Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

 Major Ernest Pettigrew, retired, is 68 and still grieving the loss of this wife 6 years earlier when his younger brother dies of a sudden heart attack. Overwhelmed and at a loss, the local shopkeeper Jasmina Ali, also a recent widow, comes to his aid. Soon the two discover that they have many things in common including a love of books, literature, and tradition. But can their relationship survive the whispers and judgments of family, friends, and fellow villagers? Complicating matters even more is the inheritance and rightful ownership of a pair of antique shotguns, an American millionaire with plans to renovate the village, and the major's own son who is having woman trouble, business trouble, and real estate trouble not necessarily in that order. With wit, humor, and understanding Simonson weaves all of these threads into a cohesive story about love and the choices we make. Highly recommended.