This is the story of what happens when Duffy Sinclair's best friend and roommate Carl Upton discovers he has a granddaughter one night when she crawls in the window of the room they share in an assisted living home, smelling of alcohol and sporting a black eye. It's definitely a wild ride, but not the funny adventure hinted at in the book blurbs. Perhaps part of it was simply the timing of reading it during the Covid-19 devastation in nursing homes, but I had a hard time finding anything light-hearted in Duffy's near-herculean attempt to rescue Josie from herself without letting Carl in on the disaster. These supposed best friends inability to actually talk to one another was truly spectacular. The characters are well-written, distinct and you will like (most) of them very much, the plot is quite plausible, the psychology spot on, and emotionally true, and at times heart-wrenching (you have been warned), but just like I hesitate turning on the news, I hesitated picking up the book. If you're looking for a light read, this really isn't it. If you're looking for great characters in a completely under-used setting with an emotional plot, grab it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for making a copy of this title available for an honest review.

Wow, what a ride! When I opened a book that takes place almost entirely in a highly regulated assisted living facility, I wasn't expecting this much action! Brooke Fossey doesn't let us take things for granted and there are few stereotypes to be had in these pages, no kindly grandpas sitting sullenly in their wheelchairs, no sadistic nurses, no incontinence. What we start with are two spry, sparring buddies who are annoyed at possible renovations. What we end with is honesty, honor, and love. It between, hold onto your seat! There are long buried family secrets, a hovering thug, a drunken brawl, a hint of forbidden romance, many laughs, and a little nail biting. This is a wonderfully entertaining novel!

Set in an assisted living home, a young girl climbs through the window of roommates and best friends, Duffy and Carl. Josie brings with her a plethora of troubles, all things that will not only get Duffy into grave trouble, but could get him kicked out of the best home he has had. This book was well-written, had some good humor in it, as well as some pointed messages about how we age, yet I had some major issues with some of the plot points. Getting clean and sober is a lot harder than sometimes imagined here in this story, and the Christian theology was too prevalent for this agnostic to enjoy. I do think this book will resonate with many readers, just not for me.

I would rate this 3 1/2 stars. It was a quick read, & I enjoyed the characters she created. I think the book's strength are the characters, & how moving the story was, despite being an easy read. I also enjoyed how they described life in an assisted living facility, & how life changes as you get older.

Duffy Sinclair - 88 years old, a childless lifelong bachelor, intellectually sound, but has a few health issues. An ex-alcoholic, Duffy hasn't had a drink in years. He has abused his body his entire life, which has precluded him from having any worthwhile relationships. Duffy's roommate at the nursing home is the best friend he has ever had.

Carl Upton - a 'good' man and a widower who despite being Duffy's best friend in the world, is keeping secrets from him.

Josie - Carl's granddaughter from an extra marital affair. Josie, in her twenties, arrives at the home in a rather dramatic fashion which stirs up the residents in more ways than one.

Alice - refined and lady-like, Alice is a widow who lives in the home. Duffy is quite smitten with her, but she has great ties of loyalty to her late husband.

Nora - an empathetic, overworked, and very caring nurse who works at the home. A single mother with two girls, Nora is the only breadwinner for her family.

Anderson - tattooed chief cook and bottle washer at the home, Anderson is also a friend to Duffy who has his back on any occasion where it is required.

My favorite quotes from the novel:

"You had to look loss in the eye, and if you were going to survive it, you had to believe that there were two different parts of every person: the stuff that ended up in the ground and the stuff that didn't."

“I’m offering my help because sometimes we need mending and sometimes we need somebody else to help us thread the needle.”

MY THOUGHTS

First off, I wonder.... did the person who designed the cover even read the book? In my opinion, the cover had absolutely nothing to do with the plot. From the cover, one might imagine that the young girl and the old man escaped the confines of the home and went on an adventure.... NOT!

That aside, I DID really enjoy this novel. The title was apt - It had a big (though poignant) finish. Set within the span of one single week in an assisted living facility, this was a story that brought realistic, damaged people to life with excellent writing and compassion.

The friendships portrayed within the pages of "The Big Finish" were heart-warming to read about. The engaging characters and insular setting were authentically rendered.

As one might expect with an 88-year-old protagonist, this novel dealt with themes of aging, loss, friendship, and finding out what REALLY matters in a life well lived. Some of us have the good fortune to realize this profundity early in life, while others find out at the very end of theirs. A debut novel that explores some very deep subjects.

