Totally and Completely Fine

A widow opens herself up to new love in this smart and moving romance from bestseller Sussman (Funny You Should Ask). The novel toggles between past and present, following Lauren Parker as she falls in love with and marries her childhood sweetheart, Spencer, and, years later, as she mourns him and struggles to solo parent their teenage daughter, Lena. When, in the present, her brother, Gabe, a famous actor, invites Lauren and Lena to the set of his latest film, Lauren is walloped by lust at first sight of his costar, Hollywood heartthrob Benjamin Walsh, who’s several years younger than her. Ben reciprocates Lauren’s feelings, leading to a steamy encounter, but he wants more from her than just a casual fling. Lauren panics when Gabe, Ben, and their close friend Ollie turn up in her Montana hometown to renovate a local theater and stage a play. The close proximity forces big decisions—and readers will root for Lauren to make the right choices. Though there’s some tonal dissonance between past and present chapters, Sussman skillfully handles sensitive topics, including Lauren and Lena’s grief and Gabe’s struggles with alcoholism. Moments of levity, most often provided by snarky supporting character Ollie, inject some fun into all the drama. It’s heavier than Sussman’s last book, but fans will still find plenty to enjoy. (July)