FRIENDSHIP MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

A novel about friendship.

Higgins creates a compelling story of three middle-aged women traveling through Europe and facing challenges and fears. When Monique’s husband was dying of cancer four years earlier, he created a “bucket list,” not for the two of them to check off together, since he knew he did not have the time, but for her to complete alone. She puts it off, fearing it would somehow symbolize her moving on, and she is not ready to do that. What inspires her to finally take the trip is the news that her friend Becky has a degenerative eye disease and is going blind. Monique wants Becky to get a first and last glimpse of castles in Europe. When her only daughter, Keira, refuses to accompany her mother on this trip, Monique invites another friend, Judy, to go with them. Judy remembers backpacking around Europe as a free-spirited young woman before returning to the U.S., settling down with a loving husband and raising five children, who are about to leave her an empty nester. The bucket list of activities turns out to be the inspiration for these three to love and help one another face and deal with losses and fears.

Readers who lose themselves in this wonderful book will be rewarded with the discovery of the value of true friendship.