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Changing Lanes
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 27For anyone wondering whether they chose the right life.
Meg Harrison has built her life on control. At just thirty-two, she’s one of the youngest—and few female—partners at a prestigious Washington, D.C. law firm. She knows how to manage high-stakes cases, demanding clients, and carefully compartmentalized emotions.
What she doesn’t know how to manage is grief.
When her father, a beloved Naples attorney, dies suddenly, Meg is forced to return to the coastal town she loves—but avoids. Overwhelmed by the logistics of burying her father and unsettled by memories of losing her mother years earlier, Meg makes an uncharacteristically impulsive she agrees to advise one of Joe’s longtime clients on the sale of his luxury car valet business.
It should be easy. Straightforward. Temporary.
Instead, Meg finds herself navigating unfamiliar business terrain, a town rapidly changing under the pressure of growth, and a community that still remembers the girl she used to be. Things get even more complicated when she runs into Nolan Wainwright—a successful New York architect, Naples native, and one of the last people she expects to see while unraveling.
As professional challenges mount and emotions surface, Meg begins to question the life she’s built so carefully. Her father’s unfinished work, the town’s fragile charm, and her own guarded heart all demand answers she’s no longer sure she can avoid.
Set beneath glowing Gulf Coast sunsets, Book One of the Return to Naples series is a cozy, emotionally rich women’s fiction novel about grief, legacy, second chances, and the courage it takes to decide where—and with whom—you truly belong.
Meg Harrison has built her life on control. At just thirty-two, she’s one of the youngest—and few female—partners at a prestigious Washington, D.C. law firm. She knows how to manage high-stakes cases, demanding clients, and carefully compartmentalized emotions.
What she doesn’t know how to manage is grief.
When her father, a beloved Naples attorney, dies suddenly, Meg is forced to return to the coastal town she loves—but avoids. Overwhelmed by the logistics of burying her father and unsettled by memories of losing her mother years earlier, Meg makes an uncharacteristically impulsive she agrees to advise one of Joe’s longtime clients on the sale of his luxury car valet business.
It should be easy. Straightforward. Temporary.
Instead, Meg finds herself navigating unfamiliar business terrain, a town rapidly changing under the pressure of growth, and a community that still remembers the girl she used to be. Things get even more complicated when she runs into Nolan Wainwright—a successful New York architect, Naples native, and one of the last people she expects to see while unraveling.
As professional challenges mount and emotions surface, Meg begins to question the life she’s built so carefully. Her father’s unfinished work, the town’s fragile charm, and her own guarded heart all demand answers she’s no longer sure she can avoid.
Set beneath glowing Gulf Coast sunsets, Book One of the Return to Naples series is a cozy, emotionally rich women’s fiction novel about grief, legacy, second chances, and the courage it takes to decide where—and with whom—you truly belong.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 2, 2027
About the author
Rebeca Seitz
14 books38 followersRebeca Seitz is the published author of novels, novellas, biographies and magazine articles. She has worked in the publishing, production, and promotional industries for 16 years as a writer, producer, agent, editor, publisher, and executive.
Seitz is the former President and CEO of SON Studios, a Naples-based non-profit that was founded in 2012 to use stories as vehicles for positive cultural change. Under her leadership, SON helped to bring over two dozen films and books to market while educating more than 2,000 writers in the art of embedding healthy values into stories. Notables who spoke and taught at SON events include Brian Bird, Josh Nadler, Chad Gundersen, Dan Merrell, Micheal Flaherty, Howie Klausner, Kevin Sorbo, Brent McCorkle, Fred Thompson, and many more.
In 2005, Seitz founded Glass Road Public Relations, a firm committed to promoting story-driven works with uplifting themes. It was a pioneer in its field, securing coverage for novelists on The Today Show, USA Today, Southern Living, The 700 Club, National Public Radio, Good Housekeeping, BookPage, Moody Radio, and numerous newspapers and radio shows. At the request of its clients, Glass Road expanded in 2010 to offer publishing and agenting services to writers, changing its name to Glass Road Media & Management. The first book published under the GR imprint, Nancy Zieman’s Seams Unlikely, won Book of the Year from Book Fun Magazine.
In its nine years, Glass Road worked with Tyndale, Zondervan, Waterbrook-Multnomah, David C Cook, Charisma, Barbour Books, Baker Books, Howard/Simon & Schuster, Hachette Books, Moody Publishing, Guideposts Books, AMG Publishers, B&H Publishing, NavPress, Worthy Books and others. Its writer clients populated bestseller lists from the New York Times to USA Today. In January 2014, Seitz donated Glass Road to the nonprofit SON.
