Painting Over Cracks

by Lee Bukowski

Beth Collins lives her life shadowed by a secret, one she believes she can outrun by building a perfect family of her own with her attorney husband, Danny. And for a while, it seems she has—until a freak car accident kills Danny and shatters her world in an instant.

Desperate for a fresh start, Beth quits her job as a mortgage broker and buys a café. As she settles into the rhythm of her new life, she finds unexpected friendships, a sense of purpose, and eventually, even the spark of a new romance.

But when mysterious details about the crash emerge, leading to shocking secrets about her husband, Beth sets off on a search for answers. Every revelation pulls her deeper into a world she could not have imagined and forces her to confront the unthinkable—she’s mourning a man who never existed. When the illusion she’s relied on collapses, Beth must decide what future she wants and who the woman is she’s ready to become.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in a large family in eastern Pennsylvania, Lee Bukowski has always had an interest in reading, writing, and storytelling. She taught 7th grade English and writing for 18 years. When she’s not teaching or writing, she loves reading, traveling, and trying cocktails with creative names. She's also a Seinfeld nerd and a Billy Joel superfan. Lee lives in Reading, PA. A Week of Warm Weather is her debut novel. Her second novel, Painting Over Cracks, launches on May 12, 2026.

Reviews

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painting Over Cracks is a gripping novel that weaves together a story of grief and healing, a love story, and a haunting mystery with life-changing repercussions. In this sometimes heartbreaking story, we meet Beth following the sudden death of her beloved husband. As we watch Beth rebuild her life, the past keeps coming back to haunt her. My heart ached for her as she struggled with it all, but her resilience, courage, and determination gave me hope for her future. There were many twists and turns, along with painful and confusing revelations, that kept me riveted; I was completely immersed in Beth’s story, hoping that she’d be able to find peace and love and happiness. Many thanks to author Lee Bukowski, who provided me an advance review copy of the book.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! If you’re looking for a story that captures the messy, beautiful, and often painful process of starting over, look no further than Lee Bukowski’s upcoming novel, Painting Over Cracks. This is more than just a story of grief; it is a gripping exploration of the facades we maintain and the courage it takes to tear them down. The novel introduces us to Beth, a woman who has reached what feels like the end of her rope. Having lost her husband, her sense of self, and her purpose in life, she is a raw and honest portrait of mourning. As Beth begins the slow process of carving out a new life, she discovers that her marriage wasn't quite as picture-perfect as she thought it was. The discovery of her late husband’s secrets adds a layer of high-stakes tension to her journey. It’s one thing to mourn a man; it’s another to realize you were mourning a ghost of a person you never truly knew. I loved Beth’s character because she is flawed and very human. I felt every one of her setbacks and victories ; Beth is a heroine you just can’t help but root for. Unexpected twists and turns kept me turning the pages—just when I thought I had it figured out, Bukowski sent me in a different direction. Painting Over Cracks is a moving, fast-paced, and ultimately hopeful read. Add this novel to your “must-read” list for 2026—you won’t be able to put it down! Thank you to the author for providing me with the ARC of the book.

[Claire Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winding journey through grief and healing which explores one woman's journey to the other side. Beth's story is one of resilience and courage, peppered with mystery and surprises. The title and theme remind me of the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken objects are painted over with gold to celebrate their history instead of hiding it. Check it out!

[Amy Obritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartbreakingly Beautiful Masterpiece of Resilience
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Painting Over Cracks is one of those rare novels that manages to be gut-wrenchingly tragic while remaining profoundly hopeful. The story follows Beth, a young woman navigating trauma and trying to make sense of her new normal.
What makes this book truly stand out is how Lee Bukowski crafts characters who are rich and complex, yet still deeply relatable. The story keeps you engaged with plot twists you don’t see coming until the poignant conclusion on the very last page.
Bukowski proves that while we all have "cracks," it is precisely through those imperfections that the light—and a new beginning—can finally emerge.The kind of book that stays with you long after you finish.
If you want a story where the characters feel like real people you’ve known and loved, this is it.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully layered tale of loss, betrayal, and healing, with the perfect amount of mystery and a dash of romance.

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story from the first few sentences, and it never let go. This page-turner is a mix of romance, mystery, intrigue, shocking secrets and lies. You’ll keep thinking about Beth and Andre and all Bukowski’s well-drawn characters long after the last page is read.

