Publication date: January 14, 2025

Publisher: Celadon Books

Length: 352 pages

I received this book from Celadon Books for an honest review. I have written this review to not reveal important information regarding this novel. There are many spoilers and I don’t want to give them away!

Kyle and Casey McCray are high school sweethearts in the small town of Potsdam, NY. After 16 years of marriage, Kyle left. His wife Casey still lives in Potsdam and teaches at the local school. Casey is deeply involved in her community. When Kyle’s father has a stroke, he needs to return to Potsdam. How will the people he grew up with and left behind respond to his return? His father will need help when discharged from the hospital. Physical therapy, follow-up doctor’s appointments, and assistance around the house will be necessary. Kyle hopes he can help quickly and can escape again. Kyle knows that he will have to face not only his past but also his ex-wife. Kyle doesn’t want to deal with his past but knows facing Casey and their loss is the only way he can face the future. As she has for years, Casey stops by to check on her former father-in-law’s home before he returns from the hospital. Casey is stunned to see her ex-husband, never thinking Kyle would return to care for his father. Casey has withheld something for a long time. Should she use this opportunity to share her secret with Kyle?

Divorce and navigating a relationship with an ex-spouse can be difficult. Casey and Kyle certainly have to overcome the hurt from the divorce. They have much more in their life together that needs to be addressed. The author does an excellent job relating the past and present as readers discover why they are no longer married. This is their story – who they were, who they are, and who they will be. Lange does an excellent job with character and plot development crafting a story that keeps us on our toes and fully engaged page by page. There is an emotional depth to the story that is realistic and honest. Lange reveals the wounds of divorce. Each divorced couple has its own, and the author shows the McCrays’ wounds with a delicate, touching, and tender understanding. I enjoyed reading this book and believe that those who enjoy family drama and real-life situations will love this book.

My Rating:🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻/5

Thank you Celadon Books, Celadon Readers, and Tracey Lange for the opportunity to read an early reader’s copy of this wonderful book.