The Life Intended (Paperback) by Kristin Harmel

Book Synopsis

Sliding Doors meets P.S. I Love You in this richly told novel from the author of The Sweetness of Forgetting about the struggle to overcome the past when our memories refuse to be forgotten.

After her husband's sudden death over ten years ago, Kate Waithman never expected to be lucky enough to find another love of her life. But now she's planning her second walk down the aisle to a perfectly nice man. So why isn't she more excited?

At first, Kate blames her lack of sleep on stress. But when she starts seeing Patrick, her late husband, in her dreams, she begins to wonder if she's really ready to move on. Is Patrick trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, Kate must uncover her husband's hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.

Review Quotes

"Kristin Harmel writes with such insight and heart that her characters will stay with you long after you've finished her books."
--New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin

"Kristin Harmel...[is] one of my favorite authors!"
-Melissa Senate, bestselling author of The Love Goddess' Cooking School

The kind of book that stays with you ... Incredibly moving moments serve as beautiful relief [to the darker subplot]. The ending will no doubt bring tears to your eyes.-- "Romantic Times on THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING"

The Sweetness of Forgetting pulls together in the end like a warm embrace-- "The Modern Manuscript on THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING"

THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING is absolutely enthralling and full of twists and turns that add to the drama and keeps the tale moving along. Author Kristin Harmel does a magnificent job of telling this saga of one family's search for understanding. She also handles her approach to Alzheimer's disease with gentleness and understanding. Readers will remember THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING long after the final page is turned.--Fresh Fiction

" An absorbing read...well-paced and warmhearted."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Harmel manages to deliver an immersive and evocative tale of generations struggling to survive. Recipes sprinkled throughout the book allow readers to experience firsthand the sweetness of Hope's journey.-- "Publishers Weekly on THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING"

Kristin Harmel's novels are written with a lot of heart and soul. She has a way of bringing the reader into her stories in such a powerful way that they can often forget they're reading at all. The Sweetness of Forgetting may just be Harmel's best book yet.--Lisa Steinke "SheKnows Book Lounge"

The latest from Harmel...is an affecting tale about finding happiness amid grief and guilt. Some twists are telegraphed early in the novel, but that doesn't diminish the satisfying conclusion.-- "Booklist"

About The Author

Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of a dozen novels including The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker's Wife, The Room on Rue Amélie, and The Sweetness of Forgetting. She is also the cofounder and cohost of the popular web series, Friends and Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida.