"Maine. Liv Ridgely is a stay at home mom, caretaker of elderly parents, supporter of husband Oscar's career, savior of her wayward sister. With her son off to college, and her daughter a year away from following him, Liv looks to establish her dream career of bringing beautiful old homes back to life. Then she learns that 16-year-old Hazel is three months pregnant. Liv and Oscar have very different ideas about what to do. As the family fractures, past resentments and pain come tumbling out. After years of putting others first, can Liv do what's best for her daughter, her parents, and her marriage - while still being true to herself?"--Publisher description
What happens after you get what you've always wanted? In Colleen Faulkner's thought-provoking and emotionally compelling novel, a mother is reunited with the daughter who was abducted as a toddler--only to face unexpected and painful challenges ... It's the moment Harper Broussard always dreamed of. Her daughter Georgina, snatched fourteen years ago during a Mardi Gras parade, is standing before her, making cappuccinos behind the counter of Harper's favorite New Orleans coffee shop. Harper's ex-husband, Remy, has patiently endured many "sightings" over the years, and assumes this is yet another false alarm. Yet this time, Harper is right. The woman who kidnapped Georgina admits to her crime. Georgina, now known as Lilla, returns to her birth parents. But in all of Harper's homecoming fantasies, her daughter was still a little girl, easily pacified with a trip to the park or a cherry snowball. In reality, she's a wary, confused teenager who has never known any mother except the loving woman who's now serving time. Harper's younger daughter, Josephine, has spent her life competing with the ghost of a perfect, missing sister. Trying to bond with the real, imperfect version isn't any easier. And though Remy has agreed to give their strained marriage another chance, he and Harper struggle to connect. Clinging to dreams of reuniting has been Harper's way of surviving. Now she must forge new ones on an often heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful journey--one that will redefine her idea of motherhood and family
The devastating aftermath of a tragic car accident tears Julia Maxton's family apart when her daughter Haley accidentally kills her younger sister Caitlin. As Julia grapples with her intense anger toward Haley, her marriage to Ben deteriorates, and their youngest daughter, Izzy, feels neglected. Despite Haley's attempts to appear unaffected, her behavior reveals deeper struggles. The story explores themes of grief, familial bonds, and the complex dynamics of coping with loss.
The story revolves around McKenzie Arnold and her lifelong summer tradition at Albany Beach with friends Aurora, Janine, and Lilly. Their shared experiences in a cottage filled with memories—both joyful and sorrowful—are threatened as Janine considers selling the family home. This summer marks a pivotal moment for the friends as they confront their past and the potential end of an era, exploring themes of friendship, nostalgia, and the impact of change.
Alicia Richards embraces her daughter Chloe, who has Down syndrome, with unconditional love from the moment she is born. While her ex-husband dreams of a scholarly child, Alicia finds fulfillment in simply accepting and cherishing Chloe for who she is. The story highlights themes of maternal love, acceptance, and the differing perspectives on parenting and expectations.
