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The Road Towards Home
In this witty, warm novel by award-winning author Corinne Demas, unexpected changes bring two retirees together on a voyage of self-discovery from past regrets to the true meaning of happily ever after.
Widower Noah Shilling considers Clarion Court to be less an independent living community and more a prison. But there may be hope for the place yet. The newest resident is bold, eccentric, rule-breaking Cassandra Joyce—whom, as it turns out, Noah met long ago in college.
As Noah and Cassandra get reacquainted, major changes at Clarion Court force them both to reevaluate their living situation. When Noah invites Cassandra to rough it with him at his Cape Cod cottage, the old friends must decide whether they should risk embarking on the next stage of their journey together.
But moving forward means coming to terms with the past and relying on each other to do so, which is something the stubbornly independent pair may not be ready for. They’ve come this far on their own, and unless they can reconcile a lifetime of emotional baggage, the road they started down together may lead instead to parted ways.
Widower Noah Shilling considers Clarion Court to be less an independent living community and more a prison. But there may be hope for the place yet. The newest resident is bold, eccentric, rule-breaking Cassandra Joyce—whom, as it turns out, Noah met long ago in college.
As Noah and Cassandra get reacquainted, major changes at Clarion Court force them both to reevaluate their living situation. When Noah invites Cassandra to rough it with him at his Cape Cod cottage, the old friends must decide whether they should risk embarking on the next stage of their journey together.
But moving forward means coming to terms with the past and relying on each other to do so, which is something the stubbornly independent pair may not be ready for. They’ve come this far on their own, and unless they can reconcile a lifetime of emotional baggage, the road they started down together may lead instead to parted ways.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
3428 people are currently reading
5823 people want to read
About the author
Corinne Demas
54 books100 followersCorinne Demas is the award-winning author of thirty-nine books, including six novels (Daughters, The Road Towards Home, The Writing Circle), two short story collections, a memoir (Eleven Stories High, Growing Up in Stuyvesant Town, 1948--1968), a poetry chapbook, and numerous books for children (The Littlest Matryoshka, Saying Goodbye to Lulu, The Disappearing Island, The Perfect Tree). She is a Professor Emerita of English at Mount Holyoke College and a Fiction Editor of The Massachusetts Review. Along with her family, two donkeys, and a precocious puppy, she divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod, two settings that have inspired her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
May 8, 2023
First, I must say, I don't write reviews. Second, I have to write this one because it's just so refreshing to read a story about two people falling in love without a single reference to rock hard abs, brain burning good looks, or someone's ability to silence all conversations simply by walking into a room. It's wonderful to read a story more about me, a single 67 year old, than about the best looking 25 year old billionaire in the world. Thank you, Ms. Demas! I do wish we would have been privy to the conversation that took place after Noah stood in the middle of the road, as it felt a bit rushed after that. Like we took a commercial break and came back in time to roll credits. This one will definitely stay in my library for a future re-read. (there are some small advantages to being old enough to have a short memory) Did I mention that I started this book at 9:30 last night, couldn't put it down and didn't get to bed until 5:30 this morning? I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Ms. Demas' work!
May 10, 2023
3.5 Older couple meet and fall in love. Sweet and touched upon some topics I could relate to now, but depressed me feeling old.
I’ve changed my mind. Not 3.5. Full 4. I can’t give a good book a low rating just because I’m thinking about getting old. Reading about how the characters dealt with their lives’ difficulties helped me too!
I’ve changed my mind. Not 3.5. Full 4. I can’t give a good book a low rating just because I’m thinking about getting old. Reading about how the characters dealt with their lives’ difficulties helped me too!
May 2, 2023
Wonderful
This book was a pleasure to read. Noah meets Sandy at a senior living place. They bond very quickly and decide to go to his cottage on Cape Cod. How they learn to adjust to each other is amazing. She has a huge dog, and pet insects. She doesn’t like music but he loves to play the cello. I loved the way that Cassandra pushed Noah to be more forthcoming with his feelings. Well written and delightful.
This book was a pleasure to read. Noah meets Sandy at a senior living place. They bond very quickly and decide to go to his cottage on Cape Cod. How they learn to adjust to each other is amazing. She has a huge dog, and pet insects. She doesn’t like music but he loves to play the cello. I loved the way that Cassandra pushed Noah to be more forthcoming with his feelings. Well written and delightful.
