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Ellie Dwyer's Unexpected Ally: Book 5 of the Ellie Dwyer Series
You never know who you’ll meet in the campground.
While camping for the winter in Arizona, Ellie Dwyer and Ruth, her octogenarian best friend, encounter a young woman with a shocking criminal past. After taking Brooke under their wing, the new friendship becomes strained when Brooke is suspected of reverting to her old ways.
In the midst of this turmoil, Ellie is attempting to fulfill her long-time dream of writing a novel. She’s about to complete the first draft of her story, working on it during the hours when she and Ruth aren’t out hiking or seeking other outdoor adventures. When she’s introduced to a successful author staying in their campground who offers to read her manuscript and offer pointers, Ellie could never have imagined where that favor might lead.
While camping for the winter in Arizona, Ellie Dwyer and Ruth, her octogenarian best friend, encounter a young woman with a shocking criminal past. After taking Brooke under their wing, the new friendship becomes strained when Brooke is suspected of reverting to her old ways.
In the midst of this turmoil, Ellie is attempting to fulfill her long-time dream of writing a novel. She’s about to complete the first draft of her story, working on it during the hours when she and Ruth aren’t out hiking or seeking other outdoor adventures. When she’s introduced to a successful author staying in their campground who offers to read her manuscript and offer pointers, Ellie could never have imagined where that favor might lead.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
457 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Diane Winger
30 books91 followers I describe myself as a “retired software geek” who loves hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, and cross-country skiing when I'm not reading, writing, or watching cat videos.
I'm a passionate volunteer with several organizations which focus on literacy projects in my community.
My husband, Charlie, and I are co-authors of several guidebooks on outdoor recreation. I was born and raised in Denver and we currently reside in western Colorado. I write fiction featuring strong, adventurous female protagonists.
Please follow me on BookBub to receive notices of new titles, books on sale, and for book recommendations by other authors. http://tinyurl.com/FollowDiane
I'm a passionate volunteer with several organizations which focus on literacy projects in my community.
My husband, Charlie, and I are co-authors of several guidebooks on outdoor recreation. I was born and raised in Denver and we currently reside in western Colorado. I write fiction featuring strong, adventurous female protagonists.
Please follow me on BookBub to receive notices of new titles, books on sale, and for book recommendations by other authors. http://tinyurl.com/FollowDiane
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 8, 2023
Another adventure with Ellie and Ruth! This one dealt a bit more toward book publishing, which, while interesting, I missed the camping and hikes within the book.
February 24, 2023
Don't you just love it when a book sucks you in right from the first few pages and won't let you go? This was Ms. Winger's best book yet! I have followed the whole Ellie Dwyer series (This is Book 5) and loved them all. I read this book in one "go"; I didn't want to put it down. There are some interesting and surprising twists in the plot, and also more of the Ellie and Ruth adventures that we love. Five stars!
February 25, 2023
In my opinion, her best book yet! Ellie and Ruth are a great team and I love their camping adventures. I’m especially drawn to Ellie’s Aliner of which I am also a proud owner.
A very adventurous story chocked with mysteries that will keep you turning the pages fast! The camping duo portrays their steadfast supportive friendship in the midst of some trying times. Enjoyed every single page and was hard to put down! Lost some sleep reading this one! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
A very adventurous story chocked with mysteries that will keep you turning the pages fast! The camping duo portrays their steadfast supportive friendship in the midst of some trying times. Enjoyed every single page and was hard to put down! Lost some sleep reading this one! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
March 10, 2023
Ellie Dwyer adventures never disappoint! We have a seasonal site at a campground and in this book, Ellie and Ruth are at the same campground for the entire book. I did like that it was a fun change and I felt like I was at the same campground. They still had plenty of hiking adventures at different trails and in every book I learn a little about the location they are in and the local critters and environment. Having never been in the southwest it was enjoyable learning all the tidbits about the different cactus plants. Ellie and Ruth make a new friend or is she, sure she is, or is she? More mysteries, more laughs, more worries. Ellie is starting her new career and nothing ever goes smooth for the poor woman but will it work out? I really enjoy Diane Winger's writing style her books are such great reads. If you read the first 4 you definitely need to add this one and if you haven't read any what are you waiting for? I did receive this as an arc for an honest review and my review is a huge thumbs up! Just keep Ellie and Ruth's adventures coming!
