A Thousand Little Goodbyes

<p><b>TO THE BEST FRIEND WHO EVER WAS: THIS IS YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WITHOUT ME</b></p><p>STEP ONE: Always make time for yourself.</p><p>Chrissie Thomas has always done what's expected of her. A struggling single mom with a mountain of guilt and very little time for herself, she's spent her life putting others first—until her lifelong best friend, Scarlett Sanderson, insists it's finally time for the cross-country road trip they've dreamed about since childhood.</p><p>STEP TWO: Never turn down a chance for adventure.</p><p>From the moment they set out, Chrissie and Scarlett are determined to chase joy: quirky roadside attractions, hot springs, and maybe even an unexpected flirtation or two. But as miles turn to memories, Chrissie begins to sense that this trip isn't just about escape—it's about a goodbye Scarlett hasn't yet found the courage to admit is coming.</p><p>STEP THREE: Live like every day is your last.</p><p>Scarlett has always been the fearless one—the spark in every moment, the laughter in every heartbreak. But hidden beneath her boundless joy is a truth she's kept from the person who knows her best. This trip isn't just a reunion—it's a farewell. And as they draw closer to their journey's end, Scarlett will have to do the hardest thing she's ever done: teach the best friend who's always been by her side how to live—to thrive—without her.</p><p>FINAL STEP: When it's finally time to say goodbye…do it with your whole heart, and leave behind a love big enough to last a lifetime.</p>