The Girl with Autumn Eyes

by R.F. Vincent

CANADIAN BOOK CLUB AWARD FINALIST

"This is a beautifully written story with almost magical characters. Filled with warmth, humor and sensitivity."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer
"One of my favourite books ever! I loved everything about this book . . . It is a beautiful story of love and friendship."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

Discarded in a dumpster at birth and never adopted, MC has been crippled by social anxiety for most of his life. Then one day, during a bicycle ride through the Nova Scotia countryside, his life takes an unexpected twist when he has an improbable encounter with a woman on a bridge. Although no words are spoken at the time, it's love at first sight for MC. Despite his debilitating shyness and feelings of inadequacy, MC battles to break free of his self-imposed prison in pursuit of love. The result is an incredible journey of hope and personal growth that culminates in a way that no one could have ever imagined.

"Fans of Gail Honeyman's 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' will want to take a look." Bookview Review Gold Badge Recommended

"I absolutely loved this book . . . It's full of hope and love - something we all need right now." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads

"What a wonderful mixture of romance, humor, and compassion. I loved this book." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"An absolutely delightful story filled with quirky characters and a unique and utterly charming writing style." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"I just finished this quirky, uplifting, joy-making book. I am sorry to see it end! I wish I could go back and read it for the first time!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"What an unusual and very lovely book! Gentle, funny, uplifting. Loved every page." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads

"Absolutely Wonderful!!! Seriously, this book is something really special." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"It's a story about how love should be . . . natural, honest, patient, accepting, painful, funny, quirky, and never-ending no matter what. Read it slow and savor every word. You won't regret it." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"This book was exquisite! So much so that I'm not ready to move on from it. I've gone back to page one and started over. It's huggable in the most perfect way." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads

"What a quirky, engaging, interesting, force of a story. I loved it!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"Total Enjoyment!! I actually didn't want the book to end!!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"I love this author's writing style. It is very much my kind of humour. I was introduced to his works with Life at the Precipice and will definitely be reading anything that he writes in the future!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads

"This is a wonderful book, funny, heartfelt, beautiful, imaginative, and is a joy to read!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads

"Vincent is my favorite new author . . . I just finished The Girl with Autumn Eyes. I read Life At The Precipice recently and thought it outstanding so bought this book. Both books are excellent." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Customer

"Funny, quirky, and heartwarming. . . This is a character that I will fondly remember for a long time." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Views

"A smooth and silky pace akin to Smokey Robinson singing a tune kept me fixed to my seat and smiling throughout, anticipating each new page with glee. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Readers' Favorite

"I really enjoyed every minute of this book. I was hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down." NetGalley

"The Girl with Autumn Eyes, by R.F. Vincent, is a rewarding read. Its blend of humor, heart, and hope lingers long after the final page." Literary Titan Book Award Winner

"endearing and entertaining" Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Canada, Literary Fiction

246 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2024

About the author

R. F. (Ron) Vincent is an award-winning author. His novel, Life at the Precipice, won the 2023 Best Indie Book Award for literary fiction and was long listed for the prestigious Leacock Medal for Humour. His new novel, The Girl with Autumn Eyes, is a heartwarming romantic comedy that breaks the mold. In addition to writing groundbreaking fiction, he is a professor of Physics and Space Science at the Royal Military College of Canada. He lives in Kingston, Ontario with his wife, JoAnne.

Reviews

[Darci Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a break from my normal romcoms to read this one, which I would categorize as general fiction. I usually like to include how steamy a book is… but that doesn’t apply here. Zero steam, but lots of great storytelling.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book before where you don’t know the name of the main character. He’s just a normal guy, orphaned as a baby and never adopted, and tends to get lost in his own thoughts, which we are privy to the entire time. The book is the story of how he met The Girl with Autumn Eyes and how he handles building friendships and interacting with society in general. A very nice story and told in such a unique way.

Thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for my honest review. The Girl with Autumn Eyes is out now!

[Mary Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exquisite! So much so that I’m not ready to move on from it. I’ve gone back to page one and started over. It’s huggable in the most perfect way. It makes you think on every single page about everything in your life. From simple and seemingly mundane to the more extraordinary….he didn’t miss a beat. Just read it! Sooo….I just finished this for a second time. I think I need it in a pocket size to carry around with me for whenever I need new insight, a different perspective on life’s complexities or a real good pick me up! Once again…exquisite!

[Marilyn Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just read RF Vincent’s second book, The Girl With Autumn Eyes. The books are different genres but they each have wit and charm that makes for a great read.

