Sometimes the worst thing that can happen is exactly what you've been waiting for. Very pregnant and not quite married, Jenny Harris doesn't mind that she and her live-in fiancé, Dean, accidentally started their family a little earlier than planned. But Dean is acting distant, and the night he runs out for cigarettes and doesn't come back, he demotes himself from future husband to sperm donor. And the very next day, Jenny goes into labor. In the months that follow, Jenny plunges into a life she never anticipated: single motherhood. At least with the sleep deprivation, sore boobs, and fits of crying (both hers and the baby's), there's not much time to dwell on her broken heart. And things are looking up: Jenny learns how to do everything one-handed, makes friends in a mommy group, and even gets to know a handsome, helpful neighbor. But Dean is never far from Jenny's thoughts or, it turns out, her doorstep, and in the end she must choose between the old life she thought she wanted and the new life she's been lucky to find. "The Bright Side of Disaster is a treat of a book. It is so warm, so smart, so touching, so wise-and, despite its poignancy, you read the whole thing with a laugh in your throat." -Anna Maxted, author of A Tale of Two Sisters "A funny and poignant novel about love, motherhood and men . . . elevates the subject matter beyond the realm of 'mommy lit.' " -Houston Chronicle"A compulsively great read with a truly likable leading lady."--MetroCanada"Charming, quite sweet, and deliciously hopeful." --Stephanie Klein, author of Straight Up and Dirty Don't miss the reading group guide in the back of the book.

The Bright Side of Disaster: A Novel

Literature & Fiction

Center, Katherine

Humor & Satire

Ballantine Books

A hugely entertaining, poignant, and charming novel about what happens after happily ever after--from the&nbsp;New York Timesbestselling author of&nbsp;How to Walk Away&nbsp;and&nbsp;Things You Save in a Fire &nbsp; "Everyone Is Beautiful&nbsp;is for every woman who has ever struggled to find, hold on to, and nurture authenticity in the midst of that wild, messy, wonderful thing called motherhood."--Brené Brown Lanie Coates's life is spinning out of control. She's piled everything she owns into a U-Haul and driven with her husband, Peter, and their three little boys from their cozy Texas home to a multiflight walkup in Boston. She's left behind family and friends--all so her husband can realize his dream of becoming a professional musician. But somewhere in the eye of her personal hurricane, it hits Lanie that she once had dreams too . . . if only she could remember what they were. These days, Lanie always seems to prioritize herself last--and when another mom accidentally assumes she's pregnant, it's the final straw. Fifteen years, three babies, and more pounds than she's willing to count since the day she said "I do," Lanie longs desperately to feel like her old self again. It's time to rise up, fish her moxie out of the diaper pail, and find the woman she was before motherhood consumed her entire existence. Lanie sets change in motion--joining a gym, signing up for photography classes, and finding a new best friend. But she also creates waves that come to threaten her whole life. Balancing motherhood and me-time, marriage and independence, and supporting loved ones while also realizing her own dreams, Lanie must figure out once and for all how to find herself without losing everything else in the process.

Everyone Is Beautiful: A Novel

Dramas & Plays

How do you change your luck? Katherine Center’s marvelously entertaining and poignant new novel is about choosing to look for happiness—and maybe getting lucky enough to find it. Sarah Harper isn’t sure if the stupid decisions she sometimes makes are good choices in disguise—or if they’re really just stupid. But either way, after forwarding an inappropriate email to her entire company, she suddenly finds herself out of a job. So she goes home to Houston—and her sister, Mackie—for Thanksgiving. But before Sarah can share her troubles with her sister, she learns that Mackie has some woes of her own: After years of trying, Mackie’s given up on having a baby—and plans to sell on eBay the entire nursery she’s set up. Which gives Sarah a brilliant idea—an idea that could fix everyone’s problems. An idea that gives Sarah the chance to take care of her big sister for once—instead of the other way around. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy. After a decade away, Sarah is forced to confront one ghost from her past after another: the father she’s lost touch with, the memories of her mother, the sweet guy she dumped horribly in high school. Soon everything that matters is on the line—and Sarah can only hope that by changing her life she has changed her luck, too.

Get Lucky: A Novel

*** THE MOVIE of The Lost Husband IS NOW IN PRODUCTION! Starring Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, and Nora Dunn! *** Perfect for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin, this tender and heartwarming novel explores the trials of losing what matters most--and how there's always more than we can imagine left to find. Dear Libby, It occurs to me that you and your two children have been living with your mother for--Dear Lord!--two whole years, and I'm writing to see if you'd like to be rescued. The letter comes out of the blue, and just in time for Libby Moran, who--after the sudden death of her husband, Danny--went to stay with her hypercritical mother. Now her crazy Aunt Jean has offered Libby an escape: a job and a place to live on her farm in the Texas Hill Country. Before she can talk herself out of it, Libby is packing the minivan, grabbing the kids, and hitting the road. Life on Aunt Jean's goat farm is both more wonderful and more mysterious than Libby could have imagined. Beyond the animals and the strenuous work, there is quiet--deep, country quiet. But there is also a shaggy, gruff (though purportedly handsome, under all that hair) farm manager with a tragic home life, a formerly famous feed-store clerk who claims she can contact Danny "on the other side," and the eccentric aunt Libby never really knew but who turns out to be exactly what she's been looking for. And despite everything she's lost, Libby soon realizes how much more she's found. She hasn't just traded one kind of crazy for another: She may actually have found the place to bring her little family--and herself--back to life. Praise for The Lost Husband "A sweet tale about creating the family you need."--People "A heartwarming novel that explores the trials of losing what matters most."--USA Today "[Katherine] Center writes endearingly of love and family in her fourth novel, with lessons about loss, gain, standing up for oneself, and accepting that your best is good enough. Fans of well-crafted romantic women's fiction won't be disappointed."--Booklist "A novel about family, love and forgiveness . . . heart-rending and heartwarming."--Kirkus Reviews

