First published 2009
Helen Ames faces a crushing double blow. Her husband has died, leaving her drowning in grief and unable to write. Worse, she discovers he drained their retirement savings in secret withdrawals before his death. The mild-mannered man she trusted for decades lived a hidden life she never suspected. Helen clings to her twenty-seven-year-old daughter Tessa, offering unwanted advice and crossing boundaries. She needs money and independence, so she takes an unusual job that surprises her with unexpected rewards. Then a stranger calls with information that changes everything. Helen must confront painful truths about her marriage, her relationship with Tessa, and herself. Mother and daughter both learn that the foundations they built their lives on were shakier than they imagined. The journey forces them to rebuild their understanding of family and discover what truly makes a home.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, found-family, second-chance
260 pages · Hardcover · Random House
Content warnings: mental-illness