Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan is a captivating and thought-provoking novel about newfound motherhood and the struggles of balancing demands from family, friends and even strangers.
Elisabeth Riley, a respected journalist and new mother, is trying to balance being a working mother and raising a child in a close-knit town. But no matter how hard she tries, it’s never quite enough. Her colleagues are pressuring her to work harder, her family is always asking for her help, and the myriad of strangers she encounters each day make her question her own worth. This dissatisfaction leads Elisabeth to search for answers beyond the surface of what she already knows.
Elisabeth’s quest for understanding leads her to Sam Walker, a new mother from a much different background. Sam’s story is one of hardship and struggle, but it’s more than that. Through each chapter, we learn of Sam’s resilience and resourcefulness, and the bonds she’s made with those around her.
As Elisabeth comes to connect with Sam, her perception of motherhood begins to evolve. Through Sam’s stories and comfort, she realizes that it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help. That imperfections are just merely pieces of a bigger whole. That being a mother is more than just being a caretaker, but being part of a larger community of love and understanding.
Friends and Strangers is an incredible novel that will inspire readers to think more deeply about their relationships with family, friends and complete strangers. It conveys both the struggles and the successes of motherhood, and the importance of connection, both within the family and beyond. Elisabeth and Sam, as different as they may be, become an unlikely pair and their unlikely friendship will have readers feeling inspired when the story draws to its beautiful end.
