A tender, perceptive novel about the ties between mothers and daughters, and the secrets that shape who we become. In What to Keep, Rachel Cline delivers a beautifully observed story about family, memory, and identity.
 
Ginny Morgan is a successful television producer whose life looks perfect from the outside — until her teenage daughter, Carrie, begins to unravel emotionally. As Ginny struggles to reach her, long-buried memories of her own complicated relationship with her mother resurface. Spanning three generations of women, What to Keep explores what we inherit, what we hide, and what we choose to let go.
 
When Ginny’s daughter begins to spiral, she’s forced to confront her own past — a childhood overshadowed by loss and emotional distance. Alternating between mother and daughter, the narrative reveals the invisible threads that connect generations of women, the patterns that repeat, and the love that endures despite misunderstanding.
 
Told with warmth and honesty, What to Keep captures the complexity of modern motherhood — balancing independence, guilt, and connection — while asking what we truly owe to the ones we love.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A deeply emotional portrait of family and forgiveness.
Thoughtful exploration of generational bonds and identity.
Beautifully written, introspective, and resonant.
Perfect for readers who enjoy mother-daughter stories with heart.
Subtle, literary tone with emotional realism.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of The Joy Luck Club and The Secret Life of Bees.
Readers of literary and family-centered fiction.
Book clubs discussing motherhood, love, and emotional inheritance.
Anyone drawn to stories about the complexity of family relationships.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed What to Keep, you might also like:
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg — rebuilding life and love after loss.
The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande — family, sacrifice, and understanding.
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold — a dark yet compassionate look at mothers and daughters.