Part of Christmas Hope, book 6
First published 2011
Gretchen Daniels settles into her new condo with her two children, hoping to stay close to her mother Miriam. Next door lives Melissa McCreary, a quiet young woman who owns almost nothing and speaks to no one. When Melissa's mother dies, a landlord arrives at Gretchen's door seeking help. He needs someone to convince Melissa to clear out her mother's apartment. Gretchen volunteers to assist her reclusive neighbor with the painful task. Inside the apartment, they find chaos and neglect. Most belongings hold no value, but tucked beside the bed sits a crate containing old photographs and an unfinished note. Those few scribbled lines reveal family secrets that shock Melissa to her core. Two women from different worlds must now decide whether they can travel together toward forgiveness and healing.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, secrets
208 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press