Cattail Lane

by Fran Kimmel

Nick Ackerman’s life is an aimless circuit between his uninspiring job and the local bar until a note from a stranger changes everything. He learns he has a 14-year-old son, Billy, whose grandmother can no longer look after him. Railroaded into fatherhood, Nick takes in the resentful Billy and shuffles Grandma Evie off to the nearby dementia ward at Prairie View Manor. Things get off to a rocky start: father and son are little more than strangers, and Nick struggles with his new caretaking role while Billy can’t seem to let go of his. Luckily, there is Sarah, a housekeeper in the dementia ward and the single mother of an energetic and offbeat five-year-old. It is Sarah who Nick turns to as a parental role model and maybe something more.

Nick, Sarah, and Billy all carry their own betrayals and disappointments and are used to keeping others at a distance, but during the dog days of summer, they are given a chance to leave past hurts behind and find a new kind of family.

Compassionate and closely observed, Cattail Lane is a moving exploration of forgiveness, second chances, and the everyday moments where we might find our way to one another.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Literary Fiction, Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Fran Kimmel writes novels, short stories, and plays for both theatre and radio. Her third novel, Cattail Lane, was released in April 2025 with ECW Press.

Fran’s second novel, No Good Asking, was shortlisted for the ReLit Award and the Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction and has been translated for international markets. Her debut novel, The Shore Girl, won the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award, was shortlisted for the Alberta Trade Fiction Award, and was named a Canada Reads Top 40 Book.

Fran has worked all kinds of jobs including youth worker, career counselor, proposal writer, communications coordinator, and as VP for a consulting firm. She now lives in Lacombe, a small town in Alberta, Canada, where she works with emerging writers eager to share their unique voices. She can be reached at www.frankimmel.com.

Reviews

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Nick finds out he's a father to a 14 year old boy, Billy his world is turned upside down for the better. Billys mother passed away when he was pretty young and his grandmother took care of him. when her health declines and she is forced to go to a home she reaches out to Nick and gives him the news. They both struggle to adjust to their new life and Nick has a hard time connecting with Billy but, in the end it is all worth it. this was such a lovely heart warming story.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my honest and unbiased review of the novel, Cattail Lane by Fran Kimmel, an advance reading copy of which was provided to me by ECW Press.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. Compassionate, poignant and intense. Its cast of characters, each and every one, drawn with laser sharp acuity.

This is a story of family drama, but without a hint of melodrama. I wouldn’t call it an unrelenting page turner; but a story that investigates love, hurt, innocence, guilt, betrayal and redemption ... in the gentlest way. It will ultimately make you smile. It did me.

[Emily Ferko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Fran, and Cattail Lane had a lot to live up to because I loved both No Good Asking and The Shore Girl. It does not disappoint. I wish I could have lived with Nick, Billy, Sarah and Carter for a little longer. If you're looking for something feel good, for something to restore your belief in humanity (without shrinking away from the difficulties of life), this is a great warm read.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Janaya Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feel good, quick read!

[Dana McLaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read and nice story

[Ann-Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Cattail Lane by Fran Kimmel**

In the seemingly monotonous life of Nick Ackerman, each day drifts aimlessly between his uninspiring job and the dimly lit corners of the local bar. This unremarkable existence takes a sudden and jarring turn when he receives a note from a stranger that reveals a profound secret: Nick is the father of a 14-year-old boy named Billy, whose grandmother can no longer care for him. With little choice in the matter, Nick reluctantly steps into the role of father, taking in a resentful Billy and relocating Grandma Evie to the nearby Prairie View Manor, where her cognitive decline can be managed.

Their initial days together are fraught with tension and discomfort; father and son are little more than strangers fumbling through their new dynamic. Nick is overwhelmed by the weight of his unexpected responsibilities, while Billy struggles to detach himself from the life he once knew, laden with feelings of abandonment and resentment. Just when it seems that their situation might be insurmountable, they encounter Sarah—a compassionate and dedicated housekeeper at the dementia ward. Sarah is also a single mother to an energetic and uniquely spirited five-year-old. With her warmth and understanding, Sarah becomes a beacon of hope for both Nick and Billy.

As the summer stretches on, the three of them begin to navigate their intertwined lives, each carrying their own burdens of betrayal and disappointment. Used to shield themselves from emotional connections, they unexpectedly find solace and encouragement in one another. In those sweltering dog days, they are offered a chance to shed their past hurts and forge a new kind of family, one grounded in understanding and second chances.

"Cattail Lane" is an intimate exploration of forgiveness, the complexities of human relationships, and the everyday moments that can unexpectedly bring people together.

This book unfolded and is filled with rich character development and layered secrets that came to light with each chapter. As truths emerged and lives shifted. Nevertheless, I found myself somewhat let down by the ending, which didn't resonate as strongly as I had hoped.

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with empathy and compassion, this was an uplifting family drama.

The novel is set in Alberta, Canada and features two single parents struggling to keep their families together. 

Nick Ackerman has carried guilt around with him for the past fifteen years. He has become estranged from his beloved parents because he blames himself for ruining their lives and their livelihoods. He works as a building inspector and lives alone in a run-down house. When he discovers that he has a fourteen year old son, he could not be less prepared for fatherhood. Billy, his son, was conceived when Nick was only seventeen. A one night stand of teenage lust. Now it seems, Billy needs him to step up. Billy's mother died when he was just an infant and he has been brought up by his maternal grandmother, who he adores. Evie, his grandmother is suffering from dementia, and Billy can no longer care for her ever worsening needs. So... Nick moves Billy into his house and Evie into a nearby care home.

One of the housekeeping staff at this care home is Sarah. She is also a single parent to a five year old, rambunctious, talkative, and intelligent boy named Carter. Sarah is studying to become a nurse and she is compassionate and kind to the dementia sufferers on her ward. 

This is so much more than a love story. The topic of dementia is treated with empathy and intelligence. The therapeutic features of art plays a major role. Also, there is theme of environmentalism running in the background. The challenges of single parenthood are explored in an authentic way.

Second chances, atonement, redemption, and forgiveness feature prominently in the novel. 

In all, I loved this novel and didn't want it to end. Uplit that is both heartwarming and at times heart-wrenching. Highly recommended!

[Karenmeg1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story about a man who finds out he's a father, only when the son he never knew he had comes into his life at the age of 14. Along with the teenager Billy, comes the grandmother Evie who has dementia. Billy and Evie are incredibly close, Billy is a different type of teen who has had to grow up quickly and not into typical teen things based on his upbringing by his grandmother.
The main character Nick is a bit of a lost soul, working a job that pays the bills, drinking a lot, he doesn't care much about anything except some environmental issues and fighting developers. He is not close to his parents. He harbours a secret, he had big plans as a teenager that never came to fruition.
Along with Nick, there are a couple of side stories with folks at the seniors' home, a love interest in the form of Sarah, a single mom (of Carter) working jobs to pay the bills. Also someone who didn't reach their potential.
I was drawn to this novel about life, about regular folks in a small town. I thought scenes were well written, descriptive. It was easy to read, it flowed, there were some caricature types that veered close to being cliche (bosses, bar waitresses). Some of the dialogue didn't work for me all the time, it slipped sometimes ie whether Carter, as a young boy, or Billy as a teen, would talk as they did.Also some of the elderly characters were chronologically only in their 60s but their descriptions and actions made them sound much older!

