Wethersfield Road
A novel for anyone who’s ever been told they were “too much.”
Amelia Glickman has it all: a trust fund, a shiny red Range Rover, a serious equestrian hobby, and a brand-new house. But lurking in the basement of her existence is the ache of depression and the torment of life as an addict. At least she has her besties by her side: a bottle and a bong, the binge-purge cycle, and risky hookups. She’s the cross-faded chaos queen of nobody’s dreams. Despite feeling utterly lost, a deeply meaningful bond with her horse, Hope, seems to be the only reason for Amelia’s will to live. Yet, she gradually deteriorates in her self-imposed thousand-thread-count holding cell on Wethersfield Road. After a shameful series of unfortunate events—including domestic violence, cringeworthy sexual exploits, and everything in between—a brutal equine wake-up call propels Amelia on a journey to save herself in the way only she can.
As Amelia begins to sift through her designer brand piles of emotional baggage, a life worth living seems to blossom right before her eyes. If only she can resist her default setting: self-sabotage. Although she attributes the void in her chest to life circumstances like her parents’ divorce and her botched Hollywood dreams, the truth is that she has felt completely defective from the very beginning. The island of misfit toys promises salvation, if only she can finally allow herself to be part of something.
Through a special connection with animals and nature, her willingness to be broken and brave at the same time, and the essence of the new house itself, she ventures into the real world, stumbling blindly through early sobriety, in search of a happily ever after that’s somewhat serene.
Reviews
Kirkus says:
“Reardon, a skilled writer, has made Amelia a witty guide through the drama and pain.”
“An involving, well-written debut.”
“A former mental health therapist, Reardon infuses the book with a passion for recovery and appreciation of life. Her background brings bona fides to an expansive, engrossing novel.”
Independent Book Review says:
“Hopeful, introspective, and lyrical—a work of literary realism tinged with the grit of recovery.”
“Reardon depicts the realities of addiction and recovery with precision. She captures the cyclical nature of self-destructive behavior, the push and pull between wanting to change and cling to what’s familiar. Reardon’s background in therapy shows in the nuanced, believable portrayals of counselors and recovery spaces, as well as in the book’s underlying belief that healing is possible.”
“A strong debut with real emotional honesty and a protagonist whose flaws are heartbreakingly human. A book for anyone who has ever had to rebuild, one brick at a time, while learning to live in their own skin.”
“Themes of autonomy, self-confidence, and love as action anchor this moving tale.”
Advanced Reviewers say:
“Anna Binder Reardon is a literary master mind; captivating, intriguing, and breathtaking all at once.” -Jen Beach, Booktok
“Kristin Hannah mixed with the raw openness of Margo’s got Money Troubles with a heavy dose of non-preachy self-help, the power of optimism, and shifts in perspective. This book, while a work of fiction, left me with so many lessons and strategies for doing the best I possibly can to make my own life extraordinary by finding beauty in the ordinary. Much like Hope and Amelia, I feel like this book found me. -Jess Ross, Bookstagram
“Beautiful and healing. It's a story of hope and love.” -Kelsey Johnson, Booktok
Authors say…
“Reardon’s courageous, unfiltered story about addiction and mental health is a triumph of recovery, certain to inspire anyone struggling with similar challenges.”
-Karen S. Gordon, Author of The Mutiny Girl, Gold & Courage Series
Amelia’s chaos feels like a familiar mirror, her self-sabotage too close to home, but so does her fight to crawl out. If you’ve ever battled your own demons, numbed the ache, or longed for redemption in the wreckage, this book will feel like someone finally wrote your secret diary out loud.
-Cyn Posner, Author of Escape to Mexico
Wethersfield Road is such a moving, down-to-earth read. Anna B. Reardon captures the ups and downs of healing in a way that feels so real—messy, funny, emotional, and full of hope. I couldn’t put it down—raw, compassionate, and ultimately uplifting.
-Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, eating disorder therapist, co-author of The Inside Scoop of Eating Disorder Recovery