The Book Club of Broken Promises: A Moving Novel Friendship, Forgiveness, and Starting Over

Twenty-two years ago, three friends chose silence. Lena Marlowe paid the price. When Lena returns to the coastal town of Ashford Bay for the funeral of beloved librarian Iris Bell, she intends to stay only long enough to say goodbye. Instead, Iris leaves Lena and three estranged childhood friends joint ownership of the crumbling Lantern Room-a once-loved reading space filled with old books, unfinished memories and secrets none of them wants uncovered. They have forty-five days to decide whether to save it. But six carefully chosen books reveal a trail of letters, missing records and broken promises. As the truth emerges, Lena discovers that the young man she loved may never have abandoned her-and that the people who claimed to protect her made decisions that changed the course of her life. Including the life of the daughter Lena has never stopped wondering about. To preserve the Lantern Room, the four women must confront what they did, what their silence cost and whether something honest can be built from a friendship shattered by betrayal. But forgiveness cannot be demanded. Lost years cannot be returned. And starting over does not mean starting clean. The Book Club of Broken Promises is a heartfelt and emotionally layered novel about female friendship, family secrets, adoption, motherhood and the courage to begin again without pretending the past can be erased. Perfect for readers who love moving small-town fiction, hidden letters, complicated friendships and hopeful stories of hard-won second chances.