When Elizabeth Ward discovers that Michael Lessing - the man she once loved and never truly forgot - has returned to New York, the careful life she built begins to crack. One unexpected reunion pulls them back into a past marked by passion, heartbreak, and the kind of connection that time never managed to erase.

As old feelings resurface, Elizabeth is forced to confront the truth she has avoided for years: happiness built on avoidance is fragile, and some loves leave a mark too deep to ignore. Torn between the safety of the life she has created and the unresolved gravity of Michael's presence, she must decide whether healing means returning... or finally letting go.

Set against the energy of New York City and the quiet beauty of rural Connecticut, Illusion of Happiness is a moving story of memory, longing, emotional survival, and the courage it takes to reclaim your own heart.