A House in the Woods

by Nadine Hays Pisani

Nadine Hays Pisani touched the world with her bestselling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. She finds herself again surrounded by nature, embarking on a new adventure deep in the heart of the Nantahala Forest.

Surrounded by air smelling of pine needles and rhododendrons, stands a neglected house in need of an owner. No cell service, internet, or landline might deter most buyers, but not the author and her husband who recklessly purchase the property with hopes the fixer-upper is less fixer and more upper.

With her signature wit and humor, the author shares humorous tales of living in the Appalachian Mountains surrounded by nature’s unpredictable wonders. From a relentless woodpecker, lurking bears, and determined groundhogs, every day brings surprises.

But it’s not just the wildlife that keeps life interesting. She meets a cast of quirky characters like Scooter, the forest-dwelling worker; Jimmy, the hardware store’s varmint-battling employee; and Rusty, the ever-friendly neighbor who keeps a watchful eye on the bumbling duo.

A House in the Woods serves as a love letter to the Nantahala Forest and nearby Smoky Mountains, where picturesque waterfalls and serene rivers offer an atmosphere with undeniable health benefits. A place where Cherokee history whispers through the mist, grounding the land in a rich and complex past.

For anyone who’s ever dreamed of escaping to the woods—or just wants to laugh at someone who did—this book is a reminder that the middle of nowhere is the best place to start.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2025

About the author

Nadine was born in Elizabeth New Jersey and attended Rutgers University. She lives in Costa Rica with her husband and dog, Clementine. When not writing, you can find her at the beach, on the back of a scooter, or frantically tossing scorpions out of her bed. She shares her weekly adventures on her blog.

Reviews

[Cindy Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadine’s latest adventure

Loved her Costa Rica books. We had a house there for awhile and all her stories took me right back there. So when I found out about her return to the states, I had to read about it. Loved it just as much. Her descriptions are priceless and she brings such humor and warmth to her stories.

[Marcia A. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

I've loved all of Nadines books but this one was especially great.


She has such a zany sense if humor.

[carolyn mcshurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

This book was simply a charming, funny, entertaining read. It made me chuckle and warmed my heart. I truly enjoyed Nadine’s sense of humor and her ways of describing her husband, Rob were endearing. I’m preparing to find another of her books.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this one so badly, but every time I pick it up the AI cover is too icky for me to get over. Please hire a real cover artist or use a stock photo of a bear, or at LEAST hire someone to clean up the weird melty AI mess of the window, glasses, and bear all melting together 🫠

[Linda Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got a little long with the reoccurring theme of house repair, but parts of it were laugh out loud funny.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, very interesting for people who enjoy being alone with nature