Gracie Harris never intended to become the queen of grief. But when an essay she writes the night of her husband Ben’s memorial goes viral, she lands a popular column on love and loss and an impressive book deal.
Now, the biggest tragedy of her life is the center of her world. With a looming book deadline and her kids at summer camp, Gracie escapes for a summer of solitude to the ramshackle mountain house she and Ben bought for their family before his death. When charming contractor Josh arrives on her doorstep to help renovate the home, Gracie discovers an unexpected connection that is energizing . . . and surprisingly flirtatious.
As her feelings and resilience grow, Gracie must decide whether she’s ready to embrace a new version of her life. Gracie’s first Happily Ever After didn’t last as long as she’d expected. Now she has to wonder: Could Josh be her chance for a second great love story?
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My Review
This is a heartfelt, emotionally nuanced novel about loss, resilience, and the beautiful mess of starting over. Gracie Harris is a deeply relatable heroine—grieving, overwhelmed, and unsure of her next step, yet still managing to press forward. After her husband’s death, an unfiltered essay about her grief unexpectedly launches her into the public eye, giving her a new, if unwanted, platform. With a looming book deadline and her kids away at camp, Gracie seeks solitude—and maybe clarity—in a crumbling mountain house she and her husband once dreamed of renovating.
Enter Josh, the steady, kind contractor who brings not just skills but a quiet emotional intelligence. As the house takes shape, so too does the connection between them. Their relationship unfolds naturally, grounded in shared vulnerability rather than grand romantic gestures. The chemistry is real, but it’s Gracie’s internal transformation—raw, awkward, and ultimately hopeful—that gives the novel its emotional power.
This is a beautifully told story about letting go, moving forward, and learning that even when life doesn’t go as planned, it can still lead somewhere meaningful.
My Rating
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