April 5, 2023
Another quick, enjoyable installment in the Ellie Dwyer series. This one takes place in a single campground and deals with a couple big topics which I won't spoil here. Nothing was too surprising though. I think I guessed all the "twists" as soon as any hint of anything was introduced to the storyline even without reading the synopsis - I didn't because I knew I was going to read it regardless. There are a couple of unbelievable details, but overall, still an enjoyable read. I will be really happy when people move on from the "Karen" thing though. I was happy to see what the extra donations were used for. I've seen so many start a go fund me (or similar) and collect money well beyond their "need" and just keep it rather than using it to help others. Thanks to the author for showing a good example of true generosity and how it should be done!
May 29, 2023
Hooray for the "Senior" Set
I have very much enjoyed this series of 5 lovely books! They make it clear that you are only as old as you think you are! Ruth, an octogenarian, and Ellie, 20 +/- years younger, fall into a camping-full-time life style in response to being displaced by natural disasters, in Ellie's case, and a sense of adventure and a desire to see as much as she can in Ruth's. They camp from Texas to Washington, stopping in Arizona, Utah, and every other nearby state, following seasonal weather and curiosity. Their natural friendliness connects them with an increasingly wide group of friends. I am inspired by their passion for life! I think many of us have imagined living such a nomadic style of life, and while I am more of a homebody, these books allow me to imagine it more clearly and enjoy it vicariously! It's been a vacation of the mind!
I have very much enjoyed this series of 5 lovely books! They make it clear that you are only as old as you think you are! Ruth, an octogenarian, and Ellie, 20 +/- years younger, fall into a camping-full-time life style in response to being displaced by natural disasters, in Ellie's case, and a sense of adventure and a desire to see as much as she can in Ruth's. They camp from Texas to Washington, stopping in Arizona, Utah, and every other nearby state, following seasonal weather and curiosity. Their natural friendliness connects them with an increasingly wide group of friends. I am inspired by their passion for life! I think many of us have imagined living such a nomadic style of life, and while I am more of a homebody, these books allow me to imagine it more clearly and enjoy it vicariously! It's been a vacation of the mind!
April 4, 2023
Ellie and Ruth Resolving the unexpected
The Ellie Dwyer series always fascinates me because it's so true to life about those who choose to move from campgound to campground across the US meeting so many people and seeing so many incredible sights. Along with that comes problems which Ellie meets face to face, finding answers. Life long friends such as Ellie's with Ruth are forged and become as close as families. Always look forward to the next book. This one started a little slow. Didn't seem like the author's usual but gradually moved to the familiar, Loved how the character Brooke resolved her issues from the past.
The Ellie Dwyer series always fascinates me because it's so true to life about those who choose to move from campgound to campground across the US meeting so many people and seeing so many incredible sights. Along with that comes problems which Ellie meets face to face, finding answers. Life long friends such as Ellie's with Ruth are forged and become as close as families. Always look forward to the next book. This one started a little slow. Didn't seem like the author's usual but gradually moved to the familiar, Loved how the character Brooke resolved her issues from the past.
August 5, 2024
who can you trust?
That seems to be our theme. Ellie meets an established writer who proposes to review her novel and make suggestions. More on that later. In the meantime, our cast is growing and Ruth and Ellie are challenged about believing the best in people when things keep going missing in the RV camp. A young lady with a criminal past is befriended before the thefts occur so she is suspected. Turns out not to be true in the end. Now back to the helpful author who then proposes a book to his publisher that sounds a lot like Ellie’s novel. Okay, maybe too much plot reveal so I’ll ask you to read it yourself and form an opinion.
That seems to be our theme. Ellie meets an established writer who proposes to review her novel and make suggestions. More on that later. In the meantime, our cast is growing and Ruth and Ellie are challenged about believing the best in people when things keep going missing in the RV camp. A young lady with a criminal past is befriended before the thefts occur so she is suspected. Turns out not to be true in the end. Now back to the helpful author who then proposes a book to his publisher that sounds a lot like Ellie’s novel. Okay, maybe too much plot reveal so I’ll ask you to read it yourself and form an opinion.
March 1, 2023
5 Stars PLUS ! I loved this book. The friendship between Ellie and Ruth is heartwarming. I am an A-Frame camper myself so I especially enjoyed the descriptions of their stay in the RV park and the people they met there. The hikes they took were also a joy to read about. Ms. Winger adds an additional layer to the story with a page turning mystery. Even though Ellie and Ruth are senior citizens the younger folks they meet make this a fun read for any age group. The only thing this book is lacking is a picture of Ruth included in the beautiful cover art !
