Phoebe Stone has lived a life of compromise, never creating an issue, going along to get along. She leaves not an imprint on the world, faithfully reliable, no complaining. When her husband abruptly leaves her for her best friend, she struggles alone for two years, until she cannot take it anymore. Leaving her home in St. Louis with the clothes on her back, she flies to Newport, Rhode Island, to the posh Cornwall Inn. She plans to enjoy a gourmet meal in her room with an ocean view, then take her life with her cat’s tranquilizers.

Her well-laid plans are undone when Lila, a bride who has booked the entire Inn for a week-long wedding celebration, barges in to Phoebe’s room. That confrontation begins a relationship that lasts the week, saves Phoebe’s life, and spares Lila a grave mistake. This chance encounter, wherein each woman has a valuable lesson for the other, jars each on a course correction. This is not a fluffy summer read— although it has enough sunsets, wine, and good humor to be enjoyed on that level.

Author Espach weaves in the seriousness of depression and suicide, the derailing sadness of loss of those closest to us, the price of failure to discover what we truly need, and to advocate for ourselves. The vital importance of honesty, in our dealings with others, and especially ourselves. The willingness to be open to adventure, even if we look foolish to the world. Espach effectively uses the story frame of a one week wedding celebration in a toney inn, throwing together two families with their assorted issues and pasts, to play out the drama of Phoebe and her ex-husband Matt, as well as bride Lila, and her groom, Gary.

Phoebe’s career as an adjunct professor of Victorian literature and Matt’s work as a professor of philosophy, are a smart way to depict a couple who talk life to death, while failing to live it. Each aspect of these characters is carefully woven into the story’s themes, usefully illustrating and developing her thesis in a natural way. Espach manages to create an entertaining romp, with imbedded, thoughtful messages throughout. Highly recommended, for summer, or any season reading.