With wisdom, compassion and her trademark humour, beloved New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery explores the ties that bind a family – sometimes too closely – in this uplifting story of love and forgiveness.

Finley McGowan is determined that the niece she's raising will always feel loved and wanted. Unlike how she felt after her mum left to pursue a dream of stardom, and when the grandfather who was left to raise them abandoned her and her sister, Sloane, when they needed him most. Finley reacted to her chaotic childhood by walking the straight and narrow – nose down, work hard, follow the rules.

Sloane went the other way.

Now Sloane is back, as beautiful and as damaged as ever...and she wants a relationship with her daughter. She says she's changed, but Finley's heart has been burned once too often for her to trust easily. But is her reluctance to forgive really about Sloane, or worry over losing what she loves the most? With the help of a man who knows all too well how messy families can be, Finley will learn there's joy in surrendering and peace in letting go.