The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine

Ruth, in her seventies and a widow, spends her days babysitting children in the neighborhood. She does have a close relationship with her niece Chloe, who lives in California, but Ruth is estranged from her younger sister Veronica, Chloe's mother. Over the years, Ruth and Veronica have traded barbs, letting the issues and resentment pile up between them. Then Veronica reaches out asking Ruth for help. The plea for assistance from Veronica causes Ruth's social circle to widen and might lead Ruth to see a different path forward, especially when a high school flame contacts her. However, with hope and change, there is also sorrow. The Autumn of Ruth Winters is a great read-alike for Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler, and Emily Alone by Stewart O'Nan.