Small-Town Chaos: Lessons on Country Life

by L. Focht

In Liberty, moments of grit, perseverance, heartbreak, and joy illustrate the fullness of living a small-town life.

A staunch urbanite, Lenore Focht never thought she’d end up in a remote farming community of 450 people. But when she gets a teaching job that could pave the way to a better position in the big city, she pulls up stakes and heads to rural Saskatchewan. After all, she’s an independent woman who’s capable of anything . . . right?

At first, Lenore doesn’t know what to make of this prairie town, its quirky residents, or the challenges and drama of life on a working ranch. She tries to find her footing in an environment as unfamiliar as a foreign country only to discover that to truly thrive, she’ll need to put down roots. As her family grows—and tragedy strikes a student—the people of Liberty show Lenore that small towns are forged out of love, resilience, and community.

A captivating memoir of hilarity and heartbreak, Small-Town Chaos is a tender reminder of what transforms a place into a home.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Small towns are quirky and unique and Liberty fits the ticket. I enjoyed the funny stories about the wildlife in the farm and how the author built her courage to deal with dead or intrusive animals.

[Miranda Palmier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly feel like I could write the sister for this book; small town girl moves to the city. Although Lenore and I grew up opposite, the memoir beautifully explains the horrors and blessings of small towns. The last chapter brought me to tears, as I read about the town Liberty rallying around Lenore’s family in time of intense grief and loss. The best “village” to raise a family truly is a small town, and she so beautifully explains why. The adjustment to farm life and all the challenges with everyone knowing all your business was comedic and relatable. Recommend this book to all who want a clear picture of rural life.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small-Town Chaos by Lenore Focht is a delightful memoir of small town life in rural Canada. Hint: it’s not glamorous. Lenore had been stuck in a dead end job until she trained to be a teacher. When she’s offered a position at a school in a remote small town with a population of 450, she reluctantly accepts, planning only to stay for months and then return to the city. That doesn’t happen. She marries Joe, her longtime boyfriend and they buy a farmhouse on several acres outside the town. What follow has the makings of a TV home renovation show. There are angry birds, a flood, more angry birds, a beaver attack, bats and more. Lenore learns to rely on her eccentric, caring neighbors for help and companionship.

This portrayal of small town life is charming, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. The challenges of small town living, its isolation and loneliness are described here as are its joy and satisfaction. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Girl Friday Productions and Lenore Focht for this ARC.

[Wanda Longworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I just finished reading Small Town Chaos and I couldn’t put it down - I read it in just two days, which is saying a lot because I’m usually a pretty slow reader. I’ve always loved the author’s writing—witty, thoughtful, and full of humour—but this memoir was so enjoyable. It made me laugh (out loud, more than once), it made me smile, and the ending absolutely broke my heart. The very tragic loss of Dillon and the impact on Lenore’s family and the Liberty community was gut-wrenching. I sat there in silence when I finished, holding the book close to my chest. This is a beautifully told story about family, love, loss, community and small-town life. I’m so proud of my friend for sharing it with the world.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small-Town Chaos is one of those rare books that feels like a conversation with a close friend—warm, honest, and unexpectedly hilarious. The author writes with raw vulnerability and a great sense of humor, pulling you right into the heart of prairie life in Saskatchewan.

What stood out most to me was the way this book explores the contrast between rural and urban living in the province. It shows how two people can live in the same place geographically and still have completely different experiences—and yet, feel the same emotions like sadness, hope, frustration, and joy. There’s a steep learning curve in rural life, and the author captures it with authenticity and wit.

Whether you're from the prairies or just curious about life there, this book is heartfelt, relatable, and so worth reading. It made me laugh, reflect, and feel incredibly seen.

[Kanan Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This captivating memoir follows city-dweller L. Focht as she reluctantly moves to a rural Saskatchewan town and discovers what truly transforms a place into a home. Filled with laugh-out-loud funny moments and genuine heartbreak, the book chronicles her adjustment to prairie life, from quirky neighbors to run-ins with wildlife.
Focht's writing is charming and thought-provoking, portraying the small town's grit and resilience with warmth and honesty. As she puts down roots and embraces her new community, the story explores themes of personal growth, belonging, and the joys found in an unconventional life. It's a delightful and touching reminder that the greatest fulfillment can often be found in the most unexpected places.

[Christa Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and how it showed the reality of rural Saskatchewan life. The lack of anonymity, the desire to fit in to a town that has longstanding connections but also the pulls of small town life. The knowledge that with that small town life there is a safety net of people when needed. The experiences of farm life, encounters with and attempts to coexist with animals were all true testaments to rural life for an experienced city girl. This memoir is one that so many of us can relate to and find pieces of ourself within the words and stories.

[H.R. Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both hilariously funny and heartbreaking, Focht writes a vulnerable account of her experience moving from the city to a small town. Her bold, honest narrative describes the good and bad of living in a small town where everyone knows your business and rally around you when times are tough. A realistic slice of life from this debut author.

[Veronica M C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both entertaining and heart breaking!

I really loved this book. The author had a great way of adding humor to her stories. The last few chapters were heart breaking.
She shares the joys and annoyances of small town living. Anyone who's lived in a small town can probably identify with her.
We also get to hear the challenges of a city girl learning to live on a farm.