Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay
books by Tracy Dobmeier
A widowed and grieving young novelist believes her words create realities—both tragic and charmed—in a hopeful and surprising novel about family, newfound love, and moving on.Four years after her husband Sam’s tragic death mirrored a fatal plotline in her debut novel, Thea Packer hasn’t written another word, afraid that what she writes could come true again. Resigned to raising her young daughter in her in-laws’ guesthouse, Thea is on the verge of abandoning her literary career when inspiration strikes.Her new book is a fairy-tale romance featuring a long-lost astronaut who miraculously returns home to his family, with the hero loosely drawn from Thea’s memories of Sam. Thea considers the fantasy a harmless way to process her grief.That is, until a charismatic man walks into her life—and he’s an astronaut.Thea can’t believe it’s happening again. Or is it? Her mother-in-law doesn’t think so—she sees only a woman increasingly detached from reality. Now, as coincidences between Thea’s writing and reality pile up, Thea must unravel the secrets of her past and tackle her grief head-on before she loses more than she ever imagined. The author’s ability to manage multiple elements within the story contributes to its overall strength. Plot, character, and theme are integrated in a way that feels cohesive rather than fragmented. This integration supports a smooth and engaging narrative. The book offers a satisfying blend of introspection and narrative movement. Reflective moments are balanced with plot development, ensuring that the story continues to move forward. This balance keeps readers engaged from start to finish.