Close Enough to Touch: A Novel

Jubilee Jenkins is a librarian with a rare allergy to human touch that could be fatal upon skin-to-skin contact. After nearly ten years of isolation, she decides to re-enter the world, equipped with gloves and long sleeves, and begins venturing out on her bicycle. Eric Keegan is dealing with his own challenges: his daughter from a failed marriage has stopped speaking to him, and his adopted son, who is psychologically troubled, is attempting telekinesis. Eric struggles to understand how his life became so difficult and how to become the father and man he wants to be. When Eric and Jubilee meet at the library's check-out desk, their lives become entangled. Eric finds himself drawn to her and wanting to be near her, despite the complications their connection presents. The novel explores a love story between two people facing significant obstacles.