The Settled Homeless

LoveReading Says

Available in Kindle and Paperback from Amazon

A successful academic drifts in search of true contentment in this sweet, character driven story. Written from the perspective of Dr Theodore Rae, ‘The Settled Homeless’ by Roger V. depicts a life that is filled with academic and professional success but not satisfaction until one pivotal meeting.

Even the structure of the book is cleverly split into ‘Life before meeting Nelly’ and ‘And the changes thereafter’, with the opening chapter describing their first meeting and the following sections going on to demonstrate its importance. Theodore, or Ted, easy intelligence has accolades and professional opportunities in constant supply.

Yet despite this, Ted seems restless, constantly looking toward new horizons and change. I thought Ted was a very well-developed character, his losses early in life explains his transience and the title, ‘The Settled Homeless’ is an apt description for the main character, never settled enough to truly grow roots.

Nelly, with her own displacements and struggles in her past offers Ted someone who understands but also someone who challenges him to think outside of himself, especially when circumstances appear to pull the couple apart. With the whole book structured around Ted and Nelly’s meeting and the start of their relationship it goes without saying that it is a significant part of the storyline, but I think that the book also addresses situations a lot of us find ourselves in, whether it’s constantly looking to greener pastures, or the simple loveliness in human connection.

This is a happy story. Don’t get me wrong there are more poignant, sadder moments but there is a peaceful inevitability in Ted and Nelly that has you not dwelling too much on them. This is an easy to enjoy, character driven and sweet tale of life and relationships.

Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador

Find This Book In