The Last Mix Tape

A Gen X novella

When Jenna Mitchell's daughter starts sending brochures for retirement communities with "supervised activities," Jenna knows it's time to take control. Six months after losing her husband Mike, she's ready for a fresh start—but not one involving scheduled bingo and mandatory crafts.

Then she discovers Sunset Villas, a converted shopping mall where former aerobics instructors teach "Rock Star Workouts" and a silver-haired guitar teacher named Marcus leads residents through air guitar classes. It's not what the retirement brochures promised, but somehow it feels like home.

As Jenna navigates new friendships and finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Marcus, she realizes retirement isn't about slowing down—it's about finding new harmonies in life's ongoing song. From impromptu performances to talent shows featuring experimental musical fusion, Sunset Villas proves the best chapters might be the ones you never saw coming.

But when her family stages an intervention about her "lifestyle changes," Jenna must decide: Will she play it safe, or trust that love—like the best music—sometimes arrives in its own perfect time?

A heartwarming story about second chances, chosen family, and the courage to keep writing new verses at any age.