Publisher's Synopsis
When Jenny Longworth moves from the U.S. to Switzerland to marry David Perry - a former lover, longtime friend and recent widower - she underestimates the problems inherent in the new life she has chosen.
Dealing with a new country, new culture and new language poses unanticipated difficulties, and David's continuing grief over the loss of his first wife to cancer weakens Jenny's self-confidence in her new role.
Struggling to find her place, Jenny discovers that all was not as it seemed in David's first marriage. His late French wife, the elegant and vivacious Sandrine, had a secret she withheld from her family. Jenny ultimately uncovers the truth, but must then decide how, and even whether, it should come to light.
In this sequel to If You Needed Me, author Lee Lowry continues her tale of mid-life love and second marriage with a searingly honest portrayal of grief, betrayal, and the power of forgiveness.
Praise for Judge Not
"Lee Lowry beautifully expresses the vulnerabilities and insecurities that so often surface when we're in love. Her characters are rich and complex. Judge Not is one of those rare books that I couldn't put down, but at the same time didn't want to end."
-Heather Bruce, artist, Provincetown, MA
"Is love really more comfortable the second time around? Lee Lowry continues to draw wonderfully intricate portraits of people facing the very real challenges of late love, second marriage, and life's unexpected turns. In Judge Not, love is certainly wonderful, but addressing those challenges often feels like stepping gingerly through a minefield of triggered vulnerabilities, wounded feelings, and divided loyalties."
-Carol Deanow, Professor Emerita, School of Social Work,
Salem State University, Salem, MA
"Judge Not is about wishes granted and the price that must be paid. Jenny Longworth has just married a widower whom she has always loved, but with him come angry adult children, life in a new country, and constant reminders of his first wife. Jenny's struggles to navigate this ever-challenging dynamic make this a compelling narrative. I found myself rooting out loud for her."
-Kay Harrold, Management Consultant,
Yoga Teacher, Asheville, NC
"Lee Lowry writes with honesty about human frailty while leaving the reader feeling empathy for all the characters. She also captures detail so well that, despite my Harvard degree in French Literature, I identified completely with the protagonist's sometimes funny, sometimes traumatic struggle with French."
-Lorrie Stuart, Retired Marketing Executive, New York, NY
