First published 2020
Ellen Fox overhears her son tell someone he cannot attend his dream college because his mother depends on him too heavily. The single mom realizes she must demonstrate her independence to free him from obligation. Her lifelong best friend Unity Leandre steps in with a solution. Unity crafts a list of personal challenges designed to push Ellen beyond her usual boundaries. The list includes dancing until dawn, skydiving, and wearing a bikini in public. Unity decides to tackle the same challenges, though she insists she needs no changes in her life. The thirtysomething widow still sleeps in her deceased husband's childhood bed and sees nothing wrong with her situation. Both women begin the list to convince others they live fulfilling lives. As they work through tasks like wearing three inch heels and having sex with attractive men, Ellen and Unity make genuine discoveries about themselves. They learn that authentic living requires embracing joy and taking bold risks.
Genres: family-life, friendship, contemporary, contemporary-romance
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
384 pages · ebook · HQN Books