Rebeca began her career by serving as the first dedicated publicist for the fiction division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the Top Ten Publishers in the World and now a division of HarperCollins Publishers. She is also a published novelist and memoirist: Prints Charming (Thomas Nelson), Sisters, Ink; Coming Unglued, Scrapping Plans, Perfect Piece (all B&H Publishing Group/LifeWay), First Blush and Second Glance (independent) and Lights Out (with Travis Freeman, BelieversPress).
Rebeca has been interviewed or featured on NPR, CNN, Huffington Post Live, The Glenn Beck Show, The Blaze, The Washington Times, WorldNetDaily, FOX News, Townhall.com, and others. The former Family Research Council Witherspoon Fellow for Media and University of Tennessee University Scholar holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science.
Rebeca lives in Naples, Florida, with her long-suffering husband, their two incredibly fabulous children, a rescued chocolate chihuahua (who may be a Russkiey toy – she’s not talking), a rescued tabby (who’s keeping a close eye on the Mexican/Russian dog), two cockatiels (who got here by accident after starring in one of Rebeca’s productions), and a partridge in a pear tree (kidding…for now).
Rebeca's writing home is at SeitzWrites.com and she blogs about matters of faith, religion and philosophy at Freevangelic.com.
Seitz is the former President and CEO of SON Studios, a Naples-based non-profit that was founded in 2012 to use stories as vehicles for positive cultural change. Under her leadership, SON helped to bring over two dozen films and books to market while educating more than 2,000 writers in the art of embedding healthy values into stories. Notables who spoke and taught at SON events include Brian Bird, Josh Nadler, Chad Gundersen, Dan Merrell, Micheal Flaherty, Howie Klausner, Kevin Sorbo, Brent McCorkle, Fred Thompson, and many more.
In 2005, Seitz founded Glass Road Public Relations, a firm committed to promoting story-driven works with uplifting themes. It was a pioneer in its field, securing coverage for novelists on The Today Show, USA Today, Southern Living, The 700 Club, National Public Radio, Good Housekeeping, BookPage, Moody Radio, and numerous newspapers and radio shows. At the request of its clients, Glass Road expanded in 2010 to offer publishing and agenting services to writers, changing its name to Glass Road Media & Management. The first book published under the GR imprint, Nancy Zieman’s Seams Unlikely, won Book of the Year from Book Fun Magazine.
In its nine years, Glass Road worked with Tyndale, Zondervan, Waterbrook-Multnomah, David C Cook, Charisma, Barbour Books, Baker Books, Howard/Simon & Schuster, Hachette Books, Moody Publishing, Guideposts Books, AMG Publishers, B&H Publishing, NavPress, Worthy Books and others. Its writer clients populated bestseller lists from the New York Times to USA Today. In January 2014, Seitz donated Glass Road to the nonprofit SON.
Rebeca began her career by serving as the first dedicated publicist for the fiction division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the Top Ten Publishers in the World and now a division of HarperCollins Publishers. She is also a published novelist and memoirist: Prints Charming (Thomas Nelson), Sisters, Ink; Coming Unglued, Scrapping Plans, Perfect Piece (all B&H Publishing Group/LifeWay), First Blush and Second Glance (independent) and Lights Out (with Travis Freeman, BelieversPress).
Rebeca has been interviewed or featured on NPR, CNN, Huffington Post Live, The Glenn Beck Show, The Blaze, The Washington Times, WorldNetDaily, FOX News, Townhall.com, and others. The former Family Research Council Witherspoon Fellow for Media and University of Tennessee University Scholar holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science.
Rebeca lives in Naples, Florida, with her long-suffering husband, their two incredibly fabulous children, a rescued chocolate chihuahua (who may be a Russkiey toy – she’s not talking), a rescued tabby (who’s keeping a close eye on the Mexican/Russian dog), two cockatiels (who got here by accident after starring in one of Rebeca’s productions), and a partridge in a pear tree (kidding…for now).
Rebeca's writing home is at SeitzWrites.com and she blogs about matters of faith, religion and philosophy at Freevangelic.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 19, 2026
I rushed through this book, I’m not sure if something was lost in translation but I really did not enjoy it. I thought the topic, romance during a period of grief set in a lovely town in America would be cozy. I definitely struggle with the protagonist calling her Dad “Daddy” which again I’m sure is a cultural thing. I think it got my back up pretty early on, mentioning someone losing a battle with cancer absolutely puts me off. I then really struggled with how much business discussions were present from start to finish.
