Just Fine with Caroline: A Cold River Novel

From the author of Sit! Stay! Speak! comes a tender, terrific novel complete with long-buried secrets, a three-legged pot belly pig, and an irresistible dog—an unforgettable story about love, friendship, and community. Perfect for fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Alice Monroe.

Caroline O’Connor never dreamed she’d be back home in Cold River, Missouri, the Ozark Mountain town where everyone is ‘up your business.’…they mean well as they drive you crazy. She thought she’d left town for good, but now she’s back, helping to care for her New York born mother—struck with Alzheimer’s, and prone to saying and doing anything—and her father, the beloved local doctor frustrated he can’t cure his own wife.

As for Caroline, she’s doing ‘just fine’ coping with her parents, her brazen cousin Ava Dawn’s marital disasters, her mostly-deaf dog…and with Noah Cranwell, far-flung relative of a local family mostly infamous for running moonshine, an ex-veteran who’s come to Cold River with troubles of his own.

Caroline believes she knows everything about Cold River and the people who live in its hills and hollers … but sometimes life’s greatest surprises happen closest to home.

Whenever someone tells you they’re “just fine” . . . they’re probably lying!

Caroline O’Connor tells herself everything is “just fine.” Never mind that her faithful companion dog is mostly deaf, her best cousin’s marriage is on the rocks, her mother has Alzheimer’s, her father retreats to his study every night, and she’s stuck back in Cold River, Missouri, a place she once thought she’d left for good.

There’s all that, and Noah Cranwell, too. A far-flung relative of a local family mostly known for running moonshine, the ex-veteran has come home to Cold River with troubles of his own and he has his eye on Caroline and her dog. He also seems to be the key to something that happened to Caroline’s mother in the past, something that’s been a secret for decades.

Caroline has always believed she knows everything about Cold River and the people who live in its hills and hollers . . . but occasionally life’s greatest surprises happen closest to home.

“A must read for any animal lover.” - Fresh Fiction

Praise for Sit! Stay! Speak!: “Readers of Debbie Macomber will enjoy poet and nonfiction author Noblin’s first novel. It’s an enjoyable story full of laughter, tears, and just plain fun.” - Library Journal

“Noblin’s fish-out-of-water story combines food, family, suspense, and romance into one delightful read. [... ] a comfort read that’s perfect for a summer night. The dog-centered plot will earn points from all animal lovers. A cozy read that’s full of dogs, romance, and small-town charm.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Full of southern charm and colloquialisms, Noblin’s first novel explores the curious bond between man and beast. Noblin expertly blends the lingo of an insider and the angst of an outsider, giving readers the full experience of life in a tiny southern town. Addie’s story is wrapped up neatly, full of romance, mystery, and a few new furry (and not-so-furry) friends to save the day. A warm, emotionally grounded story that will delight fans of Mary Kay Andrews and contemporary women’s fiction.” - Booklist

“Fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Alice Monroe will enjoy Noblin’s lighthearted second novel. For many readers, spending time immersed in Caroline’s world might be just the ticket.” - Library Journal

“Just Fine With Caroline is all heart. Annie England Noblin knows how to make characters come to life. I was completely charmed on my trip to Cold River.” - Stephanie Evanovich

“Fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Debbie Macomber will adore this warm and lighthearted tale of self-reliance, small town gossip, and second chances.” - Stephanie Turza, Booklist