Publisher: HQN; Original edition (March 15, 2022)

Hardcover: 416 pages

One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.

But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances—on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself.

Excerpt

“No cocktails?” he asked, giving her an easy grin. “So this is going to be a serious conversation.”

“It is.”

“And here I thought you wanted to talk about getting back together.”

She had no idea if he was kidding or not, so she ignored him. Instead of answering, she pointed to the kitchen table, thinking it was the closest seating area and the one least conducive to making them want to linger. Chitchat by the pool could go on for hours, while the uncomfortable, straight-back chairs encouraged brevity.

“What’s up?” he asked, taking his former seat at the head of the table.

She went to the opposite end, so they were facing each other. With Cord, it was never good to give up ground.

“Austin told me he’s only moving out for the summer, to hang out with his friends. He’s moving back here in September.”

Cord nodded. “Makes sense. He’s not really ready to be on his own.”

“I still want him to consider college.”

Her ex-husband slumped back in his chair. “Let that go, Robyn. He’s not the college type. He loves working for me. Sure, he doesn’t have Harlow’s ambition to run the place, but he’ll make a good living and be plenty happy. Isn’t that what matters?”

“What about his future? Shouldn’t he have options?”

“To do what? Be a brain surgeon? Austin’s the most easygoing kid in the world. Do you see him making it in corporate America? He lacks the killer instinct. I can give him a good life. Hey, if nothing else, he has job security.”

“He’s eighteen. Job security shouldn’t be what he’s looking for.”

But Austin wasn’t the reason she’d wanted to talk to Cord. There was a more pressing issue.

“I had lunch at the club today,” she said. “One of the women there took great pleasure in telling me that you’re dating someone new.”

Cord’s expression was comically confused. “What do you care who I’m dating? We’re not married.”

“This time I do care. Not for myself so much as Harlow.”

“What does Harlow have to do with anything?”

Was he playing dumb, or had he actually slipped into that state of being?

“You’re dating your daughter’s fiancé’s twin sister, Cord. Ignoring the fact that she’s what, twenty-plus years younger than you, she’s Kip’s sister. Come on. That’s bad, even for you.”

Cord chuckled. “Zafina’s great. We get along. She’s smart and beautiful. What’s not to like?”

“I don’t care about your relationship with her. Have you considered this will make Harlow uncomfortable?”

“How?”

“It’s her fiancé’s sister!”

“You keep saying that. Why is it a problem?”

“Oh, I don’t know. The ick factor? There are plenty of single women in Naples. Date someone else.”

“I like Zafina.” He laughed. “Hey, if we get married, then Zafina is both her sister-in-law and stepmother. That could be fun.”

“Not for Harlow.”

He waved away her concern. “She’ll get over it. Besides, she likes Zafina.” He leaned toward her. “In a weird way, Zafina reminds me of you.”

“Not something I want to talk about. So, if having Harlow find out isn’t a problem, why haven’t you told her?”

Cord looked away. “I don’t introduce the kids to my girlfriends unless it’s serious.”

She rolled her eyes. “Since when? If you haven’t said anything, you obviously know there’s a complication.”

He glared at her. “Fine. I thought she’d be upset.”

“And she will be. You have to tell her, Cord. She needs to hear it from you and not someone else. Harlow doesn’t like to be lied to.”

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About Susan Mallery

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives?family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.