Product Description

A funny, entertaining novel of love and family for our times: a single woman who fears she's lost her chance at a family of her own, begins to accumulate an ad hoc one around her.

In the tradition of Elinor Lipman or Marisa de los Santos (Love Walked In), Flowers delivers a smart, witty, appealing story of love, family, and community that breaks the mold of the conventional love story-and will have readers cheering.

Everyone around Prudence Whistler, thirty-six, seems to be settling down. Her once single girlfriends have married and had babies. Her gay best friend is discussing marriage with his partner. Even her irresponsible younger sister, Patsy, is the single mother of a two-year-old. But when Pru panics at losing her mediocre boyfriend of two years-and begins to see the door to her traditional family life closing-she accidentally finds something even better: a new definition of family and happiness. First, it's the crazy cat who moves into her apartment. Then come Pru's headstrong sister and two-year-old niece. Then the niece's dog, the sister's ex-boyfriend, and, ultimately, Patsy and Pru's widowed mother. With the strength of her modern new household, Pru musters the confidence to open the dress shop she's always wanted in town-and discovers an extended family of sorts in the community of shop owners and devoted customers. It's only then that she ends up with the man of her dreams. Endearing, romantic, and satisfying, Nice to Come Home To is a charming, crowd-pleasing debut.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #215608 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Though she's methodically navigated 36 years by making lists and plans, D.C. resident Prudence Whistler's carefully constructed life is about to get shaken up. She's let go from the nonprofit job that never did much to fulfill her in the first place. Then Rudy—who she's finally decided will suffice as The One—condescendingly dumps her. But before she has too much time to stew, her loved ones rally 'round: catty, coupled college friends; her younger sister, Patsy, the unmarried mother of a two-year-old; and John Owen, the in-divorce-proceedings diner owner Pru first encounters while schlepping Rudy's television out to the curb. This crew's the catalyst for a series of adventures and lifestyle shakeups that has retail-addict Pru wondering whether her love for fashion could deliver more than the latest Marc Jacobs dress. And then there's the ongoing coffee klatch at John's diner that inspires the big question: is Pru in the market for getting-each-other-through-a-bad-time-love with John, or is it time to stick her neck out for real-love love? Readers may find Pru's early bad luck streak contrived, but as her lovable friends and neighbors spring into action, the well-written story rounds out and rolls toward a satisfying finish. (Apr.)
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Review
"A lovely, funny story about the saving graces of surrogate families and unexpected love. The narrator, Pru, has such a self-effacing, irreverent sense of humor that I couldn't help but root for her all the way."
-Lolly Winston, New York Times bestselling author of Good Grief and Happiness Sold Separately

"So fresh and funny and warm, it echoed in my head long after I had closed the book . . . Beautifully written, with wit and heart to spare . . . She's Jane Austen gone mod, and I can't recommend this hopeful and endearing tale strongly enough."
-Joshilyn Jackson, author of Gods in Alabama

"Rebecca Flowers is a genius of the small and lucent, the details that make a character live and breathe: revelatory moments, quirky and dead-on metaphors, searingly funny observations. You will know Pru Whistler the way you know real people and you'll miss her the second you finish the book."
-Marisa De Los Santos, author of Love Walked In

About the Author
Rebecca Flowers is an independent radio producer and commentator whose work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered and Day to Day. A recipient of the Donald Barthelme Prize for short fiction, she lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and their two children. This is her first novel.

Customer Reviews

Loved It
Just finished this book and SOOOOO glad that I found it. I loved it! I read alot of "female fiction", and if you do as well, you WILL enjoy this book! I didn't want it to end and I hope that the author does some sort of follow up. It is easy to fall in love with the characters.

A really great read! 4.5/5 stars
I was not sure I was going to like this book as I thought it might be chick-lit - something I do not care for. I read a few pages and was immediately hooked.

Briefly we have Prudence Whistler, thirty-six, who seems to be settling down. Her once single girlfriends have married and had babies. Her gay best friend is discussing marriage with his partner. Even her irresponsible younger sister, Patsy, is the single mother of a two-year-old. But when Pru panics at losing her mediocre boyfriend of two years -- and begins to see the door to her traditional family life closing -- she accidentally finds something even better: a new definition of family and happiness.

The story is very engaging with well developed characters, descriptive writing style and witty as well. This book was such a pleasant surprise, I am happy to recommend it to anyone in need of a feel good read.

Sweet, Funny
I enjoyed this book. The characters were realistic and likeable.

The cat was a riot-"Big Whoop". He was so neurotic at first(peeing where he shouldn't, hiding under the couch , destroying clothes, etc.). After he was given a little understanding and that hilarious name, he softened up.

The story was very entertaining with many plot twists.