Summer of Love, Season of Sobriety: A Raw Conversation with Author Kerri Maher

In this Chapter Chat episode, author Kerri Maher joins us to discuss her latest novel, Summer of Love, a deeply layered story that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. We talk candidly about the book’s themes of addiction and recovery, and Maher shares a raw, honest reflection on her own journey with sobriety, including the joy and the challenges that come with doing the work.

Maher also opens up about her writing path, and how she wrote five unpublished novels before selling her first book, and how experimenting across genres strengthened her understanding of plot, voice, and character development. Plus, she shares insight into her work as a parent coach, a role that continues to shape how she thinks about growth, resilience, and connection.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, you’re encouraged to reach out for help—support is available, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Sit back, relax and enjoy Chapter Chat. Hosted by news anchor and avid reader Jessica Foster, Chapter Chat explores the inner workings of the literary world. Episodes will have a combination of best-selling author interviews and discussions of trending literary topics.

Whether you love to read a good book or aspire to write one, you'll find these discussions enjoyable. The Chapter Chat Podcast is an expansion of a WJHG/WECP-TV initiative to share the love of reading with the community. Chapter Chat was awarded the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters Service to America award in 2023.

The initiative began as a monthly book club that encouraged viewers to read along with a selected book and then meet up at the local library to discuss with the news team. Reporters and anchors also visit schools to read to children. The idea is that if children see the adults around them reading, they will learn to love it as well.