She's lived by the rules her whole life. Now she's rewriting them—one brave step at a time.

Elvira Carr is twenty-seven, neurodivergent, and unaccustomed to the unpredictable world outside her front door. She prefers tea at four o'clock, polite honesty, and a precise schedule. Most of all, she likes rules—rules help her make sense of a life that can feel overwhelmingly uncertain.

But when her overbearing mother suffers a stroke and is placed in care, Elvira is left to manage on her own. Alone. Untested. Unready. Or is she?

To stay safe—and maybe uncover long-buried truths about her family—Elvira devises seven rules for interacting with people. But as her world begins to widen, she learns that some rules are meant to be questioned... and others broken entirely.

The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr is a feel-good contemporary novel filled with heart, humor, and quiet courage. Readers who loved Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Rosie Project will find an unforgettable companion in Elvira—whose journey proves it's never too late to grow, connect, and take charge of your own life.

Praise for The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr:

"Debut novelist Maynard puts her background as a teacher of adults with learning difficulties to good effect in crafting this heartwarming coming-of-age story. Perfect for book clubs..." — Library Journal

"...Ellie's authentic voice offers a fresh perspective on being different. " — Booklist