For James and Kathleen, whose indelible bond was forged in a Dublin orphanage before one was adopted and carried across the sea to America, it is a reunion they’ve dreamed of all their young lives, even if it defies reason. What if you could relive one time in your life? What would you choose if you could make one thing right? For Bernadette and Tom, it is a return to their roots in Ireland and a love that broke every rule and could have withstood any consequence-but the one that broke their hearts.

New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice works her singular magic in this deeply felt novel about two unforgettable couples, linked by a shared history, separated by decisions made long ago. Ava’s mission to find that book and its enigmatic author takes her on a quest that unravels the secrets of her past and offers her and Maggie the chance to remake their lives. Alternating with Ava’s story is that of her troubled daughter Maggie, who, living in Paris, descends into a destructive relationship with an older man. Ava rediscovers a mysterious book from her childhood-one that helped her through the traumas of the untimely deaths of her sister and mother. The group’s goal throughout the year is for each member to present the book that matters most to them. Ava joins a book group, not only for her love of reading but also out of sheer desperation for companionship. Ava’s twenty-five-year marriage has fallen apart, and her two grown children are pursuing their own lives outside of the country. An enthralling novel about love, loss, secrets, friendship, and the healing power of literature, by the bestselling author of The Knitting Circle.

The book that matters most a novel