What is the title of your latest release?
THE OTHER SIDE OF STARTING OVER
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When her husband’s tragic death uncovers long-buried secrets, a young mother fights to protect her family and heal her heart in an emotionally resonant novel about loss, love, and second chances.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Beatrice, the young widow, moves home after her husband passes away. The plot required that she feel isolated and alone, and that the move would be a source of resentment for her rebelling teens. So I chose a setting that would feel remote, stagnant, and act as a pressure cooker for the family. I set the book in the Sierra foothills of California because it’s a region that I love; it’s beautiful, charming, but might feel stifling for a family accustomed to the bustle of a bigger city. I spent a lot of time there as a child, so it was a setting that invoked a tremendous amount of nostalgia for me, which was also a critical theme of the story.
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely. I can imagine her being the perfect friend to go through motherhood with. She’s empathetic, loyal, principled, and feisty.
What are three words that describe your hero?
Uptight, guarded, and kind.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
When I begin any book, I start with a question I want to answer. The question I was trying to answer was whether someone can move on—whole—after severe heartbreak and betrayal. And I think the answer is yes, but… starting over doesn’t erase our histories. We aren’t able to begin again with a blank slate. We bring our pain with us and build our new stories over our scars, and that actually makes the recovery even more meaningful and beautiful.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as a draft to ensure I have a coherent first draft when I get to the end, but it’s a big-picture edit, not a line or copy edit. I know this defies conventional wisdom and the advice of most authors to push forward. But I get distracted by inconsistencies while I write. As soon as I realize I need to change a major plot point, I can’t keep moving forward without correcting the wrong turn. But I try not to wordsmith as I draft.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Anything cheese related: a cheese and charcuterie board, gourmet mac and cheese, or a sourdough grilled cheese with gruyere and thin apple slices.
Describe your writing space/office!
I write everywhere. Because I’m a busy mom of four with a demanding day job, I cannot be precious about my process. I write on my laptop (or my phone when absolutely necessary), and I am not wed to any particular location. Throughout a writing session, I might transition from my desk to the dining room table, to the kitchen counter, to the backyard, and then to the front porch. I’ve written from the couch, from bed, from the passenger seat on long drives, and on airplanes. When I’m sick of my house or on a major deadline, I’ll head out to a coffee shop for a few hours, put on my headphones and tune everything out. But really, no matter where I’m writing, I’m in my own world. My family complains they have to say my name several times for me to notice they need me.
Who is an author you admire?
There are too many to pick one. But to name a few who have inspired me lately: Rainbow Rowell, Sarah MacLean, Tarah DeWitt, Kennedy Ryan, Catherine Newman, Alicia Thompson, and Kate Clayborn.
Is there a book that changed your life?
There are so many books over the years that have changed my life. When I was a teen, I loved Maeve Binchy, who weaved together coming of age stories with friendship and romance.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
For this book, I found out through a call from my agent while I was with my family at Disneyland, in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love romance, general fiction, and thrillers. I’m also a huge fan of poetry.
What’s your favorite movie?
Dirty Dancing has been my favorite movie since I first watched it as a child on VHS – and it has withstood the test of time. It is my family’s most quoted movie, and the lift has made an appearance at every family wedding.
What is your favorite season?
Summer! I love the long days and warm nights, barbecues and the freedom to get away on vacation. Because my life has been defined by the rhythm of the school year, the summer means sleeping in and not having to pack lunches, shuttle kids, and maintain a rigid vacation.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I love to take day trips with my family to celebrate. We live in California, and there are so many gorgeous places to visit within a short drive. We’ve spent my birthday at the beach, hiking in the redwoods, or wine tasting – and I feel so lucky to have so many amazing options nearby.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I just finished IF NOT YOU by Ellen O’Clover and it was fabulous. It’s about two rival copywriters competing for a luxury vacation ad account while on a four-week immersion trip that takes them from Chicago to Colorado to California. It is funny and touching and has the most torturous slow burn I’ve read in a while.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I just spent time in Italy researching my next book, and so I’ll say Italian due to recency bias.
What do you do when you have free time?
I’ve had very little of it lately with my writing schedule, but I love to hike with my husband, travel with my kids, and host parties for my extended family.
What can readers expect from you next?
My fourth book comes out in June 2027. ALL ROADS LEAD TO US is a second-chance, dual timeline romance about a passionate women’s rights activist who lands a dream job with a wealthy matriarch to give away her fortune, only to realize (whoops!) the woman’s grandson is the man she ghosted in Rome a decade ago. It’s messy, romantic, and dramatic and a perfect summer read.
THE OTHER SIDE OF STARTING OVER by Mara Williams
Narrator: Barrie Kealoha
When her husband’s tragic death uncovers long-buried secrets, a young mother fights to protect her family and heal her heart in an emotionally resonant novel about loss, love, and second chances.
After her husband’s sudden death, Beatrice Bell retreats to her childhood home in California’s Sierra mountains with her rebellious teenage twins in tow. Her plan is to take over her parents’ antique store, ensure it survives another generation, and build a new life from the rubble of the old one.
But Bea didn’t plan on Simon, the gruff store manager with his own ambitions for the business. As they’re forced to work together, animosity gives way to grudging respect and ignites an unexpected spark. Before Bea can find her footing, everything is upended. First by River, a local boy who bears a striking resemblance to her late husband. Then by her estranged mother-in-law, who reveals devastating secrets that will test everything Bea believed about her marriage.
As Bea navigates grief, betrayal, and an unexpected connection with Simon, she finds that it may be possible to begin again, but only if she confronts the truth of her past.
Women’s Fiction Family Life | Romance Small Town [ Lake Union Publishing, On Sale: November 3, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781662540189 / eISBN: 9781662540172 ]
Buy THE OTHER SIDE OF STARTING OVER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Audible | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Mara Williams
Mara Williams drafted her first novel in third grade on a spiral notebook—a love story about a golden retriever and the stray dog who admired her from beyond the picket fence. Now she writes about strong, messy women finding their way in the world. Mara is the author of The Truth Is in the Detours and The Epicenter of Forever. When not writing or reading, Mara can be found enjoying California’s beaches, redwoods, and trails with her husband, three kids, and disobedient dog.
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