First published 2023
Christie Tate believes she has solved her relationship problems. She has found her voice through years of group therapy and settled into a healthy romantic partnership. The painful work of learning to connect with another person feels complete. Then Meredith enters her life. Twenty years older and always perfectly dressed, Meredith gives Christie a box of holiday scarves and offers pointed advice. She suggests Christie examine why friendships remain difficult for her. Christie resists at first, but she cannot ignore the persistent feeling of apartness that has followed her since childhood. With Meredith as her guide, Christie begins examining her history of failed friendships. She confronts the shame and jealousy that have sabotaged her attempts at lasting female bonds. The work proves as brutal as her earlier romantic struggles, forcing her to face why she abandons relationships before they can deepen. Through this process, Christie learns how one imperfect friendship can transform another person's capacity for connection.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, relationships
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, found-family, self-discovery
304 pages · Hardcover · Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster