Best Selling Books by Barbara Delinsky

Everything Claire Raphael has she''s earned. On her own. The hard way. She built her part-time business up from nothing and made it successful through her imagination, creativity, and hard work. She has two great children and Dennis, a husband she loves completely. Then, one evening, when Claire returns from a difficult business trip, Dennis hands her divorce papers along with a court order to vacate their house. Claire is devastated. She had no idea her marriage was on the brink of disaster, that Dennis had been planning this ambush for weeks, if not months, or that her hectic but happy life was about to come crashing down around her. Claire doesn''t know where to turn or whom to trust. But in a few short weeks she learns what so many women have had to discover—that when the going gets tough, a woman''s as tough as she needs to be.

Opposites attract when a police officer falls for an outspoken media celebrity in this romance from a New York Times–bestselling author. A controversial Boston radio talk-show host, Monica Grant is a strong, willful, and independent woman. She wants an equally strong man. Someone like the heroes in the romance novels she''s addicted to . . . someone like Michael Shaw. A cop with the heart of a poet, Michael is looking for that special someone, too—an old-fashioned, feminine woman. And for some reason he thinks Monica just might be the one. By turns infuriatingly chauvinistic and irresistibly attractive, Michael demands something from Monica that she doesn''t know if she can give—or even wants to. With Michael, can she find the happy ending of her own love story?

Set sail with the New York Times–bestselling author as a Caribbean treasure hunt brings one woman within reach of her heart’s desire. Victoria Lesser is due for some payback. The unrepentant matchmaker gets a taste of her own medicine when she’s tricked into a fortune hunting trip that just happens to be led by an age-appropriate, adventurous—and single—professor. Luckily for Victoria, she brought her niece, Shaye, as a buffer. Unluckily for Shaye, the professor brought his nephew . . . Like oil and water, Shaye and Noah don’t mix—and now they’re stuck together on a vintage sailboat heading toward Costa Rica and supposed pirate booty. As the sun and sea conspire to relax Shaye’s hard-won self-control, the brash and impulsive Noah does the rest. And he won’t stop until he tears down the walls of the sane and structured world that Shaye has built up around her . . . Praise for Barbara Delinsky “One of today’s quintessential authors of contemporary fiction . . . Delinsky is a joy to read . . . Women’s fiction at its very finest.” —Romantic Times “[An author] of sensitivity and style.” —Publishers Weekly “Delinsky has a special knack for zeroing in on the pulse of her characters immediately—we know them and understand what makes them tick within the first few pages . . . Well done!” —Rendezvous “One of the few writers . . . who still writes a great love story, Ms. Delinsky is truly an author for all seasons.” —Rave Reviews

Nothing will break this mother-daughter bond. Not even the truth. Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, are driving home from a party when their car hits a man running in the dark. Grace was at the wheel, but Deborah sends her home before the police arrive, determined to shoulder the blame for the accident. Her decision then turns into a deception that takes on a life of its own and threatens the special bond between mother and daughter. The Secret Between Us is an unforgettable story about making bad choices for the right reasons and the terrible consequences of a lie gone wrong. Once again, Barbara Delinksy has delivered a riveting study of family and a superbly crafted novel, perfectly targeted to reading groups and fans of provocative fiction.

Set on an island off the coast of Maine, this moving and powerful novel by New York Times bestselling author and "first-rate storyteller" (The Boston Globe) is about three people who survive a boating accident, exploring how each person deals with his or her own twist of fate, as well as the effect each survivor has on the other. WHAT COMES AFTER THE MOMENT THAT FOREVER CHANGES YOUR LIFE? This is the question that haunts Julia Bechtel, Noah Prine, and Kim Colella, the only survivors of a terrible boating accident off the coast of Maine that claimed the lives of nine other people. Julia, a forty-year-old wife and mother, has always taken the path of least resistance. Pigeonholed by her controlling family and increasingly distant husband as "loyal" and "obedient," she realizes in the aftermath of her brush with death that there is more to her -- and to the world around her -- than she ever imagined. Feeling strangely connected to Noah, the divorced, brooding lobsterman who helped save her life, and to Kim, a twenty-one-year-old whose role in the accident and subsequent muteness are a mystery, Julia begins to explore the unique possibilities offered by the quiet island of Big Sawyer, Maine. Suddenly, things that once seemed critical lose significance, and things that seemed inconsequential take on a whole new importance. With each passing moment, each new discovery, Julia grows more sure that after coming face-to-face with death, she must have more from life. Resolving to make things right for the future and drawing on an inner strength she never knew she possessed, Julia passionately awakens to a new world, fearlessly embracing uncertainties in a way she couldn''t have imagined only a few weeks ago. Set off the coast of Maine, where lobstermen leave with the tides each morning to haul and reset their traps, and neighbors gather each night to feast on the catch of the day, Barbara Delinsky''s The Summer I Dared is a deeply moving story of the risky but rewarding search for self, a story of survival, and of the irrepressible ability of the human spirit to rebound from disaster and to create life anew.

