{"product_id":"drift-and-return-neil-s-plakcy-9798235797246","title":"Drift and Return","description":"\u003cp\u003eAt the edge of a quiet Brooklyn street, the Smiling Dog Café is still there-warm, unhurried, and ready for those who don't quite know where to go next.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome people arrive by accident.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOthers are led there.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn these two interconnected novellas, lives in motion-and lives at a standstill-find their way to the same door.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTom Whitehead\u003c\/strong\u003e once lived for speed. An Olympic medalist in luge, he understood precision, control, and the perfect line. But when the competition ends, he finds himself adrift-cut off from the purpose that defined him. When a golden retriever leads him to the café, Tom begins to rediscover something he thought he'd lost: not just direction, but connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMargaret Reed\u003c\/strong\u003e built her life on discipline, discretion, and silence. After decades in a career that demanded everything and explained nothing, she suddenly finds herself with time, space-and no clear sense of who she is without the work. Drawn by her dachshund to a place she doesn't quite trust, Margaret must confront what it means to live a life no longer defined by control.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInside the café, coffee is served.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutside, the world keeps moving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd the dogs-always-know who needs to find their way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrift and Return\u003c\/strong\u003e is a gentle, deeply felt exploration of what comes after-after the dream, after the structure, after the life you thought you understood. Perfect for readers who love quiet, character-driven stories of second chances, emotional healing, and the small moments that change everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for fans of Travis Baldree, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Sarah Beth Durst, Becky Chambers' hopepunk, and gentle magical realism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Neil S. Plakcy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798235797246\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Samwise Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/11\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 246\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.74lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.56d","brand":"Neil S. Plakcy","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48997658394879,"sku":"9798235797246","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/drift-and-return-neil-s-plakcy-9798235797246","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}