Dear Dotty: A Novel by Jaclyn Westlake

In this highly relatable debut, Rosie Benson navigates the tumult of her twenties, seeking guidance from her late great-aunt's revelatory emails. Rosie's world crumbles when her parents announce their divorce, her best friend betrays her, and she has a regrettable one-night stand. Feeling lost in her overachieving family and pressured by societal expectations, Rosie's illusion of perfection shatters when she's fired from her tech start-up job.

Enter great-aunt Dotty, a free-spirited, martini-swigging nudist who challenges Rosie to pursue her buried dreams. But tragedy strikes when Dotty passes away, sending Rosie into a tailspin. As she unravels, she discovers Dotty's past through emails from her friends, realizing her aunt's life wasn't as idyllic as it seemed.

With her world in disarray, Rosie confronts the noise of society dictating her choices—relationship, career, family—and begins to prioritize her own desires. Through laughter and tears, she learns to embrace her true self, despite the chaos around her.

Packed with compelling characters, humor, and heart, this debut novel captivates readers as Rosie navigates the messy journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, and Sophie Kinsella, Rosie's story resonates with anyone striving to find their place in the world amid life's unexpected twists and turns. As she learns to let go of others' expectations and embrace her own dreams, Rosie discovers that true fulfillment comes from living authentically, flaws and all.