The ending did work for me, though. It was hopeful, and I appreciated that it wasn't tied neatly into a happily ever after bow. Life isn't like that. A solid 3.
Thanks to Netgalley and ECW press for the advanced copy for review.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick finds out that he has a son who is 14 that he never knew about. He knows nothing about being a parent, but he becomes the father to his son, Billy, and the guardian of his grandmother who raised him. She has dementia and is in a memory care facility near them. When they visit Billy's grandmother, they meet Sarah, a single mother who is a housekeeper there, and she visits the patients as she works. As I read the book, I read this, "Nick, Sarah, and Billy all carry past betrayals and disappointments and are used to keeping people at a distance, but during the dog days of summer they are given a chance to leave the past hurts behind and find a new kind of family."
The story will take you on their journey of the changes that take place, all that happens, all they learn, and all the wonderful qualities and talent they have. I found the book refreshing, because many of us have made mistakes that we can't forgive ourselves for, but when you meet the right people, life can change, and as they start to open up and communicate, they realize once secrets are out in the open, it isn't as bad as they thought it would be. It was refreshing how life changed for them, and they could accept the person they are. It is a journey they go through, but they don't give up and keep moving forward in their lives.
I received an ARC ECW Press through NetGalley.

[Mike Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and Simon and Schuster for the advance copy of this book.
I would say in many ways this does get tied up in a neat bow, but not completely. There is some romance in this, but just enough, not too far. There is definitely one prediction that any reader could make that was accurate, but I am okay with that.
Characterization
Near perfect: The father who just found out he has a teenage son was so well written. The teenager attitude, excellent. The different personalities at a care facility was well portrayed.
The reader could really see this playing out in real life.
Storyline
Believable, and relevant. It progresses at a reasonable pace. The ending made sense, not hallmark, rather, each character makes decisions based on their needs in the story.
The length of the book was great, nothing felt like it dragged on.
Emotions
You will feel hopeful, you will feel frustration, you will feel happy (like there is hope in our cynical world), you will be mad and maybe a little sad.

As for the Forest of Reading, I think people will eat this one up, it’s a contender, not just for most top ten lists but for the prize.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cattail Lane by Fran Kimmel is a contemporary drama set in Rigsbee, Canada. It's a phenomenal tribute to second chances, redemption, love, family and hope. An amazing, wonderful surprise from Hoopla Bonus Borrows.

Nick is just going through the motions in his life, living in a fixer-upper without making an effort, when he receives a life-changing letter: he has a teenage son who needs him. Billy is sullen and resentful at being taken away from the life he has had with his grandmother Evie. But Evie needs to be in a care home now.

Sarah works at Prairie View as a cleaner, but she is much more to the residents of the dementia ward. Her career goal is to be a nurse, and her compassionate ways make her the hands-down favorite. She lives in a dump of an apartment with her son Carter, who never, ever stops talking.

Nick and Sarah are smitten with each other (just not admitting it). Billy is astonishingly fond of Carter, and loves to babysit him. Little by little their lives intertwine.

They face major crises together; from personal revelations, gain hope and forgiveness. At story's end, I long for it to continue, to know what comes next in their lives.

[Percy Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star

there is something about the writing of this book that felt comforting. the second i started reading i didn't want to stop until i was finished. i do feel as if the last third off the book was slightly wordy without having much of a point to be, but aside from that it was highly enjoyable and i'm grateful to have won this in a giveaway.

it feels authentic in the portrayal of a father attempting to learn how to be a parent to a teenager he never knew he had, a teenager attempting to continue being a caretaker for his grandmother with alzhimers, and a broke single mother trying to improve her life for her son. the growth they experience feels authentic as you read, and happens steadily. while there is a sort of plot twist within the book, there is so much depth and personality to all of the characters, it leaves you feeling conflicted.

i enjoyed the ending, it feels real and i often wish more books would embrace similar endings. however, it might be a turn off to most people.

[Justyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Cattail Lane" by Fran Kimmel is a heartwarming novel touching many important subjects within its pages. We have a teenage boy caring for his grandmother but with her failing health they need to move her down to dementia facility. We have a dad who didn't know about existence of his son and now he needs to step up and do his best. There is a beautiful combination of various characters and each of them will tug the strings attached to your heart.
This book was a very fast read and I still can't believe how much had happened in the story. Characters developed, secrets has been unravelled and truth had won in the end.. Uplifting story making us to realise that small acts can make a massive difference, that some things can't be rushed and some stories are better when left unfinished

Thanks to Netgalley and ECW Press for this early copy.

