Mara Williams Archives - Over The River PR

A moving story about family, forgiveness, and unexpected love―where the fault lines of a fractured past become the foundation for building something new.

“With the perfect mix of dreamy romance and affirming self-discovery, The Epicenter of Forever is the kind of novel that cracks your heart wide open and leaves your emotions trembling long after the last page. Williams’s writing is wonderfully rich, her characters layered, and the rugged MMC―did someone mention ‘biceps’?―is as swoon-worthy as they come. But I double dare you not to fall in love with the small California mountain town of Grand Trees. You won’t want to leave.” ―Lauren Parvizi, author of Trust Me on This

“Perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan, Mara Williams’s The Epicenter of Forever weaves together old hurts and new love. Eden is an instantly relatable protagonist, and I loved watching her navigate her divorce, her relationship with her mother, and her growing feelings for Caleb and the people of Grand Trees. Insightfully written and emotionally rewarding, I devoured every page.” ―Emma Barry, author of Bad Reputation

“What a cozy, heartwarming, and searingly hopeful romance. The Epicenter of Forever took me on an enchanting ride full of emotional longing, gorgeous prose, idyllic nature, and sweeping grand gestures. With a thoughtful portrayal of fractured family dynamics and beautiful examples of how to heal―all set amid a budding yet soul-deep romance I could not get enough of―Mara Williams has to be on your radar.” ―Clare Gilmore, USA Today bestselling author of Never Over

Eden Hawthorne spent idyllic childhood summers in Grand Trees, a mountain town perched along a restless earthquake fault in the heart of California’s fire country. But her family and future were shattered there, and she vowed never to return―until news of her estranged mother’s illness forces her back twenty years later.

Still reeling from her recent divorce, Eden has to confront her mom’s found family, including single father Caleb Connell, who blames Eden for the seismic rift that drove her away. But as they move beyond a battle of wills, Eden and Caleb discover shared wounds and intertwined histories―and succumb to an attraction that feels fated.

When her mother’s condition worsens, Eden faces an impossible choice between the man she’s falling for and the mother she’s just beginning to forgive. And with time running out, Eden fears her decision will doom her to relive the aftershocks of past heartbreak.

We hope you will join us in celebrating the release of THE EPICENTER OF FOREVER. Follow along with this stellar list of social media influencers as they share reviews, excerpts, Q&As, and lots of giveaways!

Sunday, February 1 – @legallybookedup

Sunday, February 1 – @bibliolau19

Sunday, February 1 – @stacy40pages

Monday, February 2 – @jenniferk_reads

Monday, February 2 – @brianas_best_reads

Tuesday, February 3 – @nurse_bookie

Tuesday, February 3 – @books_and_biewers

Wednesday, February 4 – @webreakforbooks

Wednesday, February 4 – @deasbookshelf

Thursday, February 5 – @thebookclubmom

Thursday, February 5 – @niks.bookshelf

Friday, February 6 – @lizziepagereads

Friday, February 6 – @sarahs.bookish.reviews

Monday, February 9 – @lovemybooks2020

Monday, February 9 – @booksandcoffeemx

Tuesday, February 10 – @booked.with.julia

Tuesday, February 10 – @fieldstone_lfl

Tuesday, February 10 – @bookprincessofcali

Wednesday, February 11 – @nissa_the.bookworm

Wednesday, February 11 – @enjoyingbooksagain

Thursday, February 12 – @bookswritingandmore

Thursday, February 12 – @danish_mustardreads

Friday, February 13 – @purrfectpages

Friday, February 13 – @bookphile_belle

Saturday, February 14 – @carol_doscher_reader

Monday, February 16 – @subakka.bookstuff

Tuesday, February 17 – @redreviews4you

Tuesday, February 17 – @readingonthebrink

Wednesday, February 18 – @the_unwined

Wednesday, February 18 – @wbtbbookreviews

Thursday, February 19 – @ablueboxfullofbooks

Thursday, February 19 – @speedreadstagram

Friday, February 20 – @tammyreads62

Friday, February 20 – @reading_is_my_remedy

Saturday, February 21 – @kimreadsandreads

Monday, February 23 – @secretreadinglife

Monday, February 23 – @meowskinsbookskins

Tuesday, February 24 – @thebookcoverlover

Tuesday, February 24 – @myburstingbookbag

Wednesday, February 25 – @lexijava

Wednesday, February 25 – @booksloveandunderstanding

Wednesday, February 25 – @bookobsessionslinda

Thursday, February 26 – @2manybooks2littletime

Thursday, February 26 – @epicureanreads

Friday, February 27 – @gloriana.wong

Friday, February 27 – @gymaholicbookworm

“Why does childhood sweethearts to estranged friends to lovers have to go SO HARD? I loved all the history between Ophelia and Beau in Mara Williams’ The Truth Is in the Detours, and I loved watching them fall for each other as adults with all the complications that come with having more life experience. By the time they finally hooked up, when I tell you I was dying for it to happen — these two were always meant for each other! Mara Williams is definitely a romance writer to watch.” —Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Never Been Shipped

“Clever, funny, and wonderfully romantic, The Truth Is in the Detours tells the story of a woman who finally gets to know herself. It delivers all the best story elements: delicious banter, tension, a road trip, gorgeous California settings, and hot romance. I devoured this sharp story. Mara Williams is a talent.” —Sierra Godfrey, author of A Very Typical Family and The Second Chance Hotel

“A rare gem of a book that captures the beauty and pain of grief, love, and finding yourself, while still feeling like a hug. With sentences that sing and settings that feel like characters, The Truth Is in The Detours is the perfect blend of frenemies-to-lovers road trip romance that will steal your heart and set it racing, and a woman’s journey to finding herself as she searches for the truth about her family. An outstanding debut.” —Holly James, author of The Big Fix

In this sharp-witted and poignant novel, two former friends with a complicated history are thrown together on an unexpected road trip, where old lies unravel and new truths emerge with every mile marker.

Ophelia Dahl has just buried her beloved father when she finds among his personal effects a blindsiding document. The mother Ophelia thought died thirty years ago isn’t dead after all—she abandoned her. But how could she, and where is she now? With some neighborly help, Ophelia’s going to find out.

Beau Augustin is an acclaimed author and Ophelia’s childhood bestie turned teenage nemesis, still chafing after all these years. As luck would have it, Beau’s current project—family deceptions—is set to take him across the West Coast. Ophelia has a brilliant idea: Beau’s book. Her life. Win-win. In a Subaru filled with baggage, they hit the road.

Despite detours, dead ends, and old grudges, Ophelia is desperate to unravel a lifetime of lies. And Beau’s research is a little more personal than he’s letting on. Mile by mile, they’re getting closer to their truths—and to each other—than they ever thought possible.

To celebrate the release of Mara Williams’ wonderfully romantic debut, THE TRUTH IS IN THE DETOURS, we are hosting a virtual book tour from mid-August through mid-September. These marvelous book influencers will be sharing exclusive reviews, excerpts, Q&A, feature spotlights, and giveaways. Follow along for lots of fun!

Tuesday, August 12 – ASHLEY HASTY and BOOKS AND BIEWERS

Wednesday, August 13 – PAGES AND PUPS

Thursday, August 14 – NIKKI H. ROSE

Friday, August 15 – THE BOOK COVER LOVER and FISH GIRL LOVES BOOKS

Saturday, August 16 – JEN’S TOWERING TBR

Monday, August 18 – MEOWSKINS BOOKSKINS

Tuesday, August 19 – WORD NERD BOOK WORM

Wednesday, August 20 – DANISH MUSTARD READS and MARY MARY LIBRARY

Thursday, August 21 – MY BURSTING BOOK BAG and MELANN ROSENTHAL

Friday, August 22 – BOOKALONG

Monday, August 25 – LOVE MY DANE DOLLY

Tuesday, August 26 – DEA’S BOOKSHELF