In an effort to prevent family history from repeating itself, meddlesome mom Daphne Wilder attempts to set up her youngest daughter, Milly, with Mr. Right. Meanwhile, her other daughters try to keep their mom's good intentions under control.

“要短句，亲爱的”是作者的母亲对女儿写作的教导与叮嘱，作者以此为标题，深切地表达她对母亲的悼念之情。 小说以自述的形式再现了母亲在养老院里衰老直至死亡的过程，真实地表达了自己与母亲在一起时错综复杂的微妙情感，但贯穿始终的是执着的亲情，是感人至深的母女之爱。小说语言平淡简洁、朴实无华，具有很强的艺术感染力。