April 10, 2023
RV-ing Vicariously is Fun
I have enjoyed the series quite a bit. I like that the protagonist is in my age group. Author is a great storyteller, it's a mystery without being gory and the story line moved along at a consistent pace. She threw in a couple of red herrings and I did not see the conclusion coming way ahead as I often do. Also, it's made me want to try traveling RV style! Though I think I'd want my own bathroom aboard.😀 I did find reading first person present tense slowed down my reading speed but after a couple chapters I got used to it.
I have enjoyed the series quite a bit. I like that the protagonist is in my age group. Author is a great storyteller, it's a mystery without being gory and the story line moved along at a consistent pace. She threw in a couple of red herrings and I did not see the conclusion coming way ahead as I often do. Also, it's made me want to try traveling RV style! Though I think I'd want my own bathroom aboard.😀 I did find reading first person present tense slowed down my reading speed but after a couple chapters I got used to it.
March 31, 2023
A must read! The newest of the Ellie Dwyer series does not disappoint. Join Ellie, Ruth and Charlie (the cat). The story evolves through depth of personal relationships, inward reflection, life changing circumstances, and engaging mystery. The detailed setting of Ellie's Aliner trailer journey in parks and travel ring true to my experience. The chapter format is very appealing and fits my reading style. Diane Winger is a gifted story teller and writer!
Currently reading
April 6, 2023Another pleasant read
Once again, I enjoyed the gentle adventures of Ellie and Ruth, with only slight twinges of sadness that my body won’t often allow me to hike. I enjoy reading about their friendship and different way of living. I’m not sure what it is about these books that draws me in, I just know I enjoy reading about these women of a certain age who are full time RVers. Keep ‘em coming!
Once again, I enjoyed the gentle adventures of Ellie and Ruth, with only slight twinges of sadness that my body won’t often allow me to hike. I enjoy reading about their friendship and different way of living. I’m not sure what it is about these books that draws me in, I just know I enjoy reading about these women of a certain age who are full time RVers. Keep ‘em coming!
June 2, 2023
Wonderful read
I have to say the last to book had a plot of mystery for Ruth , Ellie and Brooke. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and their lives as they traveled from camp site in different states. These books are very engaging and inspiring stories of two senior women live a carefree signal life that take them on wonderful adventures and build great friendship and some shady characters. I highly recommend this top pick series.
I have to say the last to book had a plot of mystery for Ruth , Ellie and Brooke. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and their lives as they traveled from camp site in different states. These books are very engaging and inspiring stories of two senior women live a carefree signal life that take them on wonderful adventures and build great friendship and some shady characters. I highly recommend this top pick series.
December 2, 2023
I'm liking these better and better as they go along. I don't know whether it's her writing that improved or just that I like her people better as I get to know them. In either case, I loved this to pieces. I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone--it's not deep, or extremely thoughtful, or heartwrenching or laugh-out-loud funny. I can't say that I had trouble putting it down at bedtime. But, next day, I was very happy to pick it up again.
February 28, 2023
I haven’t read books 1 - 4 of the series so I feel it took me awhile to warm up to the main characters. I was mostly interested in this series since Ellie lives in an RV similar to my own. She really doesn’t reveal much about RV living in this book and it takes awhile for any mystery to evolve. I was left feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
March 11, 2023
Another great read by Diane Winger! I love the characters and their personalities, the fun they have together, as well as the mystery-twists throughout the book. Diane brings you right into the story with her descriptive writing. It's a book I didn't want to put down and was sorry to see it end. I'm hoping for another book in this series in the future! Thanks, Diane!!
April 6, 2023
perfect next steps
As someone who thinks the A-liner is perfect, but is too chicken and not financially able to try it, I love Ellie! My bestie would never join me for the fun adventures Ellie & Ruth plan nor my hubby. A delightful read. Was sorry to see it end. I await their next journey, maybe with Brooke?
As someone who thinks the A-liner is perfect, but is too chicken and not financially able to try it, I love Ellie! My bestie would never join me for the fun adventures Ellie & Ruth plan nor my hubby. A delightful read. Was sorry to see it end. I await their next journey, maybe with Brooke?
April 7, 2023
love Ellie Dwyer and her friends
Fast moving, holds your attention, I didn’t skim over anything. Good friends good writing and read until I finished. If you like books about good friends, adventures and a bit of light mystery, you will like this book. She edits her books well too didn’t see misspellings or grammar errors which can rive me crazy.
Fast moving, holds your attention, I didn’t skim over anything. Good friends good writing and read until I finished. If you like books about good friends, adventures and a bit of light mystery, you will like this book. She edits her books well too didn’t see misspellings or grammar errors which can rive me crazy.