The Girl With Autumn Eyes is uplifting and inspiring. The novel tells the humorous and heartwarming tale of love at first sight. “Let’s be friends” is not a phrase MC wanted to hear. For years he is willing to be friends, just to be around her. You will need to read the book to find out the ending. You won’t be disappointed. Well done RF Vincent.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being ruthlessly abandoned and thrown into a dumpster as a newborn, MC was lucky to survive and come away from it (relatively) unscathed. Still, his childhood was anything but conventional; stuck in foster care and fraught with crippling social anxiety, MC lived a solitary life that extended into adulthood.

Life in Wolfville, Nova Scotia is simple and predictable. The socially anxious man finds comfort in the mundane routine, working at a dead-end desk job, frequenting the donut shop, and spending the rest of his time alone in his one-room apartment. He’d never thought much about romantic relationships because that would involve (gasp) conversing with a woman, and he isn’t good with words. But that all changes when he sees the girl on the bridge. MC quickly becomes infatuated with the woman, Ann. They develop a friendship, and his feelings deepen, causing him to partake in all sorts of entertaining antics to profess his love. But will his feelings be reciprocated?

“The Girl with Autumn Eyes” by R.F. Vincent is an eccentric romantic comedy about friendship and overcoming adversity. The novel is written from a first-person perspective. It follows a peculiar but relatable man who will make readers laugh, warm their hearts, and prompt introspection. Through his pursuit of love, MC delves deep into a journey of self-discovery, including facing his fears and revisiting parts of his lamentable childhood.

MC is not your average protagonist—he isn’t charming or confident and prone to taking readers on long tangents. His soliloquies are often brimming with self-deprecation. Still, his inner dialogue and unconventional way of explaining things drew me in. The main character’s struggles to make sense of the world, particularly in social settings, resonated with me. I think MC’s story would appeal to many who struggle with mental health or are part of the neurodivergent community.

It is human nature to seek connection with others and the author does an excellent job illustrating MC’s hesitancy, albeit his desire to form friendships. His burgeoning relationship with Ann forces him to do things out of his comfort zone, like going to bars and dinner parties, despite embarrassing encounters. His neighbor, Bert Fennut, is an odd man whose shady disposition is initially off-putting for MC. Still, he gains essential insight from their conversations. These friendships certainly contribute to the main character’s evolution and help MC break free of the shyness that is all-encompassing.

R.F. Vincent’s “The Girl with Autumn Eyes” takes readers on an exciting journey with this novel, brimming with laugh-out-loud antics, heartwarming friendship, and outstanding character development. For readers who enjoy quirky protagonists, this one is for you. You’ll love MC’s reflections and his vivid imagination. This is a character that I will fondly remember for a long time

[teal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a creative, curvy work of art! It has moments of eccentricity and moments of utter ordinaryness, all the while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the MC's emotions and curvy path in his simple life. The supporting characters are all quirky, memorable folk and the location is exotic to anyone who doesn't live there. This is a refreshing take on your typical romance novel - there is zero smut, and is definitely a slow burn.

~ Thank you to BookSirens for the free ebook copy. My review is honest and voluntary. ~

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprised by the high rating for this book - really didn’t enjoy it. It promised a lot at the beginning but then became rather silly. I found the fantasy interludes - electroman, a talking squirrel etc. just annoying rather than disarming. The book writing within the book was so annoying - I guess if one can get published then both can! Not sure how either achieved this? The ending was no surprise - yawn.

[Nicole Pries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author's writing style. It is very much my kind of humour. I was introduced to his works with "Life at the Precipice", and will definitely be reading anything that he writes in the future!

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very unique. Quirky, odd, downright ridiculous... but yet, I'm glad I read it.

A worthwhile read for people who just want something different. Could maybe even considered a cozy read.

[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual and very lovely book! Gentle, funny, uplifting. Loved every page.

[Kathryn Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

An absolutely delightful story filled with
quirky characters and a unique and utterly charming writing style. Wonderfully funny and touching.

[Jane Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and quirky story!

A hilarious, quirky and fun story! I didn’t know what to expect as I was reading ‘The Girl With Autumn Eyes’, but it just kept getting better and better! I loved the way the characters were portrayed; somewhat eccentric and peculiar. I enjoy reading more serious books, however, I absolutely love when I come across a book such as this one! Kudos to you R.F. Vincent for keeping me thoroughly entertained with your awesome imagination!

[c miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story about the discovery of ones purpose and contentment in life

This is a heartwarming story of someone with a terrible start in life, without parents and lack of true love and guidance. The whole book is about him discovering who he is by meeting unique people, having a very imaginative mind, and finding acceptance, purpose a love in the end. A very unique way of writing by this author, stick with it, it’s wonderful, and nothing like anything I’ve ever read!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

I don’t want to gush, but this story touched my heart. I want to tell all about it, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. So, I’ll say this: It’s a story about how love should be…natural, honest, patient, accepting, painful, funny, quirky, and never ending no matter what. Read it slow and savor every word. You won’t regret it.

[Lauren Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good

I had difficulty with the author's humor at first, in fact, I wasn't sure I would read the book. Then I was captured by the character. The humor made sense and I was sold. Witty, honest, sad and joyous, it’s a heartfelt story of love in its purest form.

[Diane Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky love story

Loved how nature is alive in this book. Liked that the main character finally gets motivated to get on with his life. It had to end the way it did.

[Sandra Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

What a wonderful mixture of romance, humor, and compassion. Not many books make me laugh out loud, but the quirky language and situations caused quite a few chuckles. The friendship of the main characters was so sweet and the ending was as it should be.. I loved this book.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this uplifting and inspiring story.
It's a heart warming and humorous tale of love at first sight.
I had a few chuckles over the quirky language and situations.

[Cynthia Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny, light-hearted read, set in Nova Scotia! The main character (who is never named) is hilarious, and the other characters are entertaining as well. Great story.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet Romance. The characters are unique, off-beat & entertaining.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born into rejection and burdened with crippling social anxiety, the protagonist of The Girl with Autumn Eyes has lived 25 years in near-total isolation. His life takes an unexpected turn during a chance encounter with Ann, a woman he glimpses on a bridge while biking through the scenic landscapes of Nova Scotia. What begins as a fleeting moment evolves into an obsession that propels him beyond the confines of his solitude and into a transformative journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he stumbles through humorous misadventures, forges meaningful friendships, and confronts the depths of his insecurities in pursuit of love.

R.F. Vincent’s novel captivates with its rich and nuanced exploration of themes like loneliness, self-doubt, and the power of human connection. The protagonist’s quirky inner dialogues and self-deprecating wit make his struggles deeply relatable, offering a poignant window into the experience of living with social anxiety. His encounter with Ann is brief but catalytic, igniting a journey of growth that is as moving as it is inspiring. The setting of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is vividly rendered, its quaint charm both a refuge and a prison for the protagonist. Vincent’s gift for creating endearing yet flawed characters shines, particularly in the depiction of Bert Fennut, whose eccentric friendship with the protagonist injects humor and unexpected depth into the narrative. However, I believe Ann, as pivotal as she is to the story, remains somewhat underdeveloped. Her motivations and inner life are left a bit opaque, reducing her to more of a symbol than a fully realized character.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its balance—effortlessly weaving laugh-out-loud moments with profound introspection. While I feel the pacing occasionally becomes weighted by lengthy tangents, the emotional resonance and imaginative storytelling consistently draw the reader back into the story.

For those seeking a character-driven story that explores the complexities of fear, vulnerability, and connection, The Girl with Autumn Eyes, by R.F. Vincent, is a rewarding read. Its blend of humor, heart, and hope lingers long after the final page, making it a memorable addition to the contemporary fiction landscape.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ It’s never a good sign when it takes me 2 weeks to get through a book. This novel was weird, i thought, and didn’t keep my interest. I read it mostly in bed, on my kindle app on my phone before sleep at night, and it wasn’t til the final 1/3 or the book that it stopped having a soporific effect on me. Looking back,it wasn’t a bad book but certainly not among my favourites. It had a distinct Canadian flavour, which was nice. The first person narrator was weird, and his prolonged flights of fancy, ( possibly secondary to his high intelligence or his dysfunctional/ abusive childhood or a combination of the two) dragged on and were nonsensical to me. Having said all that, i doubt I’ll soon forget this novel, so thats something.

[Wendy Powley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It was laugh out loud funny, super quirky which I love, written in an interesting and rather unusual style and I loved the characters and storyline. It is a light comedic romance between an awkward guy and a woman he meets on a bridge. I loved that it was set in Canada and enjoyed the Canadian references.

Pick this one up and give it a read! Highly recommended.. you won't be disappointed (although you will be looking for other books written by Vincent so you can enjoy more like this!)

[Pamela Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the author animated everything in his world. His references to generational childhood memories. It is easy to follow and I did not want to put it down. It’s full of hope and love - something we all need right now. No wonder it won awards. Very well deserved.

[Jean E. Corbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me!

My guess is that many will love this book. However, I'm not a dreamer and don't live in the world of imagination. There's a lot to write about in the real world. Enjoy!!!

[LORRAINE ROBINSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light and entertaining with scenes that are laugh out loud funny. Just what the doctor ordered to help counter Canadian mid winter doldrums!

[Debbie ☕️ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Talking squirrel???

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and quirky book about a book being written by the MC(Main Character/ Narrator) of the book!

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A step outside my norm -- but a very worthwhile read from a new-t0-me author. A story that begins with a baby left in a dumpster. From there readers take a journey that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming -- even a bit quirky. But the love-at-first-sight story is the magnet that captivated me and held my attention to the end.

I will definitely be checking out R.F. Vincent's backlist of books.

[JoAnne Gour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, funny, heartfelt, beautiful, imaginative, and is a joy to read!