Synopsis

A humorous and heartwarming novel about friendship and all its little secrets by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck.

Wendy Moore hides her collection of pilfered bric-a-brac from everyone, including her husband. He thinks she licked her kleptomania in therapy more than a decade ago. Therapy did help, as did focusing her attention on motherhood. But now Wendy’s gardening and furniture-refinishing hobbies fill up only so much of the day, leaving the recent empty nester lonely and anxious—a combination likely to trigger her little problem. She needs a project, fast. Luckily, Harper Ross—a single, childless younger woman in desperate need of highlights—just moved in next door.

The only thing Harper wants to change is the writer’s block toppling her confidence and career. Then a muse comes knocking. Sensing fodder for a new antagonist, Harper plays along with Wendy’s “helpful” advice while keeping her career a secret so Wendy keeps talking. Sure, she’s torn about profiting off her neighbor’s goodwill—especially when Wendy’s matchmaking actually pans out—but Harper’s novel is practically writing itself.

Just as a real friendship begins to cement, their deceptions come to light, threatening Wendy’s and Harper’s futures and forcing them to reconcile who they are with who they want to be. Easier said than done.

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Review

I always enjoy Jamie’s books, and this one is no exception. This story is about friendship, breaking molds, and moving forward in one’s life.

Wendy is out of sorts because her good friend and neighbor has moved away, her son has gone off to college, and something is going on with her husband. All of these can be stressors in our lives, and it is a double-edged sword for Wendy because she also has an impulse control issue – kleptomania. I don’t know much about this disorder personally, but the author does a good job explaining it and sharing how it is a mental health issue. Mental Health issues run rampant in our world today, so bringing one to light helped me understand a little bit more about it so I would be prepared if I encountered it in my world.

Harper is a writer that had a successful debut novel, but her second novel was a flop. She moves to this small town for inspiration for her new novel, and she finds it in spades. But at what cost? Harper is a very jaded woman, and while I understand where she is coming from, she tends to push her ideas and thoughts onto others without considering, listening to, or understanding their position.

This story is told from both points of view, and it was interesting to see how each viewed certain situations. Both are right and wrong at different times, and as the story progresses, we see them slowly start to change and adapt to their new lives or at least be more open to different viewpoints. It is an unlikely friendship, but it works.

It did take me a little while to get into the story, perhaps about 15-20%, but then I felt the story really moved along, and I became more invested in the characters. I enjoyed watching them realize their flaws and foibles and move past them, or at least acknowledge them.

We give this book 4 paws up.

About the Author

National bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold more than two million copies. She’s a Booksellers’ Best Award and National Readers’ Choice Award finalist, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing, the author of the Cabot novels, the Sterling Canyon novels, and the St. James series enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

Fans can learn more about her on her website, www.jamiebeck.com, which includes a fun “Extras” page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook.

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