Virgin River by Robyn Carr, Mira, 2019

A young, widowed nurse starting over moves to a small, rural community, falling in love with the town and an ex-Marine; this book was made into a Netflix serial and is one of a series of more than 20 books.

It’s a Widow Thing: A Feel Good Later in Life Romance by Karen Booth, independently published, 2022.

The author plays on the same themes as Holmes: In the book, a young widow, after a year, begins yearning to experience life, though with a very different mindset than Evvie Drake.

A Journey Through Emotional Abuse: From Bondage to Freedom by Caroline Abbott, Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2013/

This book is a resource for spouses in several respects as it defines the different forms of abuse, discusses treatment for household members, and provides potential resources.

Psychopath Free: Recovering from Emotionally Abusive Relationships With Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other Toxic People, Berkley, 201

This is an encyclopedic work describing the roots and results of malicious behavior and providing resources for those desiring to escape such relationships.

Who Am I After Sports: An Athlete’s Roadmap to Discover New Purpose and Live Fulfilled by Darryll Stinson, independently published, 2020.

The book compiles encouragement and guidance for athletes and others whose lives have trended away from the limelight.