Never Say Never
A Novel
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel from the author of The Personal Librarian, a passionate and dangerous love affair threatens to destroy both a marriage and a friendship.
When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey, dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned...
Includes a reading group guide with an author Q&A and discussion questions for book clubs.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A grieving widow finds solace in the arms of her best friend's husband in a heart-wrenching tale of a brief but damaging affair. Miriam can't imagine life without her husband, Chauncey, and his death in a fire leaves a gaping hole in her life. Despite her closeness with her two best friends, Michellelee and Emily, and her love for her three sons, the only person she is able to connect with in her grief is Emily's husband Jamal, who loved Chauncey as though they'd been brothers. Jamal, wracked with guilt over surviving the fire that killed his best friend, feels freedom from grief in Miriam's arms. Their affair could ruin Jamal and Emily's marriage. Murray creates a believable scenario of two people who never wanted to hurt their friends they just wanted to stop hurting. With extremely well-drawn characters, the story offers neither blame nor excuses, keenly depicting the heartbreaks caused by both death and betrayal. Faith is a central part of the characters' lives, but there's no heavy-handed Christian message here.
