Psychologist Claire Cherney is suffering from a touch of empty nest syndrome after her youngest heads off for college.  She and her husband, Eli Bishop, realize that their coastal Connecticut inn feels empty.  Claire finds her thoughts wandering to the mother who abandoned her when she was only two years old.  Raised by her single father, Claire’s never had the love of a mother.  Claire wonders if it may be time to find her mother, or if her mother can even be found.

Soon a mysterious man and his seven-year-old daughter come to stay with Claire and Eli.  While Claire welcomes them with open arms and treats them like family, Eli is more hesitant.  Something about this man niggles at Eli.  Eli is not sure the man is being truthful or that he and his daughter need to involve Claire in their daily activities.  Is it just jealousy or something more?

Stephanie Gertler is one of the best women’s fiction authors out there.  Packed with genuine emotion, complex characters, and gripping plot lines, Ms. Gertler draws you into her story with a grasp that just doesn’t let go.

DRIFTING takes two storylines and seamlessly merges them into a stunning book.  I always love getting two stories in one.  You have Claire’s quest to overcome the hesitancy over finding her mother, and then you also have the mystery regarding Nick’s identity.  Each is equally intriguing and involving.