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The Epicenter of Forever
A moving story about family, forgiveness, and unexpected love—where the fault lines of a fractured past become the foundation for building something new.
Eden Hawthorne spent idyllic childhood summers in Grand Trees, a mountain town perched along a restless earthquake fault in the heart of California’s fire country. But her family and future were shattered there, and she vowed never to return—until news of her estranged mother’s illness forces her back twenty years later.
Still reeling from her recent divorce, Eden has to confront her mom’s found family, including single father Caleb Connell, who blames Eden for the seismic rift that drove her away. But as they move beyond a battle of wills, Eden and Caleb discover shared wounds and intertwined histories—and succumb to an attraction that feels fated.
When her mother’s condition worsens, Eden faces an impossible choice between the man she’s falling for and the mother she’s just beginning to forgive. And with time running out, Eden fears her decision will doom her to relive the aftershocks of past heartbreak.
Eden Hawthorne spent idyllic childhood summers in Grand Trees, a mountain town perched along a restless earthquake fault in the heart of California’s fire country. But her family and future were shattered there, and she vowed never to return—until news of her estranged mother’s illness forces her back twenty years later.
Still reeling from her recent divorce, Eden has to confront her mom’s found family, including single father Caleb Connell, who blames Eden for the seismic rift that drove her away. But as they move beyond a battle of wills, Eden and Caleb discover shared wounds and intertwined histories—and succumb to an attraction that feels fated.
When her mother’s condition worsens, Eden faces an impossible choice between the man she’s falling for and the mother she’s just beginning to forgive. And with time running out, Eden fears her decision will doom her to relive the aftershocks of past heartbreak.
303 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Grand Trees was where Eden Hawthorne spent her magical childhood summers, but it’s also where her family and future fell apart, and she told herself she’d never go back. But twenty years later, after her divorce and finding out her estranged mother’s illness, Eden finds herself driving back to Grand Trees, not only having to face off her past but Caleb Connell, a single father who is furious at Eden for never visiting her mom. Not wanting to air out her family’s dirty laundry, Eden tries to stay away from Caleb and distance herself from her mom’s found family, but finds that both are hard to do when the magic of the small town tries to seep back into her heart. As Eden tries to find a way to forgive her mother for what she did to her family and get her the treatment she needs, she also tries to keep her romantic feelings for Caleb at bay because the last thing she needs is a reason to stay.
I read the author’s debut The Truth Is in the Detours last year and liked it, so when I saw that she had another novel coming out, I was definitely ready to check it out. And I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. 😅
The writing was good, the story was even better, and the ending was satisfying and made me happy for the characters. I will say, though, that I thought there was a lot of purple prose. I don’t remember the last book having as many flowery descriptions or being so ornate. I did find myself skimming some of it because it just didn’t seem necessary. Granted, I do think that kind of prose should be in books, and I have always liked it, but there needs to be a balance of simple sentences and complex ones to make the writing flow like music. If there isn’t a balance of the two, it can sound unrealistic, make paragraphs lengthy, and be overall boring. But I didn’t hate it, which is why I docked half a star.
The other reason why I docked off the other half was that I wasn’t expecting there to be so much romance. Eden and Caleb were ready to do the deed after a week of knowing each other! Mind you, the first few days they were trying to find ways to get under each other’s skin, but now they want to get into each other’s beds? Yeah no, I was sure as heck not expecting that much yearning and longing from those two, at least not until halfway through the book. 😂
But Caleb was sweet once he put away his loyal guard dog side, so I understand why Eden fell for him. He did piss me off at the beginning of the book for being so freaking rude to Eden when he literally didn’t know the full story of why she never contacted her mom. Like, sir, take a chill pill and sit down and shut up, you don’t know anything about anyone. There’s absolutely no need to be a jackass. 🤦♀ At that point, I was siding with Eden the whole time because dang, I felt bad for her, and I also related to her and her pain. Good lord, what is it with these books this new year? It seems like every book I read is pointing out all the things I’ve been burying within the depths of my heart and bringing them to light so I can deal with them. 😂🫣
But it was nice to see how much Eden wanted to fix her relationship with her mom. Forgiveness is a hard thing to do, so I applaud Eden for making an effort to forgive because I, too, need to work on forgiving some people in my life. It might take a while because I’m petty and vengeful, but I’m hoping someday I’ll be able to do it. ❤🩹
Overall, this was a good book with important lessons that made me realize that I still have a lot of work to do in my own life, and if the author comes out with any more books, I will definitely be checking them out!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions illness of a loved one, abuse, child abuse, & dying.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
I read the author’s debut The Truth Is in the Detours last year and liked it, so when I saw that she had another novel coming out, I was definitely ready to check it out. And I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. 😅
The writing was good, the story was even better, and the ending was satisfying and made me happy for the characters. I will say, though, that I thought there was a lot of purple prose. I don’t remember the last book having as many flowery descriptions or being so ornate. I did find myself skimming some of it because it just didn’t seem necessary. Granted, I do think that kind of prose should be in books, and I have always liked it, but there needs to be a balance of simple sentences and complex ones to make the writing flow like music. If there isn’t a balance of the two, it can sound unrealistic, make paragraphs lengthy, and be overall boring. But I didn’t hate it, which is why I docked half a star.
The other reason why I docked off the other half was that I wasn’t expecting there to be so much romance. Eden and Caleb were ready to do the deed after a week of knowing each other! Mind you, the first few days they were trying to find ways to get under each other’s skin, but now they want to get into each other’s beds? Yeah no, I was sure as heck not expecting that much yearning and longing from those two, at least not until halfway through the book. 😂
But Caleb was sweet once he put away his loyal guard dog side, so I understand why Eden fell for him. He did piss me off at the beginning of the book for being so freaking rude to Eden when he literally didn’t know the full story of why she never contacted her mom. Like, sir, take a chill pill and sit down and shut up, you don’t know anything about anyone. There’s absolutely no need to be a jackass. 🤦♀ At that point, I was siding with Eden the whole time because dang, I felt bad for her, and I also related to her and her pain. Good lord, what is it with these books this new year? It seems like every book I read is pointing out all the things I’ve been burying within the depths of my heart and bringing them to light so I can deal with them. 😂🫣
But it was nice to see how much Eden wanted to fix her relationship with her mom. Forgiveness is a hard thing to do, so I applaud Eden for making an effort to forgive because I, too, need to work on forgiving some people in my life. It might take a while because I’m petty and vengeful, but I’m hoping someday I’ll be able to do it. ❤🩹
Overall, this was a good book with important lessons that made me realize that I still have a lot of work to do in my own life, and if the author comes out with any more books, I will definitely be checking them out!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions illness of a loved one, abuse, child abuse, & dying.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOWZA, REVIEW TO COME😭😍!!!!!!!!
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦❀💫🌙I love a good juicy family drama story✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦🌙💫❀!!!!!!
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦❀💫🌙I love a good juicy family drama story✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈·✦🌙💫❀!!!!!!
October 3, 2025
⋮ many thanks to lake union publishing and netgalley for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
this story, set in the mountainous hometown of grand trees, is a deeply emotional journey about second chances and confronting a painful past. it follows eden, a woman who is forced to return home after two decades of estrangement from her mother.
eden's life is in crisis. she has just been through a difficult divorce after being cheated on, and now she has received devastating news that her mother has been diagnosed with parkinson's. their relationship has been fractured ever since her mother left her father for another man 20 years ago. eden returns not just to help, but to finally face the resentment and unresolved anger she’s carried for half her life.
while trying to navigate this complicated family dynamic, eden meets caleb, the nephew of her mother’s late, controversial boyfriend, sonny. the connection between eden and caleb is immediate and intense. they become a source of unexpected comfort as eden deals with her mother’s illness and their complicated history. but circumstances soon pull them apart. it takes a dramatic natural disaster striking the small town to force them back together and potentially heal all the emotional wounds. both new and old.
── ୭ thoughts and overview
overall, i found this book to be very emotional and compelling. it tackles heavy subjects like grief, estrangement, illness, and recovery with a writing style that is easy to read and highly engaging. diving into eden’s life and watching her try to piece together her relationships was genuinely enjoyable.
but the book’s biggest issue is its length. it is simply too short for the amount of plot and emotion it tries to pack in.
because the story is so short, the pacing is incredibly fast. while i enjoy a swift read, this speed led to some key developments feeling rushed, especially the romance. the relationship between eden and caleb suffers from what i call insta-lust. they meet, they feel an immediate, lusty connection, and they fall in love almost instantly, without enough time for the chemistry and emotional bond to truly develop on the page. i found it difficult to root for their relationship because it lacked the foundational slow burn that makes a romance feel real.
another area i wanted more of was the secondary characters. the story focuses heavily on eden and her internal struggles (which are fascinating), but characters like caleb were underdeveloped. i really liked the short glimpses we got of caleb and wanted to see more facets of his personality, his own history, and his interactions with eden, rather than having him serve almost exclusively as a supportive figure in her journey.
in the end, while the book tackles powerful themes and has a promising premise, i was left wanting more. it’s a good story, but one that needed to be significantly longer to allow the relationships and life altering events the space they deserved to breathe.
January 10, 2026
Rounding up to 3 stars for Caleb, and the parents finally realizing that they needed to be the parents. Eden, please go to therapy because my god. Insufferable.
March 10, 2026
The Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams is a beautiful and emotional story about family, forgiveness, and finding love when life feels completely broken.
Eden Hawthorne once spent perfect summers in the mountain town of Grand Trees in California. But a painful event changed everything and she left town, promising she would never come back. Twenty years later she returns after learning her estranged mother is very ill.
Back in Grand Trees, Eden must face the past she tried to forget. She also comes face to face with Caleb Connell, a single father who has never forgiven her for the events that shook their small town years ago. Their reunion begins with tension and old hurt, but as they spend time together they begin to see each other in a new way. What starts as resentment slowly turns into understanding and a connection neither of them expected.