I probably could have got through all that is the romance was strong, the writing from and to the “main” love interest left me so cold. I know the man is meant to be British but I’ve never seen any one write quite like that. I just couldn’t read it out loud as it was so clunky. That might have been the idea but I didn’t warm to him. The other “love interest “ was easier to like but I detest this type of relationship and never like this type of set up. The series is continuing so maybe this will be resolved but it made for a very uncomfortable read.
I guess this book wasn’t for me, I couldn’t even picture the town, when I did look I found pictures of high riser buildings which didn’t seem to sit with the description.
If you enjoy a story set in America about grief, business with a love story involving a distant male and a male who is close and supportive then you could enjoy that. For me I can cope with a few dates but no connection, I think I struggle with emotional connection with the other man.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
I probably could have got through all that is the romance was strong, the writing from and to the “main” love interest left me so cold. I know the man is meant to be British but I’ve never seen any one write quite like that. I just couldn’t read it out loud as it was so clunky. That might have been the idea but I didn’t warm to him. The other “love interest “ was easier to like but I detest this type of relationship and never like this type of set up. The series is continuing so maybe this will be resolved but it made for a very uncomfortable read.
I guess this book wasn’t for me, I couldn’t even picture the town, when I did look I found pictures of high riser buildings which didn’t seem to sit with the description.
If you enjoy a story set in America about grief, business with a love story involving a distant male and a male who is close and supportive then you could enjoy that. For me I can cope with a few dates but no connection, I think I struggle with emotional connection with the other man.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Changing Lanes is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores grief, identity, family, and the courage it takes to rethink the life you've chosen. Set against the backdrop of Naples, Florida, the story follows Meg Harrison, a successful attorney whose carefully controlled world is upended when the sudden death of her father brings her back to the hometown she thought she had left behind.
What makes this novel so compelling is not simply the plot, but Meg's journey of self-discovery. At the start of the story, she is driven, ambitious, and determined to keep her emotions tightly contained. However, as she navigates the practical and emotional challenges of her father's death, reconnects with her community, and confronts the memories and losses she has spent years avoiding, she begins to question what truly matters.
The real strength of Changing Lanes lies in its nuanced portrayal of grief. Rather than presenting grief as something to be conquered, the authors show it as a process of understanding, acceptance, and growth. Watching Meg gradually come to terms with the loss of her father, while also revisiting the pain of losing her mother years earlier, is both moving and deeply authentic. Her evolving understanding of grief, and her eventual acceptance of it as part of her story, is what makes this book such a spellbinding read. Readers experience every step of her emotional journey, making her transformation feel genuine and earned.
The romance is woven naturally into the narrative, complementing rather than overshadowing the central themes of healing and belonging. Combined with the vivid sense of place and a cast of engaging characters, it creates a story that feels warm, hopeful, and refreshingly real.
Ultimately, Changing Lanes is a heartfelt novel about finding your way home, and discovering that strength can be found in vulnerability. If you enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth and meaningful personal growth, this is a book well worth reading. It is an uplifting reminder that sometimes the most important journeys are the ones that lead us back to ourselves.
What makes this novel so compelling is not simply the plot, but Meg's journey of self-discovery. At the start of the story, she is driven, ambitious, and determined to keep her emotions tightly contained. However, as she navigates the practical and emotional challenges of her father's death, reconnects with her community, and confronts the memories and losses she has spent years avoiding, she begins to question what truly matters.
The real strength of Changing Lanes lies in its nuanced portrayal of grief. Rather than presenting grief as something to be conquered, the authors show it as a process of understanding, acceptance, and growth. Watching Meg gradually come to terms with the loss of her father, while also revisiting the pain of losing her mother years earlier, is both moving and deeply authentic. Her evolving understanding of grief, and her eventual acceptance of it as part of her story, is what makes this book such a spellbinding read. Readers experience every step of her emotional journey, making her transformation feel genuine and earned.
The romance is woven naturally into the narrative, complementing rather than overshadowing the central themes of healing and belonging. Combined with the vivid sense of place and a cast of engaging characters, it creates a story that feels warm, hopeful, and refreshingly real.
Ultimately, Changing Lanes is a heartfelt novel about finding your way home, and discovering that strength can be found in vulnerability. If you enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth and meaningful personal growth, this is a book well worth reading. It is an uplifting reminder that sometimes the most important journeys are the ones that lead us back to ourselves.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded like something I'd really enjoy. A story about grief, family, second chances, and returning home had so much potential.
For me, though, it just never fully pulled me in.
I liked Meg's journey through grief and appreciated that it felt realistic. Healing isn't something that happens overnight, and I thought that part of the story was handled well. I also loved the Naples setting. The descriptions of the beaches, sunsets, and small-town Florida atmosphere were easily my favorite part of the book.