[Jen Barr Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally couldn't put it down!!! I finished it in 24 hours! And I slept for 8 of them!!!
I absolutely loved Beth and her story!

[Marianne Frey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Bukowski‘s debut, A Week of Warm Weather, so I was really looking forward to this one. The plot and characters hooked me right from page one. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough until all the secrets were revealed!

[Michele Anne Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Painting Over Cracks” by Lee Bukowski is not only a heart-wrenching story about one woman’s journey toward healing and rediscovering herself, but it is also a unique novel that sheds light on the often misunderstood disease, Celiac Disease. Many people — and even businesses — mistakenly believe that “gluten-free” simply refers to a gluten intolerance. However, Celiac Disease is far more serious than an intolerance alone. In addition to severe abdominal complications, it can lead to immune deficiencies, increased cancer risks, and serious concerns surrounding cross-contamination.

Lee Bukowski thoughtfully brings attention to many of the real medical challenges faced by those living with Celiac Disease, making the story both informative and emotionally impactful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it contained all the elements I love in a novel: mystery, unexpected twists, deep emotion, and meaningful character development. “Painting Over Cracks” is a compelling and memorable read that I highly recommend.

“Thank you” to Lee Bukowski for providing me with an advanced readers copy.

[Jayme Raffauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Bukowski's second novel did not disappoint! After loving her first novel, I had high hopes for her second novel and it not only met my expectations, but it also exceeded them. I loved the storyline, the characters and all the interwoven pieces, including the mysterious parts along the way. Beth's journey of loss, grief, a fresh start (wink, wink), second chances in both life and love, uncovering secrets, and making new connections was relatable and it just felt so real. As the reader, I could sympathize with Beth, and I was cheering her on, but I also found myself sad and angry for her, too. Lee does a great job of really telling a story that the reader can truly immerse him or herself in. This is an excellent read and it is just an overall excellent book. I am so thrilled for this sophomore novel from Lee!

[Sandy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5stars— PAINTING OVER CRACKS by Lee Bukowski is a contemporary adult stand alone story line focusing on thirty-four year old widow Beth Collins.


Told from omniscient third person perspective (Beth) PAINTING OVER CRACKS focuses on grief and recovery in the wake of the death of Beth Collins’ attorney / husband Danny. A traffic accident ended Danny’s life, leaving Beth in recovery with secrets of her own. As the days turn into weeks then months, Beth slowly emerges from the darkness to reconsiders her future. Struggling with Celiac’s disease, Beth looks into starting her own cafe ‘Fresh Start’, where she will meet a man named Andre, who will help her navigate the ups and downs that are about to spiral out of control. The police investigation had stalled but Beth would soon discover that her husband’s secrets were about to change the direction of her life.


The world building follows Beth as she struggles with the loss of her husband:the grief and guilt in the wake of her survival, and the shock as she slowly uncovers her husband’s secret life, a life that would become more unbelievable the deeper she goes, with another betrayal compounded on top of her husband’s deception and dishonesty.


There is a large ensemble cast of sympathetic, dynamic and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters, many of whom will remain in Beth’s life.


PAINTING OVER CRACKS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, grief and loss, family and friendships, acceptance and moving forward. The premise is intriguing, dramatic and entertaining; the characters are determined and charismatic. I am hoping the author has plans for a second instalment in which we see how Beth continues to navigate the betrayals in her life.


copy supplied for review

[Carole T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painting Over Cracks by Lee Bukowski is an emotionally engaging page-turner, made especially powerful by its unforgettable main character, Beth. She seems to have lost everything—her husband, her sense of stability, even parts of herself—yet she is written with such honesty and vulnerability that I came to genuinely love her. From the very first page, I was fully invested in her journey. After her husband’s untimely death, Beth is faced with a series of shocking revelations that unravel everything she thought she knew. What makes her story so compelling is not just these twists, but how she responds. With quiet strength and sincerity, she turns inward, questioning what truly matters and gradually rediscovering what sustains her. You ache for her in her most vulnerable moments, yet celebrate her as she begins to make brave, empowering choices. Even as she starts to rebuild, new surprises emerge, keeping the story gripping and emotionally charged. Through it all, Bukowski reminds us that our “cracks” don’t break us—they shape our strengths.

