I don't know how this showed up on my shelf as I don't think I requested or not did I review it. I wasn't even a member back in 2017

This book really drew me in. I enjoyed it so much. The story circles around Mona who owns the local country store. She wants to think she is aloof from all that goes on around her but she is far more involved than she realizes. As she faces the changes in her personal and professional life as well as the larger issues swirling around she learns that many people lean on her. And that she needs her friends and neighbors far more than she realizes.

This book did not really hold my interest and I was disappointed in the ending. The story centers around Mona and her general store in rural Vermont. Outside of her is an historic covered bridge which is destroyed during an ice store. Frank a part time resident is spending more time in Vermont. He would like to have a relationship with Mona and uses the bridge as a to break through her walls. There are lots of other side plots in the story about LGBT Marriage, Communes, Nature, Mental Illness, and Abuse. A lot of these sub plots distracted from the original story. The author does do a wonderful job with the setting.

A gentle story of a small town and its community in Vermont, centred around Mona, the owner of the local shop and Frank (and his daughter) a relative newcomer to the town. A historic covered bridge is destroyed by an ice storm, disagreements arise about the same sex marriage bill, but it is really about relationships, especially in mid-life. Well written, but a quiet read that does not push any buttons or encourage non-stop reading. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advance reader's copy.

I loved everything about this book. The interesting characters and how they relate to each other; and the importance of not only those individuals, but the importance of place.

Thank you for the chance to read this book. But after reading a portion I realise this is probably not the best book for me and so I have to mark it as unfinished.