Coming Up for Air

On the coast of Alabama, there is a house cloaked in mystery, a place that reveals the truth and changes lives...

Ellie Calvin is caught in a dying marriage, and she knows this. With her beloved daughter away at college and a growing gap between her and her husband - between her reality and the woman she wants to be - she doesnt quite seem to fit into her own life.

But everything changes after her controlling mother, Lillian, passes away. Ellies world turns upside down when she sees her ex-boyfriend, Hutch, at her mothers funeral and learns that he is in charge of a documentary that involved Lillian before her death. He wants answers to questions that Ellies not sure she can face, until, in the painful midst of going through her mothers things, she discovers a hidden diary - and a window onto stories buried long ago.

As Ellie and Hutch start speaking for the first time in years, Ellies closed heart slowly begins to open. Fighting their feelings, they set out together to dig into Lillians history. Using both the diary and a trip to the Summer House, a mysterious and seductive bayside home, they gamble that they can work together and not fall in love again. But in piecing together a decades-old unrequited-love story, they just might uncover the secrets in their own hearts…

"A beautiful, emotionally engrossing story about marriage and motherhood, loss and longing. Patti Callahan Henry has done it again, capturing all the complexity of relationships with insight, compassion and a lyrical, unforgettable voice." - Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed

“An affecting Southern tale about second chances and banishing the ghosts of regret… Romantic storytelling at its simple best.” - Kirkus (starred review)

“Lyrical and moving… Patti Henrys luminous story-telling shines through once again.” - Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Summer Rental

"Coming Up For Air is a beautiful exploration of the deepest mysteries of the human heart." - Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of the Lakeshore Chronicles series

“Elevated by Henrys subtle, sometimes excellent characterization….Ellies earnest quest for true happiness will resonate with many readers, especially fans of Kristin Hannah and Susan Wiggs.” - Booklist

“A southern woman's journey into truth.  A emotionally intense, beautiful and unforgettable novel.  I loved it.”  -- Robyn Carr, New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River novels

"A buoyant journey of self-discovery from an author who understands the human heart… With the complexity of a sultry southern breeze, Coming Up for Air reveals the link between a mother's secret past and a daughter's hope for a new future." - Sherryl Woods, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Honeysuckle Summer

“Coming up for Air is heartwarming with a touch of magic. Patti Callahan Henrys elegant writing takes you on an emotional journey you wont soon forget. . . nor will you want to.” - Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Midwifes Confession

“A richly textured story of love, loss and redemption reminiscent of some of the best southern storytellers." - Donna Ball, author of A Year on Ladybug Farm

“An affecting Southern tale about second chances and banishing the ghosts of regret… Romantic storytelling at its simple best.” - Kirkus (starred review)

“This standard example of womens fiction is elevated by Henrys subtle, sometimes excellent characterization.... Ellies earnest quest for true happiness will resonate with many readers, especially fans of Kristin Hannah and Susan Wiggs.” - Booklist

"A beautiful, emotionally engrossing story about marriage and motherhood, loss and longing. Patti Callahan Henry has done it again, capturing all the complexity of relationships with insight, compassion and a lyrical, unforgettable voice." - Emily Giffin

 “Patti Henrys luminous story-telling shines through once again.” - Mary Kay Andrews

"A buoyant journey of self-discovery from an author who understands the human heart… With the complexity of a sultry southern breeze, Coming Up for Air reveals the link between a mother's secret past and a daughter's hope for a new future." - Sherryl Woods"Coming Up For Air is a beautiful exploration of the deepest mysteries of the human heart. Patti Callahan Henry writes with compassion and insight, illuminating the pain of yearning and loss as well as the unsurpassed joy of love rediscovered." - Susan Wiggs

“A southern woman's journey into truth.  An emotionally intense, beautiful and unforgettable novel.  I loved it.”  -- Robyn Carr

“In Coming Up for Air Patti Callahan Henry writes with piercing reality, grace and breathtaking insights.  Every book Henry writes is a must-read for me, and this one rises to the top!” - Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of The Butterflys Daughter“Heartwarming with a touch of magic. Patti Callahan Henrys elegant writing takes you on an emotional journey you wont soon forget. . . nor will you want to.” - Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Midwifes Confession

“A richly textured story of love, loss and redemption, reminiscent of some of the best southern storytellers." - Donna Ball, author of A Year on Ladybug Farm

Ellie Calvin is caught in a dying marriage, and she knows this. With her beloved daughter away at college and a growing gap between her and her husband, she doesnt quite seem to fit into her own life. But everything changes when her controlling mother, Lillian, passes away. Ellie sees her ex-boyfriend, Hutch, at the funeral, and learns that he is in charge of a documentary that involved Lillian before her death - and he wants answers to questions that Ellies not sure she can face.

As Ellie and Hutch start digging into Lillians history, and speaking for the first time in years, Ellies closed heart slowly begins to open. Using both a hidden diary that Ellie found in her mothers things, and a trip to the Summer House, a mysterious and seductive bayside home, they gamble that they can work together and not fall in love again. But in piecing together a decades-old unrequited-love story, they just might uncover the secrets in their own hearts…

Patti Callahan Henry's Coming Up For Air is "a beautiful exploration of the deepest mysteries of the human heart." (Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author)