Mo Fanning

Sometimes the most unexpected voyage leads to the most important destination.

Silas French never imagined he'd spend Christmas dressed as Santa on a gay cruise ship. At sixty-two, recently ghosted by his son and scraping by financially, he's desperate enough to take any job-even one that terrifies him.

Ellen Gitelman is equally lost at sea. Seventeen years after 9/11 took her husband Otto, she's still afraid to truly live. Now a lupus diagnosis has shattered her hard-won sense of security, and joining her best friend Julia on an impulsive cruise feels like the most reckless thing she's ever done.

Between the glittering waters of New York and Miami, these two wounded souls discover that healing comes from the most unexpected places. Surrounded by an unforgettable cast-Ken, the chain-smoking drag queen with a heart of gold; Father Bob, the priest with mysterious secrets; and a vibrant community of passengers each seeking their own second chances-Silas and Ellen learn that it's never too late to chart a new course toward hope.

Mo Fanning delivers his most powerful story yet: a celebration of resilience, chosen family, and the radical courage to start over. Perfect for readers who loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, A Man Called Ove, and The Midnight Library.

"Fanning writes with exquisite sensitivity about aging, health, and the transformative power of unexpected friendship. This book will restore your faith in human connection."

"A masterpiece of humor and heart-Mo Fanning proves that the best stories are about ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

Naomi Rose-Mock

Spring Street Books

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