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Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
A contemporary literary novel about an unlikely friendship between two very different women, The Breaks will appeal to fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
Waking up in the emergency room with a broken arm is not one of the ways Marianne imagined her first date with Carl, if it is a date, ending up. Nor was driving up to the entrance of a women’s prison a few weeks later anywhere on her radar. But here she is. At least I’m on this side of the gate. She picks up newly released Stephanie, as a favor to a nun she barely knows, returns to her East of Troost home, and finds herself immersed in a whole new drama.
East of Troost is Marianne’s childhood neighborhood, downtrodden by decades of redlining and a wide swath of destruction to make way for an expressway. Marianne moves back after a reversal of fortune limits her options. She repairs the house and deals with a couple of “incidents”—hence her acquaintance with Officer Carl.
Meanwhile, Sister Colette bought the house behind her and is taking in women who, in her words, need to learn to “just live.” As Stephanie helps Marianne cope with her broken arm, she gradually comes out of her shell and teaches Marianne a thing or two about just living.
Waking up in the emergency room with a broken arm is not one of the ways Marianne imagined her first date with Carl, if it is a date, ending up. Nor was driving up to the entrance of a women’s prison a few weeks later anywhere on her radar. But here she is. At least I’m on this side of the gate. She picks up newly released Stephanie, as a favor to a nun she barely knows, returns to her East of Troost home, and finds herself immersed in a whole new drama.
East of Troost is Marianne’s childhood neighborhood, downtrodden by decades of redlining and a wide swath of destruction to make way for an expressway. Marianne moves back after a reversal of fortune limits her options. She repairs the house and deals with a couple of “incidents”—hence her acquaintance with Officer Carl.
Meanwhile, Sister Colette bought the house behind her and is taking in women who, in her words, need to learn to “just live.” As Stephanie helps Marianne cope with her broken arm, she gradually comes out of her shell and teaches Marianne a thing or two about just living.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (February 18, 2025)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647428419
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Raves and Reviews
"A story of growth, trust, and friendship between independent women who find strength with one another."—Kirkus Reviews
“The character development is superb, and the author takes the time to flesh out the characters of even the more minor players. The overarching theme is never to settle, always look for new challenges, and have the courage to accept people at face value and not prejudge them. This relatable tale made me examine many of my practices and habits; an excellent and enjoyable read I highly recommend.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Ellen Barker has given us a powerful novel infused with humanity, heart, hope, and characters you won't want to leave behind. The perfect antidote to these divisive times.”—Kate Feiffer, author of Morning Pages
“Beautifully written, with enchanting characters. An illuminating look at the deep injustice suffered by innocent persons of color trapped in the foster care–to–prison pipeline. Written with humor and a light touch. The Breaks is a winner!”—Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer’s Secret
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Breaks eBook 9781647428419
