Happiness Forever

DEBUT Faith’s first novel introduces Sylvie, a thirtysomething veterinary technician for whom therapy has become the highlight of her simple, albeit somewhat lonely life. Besides working at the vet clinic, she focuses on caring for her disabled dog Curtains. It’s evident from her sessions that Sylvie needed therapy to overcome trauma from several past intimate relationships: the controlling Owen, the early love of her life Sandy, and her deceased teenage boyfriend Nick. However, Sylvie has become obsessed with her unnamed therapist. Her obsession never devolves toward seriously disturbing behavior, even upon learning about the therapist’s impending retirement. The therapist maintains appropriate boundaries while encouraging Sylvie’s pursuit of new relationships. One such relationship is with Chloe, as their budding bond provides Sylvie with healthy companionship. In Sylvie, Faith has created a wonderfully likable and empathetic character longing for connection to others and reckoning with the next level of emotional maturity.