3.5 stars

I love reading stories that are heartfelt mixed with sad moments. This book is just like that. It's about an ordinary woman who spent most of her life taking care of others. She's much older now and she has a hard time adjusting to change. The book chronicles her life as it keeps taking unexpected turns in every corner and how she overcomes it.

This is a really good book!

Ruth Winters doesn’t like change, not even in the grocery store aisles. Now 70 years old, she doesn’t like to socialize and hides behind a hard shell to avoid attention. She has worked for the same company for 40 years until she got laid off. Now she is babysitting for her neighbors and has organized her life perfectly. But then three things happen: she receives news from her niece, her estranged sister gives her an unexpected call and the guy she once dated in her senior year contacts her in anticipation of their 50th high school reunion. Ruth begins to reminisce about her past, her family and missed opportunities.
I really enjoyed this book, the flowing writing style makes it an easy read. I could relate to Ruth and understood her character. Life had dealt her a tough hand, and she always thought about others first. She was the dutiful one, never wanting anything for herself. When she starts babysitting, she is finally able to open her heart and lets her emotions and feelings lead her. A great story about family, loss, grief and second chances. 4⭐️
Thank you Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this advance copy. The above is my honest review and own opinion.

When I first realized Marshall Fine, a male, had written "The Autumn of Ruth Winters" from a female point of view and third person omniscient at that, I knew I was in for a ride. Not since I had read the short story, "The First Day" by Edward P. Jones did I experience such a feat done as smoothly and seamlessly.

On top of that, Fine tackles two themes about siblings: 1. Being free to let other people clean up your messes doesn't necessarily make you free, and 2. If two sparring siblings work out their grudges, they're more likely to move forward.

Through one of two reunions in this book, sisters trying to work out their differences before it's too late, and a fiftieth class reunion, Ruth Winters is able to face the world with anticipation instead of foregone conclusions and tired expectations.

I was afraid that this story would be entirely about Ruth meeting her Prince Charming. Instead, the story was about Ruth doing some heavy lifting in order to be able to recognize Prince Charming should he appear.

A decided departure from Marshall Fine's previous work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Press for this advance copy.

Ruth Winters is a woman who’s become accustomed to her life as it is. A widow who devoted much of her young adult life to caring for her father, she worked as a book-keeper for decades and is now - after being laid off - babysitting for children in the neighbourhood. Ruth has a difficult relationship with her younger sister, and first impressions heavily suggest Ruth is on the autistic spectrum.
The phrase ‘an odd duck’ is made for Ruth, but her bluntness and thought process as she navigates the world around her made her a more sympathetic character than you might imagine.
The book follows Ruth as she reconnects with her sister and finds herself starting to embrace small changes. Through her growing interactions we get more of a sense of her personality. I couldn’t quite get my head around how old she was, but it was hard not to find yourself drawn to Ruth. A feel-good story about family, second chances and finding the courage to move out of your comfort zone.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.

I loved the fact that this novel was really a coming of age story about a women in her 60s, such a refreshing, fun and interesting read. I really enjoyed how thoughtful and considered it was. I would definitely recommend.

I adored this book. Maybe it is because routine-focused, minimally social Ruth is a bit like me, but I loved her from the first chapter. I couldn't help but become invested in what Ruth would do with all of these changes coming at her at once.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Autumn of Ruth Winters" and all opinions expressed are my own. I have both the kindle book and audio book. I listened to the audiobook. This was a good story and I enjoyed listening to the book. The story is about grief but also forgiveness and second chances.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine follows Ruth Winters, a widow who doesn’t like changes. Some events have forced Ruth to reconnect with family and friends in a truly heart-warming way. I enjoyed Ruth and the premise overall.
A feel good story about second chances.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes the right book comes along at the perfect moment. I read this while traveling out of town for a funeral. The pages flew by at such a rate I finished it in a single day. The combination of pleasant writing with thought provoking messages made reading a breeze.

