This book reminded me so much of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which I loved!!! Ruth is Eleanor!! She’s funny and quirky but at the same time has such a warm presence to her. This book is about second chances which happens to be a favorite trope of mine. Highly recommend this one!

This is a heartwarming story about flawed relationships and the love of sisters. I loved the familiar minnesota settings and the character growth in this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Well, I usually do like character-driven stories with older characters, especially the ones with a lof of stories to tell.
Ruth Winter certainly has a lot to tell, but I was expecting a deeply emotional narrative - personally, I didn't feel invested in her character, not even with the relationship with her sister.
I guess I was expecting something else.
I don't have bad things to say about this book, but it didn't please me as much as I hoped it would.
Other readers might enjoy it much more than I did.

I must admit that the premise didn't necessarily draw me in, but only because I feel like we have seen quite a few books with similar premises. The grumpy curmudgeon gets a second chance at life, etc. However, I am really glad I read this one because it is thoroughly enjoyable. Fans of A Man Called Ove and similar novels will certainly admire this one. Ruth Winters is slightly bitter but also very engaging, and I loved her journey. Her life changes in a meaningful way throughout the course of the story, which is what we want with this type of plot. She eventually learns about forgiveness and is given a second chance.. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-galley; all opinions in this review are completely my own.

A very heartwarming story about second acts and second chances, Ruth Winters a widow and retiree, very much set in her ways, is resigned to spending her life as she has every day. Then a series of events changes her daily routine and causes her to take a different approach to her life and look at her past with a different lens.

This story caught my attention from the first chapter, I fell in love with Ruth and even though I am not her age, I felt a kinship with her and her outlook on life. Even more so in her relationship with her sister and the social awkwardness she had with the rest of the world.

I love to read books in which I can find some sort of connectedness between myself and the main character, and just as with Eleanor from “ Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” I could identify with Ruth and her struggle in life. The story caused me to take a look at relationships in my own life and reevaluate.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves stories with quirky female characters who find their strength after years of dismissing their value to the world and others.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

The Autumn of Ruth Winters somehow felt like a warm blanket in autumn. When you're really freezing and wrap yourself in a blanket, it takes a little time before you actually feel warm.

We follow Ruth Winters, a retired woman who is searching for a new purpose in life and who is navigating a difficult family relationship.

At the beginning I didn't really care about the characters and the story started off a bit slow. But boy once it got me, it got me good. In the beginning Ruth felt a bit shallow and bitter. She was honestly just complaining a lot. But as the book went on Ruth gets more rounded as a character and you learn where all the bitterness and complaining comes from. Ruth as a character really grew on me. The interactions with her sister felt real, with real feelings and within a timeframe that felt realistic. All in all I was pleasantly surprised by the story of Ruth Winters.

Thank you NetGalley for making it possible to read The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine coming out on November 5th 2024.

This is a lovely story of elderly widow Ruth Winters. Living alone with no children and laid off from her job of 40+ years she has taken to babysitting the local children for some extra income. Apart fom that she's chosen to isolate herself from the world - and barely speaks to her own sister Veronica after lifelong squabbles with each other. When she gets a call from Veronica one day to let her know she has cancer, things are turned upside down and they have to rebuild their relationship whilst there's still time. This wouldn't be a read for anyone dealing with those issues at the moment, I found some of it a little upsetting, but it is ultimately a heartwarming read.

I must confess that when I saw that this was a book about a 70 year old woman, written by a man, I had reservations. However, Marshall Fine has created a wonderful character in Ruth and he developed the story well. Yes, one could argue that Ruth copped a raw deal after her parents' accident, but there is a bigger story here. The flashbacks to the teenage years and how so many of us get it wrong about ourselves and other people were beautifully done. The reconciliation with Veronica was handled with empathy and subtle humour, which stopped it getting mawkish. A fine piece of writing that I thoroughly enjoyed, and appreciated the gentle unfolding of the details. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

The Autumn of Ruth Winters, while slow to unfold, finally hooked me as the author shone more light into the character of Ruth. As an introvert, Ruth’s quirks and quick retreats back into herself gave the story an almost personal feel. The dynamic between the two Abraham sisters, who are like night and day, was so realistic to modern family struggles and really made this book relatable. I enjoyed this story. I gave four stars because the book was a little slow to unfold and then ended as the characters really start to develop. I would love to read more about the reconnection between Ruth and Martin.

it was so slow and boring i expected more of it but it wasn’t that great.
the plot is dragged and there are some parts that were repetitive like i get it you don’t have to mention it in literally every chapter.
it had the potential tho but the execution was not.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC of this book. I really enjoyed the story of Ruth Winters and her opportunity to change her life. She was uncomfortable getting out of her regular routine of babysitting small children but when her estranged sister reaches out to her needing a ride for cancer treatments she steps in. Meanwhile she was invited to her high school reunion, which she has no interest in attending, until she starts communicating via email with an old classmate she once went on a date with before he moved away. She starts branching out by talking more with her neighbors and looking forward to being the Godmother for her niece's baby. It was a nice story with a sweet ending. I would recommend.

Ruth Winter’s life takes a turn when she finds out her estranged sister is dying of cancer. The events that follow push Ruth out of her comfort zone and push her to examine her life in a way she hasn’t before. Ruth ultimately learns about forgiveness, openess and starting over.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Let me say that I adored Ruth Winters!
She is an elderly widow who has lived her whole life alone except for the children she babysits now. It is a comfortable life.
She was married, has an estranged sister and has a wonderful niece that she loves, but she is set in her ways to a fault.
The past for Ruth was never easy. There weren't many friends.. She never moved out of her comfort zone to make acquaintances or try new things. She always did the right thing.
Failing was not an option, yet, was she ever happy?

