The Tide Comes Around

A story of love, loss, and the tides that pull us home. After the suicide of her beloved brother, Penelope leaves New York for Los Angeles, determined to put distance between herself, her grieving Korean American family, and the places and memories that continue to haunt her. Far from home and untethered by loss, she spends her days working on her dissertation and babysitting for wealthy families connected to her late brother's fiancée. But when a neighbor's affair sends shockwaves through the close-knit families around her, Penelope can no longer ignore the grief demanding her attention. Unable to let go of the belief that someone bears responsibility for the tragedy that shattered her family, Penelope returns to New York determined to seek revenge and finally confront the past. In her search for answers, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn into a complicated romance that challenges her understanding of loyalty, forgiveness, and herself. As anger and desire pull her in opposite directions, Penelope must decide whether she can continue living in the shadow of loss or find a path toward healing and building a future of her own. The Tide Comes Around is a character-driven literary novel about grief, family secrets, cultural identity, and the search for belonging.