- Table View
- List View
The Wish Book: Poems
by Alex Lemon"To read this book is to meet a man who would climb the sky." —BOB HICOKIn his follow-up to Fancy Beasts, a book that &“slice[d] straight through nerve and marrow on its way to the heart and mind of the matter&” (Tracy K. Smith), Alex Lemon dazzles with his exuberance and candor. Whether in unrestrained descriptions of sensory overload or tender meditations on fatherhood and mortality, Lemon blurs the nebulous line between the personal and the pop-cultural. These poems are full of frenetic energy and images pleasantly, strangely colliding: jigsaws and bathtubs and kung-fu and X-rays. A carnival barker calls. A jellyfish celebrates a shaky adulthood. A sliding door shatters with the passing through of a body. And a heart is &“ecstatically / Torn apart like Twizzlers.&”Lean and muscular, The Wish Book is a collection of fireworks and wild emotion, defined by Lemon&’s distinct brand of poetic edginess.
The Wish Child: A Novel
by Catherine ChidgeyThis international bestselling historical novel follows two children and a mysterious narrator as they navigate the falsehoods and wreckage of WW II GermanyGermany, 1939. As Germany’s hope for a glorious future begins to collapse, two children, Sieglinde and Erich, find temporary refuge in an abandoned theater amid the rubble of Berlin. Outside, white bedsheets hang from windows; all over the city, people are talking of surrender. The days Sieglinde and Erich spend together will shape the rest of their lives.Watching over them is the wish child, the enigmatic narrator of their story. He sees what they see, he feels what they feel, yet his is a voice that comes from deep inside the ruins of a nation’s dream.Winner of the Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Awards“A remarkable book with a stunningly original twist.” --The Times (London)
Wish Come True: Stranger In Paradise, Taste Of Honey, And Wish Come True (The Carson Springs Trilogy #3)
by Eileen GoudgeA woman must find out who killed the sister she hated—or face jail herself—in this suspenseful tale by the New York Times–bestselling author of Swimsuit Body. The world loves Monica Vincent, and her sister Anna has always tried to love her, too. Anna&’s life is devoted to the Hollywood star; As her sister&’s personal assistant, she spends her days answering Monica&’s fan mail and catering to her every whim. But Monica is cruel, and when a car accident leaves her in a wheelchair, she treats Anna even worse. All Anna wants is her freedom, but not the way it comes to her. When Monica is found floating facedown in the swimming pool at her mansion, everyone assumes her death was accidental. The police are not convinced, however, and see the star&’s sister as the likely culprit. To keep herself from jail, Anna digs for the truth, desperate to learn who killed the sister she hated. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Eileen Goudge including rare photos from the author&’s personal collection. Wish Come True is the 3rd book in the Carson Springs Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
A Wish for Twins: The Tale of Our Two Miracles
by Dorothia RohnerAn inspirational picture book about the miracle of twins, in the tradition of Nancy Tillman's On the Night You Were Born.Families of twins will see their own hopes and dreams beautifully expressed in this charming and emotional origin story:You once twinkled in the stars, criss-crossed the cosmos, before and beyond. Until one magic moment . . . destiny dawned. In this luminescent and poetic story, twin babies float and play in the cosmos—at first alone, and then together—dreaming of cuddles and kisses and a place to call home. Soon, they are tenderly called to Earth, where their loving families await them: You once twinkled in the stars. Now you sparkle in our hearts. Families of newborn twins will shed happy tears reading this poignant love letter to their longed-for babies, and little ones will enjoy hearing the magical story of how they came to be and how unique they are. This is destined to be a treasured gift for twins and their loved ones, and a classic for years to come.