At the same time Eden is trying to repair the relationship with the mother she left behind. As her mother’s condition worsens, Eden must decide what forgiveness really means and what kind of future she wants to build.
This story is heartfelt, thoughtful, and full of emotion. It explores complicated family relationships, healing after loss, and the courage it takes to open your heart again.
If you enjoy emotional stories about second chances, family, and unexpected love, I definitely recommend adding this one to your reading list.
Eden Hawthorne once spent perfect summers in the mountain town of Grand Trees in California. But a painful event changed everything and she left town, promising she would never come back. Twenty years later she returns after learning her estranged mother is very ill.
Back in Grand Trees, Eden must face the past she tried to forget. She also comes face to face with Caleb Connell, a single father who has never forgiven her for the events that shook their small town years ago. Their reunion begins with tension and old hurt, but as they spend time together they begin to see each other in a new way. What starts as resentment slowly turns into understanding and a connection neither of them expected.
At the same time Eden is trying to repair the relationship with the mother she left behind. As her mother’s condition worsens, Eden must decide what forgiveness really means and what kind of future she wants to build.
This story is heartfelt, thoughtful, and full of emotion. It explores complicated family relationships, healing after loss, and the courage it takes to open your heart again.
If you enjoy emotional stories about second chances, family, and unexpected love, I definitely recommend adding this one to your reading list.
September 25, 2025
This book kept me up past my bedtime more than once and made me cry twice- because of how poignantly the author writes feelings. No sophomore slump here, Mara’s second book is as good as her first, if not better. I loved the community of Grand Trees, Caleb’s huge, tender heart, the chemistry between him and Eden, and what Eden overcomes and figures out about herself. And then there’s Cassie, and best dog, Houdini, and Abby. A great cast of characters supporting a beautifully written love story…this is what romance is all about! No queer rep
Short summary: Eden is a complex swirl of emotions when she’s asked to return to the place her life fell apart, on the heels of her failed marriage. What she finds is totally unexpected and altogether seismic.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Short summary: Eden is a complex swirl of emotions when she’s asked to return to the place her life fell apart, on the heels of her failed marriage. What she finds is totally unexpected and altogether seismic.
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2026
I have mixed luck with Amazon First reads selection. This one was on the list for jan 26. Its a must read. Iwasnt dissapointed at all. The writing is fantastic and this is the perfect blend of chicklit and romance plus a sprinkling of family drama. Ive said this many times that I feel like its much harder to pull off a new love romance then one where theres an established connection but this Author pulle d it off.
The fmc is recently divorced from her cheating Asshole Ex husband who choose to dip his pen in the company inkwell ( coworker affair). Shes estranged from her mother after her mom had an affair and broke up their family. When her moms friend in her small town hometown calls her and tells her that her mom needs help, she puts her resentment aside and goes back to her hometown. She runs into her moms caretaker on her first day there. Hes the step father's ( who passed away) relative. They but heads soon after when it comes to her abandoning her mother. Hes a single Dad. They work together for the sake of her mom on a budget proposal that helps the town. There's a few fleeting moments of passion but the heroine, Cara is hellbent on not staying in the small town but her heart is torn 💔 because there is a strong connection with the Hero.
I loved it, definitely recommend.
The fmc is recently divorced from her cheating Asshole Ex husband who choose to dip his pen in the company inkwell ( coworker affair). Shes estranged from her mother after her mom had an affair and broke up their family. When her moms friend in her small town hometown calls her and tells her that her mom needs help, she puts her resentment aside and goes back to her hometown. She runs into her moms caretaker on her first day there. Hes the step father's ( who passed away) relative. They but heads soon after when it comes to her abandoning her mother. Hes a single Dad. They work together for the sake of her mom on a budget proposal that helps the town. There's a few fleeting moments of passion but the heroine, Cara is hellbent on not staying in the small town but her heart is torn 💔 because there is a strong connection with the Hero.
I loved it, definitely recommend.
January 8, 2026
This is the sort of book that makes you feel human. There are moments and thoughts in these pages that I imagine we’ve all experienced; good, bad, moments that mean to be human.
Whilst there is a romance here, I wouldn’t initially call this a romance though. The romance was almost a tool, albeit beautifully woven within Eden’s character development and therefore patching, and creating, relationships. Is what I would’ve said until about 50% of the way through when this just became straight romance. This is quite a short novel so all those important themes of illness, grief, betrayal just became lost by the second half and massively undeveloped sadly.
The romance itself was ok, my main gripe was there was still so much, sort of, unspoken animosity between Caleb and Eden and to me that just didn’t fit with the story. I’m sure with more time this could’ve been better developed and that is what the majority of my thoughts boil down to with this book. However I still do think this is a worthwhile read, especially if you’re after something on the more lighthearted side of tricky reads.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this Arc in exchange for my own review.
