A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes

I am having a Frances Mayes renaissance. Best known for her book "Under the Tuscan Sun," I recently picked up her book, "A Great Marriage," which was published in 2024. With my beloved San Rafael library under construction, I had to hike into the temporary location on 4th Street to pick up this treasure. I had just finished this book when my friend, Nick, coincidentally gifted me a bottle of Mayes signature olive oil and then sent along her recipe collection, "The Tuscan Sun Cookbook." So, all signs are now pointing me toward Frances Mayes, and I'm loving her. The novel "A Great Marriage" was an excellent page turner. When Dara and Austin call off their wedding in North Carolina just days before the nuptials are to take place, everyone is confused. When Dara fleas to California and Austin returns to his family in London, everyone is disappointed. They were the perfect couple, who had a bright future together until a woman from Austin's past returns. Dara is sent reeling and Austin is heartbroken. They cannot bear to be in the same room together, and face what could have been. What I loved about this book was the characters and their ability to adjust to the situation. Life is messy, and it so often does not turn out how we planned it. But those that survive it, with grace and flexibility, are often those who can hang on to true love. Follow the author @francesmayes on Instagram To buy this book on Amazon click here.