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Leigh McMullan Abramson’s fabulous debut novel, A Likely Story, sweeps us up immediately into the world of the angsty literary elite. Meet Claire and Ward, a gorgeous, clever, and savvy sort of couple. In the early 1980s, they are making their way to their sweet and lucrative perch at the helm of bestsellerdom. With a baby on the way, Claire is learning to settle into the sidecar of their prominence. Fast forward to 2017. Their now-grown daughter, Isabelle, is up against her own failure to launch when her mother passes away. As Isabelle flounders among the pages of her own possibly mediocre pages, the behind-the-scenes goings-on of her parents’ relationship — both editorial and personal — begin to come to light. The slow and tense reveal coupled with the novel nested within is perfect in the hands of author Leigh. You’ll be riveted every page along the way.

A Likely Story

by Leigh McMullan Abramson

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Lemon-pepper chicken and potatoes

From: I Dream of Dinner (So You Don't Have To)

by Ali Slagle

Ward, Claire, and Isabella live in the land of dinner parties and fancy fetes. So we’re putting our phyllo-wrapped hors d'oeuvres aside to whip up a main dish that any host could and should whip up. It’s a fabulous meal courtesy of one of our favorite recipe geniuses, Ali Slagle, in her oh-so-perfect cookbook I Dream of Dinner (So You Don’t Have To).

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INGREDIENTS

4 lemons
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp fresh-ground pepper
1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp olive oil
2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1/2 cup chicken stock
3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
Salt

STEPS

1. Heat the oven to 450°F. Zest 4 lemons into a medium bowl. Crush 2 teaspoons fennel seeds underneath a mug or skillet or in a spice grinder. Grind 1 whole tablespoon of pepper. Stir the fennel seeds and pepper into the lemon zest, along with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Pat 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry, then transfer to the bowl and toss to coat.

2. On a sheet pan, combine ½ cup juice from the lemons, ½ cup chicken stock or water, ⅓ cup olive oil, and 1 tablespoon salt. Peel 3 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes (about 6). Cut each potato into 8 pieces by halving crosswise, then quartering each half. Toss the potatoes in the liquid on the sheet pan, then spread into an even layer. Add the chicken skin side up on top of the potatoes, along with any seeds and oil in the bowl.

3. Roast until the chicken’s cooked through and the potatoes are golden and tender, 60 to 65 minutes. Season to taste with S&P.

Notes

For an easier clean-up, line the sheet pan (including up the sides) with foil.
Instead of or in addition to the chicken, you could warm slabs of feta or halloumi by adding in the last 15 minutes of the potatoes roasting. Or just make the potatoes (aka Greek lemon potatoes).

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The familial literary web woven throughout A Likely Story is one well worth unraveling. Want a little guidance as you delve all that’s found between the lines? Kick off your contemplation or book club discussion with these questions for consideration.

Get the questions.

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We asked author Leigh McMullan Abramson to share some of her favorite books that feature families as their centerpiece. Here’s what she shared: “When people ask me what A Likely Story is about, I often first say, ‘it’s a family drama’ because this is my favorite genre of books. For me, nothing is as fascinating as the relationships we have with those related to us and I think it is a theme that is truly universal. Here are a few titles I particularly love.”

Get the list.

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We asked Leigh, who made her novel debut with A Likely Story, what advice she might give other writers about to publish their first book. Here’s what she shares:

“My advice would be just enjoy the experience, which is really so special and a wonderful reminder of how generous the writing community can be. I am still in awe of the kindness shown to me by readings and other writings during this experience. It’s incredible!”

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Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot	Domaine Raphael Sallet Macon-Uchizy Les Maranches
Hiding out in his Hamptons hideaway, Ward is simultaneously dealing with the estate details of his wife’s death, steadfastly avoiding processing his own grief, and eking out a few pages at a time of his new book. As soon as the sun starts to hint toward setting, Ward is ready for a drink. He reaches for the Merlot. We’d suggest this Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot for the comforting notes of dark fruit and roasted coffee it brings to mind.	Isabelle and her best friend, Brian, are camped out in her parents’ NYC apartment kitchen the evening following her mother’s funeral. As they pick at room-temp pigs in a blanket, they’re polishing off a bottle of wine. We imagine that it’s ice cold still, pulled from the back of the stainless steel refrigerator after being tucked away by a waiter mid-afternoon. Certainly it’s a white Burgundy, perhaps similar to this Domaine Raphael Sallet Macon-Uchizy Les Maranches. It’s a full-bodied Chardonnay, but still light enough to follow a quite heavy day.

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