by Karen White
First published 2011
Julie Holt was twelve when her little sister vanished without a trace. The loss slowly destroyed her family bonds. Now an adult working in the arts, Julie encounters a struggling artist who reminds her powerfully of her missing sister. Julie feels compelled to protect this young woman. Their friendship becomes the catalyst for Julie's long journey toward healing. This path leads her to a house on the Gulf Coast that Hurricane Katrina has damaged. There she discovers family stories that reach deep into the past. Julie must confront the tragedy that shaped her childhood and find a way to rebuild the connections she lost.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: Gulf Coast
Period: 21st-century
432 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group