"A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." —Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author Twelve months, 12 encounters, 12 chances for happiness. When Mar Meyer’s husband leaves her for another woman, she makes a bold decision: she walks away from everything—her home, her friends, even her name. Starting over in midlife isn’t easy. But Mar is determined to reinvent herself—one month, one experience, and one casual acquaintance at a time. As the year unfolds, Mar drifts in and out of unexpected encounters: a struggling gym friend, a flirty dance instructor, a hilariously overbearing consultant, a kind older gentleman… and Charlie, a charming bestselling novelist who wants more from Mar than she’s ready to give. Each connection teaches her something new. But keeping things casual comes at a cost—and sooner or later, Mar must decide: is she protecting herself… or holding herself back? Filled with humor, heart, and an unforgettable cast of characters, My Year of Casual Acquaintances is a moving, often funny story about starting over, opening your heart, and embracing human connection. Indies Today Award - Best Contemporary Book of 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner BookLife Review Editor's Pick Indies Today 5-Star Recommended Read Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review 2024 CIBA Somerset Awards: Semi-finalist - Literary & Contemporary Fiction 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner - Women's Fiction 2024 Reader Views Literary Awards - Silver Award, Romance 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards - Finalist, Best Second Novel "Stevens' novel is the perfect candidate for a book club or discussion because you'll want to keep gushing about the characters long after the final page. The author dazzles readers with a multidimensional ensemble cast whose antics will stimulate laughter and cause you to shed a tear or two." -Reader Views, 5-stars "I appreciated Ruth's immersive prose, the witty first-person narrative, and the excellent editorial work. The novel is fast-paced and offers many surprises as the story unfolds. I highly recommend it to those readers who prefer character-driven novels with compelling protagonists." -Readers' Favorite "A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." -Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author "Stevens writes with humor, compassion, and wisdom about how to move past loss and the power of meaningful connections along the way." -Joani Elliott, WFWA Star Award winning author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson "...the writing is so strong, the characters so relatable, and the prose very often so funny." -S .M. Stevens, author of Beautiful and Terrible Things "Stevens crafts an endearing cast of characters that draw you in, tug at your heart and leave you wanting more." -Andrea Couture, author of Embracing What Remains "Lively, romantic, and often heart-wrenching!" -Erica Karlin, co-author of The Sipping Sisterhood Series and contributor to Shakespeare & Company, Paris "This story will resonate with anyone who has imagined a do-over or has had to push the restart button on life." -Julie Mayerson Brown, author of the Clearwater Series "This unique story opens with one cliffhanger and closes with another, yet manages to satisfy thoroughly. Lighthearted fun with an upbeat atmosphere, My Year of Casual Acquaintances is an optimistic novel about looking for the best in everyone, including ourselves." - R. C. Gibson, IndiesToday. com "A captivating and heartwarming narrative that delves into the trials and victories of beginning anew." -Literary Titan 5-Stars "Touching, polished story of a woman embracing growth, post-divorce." -BookLife Editor's Pick "A humorous journey of heartfelt connections that will keep you turning the pages and rooting for reinvention." -Sublime Book Review "A deeply heartwarming tale that will leave you both smiling and reflecting on the beauty of new beginnings." -Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review "A thoroughly entertaining, highly re-readable novel... easily one of the top three romance novels I've read this year." -Beatrice Toothman, Manhattan Book Review 2024 Reader Views Literary Awards - Silver Award, Romance Ruth F. Stevens likes to create stories that will make readers laugh and cry. A former public relations executive in New York and Los Angeles, she is a produced playwright and author of a previous novel, Stage Seven, which was a featured selection of national online book club and Alzheimer's awareness organizations. Ruth is a proud member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association and the Dramatists Guild of America and serves as a volunteer and acquisitions editor for AlzAuthors.