Release Date: September 26, 2017

Hanna is turning eighteen in a week and has never left the town of Clearhaven.  Her hometown is a polygamist community where residents blindly follow a cult-like individual named “Brother Paul”. Her father has four wives and has sired fourteen children. When her birthday arrives she is destined to become the fifth wife of a man three times her age.  To prepare for that day, she spends time with her future husband’s wives and learns about expectations for their marriage bed.

Days before her wedding, Hanna meets Daniel who has just returned from a trip outside the town. She is intrigued by his stories and starts to consider life beyond Clearhaven.  Her mother also seeks more for Hanna and shares a unique secret to help influence her decision.  As her birthday approaches, Hanna must decide knowing that the cost of her freedom will be a life away from her family and friends.

This book by Christopher Meades is a creative coming of age story with some magical realism blended in. It realistically depicts the unpredictable behaviors of a teen making the transition to adulthood.