[Tina Plintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story resonates on multiple levels. Imagine a single man discovering, 15 years later, that he has a son he had no idea about and no idea how to be a parent. It’s an idea he hadn’t even considered. Suddenly, he finds himself thrust into the middle of parenthood.

The child has been raised by his grandmother, who has been forced to grow up too quickly. He tries his best to conceal the fact that his grandmother’s health begins to decline as Alzheimer’s gradually takes over her body.

Now both are forced to find a balance in their new lives and have to come together and learn a whole new lifestyle and way of living.
I give this story 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. An open ending that leaves it open for a second

[Enid Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why we read!!

I am going to say little but that this is a beautiful perfect little gem that will bring a tear to your eye, and warm your heart. Just what we need in these troublesome times.

Yes there are parts that a little sugar-coated but hey… we need a little breath of fresh air, and hope.

And I am ever so grateful that the author resisted any temptations to tie this all up with a bow at the end. The ending will definitely not please some, but for me, it was authentic and worked for all of the characters.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

Highly recommended.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmel writes an engrossing story with emotional depth. Nick, Billy, and Sarah trod upon paths of self-discovery that test their mettle. As a reader, I was invested in all three protagonists. The author's descriptions of the dementia residents and the working conditions of the Prairie View facility were spot-on. With an interesting storyline, flawed characters, and descriptions that verge on the poetic, Kimmel created a narrative I wanted to take my time with. Often, I stopped to reread an apt description or thought-provoking passage.

[Courtney Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise. This was a bonus borrow on Hoopla and I needed an e-book to read while feeding my child, so I settled on Cattail Lane. The premise sounded cute and it was a shorter novel. This did not disappoint and I flew through this. I love when an author can create in depth characters in a condensed way and that is exactly what the author did in this story. I loved the character development and the realness of the ending. Not a cheesy, fully happy ending, but a realistic take on could happen. 4 solid stars.

[Lynette Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a new and refreshing read pick up Cattail Lane by Fran Kimmel. It is a beautifully written book about love and family and learning to forgive each other and yourself. A gentle read that touched my heart and reminded me that even when we think all is lost there are always second chances.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5- as a word of encouragement, if you start off wondering if you will like any of the characters (except Sarah, of course), keep going! Before halfway through, I was rooting for every one of them, and they felt like family. It felt true to life in that happy/sad way. I would love to see a sequel in one or more directions.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. I got it as a gift and had no idea what it was about. I brought it with me when I went camping which surprisingly was a big part of the plot, felt like fate. It was amazing to have a book talk about places I knew and loved myself. The book feels like a big hug from a cherished loved one. I will definitely be reading Fran's other books. I recommend Cattail Lane 100%!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book that is full of compassion and love. I even suggested that the members of my book club read it as well. The characters are all fantastic even 14 year old Billy who is a great teenager. The plot is great and moved well and is filled with modern day issues. It is rare to find a book that is so enjoyable to read. I hope there's a sequel to this book.

[Jean Oram]

I enjoyed how Billy’s kindness echoed Nick as a teen and how Billy helped bring the old Nick back. Billy and Carter were awesome together and great characters.

Near the end when Sarah and Rachel and talking and Carter is climbing higher in the playground, the building tension is perfect.

[Susan Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about how secrets betray and limit us, adversely impacting our mental wellness and relationships, interwoven with issues pertaining to dementia and environmental concerns.
Engaging, well written, excellent.

[Barbara Linton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omg! I was totally enjoying this book. I actually, I was really, REALLY really enjoying this book. Then it ended! Just like that. Finished! Over! What a letdown. I really want to give this Book zero stars because that sucked. I hate when books end like that.

[Charlene Galbreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a four star until the end. Too rushed and not wrapped up nicely.

[Veerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop I loved this 😭

[Lori Lupul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this story and wish there was a sequel!

[Kallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this beautiful, heart warming story. I found it slow and anticlimactic, yet couldn’t seem to put it down.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect summer read. not a romance but deals with themes of family, dementia, being a single parent, and has a little mystery.