Beautiful story. I absolutely adored this. One of my top reads this year, easily. The story focuses on love and second chances, not just romantically, but within family dynamics as well. This book comes with tons of feelings, so be prepared. I can't wait to see what other work this author does/has done.

The epicenter of forever 💛

A moving love story and about finding yourself in and the meaning of love . I liked the main character Eden and how strong she was .i felt like she was relatable ..would recommend

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Mara Williams for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review!

Eden Hawthorne returns to her old hometown of Grand Trees, California—a place full of painful memories she tried to leave behind. She comes back because her mother is seriously ill, even though they’ve been estranged for 20 years after a family tragedy.
While there, Eden meets Caleb Connell, a single dad who doesn’t exactly welcome her. But as they spend more time together, they realize they have a lot in common—especially when it comes to loss and healing. Slowly, a romantic connection starts to grow.

I went into this book with zero thoughts and expectations and I came out with a lot of feelings. I really did love this book.

At its core, this story is about reconciling with family—especially with the parts that are painful, broken, or unfinished. Eden and her mother have a strained relationship marked by grief and emotional distance. Eden's return isn’t just about caretaking; it’s about confronting unresolved pain from the past. The idea of “family” is also challenged: Eden’s mother has built a found family in Grand Trees, including Caleb, which makes Eden feel both like an outsider and a daughter who's been replaced. Forgiveness isn’t portrayed as easy or linear—it’s a process Eden must earn, not only from others but from herself. This theme captures how hard it can be to go home—especially when it means facing the people (or memories) that hurt you. The novel treats forgiveness not as a given, but a choice rooted in courage.

Eden feels disconnected—from her family, her past, and her own identity. Coming home forces her to redefine what it means to belong, not just in a place, but in a life she once abandoned. Through reconnection—with her town, with Caleb, with her roots—she slowly rebuilds a sense of self that includes both her past and future. It explores the emotional journey of returning to where you came from—not to stay stuck in the past, but to reclaim your place in the world.

The romance between Eden and Caleb is slow-burning and rooted in emotional vulnerability. Caleb doesn’t initially trust Eden and carries his own pain. Their relationship doesn’t fix their problems but becomes a mirror—reflecting where they’re stuck. Their connection grows as they realize they’ve both suffered losses that left scars. In sharing those wounds, they begin to heal together. Love in this book is not flashy or dramatic—it’s about emotional safety, empathy, and rebuilding trust in yourself and others. This isn’t just a second-chance romance—it’s about opening your heart again when you’ve taught yourself to stay closed. The love story is emotional, not just romantic.

This was a great story!! I really enjoyed reading it- an amazing story of forgiveness and understanding. I loved the main characters and the relationship they built!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing / Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of The Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams in exchange for my honest review.

This story follows Eden, who returns to her mountain hometown of Grand Trees after she gets cheated on, goes through a divorce, and receives the Parkinson's diagnosis of her mom, with whom she's been estranged for two decades. Do you ask why? Because her mom had left her dad for another man years ago! She now has to confront both her past and the people she avoided. During the process, she can't help but fall in love with her mom's late boyfriend Sonny's niece. Circumstances pull them apart, but a natural disaster might just be the cure for love!

The novel weaves together themes of family, forgiveness, and second chances, set against the vivid backdrop of California’s fire country and earthquake-prone landscapes.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The setting felt atmospheric and cozy, and the general plot had a heartwarming pull. However, for me, it wasn’t exactly a page-turner. While the author tried to add “spice” in various moments, I found it a little unpleasant—especially when it popped up during very serious or emotional scenes. That said, I still think romance readers who enjoy small-town drama, family secrets, and a cozy yet emotional setting will find much to love here.

This emotionally powerful contemporary romance follows Eden Hawthorne as she reluctantly returns to Grand Trees, the California mountain town where her childhood shattered twenty years ago, only to face her dying mother and single father Caleb Connell, who blames her for the family's destruction. Still raw from her recent divorce, Eden must navigate old wounds and undeniable chemistry as she and Caleb discover their intertwined histories while racing against time to heal relationships she thought were beyond repair. This beautifully crafted story explores forgiveness, second chances, and the courage it takes to rebuild what's been broken, proving that sometimes the most devastating fault lines can become the strongest foundations for love.

The Epicenter of Forever is a moving story about family, forgiveness, and second chances. I loved how raw and layered the characters felt, especially Eden and Caleb, and the small town setting added so much warmth and charm. The themes of grief, healing, and complicated relationships were handled with sensitivity and beautifully written.

What didn’t work for me was the rushed insta-lust romance, it just didn't make sense to me....

The perfect slow-burn read, filled with emotion and beautifully written. I could not put this one down!

I absolutely loved it. From the very first chapter, I was hooked and could barely put it down. The story is full of intensity, emotion, and beautifully drawn characters that made me feel every moment right alongside them.

The tension and slow-burn buildup between Caleb and Eden was everything. I found myself eagerly turning pages just to see how their relationship would unfold.

If I had one tiny critique, it would be the ending seemed just a bit rushed. That said, the emotional impact and the overall story more than made up for it.

Thankyou netgalley for the ARC.