Where I struggled was that there just seemed to be too much going on. Between Meg's career, her father's legacy, the business storyline, and the romance, I never felt like any one storyline had the chance to really shine. The romance, in particular, left me wanting more.
The pacing also slowed quite a bit in the middle, and I found myself losing interest instead of wanting to read "just one more chapter."
Overall, this wasn't a bad book—it just wasn't the right fit for me. If you enjoy slower, character-driven women's fiction that focuses more on personal growth than romance, I think you'll probably enjoy this one more than I did.
2.5 rounded to 3
For me, though, it just never fully pulled me in.
I liked Meg's journey through grief and appreciated that it felt realistic. Healing isn't something that happens overnight, and I thought that part of the story was handled well. I also loved the Naples setting. The descriptions of the beaches, sunsets, and small-town Florida atmosphere were easily my favorite part of the book.
Where I struggled was that there just seemed to be too much going on. Between Meg's career, her father's legacy, the business storyline, and the romance, I never felt like any one storyline had the chance to really shine. The romance, in particular, left me wanting more.
The pacing also slowed quite a bit in the middle, and I found myself losing interest instead of wanting to read "just one more chapter."
Overall, this wasn't a bad book—it just wasn't the right fit for me. If you enjoy slower, character-driven women's fiction that focuses more on personal growth than romance, I think you'll probably enjoy this one more than I did.
2.5 rounded to 3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
~Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Central Avenue, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review~
From the very first page, I couldn’t put this book down. Meg, a successful lawyer whose career has come at the cost of many personal sacrifices, is completely captivating.
The writing is beautiful, and Naples feels alive on the page. The sense of communit and the people...I found myself longing to be there alongside Meg, experiencing it all with her.
One of my favourite aspects of the story is that, while Meg has two potential love interests, they never overshadow the heart of the book. They remain in the background, allowing her personal journey to take centre stage. It was refreshing to read a story where the main character isn’t defined by romance or shaped by others’ expectations, but instead focused on what she wants and the life she’s trying to build.
I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end. The final pages left me heartbroken, as I desperately need to know what happens next. Will Meg ever return to Naples? Right now, it doesn’t seem likely, and I’m already hoping for another book because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters.
From the very first page, I couldn’t put this book down. Meg, a successful lawyer whose career has come at the cost of many personal sacrifices, is completely captivating.
The writing is beautiful, and Naples feels alive on the page. The sense of communit and the people...I found myself longing to be there alongside Meg, experiencing it all with her.
One of my favourite aspects of the story is that, while Meg has two potential love interests, they never overshadow the heart of the book. They remain in the background, allowing her personal journey to take centre stage. It was refreshing to read a story where the main character isn’t defined by romance or shaped by others’ expectations, but instead focused on what she wants and the life she’s trying to build.
I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end. The final pages left me heartbroken, as I desperately need to know what happens next. Will Meg ever return to Naples? Right now, it doesn’t seem likely, and I’m already hoping for another book because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Changing Lanes for me was an emotional read, but also a really good story that has real growth and working through and healing from real grief.
I loved the location setting in this book takes place in. I loved the beachy feel.
I thought the story was really good, and I liked the growth that's shown in this story. The only thing I'd say I didn't 100% love was that it was in third person, which isn't my favorite, but that's just personal preference, and I thought it could've been a bit faster-paced, but again, just personal preference.
Still is a book I'd suggest checking out especally if you are looking for a new emotional read that does really have an uplifting journey, and it was very heartfelt.
I loved the location setting in this book takes place in. I loved the beachy feel.
I thought the story was really good, and I liked the growth that's shown in this story. The only thing I'd say I didn't 100% love was that it was in third person, which isn't my favorite, but that's just personal preference, and I thought it could've been a bit faster-paced, but again, just personal preference.
Still is a book I'd suggest checking out especally if you are looking for a new emotional read that does really have an uplifting journey, and it was very heartfelt.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I can’t say that I loved the book. It was somewhat of a quick read but other than Nolan, it didn’t grab my attention as much as I thought it would. The beginning was good but then it slowed down too much for me. There was too much going on at times it got hard to keep track. Since it was an ARC I did finish the book, otherwise I might have DNF’d it. It wasn’t for me. #NetGalley
I can’t say that I loved the book. It was somewhat of a quick read but other than Nolan, it didn’t grab my attention as much as I thought it would. The beginning was good but then it slowed down too much for me. There was too much going on at times it got hard to keep track. Since it was an ARC I did finish the book, otherwise I might have DNF’d it. It wasn’t for me. #NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews