Flying Solo

Evvie Palmer returns to her small Maine hometown to close up the house of her recently deceased friend Arlene. During her stay, she discovers an old acquaintance from high school is also back in town. The arrival of a mysterious package addressed to Arlene sets off a chain of events that forces Evvie to confront both past and present. She joins forces with others in the community to unravel the story behind Arlene's belongings and her connection to a long-ago incident. The book explores themes of second chances and the ways people construct their lives around the choices they make. Through its focus on a tight-knit Maine community, it examines how the past influences present relationships and the possibility of charting new paths forward.

Readers describe Flying Solo as a light, cozy romance with themes of independence and finding oneself later in life. The small-town Maine setting and auction house storyline provided an engaging backdrop. Liked: - Strong female protagonist who is content being single - Authentic friendship dynamics - Duck-related mystery subplot keeps momentum - Representation of child-free lifestyle choices - Gentle humor throughout Disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Romance feels underdeveloped - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Character motivations not fully explained - Too much focus on estate sale minutiae Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (5,800+ ratings) BookPage: 4/5 LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (900+ ratings) Common reader comment: "A comfortable, low-stakes story perfect for summer reading, but lacks emotional depth."

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🌟 Author Linda Holmes is also the host of NPR's popular culture blog and podcast "Pop Culture Happy Hour" 📚 The book's protagonist, Laurie, shares several traits with the author, including being from Maine and having experience as a reporter 🏠 The novel is set in the fictional town of Calcasset, Maine, which Holmes created as a blend of several real coastal Maine communities 📦 A significant plot point revolves around a wooden duck decoy, reflecting Maine's rich history of decoy carving and waterfowl hunting 💝 The book explores the growing trend of "living solo" - over 36 million Americans lived alone in 2020, representing 28% of U.S. households