The Nest

by David Donavel

Recently divorced and lonely, high school English teacher Mitchell Harper is intrigued when a pair of attractive woman move into the flat below his but is disappointed to learn that the two are gay. Rosie, a trainer at the local health club is stunningly beautiful and has little use for Harper who she says talks too much. Her partner, Emily, a librarian, nevertheless strikes up a friendship with him. She enjoys his jokes and his interest in books and comes to feel so at home in with him that she imagines they could marry if her inclinations were different. As the intimacy between Mitch and Emily grows, Rosie grows jealous, but Rosie has fidelity issues of her own and when, on a trip to San Francisco, she has a one night stand with a stranger, the tensions between the women come to a head. In the meantime, Harper is dating two women and discovers that, if he is to have a lasting relationship, he must choose between them.

Set in New Hampshire The Nest captures a good deal of the charm of New England while it explores the shapes that love can take and the conditions that lead to domestic stability.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2015