Marci Nault

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light read in the sense that there was not a lot of drama. Oh, there was some drama but it wasn't hard-core. The book is based in a community called Nagog in Massachusetts. This fictional town is loosely based on the town of Acton, MA, which has a community called Nagog Woods. It tells the story of Heather, who buys a house in a "retirement" community and the bonds she forges with 2 of the residents there, along with the grandson of another resident. Victoria, one of the ladies Heather bonds with, also tells her story in parallel to Heather's story. Great read!… (altro)

3.5 stars

Victoria grew up in a small community in New England where all the families knew each other. She and her friends all thought they’d grow up, get married, and have their kids there (or in nearby Boston, but eventually make their way back again). Victoria’s plans changed, however, and she went to California to become an actress (which she did), and rarely returned. But now, at 70+ years old, she has returned for good. One friend, Molly, is happy to have her home and is welcoming but the others are not impressed.

Heather is a writer of a travel column in one of Boston’s newspapers. Her relationship with her fiancee and agent, Charlie, has soured, however. When Heather decides to leave, she buys a house in Victoria’s old community. But she doesn’t realize she’ll be the only resident under 70 years old! The houses simply passed down the generations of the older people (but the next generations haven’t stayed). And most of these elderly neighbours don’t want someone young living next to them (the noise, the parties!).

I liked this. It didn’t move quickly, but I honestly didn’t really notice that about it until the end. I liked the relationships Heather ended up having with some of her neighbours and how those evolved (as well as the relationship with the grandson of one of the neighbours).… (altro)