Five New Yorkers, ranging from an Uber driver to a multimillionaire CEO, each find an unaddressed card in their belongings inviting them to a meeting of the Fifth Avenue Story Society. Each one arrives with an untold story, a secret weighing down their hearts, but no one can figure out who sent the invitations or why they have been brought together. Despite misgivings, the members continue to meet every Monday night to share a meal. Soon they end up sharing more about their lives, forming friendships across professional and class boundaries. Then the question becomes, whether the society can survive the reality hidden behind each carefully constructed public story, or are some wounds beyond healing? Gradually and skillfully, Hauck (The Wedding Dress; The Memory House) reveals each character and the intertwining plot arcs in a fun and meaningful book. VERDICT Examining how the tales we tell have the power to hurt and to heal, Hauck’s crossover novel is for both romance and inspirational readers. Its message will resonate with readers long after the last page.