The Lost Husband: A Novel

A year after getting divorced, Helen Carpenter, thirty-two, lets her annoying, ten years younger brother talk her into signing up for a wilderness survival course. It's supposed to be a chance for her to pull herself together again, but when she discovers that her brother's even-more-annoying best friend is also coming on the trip, she can't imagine how it will be anything other than a disaster. Thus begins the strangest adventure of Helen's well-behaved life: three weeks in the remotest wilderness of a mountain range in Wyoming where she will survive mosquito infestations, a surprise summer blizzard, and a group of sorority girls. Yet, despite everything, the vast wilderness has a way of making Helen's own little life seem bigger, too. And, somehow the people who annoy her the most start teaching her the very things she needs to learn. Like how to stand up for herself. And how being scared can make you brave. And how sometimes you just have to get really, really lost before you can even have a hope of being found.

Happiness for Beginners: A Novel

United States

St. Martin's: Griffin

From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes the instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018), an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances. 
Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment. 
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there's her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there's Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won't let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect. 
How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best―a masterpiece of a novel that is both hopeful and hilarious; truthful and wise; tender and brave.
Praise for How to Walk Away:
"Katherine Center's voice did what great fiction is meant to do: It pulled me in so immediately and completely that I forgot about real life." ―Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of Daisy Jones &amp; the Six
"I can't think of a blurb good enough for this novel...poignant, funny, heartbreaking." ―Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy

How to Walk Away: A Novel

Things You Save in a Fire

Things You Save in a Fire: A Novel

**INDIE NEXT PICK FOR AUGUST**
**AN AUGUST 2019 LIBRARYREADS SELECTION**
**BOOK OF THE MONTH PICK FOR JULY**
**AN AMAZON EDITOR’S PICK FOR AUGUST**
“Center gives readers a sharp and witty exploration of love and forgiveness that is at once insightful, entertaining, and thoroughly addictive.” ― KIRKUS, STARRED REVIEW
“An appealing heroine, a compelling love story, a tearjerking twist, and a thoroughly absorbing story. Another winner from Center.” ― BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW
“A spirited, independent heroine meets a smoking-hot fireman in Center’s smart romance… If you enjoyed ‘The Kiss Quotient,’ by Helen Hoang, read Things You Save in a Fire”’ – THE WASHINGTON POST From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about courage, hope, and learning to love against all odds.
Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's a total pro at other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.
The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew―even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...and it means risking it all―the only job she’s ever loved, and the hero she’s worked like hell to become.
Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt and healing tour-de-force about the strength of vulnerability, the nourishing magic of forgiveness, and the life-changing power of defining courage, at last, for yourself.

Genre Fiction

St.Martin's Press

From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes the instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018), an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances. 
Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment. 
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there's her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there's Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won't let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect. 
How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best―a masterpiece of a novel that is both hopeful and hilarious; truthful and wise; tender and brave.
Praise for How to Walk Away:
"A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength." ―Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost
"If you just read one book this year, read How to Walk Away." ―Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop
"Warm, witty, and wonderfully observed." ―Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love
"Sympathetic and refreshing!" ―Elinor Lipman, bestselling author of The Family Man
"I can't think of a blurb good enough for this novel...poignant, funny, heartbreaking." ―Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy

From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances. 
Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiance she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment. 
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect. 
How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best: an utterly charming, hopeful, and romantic novel that will capture reader's hearts with every page.
Praise for How to Walk Away 
"A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength." --Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost
"If you just read one book this year, read How to Walk Away." --Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop
"Warm, witty, and wonderfully observed." --Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love
"Sympathetic and refreshing!" --Elinor Lipman, bestselling author of The Family Man
"I can't think of a blurb good enough for this novel...poignant, funny, heartbreaking." --Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy

How to Walk Away (International Edition)

Romance

Contemporary

Macmillan USA

"The story's message, that people should choose joy even (and especially) in difficult and painful times, seems tailor-made for this moment. A timely, uplifting read about finding joy in the midst of tragedy, filled with quirky characters and comforting warmth."--Kirkus(starred review) From theNew York Times bestselling author ofHow to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel full of heart and hope. Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living. But she wasn't always that way. Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen. But he wasn't always that way. And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before--at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him--but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a new chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the best thing that could possibly happen to the school--and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she'd known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he's willing to destroy it. As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love--which is the riskiest move of all. With Katherine Center's sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity,What You Wish For is the author at her most compelling best.

What You Wish For: A Novel

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Center, Katherine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Center, Katherine

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Center, Katherine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Bright Side of Disaster: A Novel

Everyone Is Beautiful: A Novel

Get Lucky: A Novel

The Lost Husband: A Novel

Happiness for Beginners: A Novel

How to Walk Away: A Novel

Things You Save in a Fire: A Novel

How to Walk Away: A Novel

How to Walk Away (International Edition)

What You Wish For: A Novel