April 15, 2023
Great read
I love this book series and this latest book did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed meeting and getting to know Brooke. I also enjoyed reading about Ellie's novel and her family history. It made me wish I could read her novel, too. I look forward to the next installment in this wonderful series.
I love this book series and this latest book did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed meeting and getting to know Brooke. I also enjoyed reading about Ellie's novel and her family history. It made me wish I could read her novel, too. I look forward to the next installment in this wonderful series.
April 22, 2023
I can relate....
I was first drawn to the Ellie Dwyer series because of the A-frame camper. We owned one as our first camper. Each of these stories were enjoyable, relaxing and relatable. Her characters are real to life. Keep adding to this series of adventures and friendships! Look forward to another storry of Ellie Dwyer!
I was first drawn to the Ellie Dwyer series because of the A-frame camper. We owned one as our first camper. Each of these stories were enjoyable, relaxing and relatable. Her characters are real to life. Keep adding to this series of adventures and friendships! Look forward to another storry of Ellie Dwyer!
March 13, 2025
A New Friend
I really liked this book and enjoyed the ladies enjoying their camping and hiking. They meet a new friend who reminds them of themselves at a younger age sorta. Ellie needs to find a Lawyer but she is in good luck with that. I'm sure anyone that likes adventures will enjoy this book!
I really liked this book and enjoyed the ladies enjoying their camping and hiking. They meet a new friend who reminds them of themselves at a younger age sorta. Ellie needs to find a Lawyer but she is in good luck with that. I'm sure anyone that likes adventures will enjoy this book!
May 9, 2025
Another Adventurous Read!
Not only is Ellie Dwyer the most lovable character, she gives me courage to think age is just a number - I can do that, too! I love these books! Thank you, Ms. Winger, for making all these beautiful places come to life. In addition, Ellie and Ruth draw the reader in to an interesting lifestyle. This series is just plain old (clean) fun!
Not only is Ellie Dwyer the most lovable character, she gives me courage to think age is just a number - I can do that, too! I love these books! Thank you, Ms. Winger, for making all these beautiful places come to life. In addition, Ellie and Ruth draw the reader in to an interesting lifestyle. This series is just plain old (clean) fun!
April 5, 2023
a friendly novel with an A-line
I can always come back to reading about Ellie, her A-liner and Ruth, her bestie. Reading these is like taking a mini-camping trip. My husband still can’t be convinced to go A.
I can always come back to reading about Ellie, her A-liner and Ruth, her bestie. Reading these is like taking a mini-camping trip. My husband still can’t be convinced to go A.
April 7, 2023
2nd chances
Everyone deserves a second chance-or do they? This book shows several times this could be answered and not always in the same way. Read along with the adventures of Ellie and Ruth and Ruth’s special bucket list wishes.
Everyone deserves a second chance-or do they? This book shows several times this could be answered and not always in the same way. Read along with the adventures of Ellie and Ruth and Ruth’s special bucket list wishes.
July 12, 2023
A lightweight summer read, I enjoy this series. There is nothing about the book that made me want to stay up late reading, but I looked forward to getting back to it when time allowed. The book was somewhat predictable at parts, although the ending did surprise me a bit.
July 24, 2023
Ellie Dwyer Series Inspires me
This book and series inspires me to go out and hike and try new adventures! I love the characters and how they are full time campers! I need a friend like Ruth!
This book and series inspires me to go out and hike and try new adventures! I love the characters and how they are full time campers! I need a friend like Ruth!
August 24, 2023
I have read all of this series from book 1 to book 5. I can honestly say I totally enjoyed each one. But sad that I am finished. Hoping there is more to come. Love her style of writing.
Currently reading Abandoned Girl.
Currently reading Abandoned Girl.
March 5, 2023
Reading this book was like returning to visit old camping friends. My wife and I camp in an Aliner as Ellie does and it’s great to be able to relate so well to the camping experiences in Ms. Winger’s books. The characters in her latest book are well developed and provoke strong feelings in the reader as they’re brought to life in her writings. Ms. Winger has a style of writing that makes it easy to imagine you’re out hiking with Ruth and Ellie and meeting other campers in the campground. Her books always have a mystery or devious character in the storyline and this book delivers both.
April 6, 2023
I have truly enjoyed this series. Ellie even inspired me to buy my own A frame camping trailer. I love the adventures that she and Ruth have gotten up to.
April 11, 2023
An author!
I hope that Ellie and Ruth have more adventures! Start with book 1 and you won't want to stop reading! Wonderful books, lots of adventures!
I hope that Ellie and Ruth have more adventures! Start with book 1 and you won't want to stop reading! Wonderful books, lots of adventures!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews