First published 1985
Mark Lamming sits in his study, surrounded by research notes for his latest biographical project. His marriage appears solid, his routine comfortable. Then he meets her: the daughter of the man whose life he's been documenting. She's beautiful, captivating, and completely unexpected. What begins as professional courtesy evolves into something far more dangerous. Mark finds himself caught between the life he's built and the passion he never saw coming. His comfortable world starts to crack as he navigates the treacherous territory between duty and desire. The biography project becomes secondary to his internal struggle. Mark must confront what he truly wants and what he's willing to sacrifice. Lively crafts a story that examines how memory shapes our choices and how expectations can blind us to reality. The novel explores the gap between who we think we are and who we become when tested. Mark's journey reveals the fragile nature of contentment and the power of unexpected love to reshape everything.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: internal-struggle, unexpected-love
218 pages · Paperback · Penguin