Release date: February 4, 2025
Publisher: St. Martins
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis:
Kim and Grant are at a turning point. A couple for thirty years, their “separate but together” partnership is running up against the realities of late middle age: Grant’s mother has died, the college where he taught philosophy was shuttered, and their twin girls are grown and gone. Escaping the bitter cold of a Midwestern winter for the hot desert sun of Palm Springs seems as good a solution as any to the more intractable problems they face.
When they arrive at Le Desert, a quirky condo community where everyone knows everyone’s business, Kim immediately embraces the opportunity to make new friends and explore a more adventurous side of her personality. Meanwhile, Grant struggles to find his footing in this unfamiliar landscape, leaving Kim to wonder if their relationship can survive the snowbird season. But when Grant goes missing on a hike in the Palm Springs mountains, Kim is forced to consider two terrifying outcomes: either Grant is truly lost, or this time he’s really left her.
Is it ever too late to become the person we wanted to be—and is there still time to change into someone better? The exhilarating, but often confusing transitions of midlife are pitched against the promise and glamour of Palm Springs in this tender, honest story of what it takes to commit to someone for a lifetime. With compassion and humor, Clancy explores the redemptive power of finding ourselves, and of being found.
Review:
As much as this seems like it could be a classic missing persons story it’s actually much more about Kim and Grant’s relationship and how it’s evolved over the years. They are unconventional in the way they have never married but have been together for thirty years and they also spend lots of time apart. When they get an opportunity to spend the winter in Palm Springs many of their issues and traumas are forced into the light and they must examine their lives closely. I thought the author did a really great job at exploring middle aged issues and struggles and even though I’m a bit younger than Kim and Grant, I could relate to many of their woes. As much as this is a deep dive into their relationship, both past and present there is also a really delightful cast of supporting characters who brought levity to the story. I really enjoyed my time with this one and recommend it to anyone who likes family dramas and a light mystery.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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