An optimistic family drama with a warm Southern twist.
It is Austin, 1986, and Lauren Eaton has no idea about the unforeseen visitor who just showed up at her birthday party. The celebration is also a commemoration of her sobriety, a feat that is put to the test when Stephanie Kingston knocks on the door. Teenaged Stephanie is an orphaned girl with a troubled past, a chip on her shoulder, and some earth-shattering news. Her introduction begins with an ominous question for Lauren: “Did you give up a baby girl for adoption?” That adopted baby from decades earlier was Stephanie’s mom, and now Lauren will have to confront painful choices from her past. Lauren and her recently remarried husband cautiously open their home to a girl who could use more than a little TLC. Where Lauren is posh, composed, and mannerly, Stephanie is prickly, uncultured, and rude. Lauren is undoubtedly a woman accustomed to facing the consequences of her actions, but can this model-turned-business owner step up and be the family Stephanie needs? Or is opening up her heart to a granddaughter she didn’t know existed too much to ask at this stage of Lauren’s life?
An optimistic family drama with a warm Southern twist, Higher Love is a touching exploration of who we love, how we love, and the sacrifices we make for family. Set against a backdrop of refinement and charm, this story tackles generations of unanswered questions and unresolved feelings. Initially, Lauren and Stephanie have almost nothing in common. The stark shift from Lauren’s polished expressions to Stephanie’s emotionally charged and vibrant 80s slang reinforces their differences and keeps readers seamlessly connected to the alternating narrators throughout each chapter. But as Stephanie transforms from a locked diary to an open book, this remodeled family discovers just how close to the tree the apple truly falls. One poignant scene has Stephanie wondering if her grandmother likes her, an interesting question since familial support is often taken for granted. An expansive saga, the novel features a generational cast that confronts everything from self-harm to legal guardianship. But as the ebb and flow of life turns full circle, Higher Love delivers a sweeping, heartfelt narrative about facing the past, embracing the present, and discovering the joys found in love, resilience, and family.
