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Cattail Lane
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.
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.
288 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
About the author
Fran Kimmel
3 books67 followersFran 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 20, 2025
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!
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
March 7, 2025
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.
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.
January 27, 2025
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.
December 4, 2025
A feel good, quick read!
May 20, 2026
It just didn’t hold my interest and life is too short to finish those books.
November 8, 2025
A good read and nice story
November 5, 2024
**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.
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.
June 16, 2025
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.
January 28, 2026
I’ve known Alberta writer Fran Kimmel for quite some time, and because I loved her last book, I knew I would enjoy her latest release, Cattail Lane. Just like in No Good Asking, this book provides a rich look at family in all its forms. Her publisher compares Cattail Lane to an Anne Tyler book, and this is a fair comparison – Kimmel offers us a glimpse into the every day, with some plot points that push the characters, but not our believability. Her writing flows with both detailed characterization and interpersonal drama to keep the pages moving. It’s not a fast read, but it will make you appreciate the different kind of love that one has for family, both chosen family, and those we are born with.
Plot Summary
We meet Nick on what is perhaps one of the most stressful days of his life; he’s picking up his son Billy, a 14-year-old he just discovered was his, after a one-night stand when Nick was only 18 himself. But not only is Billy now under Nick’s care, Billy’s Grandma Evie is also part of his life, and her dementia has progressed to the point that she can no longer take care of Billy, and is being moved into a seniors home in Nick’s small town. The novel alternates between Nick, Billy and Sarah’s point of view, Sarah being a single mom who works at this same seniors facility, and an obvious love interest of Nick’s. Both are struggling with the life of a single parent, albeit with different challenges, as Sarah’s son is a rambunctious 5-year-old. Billy is adjusting to his new life of being a true teenager; he spent his entire youth with his grandmother, after his mother died when he was very young. Now with Evie in care, Billy is free of the role of primary caregiver, finding himself adrift, and anxious about starting at a new school. The story takes places over the short months of one hot summer in rural Alberta, each character moving closer to a self-realization that seems obvious to the reader – but Kimmel doesn’t take the easy road with everyone. She stays true to reality for all three of these characters, not necessarily giving them all a happy ending, but a good enough ending that we can all recognize and relate to.
My Thoughts
This is not a plot-driven novel. What I’ve detailed above is basically what you’ll get within its pages, nothing shocking or untoward really happens, other than a fairly minor drama at the seniors home that serves to highlight the struggles of other people more than anything. If you’re looking for a page-turner, you’ll have to look elsewhere. But if you’re ready to luxuriate in a slow and small world, following along as people grow into their new and changing circumstances, you’ll enjoy this book. The relationships we have with ourselves and those around us are what make life so challenging, and Kimmel highlights this simplicity by focusing on solely that. My favourite part of this book is the relationship between Billy and his grandmother. So often, teen boys are depicted as selfish, emotionally stunted, and embarrassed by seniors. Instead, Billy’s life revolves around Evie and his love for her, and longing for their life from before is both heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I’ve never really come across a relationship quite like this is before in fiction (or real life), and I think it’s one of the strongest parts of this novel.
What I also found impressive about the writing is the lack of stereotyping; even the smaller characters who play minor roles seemed to both fit in, and stand out of the narrative. No actions of any characters ever felt unlikely, forced, or wooden. Instead, there are complications; some small, some large, but all realistic. The woman who Nick is seeing at the beginning of the novel comes across as tough but sensitive, the disgruntled landlord that Nick pisses off with a negative home inspection is a point of entertainment, the prickly manager of Evie’s home reveals a softer side when we least expect it – all these characters work together to create a narrative that we can all recognize. Life is mundane, but this daily humdrum looks different for all of us, and this is where my interest is primarily in this book. Kimmel isn’t exposing anything we don’t already know about, but she writes in a compassionate way that illuminates the beauty of this simplicity. Like the book cover suggests, for those looking for a subtle read, you’ll most definitely find it here.
