You’re never too old to run away from homeEllie Dwyer, 61, is convinced bad luck comes in threes, and not just garden-variety, oh-well bad luck. How many people have to flee not one, but two natural disasters? And in between the wildfire and the hurricane, her husband of nearly forty years suddenly up and left her for no reason she could fathom, disappearing from her life without a clue to his … life without a clue to his whereabouts.
Determined to reinvent her life, Ellie sets out on a journey across the country. Along the way to nowhere in particular, she buys a camper, becomes friends with a remarkable octogenarian, and starts to believe that good luck might also come in threes.
Or does it? That depends on how she defines good luck.
Bonus:
Preview of Book 2 of the series – Ellie Dwyer’s Big Mistakemore
This is a wonderful chick lit/love story. At the beginning, Ellie Dwyer has counted herself one of the world’s great losers–she and her husband had to evacuate from a California wildfire, they move to South Carolina and her husband leaves with no explanation, and then she has to evacuate again due to an approaching hurricane. She has no family, very limited funds, no where to live, her car and a few belongings. And the bad luck isn’t over.
My favorite things about the book: Ellie’s growth as a person is slow and steady with a few backslides but forward progress none the less.
The other characters in the book are well drawn and diverse. And there are no stereotyped ‘elderly.’
The descriptions of nature and the campgrounds Ellie visits are spot on.
The typical campground happenings sprinkled throughout the book are true to life and provide lots of light moments.
This book should be a Hallmark movie.
Diane is a fine writer, and she really brings her characters to life. As another reviewer said, I’m ready to go buy an A-frame and hit the road with my kitty!
What a book! I truly enjoyed this story of Ellie and her rise in strength and willing ability to grow, reluctantly accepting her fate until she began determining her own fate. Along the way, she meets an extraordinary character, faces roadblocks and takes her life in her own hands. The end is lovely, although I won’t give you a crumb of a hint. You need to read this book and I will bet you, if you are fifty or older, you will be completely engaged. And if you’re a much younger reader and have a grandparent who puzzles you, this could be your primer on what older folks can do, think and behave on occasion. The over 60 lot isn’t beyond it all — you might be surprised at the lives they live!
What an amazing book! It is one I didn’t want to put down. I ended up reading this book in a single day.
Ellie is having the worst time of it. First the fires that have them moving from the west coast to the east coast only to have a hurricane destroy that home. And oh yeah, in with this, her husband of forty years decides to leave and falls off the face of the earth. Sounds pretty bad doesn’t it? But then one day Ellie decides to put on her big girl pants and it is inspiring! Maybe I was so enthralled because buying a camper and just going where I want to, when I want to has been a dream of mine for years. I loved watching Ellie grow. It wasn’t always smooth and wasn’t overnight, making this realistic and relatable. I adored her friendship with Ruth. Everyone needs to experience that kind of friendship. I also loved Charli who reminded me of a cat who adopted me after my divorce. It’s so amazing how animals know exactly what you need.
I recommend this book to all my friends, especially those who want to do the camping life, have a special friend or are seeking one, or who are in need of a shot of inspiration. If you are reading reviews for this book, get it and read it. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
This was a surprisingly absorbing book! I started reading it for a summer reading challenge prompt and the next thing I knew – I was at the epilogue. I personally like camping so maybe that had something to do with being able to relate to what Ellie was experiencing. I’m reading the second book in the series now – hope there will be more!
Great story, wonderful to read. Great characters and story development.
Since I was a full time rv’er I loved the book
Really enjoyed it.
Enjoyed reading about the adventures of older people. Made me want to go out and buy my own camper and have adventures of my own.
A great read. Just loved the characters this author created, and the interesting plot twists that seem organic and not contrived. I would love to read more by this author, but there are none available in our local libraries.
Light reading but nice story. It kept my attention and I looked forward to reading it every night.
I loved the adventurous quality of this book and highly recommend it.
There are not many good books with mature women as the main character. After a certain age we seem to become invisible. A great read with inspiration to be each other’s support group.
Nice book for retired seniors to read. Travel, friendship, living with enthusuasm, saying goodbye.
Just a wonderful book. One of those that I didn’t want to end.
Great story along with good information about the RVing community. I really enjoyed it.
My bucket list, buy a camper and travel. Loved the book!
A different perspective. I’m 65 and enjoyed reading about someone in my age-range.
A nice easy read. Even though it had its sad elements, it still left me feeling good at the end. It was a good reminder that when it seems nothing can go right, there are always positives to be found. I enjoyed the characters and the camping storyline, it made me want to go camping again. Thumbs up!
This book kept me guessing to the end. I loved the main character and her strength that got her through. Highly recommend