Katherine Lamontagne isn't Celeste Barnes's mother, but ever since Celeste graduated high school and her parents abandoned Hidden Harbor, Maine, she's acted the part.

At twenty-two, Celeste worked at Katherine's bakery, and hoped to buy the business once Katherine took early retirement.

But when Katherine reconsidered that decision, Celeste fled to culinary school in New York-only to return two months later, a shadow of the girl who'd stormed out the door.

Katherine knows the signs of secret heartbreak.

Years ago, she gave up her baby son for adoption-a regret she's never shared with either her ex-husband or Celeste.

She longs for Celeste to confide in her now.

But it will be a stranger in town-an engaging young wanderer named Zach Fitzgerald-who spurs them toward healing.

As both women are drawn into Zach's questioning heart, they also rediscover their own appetites for truth and for love-and gain the courage to face the past without being imprisoned by it.

Uplifting, emotionally rich, and deeply satisfying, A Measure of Happiness illuminates the nature of friendship, motherhood, hope-and the gifts of second chances.

Advance Praise for A Measure of Happiness "In this absorbing, emotional novel about family secrets, Lorrie Thomson demonstrates that having the courage to open our hearts to love is the true measure of happiness.

" --Holly Robinson, author of Beach Plum Island and Haven Lake "A Measure of Happiness is about many things - finding home, facing fears, and making choices among them.

But more than anything, it's the book you'll reach for when you want to recall that perfect love can still be found in an imperfect world.