June 3, 2023
I’m old, only one year younger than the main female character, Sandy. Maybe that’s why I found her silly characteristics so annoying. No healthy 72 year old I know is moving into the kind of elder care facility depicted as Clarion Court, where she and Noah meet. Their “love” story was a little depressing. The family issues, on the other hand felt real.
May 3, 2023
Quick read
The premise of this book interested me, forgiveness, but I never really got into it. Cassandra and Noah weren't "real" to me. The book was pleasant, but I can't say I enjoyed it.
The premise of this book interested me, forgiveness, but I never really got into it. Cassandra and Noah weren't "real" to me. The book was pleasant, but I can't say I enjoyed it.
May 15, 2023
‘The Road Towards Home’, by Corinne Demas, was my Prime First Reads pick for May.
I am always attracted to a book cover with the colors blue and orange. Gorgeous!
This contemporary romance was a breath of fresh air, as it’s about an older couple.
Noah and Cassandra knew one another in college, and coincidentally end up at the same retiree village.
The realistic characters were developed with all their ugly flaws which made them equally (at times) annoying and relatable.
The ending and all the side story details leave room for a sequel.
This light and easy story is both charming and witty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am always attracted to a book cover with the colors blue and orange. Gorgeous!
This contemporary romance was a breath of fresh air, as it’s about an older couple.
Noah and Cassandra knew one another in college, and coincidentally end up at the same retiree village.
The realistic characters were developed with all their ugly flaws which made them equally (at times) annoying and relatable.
The ending and all the side story details leave room for a sequel.
This light and easy story is both charming and witty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. Any fans of not-too-romancey-romance books, witty humour, insects, music, or cosy vibes, please read The Road Towards Home!
Noah feels relegated to Clarion Court, an independent senior's living facility, and longs for his independence (and often for his late wife). After enduring the monotony of Clarion in the company of his nameless cat, Noah meets Cassandra, a brand new resident and long-lost college friend. They form a bond based on their shared annoyance at Clarion and other residents and quickly become friends. When Clarion's dining room is closed for a few weeks, Noah and Cassandra head up to Noah's cottage on Cape Cod where nature and their own desires intermingle in a (mostly) light-hearted rom-com.
Noah feels relegated to Clarion Court, an independent senior's living facility, and longs for his independence (and often for his late wife). After enduring the monotony of Clarion in the company of his nameless cat, Noah meets Cassandra, a brand new resident and long-lost college friend. They form a bond based on their shared annoyance at Clarion and other residents and quickly become friends. When Clarion's dining room is closed for a few weeks, Noah and Cassandra head up to Noah's cottage on Cape Cod where nature and their own desires intermingle in a (mostly) light-hearted rom-com.
May 12, 2023
Too short
I wanted this book to keep going, I finished it quickly and wanted more, probably because I identified with the main characters. This was a great book to escape into! Sorry it’s over.
I wanted this book to keep going, I finished it quickly and wanted more, probably because I identified with the main characters. This was a great book to escape into! Sorry it’s over.
May 13, 2023
especially if you are a "baby boomer'' female
You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE this story! Thank you Corinne for making me laugh, surprising me with every twist and turn and making me fall in love with these characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE this story! Thank you Corinne for making me laugh, surprising me with every twist and turn and making me fall in love with these characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
May 13, 2023
I am not usually a reader of romance, but I found this one so well-grounded in reality, so warm and sensitive, that I fell in love with it.
The two main characters are both in their early 70's, and as a woman in my 60's myself, I felt the portrayal was respectful and true. Neither was in any way a stereotype or caricature. Neither was defined by their age, but they were defined by 70+ years of life experiences. Each reminded me in certain ways of various members of my own social circle.
The best compliment I can give it, though, is this: I found myself thinking about this book when I was away from it, wondering how things turned out for them. It is a warm, life-affirming study of two interesting characters and their discovery of each other. I got caught up in it and cared what happened next.
Thank you to the Amazon First Reads program for making this available to me!
The two main characters are both in their early 70's, and as a woman in my 60's myself, I felt the portrayal was respectful and true. Neither was in any way a stereotype or caricature. Neither was defined by their age, but they were defined by 70+ years of life experiences. Each reminded me in certain ways of various members of my own social circle.
The best compliment I can give it, though, is this: I found myself thinking about this book when I was away from it, wondering how things turned out for them. It is a warm, life-affirming study of two interesting characters and their discovery of each other. I got caught up in it and cared what happened next.
