Book of The Month discussion

Malcolm Gephardt, handsome and gregarious longtime bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar. When his boss finally retires, Malcolm stretches to buy the place. He sees unquantifiable magic and potential in the Half Moon and hopes to transform it into a bigger success, but struggles to stay afloat.

His smart and confident wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career. After years of trying for a baby, she is facing the idea that motherhood may not be in the cards for her. Like Malcolm, she feels her youth beginning to slip away and wonders how to reshape her future.

Award-winning author Mary Beth Keane’s new novel takes place over the course of one week when Malcolm learns shocking news about Jess, a patron of the bar goes missing, and a blizzard hits the town of Gillam, trapping everyone in place. With a deft eye and generous spirit, Keane explores the disappointments and unexpected consolations of midlife, the many forms forgiveness can take, the complicated intimacy of small-town living, and what it means to be a family.

I had this as an arc and am just finally getting to it

25% / 3 chapters

ooh the chapters are long lol (view spoiler)[ this is a sad story. Malcolm makes me so sad. his identity is so tied up in this bar - I wonder how he will come out of this. With no real claim to the place, he's losing money and not able to pay

and Jess - we have few details about her so far, most of this was from Malcolm's POV - but what will she do when her identity was so tied in her only be successful if she had a baby. I'm assuming the treatments were for her so she didn't cheat on Malcolm to get pregnant

their marriage makes me so sad. they don't seem to be communicating.

this one is slow so far but I don't mind the speed. I'm finding it interesting at least (hide spoiler)]