He lost her on September 11th.

Nothing ever felt right again.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jack Almanti was planning to propose.

By the end of the morning, the woman he loved was gone.

He never recovered.

In the years that follow, Jack spirals into alcoholism, fractured relationships, and a life he no longer recognizes. Grief does not fade. It follows him, shaping every decision, pulling him further from the man he once was.

But Sarah is not entirely gone.

Her identical twin sister, Emily, is still here.

And she understands him in ways no one else can.

As their connection deepens, Jack is forced to confront the past he cannot escape and the future he no longer believes in.

Seven Years in Chicago: Part I: Survival is a character-driven novel about grief, addiction, and the long shadow of loss in the years after 9/11.

Perfect for readers of Ann Patchett and emotionally powerful novels like The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, and A Little Life.

Literary fiction | Psychological drama | 9/11 fiction | grief and trauma | addiction and recovery | love after loss

Editorial Praise

"An emotionally compelling exploration of love, regret, betrayal, grief, and human resilience." — IndieReader (4.5/5, IR Approved)

"Lived-in, raw, and painfully human." — Reedsy Discovery (4 stars)

A deeply emotional literary novel about grief, addiction, trauma, and the enduring power of love in the aftermath of loss.