The Doublewide

by Ann Goethals

Candy just wanted a home she could afford. What she found was a whole new beginning.Candy Schein has always lived life from the sidelines—quiet, overlooked, and perfectly fine staying invisible. Life taught her early that silence was safer, so she made a habit of disappearing into the background.

Then she spots a dented, blue doublewide—a kind of faded but beautiful blue, oversized and deeply discounted. It’s imperfect. It’s bold. And somehow, it feels like home.

Buying it should be simple. Instead, it pulls Candy into a world she’s avoided for talking to strangers, navigating paperwork, asking for help. To claim her new home, she’ll have to step forward, speak up, and face everything she thought she’d left behind—including the possibility of being loved.

The Doublewide is a heartfelt, humorous story of self-discovery, second chances, and finding unexpected joy in the messiest, most human parts of life.

Genres: Book Club

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

Reviews

[Andrea Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet novel features a young woman who is embarking through the milestones of adulthood. This includes buying her first home and making her own life decisions.

It’s written as a heartwarming tribute to caregivers of all types. This book was a gentle breath of fresh air.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't be disappointed by this novel--it is entertaining on every page. The life lessons are real, the anxieties are well portrayed and given just the right amount of humor that you can see growth on the part of the main character throughout. Attention is also brought to those who are caregivers and how much more appreciative we should be of their services that they share with us and with us. Candy, the main character, gives us an intimate view of that life. What a joy to read and offer to others on our shelves at Bay Books!

[Martha Lamberth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I treasure this touching exploration of self-discovery which unfolds during the life of a healthcare worker.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sending thanks to Ann Goethals, author and Goodreads First Reads for the eBook Kindle copy of The Doublewide that I won in the Giveaway.

Candy is an interesting and slowly changing character as she works to make her dream of having a home of her own. She has saved for five years for a downpayment while working at a care facility for seniors as a LVN.

She a big girl with a round face and body (author's description) and lives in her mind alone making up stories and plans for the home she wants. She isn't really unhappy with her life and being alone now that her Grandah, who raised her. now lives in the care home where she works.

She has a chance meeting with a nice guy that steps up to help her and give her guidance through the buying procss, finding contractors and givng hints how to make deals with them, shows up to give her advise and her confidence builds.

She not only makes friends with Clint, she deepens her friendship with a couple of co=workers, helps Clint with his elderly Mom and deals with some strangers along the way even whenthey are unkind to her.

The end is a bit up in the air and the story will continue in the next book in the series for Clint and Candy. I look forward to reading it see how it develops for this shy and rather awkward couple with good hearts and heavy responsibilities.

[Sally Chvany]

Reading the first few pages I'm thinking, why would I care about this character and especially a doublewide trailer home? But I was committed to read this story, so game on - lets see what happens here.

First of all, how many Candy's are out there in the world who live life day-to-day disappearing into the shadows so they don't have to interact with other people? These are folks who don't make eye contact in the grocery aisle, move out of the way if they see you walking down the street or those who make themselves so small that you gloss over them instantly.

Thank you Ann for helping us understand the Candys of the world better by allowing us inside their heads and hearts.

Everybody needs connection and kindness from others. So proud of Candy for her bravery to step out of her secure and stifling world for a better life.
And a huge shout out to the author for shining a light on end of life care. If we're all so lucky to live that long, lets hope we have a Candy to care for us.

I came to care a lot about the characters and can't wait for the next book to see what happens!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Candy is the main character & a nurse/caregiver at a nursing home. As a child she was overweight & due to this kids called names, teased her, etc. Because of this you can see why she built a wall to protect herself from others. As an adult she is still afraid of people hurting her & does her best to remain in the background, making herself "invisible". It truly is a feel good book & will bring some "sunshine " into your life.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy's life is a struggle, yes, but she is making it... mostly. And suddenly, she is stuck by a seemingly impossible dream. The Doublewide is not a fairy tale, no one shows up with a magic wand. But you care about Candy, you understand her situation and want her to land with her feet on the ground and her head up.

[Sharon Leff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching and Inspiring…

What makes and defines a person? What makes a home? For one soul, the land and links to her grandfather and the community she loves has shaped her, raised her, and enabled her to mature focusing on her dreams, needs, and independence as she purchases her double wide, a home in a place she loves as much as needs.

[Rebecca Eddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book, but I read for entertainment and when you go putting your political views in I'm out, so I only read the first third and then the last few pages to see if she did get what she wanted.

[Kate Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more candy and Clint! This is such a feel good story! I couldn’t get enough! I bought it merely for the cover! It’s absolutely gorgeous! This book left me wanting more and I can’t wait until Ann’s next book comes out!

[Krd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a good story about a character that was so relatable. The writer created a realistic story of a healthcare worker.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Linda Cartlidge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story

An honest book. I enjoyed & look forward to the sequel. Good to read of a woman far from perfect, finding her way.

[Joe Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved meeting Candy. I am so happy for her growth and it gives me guidance on how to open up myself to the love that is out there for me in my little life.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story. I’d like to spend more time with Candy and Clint.

[Laura Kelleher · Rating 4 out of 5]

We rarely hear the concept of Home described this way-
“Time to get serious. Time to go out and bring herself a home.”

I enjoyed this novel. The up north/Traverse City references, the nursing home setting, and the protagonist struggle to build a home made for an interesting and comforting read.

[Johnny Stacewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! Captures the beauty and struggle and perseverance of people in small town northern Michigan

[Heather Wejroch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed The Doublewide. It’s a heartfelt story about pursuing your dreams, navigating the challenges of growing up, and embracing personal growth. A compelling and inspiring read.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

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