To read the rest of my reviews, please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
Plot Summary
We meet Nick on what is perhaps one of the most stressful days of his life; he’s picking up his son Billy, a 14-year-old he just discovered was his, after a one-night stand when Nick was only 18 himself. But not only is Billy now under Nick’s care, Billy’s Grandma Evie is also part of his life, and her dementia has progressed to the point that she can no longer take care of Billy, and is being moved into a seniors home in Nick’s small town. The novel alternates between Nick, Billy and Sarah’s point of view, Sarah being a single mom who works at this same seniors facility, and an obvious love interest of Nick’s. Both are struggling with the life of a single parent, albeit with different challenges, as Sarah’s son is a rambunctious 5-year-old. Billy is adjusting to his new life of being a true teenager; he spent his entire youth with his grandmother, after his mother died when he was very young. Now with Evie in care, Billy is free of the role of primary caregiver, finding himself adrift, and anxious about starting at a new school. The story takes places over the short months of one hot summer in rural Alberta, each character moving closer to a self-realization that seems obvious to the reader – but Kimmel doesn’t take the easy road with everyone. She stays true to reality for all three of these characters, not necessarily giving them all a happy ending, but a good enough ending that we can all recognize and relate to.
My Thoughts
This is not a plot-driven novel. What I’ve detailed above is basically what you’ll get within its pages, nothing shocking or untoward really happens, other than a fairly minor drama at the seniors home that serves to highlight the struggles of other people more than anything. If you’re looking for a page-turner, you’ll have to look elsewhere. But if you’re ready to luxuriate in a slow and small world, following along as people grow into their new and changing circumstances, you’ll enjoy this book. The relationships we have with ourselves and those around us are what make life so challenging, and Kimmel highlights this simplicity by focusing on solely that. My favourite part of this book is the relationship between Billy and his grandmother. So often, teen boys are depicted as selfish, emotionally stunted, and embarrassed by seniors. Instead, Billy’s life revolves around Evie and his love for her, and longing for their life from before is both heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I’ve never really come across a relationship quite like this is before in fiction (or real life), and I think it’s one of the strongest parts of this novel.
What I also found impressive about the writing is the lack of stereotyping; even the smaller characters who play minor roles seemed to both fit in, and stand out of the narrative. No actions of any characters ever felt unlikely, forced, or wooden. Instead, there are complications; some small, some large, but all realistic. The woman who Nick is seeing at the beginning of the novel comes across as tough but sensitive, the disgruntled landlord that Nick pisses off with a negative home inspection is a point of entertainment, the prickly manager of Evie’s home reveals a softer side when we least expect it – all these characters work together to create a narrative that we can all recognize. Life is mundane, but this daily humdrum looks different for all of us, and this is where my interest is primarily in this book. Kimmel isn’t exposing anything we don’t already know about, but she writes in a compassionate way that illuminates the beauty of this simplicity. Like the book cover suggests, for those looking for a subtle read, you’ll most definitely find it here.
To read the rest of my reviews, please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
July 11, 2025
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!
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!
November 11, 2024
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.
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.
August 22, 2026
Cattail Lane is a tender, quietly powerful story about people who never expected to become a family finding their way toward one another. Nick Ackerman's life has settled into an uninspiring routine when a stranger's note suddenly reveals that he has a fourteen ]year old son. Taking Billy into his home forces Nick to confront a responsibility he never prepared for, while Billy is left navigating the complicated emotions of having a father who has essentially been a stranger.
What makes the novel especially moving is the attention given to the imperfect people at its center. Nick, Billy, and Sarah each carry disappointments and wounds that have taught them to keep others at a distance, yet their lives gradually begin to intersect in meaningful ways. The relationship between Nick and Billy feels particularly compelling because it isn't instantly transformed; their connection develops through awkward moments, frustration, responsibility, and the small acts of care that slowly build trust.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction, contemporary family stories, Canadian fiction, and emotionally grounded narratives about second chances should find Cattail Lane deeply rewarding. Its exploration of forgiveness and unexpected family bonds never feels forced, and its quieter moments give the story much of its emotional strength. This is a thoughtful reminder that sometimes family isn't something we begin with it is something we learn to create, one difficult and hopeful moment at a time.
What makes the novel especially moving is the attention given to the imperfect people at its center. Nick, Billy, and Sarah each carry disappointments and wounds that have taught them to keep others at a distance, yet their lives gradually begin to intersect in meaningful ways. The relationship between Nick and Billy feels particularly compelling because it isn't instantly transformed; their connection develops through awkward moments, frustration, responsibility, and the small acts of care that slowly build trust.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction, contemporary family stories, Canadian fiction, and emotionally grounded narratives about second chances should find Cattail Lane deeply rewarding. Its exploration of forgiveness and unexpected family bonds never feels forced, and its quieter moments give the story much of its emotional strength. This is a thoughtful reminder that sometimes family isn't something we begin with it is something we learn to create, one difficult and hopeful moment at a time.