Whilst there is a romance here, I wouldn’t initially call this a romance though. The romance was almost a tool, albeit beautifully woven within Eden’s character development and therefore patching, and creating, relationships. Is what I would’ve said until about 50% of the way through when this just became straight romance. This is quite a short novel so all those important themes of illness, grief, betrayal just became lost by the second half and massively undeveloped sadly.
The romance itself was ok, my main gripe was there was still so much, sort of, unspoken animosity between Caleb and Eden and to me that just didn’t fit with the story. I’m sure with more time this could’ve been better developed and that is what the majority of my thoughts boil down to with this book. However I still do think this is a worthwhile read, especially if you’re after something on the more lighthearted side of tricky reads.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this Arc in exchange for my own review.
January 30, 2026
After reading and loving The Truth is in the Detours, I knew I had to get my hands on Mara Williams next book as soon as possible. I am thrilled to report that I wound up enjoying The Epicenter of Forever even more! Had I not been reading it while visiting my family for the holidays, I definitely would have devoured the whole thing in one sitting. However, I’m actually glad I had the opportunity to savor it a little more slowly, to sit with a few chapters at a time and process the emotions.
The Epicenter of Forever is, essentially, a beautifully written and deeply emotional story about good people connecting (or reconnecting), loving, and taking care of each other. That is my all time favorite type of story. The characters in this book are dealing with a lot of deep hurt and past trauma. Their relationships are extremely complicated, but there is no real bad guy or villain, just past scars and mental barriers preventing them from healing. Whenever the characters disagree, it is always painfully easy to see both sides, which makes it all the more profound and relatable. I really loved the way the heavier issues were balanced out with moments of fun, happiness, and - of course - romance. The town of Grand Trees was a great setting. Mara Williams somehow managed to make it feel simultaneously haunted by past hardships, unstable due to environmental threats, and also like the coziest, homiest, and most supportive place you could ever be. All of the neighbors treated each other like family, and I could fully understand how the characters are so connected to that place. I loved my time there as a reader too!
Be sure to check this one out on February 1, 2026, especially if you enjoy stories with:
-Small towns with a strong community
-Found family
-Strong friendships
-Healing from past trauma
-Flirty to enemies to lovers
-Great big adorable dogs
-Main characters in their mid thirties
Thank you so much to Mara Williams, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my review.
The Epicenter of Forever is, essentially, a beautifully written and deeply emotional story about good people connecting (or reconnecting), loving, and taking care of each other. That is my all time favorite type of story. The characters in this book are dealing with a lot of deep hurt and past trauma. Their relationships are extremely complicated, but there is no real bad guy or villain, just past scars and mental barriers preventing them from healing. Whenever the characters disagree, it is always painfully easy to see both sides, which makes it all the more profound and relatable. I really loved the way the heavier issues were balanced out with moments of fun, happiness, and - of course - romance. The town of Grand Trees was a great setting. Mara Williams somehow managed to make it feel simultaneously haunted by past hardships, unstable due to environmental threats, and also like the coziest, homiest, and most supportive place you could ever be. All of the neighbors treated each other like family, and I could fully understand how the characters are so connected to that place. I loved my time there as a reader too!
Be sure to check this one out on February 1, 2026, especially if you enjoy stories with:
-Small towns with a strong community
-Found family
-Strong friendships
-Healing from past trauma
-Flirty to enemies to lovers
-Great big adorable dogs
-Main characters in their mid thirties
Thank you so much to Mara Williams, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My immediate review for this is: "Loved everything about it. No notes." But since that's probably not verboise enough, 👇
Eden and her mother were once as close as a mother-daughter duo could be but as a teen, their relationship imploded. Years later, Eden receives a phone call that convinces her to face their past and help her mom through her diagnosis. She arrives and everything she knows is challenged by Caleb, one of her mom's caretakers.
The way that Eden and Caleb challenge each other, their banter and chemistry, they're understanding is written in such a way that I couldn't out this book down. I can't get over the depth of the cast and how brilliantly everything ties in and wraps up. I loved the California redwoods setting as it made me nostalgic for my childhood. I can't wait to reread it!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Eden and her mother were once as close as a mother-daughter duo could be but as a teen, their relationship imploded. Years later, Eden receives a phone call that convinces her to face their past and help her mom through her diagnosis. She arrives and everything she knows is challenged by Caleb, one of her mom's caretakers.
The way that Eden and Caleb challenge each other, their banter and chemistry, they're understanding is written in such a way that I couldn't out this book down. I can't get over the depth of the cast and how brilliantly everything ties in and wraps up. I loved the California redwoods setting as it made me nostalgic for my childhood. I can't wait to reread it!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
February 18, 2026
Moving, bighearted, and compelling!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a magical, heartwarming tale that transports readers to Grand Trees and into the life of Eden Hawthorne, an independent, recently divorced young woman who reluctantly returns to a place she hasn’t visited in twenty years to help her estranged mother who has fallen ill, confront her past, recenter herself, and try not to fall too hard for the one man who still blames her for everything that went wrong.
