The Room with the Second Best View

Smith’s (The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade) story of an “almost retired” couple in a 38-year romance is lighthearted and sweet, featuring lively dialogue and recipes. Al Richardson is counting down the days until retirement. His wife, Millie, is counting down the days until she can open her own B and B in their house in Goose Creek, Ky. Millie promised Al she would wait until they retired to transform their home into lodging, but what is she supposed to do when her boss at the veterinary clinic, Dr. Susan, asks her to house her wedding guests? While preparing for her “practice guests,” Millie takes a tumble down the stairs and injures her wrist, forcing Al to help with the house preparation. They are taken by surprise when their first guest, Susan’s soon-to-be-aunt, Lorna Hinkle, arrives three weeks early. Lorna is a pushy woman who demands the finer things in life. As Millie tries catering to all of Lorna’s requirements—a good internet connection and television, for example—she realizes that running a B and B is not quite as glamorous as she thought. This is a humorous and tasty tale. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary. (Sept.)