After three disastrous marriages, a series of bad dates, and a tumultuous relationship with an emotionally abusive mother, psychology professor Nancy Jewel is through with love and commitment. Romantic or familial, the notion is a waste of her time. Content with being alone, she’s starting to feel normal-ish when she learns her father, incarcerated in Georgia, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Nancy is determined to get him a compassionate release, even if it means returning home and reaching out for help from the last attorney she wants to see: her recent ex.
Back in her estranged mother’s orbit, and dealing with the fear of losing her father, Nancy wrestles with the ghosts of her toxic childhood and her reconnection with a failed bid at love. When an unexpected career challenge pushes Nancy to the edge, her impulse is to run. What other choice does she have? Face life head-on, and maybe, for once, stay.
This has an interesting cast of characters that carry the story along a nice pace and create depth to the story. Great plot and I found myself filling an afternoon reading this in one sitting as I found it so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest , unbiased review. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I tried to read this book 4 months ago and I had to put it down and since then, I haven’t been able to put it back up and get it into it. To me this book was a little boring. It wasn’t at all what I thought it was going to be. It was and ok story it just wasn’t interesting enough for me to stay committed to finishing it.

Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

I'm finding this one quite difficult to rate but I think a 3 is going to have to do. I started reading this almost two months ago and I never once had a desire to pick it back up whenever I would find myself taking a break from reading it. In saying that, I never felt bored when I was reading this one and was quite enjoyable for the most part. The story flows quite nicely but it just didn't grab me in the way I usually liked to be grabbed when reading a book but I think a lot of people will find this story incredibly joyous to read!

Such an empowering read. I will be honest, it did make me she’d some tears. Sadly, I could connect on a much deeper level with this book. It’s one I will never forget. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first book to read by this author but won't be my last! The story and its characters will stick with you long after you finish the story. Highly recommend!

This is a comforting book for those that can relate to a narcissistic mother. Nancy Jewel has been married three times and has buried her idea of love. Her brother, Jeff, isn’t supportive and her mother, Lucy, has all the signs of being an emotionally damaging parent. Her dad has been in a prison most of her life. Is it possible that Nancy can learn to block the negative energy she has been surrounded from birth and find love?

While the pace was quick, I found that the plot was heartbreaking with her mother that weaved in and out of one verbal attack upon another. It was difficult for me to relate to the characters. However, other readers may understand what it’s like to be confronted by constant remarks of guilt, criticism and anger. It’s thought provoking and could lead to a good discussion.

My thanks to Robyn Lucas, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 28, 2023.

Nancy Jewell, our protagonist, struggles to find her way after three marriages, a manipulative mother, and a terminally ill father. This book is set in Athens, GA—near my home and the protagonist is a psychologist like me. I found the character a bit disarming—she’s very complicated and had a complicated life. A flamboyant woman with multiple intriguing permanent and transitory relationships, perhaps the reader will find similarities in their own life, perhaps not. An interesting character study of psychological growth and challenges.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance review copy!

This was a great book that had me constantly turning the page and wanting to continue. I really enjoyed it.

Nancy is Lina’s best friend, and keeps herself pretty closed off. Her mom, Lucy, is narcissistic on her best day, and that has created so many issues for Nancy. Loved the writing and storyline!

After three disastrous marriages, a series of bad dates, and a tumultuous relationship with an emotionally abusive mother, psychology professor Nancy Jewel is through with love and commitment. Romantic or familial, the notion is a waste of her time. Content with being alone, she’s starting to feel normal-ish when she learns her father, incarcerated in Georgia, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Nancy is determined to get him a compassionate release, even if it means returning home and reaching out for help from the last attorney she wants to see: her recent ex.

Back in her estranged mother’s orbit, and dealing with the fear of losing her father, Nancy wrestles with the ghosts of her toxic childhood and her reconnection with a failed bid at love. When an unexpected career challenge pushes Nancy to the edge, her impulse is to run. What other choice does she have? Face life head-on, and maybe, for once, stay.

I really enjoyed this book - so much so that I finished it in one day as I simply couldn’t put it down. I really related to Nancy’s character & felt myself feeling all the emotions with her as I read through the book. I was cheering for her to find her way to love & so happy with how the book came to a close.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!

“Love never really goes away; you just have to look for it a little harder”

Nancy, a successful professor had everything on the outside - well put together and great at her job, no one would think otherwise. Yet Nancy has always believed that she was never the woman who could love and commit to another like the majority of the others. Three failed marriages and a hating mother reminded her repeatedly. One day, her mother came to her with a phone call with news about her father, and all of a sudden, she had to face her greatest fear. Or will she? Will she remain unlovable forever?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

To be honest, I found myself trying to get into the book in the beginning. The progress was slow, I wouldn’t deny especially not when I was trying to figure out Nancy. Until chapter ten that is, when I finally think that there is a silver lining to this book. Even then, I was a little annoyed with Nancy because of how closed up she was, towards everyone around her who love her. I can only imagine how terrible for a mum to always be gaslighting her. Truth be told, perhaps I was unable to relate, which was why I couldn’t understand Nancy. Perhaps it was also why it took me a while to get past the beginning. Yet I had a feeling that this would turn out well, therefore I pushed through instead of DNF this.

True enough, as I went further into this book, Nancy’s false facade was slowly cracking away. Her father was the only person who loved her enough to stand up for her and protect her from her mother. The intimate moments between Nancy and her father captured my heart and nearing the end of the book, I bawled my eyes out.

What if you lose someone forever but instead find that their love never once left you?
What if it takes losing someone to have you searching within yourself, only to find that you are not what you think you are and that you are so much more?

In my opinion, the ending turned out well and it became a beautiful read even though it had a rough start.
This is truly a beautiful book of love and self-discovery which I recommend!

If you like novels with complex characters, you will love this book! From the very beginning, Nancy (The MC) rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't know what it was about her exactly, but I noticed a hint of self sabotaging. By the end of the book I found myself LOVING her; not despite her flaws, but regardless of them. So much depth, so much generational trauma, that you have a hard time not falling in love with her and just wanting her to be happy. I love a strong, independent woman, but I also love when they finally realize that they too, at the bare minimum, just want to be happy.

The writing was beautiful and even though this genre is a little new to me, I couldn't stop reading it. Throughout the whole book I was rooting for Nancy. However this novel ended, I just wanted it to end up with her being content and okay (even though at first I found myself internally rolling my eyes at her). But, I think that is my favorite part of reading this novel: Robyn Lucas has a way of shining a spotlight on the negative flaws of human condition that are not so likeable while still showing the redeeming qualities of the positives of human condition.

I would 100% recommend this book.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Lake Union Publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


I had a difficlt time getting into this one and DNF.

A crazy, heartbreaking story that I adored even when I despised it!
The main character, Nancy wants nothing more than to figure out "what is wrong with her"?
Why must she always run from the people who care?
It's not her. It's the dysfunctional person she grew up with who has created doubt and fear.
The poison and abuse are impossible to unlearn.
Nancy needs to move forward and try to forget, but it can't be done, until she understands that she is loved. Really loved and a good person!
Her dad, who is dying, may be just the one to help Nancy. He knows...
Time is running out for her father. Is there time to help his daughter?

"Love never really goes away; you just have to look for it a little harder. Pay attention to the small things."
This is an amazing, touching quote we all need to remember. Will Nancy?

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @LakeUnion Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.