Tom Lake A Novel

In the spring of 2020, as the world slows down, Lara's three daughters return to the family's cherry orchard in Northern Michigan. While harvesting the fruit, they ask their mother to finally tell them the story of a long-ago summer romance with Peter Duke, a man who went on to become a famous actor. As Lara recounts her past at a theater company called Tom Lake, she unwraps a tale of youthful ambition, first love, and a life she might have lived, forcing her daughters to see their mother in an entirely new light.

This is a story that explores the lives parents lead before their children are born and the loves that are never forgotten. It is a quiet meditation on the intricate nature of family, the resonant power of storytelling, and the unexpected detours that lead to a life of quiet contentment. By revisiting the past, the family unearths not just secrets and forgotten dreams, but a deeper understanding of the choices that have shaped their present and what it truly means to be happy.