The Celebrants meets The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend in this warmly funny yet emotional story of friendship and regret from the author of The Lonely Hearts Book Club. 

EVERY ENDING IS A CHANCE TO BEGIN AGAIN

Fifteen years ago, five kids survived a devastating forest fire thanks to an unlikely hero: gruff school janitor Cyril Tompkins. Once they escaped the flames, they went their separate ways, certain they would never see each other again.

Now Cyril lies unconscious, and the five former classmates—Louise, Sebastian, Everly, Justin, and Freddie—are brought back together to care for him in his final days, despite having almost nothing in common...except for one surprising fact. At pivotal moments throughout their lives, each received a classic novel from Cyril. At first, the books seemed like thoughtful gifts from a distant mentor. But the closer they look, the more these novels feel like devastating judgments, forcing each of them to confront the painful truths they've spent years desperately trying to outrun. 

As long-buried secrets rise to the surface and unlikely friendships begin to bloom, the five survivors will have to rethink everything they've come to believe about themselves…and each other. Because as the man who once saved their lives proves in his final act of cruelty and kindness: no one's story is meant to be written alone.