[Leslie Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this author’s first book, so when I heard she had written a second, I couldn’t wait to read it. Painting Over The Cracks begins as an emotional story about loss, but gradually becomes more complex and unexpected. The twists and turns from the start kept me turning pages to see how it would conclude.
Beth is a character everyone can relate to. You’ll empathize with her as she works to rebuild her life after losing her husband. After a year of mourning, she pulls herself together, leaves her job, and opens a café. I loved all the characters in this novel, and the love story was very sweet. Each character is well developed, so I felt like I knew them all personally. As the book progresses, a mystery about her husband unfolds, keeping you deeply engaged.
Painting Over The Cracks blends heart and suspense, leaving you missing Beth and her friends. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy women’s fiction with a little twist.

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following her husband’s death from a car accident, Beth’s world is turned upside down, revealing a reality far different from what she thought she knew. It would be hard enough if grieving were all she had to endure, but when the nefarious activities of her deceased husband spring up through unknown bank accounts, unexplained money transfers, and the enigmatic name Reilly, things get a lot harder. From that point on, Beth stops simply trying to move forward as a young widow and becomes a woman in pursuit of the truth and in reinventing herself. Painting Over Cracks isn’t just about covering up lies. It’s about all the ways well-intentioned people try to get out of tough situations, the strange traps they fall into, the baffling choices they make, and the inevitable price of consequences. I was so swept up in the mystery's unfolding and Beth's journey from disillusionment to clarity that I had to read at top speed just to keep up!

[Barbara White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of PAINTING OVER CRACKS from the author.

Lee Bukowski has written a heartfelt, hopeful, layered story about grief, marital secrets, Celiac disease (not something I've seen before in fiction), and the complexities of family.

Surviving the car crash that killed her husband might be the easiest part of Beth’s journey through loss. As she begins to heal from physical and emotional injuries, she rebuilds her life in a different direction and pours her heart into opening a cafe. Her family rallies and she even discovers the possibilities of a second chance at love. But the past refuses to stay buried.

Questions about the fatal accident remain unanswered. As more questions arise, Beth gradually uncovers devastating secrets that lead her to doubt everything she accepted as truth.

Because the greatest injury of all is the one she doesn’t see coming: betrayal.

Perfect for book club discussion.

[Jan Crossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader - find yourself a comfortable space where you can be undisturbed then immerse yourself and follow this gluten-free recipe. I guarantee the finished product is delicious!

Start with two people madly in love, then slice their lives apart with a devastating loss; a debilitating heartbreak. Add in several cups of mystery, some secrets, and a generous portion of betrayal. This deception is inconceivable, as it was created by people whom you love and thought you knew well; people you believed you could trust.

Fold in a heaping dose of strength, a dash of hope; pure optimism. Allow time for a fresh start; a different career, a new romance and perhaps even a found family. Gently stir in a generous amount of healing.

Sit back and enjoy. Yes, you’ll be scrutinizing every word and attempting to read between the lines, but when it’s all done, I’m betting you’ll be asking your server for seconds!

[Emma Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Lee Bukowski's first novel, A Week of Warm Weather, so couldn't wait to read this one - and it definitely didn't disappoint. The story follows Beth Collins, whose life is suddenly shattered after her husband dies in a tragic car accident. Grief-stricken but determined to rebuild and start again, she opens a café, and finds comfort in her supportive, warm, friendly staff, her close-knit family, and a mysterious (and handsome!) stranger. As Beth finds her footing once more, she slowly begins to uncover that her marriage wasn’t quite what she thought it was. The more she learns, the more it feels like she’s been “painting over cracks” all along.

Heartbreaking, suspenseful, and ultimately hopeful, this novel had hooked from the very beginning. Highly recommend. Huge thanks to the author for providing an ARC of the book. Loved it!

[Sandra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

With layers of smart, unexpected twists, Painting Over Cracks kept me rooting for Beth as she transitioned through a veil of grief to discover her own strengths and resilience. The loss of her husband in an accident is, of course, devastating, but she pulls herself together to pursue a new life. Unfortunately, she also discovers eye-opening revelations about his many secrets as she achieves success through opening a gluten-free bakery.

I especially enjoyed learning about the gluten-free lifestyle amid the warm camaraderie Beth builds with her new co-workers. Layer on a hunky new love interest and poignant, emotional situations, and Painting Over Cracks balances women’s fiction, mystery, and romance in a nuanced novel sure to grab the hearts of readers who love second chance stories.

