Three Good Things - by Wendy Francis (Paperback)

About the Book

Sisterhood, motherhood, marriage, baking, and books--these are a few of the things that make a delightful novel. Filled with love, humor, and the scent of delectable puff pastry, this tale is about two sisters who find their bond invaluable as they navigate marriage, heartache, poor grammar, and the surprising challenges that ultimately become the most fulfilling blessings.

Book Synopsis

Sisterhood, motherhood, marriage, baking, and books--these are a few of the things that make this delightful novel a recipe for getting through the tough stuff of life--from the author of The Summer Sail and The Summer of Good Intentions.

Ellen McClarety, a recent divorcée, has opened a new bake shop in her small Midwestern town, hoping to turn her life around by dedicating herself to the traditional Danish pastry called kringle. She is no longer saddled by her ne'er-do-well husband, but the past still haunts her--sometimes by showing up on her doorstep. Her younger sister, Lanie, is a successful divorce attorney with a baby at home. But Lanie is beginning to feel that her perfect life is not as perfect as it seems. Both women long for the guidance of their mother, who died years ago but left them with lasting memories of her love and a wonderful piece of advice: "At the end of every day, you can always think of three good things that happened."

Ellen and Lanie are as close as two sisters can be, until one begins keeping a secret that could forever change both their lives. Wearing her big Midwestern heart proudly on her sleeve, Wendy Francis skillfully illuminates the emotional lives of two women with humor and compassion, weaving a story destined to be shared with a friend, a mother, or a sister.

Review Quotes

"A toothsome tale . . . a debut as light, sweet, and fluffy as Danish pastry dough. Culinary romance lovers--fans of Sharon Boorstein, Susan Mallery, and Deirdre Martin--will devour it."-- "Library Journal"

"Ellen and Lanie are great characters. . . . Engaging."-- "Booklist"

"Like gossip over morning coffee in the kitchen . . . warm and comforting."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"There are so many good things to say about Three Good Things. It's a warm, witty and wise story of sisters on their journey through love and life. Wendy Francis's new novel is as delicious as the kringles made in Ellen's bakeshop."--Susan Wiggs "author of The Goodbye Quilt"

"Three Good Things is a flavorful tale of sisters and second chances, fresh starts and sweet surprises. Wendy Francis has written a rich debut, sure to delight the lucky readers who discover her here."--Barbara O'Neal "author of How to Bake a Perfect Life"

"A lovely story about people you wish were your next-door neighbors. I wish, too, the kringle shop were next door, because I loved the mouthwatering descriptions of its treats. Curl up with this book, along with a cup of tea and a kringle (what else?) and lose yourself in a world you won't want to leave after you turn the last page."--Eileen Goudge "author of The Replacement Wife"

"Wendy Francis's Three Good Things is as sweet, rich, and comforting as a Danish kringle, spiced with lots of good surprises."--Nancy Thayer "author of Heat Wave"

About the Author

Wendy Francis is the author of five novels: Summertime Guests, Bad Behavior, The Summer Sail, The Summer of Good Intentions, and Three Good Things. She is a former book editor whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, The Washington Post, Redbook, Yahoo Parenting, Salon, HuffPost, and WBUR's Cognoscenti. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and son.