Laws of Love and Logic

A Novel

By: Debra Curtis

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

A STUNNING DEBUT NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S NEW VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICES

A woman finds herself torn between her first love and her devoted husband in this extraordinary debut novel that asks the question: Can one heart hold two great loves?

“A magnificent, spellbinding love story.”—Clare Leslie Hall, New York Times bestselling author of Broken Country

In the serene town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Lily Webb is deeply in love with a charismatic boy, a college-bound quarterback whose spectacular athletic talents are matched only by his fierce devotion. But their dreams of a life together are cut short when his passionate protectiveness leads to an irrevocable choice—one that tears them apart and leads Lily down a path of heartbreak from which she may never recover.

Lily already knows the sting of loss, beginning with the death of her mother, a tragedy that left deep scars on both her and her gifted younger sister, Jane. Jane seeks escape in the abstract world of mathematics and quantum mechanics—when she can keep the demons that fuel her addictions at bay. As the years pass, Lily buries her twin griefs deep in her heart, finding solace and a new beginning with Marshall Middleton, a renowned ornithologist whose love is as steadfast as the migration patterns he studies. Yet the shadows of her past linger.

When the boy who was once everything to Lily reappears in her life, she struggles with questions around that terrible night in high school. Can she reconcile the wild wonderment of her first love with the comfort and safety of her second? Laws of Love and Logic explores love’s enduring power and the human spirit’s capacity for forgiveness and redemption.

Critic reviews

“The best thing I’ve read in years . . . A magnificent, spellbinding love story with characters I’ll be thinking about for a long time . . . I was utterly enthralled.”—Clare Leslie Hall, New York Times bestselling author of Broken Country

“At once sweeping and intimate, Laws of Love and Logic is a gorgeous meditation on roads not taken. Debra Curtis is not afraid to explore big questions about love and loss, but always with tenderness.”—Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

“A captivating debut set against a backdrop of thirty years’ worth of American social progress and shifting expectations for women.”—J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of The Cliffs and Friends and Strangers

“Powerfully moving . . . I adore a story that spans a long time, as this one does, and I especially love a story that, when I finish, leaves me with a feeling of hope.”—Mary Beth Keane, New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes

“A sharply observed, deeply felt novel about the lives we build, the loves we choose, the compromises we endure—and the rare and complicated gift of getting to ask ‘What if?’ one more time.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest and Good Company

“Debra Curtis writes fearlessly and wisely about family, marriage, addiction, faith, and redemption, where the way forward is simple but never easy: love unconditionally, try not to hurt anyone, and brace yourself for the next loss, the next joy. Curtis is an author you can trust.”—Bonnie Jo Campbell, bestselling author of The Waters

“Thought-provoking, hopelessly romantic, a pinch of tragedy—just the kind of novel to get lost in.”—Kirkus Reviews

A love story

I would highly recommend this book. It's a story of tragedy, life and overall love. I couldn't stop listening.

Processing all life’s twists and turns.

I experienced a full range of emotions reading this book. The struggle between what is “right” and love, sadness, guilt, grief, past, present and future is beautifully illustrated in this book. Loved it!

Loved it!!

Lived the many facets of love. How people in our life shape and hold us back from who we are meant to be

Great book with likable characters

Lily was definitely the protagonist, would have loved more detail on other key characters. It held my attention and the flow was perfect.

Fabulous! One of my favorites!

I could not stop listening to this from the moment it started... I had gotten information that it was being published by a friend of mine and have looked forward to it ever since.

The author has done a remarkable job at pacing the dialogue; she takes us on a journey, masterfully guiding the reader through it to a thoughtful and meaningful climax. Kudos to the narrator who helped to define the characters by using her voice purposefully. I look forward to more books narrated by her.

I highly recommend this book ….