After overcoming the baby phase, the toddler phase, the teenage years, and everything in between, there’s one important step for parents that’s not as widely talked about: becoming an empty nester. After all, when kids leave their parent’s home to go off to college or find a place for themselves, nothing feels as daunting as being completely childless at home, whether you’re alone or not.
“We became empty nesters,” Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos once shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “We took our youngest son to college, we dropped him off. It was hard. It was really hard.”
So, whether you’re preparing to be an empty nester soon or have been one for a while, you know that it won’t be an easy process. And, in case you’re looking for something to either inspire you or distract you from your feelings, look no further than the list of books below.
In our round-up, you’ll find fictional stories of other empty nesters and the freeing, adventurous, and sometimes even thrilling stories they became a part of since their kids left the nest. After all, who said being an empty nester couldn’t be interesting, fun, or totally book-worthy?
‘Second Honeymoon’ by Joanna Trollope
Although Edie Boyd, from Joanna Trollope’s Second Honeymoon, initially thought being an empty-nester of her three kids would be uncomfortably silent, the reality is much more intense than she thought. “Life away from the nest has proven to be unexpectedly daunting to the children, who one-by-one return home, bringing their troubles,” the description reads. “With an unannounced new phase of parenthood suddenly stretching ahead of her, Edie finds her home more crowded than ever.”
‘Family Pictures: A Novel’ by Jane Green
Family Pictures, by Jane Green, follows Sylvie and Maggie, two women living on opposite coasts with children about to leave the nest for school. When their daughters become friends, their friendship blossoms and leads to uncovering some dark truths. “Can these two women learn to forgive, for the sake of their children… and for themselves?” the description asks.
‘Hope On the Inside’ by Marie Bostwick
Hope On the Inside, by Marie Bostwick, starts with Hope Carpenter and her husband, Rick, trying to cope with financial struggles and becoming empty nesters. As a way to occupy her time and make some extra cash, Hope gets a job teaching crafts to inmates at a local women’s prison. Though they don’t see eye to eye at first, the women soon begin teaching Hope about life even more than Hope teaches them about quilting.
‘Marriage Vacation: A Novel’ by Pauline Turner Brooks
Written by Pauline Turner Brooks, Marriage Vacation tells the story of Kate Carmichael, a wife and mom of two kids who feels like she has the perfect life before getting a much-needed reality check while talking to successful friends at a wedding. Instead of returning home after the wedding, however, Kate gets on a plane and flies halfway around the world. “Is a wife and mother allowed to have a midlife crisis?” the description asks. “And, if she does, can she ever be forgiven?”
‘Window on the Bay: A Novel’ by Debbie Macomber
In Window on the Bay by bestselling author Debbie Macomber, readers follow the life of Jenna Boltz, a longtime divorcee, after her kids Paul and Allie leave for college. Although Jenna and her best friend Maureen are excited by her newfound freedom, the reality of dating, and some shocking news from her children, make for a more unexpected phase than she imagined.
‘Together Alone’ by Barbara Delinsky
Reminding us of the dynamic trio from Sweet Magnolias, Together Alone by Barbara Delinsky follows three best friends, Emily, Kay, and Celeste. After their daughters leave the nest, they’re all presented with their very own challenging, and even juicy, opportunities. “As the three friends struggle to navigate this uncharted territory, they find themselves redefining their dreams, desires, and what it means — to each of them — to be a woman,” the description reads.
‘Alice Alone’ by Amanda Brookfield
In Alice Alone, author Amanda Brookfield tells the story of Alice, an empty nester in her fifties who’s having a full-fledged midlife crisis. After taking matters into her own hands for a while, a loss in her life puts everything back into focus.
‘Heartache Falls’ by Emily March
Heartache Falls by Emily March follows Ali Timberlake, a woman who’s been married for 20 years and decided to move to the idyllic Eternity Springs after her kids leave for college. After getting settled in the Bristlecone Café and feeling the magic the place has to offer, her husband comes to visit and is immediately transported too. “He wants that for her, but even more, he wants that with her,” the description reads. “Ali has found a special place for her heart. But is there still enough room left in that heart for him?”
‘When I Was You’ by Amber Garza
Taking a turn in another genre, the thriller When I Was You by Amber Garza might be the perfect example of what not to do when your child leaves home. The book follows Kelly Medina, a woman who’s grappling with her now empty home, as she gets a call for another Kelly Medina who has a young kid. After the unexpected conversation, Kelly can’t stop thinking about her and, soon enough, her curiosity takes a turn for the worst.
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