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Tissue
One reckless night shatters her scripted world, and truth won't stay buried for long.
Tabitha Bonaparte Hayes has it all—wealth, privilege, and a place in her family's generational business empire. But in the smoky malaise of 1970s America, she's suffocating under the weight of expectations and a secret she can't outrun.
Fleeing to the shadows of a small North Carolina town, Tabitha constructs an elaborate double dutiful companion to a demanding matriarch by day, wild party girl by night. She's hiding behind carefully crafted lies, caught between the sexual revolution's promise of freedom and the faith-driven values etched into her soul.
But the past has a way of catching up. When a bevy of fierce women and one steadfast man see through her masks, Tabitha is forced to confront the wreckage she's been running from. As love threatens to break through her defenses, she faces an impossible continue the charade or fight for redemption and a life worth living.
Tissue is a raw, romantic journey through the contradictions of the 1970s—a story about the courage it takes to face your demons, the power of unlikely connections, and finding a peace far groovier than ever dreamt.
A clean read with While tackling mature themes and complex moral questions, Tissue offers thoughtful storytelling without graphic content. This is sophisticated women's fiction that respects readers who prefer clean romance and meaningful exploration of life's gritty realities without explicit scenes.
Tabitha Bonaparte Hayes has it all—wealth, privilege, and a place in her family's generational business empire. But in the smoky malaise of 1970s America, she's suffocating under the weight of expectations and a secret she can't outrun.
Fleeing to the shadows of a small North Carolina town, Tabitha constructs an elaborate double dutiful companion to a demanding matriarch by day, wild party girl by night. She's hiding behind carefully crafted lies, caught between the sexual revolution's promise of freedom and the faith-driven values etched into her soul.
But the past has a way of catching up. When a bevy of fierce women and one steadfast man see through her masks, Tabitha is forced to confront the wreckage she's been running from. As love threatens to break through her defenses, she faces an impossible continue the charade or fight for redemption and a life worth living.
Tissue is a raw, romantic journey through the contradictions of the 1970s—a story about the courage it takes to face your demons, the power of unlikely connections, and finding a peace far groovier than ever dreamt.
A clean read with While tackling mature themes and complex moral questions, Tissue offers thoughtful storytelling without graphic content. This is sophisticated women's fiction that respects readers who prefer clean romance and meaningful exploration of life's gritty realities without explicit scenes.
- GenresRomance
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2025
About the author
Renee Leonard Kennedy
3 books31 followersYou can never have too many bookcases.
Renee Leonard Kennedy endeavors to find one more spot for just one more book, while sharing the extras she buys.
Her book, After the Flowers Die, won a Benjamin Franklin from the Independent Book Publishers Association, a Selah, the Serious Writer Book of the Year, along with a gold from both Illumination and Living Now Books.
Her novel, Tissue, a clean contemporary set in 1974, recently won the gold Illumination award.
When not writing, Renee enjoys hiking the farm with her dog Tinkerbell and facilitating small groups, as well as learning ballroom dances and lifting weights.
She would love to get her office organized.
Renee is blessed with amazing children and gifted beyond measure with grandchildren.
Please connect on her website, on Facebook as Renee Leonard Kennedy, and on Instagram as reneeleonardkennedy. And don't forget the X: ReneeLeonardKe1
Renee Leonard Kennedy endeavors to find one more spot for just one more book, while sharing the extras she buys.
Her book, After the Flowers Die, won a Benjamin Franklin from the Independent Book Publishers Association, a Selah, the Serious Writer Book of the Year, along with a gold from both Illumination and Living Now Books.
Her novel, Tissue, a clean contemporary set in 1974, recently won the gold Illumination award.
When not writing, Renee enjoys hiking the farm with her dog Tinkerbell and facilitating small groups, as well as learning ballroom dances and lifting weights.
She would love to get her office organized.
Renee is blessed with amazing children and gifted beyond measure with grandchildren.
Please connect on her website, on Facebook as Renee Leonard Kennedy, and on Instagram as reneeleonardkennedy. And don't forget the X: ReneeLeonardKe1
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 21, 2025
This book has characters you’ll love and characters you’ll love to hate. It was fun being transported to the 70s and reading about the time just before I was born.
A note to readers, this book focuses heavily on pregnancy and the decision to carry or abort the baby. The author handles this difficult subject well.
A note to readers, this book focuses heavily on pregnancy and the decision to carry or abort the baby. The author handles this difficult subject well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2026
The nitty-gritty details in Tissue create wonderful scenes and real characters.
Tabitha seeks to find the value of her life. While I won’t reveal any spoilers, this novel spills some juicy tea, yet ends up as a satisfying story.
In our own ways, we can see ourselves reflected in the characters in this book. Highly recommended.
Tabitha seeks to find the value of her life. While I won’t reveal any spoilers, this novel spills some juicy tea, yet ends up as a satisfying story.
In our own ways, we can see ourselves reflected in the characters in this book. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews