Margarita Ronzhina's debut novel, 'The Loner,' subtly navigates five emotions—the stages of grief. The protagonist, Sasha, finds herself in the hospital with a newborn baby boy and senses something is wrong. She's left alone, trying to balance her desires with the terrifying realization that life will never be the same. Sasha must navigate a long journey of accepting herself in her new status, accepting her child, who will never be 'normal,' learning to build relationships and let them go without panic, and finding happiness not in spite of her life, but because of it. This is a story of human strength, overcoming, and hope.