Edie Boyd, an actress, is distraught when her third and youngest child, twenty-two-year-old Ben, finally leaves home, leaving her with an empty nest. Her husband, theatrical agent Russell, is hopeful that this will usher in a 'second honeymoon' phase for their marriage after decades of devoted parenthood. However, Edie yearns for the maternal intimacy she feels is lost, and the empty nest is suddenly full again as the children—Ben, brother Matthew, and sister Rosa—one by one return, bringing with them their own troubles. Matthew is struggling in a relationship where he earns less than his successful girlfriend, while Rosa is grappling with debt and a turbulent love affair. Joanna Trollope explores the complexities of contemporary family life, parenthood, and the challenges faced by both generations as they cope with finding new ways to live, both with and without each other.
