Read Your Writes Book Reviews: BETWEEN TWO SEASONS by Marc MacDonald ~ Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway

Between Two Seasons
by: Marc MacDonald
Genre: Literary Fiction
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Spilt Ink Press

Haunted by regret and stalled by guilt, Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is Mae Seasons—a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in being anyone’s project.

Alex came hoping to make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role: caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of buried truths.

As days at Silver Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an unlikely friendship—one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant compassion, and the possibility of healing.

At once poignant and quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways connection takes root.

Alex wears hiking boots, but not because he’s been hiking. They’re just what you reach for when you don’t know what else to do; when you’re trying to look ready for something, even if you’re not.

He arrives at Silver Springs looking for redemption—or maybe distraction. What he finds is Mae: sharp, unpredictable, and utterly uninterested in being anyone’s second chance.

Alex isn’t sure what he wants. But day by day, in the strange rhythm of the rehab center, he’s forced to sit still with his guilt, his grief, and the truth that some wounds aren’t meant to heal

And Mae? Don’t let the floral Mary Janes fool you—she is a spitfire. She’s got stories, she’s got bite, and she’s got a past she doesn’t owe you an explanation for.

She’s sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal, and has a knack for seeing through people like glass. Those shoes? They might just have steel toes. And no, she won’t tell you, she’ll deliver a field-goal style boot to your shins so you can find out. Just try to keep up.

If you thought Ove was the only lovable curmudgeon on the literary block, prepare to meet Mae.

I exited the food line like a camper in the mess hall, tray in hand and desperately seeking a friend or two to sit with. I, however, scanned the room for the opposite: an empty table. I didn’t have any friends here and wasn’t intent on making any. I wanted to eat and get back to my room. A budding headache and body ache were on the precipice of significantly derailing my first hours at Silver Springs. And these were crucial hours. I was banking on a good night’s rest to alleviate these symptoms but feared the anxious excitement of finally arriving here would preclude any such endeavour.

“Hey, new guy, over here,” came a voice and welcoming wave from the person sitting at a table to my left.

Shit. There goes anonymity.

I had a split decision to make: be polite and kindly dismiss the invitation or accept and possibly be pulled into the labyrinth of Silver Springs politicking. My therapist would not be pleased with this thought. I was creating an outcome, a negative outcome, to a situation I had not yet experienced. But still, I mean, how was this place unlike high school? I’d already relived several moments from my burgeoning youth, and I’d only been on the premises a very short time.

Purchase Between Two Seasons from:

Amazon | Goodreads

(Affiliated Links Used)

Marc MacDonald is an author who believes every great story starts with a spark—whether it’s a single sentence, an unforgettable character, or an idea that won’t let go. As the writer behind Between Two Seasons, a novel that celebrates the beauty of human connection, Marc weaves heartfelt narratives that linger long after the last page is turned.

When he’s not crafting compelling fiction, Marc applies his storytelling skills as a seasoned communications professional, proving that every message—whether in a book or a press release—deserves to be engaging. He’s also a fierce defender of the Oxford comma, an unapologetic pun enthusiast, and someone who firmly believes that coffee is the most essential writing tool.

Find him deep in his next manuscript, chasing inspiration, or justifying “research” as an excuse to buy more books. Catch up with Marc on his personal website.

Places to find MacDonald:

Website | Goodreads | Instagram

You can follow the Between Two Seasons Book Tour here.