Introduction

“Visceral and moving,” (Andra Watkins, New York Times bestselling author), It Could Be Worse is a tale of acceptance and awakening—but not necessarily forgiveness—that reminds us we can choose how our stories end.

Mired in self-doubt and blind loyalty, Allegra Gil suspects her charmed life may be a gilded cage. She has a devoted husband, Benito, two loving children, a thriving therapy practice, and lifelong friends. But when a surprising discovery in a piano bench reveals a shocking family secret, Allegra questions everything she thought she knew about the two people who raised her. Was it true? Did her father, a respected pediatric neurosurgeon, harm instead of heal? And Allegra’s mother—how much did she know?

As the past threatens the present, Allegra plays the song of what was, what is, and what may never be in this “powerful and poignant story about letting go” (Jean Meltzer, international bestselling author of The Matzah Ball).

Composed with the cadence of a waltz—up, up, down—through flashbacks to childhood memories in Miami and a music camp in Michigan, It Could Be Worse is a heartwarming, at times heart-wrenching, multigenerational story of a woman supported and embraced by many while shaken to the core by a few. “The gorgeous prose and raw, unflinching narrative both heal and inspire. A stunning debut.” (Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of Woman on the Edge)

Dara Levan writes about love, loss, resilience, and how radiance emerges from our breaking points. She’s the founder and host of the Every Soul Has a Story podcast and blog. A graduate of Indiana University, Dara is a former pediatric speech-language pathologist who lives in Fort Lauderdale. Learn more at daralevan.com.

Editorial Review

No Editorial Review Currently Available

Excerpt

Chapter One
My life was about to change. But when, I had no idea. Timing is everything. And not just in music.
The bench creaked beneath me as my fingers explored the major and minor keys. Maybe I’d imagined the stuck Middle C? It was difficult to discern with the chorus of other instruments in the music shop. Thankfully, my father had agreed to meet me here. A lifelong pianist, he’d be able to detect any imperfections. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

Questions from the author:

This is a story of empowerment and living your truth. What did that look like for Allegra? What did it look like for her brother Jack?

Have you ever felt you were being held captive emotionally as Allegra and Jack were? How did you deal with it? How did/didn't it lead you to a sense of freedom from it?

Why did Allegra wait so long to tell her husband about the note she found? Do you think she should have told him sooner, or in a different manner?

Would you have made the same decision as Allegra did at the end?

What did camp deliver to Allegra’s life that her home life didn’t?


Can you judge this book by its cover? What elements resonated with you?

Why is this book called "It Could Be Worse," and how did/didn't that concept trap Allegra from taking action?

Why did Allegra admire her father so much, if he was also controlling and dismissive?

Weblinks

»	Author's website
»	About the Author
»	Publisher's book info
»	Author's podcast

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews

There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book