First published 2025
Lara Love Hardin faces the wreckage of her former existence. Years of addiction destroyed her family relationships and landed her behind bars. Now released, she must navigate a world that has moved on without her. Her children barely know her. Former friends have disappeared. Employment opportunities remain scarce for someone with her record. Hardin discovers that starting over means more than finding housing and work. She must confront the person she became during her darkest years while learning to forgive herself. Each small victory brings new challenges as she builds connections with her children and creates an identity beyond her mistakes. The path forward demands brutal honesty about her past choices and the courage to believe she deserves a different future.
Genres: literary-fiction, addiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: redemption, second-chance
320 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster
Content warnings: addiction