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Norbert Zelenka has always lived life on the sidelines. It’s how at seventy-three years old he finds himself broke and alone except for the company of a Chihuahua. But when Carlotta’s Club–three strong-willed seniors with a flair for drama and plenty of time on their hands–decide to make Norbert their latest project, he reluctantly agrees to their scheme. With their help, he establishes himself as the town’s fortune-teller, and he soon finds his life changing in unexpected ways. It turns out that years of observing other people’s dramas make Norbert an excellent fortune-teller, and people from all walks of life begin seeking out his advice. As Norbert’s lonesome world expands with new friendships and a newfound self-confidence, he finally finds himself in a place where he belongs. But disaster looms on the horizon. When a troubled young woman goes missing after a bad reading, Norbert must find a strength beyond the cards to bring her home safely. A heartfelt story of friendship, loneliness and coming-of-age late in life, The Reluctant Fortune-Teller is a feel-good read and a poignant reminder that we’re never too old to learn new tricks.

How did I not post a review of this book? I read it several months ago and gave it four stars, but I never wrote a review–what happened?? I have no idea, so I’m making up for it now.

This story of a retired accountant and the friends who force themselves upon him was a delight. Even though the character Norbert is the complete opposite of Ove in A Man Called Ove, the stories had some similar vibes–different generations mixing and lessons being learned all around.

I very much enjoyed the cast in this book, with enough people to keep it interesting but not so many characters that it got confusing. If you’re looking for a story with older main characters, a bit of humor, and lots of heart, I highly recommend this book.

Rated PG.

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For more books with mature characters, check out:

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood