read an excerpt

Samantha Morrow's husband divorces her, and Samantha must take in lodgers to pay the mortgage on her elaborate house. Her experiences enable her to find out who she really is, to become more independent, and even--surprisingly--to reject a chance to reclaim her old life

"Berg (Durable Goods) once again refreshes a well-worn plot with knowing domestic detail, an understanding of familiar – sometimes conflicting – female emotions and an infectious sentimental optimism. Neither deep nor complex, Sam charms the reader as she learns to stand up for herself. It is hard not to root for her."

"Skillfully crafted, with a fluidity and snap that will delight Berg's fans but, when all is said and done, a distressingly familiar story."

"Elizabeth Berg's new novel is about what happens when a good woman gets dumped. We've been here before in recent (and not-so-recent) fiction, but Berg's narrative is agile and freshly observed....The novel's happy ending feels earned instead of simply tacked on."
-- Barbara Fisher

"Though Berg's conclusion seems a little too easy, this is a hopeful book, and one takes pleasure in seeing Samantha make her way."
-- Amy Timberlake