A compelling and haunting exploration of the secrets and shadows that can be hidden within a marriage from the New York Times bestselling author of Before and Again. The easy harmony that exists between three close-knit couples on a charming cul-de-sac in suburban Connecticut is shattered when a beautiful young woman, widowed and unattached, reveals she is pregnant. Rumors and questions begin spreading about the potential father. One by one, the couples turn inward, taking stock of their marriages and discover weaknesses they had previously ignored. As each wife struggles with this sudden crisis, they discover that they are being forced into making a decision—one that could result in either the strengthening or the dissolution of her marriage. An ingenious portrait of suspicion and deception, faith and love, Barbara Delinsky’s “adept and compelling exploration of the inner workings of the modern upper-class American family makes for one of her best books” (Booklist).

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Twilight Whispers and “a first-rate storyteller” (The Boston Globe) comes a masterful family portrait, filled with thought-provoking insights into how letting go can be the hardest thing to do—and the greatest expression of love. Molly and Robin Snow are sisters in the prime of life. So when Molly receives the news that Robin has suffered a massive heart attack, the news couldn''t be more shocking. At the hospital, the Snow family receives a grim prognosis: Robin may never regain consciousness. Feelings of guilt and jealousy flare up as Robin''s family struggles to cope. It''s up to Molly to make the tough decisions, and she soon makes discoveries that shatter some of her most cherished beliefs about the sister she thought she knew.

In Flirting with Pete, bestselling author Barbara Delinsky weaves together two fascinating narratives that merge in a dramatic, highly emotional, and totally unexpected conclusion, as a daughter''s struggle to win the approval of the father she never knew becomes a journey of self-discovery. Psychologist Casey Ellis never met her father—but that didn''t stop her from following in his professional footsteps. Now he has died, and Casey is shocked to have inherited his elegant Boston town house, complete with a maid and a handsome, enigmatic gardener. When she finds a manuscript that could be a novel, a journal, or a case study of one of her father''s patients in her new home, she becomes engrossed in the story of Jenny, a young woman trying to escape her troubled life. Convinced the story is true and that her father left it as a message for her, Casey digs deeper. As she pieces together the mysteries surrounding her father, Jenny, and the romantic new stranger in her life, she discovers startling links between past and present, and unexpected ties between what is real and what is imagined.

A delightful puzzle of a romance from the New York Times–bestselling author who “knows the human heart and its immense capacity to love and to believe” (Observer-Reporter, Washington, Pennsylvania). When crossword puzzle creator Leah Gates loses her Manhattan apartment, her friend, Victoria Lesser, offers her a place to stay. Sure, it’s a remote cabin in middle-of-nowhere, New Hampshire, but it’s a lifesaver for Leah. There’s no reason for her to question Victoria’s generosity—until she arrives during a rainstorm to find the small lodge burned down and in ruins. With nowhere else to turn, Leah makes her way to the closest neighbor, an outdoorsman named Garrick Rodenhiser. Far from being a grizzly, old mountain man, Garrick is extraordinarily handsome—and kind enough to take in a bedraggled stranger for the night. Before long, the two independent, solitary souls find themselves entwined in each other’s lives and . . . not hating it, even when they realize they’re just pawns in one of Victoria’s matchmaking games. Still, there are secrets to be spilled that might bring their cozy confinement to an end—and stop their fresh start in its tracks . . . Praise for Barbara Delinsky “One of today’s quintessential authors of contemporary fiction . . . Delinsky is a joy to read . . . Women’s fiction at its very finest.” —Romantic Times “[An author] of sensitivity and style.” —Publishers Weekly “When you care enough to read the very best, the name of Barbara Delinsky should come immediately to mind . . . One of the few writers . . . who still writes a great love story, Ms. Delinsky is truly an author for all seasons.” —Rave Reviews

A woman cabaret singer is fired from a teaching post after a Boston reporter fabricates a story of an affair between her and a cardinal. Lily Blake retreats to her New Hampshire hometown where John Kipling, editor of the local paper, will take revenge on the reporter and romance will follow.

When a blizzard hits Vermont, blanketing the sleepy town and creating a scene so tranquil, no one suspects the tragedy to come, in “a heart-tugging story of love and redemption that is surprisingly powerful” (People). Expect a miracle . . . Barbara Delinsky’s “heart-tugging” (People) national bestseller resonates far beyond the extraordinary love story at its heart. Entwining courage, community, and the magical consequences of second chances, this brilliantly imagined tale explores the exhilarating question: What if wishes really could come true? When waitress Bree Miller awakens in the hospital following a blizzard in tiny, picturesque Panama, Vermont, she can’t recall the near-tragedy that landed her there. But she’s overcome with the certainty that she has been granted three wishes. . . . Can they be real? Are the things Bree longs for—a home, a soul mate, a family—now within her grasp? One of her wishes seems to have come true already: at her bedside is Tom Gates, a renowned author who’s come to town to make sense of his fame—and who, as the accident’s only witness, now makes Bree his cause. As Bree and Tom consider their hearts’ deepest desires, they discover that they will have to take unimagined risks to truly live their dreams.

She has a new look, a new man, and a past that’s not her own. The New York Times–bestselling author delivers a chilling romantic thriller. After her estranged brother dies, Lauren Stevenson inherits his substantial legacy, allowing her to finally fix a medical condition that’s plagued her all her life. The results of the plastic surgery are nothing less than astounding. In the mirror, Lauren sees a whole new person. But that’s just the beginning. The shop Lauren has opened in Boston with her best friend is an instant success, and she’s even bought a farmhouse that she can’t wait to renovate. The only thing missing in her life is romance—until Matt Kruger shows up outside of her shop. A friend of her late brother, Matt is in town on business. The rugged builder is everything Lauren has ever dreamed about, and they embark on a whirlwind romance. Only, strange things begin happening to Lauren—a garage door misses her by inches, a vicious dog appears out of nowhere, and things in the house seem to have been moved. With danger appearing around every corner, Lauren is convinced she’s being stalked. Driven by vengeance, someone has set their sights on Lauren—or who they think she is—and they’re getting closer and closer . . . Praise for Barbara Delinsky “One of today’s quintessential authors of contemporary fiction . . . Delinsky is a joy to read . . . Women’s fiction at its very finest.” —Romantic Times “[An author] of sensitivity and style.” —Publishers Weekly “Delinsky is truly an author for all seasons.” —Rave Reviews

When a close friend is charged with a fifteen-year-old murder, wheelchair-bound Poppy Blake at first refuses to believe the charges but then wonders if her friend may have justifiably changed her identity in order to survive.

A pregnancy pact between three teenaged girls puts their mothers'' love to the ultimate test in this explosive new novel from Barbara Delinsky, “a first-rate storyteller who creates characters as familiar as your neighbors.” (Boston Globe) When Susan Tate''s seventeen-year-old daughter, Lily, announces she is pregnant, Susan is stunned. A single mother, she has struggled to do everything right. She sees the pregnancy as an unimaginable tragedy for both Lily and herself. Then comes word of two more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily''s best friends-and the town turns to talk of a pact. As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students. As Susan struggles with the implications of her daughter''s pregnancy, her job, financial independence, and long-fought-for dreams are all at risk. The emotional ties between mothers and daughters are stretched to breaking in this emotionally wrenching story of love and forgiveness. Once again, Barbara Delinsky has given us a powerful novel, one that asks a central question: What does it take to be a good mother?

"If the title alone doesn''t put you in a summer mood, the setting will."--Boston magazine.

From Barbara Delinsky, the New York Times bestselling author of Blueprints and Sweet Salt Air, a brand-new novel about a woman in hiding finding the courage to face the world again. Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends—and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made—though she can’t risk telling them too much. And she takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist at the luxurious local spa, helping clients hide the visible outward signs of their weariness, illnesses, and injuries. Covering up scars is a skill she has mastered. Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself—or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones. From a multimillion-selling master of women’s fiction, Before and Again is a story of the relationships we find ourselves in—mothers and daughters, spouses and siblings, true companions and fair-weather friends—and what kind of sacrifices we are or aren’t willing to make to sustain them through good times and bad.

New York Times Bestselling Author BARBARA DELINSKY DON''T TEMPT ME From America''s beloved storyteller, Barbara Delinsky, comes the story of a passionate lawyer, her powerful client, and one case of mutual attraction that''s out of order... As the only female partner at her law firm, Justine O''Neill tries to maintain a degree of cool professionalism. But all that flies out the window when she''s introduced to "The Silver Fox." The high-powered CEO of CORE International, Sloan Harper is the firm''s newest client—and the tallest, sexiest hunk of silver-haired alpha male Justine has ever seen. Her colleagues warn her that the man is a predator, as sly as a fox and twice as seductive. Justine isn''t worried—she never mixes business with pleasure. But when Sloane starts asking questions, she can''t help but feel she''s on the witness stand, being cross-examined by a master. And when he finally takes her in his arms, kissing her hungrily, she is utterly defenseless—and ready for more... Previously published as The Silver Fox by Bonnie Drake

The Dream Comes True is the final novel in beloved bestselling author Barbara Delinsky''s classic Crosslyn Rise trilogy about a family estate that''s fallen into disrepair—and those who dream of bringing it back to life. Originally published in 1990, now available as an e-book for the first time. Love is always a good investment. Realtor Nina Stone is known for getting results. When it comes to Crosslyn Rise, she will use every aggressive sales tactic she can dream up...unless John Sawyer has his say. An investor in the once-majestic Massachusetts estate, he refuses to go along with Nina''s plans for profit. The attraction he feels for her, however? Priceless. Could it be that these two strong-willed individuals are ready to negotiate their real estate—in each other''s hearts?