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Chestnut Springs
At 55, the career Brenda Maxwell's built is gone in a day. As a temporary move to cut costs, she trades her L.A. condo for an off-the-grid cabin in rural West Virginia. Brenda finds a second chance at life, and maybe love, in quiet Chestnut Springs. But will small town rivalries and politics strip away the happiness she's found? Not if her newfound friends can help it.
Chestnut Springs is an upbeat story of love and friendship that will keep you turning pages until dawn.
"[Bova's] touch remains gentle throughout, her portrayals unflinchingly honest while still displaying a tolerance for human failing." -- Chesapeake Style magazine
Chestnut Springs is an upbeat story of love and friendship that will keep you turning pages until dawn.
"[Bova's] touch remains gentle throughout, her portrayals unflinchingly honest while still displaying a tolerance for human failing." -- Chesapeake Style magazine
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2017
55 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Carol J. Bova
3 books6 followersCarol J. Bova spent thirty-five years in business and nonprofit administration in New York and California before she found a new lifestyle as a writer in Mathews, Virginia, a rural Chesapeake Bay peninsula. Carol is a novelist, non-fiction author, columnist for
Chesapeake Style magazine, and blogger. Her debut novel, Chestnut Springs, is set in West Virginia, where her father’s parents emigrated from Italy before later moving to Philadelphia where she was born.
Her 2014 non-fiction book, Drowning a County: When Urban Myths Destroy Rural Drainage, addressed the impact of failed Virginia Department of Transportation maintenance, a subject she’s worked on since being on the Steering Committee of Virginia’s water quality improvement plan for the Piankatank River and fifteen creeks in the Middle Peninsula.
She was President of the Chesapeake Bay Writers chapter of the Virginia Writers Club from 2014-2018. When not writing, Carol enjoys photography, genealogy and creating silver jewelry.
Chesapeake Style magazine, and blogger. Her debut novel, Chestnut Springs, is set in West Virginia, where her father’s parents emigrated from Italy before later moving to Philadelphia where she was born.
Her 2014 non-fiction book, Drowning a County: When Urban Myths Destroy Rural Drainage, addressed the impact of failed Virginia Department of Transportation maintenance, a subject she’s worked on since being on the Steering Committee of Virginia’s water quality improvement plan for the Piankatank River and fifteen creeks in the Middle Peninsula.
She was President of the Chesapeake Bay Writers chapter of the Virginia Writers Club from 2014-2018. When not writing, Carol enjoys photography, genealogy and creating silver jewelry.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 26, 2018
Chestnut Springs is at its heart an inspiring book about reinventing oneself after disappointment. It is a book about second chances. It is a book about looking back on one’s life in order to move forward. The author does a terrific job of developing characters and setting tone. Although it is a slower paced novel, its endearing qualities will keep you turning the pages.
October 31, 2017
A Very Enjoyable Novel!
Chestnut Springs is a realistic portrayal of a woman who wrestles with the decisions that she made earlier in her life. She finds the c our age to make a major change and encounters many challenges along the way. This heartwarming novel will sweep you into the world of Brenda Maxwell and you will feel as if you are part of the story. I recommend Ms. Bova's book to anyone who likes a great story and memorable characters with a beautiful scenic backdrop.
Chestnut Springs is a realistic portrayal of a woman who wrestles with the decisions that she made earlier in her life. She finds the c our age to make a major change and encounters many challenges along the way. This heartwarming novel will sweep you into the world of Brenda Maxwell and you will feel as if you are part of the story. I recommend Ms. Bova's book to anyone who likes a great story and memorable characters with a beautiful scenic backdrop.
October 18, 2017
Chestnut Springs is an affirmation of life after city life. Ms. Bova peoples her work with realistic characters set against the alluring backdrop of off-the-grid small town life. Whether describing town folk, the lay of the land or a delicious meal, the author’s “word pictures” bring them all to life. Chestnut Springs is an enjoyable read, and I look forward to more charming stories from this writer’s pen.
November 11, 2017
A nice story
Being 52 this book really made me examine what i would do. If i was laid off. The luck of lumber seemed to lucky. The strength of turning down the wind company was astronomical. We drove through indiana last summer and the turbines actually look really cool, but i wasnt aware of the issues with them. The romance was sweet.
Being 52 this book really made me examine what i would do. If i was laid off. The luck of lumber seemed to lucky. The strength of turning down the wind company was astronomical. We drove through indiana last summer and the turbines actually look really cool, but i wasnt aware of the issues with them. The romance was sweet.
September 15, 2017
I enjoyed the story and the characters. It was an entertaining read.
September 17, 2017
This was a great story - nice light easy summer reading!
March 12, 2018
Brenda Maxwell loss a lucrative job in Los Angeles because of mistakes made on the day she learned of her father’s passing. There is no mercy from her boss and after six months of searching, no jobs either. She finds herself drawn to an unusual way of life: off the grid living on the East Coast. She finds a gem of a home in Chestnut Springs, WVA and a small town full of lovely people who become her friends. Heretofore, Brenda had lived a solitary life revolving around work only and a desire to move up in the business.
She meets the handsome, single sheriff and thinks she may have landed in the perfect place to thrive at last. Brenda learns about life off the grid through the internet, book, and hard experiences all the while finding the town to be endearing and caring. A huge blip in her existence might derail everything she has strove for and luck may be the one thing that can save her.
The book is a little slow in parts and quickens the pace in others. In all it is a wholesome book about life changes and how we can adapt to just about anything when the chance arises.
She meets the handsome, single sheriff and thinks she may have landed in the perfect place to thrive at last. Brenda learns about life off the grid through the internet, book, and hard experiences all the while finding the town to be endearing and caring. A huge blip in her existence might derail everything she has strove for and luck may be the one thing that can save her.
The book is a little slow in parts and quickens the pace in others. In all it is a wholesome book about life changes and how we can adapt to just about anything when the chance arises.
April 19, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love West Virginia. While I lived there everyday felt like a vacation. The smells, sounds, sites! Silly reason to choose and read a book, but there you have it. But it was an awesome choice! The writing was really good. The story line was great, with twists you don't see coming. Loved the characters! Author did a great job of developing the characters and plot. Once I started, I got involved in the the story and found it hard to put down. Being around the age of the main character, I understand how hard it is to get a good job at 55 so I felt her dilemma. And how great would it be to get a cabin and "live off the grid"?? I'm giving this one a firm 5 and I see she has 2 more books, so plan to read more of Carol J Bova!
I love West Virginia. While I lived there everyday felt like a vacation. The smells, sounds, sites! Silly reason to choose and read a book, but there you have it. But it was an awesome choice! The writing was really good. The story line was great, with twists you don't see coming. Loved the characters! Author did a great job of developing the characters and plot. Once I started, I got involved in the the story and found it hard to put down. Being around the age of the main character, I understand how hard it is to get a good job at 55 so I felt her dilemma. And how great would it be to get a cabin and "live off the grid"?? I'm giving this one a firm 5 and I see she has 2 more books, so plan to read more of Carol J Bova!
March 30, 2018
Good subject and characters but...
The story had a well though out plot with the perfect setting and wonderful characters. The execution of the story struggled at times to where it was almost boring. I'm not a fan of narrated stories, I'd much rather have it be told from a character's point of view. I also believe as an author you need to know how to tell a story without overkill in the dialogue. I had to skip over quite a bit of unnecessary back and forth "small talk" dialogue that had no supporting structure or baring on the story. I did like that a few recipes were added as that brings originality to the book. Overall I would give this book a 3.5 rating.
The story had a well though out plot with the perfect setting and wonderful characters. The execution of the story struggled at times to where it was almost boring. I'm not a fan of narrated stories, I'd much rather have it be told from a character's point of view. I also believe as an author you need to know how to tell a story without overkill in the dialogue. I had to skip over quite a bit of unnecessary back and forth "small talk" dialogue that had no supporting structure or baring on the story. I did like that a few recipes were added as that brings originality to the book. Overall I would give this book a 3.5 rating.
November 27, 2024
Well I made it through 66% and I couldn’t do it anymore. I liked the characters other then the main character, I liked the cozy/small town vibes, I liked the plot, but lord help me if the book was any slower it would be 3,000 pages! Like I said I pushed and pushed to get to 66% and I couldn’t continue any longer! The main character can’t make a decision to save her life, she’s annoyingly insecure, the love interest is very straight forward with her and respectful and I really liked him and I was hoping HE would carry the main character and make her likable but NOPE! I just can’t. The potential was there with the vibes and town but the main character made me want to scratch my eyes out.
February 20, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much, possibly because I relate to it as it is a novel of second chances. So interesting to see Brenda lose control of her life and gain the control back again, completely different than what she thought she needed. She was a lonely, career minded single city woman. Very interesting and hopeful to see the path she takes.
March 22, 2018
Very boring
This book was a very slow paced, boring book that focuses more on what the character made for lunch and dinner, than on the plot.
This book was a very slow paced, boring book that focuses more on what the character made for lunch and dinner, than on the plot.
June 11, 2019
Good story
It’s was a good read, but needed a bit more depth, emotions, description of why and how, seemed to skim of the top.
It’s was a good read, but needed a bit more depth, emotions, description of why and how, seemed to skim of the top.
March 27, 2020
Great Read
I followed the main character of the story through her many ups and downs. The story line kept me on edge of my seat until the last page! Cant wait for the sequel!
I followed the main character of the story through her many ups and downs. The story line kept me on edge of my seat until the last page! Cant wait for the sequel!
June 13, 2024
LOVED the wv content
Read
February 26, 2018It's nice to read a book about a slightly older woman, who at 55 finds herself starting over. Leaving the city behind may be the best thing Brenda has ever done, but it means a lot of decisions need to be made. A terrifying proposition for anyone trying to figure out the future.
March 12, 2018
Chestnut Springs is a very well written romance. I loved the plot, characters and the setting. The author is new to me and I throughly enjoyed her writing. I highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2019
Great read! Anxious for her next novel.
Characters are so well-developed; dialogue and descriptions are so well done; plot moves quickly and logically with some intriguing twists.
Characters are so well-developed; dialogue and descriptions are so well done; plot moves quickly and logically with some intriguing twists.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews