Overall I enjoyed elements of this book, however I found it a little hard to warm to the characters and found the dialogue and actions of Ruth a little unrealistic. It made me a little uncomfortable in parts and I feel this just missed the mark too many times. I nearly stopped reading about 40% of the way through but stuck it out as I just wanted to find out how things panned out. Maybe it’s just my personal preferences but this book just wanted for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a good book centered around a bit of an unlikeable main character. This was a moving and heartwarming story of a lonely woman whose life is so structured and based on routine that she doesn't know how to deal with change and spending time with other people. A few things happen that causes Ruthie's careful routine to be upended and forces her to examine if maybe it's time to step out of her comfort zone and make some serious changes.

Loved this story of sisters reconnecting after of a lifetime of misunderstandings and misconceptions. Ruth’s life is outlined well with all of its up, downs, and missed opportunities but she reinvents herself and comes into her own. The reconciliation is bittersweet.

awesome sauce book with awesome characters and awesome writing with an awesome plot!! will be buying this for my friend when its published

Ruth Winters may think it's all behind her (life, that is), and going through the motions is all that is ahead, but readers are provided a first-hand view of her very different future. Surprises for this unemployed widow retired by her employer's choice rather than her own come from circumstance upon circumstance. Each leaves its mark on grumpy and curmudgeonly Ruth who knows how to hold grudges and remember the slights of life. Every day presents anew, spreading out experiences uninteresting, dismaying, not at all in her set of preferences, which are hard, stinky and hairy as well. A few compromises occur that are bearable. Some are deal breakers - no loss (nothing much to lose). Oh, and all uncomfortable. But after all, who likes to be uncomfortable?? Not Ruth. She's got a routine and standards higher than most; expectations lower than most.

The entire well-told tale reminds, recommends and even gives pushy nudges to take down barriers, and reconcile old grudges, defuse toxic feuds. To convince stubborn hearts into which we often stuff feelings to instead try out a teachable, open-hearted approach as we greet each new day. The implied promise is that we will find, like Ruth, our own senses spring forth newly recognized, we are overcome by comforts long forgotten, and the astonishing surprise that many of our earliest dreams are never lost and, better yet, are flexible and ageless.

All the stars to Marshall Fine (and his Fine Writing) and grand narrating by Joyce Bean.

*A sincere thank you to Marshall Fine, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

Ruth Winters became a widow at a relatively young age and never remarried. She was forced into retirement and babysits to supplement her income. For the most part she keeps to herself. But in a short period of time her uneventful life is shaken up when she receives exciting news from her niece, is reconnected with an old flame from her youth, and her estranged sister reaches out of life-changing new. We follow Ruth through flashbacks and in present day as she navigates her daily life and those she interacts with.

This story is reminiscent of "A Man Called Ove", but it didn't grab me the same way, and it didn't leave me thinking about the story and characters long after finishing the book. "The Autumn of Ruth Winters" had moments that made me laugh and moments that pulled on my heartstrings. Overall, it is a relatively quick and enjoyable read.

This is such a beautiful story about family, forgiveness, second chances, love, and life. The Autumn of Ruth Winters is a poignant and gracefully written exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The author's prose is lyrical, capturing the quiet beauty of life's fleeting moments while delving into the complexities of Ruth Winters' emotional journey. The novel is a tender reflective story on aging, self-discovery, and the relationships that shape us. Ruth’s character is deeply relatable, and her experiences resonate long after the final page.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters is a beautiful read that will stay with me for a long time. It reminds us of the quiet strength found in life’s quieter seasons.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine is a moving and introspective novel that delves into themes of aging, regret, and personal renewal. The story follows Ruth Winters, a woman in her 70s, as she reflects on her life and navigates the complexities of family dynamics, love, and loss. Fine’s writing is poignant, with a deep sense of empathy for his characters and their struggles. With its exploration of life’s later years and the pursuit of meaning, this novel offers a thoughtful and touching read for fans of character-driven fiction.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters was such a lovely read. I tend to be more of a mood reader and this one just really appealed to me when I read the synopsis. So I was extremely happy to see it on My Netgalley shelf.
The story revolves around an elderly lady, by the name of Ruth. Here, we explore the people and the relationships she has with each of them in what’s become a small world for her.
The author does such a good job in the narrative. We’re given depth, and thoughtfulness throughout. The characters were complex and relatable and the storyline thought provoking.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It offered a thoughtful exploration of family, friendship, and forgiveness, all without being weighed down by heavy emotional baggage. I felt connected to the characters and invested in their relationships and journeys. I was especially impressed by the male author’s ability to write from the perspective of a middle-aged woman with remarkable authenticity and without any trace of gender bias. I highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Autumn of Ruth Winters, especially the way the story explored Ruth's relationships with the people in her small world. The characters surrounding Ruth were just as captivating as the protagonist herself, each adding their own unique depth and texture to the narrative. Ruth's sister, Veronica, was written so well that I could picture her clearly. What truly stood out to me was the portrayal of Ruth as an older character navigating the complexities of life, which felt refreshing and relatable. This thoughtful exploration of aging and connection will undoubtedly resonate with mature readers, offering both reflection and a sense of shared experience. I am recommending to mature readers of women's fiction and I have recommended it to Book Clubs as a possible choice. I look forward to the next book from Marshall Fine.

Such an odd book for me - I enjoyed it, and it irritated the heck out of me. Since I was born in the Minneapolis, MN area and lived there the first 45 years of my life I certainly knew all the Minneapolis locations mentioned in the book, but they all felt like name dropping - like stretches to include the name of a community without the need to do so, if that makes sense.

I was also irritated be the abrupt ending. But everything else was an enjoyable read, thus the (weak) four stars. Best thing about the book? The MC, Ruth Winters.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine was a very enjoyable read. It’s the story of Ruth Winters, an elderly lady that is really set in her ways. She’s always done the right thing, what ever was expected of her and never really got the chance to enjoy life because she always put others first. In this story you read about Ruth and her sister Veronica and how they have never gotten along. It isn’t until a life threatening illness happens to one of them that they clear the air and learn that they really do love each other. It was a great storyline reading how two sisters, complete polar opposites come together in a time of need and find the courage to apologize and forgive each other for mistakes they have made in their pasts. I loved how in the end Ruth starts to live life differently by trying new things and spending time with those who matter most to her. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I believe that the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because I could relate to Ruth being that we are both retirement age and that we have somewhat similar personalities. I’m giving this book a 4 star rating and would be very interested in reading more from this author in the future.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters, by Marshall Fine, was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ruth is single, apparently isolated by choice and habit, and now in her late sixties. Comfortable in her routines, she is resigned to her life of frugality, loneliness, and baby-sitting. As with all of us, life brings change, however, unwelcome. A long estranged relative needs assistance and Ruth feels obliged to help. An old classmate reaches out. This novel is all about change, growth, and connection no matter how late in life. The characters are well-drawn, highly nuanced, and often quite funny. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read a digital ARC that was both gratifying and thought-provoking.

this got better as I read on! the first half dragged a bit but then got more and more sweet and page turning as it went on!

Ruth Winters is a child-less widow in her 60s who watches other peoples' children for a living and lives a quiet, content life. She is surprised to suddenly receive a phone call from her estranged sister, stating that she has cancer and asking for a ride to her chemo appointment. Ruth agrees, and thus begins a healing journey where miscommunications and jealousies are finally acknowledged and laid to rest.

I really enjoyed reading Ruth's journey with her sister and watching her emerge from the cocoon that she has allowed to encase her for most of her life. It would have been a 5-star book for me, but the ending seemed rushed and left the reading hanging. Can we hope for a sequel? Highly recommended book!

Relatable characters and a believable story reeled me in on page one. Ruth Winters is an “any” woman - you see her every day and pass her without a word or glance in her direction. It could be at the grocery store, a doctor’s office, walking down the street or stopped at a red light. She has a small life and smaller wishes and wants. She isn’t modern nor is she current. She is described as a “tough laugh, guarded and quiet.” She has been treated badly and ignored. But when a plea is made she puts aside her indignation and does what needs to be done. She is once again selfless as she internalizes the disdain and hurt. Even when she is faced with love, recriminations are never far under the surface.

