Bayside Brio

At fifty-five, Brooke-a California word-loving librarian-thought she had life figured out. But she and her husband, Ben, find themselves in rough waters. They returned home from a "Fifty over Fifty" cruise faced with the opportunity to inherit a substantial sum of money, but only if they create a project to help local senior citizens. Brooke is excited about the challengeBen, not so much. Meanwhile, the couple has the challenges of their everyday life to contend with. Ben is fighting his midlife crisis by shopping for shiny new cars, while Brooke is wrestling with how to confess she's lost the diamond from her wedding ring. Struggling in their thirty-plus year marriage, they attempt marriage counseling, but their first session ends in disaster, and Brooke has to cajole Ben into trying again. They also have to confront concerns about their aging parents, including Ben's father's hair-raising driving habits, but this gives them their idea for their project. They come up with a program to help senior drivers brush up on their driving skills and decide for themselves when it's time to hand in the car keys. Ben and Brooke get their project up and running, all while dealing with a backyard flood, a bee invasion and a trip to Brooke's father's house that ends in a dumpster diving escapade. Through it all, they grow closer and learn some lessons about how to grow older together gracefully.

Ideal for readers interested in romance.