Things That Grow

After her grandmother dies, a girl travels to different gardens to scatter her ashes, learning about life and love along the way. From Love Letters advice columnist and podcast host Meredith Goldstein, this emotionally resonant novel with a touch of humor is perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jenna Evans Welch. When Lori’s Dorothy Parker–loving grandmother dies, Lori’s world is turned upside down. Grandma Sheryl was everything to Lori—and not just because Sheryl raised Lori when Lori’s mom got a job out of town. Now Lori’s mom is insisting on moving her away from her beloved Boston right before senior year. Desperate to stay for as long as possible, Lori insists on honoring her grandmother’s last request before she moves: to scatter Sheryl’s ashes near things that grow. Along with her uncle Seth and Chris, best friend and love-of-her-life crush, Lori sets off on a road trip to visit her grandmother’s favorite gardens. Dodging forest bathers, scandalized volunteers, and angry homeowners, they come to terms with the shape of life after Grandma Sheryl. Saying goodbye isn’t easy, but Lori might just find a way to move forward surrounded by the people she loves. This road trip is about honoring her grandmother, but what will it mean for her future—and her heart? A Heartfelt Road Trip: Lori, her uncle Seth, and her best friend Chris pile into a car to find the perfect spots for Grandma Sheryl's ashes, encountering hilarious obstacles along the way. Senior Year on the Line: With her mom determined to move her from Boston to Maryland, this trip is Lori's last chance to hold onto the life and friends she loves before everything changes. Saying Goodbye: An emotional and tender exploration of loss and what it means to find a new way forward after losing the person who meant everything. Found Family: From her witty, writing-obsessed uncle to her grandmother's quirky gardening club, Lori discovers that the people who show up for you are the ones who help you grow.