This is a wonderful story with a great quote dropped in several spots -“when the legend becomes the truth, print the legend.” I enjoyed it tremendously but hated the abrupt ending. Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for letting me read an eARC of this book!

This book follows our lovely Ruth Winters as she is in the later stages of life. She is no nonsense & generally follows rules until one day she gets a phone call from her somewhat estranged sister. Her sister reveals to Ruth that she has cancer and needs Ruth’s help. This sets off a chain of events that forever changes Ruth’s life.

I enjoyed this one! I was really looking forward to being in the mind of an older main character, as so many main characters I read from are typically in their 20s. Anyways, Ruth is endearing and I really enjoyed the character growth she goes through over the course of this book. It was heartwarming at times, devastating at others, but overall had a hopeful tone to it. I definitely shed a tear or two, but to be fair I’m a bit sensitive so it’s easy to make me tear up lol.

My only complaint with this book is that at times I felt like we could’ve sped things up a little. Some parts dragged for me, but overall I really enjoyed this one! Ruth and Veronica’s relationship was so lovely to see blossom into something so wonderful. Ruth truly goes through quite a transformation and it just made me so happy to see!

Ruth Winters is living a quiet existence. As a young woman she gave up her dream of becoming a museum curator to take care of her dad who survived a car accident her mother did not. In the meantime her sister continues with her life. She is close to her niece, Chloe, but estranged from her sister, Veronica. Then things start to change. She reconnects with a man she went to high school with, her niece is having a baby, and her sister has cancer. All of the characters were fleshed out and the way Ruth appears to the outside world is dramatically different from how she sees herself. The children she babysits for are delightful and I wish there was more about them. I loved her struggles with her iPhone and her growing relationships with Martin and Renee. There is love, heartbreak, reconciliation, sorrow and happiness.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Lake Union for providing a digital copy.

The Autumn Of Ruth Winters is the first book by award-winning American journalist, critic, filmmaker and author, Marshall Fine. At nearly seventy, Ruth Winters has resigned herself to a dull and lonely old age: she missed out on the career she dearly wanted due to family obligations; after a lacklustre marriage that left her poorer in several ways when it ended, she has been widowed for twenty years; and in the last year, she was made redundant by her employer of thirty-seven years, forcing her to babysit neighbourhood children to make ends meet (the silver lining? The kids are a delight, the one thing that takes the resting scowl from her face).

The call from her niece, Chloe is a lovely surprise: will Ruth consent to become the godmother to the baby she is expecting? The call from her younger sister, Veronica, a woman who carried entitlement to a new level, is not welcome, asking a favour after she and Ruth have not spoken for a year. The letter from Martin Daly in Denver is a blast from the past: the insolent, rebellious, smart-mouthed, bright-but-underachieving classmate from her last year of high school, who was able to make her laugh, and took her on a date, just the once.

Chloe is able to convince her aunt that she’s the right person to be a godmother, and the idea that it will annoy her sister tips the balance. Veronica informs Ruth that she has liver cancer and needs Ruth to drive her to a chemotherapy session, something that sees Ruth trying to balance her decades-long resentment with obligation. Martin’s letter tries to interest her in attending the fifty-year high school reunion: no thanks!

A chat with the neighbour who is the closest Ruth has to a friend has her recalling the numerous incidents that have put her at odds with her sister, but also her late mother’s reminder that she only has one sister. Ruth grudgingly acquiesces to helping out, and is shocked at Veronica’s appearance. Ruth is also surprised that Veronica brings up all these contentious instances, and sincerely apologises.

Meanwhile, Ruth’s polite rejection of the reunion invitation does nothing to daunt Martin’s entreaties: could they at least meet and catch up while he is in town?

Fine gives the reader a wonderfully moving tale whose protagonist holds a grudge that seems quite justified for over fifty years, clinging to her routine until events conspire to force a new configuration of her life. Both the dying sister and the reunion prompt reminiscences that Ruth initially resists, until she simply cannot. Fine’s story demonstrates that it’s never too late to forgive, to love, and to do what you really want. More from Marshall Fine is most welcome!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.