How do you heal when the life you know vanishes overnight? After the sudden, tragic loss of her parents, Alissa Quillen is drowning in grief. No amount of love from her aunt or support from her closest friends can ease the constant ache. But when she discovers a box of her mother's journals, something stirs-a spark of curiosity, of purpose. Guided by her mother's words, Alissa leaves Boston behind and hits the road, letting each stop unfold with spontaneity and heartache in equal measure.
At her first stop, a run-down bowling alley in a small town, she has a tense run-in with Alec Shivel-a brooding stranger carrying grief of his own. Despite a rocky start, the two form an unexpected connection. But Alissa isn't looking for distractions. This trip is about healing, not falling in love.
The road, however, has a funny way of leading us not where we want to go, but where we need to be.
Skunk Cabbage is a poignant, laugh-through-tears novel about love, loss, faith, and the messy, beautiful journey of finding hope again. With raw emotion, sharp wit, and an unforgettable cast of characters, debut author Jenna Slot captures the chaos of grief and the grace that can be found in the most unexpected places. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle, Josie Silver, and Emily Henry, Skunk Cabbage will leave you feeling seen, hopeful, and maybe even a little healed.
"In this heartfelt debut, Skunk Cabbage gives a vulnerable look into the first months after a painful loss. From the realistic portrayal of Alissa's grief, to her relatable rage, to her disorienting crisis of faith, each turn in this emotional journey is a reminder of how God meets us in our pain. Just as compelling as Alissa's story are the people-friends and strangers alike-who walk alongside her, being the support she needs to get through her next day, even her next moment. Slot's writing is honest and yet still full of hope in this raw, redemptive, story." - Kendra Broekhuis, author of Between You and Us and Nearly Beloved
"Slot does a phenomenal job of letting readers feel this story, drawing them in. You will feel as if you are with Alissa as she finds the missing links, and love."
- Ginae Lee Scott author of I Will Breathe For You and Looking Through the Water