This book was an excellent reminder to us all that infirm and elderly people who live behind the walls of care homes were once vital, active, and engaged members of society. A reminder that cannot be given enough times in my opinion. Told with empathy, dark humor, and tenderness, I'm confident that this story will be enjoyed by many. Recommended!

The super cute cover drew me to this book. Then the summary seemed promising of a fun, heartwarming story. And I do love a heartwarming story!

From the beginning, Carl and Duffy gave me major Grumpy Old Men vibes. Their banter as friends and roommates in this assisted living home was funny. When Josie randomly stumbles into their lives (literally), the story takes an interesting turn. Even though Josie is Carl’s granddaughter (result of an affair), it is she and Duffy who go on this “adventure” together. Except there’s not much of an adventure, unless you count the outing to Walmart, I guess. The book takes a somewhat serious turn connecting these two thru their battles with alcoholism. All the while, Carl has no idea.

For me, this just fell flat. Duffy’s handful of comments about the size of women’s chests along with multiple times taking the Lord’s name in vain rubbed me the wrong way. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters. Perhaps it’s my current state of mind, but this one just didn’t work for me and I was really bored. It felt like a bad version of Ove.

Much as I wanted to love this story I just didn't warm to it. It had all the right ingredients for being a great read. Two residents in an assisted living village who find themselves in a precarious place bought about by another party. Enter into the lives of Duffy Sinclair and his roommate Carl Upton, Carl's granddaughter Josie. The two find themselves breaking the rules and bursting free of the closeted environment they've previously adhered to. Josie as the catalyst propels them into a place way beyond they'd ever imagined.
An enjoyable read!

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley

The BIG FINISH is like a BIG HUG! An uplifting feel good book that will make you smile. Brooke Fossey’s debut is packed with charm, wit, hope, and heart. Duffy is an 88 year old curmudgeon living in assisted living. Duffy lived hard and played harder, but now all he wants is to stay in his current residence of Centennial. Duffy has felt at home for the first time in his life and has made a true friend in his roommate Carl. When Josie Carl’s 22 year old granddaughter shows up with a black eye and smelling of booze Duffy is worried she might throw his perfect new life into turmoil. As annoyed as Duffy is with the unexpected appearance of Josie he can’t help but have a soft spot for the girl, as he is more then familiar with the demons that she battles. What follows is a fun, touching, sometimes humorous, and sometimes emotional story that will hit you in the heart.

Duffy was a lovable grump who wormed his way into my heart. I loved the friendship between Carl and Him, it was so nice to see such a strong male friendship so late in life. I also loved the flirtation between Duffy and Alice, so sweet. All the characters in this book were so well drawn and most of them were tremendously likable. This was a quiet yet beautiful story of life and love, choices and secrets, and growing old. I enjoyed every minute I spend with these characters in this simple yet profound story.

This book in emojis 🖼 🗝 🎴 💍 ⚱️

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Octogenarian Duffy Sinclair is living in what he hopes is his final residence Centennial Assisted Living. His roommate Carl and he are a bit of an odd couple with Duffy the gruff and surly character to Carl’s straight-laced Oscar. Or so Duffy thinks. One night a young woman in her 20’s sneaks through the window of their bedroom and claims she’s Carl’s granddaughter Josie. It’s a surprise to Duffy as Carl has claimed he didn’t have any children. AS the story unfolds their secrets are revealed and neither is who the other thought he was and Josie? She’s exactly who she says she is but her story creates a need, in Carl to finally be a grandfather, and in Duffy, a chance to redeem himself by helping this young woman through a difficult time.

OK, I’ll just say that this novel is a total departure from my normal reading. When I described the book to my husband (briefly) as a book about two old guys in an assisted living facility he asked me if it was a love story. Ha! Nope, or er, well, maybe? But not between Duffy and Carl, although there was a deep friendship and love did live in that relationship.

I really loved Duffy. He was so surly and not apologetic about it at all. However, when Josie enters his life he see’s in her a soulmate of sorts, and his chance for redemption for a life he felt he’d wasted. Interestingly enough, Josie was also drawn to Duffy, rather more so than Carl. Understandably so when you realize that Carl’s faults contributed to Josie’s problems- in a big way. As Duffy navigates through life in Centennial, helping to hide Josie during her visit, and and his issues with his roommate Carl you realize there’s a lot more to this old man that seemed at first. Those little details are why I loved him so much. He had so much heart!