But, times change and it is never too late to try and forgive the people she knew and make new choices to find joy..
This is Ruth Winter's time to move forward and it is wonderful!
I enjoyed going back to Ruth's young days as I remember my own.
I simply admired her for who she is now and then! I am quite sure many will also like this story and Ruth Winters.
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for thie ARC and allowing to read and review this novel.
Well Done!

The Autumn of Ruth Winters comes from a competent pen. Ruth Winters is a septuagenarian, who has lived her life asserting her boundaries.
She rethinks her reclusive life, choices, the circumstances that had led her to where she is as she reconnects with her nemesis (no spoilers), her other family members and older acquaintances.
Interestingly, except for the things that Ruth could not control and the fact that she had to give up some of her dreams because of those obligations and circumstances, I found her to be a developed character from the start.
It was lovely seeing her what she can and wants to change. but my takeaway was mostly about her reflections and assertion.
Characterisation 5/5
Plot 4/5
Writing 4/5

This novel follows Ruth, a 70 year old woman, who is sort of sleepwalking through life. She doesn't have much contact with people outside of her side gig of babysitting. That is until she gets a call from her estranged sister with the news that she's sick with liver cancer. Ruth slowly mends her relationship with her sister and starts to spend time getting to know her niece. The transformation of Ruth was so inspiring, this book was so enjoyable to read.

This book follows an original premise, we are following a retiree that goes through a shift in her routine-based lifestyle, after receiving life-changing news from her sister, who she hasn’t spoken to in quite a while. The character growth is immense as she learns to adapt to an ever-changing world.

I think many readers would love this novel, as it brings out so many emotions and reveals how hard life can be, even as you grow old. A glimpse of romance brought light to the story and would please any romance lover. It is also a very unique story, as it follows an older woman who is surrounded with grief, which is not as common in fiction, I thought it was well written and personally really enjoyed it.

I really liked the story structure, with a mix of memories, letters to the present time. I really enjoyed the inner voice, revealing Ruth’s emotions, beliefs and feelings. Especially to get a glimpse at her view on herself as well as others, and the view others have on her. I like the pun in the name/title, with the seasons.

I really enjoyed being able to relate to the character, even though I am not a retiree, Marshall Fine did an excellent job in making the characters feel their age, not younger or older.

I quite enjoyed following Ruth’s emotions, I think the writing style enables us to see how people you might not expect to experience pain, still do. Which makes sure you are able to feel compassionate, frustrated and much more for many characters throughout the story. I also really enjoyed that the conversation of the difficulties women faced after losing their husband, when they had not done any of the administrative chores within the household.

I appreciate the ending, which is a hopeful and positive, with a lot of character growth. This was an amazing read and I would recommend it to many.

As children, Ruth and her younger sister, Veronica were playmates and enjoyed each other. As adults, they hadn’t spoken or seen each other for several years. Ruth, age 70, a widow and retired, childless herself, babysits for preschool age children in her neighborhood to supplement her income. Ruth is somewhat of a recluse, keeping to herself, doesn’t give anyone her phone number or e-mail address. She keeps her cell phone, the only phone she has, in a kitchen drawer since she had little use for it.
The day an unexpected phone call comes from her sister, completely changes her life. Veronica asked Ruth to drive her to her chemotherapy appointment. Ruth was shocked to learn that her sister has liver cancer. Ruth struggled with the old feelings of resentment towards her sister but made the decision to step out of her comfort zone and help her.
Ruth begins to blossom as she opens her heart to her sister, spending time with her and her niece, Chloe. It is also the year of her 50th high school reunion. She’d never been to a reunion yet and certainly wasn’t planning to attend this one. In high school she’d had one date with Martin Daly, who then moved away, never to be heard from again, until he tracks her down to inquire if she’ll be attending the reunion. Veronica encourages Ruth to attend so she can tell her all about it, commenting she’ll never get to go to her own reunion.
This is a beautiful, heartfelt story of forgiveness and second chances. The characters are loveable and unforgettable. After the last page was turned, this heartwarming story stayed with me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

An absolutely beautiful novel! As a reader of a "certain age" I both fell in love and was inspired by this woman whose life at this age is rapidly changing.

The author has skillfully woven in the biography of Ruth and her reasonable dissatisfaction with her life. But, he also gives us reason to understand that her life isn't over and LOVE, many kinds of love, can help her reinvent herself.

I can't wait to share this with my reading groups. We have so much to discuss about Ruth and so much to talk about in her future!

Thank you Netgalley for this exquisite novel.

The concept for this book was very intriguing and (I hoped) heartwarming, but something about the way it was presented just didn’t do it for me. I found the writing quite “choppy”, in that sometimes it would bounce from idea to unrelated idea with no warning. I also am not sure that the author’s narrative voice is best suited to the main character - her thoughts/dialogue felt cliché and uninspired. I would’ve liked a bit more of something new and different in that regard. I found the author’s voice was also a bit inconsistent; while I understand this may be on account of the main character’s neurodivergence, some things felt so out of place, and going from using plain language to casually dropping “inveterate autodidact” in a sentence can really throw readers off.