“In this absorbing, emotional novel about family secrets, Lorrie Thomson demonstrates that having the courage to open our hearts to love is the true measure of happiness.”

—HOLLY ROBINSON, author of Beach Plum Island and Haven Lake

“In this absorbing, emotional novel about family secrets, Lorrie Thomson demonstrates that having the courage to open our hearts to love is the true measure of happiness.”

—HOLLY ROBINSON, author of Beach Plum Island and Haven Lake

About Lorrie

I grew up as an only child in the city of Boston and dreamed of living with a big family in an antique, white New Englander, on a quiet street with neighbors who stop for chats at the stone wall. I also imagined writing novels, and I never let go of that dream.

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About A Measure of Happiness

Katherine Lamontagne isn’t Celeste Barnes’s mother, but ever since Celeste graduated high school and her parents abandoned Hidden Harbor, Maine, she’s acted the part. At twenty-two, Celeste worked at Katherine’s bakery, and hoped to buy the business once Katherine took early retirement. But when Katherine reconsidered that decision, Celeste fled to culinary school in New York—only to return two months later, a shadow of the girl who’d stormed out the door.

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Also by Lorrie

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Praise

“A phenomenal testament of motherhood at its rawest, most beautiful core. What’s Left Behind is a tale of love, sacrifice, and family that stayed with me long after the last page was turned.”

Sharla Lovelace, award-winning author of The Reason Is You

“Tender, heartbreaking, and beautifully realistic. Fans of Anita Shreve will be riveted by this intense and compassionate story.”

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha-, Anthony-, and Macavity-winning author, on Equilibrium

“A Measure of Happiness is about many things—finding home, facing fears, and making choices among them. But more than anything, it’s the book you’ll reach for when you want to recall that perfect love can still be found in an imperfect world.”

Therese Walsh, author of The Moon Sisters

“A beautifully written tale of love, loss, and healing.”

Barbara Claypole White, award-winning author of The In-Between Hour, on What’s Left Behind

“What’s Left Behind is an emotionally satisfying blend of heartache, hope, and happiness.”

Amy Sue Nathan, author of The Glass Wives

“In this impressive debut, Thomson skillfully maps the emotional landscape of mother-daughter relationships. It’s an emotional, complex, and deeply satisfying novel about the power of hope, love, and family. I couldn’t put it down!”

Lisa Verge Higgins, author of One Good Friend Deserves Another, on Equilibrium

Awards

2024 American Legacy Book Awards Finalist for Equilibrium

2018 International Book Awards Winner for A Measure of Happiness

2017 National Indie Excellence Awards Winner for What’s Left Behind

2017 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist for A Measure of Happiness

2016 New Hampshire Literary Awards Finalist for A Measure of Happiness