A Wish for Winter: A Christmas Romance Novel
by null Viola Shipman&“I love this book—funny, perfect and wonderfully good. A not-to-be-missed delight.&” —New York Times bestselling author Susan MalleryWith echoes of classic Hollywood love stories like Serendipity and An Affair to Remember, Viola Shipman&’s latest winter charmer following the USA TODAY bestseller The Secret of Snow is sure to tug on heartstrings and delight readers who love books about books, missed connections and the magic of Christmas.Despite losing her parents in a tragic accident just before her fourteenth Christmas, Susan Norcross has had it better than most, with loving grandparents to raise her and a gang of quirky, devoted friends to support her. Now a successful bookstore owner in a tight-knit Michigan lakeside community, Susan is facing down forty—the same age as her mother when she died—and she can&’t help but see everything she hasn&’t achieved, including finding a love match of her own. To add to the pressure, everyone in her small town believes it&’s Susan&’s destiny to meet and marry a man dressed as Santa, just like her mother and grandmother before her. So it seems cosmically unfair that the man she makes an instant connection with at an annual Santa Run is lost in the crowd before she can get his name.What follows is Susan and her friends&’ hilarious and heartwarming search for the mystery Santa—covering twelve months of social media snafus, authors behaving badly and dating fails—as well as a poignant look at family, friendship and what defines a well-lived and well-loved life.&“Viola Shipman has written a captivating story for anyone whose memories run deep… This book keeps faith and hope alive!&” —New York Times bestselling author Sherryl WoodsA Country Living Magazine Best Christmas Book to Read This Holiday Season!Don't miss bestselling author Viola Shipman's charming new novel, THE WISHING BRIDGE—where an ambitious executive rediscovers the magic of family, friendship, home...and Christmas!Other books by Viola Shipman: Famous in a Small Town The Secret of Snow The Edge of Summer The Summer Cottage The Heirloom Garden The Clover Girls
The Wish List: A Novel (The Carolina Girls)
by Michelle Major"Major&’s charming small town is packed with salt-of-the-earth people readers will embrace, and each sister&’s journey is beautifully imagined. Readers will eagerly await their next visit to this idyllic community."—Publishers Weekly This Christmas the Carlyle sisters will rediscover the gift of familyFor some families, a Christmas reunion is like a feel-good movie. For Beth Carlyle, it might be more of a disaster epic. Her ex-husband&’s new girlfriend is already pregnant. Her self-absorbed, bestselling author mother recently suffered a stroke and has summoned Beth&’s sisters, Freya and Trinity—neither of whom even seem to like Beth very much—back to Magnolia. Beth&’s so lonely and stressed that she spills her guts to a stranger, wondering why the handsome newcomer affects her so deeply. Reality TV star Freya deliberately forged a career that would upset her mother, who&’s always been as brilliant as the sun…and just as distant. Now a handsome literary agent is making Freya dream of a different life. As for Trinity, she just wants to start over after leaving an abusive relationship and make a future for her and her baby.It&’ll be a Christmas like no other in Magnolia. But the Carlyle sisters might find they have more in common than their shared past—and that the holidays are made for second chances.Includes a bonus holiday novella set in Magnolia!The Carolina GirlsBook 1: Wildflower SeasonBook 2: Mistletoe SeasonBook 3: Wedding Season
The Wish Master
by Betty Ren WrightMost years Corby likes summer vacation, but not now. He's stuck at his grandparents' house in Wisconsin, where his grandfather constantly reminds him how timid he is and how different his father was at his age. And his new friend Buck seems to think he's chicken, too, just because he'd rather be sensible than risk getting hurt. To prove he's tough, Corby joins Buck for a nighttime journey into the woods to find the Wish Master, a fierce, giant statue that is rumored to grant wishes. Soon it seems as if the Wish Master does have special powers--though it doesn't always get things exactly right. When Corby wishes for a puppy, a mangy stray comes into his life. He soon grows attached to the loyal mutt. Then the dog gets Corby in big trouble, and Corby decides it's time to wish for what he really wants: to go home. But will this wish bring more harm than good?
Wish on a Unicorn
by Karen HesseNow I didn't believe a broken-down old unicorn could make wishes come true . . . not for a minute. But what if it could?Mags has a lot to wish for--a nice house with a mama who isn't tired out from work; a normal little sister; a brother who doesn't mooch for food; and, once in a while, she'd like some new clothes for school. When her sister Hannie finds a stuffed unicorn, Mags's wishes start to come true. She knows the unicorn can't really be magic, but she won't let anything ruin her newfound luck--even if it means telling her own sister to believe something that can't possibly be true.
Wish on All the Stars
by Lisa SchroederThe magical sequel to See You on a Starry Night makes more seaside wishes come true!Juliet is now an official member of the Starry Beach Club, and loves working with her new friends, Emma and Carmen, to make people's wishes come true. Living away from her dad is still hard, and she misses her best friend from her old town, but she has her friends and the bookmobile, and San Diego feels more like home than ever. But then she learns that the bookmobile is going to have to shut down. The owner of the parking lot wants to start charging rent, and soon the bookmobile won't be able to stay in business. The Starry Beach Club comes up with different ways to save their favorite store, but none seem to work. But then Emma gets the idea to have a crafts fair...and she wants Juliet to sell her paintings! Juliet is nervous, and isn't sure whether she's ready to put herself on display. Meanwhile, Carmen is feeling anxious about the possibility of her mother being deported. Will Juliet be able to be brave for herself and for Carmen?
Wish Upon a Matchmaker (Matchmaking Mamas #15)
by Marie FerrarellaThree-foot MatchmakerGinny Scarborough has picked out her new mommy- Danni Everett, the local celebrity chef who hired Ginny's widowed father, Stone, to renovate her house. And Danni couldn't deny the immediate zing she felt for the handsome, green-eyed contractor...even if they were brought together by a precocious four-year-old. So why was Stone holding back when everything between them felt so right?Stone's heart had been, well, stone-cold for far too long...that is, until he met the beautiful and bubbly chef. Still, Danni was part of a world where Stone and his little girl didn't belong-better to move on than risk the pain of losing love again.With two stubborn adults to contend with, could little Cupid still make her dreams of a family come true?
Wish Upon a Star: Once Upon A Christmas Wish Upon A Star Angels In The Snow Christmas With Love (Lakeside Mountain Rescue)
by Sarah MorganEnjoy Christmas in England with these two irresistible, heart-warming holiday romance novels by one USA Today–bestselling author.The Christmas Marriage RescueChristy was hoping to skip Christmas this year. Her kids have other ideas—they’ve put their dad’s name at number one on their Christmas list. So, it looks as if Christy will be hightailing it up to the Lake District to play happy families with her ex!Snow-capped mountains and roaring log fires—Alessandro’s home is like walking into a Christmas card. Is it safe for her to spend Christmas with her dreamy, funny—no!—entirely infuriating ex-hubby?The Midwife’s Christmas MiracleMiranda has completely the opposite problem. Being single and pregnant at Christmas was certainly not her wish come true. She doesn’t believe in miracles, but then resident hunk Jake sweeps her off her snow-covered shoes. Come Boxing Day dare she dream that Mr. Sex-on-Legs might be for more than just Christmas?
Wish We Knew What to Say: Talking with Children About Race
by Dr Pragya Agarwal'A thoughtful, prescient read for any mother or father parenting through the unique challenges of this racially polarised year, decade and beyond' Kenya Hunt 'Comprehensive, readable, and so very important. The next generation needs you to read this book' Clare Mackintosh, Sunday Times bestselling author'A vital book that equips us to have conversations about race and racism with young people, ensuring we are all playing our part to raise the next generations as anti-racist. With excellent, clear advice from Dr Agarwal I Wish We Knew What to Say is a quick, engaging and easily digestible read' Nikesh ShuklaWe want our children to thrive and flourish in a diverse, multi-cultural world and we owe it to them to help them make sense of the confusing and emotionally charged messages they receive about themselves and others. These early years are the most crucial when children are curious about the world around them, but are also quick to form stereotypes and biases that can become deeply ingrained as they grow older. These are the people who are going to inherit this world, and we owe it to them to lay a strong foundation for the next phases of their lives. Wish We Knew What to Say is a timely and urgent book that gives scenarios, questions, thought starters, resources and advice in an accessible manner on how to tackle tricky conversations around race and racism with confidence and awareness. it brings in the science of how children perceive race and form racial identity, combining it with personal stories and experiences to create a handy guide that every parent would refer to again and again. Written by behavioural and data scientist, Dr Pragya Agarwal, Wish We Knew What to Say will help all parents, carers and educators give children the tools and vocabulary to talk about people's differences and similarities in an open, non-judgemental, curious way, and help them address any unfairness they might see or encounter.
Wish We Knew What to Say: Talking with Children About Race
by Dr Pragya Agarwal'A thoughtful, prescient read for any mother or father parenting through the unique challenges of this racially polarised year, decade and beyond' Kenya Hunt 'Comprehensive, readable, and so very important. The next generation needs you to read this book' Clare Mackintosh, Sunday Times bestselling author'A vital book that equips us to have conversations about race and racism with young people, ensuring we are all playing our part to raise the next generations as anti-racist. With excellent, clear advice from Dr Agarwal I Wish We Knew What to Say is a quick, engaging and easily digestible read' Nikesh ShuklaWe want our children to thrive and flourish in a diverse, multi-cultural world and we owe it to them to help them make sense of the confusing and emotionally charged messages they receive about themselves and others. These early years are the most crucial when children are curious about the world around them, but are also quick to form stereotypes and biases that can become deeply ingrained as they grow older. These are the people who are going to inherit this world, and we owe it to them to lay a strong foundation for the next phases of their lives. Wish We Knew What to Say is a timely and urgent book that gives scenarios, questions, thought starters, resources and advice in an accessible manner on how to tackle tricky conversations around race and racism with confidence and awareness. it brings in the science of how children perceive race and form racial identity, combining it with personal stories and experiences to create a handy guide that every parent would refer to again and again. Written by behavioural and data scientist, Dr Pragya Agarwal, Wish We Knew What to Say will help all parents, carers and educators give children the tools and vocabulary to talk about people's differences and similarities in an open, non-judgemental, curious way, and help them address any unfairness they might see or encounter.
Wish You Happy Forever: What China's Orphans Taught Me about Moving Mountains
by Jenny BowenWish You Happy Forever chronicles Half the Sky founder Jenny Bowen's personal and professional journey to transform Chinese orphanages—and the lives of the neglected girls who live in them—from a state of quiet despair to one of vibrant promise.After reading an article about the thousands of baby girls languishing in Chinese orphanages, Bowen and her husband adopted a little girl from China and brought her home to Los Angeles, not out of a need to build a family but rather a commitment to save one child. A year later, as she watched her new daughter play in the grass with her friends, thriving in an environment where she knew she was loved, Bowen was overcome with a desire to help the children that she could not bring home. That very day she created Half the Sky Foundation, an organization conceived to bring love into the life of every orphan in China and one that has actually managed to fulfill its promise.In Wish You Happy Forever, a fish out of water tale like no other, Bowen relates her struggle to bring the concept of "child nurture and responsive care" to bemused Chinese bureaucrats and how she's actually succeeding. Five years after Half the Sky's first orphanage program opened, government officials began to mention child welfare and nurturing care in public speeches. And, in 2011, at China's Great Hall of the People, Half the Sky and its government partners celebrated the launch of The Rainbow Program, a groundbreaking initiative to change the face of orphan care by training every child welfare worker in the country. Thanks to Bowen's relentless perseverance through heartbreak and a dose of humor, Half the Sky's goal to bring love the lives of forgotten children comes ever closer.
Wish You Were Eyre: Mother-daughter Book Club Series (The Mother-Daughter Book Club)
by Heather Vogel FrederickThe Mother-Daughter Book Club says bon voyage to Concord and bonjour to France!It's a dream come true for Megan, who's jet-setting to Paris for Fashion Week with Gigi. Meanwhile, back in Concord, Mrs. Wong decides to run for mayor, so Emma and Stewart team up to make her campaign a success. Jess and Cassidy are also hoping for victories, Jess in the a cappella finals with the MadriGals and Cassidy in the national hockey championships with her teammates. In the midst of it all, the girls--along with their Wyoming pen pals, who drop in for a visit over Spring Break--dive into Charlotte Brontë's classic Jane Eyre. Some real life romance follows, as Becca may have found a Mr. Rochester of her own. And then there's the matter of a certain wedding. The book club girls, their families, the British Berkeley brothers, and even Annabelle Fairfax (aka Stinkerbelle) will be attending the ceremony, which means there might be some bumps before the bride waltzes down the aisle...
Wish You Were Gone
by Kieran ScottA &“captivating thriller full of twists and surprises&” (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author) about what happens when the death of a husband and father isn&’t the tragedy everyone believes—perfect for fans of the Netflix original series Dead to Me.Emma Walsh has finally worked up the courage to confront her husband James about his drinking. But James never shows up to meet her as planned, and all her righteous words go unsaid. And unsaid they remain, because the next time Emma sees James, his body lies crumpled amidst the wreckage of his flashy car. In the aftermath of the fatal crash, Emma and her teenage children begin to embrace life without James&’s looming, volcanic presence. Buoyed by the support of her two closest friends, she struggles to deal with her grief, complicated by the knowledge that her husband&’s legacy as an upstanding business owner and family man shines only because so many people, for so long, were so willing to keep his secrets—secrets that twist into new and unexpected shapes as the mysterious details of his last day of life begin to come to light. A &“stylish&” (Publishers Weekly) and &“delicious&” (Booklist) domestic thriller, Wish You Were Gone will keep you guessing &“until not just the last page, but the last paragraph&” (Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author).