Meet Ruth, a septuagenarian, set in her ways with a no-nonsense approach. Much to her chagrin, life happens and shakes up Ruth's carefully structured world. Her estranged sister reaches out for assistance, her niece has big news, and an old flame bursts onto the scene. Ruth's reactions to getting slammed with catalysts was down to earth and won me over. The characters were flawed yet written with a dose of humanity. I enjoy when characters push themselves toward self-reflection in novels it inspires me to ask myself the hard questions.

Themes of forgiveness, grief, and stepping out of your comfort zone are explored. There is also humor, happiness, and fun to be discovered. This novel is a good reminder that as long as we wake up this side of the dirt it's not too late to make a change.

This was a moving debut story about estranged sisters, second chances, regrets and reconciliations as Ruth and Veronica find themselves unexpectedly reunited later in age thanks to a horrible cancer diagnosis.

The book was mainly told from Ruth's perspective, a woman who has mostly lived her life being misunderstood and ridiculed but yet always yearning for love and acceptance. I loved embarking on Ruth's journey of healing and forgiveness with her dying sister as they rehash their hurtful pasts.

Great on audio narrated by Joyce Bean and perfect for fans of books like How does that make you feel, Magda Eklund? Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm a bit torn about this book, because there were so many strong moments, but there were also times when it was very drawn out. The lengthier scenes were usually flashbacks that had too much detail and not enough impact. But, overall, I did like the redemptive plot and themes of forgiveness and second chances with love and family. It was hopeful and heartwarming.

When I first started it, I wasn't actually sure I would finish it. I didn't like Ruth to speak of and, honestly, thought she was just not a very good person who didn't recognize the power she had to become a better person. That being said, I decided to continue reading and give it a little longer before rushing to judgment. I'm really glad I did. I actually loved the growth you could see in Ruth as well as the way she allowed herself to give up some of the control she held on to so tightly in order to live a life that better suited her and made her happier. There were some tender and sad moments but overall this book left me with a feeling of hopefulness and showing that a life can still be well lived even as we get older. Really well written, it served as a reminder that we are responsible for the things in life we aren't happy with and can make changes that aren't our norm or are out of our comfort zones that might serve us better than being safe. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine was such a beautiful story.
This book had me laughing and smiling throughout.
I could not out it away.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I devoured this during a flight and was so surprised by the ease of writing, the pacing and character development. I truly felt like I knew Ruth and just wanted the best for her. This was so refreshing -- well written, funny and poignant. Give it a try!!

The Autumn of Ruth Winters comes out next week on November 5, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!

Ruth Winters never welcomed change. She tried to avoid it when possible. Too often, it amounted to change for its own sake, as though different were a synonym for better. In Ruth's experience, it seldom was.

For Ruth, change upset the balance-if not of the universe in general, then of Ruth's universe in particular, affecting the way Ruth navigated her world. When change also happened to interfere with Ruth's schedule? That was unacceptable on all counts.

Ruth Winters is a lonely and bitter woman who often gets in her own way. After working for 40 years for the same company, she was let go and takes to babysitting to earn some extra money. Her husband died 20 years prior and she has no children and no relationship with her sister. She does have a relationship with her sister's daughter Jane and her occasional talks with her niece is a highpoint in her life. Ruth is a difficult sort of person, sort of like the main character in "A Man Called Ove" and she holds long grudges that make it difficult for her to move on with her life. Something changes when her sister Veronica calls her and says that she has cancer and asks Ruth to take her to chemotherapy as her husband will be out of town. At the same time Jane receives an email from a man she briefly dated in high school, asking if Ruth will be attending their upcoming 50 year reunion and expressing a desire to meet up with her for lunch. Ruth spends most of her time alone, can she change?

Ruth was a difficult character to like or understand. She expresses no desire for friendship or romance and admits to hating her sister for various disagreements they had over the years. I would have liked the character to be more fleshed out. Also, Ruth's age is all over the place. Her 50th high school reunion is coming up making her 67-68 years old. Later she says she was born in 1951 which would make her around 72 or so. Then she also says she was 35 years old in 1980 which would make her 79. She also seems much older in that she knows nothing about using cell phones or WIFI. despite having recently worked in a large company. Every woman I know in their 60's uses smart phones to at least take pictures, go on social media and play games. Their is also a flashback where Ruth took her niece to a Bon Jovi concert and was so appalled at the new fangled 'rock music 'she had to wear ear plugs. If Ruth is 67-68 she would have listened to Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen,The Rolling Stones and yes Bon Jovi when she was in her teens and 20's, so not being familiar with and hating rock music made her seem ancient.

Once Ruth begins to help her sister who is very ill, she begins to unpack some of her resentment and realizes her sister is sorry for the way she treated Ruth. Ruth also decides to not only go to her reunion but perhaps give her old date John a chance. A good novel about second chances but the age discrepancies plus fat shaming and Ruth's general attitude was a bit off putting and prevented me from really caring about this character. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.

ruth winters loves her routine but when her life is shaken up by some big changes, she slowly forges ahead. as a reader, it was lovely to see what ruth found on the other side. throughout the book [and in a seemingly short period of time], ruth reconnects with her only sister, her only niece, and an old high school friend/crush. the relationship with her sister has been fraught pretty much all of their lives. there is a lot of resentment and anger built up on ruth's side and you'll see her work through most of it in her own way. her sister basically kept her niece from her but now that her niece is thirty-five and expanding her family, ruth's reconnection comes at the perfect time for both women. the story of ruth's old high school friend and crush is cute and mature at the same time.

i felt that the book wrapped up really quickly...too quickly. there is something to be said for not dragging on and on but i would have appreciated the story coming to a more gradual ending vs. the abrupt ending that i experienced. 3.5 stars rounded down. would have been a solid four star read if the ending had been expanded a bit.

thank you to lake union publishing for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

Well written with well-developed characters, a believable, multifaceted plot and great dialogue. The only draw back is that it drags on a little too long.

I liked this story but I feel like it's been done before. The no-nonsense octogenarian role has been played out and I don't think this stands out.

reading a novel of a woman getting on well in her years, who by all means at this point in her life should have been ground into the mold that fits what the world has been wanting for decades - from manners and vocabulary, to ipads and emails - while staving off her own wants... reading this woman do her best and come out on the other end relatively successful and unscathed and so dignified. so, as the novel once puts it, self-possessed. it gives courage. ruth winters has only ever been herself, and she has stood out and strong this long. that has to count for something.

when the time comes for grief and change, for loss, for the steady reveal of this not-quite-expected sisterhood... the way it all helps her change, and accept change, and accept that she can get what she wants, is so warm, even in the story's saddest moments.

it feels a gift to have read such a bright, genuine, sensible, sharp life.

Lately, there seems to be an abundance of books on the market featuring “older” main characters. Maybe they have always been there, but I’m noticing them more because I am now becoming “older” myself. Conundrum!

This is Ruth's story. You could call it her “coming of age” story even though that term usually applies to a young person coming into adulthood. Ruth, a retired lady, has led a very straight, structured life. She is not social at all. She only speaks when she has to. She lives by her own rules. She is quite introverted. But, she's not unhappy. This is just her life. She doesn't want to call attention to herself. She has aged out of her job that she held for 40 years as a bookkeeper.

As usual in this trope, the transformation starts. It's fun to watch Ruth's personality and life change. She is a likeable woman, to begin with, but she discovers that life can be a social experience. She discovers emotion. She discovers fun. Ruth is surprised to discover that she is enjoying herself.

There is a a more serious portion of the story, involving a sister, with whom Ruth has had a contentious relationship for many years.

I really enjoyed this book. The only criticism I might give is that once the transformation of Ruth started, it happened very quickly, instead of gradually, which would have been more realistic. But, I can choose the believe that this social persona was just under the surface of Ruth's psyche, just waiting to burst forth. It's never too late for second chances.

Entertaining and fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.