March 31, 2025
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.
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.
April 5, 2025
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.
June 14, 2025
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.
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.
December 20, 2024
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.
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.
October 2, 2024
"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.
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.
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March 11, 2026A book titled Cattail Lane might be expected to start slowly, meditatively. Birdsong and swaying rushes. Not so with this Cattail Lane, by Fran Kimmel, which bursts into action with the surprise arrival of an unknown teenage son into the stagnant life of an absentee deadbeat dad. We are in a small town, probably in central Alberta. Other than that, it takes a minute for the reader to get oriented, deftly paralleling the confusion and abruptness the character experiences.
Once we settle in with our main characters—Nick, the mystery dad, Billy, the son, and Evie, Billy’s grandmother, who orchestrated the whole thing but due to advancing dementia can no longer explain herself—we are able to proceed with what turns out to be a fairly familiar plot structure....
Review by Megan Clark
Full review at: https://albertaviews.ca/cattail-lane/
Once we settle in with our main characters—Nick, the mystery dad, Billy, the son, and Evie, Billy’s grandmother, who orchestrated the whole thing but due to advancing dementia can no longer explain herself—we are able to proceed with what turns out to be a fairly familiar plot structure....
Review by Megan Clark
Full review at: https://albertaviews.ca/cattail-lane/
March 2, 2025
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
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
April 27, 2026
Nick’s life is quite aimless until he learns that he has a fourteen year old son whose Grandma has dementia and can no longer look after him.
After being forced into fatherhood of Billy, his resentful son, and securing a place for Evie, his Grandma, in the nearby dementia home, things get off to a rocky start. They have to learn how to adjust their lives in order to be father and son, and to look to the future.
I loved reading Cattail Lane. It is an emotional heartwarming and uplifting story about a family overcoming the past and the extraordinary power of second chances. It is full if forgiveness and hope.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
After being forced into fatherhood of Billy, his resentful son, and securing a place for Evie, his Grandma, in the nearby dementia home, things get off to a rocky start. They have to learn how to adjust their lives in order to be father and son, and to look to the future.
I loved reading Cattail Lane. It is an emotional heartwarming and uplifting story about a family overcoming the past and the extraordinary power of second chances. It is full if forgiveness and hope.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
March 21, 2025
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.
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.
May 9, 2026
This was well-written with believable characters. I felt like I knew Nick, his newly found son Billy, Billy's grandmother Evie, Rebecca, whose mother was at the end of her life and Sarah, who worked at the long-term care home for dementia residents. The relationships between the various characters developed slowly and naturally, especially between the father and son. The dialogue fit the characters.
The book was just the right length to tell the story and develop the characters. The ending wasn't as complete as I expected. I wonder if there will be a second book to find out what happens to Nick and Sarah.
The book was just the right length to tell the story and develop the characters. The ending wasn't as complete as I expected. I wonder if there will be a second book to find out what happens to Nick and Sarah.
June 13, 2026
This is a sweet novel about strangers who are family by blood, then become family by bonding. With the exception of Sarah, the cleaning person on the dementia unit where Billy's grandmother is placed, the characters are not initially likable. Nick, a drifting unhappy man estranged from his parents, finds out that he has a son, 14 years after his birth, Billy has been caring for his aging grandmother, an artist in the throes of Alzheimer's, and is reluctant to let go of this role. Neither Billy nor his father are initially open to a relationship. The book follows their growth and softening., focusing on the ways secrets damage relationships. Overall a satisfying read.
November 14, 2024
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.
May 31, 2025
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.
April 4, 2026
I really enjoyed this gentle book, filled with interesting characters we can all relate too. The sweet single mom, Sarah and her irrepressible child named Carter. The lost, reclusive and reluctant father, Nick - whose life lacked purpose until Billy and his demented grandma were thrust upon him. This is a book about redemption and a book that celebrates the quiet brilliance so many people possess. In giving opportunity to focus on one’s gifts, good karma prevails.
May 17, 2025
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.
June 28, 2025
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.
July 22, 2025
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%!
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