Wish You Were Here: Escape with an absolutely perfect and uplifting romantic read from the Sunday Times bestseller
by Phillipa AshleyThey fell in love in Corsica...but was it just a holiday romance?'Filled with warm and likeable characters' Jill Mansell'Deliciously entertaining' Liz FenwickWhen Beth is offered an exciting new job in London, Jack is the last person she expected to meet.Years ago, he swept her off her feet in Corsica and then dumped her - all within the space of three weeks. When he left, Beth lost her ability to trust and in the years since then, she has remained wary of romance.Now, forced to spend time together, Beth begins to unravel the mystery of Jack's disappearance. Is it too late for them to try again, or could they finally be in the right place at the right time?Fall in love with the novels of Phillipa Ashley...'A beautiful escapist read ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Another lovely romantic tale ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Enjoyable, evocative and fun ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A sweet story of love lost and found' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A dreamy tale' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'
Wish You Were Here: Escape with an absolutely perfect and uplifting romantic read from the Sunday Times bestseller
by Phillipa AshleyThey fell in love in Corsica...but was it just a holiday romance?'Filled with warm and likeable characters' Jill Mansell'Deliciously entertaining' Liz FenwickWhen Beth is offered an exciting new job in London, Jack is the last person she expected to meet.Years ago, he swept her off her feet in Corsica and then dumped her - all within the space of three weeks. When he left, Beth lost her ability to trust and in the years since then, she has remained wary of romance.Now, forced to spend time together, Beth begins to unravel the mystery of Jack's disappearance. Is it too late for them to try again, or could they finally be in the right place at the right time?Fall in love with the novels of Phillipa Ashley...'A beautiful escapist read ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Another lovely romantic tale ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Enjoyable, evocative and fun ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A sweet story of love lost and found' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A dreamy tale' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'
Wish You Were Here: A Novel (Books That Changed the World)
by Stewart O'NanA family gathers at their vacation cottage for the last time: “Riveting…the perfect summer-by-the-lake read.”—Chicago TribuneA New York Times Notable BookA Chicago Tribune Favorite Book of the YearA year after the death of her husband, Emily Maxwell gathers her family by Lake Chautauqua in western New York for what will be a last vacation at their summer cottage. Joining is her sister-in-law, who silently mourns the sale of the lake house, and a long-lost love. Emily's firebrand daughter, a recovering alcoholic recently separated from her husband, brings her children from Detroit. Emily's son, who has quit his job and mortgaged his future to pursue his art, comes accompanied by his children and his wife, who is secretly heartened to be visiting the house for the last time. Memories of past summers resurface, old rivalries flare up, and love is rekindled and born anew, resulting in a timeless novel drawn, as the best writing often is, from the ebbs and flow of daily life.“A sprawling, generously written saga that imparts exceptional insights into the human heart.”—Charlotte Observer“Brilliantly mesmerizing.”—Los Angeles Times“Succeeds beautifully…showcases some of the finest character studies a contemporary reader could ask for.”—The Boston Globe
Wish You Were Here: the compelling new must-read from bestselling author Jodi Picoult
by Jodi PicoultDiana O'Toole's life is going perfectly to plan. At twenty-nine, she's up for promotion to her dream job as an art specialist at Sotheby's and she's about to fly to the Galápagos where she's convinced her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, is going to propose. But then the virus hits New York City and Finn breaks the news: the hospital needs him, he has to stay. But you should still go, he insists. And reluctantly, she agrees.Once she's in the Galápagos, the world shuts down around her, leaving Diana stranded - albeit in paradise. Completely isolated, with only intermittent news from the outside world, Diana finds herself examining everything that has brought her to this point and wondering if there's a better way to live. But not everything is as it seems . . .
