An archaic organization still seems to hold the town in thrall. Joan can’t shake the feeling that every move she makes is being tracked. Lilydale’s motto, “Come Home Forever,” couldn’t be more inviting.Īnd yet, something is off in the picture-perfect village. After spending a childhood on the move and chasing the screams and swirls of news-rich city life, she’s eager to settle down. In a tale inspired by real events, pregnant journalist Joan Harken is cautiously excited to follow her fiancé back to his Minnesota hometown. Now it’s time for her to dig deep and use every trick at her disposal if she’s to reclaim her beloved business-and her life. Through emails, journal entries, combative online reviews, texts, and tweets, Fawn plans her next move.

Misguided yet blindly resilient, Fawn readies for battle.īut as she wages her war, Fawn is forced to reflect on a few unavoidable truths: the tribulations of online dating, a strained relationship with her family, and a devoted if not always law-abiding intern-not to mention what to do about a pen pal with whom she hasn’t been entirely honest and the litany of repairs her aging store requires. When an amicable young indie bookseller invades her block, Fawn is convinced that his cushy couches, impressive selection, coffee bar, and knowledgeable staff are a neighborhood blight.

Without question, Fawn Birchill knows that her used bookstore is the heart of West Philadelphia, a cornerstone of culture for a community that, for the past twenty years, has found the quirkiness absolutely charming. Affiliate DisclosureĪ heartening and uproariously funny novel of high hopes, bad choices, book love, and one woman’s best-and worst-intentions. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the retail links provided.

As each troubling event unfolds, Sarah must decide how far she’ll go to save her perfect life. Even the secrets of the old house she lives in seem to be connected to the incident. Finn’s lies to the authorities are too comfortable, too proficient, not to arouse her suspicions. Convinced he’s innocent, Sarah and Martin agree to protect their son at any cost and not report the crime.īut there are things Sarah finds hard to reconcile: a cover-up by Martin’s family that’s so unnervingly cold-blooded. Until…A call for help in the middle of the night leads Sarah and Martin to the woods, where they find Finn, injured, dazed, and weeping near his girlfriend’s dead body. And Finn, a teenage son with so much promise. Living in a historic mansion in Pennsylvania’s most exclusive borough. Marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Martin. What did her son do in the woods last night? Does a mother really want to know?

Sweet Water by Cara Reinard