Introduction

For fans of Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes, a tartly compassionate and contemporary tale of sibling love and conflict, marital challenges, and what personal fulfillment looks like—or doesn’t—in middle age.

Mid-life: Its obligations and demands, its petty foibles and evasions. And sometimes, its crises. Dreams are deferred, shortcomings rationalized. Like favorite old clothes, petty misdemeanors may feel comfortable, but they’re not a good look.

The Talley siblings are planning a family beach vacation—all four of them together for the first time in years. They suspect it will be their last. And God knows they all need a vacation. But wait, is it really such a good idea? Corina, with her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s, can hardly manage to get through a day without a debacle. Pete is a just-barely-walking catalog of medical calamities stemming from his longtime addictions. Becca is reeling from her teenage son’s latest misadventure. And then there is Kathy, the eldest. After firmly avoiding going back to Rincón Bay, the beach town just a few hours south of the Arizona–Mexico border that has haunted her since a college spring break trip three decades ago, she’s determined to go back and face her ghosts—though she might be better off facing the fact that her marriage is in serious trouble.

When the Talley siblings and their entourage (two spouses, added on at the last minute, and Corina’s Mexican housekeeper/caregiver) finally land in Rincón Bay, they all encounter unexpected consequences from the wounds inflicted by careless loving—but maybe, too, the seeds of healing and hope.

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Excerpt

Chapter 11, pages 74-48, by Linda Dahl
The neurologist, Dr. Oakman, a fleshy man, looked up sharply from his desk as Corina burst through the door.
“Mrs. Swanson, isn’t it? Please, take a deep breath. Here’s a tissue.”
“Not Swanson! I won’t use his name ever again!”
A nurse sidled in and raised her eyebrows. “Everything all right, Doctor?”
“We’re just a little upset. Shut the door as you leave, would you, Karen? Ms. . . . uh, take a seat. Just breathe in and out, would you, please.”
“I don’t want to breathe,” Corina said, but she sat down.
Dr. Oakman gave her another sharp look, then busied himself with her chart. “And I understand that you’re here because you disagree with your diagnosis?” he asked eventually.
“Because I don’t know what’s wrong with me and nobody else does either.”
He tapped the paperwork, frowning. She was crying, hiccupping sobs. The doctor pressed a buzzer, and the nurse came back in. “Would you get the lady a glass of water?
“Mrs. S—uh.” He paused, frowned. “You’ve had a thorough workup. I’m concerned, though, about these mood swings.”
“He wants to take the house from me,” Corina said between sobs. “How would you feel if you had to leave your home?”
Nurse Karen, who had returned with the water, patted her shoulder as Dr. Oakman leaned forward. “Now, now, Mrs. uh—is it Talley now?” He tapped her file. “You see, what concerns me are the mood swings,” he repeated. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

. Which character did you relate to or empathize with the most and why?

2. Which character did you dislike or disagree with the most and why?

3. How did the secondary characters impact or influence the main character(s)?

4. Are there any characters you wish you could have given advice to? What would you tell them?

5. What was the most memorable or shocking scene or twist in the story and why?

6. How did you feel about the ending? Was it satisfying or did you want more?

Weblinks

»	Author's website
»	NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite

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