First Course: a novel

When four life-altering catastrophes hit in just one day—including the loss of her parents in a tragic plane crash—twenty-four-year-old Janie Whitman retreats to her family’s summer house in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Here she tries to provide stability for her older sister Alyssa and two young nieces by cooking them amazing food.

Through a mix-up with the alumni office at her parents’ alma mater, Janie meets a young high school guidance counselor named Rocky at a volunteer event, and their fast-tracked romance helps Janie to see possibilities beyond the life she had known just a few weeks prior. But with her ex-boyfriend (and former boss) making overtures beyond her wildest dreams, as well as Alyssa’s estranged husband willing to do whatever it takes to win her back, the Whitman sisters are faced with big decisions.

Despite the obstacles in their way, when Janie and Alyssa are tasked with establishing a lasting memorial for their parents, they just might find the second acts they are seeking.

Jenn Bouchard's debut novel FIRST COURSE was originally published in 2021. It has been the recipient of 14 awards and was released as an audiobook in 2023 by Tantor Audio. Her short stories have appeared in THE BOOKENDS REVIEW, LITBREAK MAGAZINE, THE PENMEN REVIEW, THE LITTLE PATUXENT REVIEW, MARY, and FOLIO. Her second novel CONSIDERING US was published in February 2025 by Black Rose Writing. Look for her third novel PALMS ON THE CAPE on July 2, 2026. She is a high school social studies teacher of twenty-six years. A graduate of Bates College and Tufts University, she lives with her family in the Boston suburbs.