This is an interesting story of a small beach town and the politics that goes along with it. Kathleen is the protagonist who after a long-term marriage finds herself looking for a new beginning. For many years her friend Josie has sent her a Christmas card from a picturesque beach town where she lives. Kathlee answers an ad for a beach cottage and moves there. It is not what she expected. Her neighbors are cantankerous, the select board is impossible to deal with and her closest neighbor is building a huge square house next to her thus blocking her view. This neighboring house is nicknamed "The Sugar Cube." Very funny, yet sad story of trying to start over.

I had a hard time connecting with Kathleen. It was really hard for me to get past all the arguing and bickering to enjoy the book.

“Save What’s Left” by Elizabeth Casatellano
Something Different
Well, the story was well written. It was billed as outrageously funny, but not sure what is wrong with me, as the story never tickled my funny-bone. Actually, I did get rather bored, like you do with a comic that is not making you laugh. I do hope you find the humor. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley

This is a humorous book about finding yourself, the hard way. Rather like being pulled backwards through a knothole and finding you sort of enjoy the pain.

Kathleen’s husband announces one morning that he must go find himself. His first step is to take a cruise around the world.

Kathleen moves to the east coast to find herself. She has visions of being able to look out her window and see the ocean and the sand and the beauty. What she actually finds is that she has purchased a shack, sight unseen. The shack is next to what is becoming a McMansion. And McMansions are against city code.

But, unfortunately, no one in the city cares. Kathleen does her best to let the city know what is happening on her street. And NO ONE CARES.

There is humor about Kathleen’s attempt to get someone, anyone, to enforce the rules. Evidently, the rules do not apply in this case. After some study, it appears the rules do not apply, ever.

The book made me laugh.

I do have a complaint. After a time, I felt so much of this was repetitious. I had hoped for a little less of the same written complaints.

Ms Castellano is a new to me author. I like her humor. She is a master at creating the exact atmosphere of a hamster running on a broken wheel.
She is a talented author and I did enjoy the book.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

A quick, quirky story about starting over and the good and bad of the unknown. Kathleen's husband decides he wants a divorce after 30 years to travel the world. Kathleen, with nothing left besides a house full of old furniture, decides its time for her to start over as well by buying a beach house, sight unseen. She packs herself up from Kansas City and relocates to the East Coast where she is met with grumpy nosy neighbors and headaches. Can Kathleen learn to fit in? Is this the new start in life she hoped for?

This book was full of humor, antics and self discovery. Thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Anchor for the ARC.

This is a crazy rendition about a woman whose husband leaves for a world cruise without her, begins a divorce, and moves to an Eastern coastal town. She becomes immersed in town business and antics with her aged neighbor, Rosemary. Their deeds are nuts and delightful. Anyone over fifty will relate.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s surprising how the year round residents of a resort town have a different view from the tourists. Kathleen, newly separated from her husband Tom, is a little of both. Although she is a resident, having bought a cottage, sight unseen, she has never been to Whitley, on Long Island. She is a woman of the Midwest!
Gradually, she learns the ins and outs of local politics and real estate issues, and, over the course of time, settles in to a new life as a year- rounder!

This book was funny. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were relatable and the twist was not predictable. A good read!

This book is your perfect summer read. While it’s not about romance or dreamy vacation it is more about a women who finds herself in a new town in a beach house she bought unseen. Nothing seems to be going in her favor. Her husband after 30 years decides he doesn’t want to be married anymore and books a 6 months cruise. Kathleen sells the house and everything. She does keep her husbands collection of vintage radios out of spite but also feels the time spent finding them they deserve a home. It’s just a wild ride of this lady embarking on a new beginning in a new town. It’s funny in a sitcom kind of way as the way things begins to u fold just seem so comical. I enjoyed this story and thought it was a great fun read. Many thanks to Vintage Anchor, Anchor and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I was excited to read this book based on the description. It seemed like a quirky story about a woman starting over.
The story is about Kathleen, who finds herself divorcing after 30 years and moving herself from Kansas to a beach town. She finds herself intwined with small town politics and fighting her neighbors who are building a ridiculous house.

The story was quirky, and funny, but seemed to get a little lost. Kathleen becomes one of those complaining town members and loses some of her likeability throughout the story. I will admit that I enjoyed the sarcastic humor but over all the story was just okay for me.

The writing was nice and read easily. I hope that this author continues to share her talent.

This book is about a woman whose husband decides to leave her out of the blue. She decides to move across the country to fulfill her dream of buying a beach house. Her dream turns into a nightmare when the new neighbors start building a giant house. This book is humorous but just not my cup of tea.

I want to say I think this debut book is well written. Elizabeth Castellano will have a great future. This was not my type of subject matter for a story so I found it excessively long and I labored to finish it. I know some readers would like this and find it funny but I found it irritated me. It just went on too long. I must say I did like the last chapter best. It just wasn't my type of book material. I absolutely think Elizabeth has an excellent grasp of telling a story and if she were to write a different genre is definitely read it. You may get a laugh out of this story I just didn't. Thank you NetGalley and Anchor books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kathleen’s husband of 30 years, Tom, informed her over breakfast that he was not happy and was leaving her for a six month cruise.
Shocked Kathleen sells the house, buys a “cottage” online and drives from Kansas to Florida. Living next to a four story house under construction was not her plan and certainly not disclosed from her realtor. She quickly becomes embroiled in trying to drum up enough interest in having the environmental and esthetic footprint of the town preserved.
There were a few funny spots but overall the book fell flat in humor and was too long on Kathleen’s complaints. Thank you Netgalley and Vintage Anchor for an early copy. These comments and review is my opinion.

I found this a very funny book and it will be a great beach book. The story is witty and funny. In a beach town where everyone is in each others business you would think it would be time to pack it up, but for some reason it seems to delight the residence to stay in the thick of things and try to change that which will never changed, but reading about all the things the neighbors are up is quite hilarious. In the end, once the main characters lend a helping hand in the community that things finally change for the better for her and she would never dream about leaving. So very funny.


I want to thank Vintage Anchor, Anchor and NetGalley for an advance copy of this hilarious story about living in a beach town.

Definitely a fun premise and I really enjoyed the authors writing style. I would read more by this author

I think I feel the same way other reviewers felt with this. This started strong then just seemd to drag on and on. Unfortunately, this is not for me.

I just didn't love it. This felt like it was trying to be "A Man Called Ove" but did so unsuccessfully, featuring a complaining protaganist who is always finding fault with their neighbors. I didn't love how letters to the town leaders were continually mixed in but not really separated from the other content. It felt overly filled with complaints, lackluster story lines, and an overall disappointing plot. I considered giving up many times, and it took me quite some time to get through. I wouldn't' really recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My thanks to Net Galley and Anchor for this book. Unfortunately I coukd bearly get thru 30% of the book. It sounded like a light fun read but all it was was complaining protagonist building permits and more complaining to a town official. Can't recommend.

I could not finish this book unfortunately. There was too much negativity and complaining for me and there's enough of that in life period. Maybe it's not for my age range even though I am a divorcee. It just wasn't for me.