The Composition of Order

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To save her marriage, Sarah Ward must let go of her pursuit of order--the one thing that has allowed her to feel safe since she was a child... Adopted as a young child, Sarah Ward has always preferred order to chaos. Structure is safety. That's why she's worked so hard to craft a life that checks all the boxes: raise a happy, healthy child, be a supportive wife, and maintain friendships and hobbies. So Sarah is stunned when Donny—her high school sweetheart and husband of twenty years—announces he wants a divorce. Although she resolves to fight for her marriage, salvaging it seems impossible: Donny's list of grievances is long, and every item on it relates to her pursuit of order. While she's still reeling from shock, Sarah finds out her mother is in the hospital. She and Donny return to her childhood home. There, in the place she's always considered a refuge, Sarah immerses herself in family. But going full-immersion isn't as healing she expected. As Sarah spends time with her sisters, Margaret and Hannah, and their mother, Mama Katherine, secrets begin to emerge. Now, Sarah craves structure more than ever. But releasing her grip on perfection may be the only way to win Donny back.

About the author

Hilary Dartt

Hilary Dartt lives and writes in Arizona's high desert, surrounded by spectacular views of mountains and the bright Arizona sky. After graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Creative Writing, she worked as a journalist before launching her freelance writing career 10 years ago. When she's not writing, Hilary is running or reading. She loves sunrises and the Arizona sky. Hilary and her husband have three children and an assortment of pets, including a flock of chickens.