Thank you to the Amazon First Reads program for making this available to me!
May 3, 2023
A charming and unusual story
An American writer with a comprehensive vocabulary and correct grammmer. What a treat. I don't like dove, a bird, as the last tense of dive but I think it is an interesting reflection on life and love at any age combined with grief and it's consequences
An American writer with a comprehensive vocabulary and correct grammmer. What a treat. I don't like dove, a bird, as the last tense of dive but I think it is an interesting reflection on life and love at any age combined with grief and it's consequences
May 5, 2023
poignant,witty and tender
I so enjoyed this book! It made me chuckle and also made me feel for the two such different characters of Cassandra and Noah.
A satisfying book from an intelligent author.
More please.
I so enjoyed this book! It made me chuckle and also made me feel for the two such different characters of Cassandra and Noah.
A satisfying book from an intelligent author.
More please.
July 26, 2023
3.5 Enjoyable summer read, but not necessarily one that I would have chosen normally. I think I need to start paying more attention to my Goodreads "Want to Read" list and not getting distracted by the Amazon Prime free First Reads.
August 15, 2023
This was a delightful read. Growing old isn’t always easy nor are the decisions one has to make.
This story covers so many of these decisions and how one handles them as well as touching on the subject that you’re never to old to try new things.
This story covers so many of these decisions and how one handles them as well as touching on the subject that you’re never to old to try new things.
October 20, 2023
What a great book. All the different people and places, they all fell into place as I was reading, The Road Towards Home, like I was putting a beautiful puzzle together. I recommend reading this book and finding out for yourself how you relate to it. Wonderfully written.
June 7, 2023
After Dr. Stanton this book was like a cold shower - lol! It was a sweet & amusing book but I just wasn’t sure where it was going / what the whole jist was.
July 20, 2023
The Road Towards Home features to characters in their seventies both who once knew each other in college and are now living in an Independent Senior Living Center. I found this story to be a wonderful look at getting older where you begin reflecting on your life, the choices you made, the mistakes you see, and the legacy that you’ll leave. It also had a positive message that just because you are over 70 you still have life to live and love to give.
Noah Shilling feels like Clarion Court is more prison than a home and hasn’t been happy since he moved after his son and his daughter in law (whom he really does not like) insisted he didn’t need to continue living in a huge house with uneven floors, yard maintenance, and snow removal among other things. It was never said, but I feel like they hit him with his when he was still grieving his late wife’s death and he gave in and knowing Noah probably to shut them both up. He feels trapped, he doesn’t drive anymore for reasons he doesn’t care to share and he hates that the busy bodies in the center constantly try to get him to “join in” on all kinds of activities he isn’t interested in. Noah has his hobbies; swimming laps, playing his cello, and reading and he likes it that way. A former professor, Noah loves music, art, and literature and he’s a bit of curmudgeon.
Then there is Cassandra “Sandy” Joyce who just recently moved in; a widow who decided her big home was going to waste when her one daughter with children is across the world and her other daughter and son in law have no plans for children. She has a dog, a Newfie, named Melville who is pretty well behaved for a dog his size and the reason she chose Clarion Court was because they accept pets. She also has two tarantulas, walking sticks, and a cage of crickets (that are food for the tarantulas). Cassandra is a retired entomologist and often visits elementary schools to talk to children about insects. She’s fairly outgoing and she knew before she moved in that Noah was living there, he was her college boyfriend’s roommate.
I loved the way these characters were opposites in a lot of ways and I found in interesting that Noah was the lover of the arts and Cassandra was all about science. They start spending a bit of time together as friends and Sandy as Noah calls her probes him with questions each time. While he seems put out about this, he does participate and they begin to know more and more about each other. They both have difficult relationships with their children and siblings and they bond somewhat over that despite their differing opinions of how those relationships should be handled. Noah is a bit closed off and doesn’t show a lot of emotion which I found very typical of a man who grew up during the 50-60’s. Sandy however is quite a bit more open and speaks her mind and at times Noah finds her a bit brash but he still enjoys her company.
When Clarion Court is sold to another company and the dining room and pool are the first to be remodeled Sandy offers to drive Noah up to his cottage on Cape Cod and stay for a couple of weeks. There were a lot of adjustments for both of them during this time as well as them exploring a physical relationship and realizing they had feelings for each other. I rather liked that Cassandra pushed Noah to see his lack of letting his emotions show, of bottling everything up and ignoring the hard part of relationships wasn’t healthy. In return I liked that Noah showed Sandy that despite their age and the fact she’d been married three times before she deserved to find love again.
The Road Towards Home was a wonderful, well written character driven love story that was a delight to read. While I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, I still very much enjoyed this book.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Noah Shilling feels like Clarion Court is more prison than a home and hasn’t been happy since he moved after his son and his daughter in law (whom he really does not like) insisted he didn’t need to continue living in a huge house with uneven floors, yard maintenance, and snow removal among other things. It was never said, but I feel like they hit him with his when he was still grieving his late wife’s death and he gave in and knowing Noah probably to shut them both up. He feels trapped, he doesn’t drive anymore for reasons he doesn’t care to share and he hates that the busy bodies in the center constantly try to get him to “join in” on all kinds of activities he isn’t interested in. Noah has his hobbies; swimming laps, playing his cello, and reading and he likes it that way. A former professor, Noah loves music, art, and literature and he’s a bit of curmudgeon.
Then there is Cassandra “Sandy” Joyce who just recently moved in; a widow who decided her big home was going to waste when her one daughter with children is across the world and her other daughter and son in law have no plans for children. She has a dog, a Newfie, named Melville who is pretty well behaved for a dog his size and the reason she chose Clarion Court was because they accept pets. She also has two tarantulas, walking sticks, and a cage of crickets (that are food for the tarantulas). Cassandra is a retired entomologist and often visits elementary schools to talk to children about insects. She’s fairly outgoing and she knew before she moved in that Noah was living there, he was her college boyfriend’s roommate.
I loved the way these characters were opposites in a lot of ways and I found in interesting that Noah was the lover of the arts and Cassandra was all about science. They start spending a bit of time together as friends and Sandy as Noah calls her probes him with questions each time. While he seems put out about this, he does participate and they begin to know more and more about each other. They both have difficult relationships with their children and siblings and they bond somewhat over that despite their differing opinions of how those relationships should be handled. Noah is a bit closed off and doesn’t show a lot of emotion which I found very typical of a man who grew up during the 50-60’s. Sandy however is quite a bit more open and speaks her mind and at times Noah finds her a bit brash but he still enjoys her company.
When Clarion Court is sold to another company and the dining room and pool are the first to be remodeled Sandy offers to drive Noah up to his cottage on Cape Cod and stay for a couple of weeks. There were a lot of adjustments for both of them during this time as well as them exploring a physical relationship and realizing they had feelings for each other. I rather liked that Cassandra pushed Noah to see his lack of letting his emotions show, of bottling everything up and ignoring the hard part of relationships wasn’t healthy. In return I liked that Noah showed Sandy that despite their age and the fact she’d been married three times before she deserved to find love again.
The Road Towards Home was a wonderful, well written character driven love story that was a delight to read. While I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, I still very much enjoyed this book.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
May 23, 2023
While the plot and characters are not exactly original, the dialogue is sharp and witty, one of the best I’ve experienced in novels about older adults breaking out of retirement communities. She does a wonderful job of setting up and developing the relationship between the two main characters, both of whom are engaging but also annoying in their own set ways. It’s not a literary masterpiece, but I’d go 4.5 stars for this one solely on entertainment value. In the end, the author effectively reframes some of the characters showing why people act the way they do. She sprinkles insights into human behavior throughout the story. As one who lives in such a community, by choice and find it a satisfying life style, I can tell you that her description of this environment is spot on!!! I received the Kindle copy for free as a monthly Amazon Prime option. This book, unlike most of those, is worthy of being picked up by a traditional publisher.
May 5, 2023
Just finished!! Great read! I’m from Western MA and have a love for The Cape and the beach! It was a heartwarming book of promise and hope for new love for people in their older years! It was a nice change from all the young romances! ❤️
May 5, 2023
An absolutely perfect novel! I have not read a book in the last two years that I was this pleased with.
May 4, 2023
Fabulous Verbal Volley Ball
A truly great read. Full of hope and courage. A lot to think about, especially if you ever think about giving it another go! Highly recommend
A truly great read. Full of hope and courage. A lot to think about, especially if you ever think about giving it another go! Highly recommend
May 3, 2023
great read for retirees
As a person in my 70’s I can relate to this book. Very funny parts. Laughed out loud. Too relatable not to laugh.
As a person in my 70’s I can relate to this book. Very funny parts. Laughed out loud. Too relatable not to laugh.
May 15, 2023
Second,third or more chances to find happiness
This is one of those novels which infused your soul and slowly let's you enjoy every delicious crumb of it until sadly it is all gone
This is one of those novels which infused your soul and slowly let's you enjoy every delicious crumb of it until sadly it is all gone
May 28, 2023
I selected this book with Amazon's First reads program, but I don't think I was the target audience for this book. It was entertaining enough, but perhaps someone who was in retirement ( 65+) might find this more relatable.
May 9, 2023
Two retired and widowed professors find themselves in apartments at an expensive senior living community. Neither of them actually want to live there. Both dislike the amenities offered, for the most part, and neither of them fit in with their neighbors. Noah and Cassandra realize they knew each other from long ago college days. They are opposites: Noah a somewhat curmudgeonly fellow, but it is mostly a facade, a classical literature college professor, classical musician, and gourmet cook. Cassandra is an entomologist with a massive shaggy dog, tarantulas, and an array of other interests. Both have baggage.
They decide to take a short trip to visit Cape Cod to stay at Noah's 1800's rural rough cabin. During this time they deal with deep feelings pertaining to their mortality, families, disappointments, grief, and other deep issues.
The author has done a beautiful job of bringing these two to life. Their personalities are clearly defined. The conversation contain funny, yet serious banter. They discover their differences complement one another and they find common ground in simply the human experience.
This is not a silly romance, it is much deeper.
You will enjoy this book if you like contemporary fiction.
They decide to take a short trip to visit Cape Cod to stay at Noah's 1800's rural rough cabin. During this time they deal with deep feelings pertaining to their mortality, families, disappointments, grief, and other deep issues.
The author has done a beautiful job of bringing these two to life. Their personalities are clearly defined. The conversation contain funny, yet serious banter. They discover their differences complement one another and they find common ground in simply the human experience.
This is not a silly romance, it is much deeper.
You will enjoy this book if you like contemporary fiction.
May 12, 2023
Lovely book
It was so relevant to this widowed 70 year old . ...and to know that love is possible again . I find myself wishing these fictional characters the happy ever after they deserve .
It was so relevant to this widowed 70 year old . ...and to know that love is possible again . I find myself wishing these fictional characters the happy ever after they deserve .
May 11, 2023
A sweet romance
Since I am of the age of these characters, I could truly relate. It was uplifting and humorous from start to the finish.
I smiled and fretted and was encouraged to live more honestly
Since I am of the age of these characters, I could truly relate. It was uplifting and humorous from start to the finish.
I smiled and fretted and was encouraged to live more honestly
May 7, 2023
Worth it.
Thoughtful, different, and real with happy undertones. As someone who is a daughter, spouse, mother, siblings the book is a gentle but realistic look at what we do and how we do in life. I enjoyed it.
Thoughtful, different, and real with happy undertones. As someone who is a daughter, spouse, mother, siblings the book is a gentle but realistic look at what we do and how we do in life. I enjoyed it.
June 6, 2023
What a lovely book! Well written, good characters, very real.
June 30, 2023
I honestly don’t understand how people can like this book. There’s no character development. I kept flipping back thinking I had missed something because it was now referenced as if I had, but nope.
I spent half the book wondering when it would start, and when it finally did it had these moments of tension building… and zero relief. Literally, cliffhanger and then cut to a scene much later with all that tension resolved during the time between one page and the next.
Lots of loose ends, which, fine, not everything needs to be tied into a bow, but goodness, can I get a bit more closure?
If one describes a “beach read” as a book that takes place at the beach, this qualifies. If you use that to describe an easy read, this qualifies. But if you expect it to be a level of chick lit, don’t waste your time. This isn’t a love story.
It is a story of two adults that never grew up and never learned how to communicate in a relationship and so they act super childish.
I spent half the book wondering when it would start, and when it finally did it had these moments of tension building… and zero relief. Literally, cliffhanger and then cut to a scene much later with all that tension resolved during the time between one page and the next.
Lots of loose ends, which, fine, not everything needs to be tied into a bow, but goodness, can I get a bit more closure?
If one describes a “beach read” as a book that takes place at the beach, this qualifies. If you use that to describe an easy read, this qualifies. But if you expect it to be a level of chick lit, don’t waste your time. This isn’t a love story.
It is a story of two adults that never grew up and never learned how to communicate in a relationship and so they act super childish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews