by Ali Benjamin
First published 2022
Ethan thought he had found peace when he and his wife Zo left their successful careers behind for a quiet rural community. He had co-founded a profitable media startup while Zo pursued filmmaking. Their new life seemed simple until everything changed. Zo throws herself into political activism and becomes consumed by outrage. Meanwhile, allegations surface at Ethan's former company. He feels like a stranger in his own existence. When a young, carefree houseguest arrives, she brings none of the political intensity that now defines their world. Her presence forces Ethan to examine his choices. He questions his marriage, his past decisions, and what truly matters to him. The small town that promised tranquility has become a battleground in larger cultural conflicts. As tensions escalate around them, Ethan must decide what he values most while his family threatens to fall apart.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Rural Community
Period: Contemporary
400 pages · Paperback · riverrun
Content warnings: anxiety, depression