Gloria Bachman has pivoted so many times this year she has whiplash. Now, in the middle of winter and drenched in Mexican sunshine at a five-star resort, she has a role to play: Mason Lassiter’s “arm candy” in a sting to nab his not-actually-dead, first wife, Patsy. It didn’t make any sense to her either, but who argues with government officials offering an expense-paid trip and a reason for a new beach wardrobe?
With Patsy leading resort security, FBI agents, and Mason on a merry chase, Gloria knows that if you want to catch a woman of a certain age, you have to think like a woman of a certain age. Thankfully, she’s got the credentials.
If only she could understand the other people in her life—particularly Gardner Rogers. Gloria returns home to Comfort, Texas with a ring, a pressing need to organize her house, and a custom order of Sweeties signature truffles to be delivered to White House chefs. When her business partner embarks on last-minute travel plans, one of her best friends announces a retirement, romances bloom from unlikely sources, and Gardner and her ex-husband, Harry Rogers, come unhinged—quite publicly—it all forces Gloria to face her strangest challenges yet.
This final book in the Comfort and Joy trilogy weaves happy endings for the townsfolk that readers have come to love, and just deserts for those they don’t. It’s Kimberly Fish at her finest, and a treasure for brave people who don’t retire quietly.
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Kimberly Fish has been in the writing industry for over 30 years. An amateur historian and fan of cozy mysteries, she weaves history and mystery into her stories of women finding their grit and sweet second chances.
When I learned this would be the final book in this series, I felt a mix of emotions—both happy and sad. Happy because I appreciate a story that reaches a satisfying conclusion, but sad because saying goodbye to Gloria and the world she inhabits isn’t easy. Gloria and all her friends have occupied a happy spot in my heart for some time. It’s rare to find a character like her—a woman of a certain age who is not only successful and accomplished but also reflective about her choices in life. Watching her navigate uncertainties with intelligence and grace made for a compelling and refreshing read, especially for this reviewer, who can relate to those very questions.
Fish doesn’t make things easy for Gloria in this book. Instead, she throws plenty of challenges, surprises, and the occasional left hook her way, keeping the story engaging and emotionally rich. Yet, rather than tying everything up in a perfect, too-neat bow, the author leaves readers with an ending that feels true to life—satisfying, yet a little imperfect, just as life often is. That sense of realism is one of the things I have always appreciated about this series. Life rarely follows a predictable path, and neither does Gloria’s journey, which makes it all the more rewarding to follow.
Another highlight of Home to Comfort is the return of the full supporting cast from previous books. Their presence enhances more than the story; it also gives readers glimpses into their lives and futures, making it feel like a proper farewell to a beloved community. Seeing where they are now and imagining what lies ahead for them added a layer of warmth and nostalgia to the book. For fans of the series, this final installment is a heartfelt and fitting conclusion that reminds us that even as some chapters close, others are always waiting to begin.
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