Our New Normal
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
How much more can you give when you’ve already given everything? In Colleen Faulkner’s affecting, thought-provoking new novel, the mother of a pregnant teenager discovers there are no easy answers—and that a mistake-proof life may not be worth living …
Liv Ridgely prides herself on being the responsible wrangler of all things family: stay at home mom, caretaker of elderly parents, supporter of husband Oscar’s career, savior of her wayward sister. Now, with her son off to college, and her ambitious daughter, Hazel, a year away from following him, it’s Liv’s turn. She’s even established her dream career of bringing beautiful old homes back to life in the most picturesque part of Maine.
Until she learns that 16-year-old Hazel is three months pregnant.
Hazel insists she will have the baby and raise him with her boyfriend, Tyler, who’s no one’s idea of a model father. Clearly, there are going to be some conflicts to iron out.
Liv just doesn’t expect them to be with her husband.
As it turns out, Liv and Oscar have very different ideas about what to do. Perhaps it’s because Liv, who was adopted, has a unique perspective on this baby’s future. And perhaps it’s because, as a mother, she knows better than anyone how Hazel’s young life will be changed forever.
As the family fractures in every direction, past resentments and pain come tumbling out. After years of putting others first, Liv wonders if she can do what’s best for her daughter, her parents, and her marriage—while still being true to herself.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A mother ready to become an empty nester must delay her plans after her daughter becomes pregnant in this heartwarming tale from Faulkner (What Makes a Family). With Liv Ridgely's son headed to college and her 16 year-old daughter, Hazel, entering her junior year of high school, Liv has begun planning for life after parenting and is ready to start a business restoring old houses. But when Hazel discovers she's pregnant, Liv has to put her business plans on hold. After some tap-dancing around the idea of an abortion, Hazel insists that she is going to keep the baby. Liv, who was herself adopted, tries to bring her daughter around to the idea of adoption, but Hazel will hear nothing of it. Liv's husband, Oscar, meanwhile, wants the two of them to adopt the baby. As Hazel gets closer to her due date but doesn't do anything to prepare for the baby, both Liv and Oscar begin to question how they have been behaving. While the chapters narrated by Liv nicely capture her worry and the mania of navigating competing impulses, Hazel's choppy, rushed voice is less convincing. Even so, fans of Elin Hilderbrand will be pleased by this intense family drama.