The cast of characters in the assisted living facility were what brought life to this novel. Alice’s gentle beauty, Mrs. Zimmerman’s confused meanderings, and Sharon’s evil selfishness. All added depth and meaning to Duffy’s character adding a realness that the thought of him not accomplishing his goal of helping Josie wasn’t insurmountable. The humor and life that filled Centennial really opened my eyes to the life within our elderly. Yeah, I know this was fiction, but their problems were real and I just didn’t want to think that their days were slowly coming to an end.

I can’t help but wonder what brought this story into Brooke Fossey’s mind. In today’s world the elderly are almost forgotten, but Ms. Fossey has done a very good job of bringing them back into the light in a really positive heart-rending way. Even at the end, when I was quietly shedding tears, I has really happy that I’d read this novel and gotten to know these characters. Somehow through Duffy’s trials and tribulations I learned something about myself as well. This is a story I’ll reflect on for a while. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Summary: A troubled young woman climbs through the bedroom window of an assisted living home and changes everyone’s lives, including her own.

The bedroom is shared by two elderly men, Carl Upton and Duffy Sinclair. The young woman, Josie, is Carl’s granddaughter, whom he’s never met. In fact, he barely met his daughter, having run off after signing the baby’s birth certificate. The baby’s mother was his mistress and his wife never knew about the affair.

Josie’s arrival comes as a complete shock to Carl, but also to Duffy. Carl is his best friend and they shared everything about their lives…or at least he thought they did. As for Josie, her life is in tatters after the death of her mother. She is also an alcoholic. Duffy recognizes himself in the young woman and is drawn to her, despite his better judgement.

The assisted living home is run by woman whose bottom line is rules and money, not people. Everyone lives in fear of getting tossed out if they speak up or if their health fails. Duffy and Carl decide to let Josie stay there for a week, against all house rules. They try to keep Josie a secret, but Josie doesn’t cooperate and soon all of the residents are pitching in to help her.

Comments: The Big Finish was delightful. It felt joyous and full of life, despite the ever-present specter of illness and death that is part of assisted living. I particularly liked the voice of Duffy, who told most of the tale from his perspective. In my opinion, his wry humor and witty observations elevated this novel. All of the characters seemed true-to-life. I spent quite a bit of time visiting my mother-in-law in a combination nursing home/rehab center that felt much like this place, with its activities and schedules, so I could really picture it.

Trigger warnings: Cheating, alcohol addiction, thoughts of suicide, grieving the death of a loved one, death, and mention of dementia/Alzheimer’s.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the early digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I also won this in a Goodreads giveaway, so thank you to them, too!

This was one of the purest novels I have ever read. It takes place in an assisted living facility called Centennial, where Duffy and Carl currently reside. Both of them are in pretty good shape for being in their eighties. They pick at the staff, specifically Nora and Anderson. The only problem is new management—she’s a WITCH. Anything out of place with the residents, and they go straight to the nursing home down the road, and it’s filthy!

Carl and Duffy are hilarious together. Carl likes to keep things cool and collected, while Duffy tends to stir the pot. He does try to tone it down since the nasty nursing home is looming over everyone’s head. Duffy also has a crush on Alice, another resident.

One day, a young girl named Josie climbs through their window with a black eye and boozy breath. She ends up being Carl’s granddaughter that Duffy didn’t even know existed. Carl and Duffy share everything with each other, except a shameful past apparently.

What I loved most about this is how real the characters are. The only problem I had was that the age of some of them didn’t match how they acted, Duffy especially. I know that there are eighty-year-olds who can still do a lot, but I just had a hard time wrapping my head around it. Other than that, these characters have so many flaws and so much baggage. Josie lies a lot about her black eye and about whether she has an alcohol addiction or not. What’s even better is that they are all confronted about their lies and secrets. It’s quite refreshing to see that. I think it helps the characters connect more than if nothing was brought to the surface. A lot of good discussions in here, and I think it would make a good book club pick.

There isn’t much of a plot here. There was a brief section where I got a bit bored right before the ending. This was the main reason I couldn’t give it the full five-stars. There was a lull in the book that I ended up skimming. It was only a few pages before it started to pick up again.

That ending, though! It truly broke my heart. I don’t know what I expected the ending to be, but I think I was just in denial. I subconsciously knew what was going to happen. The author did manage to bring light to the situation, and the book didn’t really end on a sad note. I appreciated that a lot!

Would I recommend this? Yes, of course! It was super cute and funny. There’s a lot of character development and important discussions. The author handles everything quite well, in my opinion. It just came out today. So go show the author some love and buy it or ask your library to buy it so you can read it!

The Big Finish is a redemptive story about a man who has the opportunity to help another person from making his biggest mistakes. Jenny comes to the assisted living facility where she hopes to meet the only family member she has left in this world, her grandfather Carl. Duffy, who is Carl’s roommate and best friend, worries that this situation may be a scam and tries to protect Carl and their steady world from Jenny. Duffy realizes his mistake and sees in Jenny a person that needs his help and understanding to overcome obstacles he himself has dealt with. Over the course of a couple of days they all become close and find forgiveness. This book reminded me of Fredrik Backman’s books and Elizabeth Berg’s The Story of Arthur Truluv; older characters helping the younger generation avoid their mistakes. It had interesting phrases that would make lovely adages. If you are looking for an inspirational read with feel good vibes, you should read The Big Finish. This book was provided by the publisher from Netgalley in April 2020 for an honest review.

I’m not to this point in life yet but my mother is. Each month is a struggle with what your body can’t do anymore despite how much you remember doing it over the course of a long life. As a friend of mine says, getting old ain’t for sissies. This book lays it out and doesn’t stint with the truth. It is sad at times and sobering as I’m closer to it than to my youth. Things aren’t as flexible, there are times when stuff hurts, and occasionally a word doesn’t come to mind as quickly as it once did. But strangely what I love is how individual all the residents are and that they aren’t all lovable old coots. There are tensions, people rub each other the wrong way and at times fall short, and there is their universal fear of death and having to move to Simmons – one step above ghastly living death.

Of all the – ahem – difficult residents, Duffy clearly takes the cake. Forthright, outspoken, with opinions he doesn’t hesitate to give he is the picture beside the word “Curmudgeon” in the dictionary. He freely confesses to us his past sins – and they were many – as well as his anger at what his roommate is asking him to do in helping hide Josie on the premises. The longer Josie stays, the more things occur that (in the opinion of the assisted living center owner) push Duffy closer to the line in the sand which will send him to Simmons.

But by golly, Duffy has got grit. When the chips are down, he’s there and he’s going to stay there for this young woman. In fifty years, he doesn’t want her to reach the point he has – looking back at a life wasted, choices lost, and no family. This is his chance – although Duffy never quite comes out and says that – to fix this, to do something big, to do a thing that means something, that will have lasting value.

I did not see the ending coming. It made me cry but also smile. It’s uplifting but avoids twee or cutesy. It fits the book and the characters created. I love this book and when I finished it, I was hugging to my chest. A

Brooke Fossey’s debut novel The Big Finish is an absolutely delightful story that follows a lovable cast of characters at an assisted living facility and the young woman who shows up unexpectedly and turns all of their lives upside down in the best way possible. I’ll confess right now that I requested this book because I fell in love with the adorable cover as soon as I saw it. I couldn’t resist the elderly man sitting on the back of the motorcycle waving his cane in the air. That’s the promise of a hilarious read right there and thankfully I was not disappointed.

I got so much more than a humorous read though. The Big Finish is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love and loss. It centers around longtime roommates, Carl and Duffy. Duffy is a bit of a curmudgeon, while Carl is a total sweetheart. Even though they’re polar opposites, their friendship and living arrangements work seamlessly. That is, until Josie, the granddaughter Carl has never met, comes climbing in their bedroom window in the middle of the night one night, with nothing but the clothes on her back, alcohol on her breath, and a black eye. It’s clear Josie is in trouble and Duffy wants no part of it. If she creates drama for them, their nasty landlord will surely give them a one-way ticket to the nearest nursing home and that is not how Duffy wants to live out his final days. Duffy’s friendship with Carl means everything to him though so he reluctantly agrees to do whatever he can to help Carl get to know his granddaughter and to help her out of whatever toxic situation she is running from. What starts out as a mission on the down-low soon draws in more and more of the home’s residents as they fall in love with Josie and want to help her.

