Laura

Olivia Strauss is turning thirty-nine. No major milestone. She still considers herself young. At least young enough to assume she has decades (emphasis on the plural) to check the unchecked boxes of her life’s to-do list. Ballerina? Too late. But not too late for poet. Or for reigniting the romantic spark in her marriage, spending more quality time with her son, switching careers, learning to cook, or even dyeing her hair a bright bohemian pink. She’ll get to that one. There’s time—until Olivia’s best friend, Marian, gives her a birthday present she could have lived without.

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Straitlaced Evelyn and reformed bad boy Marco might make an unlikely pair, but the two lovebirds couldn’t be more head over heels for each other. Sure, they’ve had some missed calls along the way, but all that’s in the past. They’ve got their sights set on forever, and the next stop is a walk down the aisle in front of their friends and family. It’s the big day, and everyone’s gathered to watch Marco and Evelyn say "I do". Everyone except Evelyn that is. Is the bride running late or running? The surprising answer might just be in their voicemails.