Flying Solo

A Novel

By: Linda Holmes

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A woman returns to her small Maine hometown, uncovering family secrets that take her on a journey of self-discovery and new love, in this warm and charming novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.

“A testament to the truth that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and situations.”—Jodi Picoult

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, PopSugar

Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety-three. Alongside boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie’s curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line “And anyway, if you’re ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling.”

Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck—and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Suddenly Laurie finds herself swept up in a righteous caper that has her negotiating with antiques dealers and con artists, going on after-hours dates at the local library, and reconnecting with her oldest friend and her first love. Desperate to uncover her great-aunt’s secrets, Laurie must reckon with her own past and her future—and ultimately embrace her own vision of flying solo.

With a cast of unforgettable characters and a heroine you will root for from page one, Flying Solo is a wonderfully original story about growing up, coming home, and learning to make a life for yourself on your own terms.

©2022 Linda Holmes (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A refreshing reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all mold for a relationship, and that fulfillment can be achieved many ways.”—The Washington Post

“Linda Holmes’ sophomore novel, Flying Solo, is a near-perfect, feel-good summer escape for those of us who are not always satisfied with the traditional happily-ever-after.”—USA Today

“Flying Solo is a testament to the truth that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and situations; that being alone does not mean being lonely. And Linda Holmes creates characters and conversations so real that sometimes I wonder if she is hiding in my closet, eavesdropping.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling co-author of Wish You Were Here

Good/ok

I liked the story. Loved the narration. It was enjoyable, I would’ve preferred it for a discount rather than a whole credit.

fun and interesting

Great fun listen. Both the story and the narration great. Enough details to feel empathy without bogging down. Thanks

Love me enough to let me live alone.

I listened to this book in one day I just could not stop. As an unmarried 40 something year old woman with no children I found pure and utter delight in this book. Linda Holmes seemed to capture the essence of what it is to be a happy 40 somthing solo woman this day in age and packaged it in a cozy mystery box.

Laurie is a well rounded amazing character who I grew to love love as I listen to each page. She has an amazing job she's about to turn 40 and she's recently called off her wedding to a decent good guy. By most traditional standards Laurie may seem a bit crazy but we come to realize that she knows exactly who she is. Her goal is to live her life in a way that is true to herself. And It is through solving the mystery left by her favorite unmarried aunt who recently passed that Laurie's life plan becomes sharper and more in focus. Laurie wants love and companionship as much as anyone but it needs to make sense in her life. And to see a character like Laurie in a novel was refreshing and expertly executed.

This book does not hit you over the head with messages and themes of diversity of lifestyle and inclusion of differing options but they are casually integrated into the storyline that make total natural sense. Ms. Holmes created a world that looks very much the one I inhabit. She did it expertly with an engaging story and funny lovable characters.

I am so very glad that I used a credit to listen to this book and I can not wait to add Ms Holmes to author reading list.

Delightful!

I loved this book from the first few sentences. The mystery that weaves through most of the story has such a fun and unexpected resolution. And of course…Julia Whelan is perfection.

Compelling, quick read

Flying Solo was a charming and enjoyable quick read. And Whelan is always a great narrator.

Flying Solo

Sweet story with some twist and turns! Julia Whelan brings every book she reads to life.

A Romance for Grown-ups

Linda Holmes is very good at writing romance mysteries for the 35 and older crowd. Her protagonists always have some miles on them, and they are dealing with far bigger issues than high school or college students, the demographic that seems to populate most romance.

Her protagonists are funny and can banter with the best of them, but are not naive. Well, except when it comes to an estate liquidator that should never have been trusted from the moment he appeared on her doorstep. But his shenanigans do provide a mystery element to the book, as there is a crime or two that needs to be resolved. But mostly the two main characters of this romance, a writer, and a librarian, are funny, smart, and very likable. I recommend this book for people like me, that rarely read romance. But having read both of the author's books I will pretty much read everything she ever writes.

Ehh

Well, I like the story OK but personally I hated the ending. Just didn’t feel right but then again I’m not the author. Julia was fabulous as always. She’s the only reason I listen to most books and I hope she does a lot more.

Over too soon

Julia can make any story good. This one just happens to be good on its own!! She was great and I loved the story!!

Cute story!

Easy read, sweet story. Clever plot. I enjoy this authors writing. Held my interest throughout.