[Josie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

In PAINTING OVER CRACKS, Lee Bukowski leaves no holds barred in this family drama about the double tragedy that sends her heroine, Beth, into an emotional tailspin. When Beth is finally determined to reinvent her life after the death of her beloved husband, Danny, her solace is hard-fought: more so when she discovers Danny’s darkest secret. But Beth has one of her own that makes his even more poignant. Bukowski times her characters’ revelations naturally. Best yet, they’ll make her readers gasp. If you enjoy novels helmed by an empathetic heroine, a lifelike supporting cast, realistic emotions, and a satisfying ending, this is it.”

—Josie Brown, author, The Housewife Assassin's Handbook series

[Betty Koval · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many brides hope for the perfect life, Beth finds there is no perfect life. Grieving the death of her husband, she finds the strength and resilience to keep going.
Secrets and lies kept - most people are not the open book they pretend to be - often come back to haunt us. Beth has some shocking revelations along her journey. You will cry for her but find yourself turning pages while cheering her on. Haven’t we all painted over a crack or two in our lives?
Lee Bukowski has done a stellar job telling Beth’s story - make sure to put this on your summer reading list - you will not regret it.
I am just honored to have been asked by the author to read an ARC. Thanks Lee, you have another hit!

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Beth, the protagonist has had her life disrupted in extremely disturbing ways, starting with the car accident that kills her husband and fetus that she hadn’t even told her husband about yet. As she struggles to get her life back on a path that feels right to her, she keeps running into things she couldn’t have anticipated and has to figure out the situation and how to deal with it. You’ve got a few mysteries and a whole lot of suspense through all of these threads, but are pulling for Beth all the way as you wonder what life’s going to throw at her next.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Sarahlyn Bruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth, a car crash survivor, grieving the sudden loss of her husband and pregnancy, is confronted with the fact that her late spouse had been keeping some pretty serious secrets. As she slowly starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together, she also begins rebuilding her life. But the fallout from the accident combined with her past continue to haunt Beth, just as she meets an alluring, mysterious stranger. Lee Bukowski’s Painting Over Cracks is page-turning women’s fiction rich with fascinating characters and hints of mystery and romance. This is a novel book clubs are going to love.

[Renee Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth survives the car crash, but her husband, Danny does not. Beth needs to move on and put her life back together. She opens a small business. A bakery shop/café. Money wasn’t an issue as Danny always saved and invested wisely. In researching the financial accounts, she stumbled onto one account she didn’t know about. And while looking into this account she discovers Danny’s other life. The twists and turns you don’t expect will keep you up reading into the night. Lee Bukowski has given us another must read.

[Rose Sneeringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Bukowski's,*Painting Over Cracks,* is a mysterious puzzle that will gradually reveal itself piece by piece. Bukowski has the secret sauce to create relatable characters who you will come to care about, and at times, tug at your heart. Each chapter beckoned me to go on reading more! I didn't want it to end, and it was rewarding to find the light in the cracks of shadowy spaces. I highly recommend this book!

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decently written but longer winded than it needed to be. Easy to pick up and put down. I will grant that I've had some serious personal issues that slowed down my reading but this one did not compel me to reach out and pick it up. I did like the characters. I didn't believe the plot line but liked where it headed. This is a pleasant read but not a compelling one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning tale of secrets and lies, Painting Over Cracks is proof positive that we never know those we love the most. As Beth Collins pulls herself from the depths of grief and accepts that perfection is unrealistic, she rebuilds her life with her eyes wide open.

A stellar second novel from award-winning author Lee Bukowski, I can’t wait to see what she does next.

[C. D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a book that keeps you guessing! This story starts tragically and quickly develops into a mystery I never saw coming. The elements kept me turning the pages and on my toes, desperately needing to know answers right N-O-W. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I could see so many paths possible for a conclusion! What a great read and one I won’t forget.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Bukowski’s knockout debut, A Week of Warm Weather, the bar was set sky-high—and this thrill ride did not disappoint! With brilliant plotting, deep emotional undercurrents, and electrifying twists, the propulsive pacing makes Painting Over Cracks a five-star tour de force.

[Densie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Painting Over Cracks" is a heartfelt story of love, loss, and one woman's choices about forgiveness and taking chances, both in life and in love. It's about how unpredictable and painful life can be, but unexpected detours can take you to a place of healing and happiness.

[Jen Seisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a great book that was hard to put down once started! A great book to read at the beach or anywhere you love to read a good book.