Late Fall

by Noelle Adams

This is life. After summer, the green leaves always change colors and fall off the trees. Dogs die, no matter how much you love them. Land is sold, even if you used to tell yourself you were going to die on the property. And people get old.

Even me.

Ellie Davenport has watched the same valley change with the seasons since she was a child. A sharp and intelligent woman, she's enjoyed a stellar professional career, a full love life featuring interesting men, and a small but loving circle of family and friends.

Now she’s on the other side of the valley, retired, alone, and the view is much different. She wants to believe that it’s just as beautiful from this side, looking back at her life, but the self-sufficient resiliency she’s always depended on to keep her path straight and people at arm’s length isn’t as reliable in the crowded and socially uncomfortable microcosm of assisted living.

The discovery that her old work rival, Dave Andrews, is just down the hall, just as annoyingly handsome, and keeps showing up on her daily hike is most definitely a disaster and not at all interesting.

I would have thought that, living as long as he has, some of that arrogance would have been burned off through the fires of life, but evidently it hasn’t been. He’s still the same jackass who showed up in my office one day and told me my budget for periodicals would be cut in half starting immediately.

Dave isn’t just the same as he always was. Loss has a way of moving into the the heart and changing people. Except — sometimes a long walk with a smart woman can show you just how much room you still have left for love.

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried it, but telling yourself there’s nothing to hope for doesn’t ever work.

We’re human beings, after all. Hope is what we do.

Genres: Romance

276 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2016

About the author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well! Noelle Adams seems to think 71 is older than I do! (I believe the hero was about 75.) My parents are 69 and 72 and I read some of this while waiting for a picture with 70 year old presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. People age differently, of course, but it probably would've worked better if the characters were 10 years older.

Also, one of those where I went, "Um, you do?" when the characters exchanged their "I love you's". I was enjoying their romance, but that was too fast!

I did like that the heroine had never gotten married. IT HAPPENS. And despite my complaints, it IS good to see a romance about senior citizens and not just because I can count it for bingo.

Fulfills "Both Leads Over 50" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late Fall is a departure from Noelle Adams’ contemporary romance stories, in that it goes somewhere most romance novels shy away from – to the reality of what it’s like to be a senior citizen and fall in love.

Ellie is in her early seventies and has just moved into an assisted living seniors’ home. She never married, and when her last pet – a beloved spaniel – died, she knew it was time to move from her country property to something more appropriate to her physical limitations. Just because she’s old doesn’t mean she’s senile though, and she takes her strong personality and wit with her to her new home. But just her luck, if she doesn’t happen to run into Dave – a former co-worker with whom she was always at odds, and who now lives in the same residence. Divorced, and then widowed, he always struck her as an abrasive individual, and when Ellie unknowingly takes HIS place on HIS bench in the early morning hours, he’s quick to react. But, while they might share that bench in stiff silence the first few times, it’s not long before they begin to open up to each other, to engage in meaningful conversations, and to really become friends. And when stronger feelings start to emerge on both their sides, it’s the start of a beautiful, late in life relationship.

There is a lot to enjoy about this story, not least of which is the way it gives a bittersweet depiction of the realities of getting old, tempered with the warm feelings of new love. Ellie could be anyone’s grandmother (though in this story, having had no children she is an aunt and great-aunt to a caring nephew and grand-niece), the type of woman you want to spend time with, who can tell you interesting stories about her life. She’s quiet but strong, with the ability to speak her mind, but still be sensitive to others’ feelings. Meeting Dave in these circumstances is not something she would have chosen for herself, but she’s not going to hold any grudges or pretend that things haven’t changed for the both of them. Their interactions start out prickly, but become meaningful as they share what’s happened in their lives since they worked together.

While Ellie has her nephew to help take care of her (her sister having since passed away), Dave’s only family is his step-children from his second marriage, a greedy lot who appear more interested in their inheritance than in him. Ellie sees that they are not looking out for him the way they should, and she is saddened that the once robust and strongly opinionated man Dave was when he was younger has been tempered by age to an attitude of uncaring resignation. With Dave she’s never been afraid to speak her mind, even when they were at odds on the job and she doesn’t stop now, giving him her sometimes unsolicited opinions, but ones that are well meaning and heartfelt.

The development of real feelings of affection for each other surprises Ellie, who never imagined that at this late stage in her life, she would feel sexual attraction and desire for another man. It’s a disconcerting feeling, but one that is returned by Dave who has an obvious interest in making things more physical between them. While love scenes between an older couple come with more challenges, they are really sweetly written, combining the reality of awkward conversations with the fact that physical desire doesn’t disappear just because one is older. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress and watching them learn to lean on each other, with the bittersweet reality of not knowing how long they would be together but knowing that they will make the best of the time they have. Late Fall is a really lovely tale, unlike any other I’ve read but one that will stay with me for its poignant yet sweet romance, complete with a happy ending.

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.

This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...

[Rhode PVD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had liked it better. I think part of the problem was the way heroine's age - 72 - was portrayed. I know everyone ages differently, especially after 50. But physically the way this 72 was described felt a lot more like 80 to me. Too tired to do much, a weaker bladder, aches and pains, only a sliver of physical passion...etc. So, given that 72 is less than 20 years away for me, I began to feel depressed.

I also found it strange how alone the heroine essentially was. She doesn't mention a single solitary friend, who isn't a relative, outside of the assisted living place, and she's lived in the nearby area for decades! I understand being an introvert, but this is too much.

The love story is told by the heroine in almost a clinical, realistic fashion. I enjoyed her grousing at how younger people think older couples are sweet. And I enjoyed her relationships with some of the other women in the facility.

I didn't much enjoy her relationship with Dave though. All in all, he seems less appealing than her female friends, and when he does something that any normal decent person would do, she's heaping praise on him. It seems to me that the author's bar for excellence in manhood is a low one. A "very good" man is at the level of a normal woman. Do we really expect so little from men?

She's also very passive in the relationship. Almost the entire way through it is all entirely up to him to be the one who makes the move and then she responds. The other women are described in the same way as are the past relationships in her life. The heroine sees herself as relatively powerless, she can only sit and hope a man will fall for her, not make moves herself beyond dressing up nicely sometimes. I know it's that generation, but trust me, those women took more action than that!

I didn't feel the connection... I heard the connection described, but I didn't feel it.

Also, I was surprised that she considered living together. I have quite a few older female aquaintances. The one thing I've seen hold true for ALL of them is that they don't let their man friends move in. (The men often want to, the women say no.) If the women never married, now they are happiest living alone; if they were married in the past, now they are thrilled to be living alone. They let the men stay overnight occasionally, often on the weekends. But not move in! There's a famous Kathryn Hepburn quote about the best love affairs being when you live in separate houses, I think many older women agree with her.

All of that aside, there are like zero other stories with protagonists this age. Bravo for showing romance after 70. Even if it was a bit clinical and vaguely depressing.

[Laura Florand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely. Poignant and thoughtful and very moving and sweet. The pacing is very slow and introspective and thoughtful, which for me worked perfectly with this older couple--I loved reading the main character's reflections on her life and aging and hope. So many beautifully quotable passages here.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Late Fall. The book evoked so many feelings, it was hard to keep up sometimes. I mean that in a really good way. It was thought provoking, sad, funny, and a little scary. It was even a little depressing as I had recently lost my mother. But, not to the point it kept me from reading this book.

I hope that I can clearly state my thoughts here. The telling of this story was gentle, soothing, calming. Even with the health issues, death, selfish stepchildren, etc., it still lacked any sense of rough edges or harshness.

The romance was sweet and had a passion of its own intensity. If you are looking for hot sex and intense lust, this is not the book for you. There is a sexual relationship that touches you in a very different way than it does with much younger lovers. I believe the book will cause some people to look at life and think about the path they are taking. As a said before, definitely thought provoking. This is a departure from Noelle Adams usual work. I think it was very well done.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was aptly titled. It's about people late in life (in their 70s) and also the slide into autumn seasonally. The romance is slow, sweet, contemplative, and introspective. As per usual, Adams writes solely from the FMC perspective, which is something she does that works for me. I did end up tearing up near the end, but there is an HEA (well, an HFN, bc we know any happy won't likely last as long as if they were in their 20s or 30s). It's actually super hopeful.

