The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship: A Novel

A serious illness and impending loss reshape the lives of three close friends in unexpected ways. Kate struggles with a marriage that has lost its spark, seeking to rekindle romance with her husband while managing the demands of parenthood. Jo, a successful professional who believes she lacks maternal instinct, finds her worldview challenged when an orphan unexpectedly enters her life, forcing her to confront her own difficult childhood. Sarah is torn between her life in Africa and her longing for a man from her past in Los Angeles, unable to see a new love developing before her. What unites these three women is their friendship with Rachel, whose generous spirit and irrepressible nature have defined their bond. Through her final letters, Rachel poses one last question about what allows a friend to live forever in our hearts. The novel explores what it means to be a wife, a mother, and a friend, weaving together themes of love, loss, and the enduring connections between women.