This Has Nothing to Do With You - Freehand Books

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This Has Nothing to Do With You

  • Publication Date: September 7, 2019
  • ISBN: 9781988298542 / 1988298547
  • 6" x 9"

When Melony Barnett’s mother commits a violent murder, Mel is left struggling with the loss of her parents and her future. For more than two years, she drifts around the continent, trying to carve out a life that has nothing to do with her past, before returning to her Northern Ontario home and adopting a rescue dog—a mastiff with a tragic history. As she struggles to help the dog heal and repair her relationship with her brother, Matt, she begins to uncover layers of secrets about her family —secrets that were the fuel for her mother’s actions.

This Has Nothing to Do With You is a compulsively readable novel that follows a dynamic cast of characters, revealing the complexity of the bonds that are formed through trauma and grief—with siblings, lovers, friends, and dogs.

“Grommet the Dog is my new favourite character! All his poor, messed-up people held me riveted to the page too. Lauren Carter has created a novel for our times: how do we learn to live in a world filled with tragedy? With compassion as big as her talent, Lauren Carter infuses this epic story of the broken-hearted with love, life, and hope. This Has Nothing to Do with You is an antidote to apathy and despair. I’m an instant fan.” ANGIE ABDOU

“I found it tender and devastating. A deep dive into the trauma created by family secrets — and secret-keeping.” SARAH SELECKY

“Unflinching and mesmerizing, Lauren Carter’s novel explores the daily impact of generational trauma, the need to love unreservedly, and a woman inching toward healing by dredging up the past.” EMILY POHL-WEARY

Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction, 2020 (winner)

News & Events

Prairie Fire reviews This Has Nothing to Do with You
Lauren Carter shortlisted for the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction
I've Read This reviews This Has Nothing to Do with You
Review in Alberta Views: This Has Nothing to Do with You
This Has Nothing to Do with You review on Consumed by Ink
Nov. 7: Lauren Carter at the Fall Fiction Bash in Peterborough
Nov. 6: Lauren Carter at Type Books in Toronto
Nov. 5: Lauren Carter at Rowers Pub Reading Series in Toronto
Nov. 4: Lauren Carter in Barrie
Nov. 2: Lauren Carter at Wordstock in Sudbury
UMFM (Winnipeg) interviews Lauren Carter
Prairie Books Now features article about Lauren Carter's novel, This Has Nothing To Do With You
This Has Nothing To Do With You - Winnipeg Book Launch
Michelle Kaeser and Lauren Carter at StarFest for "READ ALBERTA eBOOKS" event
Oct. 25: Lauren Carter "In Conversation" in Calgary

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