A Not So Distant Shore

Addison Abbott’s mom used to joke that her only child came out of the womb with a to-do list clutched in her tiny red fist—and it probably wasn’t much of an exaggeration. For as long as Addie can remember, she’s been a planner. It’s even her job, for Pete’s sake—helping other people hit their goals through her coaching business. Thus, no one is more shocked than she is when her carefully engineered life is swamped.

The first leak springs when her mom passes away, although it’s not unexpected. That leak becomes a gaping hole when Addie’s adult children both move overseas. She’s not in danger of completely going under, however, until her husband of twenty-five years leaves her for another woman, something she never would’ve predicted in a million years, let alone planned for.

Addie has experienced big storms before—but this is the first time she can’t pull the cord on her own life raft. Lost in a dark ocean of grief and insecurity, she forgets about the anniversary “surprise” she’d booked for her and her husband: a Mexican Riviera cruise.

When she gets an email reminder days before her sailing, her wounds are freshly opened. She goes anyway, alone. After all, it fits her revamped, if unwelcome, life plan to accept her new reality and build a new life for herself.

In the turquoise waters of the riviera, Addie is surprised to find kindred spirits—including her favorite mystery writer—new hope and, as scary and unpredictable as it is, a second chance at love. Even more shocking, she realizes that while having a plan is always good, it’s what you do with the unexpected that really shows what you’re made of.

Join Ev Bishop, USA Today Bestselling author, as she brings the latest book in the Sail Away series, a heart-healing story about the power of friends to be a life preserver when you’re drowning, helping you reach solid shore once more.