Strikes 1 through 4? She'll forgive you. Strike 5? You don't exist. She carries an invisible ledger-no expiration date, no second chances once the limit is hit. People call it cold; therapists call it "threshold-based boundary enforcement." She just calls it self-respect. But when someone gets too close to the line, the ledger starts filling up fast. How far will someone push before Strike 5 changes everything?

They've been friends for decades. They've shared laughter, heartbreak, marriages, children, and all the messy parts of life. But they've never shared everything. At fifty, three women leave everything behind for a three-month Caribbean cruise. Three secrets are coming with them. And by the time they return, none of their lives will be the same.

"I thought I had lost everything. Turns out, I had only lost what was never meant to stay." Betrayed. Grieving. Replaced. Robbed of the future she thought she had. Maeve gave years to the people she loved, and when everything fell apart, it felt like too much time had been spent to ever start over. After giving so much to the wrong people, Maeve believed her time had passed. But when she finally stands up for herself, she discovers that new beginnings don't expire: a career she never imagined, friendships that actually stay, and a love she's never known. For anyone who planned for everything except the moment it all fell apart: it's not too late. ************************************************************************************************* A Note from the Author Hello, reader! Not Too Late is my very first book, and it holds a piece of my heart. Please know that what you're about to read is an unedited version. There may be a few rough edges, typos, or places that need polishing, and I appreciate your patience with them. The first edition, fully edited and refined, is coming soon. Thank you for taking a chance on a first-time author and giving Maeve's story a try. Your support truly means the world to me.