An NPR Best Book of 2023!
"A page-turner with heart." —Alison Wisdom, author of We Can Only Save Ourselves
When thirty-three-year-old Athena Matthias is asked, yet again, to be a bridesmaid, she's not exactly enthusiastic about the idea. Still reeling from a messy divorce from her wife, she's never felt less inclined to celebrate love. But Athena can't say no, especially to one of her oldest friends, and at least it's a destination wedding, which means three days of sun and sand.
As the wedding weekend commences on the gorgeous beaches of Watercolor, Florida, for the first time in ages, Athena finds herself surrounded by people who know and love her. There's the bride, nervous about an old relationship; a groomsman grappling with a big mistake; Athena's mother, ready to date again; and even a potential new romantic interest.
But just as Athena begins to feel herself opening up again, an unexpected guest from the past throws the entire wedding party into chaos. By the time the cake is cut and the ultimate betrayal is revealed, Athena must find the courage to forgive—both others and herself—and embrace the beauty of a chance to move forward.
"Dazzling! Readers will love these flawed, tender characters." —Deb Rogers, author of Florida Woman
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
November 7, 2023 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780369736352
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780369736352
- File size: 1305 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Booklist
October 1, 2023
Sneed's (The Golden Season, 2022) winning second novel plays out in Watercolor, Florida, during a weekend of wedding madness. Thirty-three-year-old Athena feels her "Jesus year" is trying to kill her: she's barely coping with her father's death and her former wife's betrayal, and now she is a bridesmaid at a wedding attended by her ex-wife, Sydnee, and Sydnee's plus-one. The bride, a social media influencer named Daisy, is a bit off her game due to first marriage strains and injuries. Katie, Leo, and Eli (a real zaddy) are some of the flirting free agents in play. Plus, certain parents add their judgment and drama to the mix. What could possibly go right? Chapters pivot between narrators to flip points of view and fill in tantalizing backstories. Athena summons wisdom from Emily Dickinson to find courage and goodwill, but will it be enough to help her through weekend dilemmas? Questions around identity, transitions, and toxic religion play out in charged conversations, unexpected meetings, and stunning revelations among Athena's intriguing friends and family.COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Formats
- Kindle Book
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB ebook
subjects
Languages
- English
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