Best Behavior, Wendy Francis
Best Behavior, Wendy Francis
List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
Club: $14.49

Best Behavior

Author: Wendy Francis

Narrator: Kate Marcin

Unabridged: 8 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/05/2020

Categories: Fiction, Family Life, Women


Synopsis

“A delicious family drama; look no further for your perfect poolside read!”
—Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of The Forever Summer

A Lee Woodruff “Book Marks” Pick * A Liz and Lisa Best Book of May * A Zibby Owens Recommended Summer Read

Meredith Parker has made the journey to Bolton, her twins’ college, dozens of times. This weekend, though, is different. Dawn and Cody are about to graduate and move away to separate corners of the country. Meredith is proud of her kids, and she’s proud of herself for helping them get this far. She just never expected the tidal wave of emotions sweeping over her—or the tangled family dynamics complicating everything.

Meredith doesn’t miss her cheating ex, Roger, one bit, but sitting across from his very young, very gorgeous second wife threatens to unravel the graceful facade she’s trying so hard to maintain. Joel, Meredith’s husband, can see she’s feeling the first pangs of empty-nest syndrome and wants to soften the blow—but he’s distracted by a familiar face. Meanwhile, Cody and Dawn are sitting on their own secrets, and Roger’s new wife, Lily, wonders if she really wants to be a part of this wild, mixed-up family.

As tensions simmer with each passing appetizer tray, Meredith’s vision of the perfect weekend goes up in flames. But before the party’s over, as best behavior gives way to brutal honesty, there’ll be a chance for this new blended family to truly come together—in all its messy and glorious imperfection.

“A delightful, smartly paced read written with grace, depth and humor.”
—Meg Mitchell Moore, author of The Islanders

About Wendy Francis

Wendy Francis is the author of the novels, The Summer Sail, The Summer of Good Intentions, and Three Good Things.  A former book editor, she has written for Good Housekeeping, the Washington Post, the Improper Bostonian, and WBUR's Cognoscenti.  She lives outside Boston with her husband and eleven-year-old son and has two stepchildren, who will soon be proud graduates themselves.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Nila on May 06, 2020

A beautiful book about the empty nest syndrome, the author could capture the beautiful sentiments in ways which touched my heart. Different POV showed me the characters' perspective filled with complexities. This was a fab story which was thought-provoking and sensitive with a dash of humor and loads......more

Goodreads review by Amy on May 02, 2020

There’s something about summer approaching that makes me want to read about family drama and when a blended family gets together over one long weekend for a college graduation you just know drama will be at the forefront. You have exes and parents of the graduates, Meredith and Roger and then both o......more

Goodreads review by Debbie on February 17, 2024

I really enjoyed this story and how the whole extended family played out over a weekend.......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on April 06, 2020

I wanted to love this one, however, this was a slow and somewhat predictable read for me. Meredith is freaking out about her children graduating from college (nevermind they've been out of her home for 4 years already) and has become the poster-child for empty nester angst. From the very beginning w......more

Goodreads review by Amy on February 08, 2020

Wendy Francis captures all the joy and pain of being an (almost) empty-nester in her latest novel. Picture a college graduation weekend on a lovely New England campus. Now mix in some booze, an ex or two, the in-laws, a trophy wife, and loads of secrets/scandals. Soon enough, no one is behaving at t......more