“Hint by artful hint, Stevens pulled me into the masterfully intertwined stories of her ensemble cast, and I was hooked.” –Marsha Jacobson, award-winning author of The Wrong Calamity Charlie Kittredge can't seem to break out of the writer's block that is threatening his career as a best-selling novelist and his loving relationship with girlfriend Margaret. Gwendolyn, Margaret's mother, can't seem to help behaving outrageously and offending others in her quest to remain forever young. And good friend Sunny can't seem to stop the downward spiral of boyfriend, job, and money problems that plague her along with memories of an abusive father and a secret crush on Charlie. When Gwendolyn finds herself marooned in Los Angeles and Sunny is thrown out of her apartment, they become permanent fixtures at Charlie and Margaret's, invading their love nest. Personalities clash until finally, at a disastrous family party, secrets are revealed and tensions reach a breaking point. Estranged from the woman they all hold dear, Charlie and the others set out on separate journeys to find a way to vanquish their personal demons and regain Margaret's trust—if it's not too late. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, The Unexpected Guests is a page-turning celebration of mature romance, self-discovery, and the true meaning of family. 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner - Contemporary Novel Literary Titan Silver Book Award Winner "A delightful tapestry of love, laughter, and life's inevitable chaos. In this well-written sequel to My Year of Casual Acquaintances , Ms. Stevens masterfully balances humor with poignant moments of introspection... A must-read for lovers of women's fiction or anyone who enjoys a good laugh, a good cry, and a good story." -Sublime Book Review "If you enjoy character-driven romance novels brimming with humor, The Unexpected Guests will reel you in with its eccentric charm. Ruth F. Stevens' masterful writing explores themes of love (particularly mature, second-chance love), family, and belonging." - Reader Views "A character-driven narrative that resonates with the stress and strain of modern life... It's a captivating journey that delivers exactly what readers crave-a richly layered story that's both fun and deeply human." -BookLife by Publishers Weekly "This second humorous outing in the South Bay Series brings modern problems to light through the antics of a cast you'll be happy to think of as friends... From sharp yet elegant prose to engaging character arcs, there is so much to celebrate, but it is the aching love between Charlie and Margaret that pulls readers in and reminds us of everything there is to adore about this series." -Indies Today, 5-Stars " The Unexpected Guests explores love, second chances, and the beautifully messy nature of human relationships. The prose sparkles with wit and emotion... A moving story for readers who appreciate well-drawn characters and narratives that feel both genuine and heartfelt." -Literary Titan "Hint by artful hint, Stevens pulled me into the masterfully intertwined stories of her ensemble cast, and I was hooked." -Marsha Jacobson, award-winning author of The Wrong Calamity "Whether she's warming your heart or tearing it apart, Stevens delivers a compellingly realistic look at how our demons haunt us until we face them . . . and how we can come out the other side into love and joy." -Pamela Taylor, author of the Second Son Chronicles "A witty novel about love, family, friendship, and starting over. The characters are endearing and heartbreaking as they maneuver through new love, complex relationships and the bonds that bind them together." -Tricia Hopper Zacher, author of Many a Sudden Change "When a California couple-an author and an editor-find their cozy life upended by a relative's 'temporary' four-month visit and an out-of-work spa manager/artist crashed in their guesthouse, the tension builds to a snapping point." -Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn series "Despite the serious issues the characters face, their story abounds with humorous encounters and funny dialogue. Author Stevens likes to write stories that make readers laugh and cry, and The Unexpected Guests succeeds on both levels." -Mary Jo Hazard, retired marriage family therapist and author of Stillwater "Reading The Unexpected Guests is like hanging out with a delightful group of friends. Stevens's writing is fluid, lovely and enjoyable to read." -S.M. Stevens, award-winning author of Beautiful and Terrible Things 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 two previous novels, Stage Seven and My Year of Casual Acquaintances. 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.Ruth lives in Torrance, Calif