Everything Must Go

A warm, wry novel about secrets, second chances, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers, daughters, and sisters.

This may be the one mess she can’t manage.

Laine Francis believes there’s a place for everything—and New York, where her family lives, isn’t her place. But no sooner does the professional organizer’s marriage begin to unravel than her sisters drop another bomb on her: their mother, Sally, may have dementia, and they need Laine to come home.

Laine agrees to briefly return to Brooklyn. After all, bringing order to chaos is what she does best. To Laine’s relief, Sally seems no more absentminded than usual. So Laine vows to help her mother maintain her independence, then hightail it back to Michigan.

Except Laine’s plans go awry when she runs into her former best friend, Ben, and realizes she finally has a chance to repair their fractured relationship. Then she discovers that memory loss isn’t the only thing Sally’s been hiding, forcing Laine to decide whether to reveal a devastating truth to her sisters—and whether to follow her heart when it means breaking her mother’s.

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Praise for Everything Must Go:

I adored Everything Must Go! There is so much wisdom and heart packed into these pages, and the Francis sisters stole my heart; I found myself wishing I were part of this complicated, lively, and lovable family. A beautiful exploration of love and friendship, secrets and regrets, exquisitely presented with Pagán’s lyrical prose and trademark wit, this novel is a must-read for anyone who has a dream deferred and is finally ready to reclaim it.

Lori Nelson Spielman, bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Laine Francis is an eager-to-please home organizer about to divorce her genius husband who, after a decade of marriage, is still not ready to have a baby. Her strong-willed 72-year-old mother Sally is a hoarder in Brooklyn who has more secrets than a stack of diaries. Problem is, Sally’s losing her memory. Laine rushes to Sally’s side with love and good intentions—but we all know how that can go (because we all have families). Can a self-sacrificing people-pleaser like Laine learn to please herself? Look for twists, turns and an old friend ahead. I picked up Everything Must Go and I couldn’t put it down. Be a hero—suggest it to your book club. This is Camille Pagán at her best.

Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Crazy to Leave You.

A clear-sighted, generous look at a woman grappling with her awakening voice. I love everything Pagán writes, and this one is a moving and thoughtful addition to her growing list of wonderful books.

Barbara O'Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed In Mermaids

I will not miss a Camille Pagán novel and this is why: the most relatable women between two covers, the most interesting situations, the most satisfyingly emotional outcomes. Everything Must Go has all of that, with a compassionate woman facing the crossroads between two futures, two men, and two cities—and navigating the nuances of her two beautiful, successful and overbearing sisters all the while. The family secrets keep unfolding and the pages fly by in this moving, big-hearted read!

Kelly Harms, bestselling author of The Seven Day Switch

A tender and witty read about the complications of family, heartbreak, going home and finding home. You’ll root and cry and cheer for Laine on every compulsively readable page.

Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author of Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing