Ben Markovits's novel 'The Rest of Our Lives' follows Tom Layward, a middle-aged man grappling with illness and lingering emotional wounds from his marriage. As his daughter leaves for college, Tom decides to embark on a road trip westward, confronting memories, family dynamics, and the realities of aging. The book delicately explores themes of regret, class, and the elusive American dream, drawing on Markovits's personal experiences and understated prose. Through Tom's journey, the novel offers a poignant meditation on middle age and the urgency of meaningful change.