Wish You Were Here: The Sunday Times bestseller readers are raving about
by Jodi PicoultThe compelling new story from number one bestseller Jodi Picoult.Diana O'Toole's life is going perfectly to plan. At twenty-nine, she's up for promotion to her dream job as an art specialist at Sotheby's and she's about to fly to the Galápagos where she's convinced her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, is going to propose. But then the virus hits New York City and Finn breaks the news: the hospital needs him, he has to stay. But you should still go, he insists. And reluctantly, she agrees.Once she's in the Galápagos, the world shuts down around her, leaving Diana stranded - albeit in paradise. Completely isolated, with only intermittent news from the outside world, Diana finds herself examining everything that has brought her to this point and wondering if there's a better way to live. But not everything is as it seems . . .(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Wish You Were Here: the compelling new must-read from bestselling author Jodi Picoult
by Jodi PicoultContains an exclusive short story from Jodi Picoult featuring the main character, Diana, available in the first print run only. Pre-order now to guarantee your copy!Diana O'Toole's life is going perfectly to plan. At twenty-nine, she's up for promotion to her dream job as an art specialist at Sotheby's and she's about to fly to the Galápagos where she's convinced her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, is going to propose. But then the virus hits New York City and Finn breaks the news: the hospital needs him, he has to stay. But you should still go, he insists. And reluctantly, she agrees.Once she's in the Galápagos, the world shuts down around her, leaving Diana stranded - albeit in paradise. Completely isolated, with only intermittent news from the outside world, Diana finds herself examining everything that has brought her to this point and wondering if there's a better way to live. But not everything is as it seems . . .
Wish You Were Here
by Hilma WolitzerBernie only needs $99 for freedom, but he can&’t make a dimeBernie Segal has a lot of normal problems—like algebra, his height, and a sister who insists he help her learn her lines for the stupid school play. But he also has a lot of not-so-normal problems, like dealing with his father&’s death. His mother is about to remarry, and the thought of having a new man around the house makes Bernie sick. To get out of being at the wedding, Bernie decides to fly to Miami to live with his grandfather. All he needs is $99 for airfare—but where is he going to get the money? Bernie&’s asthma means he can&’t do anything strenuous, like having a paper route, so he&’s forced to take lame jobs, even babysitting, to get the cash. But as the date for his great escape approaches, Bernie begins to wonder if he&’s really trying to run away from the wedding and his new stepfather, or if he is running from himself. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Hilma Wolitzer, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author&’s personal collection.
Wish You Were Here
by Hilma WolitzerBernie only needs $99 for freedom, but he can&’t make a dimeBernie Segal has a lot of normal problems—like algebra, his height, and a sister who insists he help her learn her lines for the stupid school play. But he also has a lot of not-so-normal problems, like dealing with his father&’s death. His mother is about to remarry, and the thought of having a new man around the house makes Bernie sick. To get out of being at the wedding, Bernie decides to fly to Miami to live with his grandfather. All he needs is $99 for airfare—but where is he going to get the money? Bernie&’s asthma means he can&’t do anything strenuous, like having a paper route, so he&’s forced to take lame jobs, even babysitting, to get the cash. But as the date for his great escape approaches, Bernie begins to wonder if he&’s really trying to run away from the wedding and his new stepfather, or if he is running from himself. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Hilma Wolitzer, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author&’s personal collection.
Wish You Weren't Here: A Novel
by Christy SchilligIn this transportive debut, a woman spending a summer in Italy finds her world completely upended–but it may be the kick she&’s needed to figure out who she truly wants to be, perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle and Tessa Bailey.Ava Graham's ducks are in a row as she heads off to Italy to complete her final law school credits and fulfill a promise she made to her late mother five years ago. Ava expects her long-term boyfriend to propose before her trip, but instead of giving her a ring, he suggests they use her time abroad as a &“break&” before settling down. When James Massini arrives–late–to the airport to pick up Ava as a favor to his aunt and uncle, he&’s surprised to find that she&’s not a young co-ed, but a fascinating woman approaching thirty with a serious superiority complex and a habit of underestimating him. When she&’s assigned to his class as a TA, he becomes determined to prove to her that there is more to life than plans and lists, no matter how hard she fights with him–or how annoyingly charming he finds their banter. Despite the sudden disaster of her life, type A Ava might actually enjoy Italy—if only annoyingly carefree James wasn&’t there, too. As Ava reluctantly lets James try to show her a different way of life in Italy, she begins to find beauty in the chaos. Of course, it&’s when things begin to make sense again that her past comes storming back.With a humorously relatable protagonist and a rich Italian setting, this debut novel is an escapist treat and a necessary reminder that life doesn&’t always care about the plans we&’ve made for ourselves.