Behind the Scenes of Letting Go of Perfect

Sometimes the characters we love have more stories to tell! Step behind the scenes with Scrivenings Press author Janell Goodrich York as she shares the inspiration behind Letting Go of Perfect, the second book in The Sisterhood Pie Pact Series. From revisiting beloved characters and creating a charming small-town setting to exploring themes of friendship, grief, and redemption, discover how this heartfelt story reminds readers that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

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1. What inspired you to write this book?

It was my intention The Day Sarah Ran Away would be a standalone novel. But before I typed, “The End” on the last page of book one, I knew I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Delores, Irene, Agnus, Bea, or Sarah.

Letting Go of Perfect is the second book in The Sisterhood Pie Pact Series, inspired by the characters mentioned in book one— Olivia Piercey, Sarah’s lonely neighbor, and Teddy Patterson, Bea’s estranged son. I regretted leaving them frozen in their sad situations, so I decided there was more to their story.

I began writing from Olivia’s point of view, but then knew I needed to switch to dual point of view to better connect the reader emotionally with both Olivia and Teddy.

While I enjoyed taking my characters on a cross-country adventure in the first book, I decided the setting for this story would take place in a cozy small town.

It’s a symbol of gratitude for the town we moved to when I enrolled in the fifth grade. Hopefully, the sense of belonging and friendship I experienced in that community is conveyed in the story. It was also fun recreating some of the small-town traditions I enjoyed growing up.

2. What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

Redemption can be a part of their story too. An unexpected ending or painful event can often be an opportunity for growth. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good or what was needed all along. And most importantly, to let go of the burdens they weren’t meant to carry.

3. What was your favorite scene to write without giving away any spoilers?

There are several scenes I loved writing, but the grocery store caper is silly and fun. In this chapter, the sisterhood pie pact women cook up a crazy scheme that involves Olivia, to her disbelief. Reminiscent of some of their adventures in book one, this scene showcases the ladies’ diverse and comical personalities.

4. What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Teddy’s story was the hardest part of writing book two. He’s charming and funny. Creating romantic scenes was a stretch for me, but I hope his dialogue and actions are swoon-worthy.

He’s also grieving and heartbroken. There are scenes when he’s dealing with his grief that I typed through tears streaming down my cheeks.

5. What are you reading right now?

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. So far, I’m loving it.

6. What are you working on next?

My next writing project is Book Three of the Sisterhood Pie Pact Series. I’m excited to have the ladies traveling again. Delores enlists her sisterhood friends to assist with a big birthday bash for her Aunt Hattie, who is turning 100. The ladies will encounter many mishaps and obstacles as they travel and stay in Hattie’s hometown.

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Letting Go of Perfect by Janell Goodrich York

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release date: October 27, 2026

Other books in The Sisterhood Pie Pact series: The Day Sarah Ran Away

Read the first 3 chapters for FREE here.

 

 

When the perfect life falls apart, something better may be waiting.

Starting over wasn’t part of the plan. But with two young children depending on her, Olivia moves her family from the city to a small town, a new job, and the chance to build a life that belongs to her.

An invitation to a book club draws her into the unexpected circle of the Sisterhood Pie Pact women, who provide friendship, community, and a little mischief.

Then she meets Teddy.

A devoted single father, Teddy carries his own broken past. Still haunted by the accident that changed his life, he has spent years allowing guilt to convince him that happiness belongs to everyone but him.

As Olivia settles into her new life, her friendship with Teddy deepens. But moving forward means confronting old wounds, releasing expectations, and deciding whether the past will continue defining the future.

With a little faith, a lot of friendship, and plenty of pie, Olivia begins to discover that starting over may be less about rebuilding what she lost and more about embracing what comes next.

For readers drawn to the emotional depth of For One More Day, the family relationships of The Chicken Sisters, and heartfelt women’s fiction about second chances.

Discover a story of family, friendship, faith, and the courage to let go of perfect.