If It's Free, I Can't Afford It - 6953

2024 Best Book Award Finalist; 5 Star Readers' Favorite review: "A lovely novel with a lesson in it for all readers," as a young woman learns that cost is not always measured in dollars. When Natalie’s rent goes up and her work hours go down, Grandpa suggests that she and her dog move into his spare room at the seniors-only, no pets allowed complex. She begrudgingly accepts the temporary arrangement, but before the last box is unpacked her grandpa goes missing on a kayaking trip. With the sheriff certain that Grandpa will soon turn up wet and embarrassed, Natalie keeps his disappearance and her residence at the complex a secret. At first, tricking the wrinkled relics is as easy as getting two cups of coffee from the lobby and mentioning one is for Grandpa. A rumor that he’s sick brings a dozen casseroles to the door and provides free rein for three weeks. The ruse works, but it’s a lonely existence in the quiet apartment. Complications begin when coffee turns to conversation at the morning table, where most residents are wonderful and accept her meticulously fabricated excuses without question. But Angie is suspicious, and Moose is no help with his untimely barking, frequent need for walks, and his unusual taste for plastic oxygen hoses. As weeks turn into months, hope for Grandpa’s return has long passed, and the “just visiting” charade has turned into a complicated scheme that’s tearing Natalie up inside. She realizes the seniors fill a void left by her grandpa, but her new friends come with old problems. She sits for a man who has Alzheimer’s, endures odd stories from a seemingly demented resident, and can only watch helplessly as a new friend prepares to die. Turning to her priest is no help, because his cryptic advice requires more effort to figure out than dealing with the problems on her own. As Christmas approaches, Angie is hot on her heals forcing Natalie to develop a complex plan that will raise her deceit to a new high and drop her self-respect to a new low. She finds herself faced with the hardest decision of her life. The apartment is free, but can she afford it?
ASIN: B0C9S4VKYM
VSKU: DBV.B0C9S4VKYM.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Jones, J.
Binding: Paperback