Picture a storyteller who spins heartwarming tales of family, friendship, and self-discovery—meet Wendy Francis! A former book editor turned novelist, Francis crafts novels that feel like a cozy chat with a friend, brimming with relatable characters and emotional depth. From her Midwest roots to her life outside Boston, her journey shapes stories that resonate with readers craving connection.
With novels like Three Good Things and The Summer Sail, Francis has carved a niche in contemporary fiction, blending family drama with themes of love and resilience. Her work, praised by authors like Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer, invites readers into worlds where relationships are tested but ultimately triumph.
The Making of Wendy Francis
Born and raised in the Midwest, Wendy Francis grew up with a love for stories that led her east to Harvard University. After a brief stint in law school—where she found rewriting cases more fun than studying them—she dove into publishing. For nearly 15 years, she honed her craft as an editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Da Capo Press, shaping others’ stories before telling her own. Motherhood sparked her debut novel, Three Good Things, written while home with her infant son, now a teenager. Her essays, featured in Good Housekeeping and The Washington Post, reflect her knack for capturing life’s nuances.
Wendy Francis’s Unforgettable Stories
Francis’s novels are like a summer breeze—light yet profound, with characters who feel like family. Her debut, Three Good Things (2013), follows sisters Ellen and Lanie as they navigate love, divorce, and a kringle bakery, weaving humor and heart with unexpected twists. The Summer of Good Intentions (2015) explores three sisters’ secrets during a Cape Cod vacation, highlighting Francis’s skill at crafting authentic sibling bonds. The Summer Sail (2018) takes readers on a cruise with college friends, delving into friendship and marriage with a breezy yet poignant touch. Her latest, Feels Like Summer (2024), continues her signature style, blending coastal settings with emotional stakes.
Known for her character-driven narratives, Francis excels at portraying modern relationships—sisters, friends, spouses—with warmth and realism. Her themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery resonate across generations, earning her a spot on summer reading lists alongside Elin Hilderbrand and Dorothea Benton Frank. Her prose, described as “glittering” by Kristy Woodson Harvey, balances accessibility with depth, making her books perfect for book clubs.
Why Wendy Francis Matters
Wendy Francis’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. Her stories celebrate the messy, beautiful ties that bind us, offering readers a mirror to their own lives. By focusing on women’s experiences—motherhood, sisterhood, friendship—she taps into universal truths, earning praise for her “vivid and tender” portrayals. Her transition from editor to author inspires aspiring writers, proving it’s never too late to chase a creative dream.
As her upcoming novel, Betting on Good (May 2025), promises more heartfelt storytelling, Francis continues to build a legacy of connection. Her work reminds us that life’s greatest moments often unfold in the quiet spaces between loved ones.
- Key Works: Three Good Things, The Summer of Good Intentions, The Summer Sail, Feels Like Summer
- Upcoming: Betting on Good (May 2025)
- Lives: Outside Boston with her husband and son
Snag Three Good Things and dive into Wendy Francis’s heartwarming world of family and friendship!