Read by Hillary Huber

Rachel Braun was the inspiration to her group of friends, the one who lived each day to the fullest-and the one whose life was cut tragically short. Upon her untimely death, Rachel left letters for her three best friends challenging them to face their biggest fears. Sarah, an international relief worker who calls the steamy jungles of Africa home, must travel halfway around the world to track down the only man she ever loved. Stay-at-home mom Kate must confront her fear of heights by skydiving and soon finds that her new hobby is affecting her once-tranquil marriage. She and her husband must find a way to rekindle the romance they once shared. And Jo, a media mogul voted "least likely to breed," is given the most terrifying assignment of all: caring for Rachel's orphaned and grieving little girl. In doing so, Jo is forced to confront her own unhappy childhood-and the wall it has built around her heart. Even as these women mourn Rachel's passing, her legacy lives on and their lives are enriched by a friend who, in many ways, knew them better than they knew themselves. Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 "Higgins writes with grace and humor, reminding us to hold tight to the ones we love." "The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship is a lovely novel with moments of deeply moving insight into what it means to be a mother, a wife, and a friend. Read it and share it with your own friends-you'll be glad you did!" "Offering words of wisdom from a dying friend, The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship inspires us to focus on what's really important in our lives." "Full of humor, love, and life lessons, this is an uplifting and satisfying novel that lingers long after the last page." "Poignant, romantic, and funny…About the need for our closest friends to occasionally give us a shove in the right direction when we've lost our way. You'll recognize yourself in these women. I loved it." "An amazing novel of love, friendship, and community. A truly joyous read that marks an impressive debut." "A happy reminder that life is all about taking risks." "Higgins' novel will appeal to fans of feel-good stories whose life lessons lead to happy endings." "Higgins balances humor and a touch of pathos to deliver an amiable tale of friendship."

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