Smith, Laura Lee

Smith's (Heart of Palm) gift for irresistibly charming, flawed characters is once again in evidence in this tale of good people and strong marriages tested by life's cruel roadblocks, human nature, and the limits of love. [See Prepub Alert, 7/26/17.]

Reminiscent of the works of John Irving, with its close-knit but oddball family, weird tragedy at regular intervals, and its very dark sense of humor, this is an engrossing and rewarding read.