where they weren’t understood and will leave you rooting for the heroine to succeed. This is a moving historical fiction with a past that will keep you riveted as all is revealed.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London “A captivating read. The Measure of Silence is a bittersweet story of how one young woman’s choice in 1963 dominoes through two generations to intertwine with her grandaughters’ search for the truth.” —Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of The Tiffany Girls “Elizabeth Langston’s The Measure of Silence is a gripping story of family, hidden truths, and the after effects of a tragedy that changed not only the course of Mariah Byrne’s life, but that of an entire nation. Tautly paced and brilliantly crafted, this is a must-read for fans of family drama and JFK-centric fiction. Simply riveting from start to finish.” —Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of The School for German Brides and A Bakery in Paris “A moving multigenerational story of motherhood, love, and powerful family secrets.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

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Book SynopsisIn their attempts to have a child, a husband and wife must contend with personal desires, crossed boundaries, and broken trust as they reimagine what it truly means to be a family. Nikki and Kyle Sebastian have a loving and healthy marriage. It’s only missing one thing they want—children. When the couple is diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” and endures several failed rounds of IVF, Kyle, for both their sakes, is unwilling to bury them deeper in emotional and financial debt. Desperate to have a baby, Nikki betrays Kyle’s trust in an attempt to try IVF one more time. The choice fractures their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart. Picking up the pieces of their broken home means reassessing their dreams for the future—dreams that Nikki’s not ready to give up. If she can’t find a way to forge a new path forward with Kyle, she may find herself alone at the end of the family tree she longs to help grow.Trade Review“All We Could Still Have is a deeply moving story about having no control over the thing you desire most and discovering a different way of looking at that desire along the way. Diane Barnes masterfully weaves through darkness to discover light and takes the reader on a beautiful journey with a host of compelling characters that feel like they could be any one of us.” —Suzanne Redfearn, #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant “In All We Could Still Have, Diane Barnes deftly navigates soul-achingly difficult issues and betrayals of the heart with such honesty and care that you just know—at each anticipated turn of the page—her story will leave you with the most redemptive emotion of them all: hope.” —Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, authors of Never Meant to Meet You and Tiny Imperfections “Diane Barnes is a masterful storyteller, unafraid to lay bare the needs and desires of her characters. All We Could Still Have is the poignant story of one woman’s yearnings that lead her down a path of deceit from which she barely recovers, only for her to be thrust into an agonizing position where all her choices are heartbreaking. Or so they seem. Readers will fall in love with All We Could Still Have from the very first page.” —Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye “With wry precision, Diane Barnes tackles what it’s like to be in a good marriage stretched to its very limits by desire, betrayal, and the definition of family. All We Could Still Have begs the question: Does deep struggle always signal a red flag to the end? Or, is it the very foils of being human that turn a good marriage into a great one? I read this book in one night, holding my breath until the very last line.” —Ann Garvin, USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work “All We Could Still Have by Diane Barnes manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. An emotional family drama, this story will leave you thinking about the ways we hurt the ones we love most and the power of forgiveness—for others and ourselves. Put this book on your TBR list!” —Alison Hammer, author of Little Pieces of Me “An absorbing read.” —Kitty Johnson, bestselling author of Five Winters

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