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a love story, and surprise, it's Older Adult Romance! Don't be put off by the bleak first couple of chapters. It's groundwork for an uplifting story. In Late Fall, the main characters are well developed and believable, except Ellie acts more like an 81-year old than her given age of 71. But maybe you can't sell a book about a diminished 81-year-old. Anyway, the pace is good, and I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I read it in one day. The writing is good, too. Here's an excerpt:

He smiles at me, warm and soft, but then he turns to look out onto the valley. I see him breathing in the air, and I hope he’s appreciating it like I do. I want him to. I want to share it with him. “It’s kind of a rich smell,” he says at last, proving he’s actually taken my instructions seriously. “Earthy and … I don’t know … full. Like the earth is throwing out everything all at once, because it knows it’s nearing the end.” The words touch me, and not just because they prove he’s listening to me, caring about what I care about. “Yes. That’s it exactly. Spring is lovely, but it’s too new to hold nearly so much.”

What a nice metaphor for the later years. It's a view of life you don't see very often, and it leaves you feeling hopeful about old age.

[Ana Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle Adams has a very delicate, truthful writing and this recent novel is one of her best. I believe it is her transition from romance contemporary novellas to novels that she can develop deeper the characters.

This delicate novel is about a late in life romance in a home assisted facility, the characters are difficult, mature and have a blossomly connection that is treated so realistic and with such a sweet touch. I enjoyed their courtship and how they reconnect after many years, the author does not spare the readers of the difficulties of getting older, the fear of death, losing friends and concern of health problems. At the same time, we realized that maturity does not mean death, it can mean life as well.

For me one of the best lines which captured my heart are:
“He moves from the chair to the couch so he can wrap me in his arms. I’m shaking, so O cling to him tightly, and I’m surprised that I don’t feel weak. Maybe that’s the difference. If both of you bend, maybe neither one has to break.”

I highly recommend.

[Gina Mackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book highly recommended. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. When I agreed to do the ARC for this book I wasn't sure if it would be something that could hold my interest because it is obviously so different from the books Noelle Adams usually writes but I have to say that almost from the the very beginning I couldn't put it down. It was that good. I read the whole book in one sitting. She is truly a great author. She made you laugh and cry and most importantly she gives you hope. Congratulations on another great book. Gina

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Story

This is a different kind of book than what's out there but it's amazing. Instead of the twenty something romance, it's about life and romance in your seventies. It's touching and gets you hooked from the beginning. Everyone loves your parents or grandparents and it's like reading a story about them.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was overwhelming in it's emotion and depth describing love late in life. Adams at her very, very best.

[Leigh Kramer]

DNF at 81%

Seasoned romance with MCs in their 70s! I’ve long believed assisted living facilities and nursing homes would make great settings for romances, whether between residents or between staff (but never staff and residents; that would be an ethical violation). So many juicy things happen in those places!

Unfortunately, this is not all that juicy of a story. Ellie is only 71 but acts like a much older person. I was surprised by how isolated she was. It’s entirely possible for someone to be an introvert, never marry or have kids, and still have a full life beyond occasional visits from one’s nephew and great-niece. I wish this would have reflected that. Instead, she’s independent to a fault and equates emotions or asking for help to being weak. I didn’t entirely buy her connection with Dave, particularly not how quickly they went from antagonists to declaring love. It was, however, refreshing to see the normalization of lube and Viagra.

Mostly, I just got bored so even though I’m close to the end, I’m going to stop here. I still hope more romance authors will consider writing characters in this age range though.


Characters: Ellie is a 71 year old white retired college librarian. Dave is a white retired financial consultant in his 70s. He has adult stepchildren. This is set in Virginia.

Content notes: ageism, recent hip surgery, FMC uses a walker, arthritis, past and present death of residents (including heart condition), past death of MMC’s 13 year old daughter (leukemia), past death of FMC’s sister (cancer), past death of parents, past death of pet dogs, past death of MMC’s second wife, past divorce, STI or UTI (resident), viagra and lube use, on page sex, ableist language, mention of ex-boyfriend who had a heart attack (recovered)

[Adrianne Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

tender and lovely romancé

I learned about this book on the author’s newsletter, where she mentioned it was not her usual style (which I greatly enjoy!!) but one of her favorite books. I went to Amazon and read the sample, then bought it. I started it this morning and finished it at 2:30 this afternoon. Eleanor is definitely not a character found in many romantic stories, but she’s a woman that I very much enjoyed learning about as she transitions to a retirement home and falls in love with Dave. Their story is complex, with old resentments to overcome and new appreciation for one another to enhance their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey and highly recommend. I usually balk at spending over $3 for an ebook, but I will re-read this heartfelt tale more than once and feel it was well worth the price. Thank you, Noelle Adams!!

[Thuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story feels similar Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf, but with a different execution and ending.

Late Fall is a story about people in their very late stage of life, their struggles and even their hopes, and it's somewhere most of us (I hope) will reach.

The characters appealed to me the most and are told in a very honest and realistic outlook for old people. While Our Souls at Night focuses on the inevitability, Late Fall tells a story of doubt and hope.

It was an enjoyable read and would very much recommend this book if you like romance but with a different perspective at that stage in life.

[Wendy Kilpatrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pedestrian

I have never read anything by this author before and am unlikely to do so again. The story was totally predictable and unconvincing. The writing was pedestrian in the extreme. And she seems to think that at 71 life is all about aching limbs, half-hearted sex and the contemplation of one's imminent demise!!

[Jean Marie Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ageism

The author creates a love story between 2 older people in assisted living. So far, so good. But then the female protagonist keeps pushing aside her love interest's irritation and not nice behavior as the way old men tend to act. Really? Insulting.

[Susan B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a Romance Novel that Fits Me!

I love this story! Everyone wants to be able to imagine themselves in the book they read, but most romance novels are about young folks. A love story late in life is refreshing and reflects what’s possible for older people.

[chatshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 // this was essentially the hating game but like, 40 years later and the MCs meet again in a retirement home

[Racquel Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a different sort of story from Noelle Adams and I did not know what to expect. I am a avid reader of all her work and was looking forward to this new side of her. I can happily say I was not disappointed. This story proves that your never too old to find love and age is but a number. I loved Ellie's personality and how she had a no-nonsense attitude about her. She did not give in to Dave's grumpiness and stood her ground. I loved how slowly their romance built and how they were like teenagers in love with that anticipation to see each other. At first I felt sad for Ellie as she had to give up her home and way of life to go live in the nursing home. I can only imagine how this must have been difficult to feel like your actually losing yourself and having to accept help and support from others. Eventually growing old is inevitable and we're all going to experience this someday. Good thing Ellie found her other half and they get to experience this last phase of life together. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and I definitely recommend it!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Creative writing and storytelling at its best, the print size and chapter spacing are easy on senior eyes. That's what Late Fall is about. Characters of my senior age face life-changing health issues, leave home and join an active community in the best of assisted living facilities. Eleanor meets Dave and falls in love. It's like high school again. Dave has attracted several women, and he dominates them. Eleanor spoils their game, and refuses to be dominated.

Pretty close to our real life situation in 2017. My wife and I can stay in our home, but after six weeks healing a broken leg, and hopping behind a walker, she looks forward to next week when she may walk on two feet again. She and Eleanor were career librarians. Some of our best friends in the neighborhood are librarians. They can relate to this story. Some of our older friends die every week. I have yet to see a good outcome of couples moving out of their homes into the best of assisted living communities.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was such a sweet story about Ellie. We see how her life is changing as she grows older. Just because a person is single does not mean anything bad and this story shows this. She is used to being independent and she tells us how she has lived her life this way.

Now that she is getting older she goes to live in an assisted living facility. It is so much like school with how people act. I think sometimes people don't grow up and they stay the same all their lives. Sometimes it is great, other times it is not.

Now she sees one of her old acquaintances, Dave. They always seemed to not get along or get on each others nerves. Now it takes some time, but they eventually talk like civilized human beings without the attitudes.

This story has sweet friendships, new relationships, family issues, and new beginnings. I think this was one of the sweetest stories I have read.

[Granmamimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Too Late

Wonderful to read a novel about senior caring, loneliness then love. Endearing! I enjoyed reading a novel for seniors, refreshing!