A brilliant story, absolutely loved it. The tension between Caleb and Eden was incredible. I found it a touch strange that they went from being strangers to loving each other in a week, but then the rest of the relationship seemed well-paced. I loved the complex mother-daughter relationship and how it blossomed. The divergence in experience was relayed incredibly. My biggest regret for this book is that the reunion of Eden and Caleb right after the earthquake felt anticlimactic, followed by his proposal in the epilogue. I also felt like the start of their relationship was fierce and passionate, their break-up was heartbreaking for me too, but their reunion felt superficial in a way. Overall, the emotional impact from the book is worth 5 ⭐ alone.

This will definitely be a book I re-read.

Favourite quote:
"I'm finding the rhythm of forgiveness. It's not an epiphany, I realise now. It's a practice. And practicing grace has loosened the ball in my stomach and neutralised my numbness. Absolution isn't a gift I'm offering to Mom; it's a kindness I'm granting myself."

The Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about love, family, and forgiveness. Eden’s journey back to her hometown was emotional and compelling, and the chemistry with Caleb added so much depth to the narrative. I was fully invested in the characters and their struggles, and the story stayed with me long after I finished. I truly enjoyed this book and give it five stars.

I went into this book with high expectations, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. While the premise was interesting, the pacing felt slow and the characters never fully pulled me in. The writing style was serviceable, but I often found myself disconnected from the story, and some plot points felt predictable or underdeveloped.

That said, I can see how other readers might enjoy it—especially those who like quieter, character-driven stories. For me, though, it just wasn’t engaging enough to stick with.

Great small town romance. I loved Eden, Caleb and the entire cast of characters from the small town. I also love a sassy best friend and that was Cassie all the way. I just don’t think it’s quite as strong as the authors debut but still loved this story.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! It beautifully weaves together healing from family trauma with the sweetest romance. There are some grammatical errors that need correcting before publishing, but otherwise, it is perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

February 10th, 2026
The novel opens with a quiet unease that gradually builds into a crescendo of emotional and philosophical tension. At its heart lies a character grappling with the ripple effects of a single moment—an event that fractures not only their sense of reality but also the relationships that once anchored them. The narrative structure is both intimate and expansive, shifting between timelines and perspectives with a fluidity that mirrors the protagonist’s inner turmoil.

What makes the story compelling is its deft balance between introspection and suspense. The plot unfolds like a puzzle, each chapter revealing fragments that deepen the mystery without overwhelming the reader. Themes of identity, grief, and resilience are explored through lyrical prose and evocative imagery, creating a reading experience that feels both cerebral and visceral. The setting—whether urban or remote—acts as a mirror to the emotional landscape, amplifying the stakes without resorting to melodrama.

Ultimately, The Epicenter of Forever is a meditation on the fragility of truth and the power of connection. It challenges readers to consider how far one might go to rewrite the past or reclaim a future that feels just out of reach.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!

Eden makes a trip into her past following a tremor in her present. Along the way she has to deal with a complex mother daughter relationship, some painful childhood memories, a grumpy sunshine mountain man and a landslide of earthquake metaphors.

This was unexpectedly deep, I was expecting the cliche city girl goes to a small town and falls in love trope, but instead it was heavy on family angst and a lot of repressed feelings. I think it was this more than the romance that kept me reading, the characters were realistic and the emotions were messy but it was all believable and no one person was in the wrong, all sides were examined and addressed. The romance aspect was also more than surface level, with two broken characters working through their own baggage and finding their way to each other through a literal disaster zone. I wish there was slightly more of Caleb’s backstory as this was much more focused on Eden and her demons. The obligatory best friend was also present in Cassie the voice of tough love who I adored.

On the whole a lovely surprise and an author I will look out for again. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book—it’s emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully written. The small mountain town setting and the family drama pulled me in right away. Eden’s journey of returning home, facing old wounds, and finding unexpected love with Caleb felt genuine and moving. I especially liked how it explored forgiveness and second chances without feeling overly sentimental. A touching, layered story that stayed with me after I finished—4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for sending me this ARC!

I really loved this book - Mara Williams writes about grief and emotions in such a tender, real way. It made me cry several times. The relationship between Eden and Caleb felt natural - they were both complex characters with high emotions, and I LOVED that there wasn't miscommunication in the third act. Houdini was great comic relief, and Abby was a great, sassy, insightful teenager.

4.5 stars!

I like this book, but I didn't love it the same way I do The Truth Is In the Detours. I thought that Eden and Caleb's developed too quickly to be believable. They hardly knew each other, and even had great reason to dislike each other, but suddenly they were making out and falling in love. That part didn't make sense to me, even though I liked both characters and wanted happiness for them. It's clear that Mara Williams is a great writer and I look forward to more books from her! I just enjoy a much slower burn. Thank you for the ARC! 3.8/5 stars.

This novel covers a host of relationship issues including infidelity, divorce, and abandonment as well as the challenges of physical trauma and grief. The author does an admirable job of exploring all these with sensitivity without being overly melodramatic. Above all, this story is about love in its many permutations.

At fifteen, Eden Hawthorne’s dream of being a professional ballet dancer shatters with a serious leg injury at the same time she discovers her mother’s infidelity and her family implodes. All this occurs in the small idyllic town of Grand Trees in the Sierra mountains of California. Twenty years later Eden is called to return to her once favorite town to reconcile with her mother who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

While the story focuses on the healing of the rift between mother and daughter, it also explores a romance with a handsome local man who is deeply connected to Eden’s mother and her now deceased lover. Add to the mix a bright, adorable girl, a charmingly rambunctious dog, and a host of caring, community members to round out an enjoyable and engaging storyline.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.