I don’t want to say anything more about the plot because you just have to experience it for yourself, but I promise this is a cast of characters you will fall in love with, especially Duffy, who is nowhere near as grumpy and gruff as he would have you believe. Duffy and Carl’s friendship is what really made the book such a special read for me and I also adored Duffy’s friendship with another resident, Alice. He would clearly love for their relationship to be more than just friends and every scene with her brings out his softer side. The Big Finish is one of those books I’d love to see made into a movie and was practically casting it in my mind the whole time I was reading it (with the cast of Grace and Frankie actually, haha).

If you’re looking for a fun and heartwarming read about friendship and the things we’re willing to do for our loved ones, you should definitely check out The Big Finish.

Duffy Sinclair and his roommate, Carl spend their days in a predictable routine of crafting, playing games, and going on short outings with their friends from their assisted living facility. That is, until the day when Josie literally lands in their room barefoot through the open window and their world is turned upside-down. As Duffy soon learns, he and Josie have a few things in common that connect the two of them in some very challenging, yet powerful ways.

Oh....my HEART! ❤️ I loved this book so much!! The banter between Duffy and Carl was both hilarious and endearing. And the relationships between all the characters was just so sweet. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to everyone, but especially for fans of books like A Man Called Ove! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Brooke Fossey, Author of "The Big Finish" has written an emotional, memorable, witty, and captivating novel.  The Genres for this Novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction. The timeline for this story takes place in the present. Most of the story takes place in an Assisted Residence called Centennial Assisted Living. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as quirky, stubborn, quarrelsome, complex and complicated.

Duffy Sinclair and his roommate Carl Upton who reside in Centennial Assisted Living, often tease the nurse and staff with their shenanigans. The patients realize if they overstep certain rules, they will be moved out and head to the dreaded nursing home. After all, the seniors should know better.

Unexpectedly Carl's granddaughter Josie climbs in their window, and everything predictable becomes questionable.  Josie has many problems, and Duffy finds himself quite involved.

I appreciate that the author discusses important issues such as alcoholism, bullying, the problems of getting older, self-respect and self-worth. I also like that the author mentions the similarities and differences of youth and being older, the importance of family, friends, and love. I would highly recommend this heartwarming book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Brooke Fossey for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful debut novel. This was just the book I needed to read during our self-isolation period - a book full of quirky characters, and so very many emotions - you'll laugh, cry, feel sad and hopeful.

Duffy lives in an assisted living center, rooming with Carl, his best friend and confidant. They live in fear of becoming in need of moving to a nursing home, so they are always looking out for each other and keeping away from Sharon, the administrator, who seems to have an agenda of her own in moving the residents out. Enter Josie, a young girl who sneaks in Duffy and Carl's window one evening and announces that she is Carl's granddaughter. Duffy recognizes a kindred spirit in Josie, one who is going through issues he once went through. As he tries to help her, he has to take chances that put his stay at the center in jeopardy.

This is such a heartwarming story - it's so wonderful to read about the elderly population in such positive ways as these residents look out for each other. And I hope that we all have such wonderful caregivers when we need them. Highly recommended!

Bravo for a wonderful debut novel - I can't wait to read more from this author. I will miss spending time with these characters!

Who doesn't love a feisty old man that isn't afraid to raise eyebrows and speak his mind? Someone with a heart of gold under that rugged gruff exterior? I know I for one, find them hard to resist which was why when I read the synopsis for this, had no qualms about picking it up and diving right in.

This was such a fun, emotional, and very unexpected read for me. I truly had so much fun with it and enjoyed so much of it. The characters were so real and raw and the messages about love, friendship and family, even more so.

I'm truly delighted that I took a chance and read this, I will remember these heartfelt, real, characters for a long time coming.

Duffy lives in an assisted living home . Josie a young woman who climbs through his window is his roommates Carl’s granddaughter. He gets involved with Josie and her problem boyfriend and gets into all kinds of trouble. Funny debut well worth reading.

The Big Finish takes place in an assisted living facility where death is around the corner, but life is everywhere.

This book was a delight from beginning to end.

Duffy is a grumpy old man trying to live out his remaining days in peace without getting kicked out of the only acceptable retirement home in town. Josie is his roommate's estranged granddaughter who breaks through their window shoeless, drunk, and with a black eye one night.

The Big Finish is their story of friendship, recovery and finally having something worth living and dying for.