Here with the Winter by J. Penrod Scott is a charismatic family saga set in the town of West Emmet. After losing her husband Matthew, Jessie Conrad, and her two children decide to move back to her hometown. For Jessie, home is West Emmet, a chance to begin a new life with old friends and family and some new ones too.

The story is set in the 1960s, when this town, like many others across the United States, is booming with new residential developments. Jessie’s father, Henry, is a strong character throughout the book. Helping his daughter get reestablished and helping his grandkids adapt. He has a strong interest in clocks and rifle collecting. And that’s where the tensions ensue. Henry has a rifle gifted to him by an old friend. However, the friend’s son believes that he is the rightful heir to this gun upon his death.

The author describes her books as “a love letter to Ohio,” and rightly so. The details capture the essence of mundane small-town life, the routine, predictability, peace, and tranquility. Through these descriptions, the author sets the scene for her novel’s backdrop. This engaging read gives the reader a perfect blend of the town’s tranquility while capturing the imperfections of real life. With a strong opening and a fast-paced storyline to start, readers will come to know the main characters quickly before getting too deep into the drama. There is not a lot of filler text in this novel; instead, the author keeps information to just what the reader needs to know to follow the story. The dialogue is sharp and crisp with a natural flow. Written in a third-person perspective, it follows all the significant characters in the story and approaches it from various perspectives.

Here with the Winter is a relaxing and light read about family, starting over, and reconnecting with those that matter in life. It is a heartwarming story about relationships that readers will be able to sit down and enjoy at a leisurely pace.

Pages: 194 | ASIN : B096DVNTDL