All Booked Up

A grieving widow opens up her heart and home in this cozy contemporary from Carlson (Welcome to the Honey B&B). Riva Owens, 61, has been struggling to pay off medical bills and keep up on her mortgage payments since her husband Paul died of cancer more than a year ago. Over the protestations of her daughter Kenzie, who wants her to move to a senior center across town, Riva decides to stay put in her Victorian home and rent out several rooms. As a result, she ushers plenty of drama into her quiet life. Her new boarders Laurel, Windy, Fiona, and Kitty—all independent, opinionated seniors—clash over the space, their secrets, and eventually their romantic interests. As Riva grapples with the challenges of sharing her home—including an incriminating secret one of the women is hiding, and the possibility of a new romance—she turns to God to help her make the most of her new beginning. Carlson’s cute, cheery premise gains depth from resonant descriptions of how grief strikes at unexpected moments and the conflicting excitement and guilt that can accompany a fresh start. This is sure to tug on readers’ heartstrings. (Mar.)