The writing is sensitive and graceful. The characters are scarred, stubborn, and loyal. And the story is a sweet, absorbing exploration of life, love, family, friendship, trust, compassion, romance, heartache, community, healing, self-reflection, difficult choices, forgiveness, and moving forward.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a heart-tugging, tender, enchanting novel by Williams that reminds us that life is complicated, that the choices we make always have consequences, and that ultimately there is no love without forgiveness, and no forgiveness without love.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a magical, heartwarming tale that transports readers to Grand Trees and into the life of Eden Hawthorne, an independent, recently divorced young woman who reluctantly returns to a place she hasn’t visited in twenty years to help her estranged mother who has fallen ill, confront her past, recenter herself, and try not to fall too hard for the one man who still blames her for everything that went wrong.
The writing is sensitive and graceful. The characters are scarred, stubborn, and loyal. And the story is a sweet, absorbing exploration of life, love, family, friendship, trust, compassion, romance, heartache, community, healing, self-reflection, difficult choices, forgiveness, and moving forward.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a heart-tugging, tender, enchanting novel by Williams that reminds us that life is complicated, that the choices we make always have consequences, and that ultimately there is no love without forgiveness, and no forgiveness without love.
Want to Read
January 3, 2026*January 2026 Amazon Prime First Read
March 6, 2026
DNF
Bear it with me. I know I picked up a wrong book with The Epicenter of Forever. I thought this book will be a breeze of fresh air, but sadly not working out for me.
Moving on...
2 stara
Bear it with me. I know I picked up a wrong book with The Epicenter of Forever. I thought this book will be a breeze of fresh air, but sadly not working out for me.
Moving on...
2 stara
July 27, 2025
❤️❤️ Thank You Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC copy! ❤️❤️
This book. Wow. Mara Williams beautifully wrote an enchanting and heart wrenching story of loss, forgiveness, and learning to love again. Eden Hawthorne grew up revisiting Grand Trees every summer to enjoy the mystery and fun of her childhood at camp - that was, until her mother cheated on her father for a camp counselor there and left them a year later to go to Grand Trees permanently. After a surprise phone call from one of her mother’s friends about her mother’s diagnosis that Eden knew nothing of, she returned to the place that brought up emotion and hatred. Between loss, relearning to love again after her recent divorce, learning to put her pride aside and heal and forgive, Eden faces a beautiful story of becoming a person she’s meant to be, in a place with magical roots.
Overall, 5 ⭐️ Cassie is the friend that everyone needs and had me laughing since page 1. The love story painted between Eden and Caleb had me cry, smile, and root for them through all of the difficult turns they faced. The forgiveness and trust Eden rebuilt with her mom tugged at my heart strings and made me reflect on several of my own personal relationships. This book is a definite, must have read!
This book. Wow. Mara Williams beautifully wrote an enchanting and heart wrenching story of loss, forgiveness, and learning to love again. Eden Hawthorne grew up revisiting Grand Trees every summer to enjoy the mystery and fun of her childhood at camp - that was, until her mother cheated on her father for a camp counselor there and left them a year later to go to Grand Trees permanently. After a surprise phone call from one of her mother’s friends about her mother’s diagnosis that Eden knew nothing of, she returned to the place that brought up emotion and hatred. Between loss, relearning to love again after her recent divorce, learning to put her pride aside and heal and forgive, Eden faces a beautiful story of becoming a person she’s meant to be, in a place with magical roots.
Overall, 5 ⭐️ Cassie is the friend that everyone needs and had me laughing since page 1. The love story painted between Eden and Caleb had me cry, smile, and root for them through all of the difficult turns they faced. The forgiveness and trust Eden rebuilt with her mom tugged at my heart strings and made me reflect on several of my own personal relationships. This book is a definite, must have read!
December 30, 2025
oh. 🥹🥹🥹🥹
i'll be back to properly review but oh how i loved it
i'll be back to properly review but oh how i loved it
January 28, 2026
This book was super good. It made me feel all the feels. Amazon first reads choice and I’m so happy I got this one. I’d like to read more of her books.
April 14, 2026
This was ... insufferable. Eden is one of the worst female characters in any book I've ever read (right up there with Cecilia from the Ravenhood series) 🤦🏼♀️
July 27, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this e-arc.
The Epicenter of Forever follows our main character Eden, who's a new divorcee with complicated parental relationships. Her mother's diagnosis with Parkinson's brings Eden to Grand Trees, a place filled with the worst - and, arguably, the best - memories. There, she experiences a torrent of emotions, managing her broken relationship with her mother all while enduring her mother's insufferable primary caretaker, Caleb Connell.
I loved how every character in this book is anything but surface level. The way each one of their emotions were so raw and real is just * chef's kiss *.
Eden was a fascinating character to follow because it feels like she had almost treated her life as if she isn't the one living it? So unaffected and unemotional towards everything that has happened?
Caleb was your usual grumpy/broody (borderline a**hole) MMC but I feel like this is one of the very few times where I felt he was (mostly) valid. Just need to work on his delivery 😀. But what's interesting and new in this book is that he's patient and nice to everyone EXCEPT the FMC - that is, at the start obviously.
This book gives small town vibes but with a unique mountainous setting which I loved! The way this book shows actions (this is NOT a justification btw) as gray and not just black & white was such a breath of fresh air for me, however, I'd have liked a bit more explanation from her mom for what she did.
This book has it all - trauma, healing, envy, complicated relationships, forgiveness, second chances - and it does everything so well.
I don't like how insta love/lust this book is or how Eden just keeps thirsting over the mmc despite having somewhat intense back and forth with him, and one of them always ends up getting hurt. One other thing I disliked is that his teen at times doesn't sound or act her age, like at all. Oh, and I would've REALLY liked it more if we had gotten Caleb's POV.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this e-arc.
The Epicenter of Forever follows our main character Eden, who's a new divorcee with complicated parental relationships. Her mother's diagnosis with Parkinson's brings Eden to Grand Trees, a place filled with the worst - and, arguably, the best - memories. There, she experiences a torrent of emotions, managing her broken relationship with her mother all while enduring her mother's insufferable primary caretaker, Caleb Connell.
I loved how every character in this book is anything but surface level. The way each one of their emotions were so raw and real is just * chef's kiss *.
Eden was a fascinating character to follow because it feels like she had almost treated her life as if she isn't the one living it? So unaffected and unemotional towards everything that has happened?
Caleb was your usual grumpy/broody (borderline a**hole) MMC but I feel like this is one of the very few times where I felt he was (mostly) valid. Just need to work on his delivery 😀. But what's interesting and new in this book is that he's patient and nice to everyone EXCEPT the FMC - that is, at the start obviously.
This book gives small town vibes but with a unique mountainous setting which I loved! The way this book shows actions (this is NOT a justification btw) as gray and not just black & white was such a breath of fresh air for me, however, I'd have liked a bit more explanation from her mom for what she did.
This book has it all - trauma, healing, envy, complicated relationships, forgiveness, second chances - and it does everything so well.
I don't like how insta love/lust this book is or how Eden just keeps thirsting over the mmc despite having somewhat intense back and forth with him, and one of them always ends up getting hurt. One other thing I disliked is that his teen at times doesn't sound or act her age, like at all. Oh, and I would've REALLY liked it more if we had gotten Caleb's POV.
February 28, 2026
Wow, this book is amazing. Mara Williams can WRITE. The language is beautiful, the romance is deeply layered and sexy, the character development is rich, the stakes are real, and the non-romantic aspects are gripping. For fans of Jessica Joyce, Tara DeWitt, and Clare Gilmore but who like their romance with a side of commercial fiction, I HIGHLY recommend picking up with of Mara Willliam's books.
January 7, 2026
I wish I could have liked this story more, but Eden is difficult to like. Caleb is wonderful! Told from only Eden's POV, she enjoyed living with her rage and indecision right until the end, blaming her parents (mostly her mother) for all the bad things that happened in her life. Get over it already, you are a 35 year old woman. To top it off, she then falls for Caleb, but forces him to keep the affair a secret, doing exactly what she hated her mother for doing to her father. It got to be ridiculous, reading Eden's same reasoning why she needed to hold on to her rage for 280 pages. The side characters are quite likeable, the town seems to be a great place, too bad the FMC had so many hang ups.
July 22, 2025
This is the kind of book that teaches you something about yourself. My heart was racing, I was sweating and crying and laughing. Reading this book was a full body experience that was magical and immersive. Don't miss this stunning book!!!
February 5, 2026
If you’re looking for a romance novel with some depth and substance to it, then THE EPICENTER OF FOREVER by Mara Williams is it. There’s so much to love about this story, book friends. It’s got heart, humor, family drama, a majestic mountain town setting, a swoony romance with the perfect amount of steam, and authentic characters.
Eden Hawthorne, the female protagonist showed so much growth throughout—it was lovely to witness. She’s an extremely likable and genuine character who you can’t help but root for. Caleb Connell, the hunky lumberjack is top-tier book boyfriend material. You’ll fall in love with this loyal and charming man in no time at all.
This novel isn’t all heart eyes and smiley faces, though. It also explores some important themes like childhood trauma, confronting one’s past, divorce, infidelity, complex mother-daughter relationships, and caregiving for an elderly parent.
4/5 stars for THE EPICENTER OF FOREVER! It’s out now!
Eden Hawthorne, the female protagonist showed so much growth throughout—it was lovely to witness. She’s an extremely likable and genuine character who you can’t help but root for. Caleb Connell, the hunky lumberjack is top-tier book boyfriend material. You’ll fall in love with this loyal and charming man in no time at all.
This novel isn’t all heart eyes and smiley faces, though. It also explores some important themes like childhood trauma, confronting one’s past, divorce, infidelity, complex mother-daughter relationships, and caregiving for an elderly parent.
4/5 stars for THE EPICENTER OF FOREVER! It’s out now!
January 25, 2026
The Epicenter of Forever was a surprisingly enjoyable read. I went in a bit skeptical, but Mara Williams’ writing style hooked me pretty quickly. She does a great job weaving together heavier themes with humor and genuinely relatable human experiences. There were moments that felt a little too accurate… but in the best way.
The plot does shift a bit midway through, but as a romance reader aficionado, I honestly didn’t mind one bit 😄
The plot does shift a bit midway through, but as a romance reader aficionado, I honestly didn’t mind one bit 😄
January 31, 2026
Finally decided to start reading this one and I am so glad I did. This one tugs at the heart strings. It was so good to read a grown up book - real people with real problems etc.
Read it straight through.
Highly recommend
Read it straight through.
Highly recommend
January 25, 2026
very cute read! family can be very complicated, but that doesn’t make the love there any less
January 16, 2026
Absolutely loved this captivating and emotional page turner!
After a horrible accident, on a mountain, Eden lost her dream to be a famous ballerina. Unfortunately, she lost so much more because her parents not only abandoned each other, but their daughter as well! The lack of communication was heart breaking.
Then along came Caleb. Will he be able to mend this mess or tear everything further apart?
******* I received this book as a gift from January's Amazon First Reads! Thank you so much! It was great!
After a horrible accident, on a mountain, Eden lost her dream to be a famous ballerina. Unfortunately, she lost so much more because her parents not only abandoned each other, but their daughter as well! The lack of communication was heart breaking.
Then along came Caleb. Will he be able to mend this mess or tear everything further apart?
******* I received this book as a gift from January's Amazon First Reads! Thank you so much! It was great!
March 6, 2026
I’m so confused on how the FMC is 35 and doesn’t know how to simply fucking communicate and go to therapy, the teenager had more emotional intelligence than the FMC. The mom also didn’t have any redeeming qualities, you can’t blame A TEENAGER who literally just had something traumatic happen to her and then just “I couldn’t handle the silence so I had to go with the man I’m having an affair with and have a do over with another family that doesn’t know I cheated on my husband”.
January 5, 2026
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Who doesn't love a bit of enemies to lovers action? I know I do. And this one fit that bill really well. This is my first book by Mara Williams and I was pleasantly surprised by the story and it's progression.
Eden Haworth returns to Grand Trees, the site of her idyllic childhood summers, to care for her mother and confront old wounds. Caleb Connell is already there, caring for her mother and being the hero for the entire town. They clash and bump heads more often than not. But there's also a spark that ignites between them. Things take a turn when Eden's mother finally agrees to move back to San Francisco to seek better medical attention. Eden must leave Caleb behind but will their relationship be able to weather the storm?
I think my favorite part of this story was the setting. The descriptions of the mountains and the surrounding areas were great. I could easily picture the camp, the cabin, and the town in my mind. I love a small town romance and this pretty much set that theme. All the people in the small town knowing everyone and a new comer entering the scene. Everyone being super invested in figuring it all out.
The author did a great job presenting the emotions of the characters, as well. There was so much for all of them to work through. She tackles a ton of heavy subjects throughout the story. So much so, I felt like maybe there needed to be more pages to really. There were definitely areas that felt a bit more rushed to me. While the chemistry between the two main characters was great, I really felt like it could have used more time. And the ending definitely felt a bit rushed for me.
I have a love/hate relationship with Eden. On the one hand she has a ton of trauma she needs to work through which I can totally appreciate. From a bad childhood accident to her fraught relationship with her parents, she has things she needs to work through. And for sure those things have followed her and her relationships in to adulthood. What drove me nuts about Eden was her penchant for miscommunication. She kept so much bottled up inside her it easily caused rifts between her and those she chose to surround herself with.
Caleb was the perfect grump. Definitely a man who holds his emotions close to his chest. I liked his development but really needed more from him. I blame this on the fact that the book is told from Eden's perspective. I feel like I wasn't fully able to get to know him because I was never in his head. I prefer dual POV for a romance most of the time.
This book encompasses the idea of found family. While some of the characters are related, the characters really all do act like one big family worried about each other and what happens.
Overall, I enjoyed this even though I thought it could have been a bit longer to explore some of the intense topics. The characters were more or less relatable and definitely felt real. This book explores how mistakes can be made but also how forgiveness can truly open one's soul.
3.5/5 stars
Who doesn't love a bit of enemies to lovers action? I know I do. And this one fit that bill really well. This is my first book by Mara Williams and I was pleasantly surprised by the story and it's progression.
Eden Haworth returns to Grand Trees, the site of her idyllic childhood summers, to care for her mother and confront old wounds. Caleb Connell is already there, caring for her mother and being the hero for the entire town. They clash and bump heads more often than not. But there's also a spark that ignites between them. Things take a turn when Eden's mother finally agrees to move back to San Francisco to seek better medical attention. Eden must leave Caleb behind but will their relationship be able to weather the storm?
I think my favorite part of this story was the setting. The descriptions of the mountains and the surrounding areas were great. I could easily picture the camp, the cabin, and the town in my mind. I love a small town romance and this pretty much set that theme. All the people in the small town knowing everyone and a new comer entering the scene. Everyone being super invested in figuring it all out.
The author did a great job presenting the emotions of the characters, as well. There was so much for all of them to work through. She tackles a ton of heavy subjects throughout the story. So much so, I felt like maybe there needed to be more pages to really. There were definitely areas that felt a bit more rushed to me. While the chemistry between the two main characters was great, I really felt like it could have used more time. And the ending definitely felt a bit rushed for me.
I have a love/hate relationship with Eden. On the one hand she has a ton of trauma she needs to work through which I can totally appreciate. From a bad childhood accident to her fraught relationship with her parents, she has things she needs to work through. And for sure those things have followed her and her relationships in to adulthood. What drove me nuts about Eden was her penchant for miscommunication. She kept so much bottled up inside her it easily caused rifts between her and those she chose to surround herself with.
Caleb was the perfect grump. Definitely a man who holds his emotions close to his chest. I liked his development but really needed more from him. I blame this on the fact that the book is told from Eden's perspective. I feel like I wasn't fully able to get to know him because I was never in his head. I prefer dual POV for a romance most of the time.
This book encompasses the idea of found family. While some of the characters are related, the characters really all do act like one big family worried about each other and what happens.
Overall, I enjoyed this even though I thought it could have been a bit longer to explore some of the intense topics. The characters were more or less relatable and definitely felt real. This book explores how mistakes can be made but also how forgiveness can truly open one's soul.
3.5/5 stars
February 2, 2026
4.5/5 stars
I would categorize this book as part women’s fiction and part small town romance.
Eden is 35. She lives in San Francisco. She is estranged from her mom but goes to visit her when she gets some upsetting news from her mom’s neighbor.
This book has a wonderful beginning. I was captivated and found the first chapters so interesting. I was hooked right from the start.
There is romance. But for me the main focus is the relationship between Eden and her mother. It’s a book about family. And about forgiveness and healing.
Most of the story takes place in Grand Trees, a mountain town in California. Eden has avoided this place for years.
Her mom has a found family and is beloved by the town. Caleb is a single dad. His daughter Abby is definitely one of the highlights of the book. His dog is also an important character.
This is the story of a family that has fallen apart. Both Eden and Caleb had painful traumatic childhoods.
The book deals with heavy subjects including: infidelity, abondonment, divorce, death, illness, injury, abuse and natural disasters.
I listened to a few chapters of the audiobook performed by Jennifer Jill Araya. She was so good!
The middle was not quite as good as the beginning and end. However the romance was good and the ending really moved me. I really enjoyed that the book looks at serious topics in a very relatable way.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Over The River PR and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
I would categorize this book as part women’s fiction and part small town romance.
Eden is 35. She lives in San Francisco. She is estranged from her mom but goes to visit her when she gets some upsetting news from her mom’s neighbor.
This book has a wonderful beginning. I was captivated and found the first chapters so interesting. I was hooked right from the start.
There is romance. But for me the main focus is the relationship between Eden and her mother. It’s a book about family. And about forgiveness and healing.
Most of the story takes place in Grand Trees, a mountain town in California. Eden has avoided this place for years.
Her mom has a found family and is beloved by the town. Caleb is a single dad. His daughter Abby is definitely one of the highlights of the book. His dog is also an important character.
This is the story of a family that has fallen apart. Both Eden and Caleb had painful traumatic childhoods.
The book deals with heavy subjects including: infidelity, abondonment, divorce, death, illness, injury, abuse and natural disasters.
I listened to a few chapters of the audiobook performed by Jennifer Jill Araya. She was so good!
The middle was not quite as good as the beginning and end. However the romance was good and the ending really moved me. I really enjoyed that the book looks at serious topics in a very relatable way.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Over The River PR and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
February 4, 2026
I went in completely blind and loved this! I normally am lowkey a hater of third-act breakups, but this one was so different and needed to happen. If I wasn’t in public listening to this it probably would’ve made me cry out loud through the last 20% of the book. This is a story heavy on forgiveness and complicated family relationships.
TW: Parent with Parkinson’s disease, infidelity, parental abandonment
Listened on audio and narrator is great!
• Single dad
• Small town
• Love after divorce
“But if the world was ending, you’d come to me, right?”
“If the world were ending, I’d run to you.”
^ This is going to live in my head rent free!!! I loooved this song in 2020.
TW: Parent with Parkinson’s disease, infidelity, parental abandonment
Listened on audio and narrator is great!
• Single dad
• Small town
• Love after divorce
“But if the world was ending, you’d come to me, right?”
“If the world were ending, I’d run to you.”
^ This is going to live in my head rent free!!! I loooved this song in 2020.
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