First published 1994
John Taylor sits in a concert hall, three years married and recently abandoned by his wife Stella. The accountant tries to piece together what went wrong with his life. During the performance, he encounters Michael Alexander, his former music teacher, whose son Sebastian performs as the evening's cello soloist. Sebastian has achieved international recognition, and his wife sings opera professionally. When Stella unexpectedly returns home and asks John to take her back, he finds himself torn. He has begun an affair with his secretary, complicating any decision about reconciliation. The two families begin meeting regularly. John and Stella spend time with Michael, Sebastian, and his opera singer wife. These gatherings create unexpected shifts in all their lives. Conversations flow between the couples, revealing hidden truths and unspoken needs. The separated Taylors slowly begin to reconnect as both families transform through their interactions. What emerges resembles love, though it requires compromise from everyone involved.
Genres: 20th-century, contemporary, adult-fiction, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, second-chance
Period: 1970s
266 pages · Hardcover · Random House UK