The Caretaker
CAROL SCHOENIG
Phae Carson married young to a husband who was verbally and emotionally abusive. Having two kids by the time she was 20 kept her in the relationship.For twenty-seven years, he controlled her life, not giving her access to money and not allowing her to work outside the home. He nixed family vacations and outings of any kind. He expected the house clean, home-cooked meals and no laundry in the hampers. Finally, widowed, with her children grown, Phae is presented with a job opportunity as a caretaker for a villa in Mallorca, Spain. She jumps at the chance to experience some of the adventures she’d dreamed about in her youth. However, she’ll have to take control of her life. Starting by going against the wishes of her grown children, Kera and Jeff, who try to dissuade her from taking the job. In Mallorca, she finds more than she expected when she meets Finn Callahan, the owner of the villa she’s hired to take care of.Phae initially wants no part of falling in love because she doesn’t want to lose the autonomy she has gained. But she begins to wonder if it’s possible to love someone, and be in a relationship, without losing one’s independence?
Callie Carmen –
This book was not only well written, but it had a unique vision of a second chance romance. Instead of the usual second chance story of the couple in their late 20’s or 30’s this love story is in their senior years. It was refreshing to see that a woman that had been trapped in a terrible marriage for so many years finally gets her chance at finding her true love.
Callie Carmen –
This book was not only well written, but it had a unique vision of a second chance romance. Instead of the usual second chance story of the couple in their late 20’s or 30’s this love story is about a couple close to their senior years. It was refreshing to see that a woman that had been trapped in a terrible marriage for so many years finally gets her chance at finding her true love.
Patricia Elliott –
I really enjoyed this story, as the characters were a little older than those in an average romance story. The female MC’s children are grown and have children of their own. I loved watching Phae begin to open up to Finn and start to develop the relationship we all wish to have.
Alice –
I like romances with mature heroes and heroines, and I think there aren’t enough of them around, so I was delighted to discover The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig. This sweet, sunny story ticks all the right boxes. Phae and Finn are appealing characters, and I rooted for them to find happiness together. The romance is tender and sensual, with lovely Mediterranean settings. The challenges and delights of finding love later in life are depicted sensitively and realistically – the characters have grown up children, grandchildren, family worries, baggage… and get cramps in hot tubs! A thoroughly enjoyable summery read.