Vacancy by Jann Alexander: Review and Giveaway

 

VACANCY: Secrets and Second Chances in Small Texas Town

By Jann Alexander

Women’s Fiction / Mystery and Crime

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Publication Date: September 24, 2026

SYNOPSIS

A struggling single mother and a suspicious widow, at odds. Both have a habit of hiding from hard truths.

INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS

Helen is childless and widowed after a long marriage and gets a second chance with a long-lost love. But she’s grieving her hidden regrets. She bonds with her quiet kindergarten student and doubts the girl’s struggling single mother, Charlene, is fit to parent.

Charlene’s hiding a secret of her own, and she resents Helen’s interference. She’s determined to make a better life for her young daughter, the teenage boy her ex left behind, and the baby on the way when a scarred veteran offers to lend a hand.

A tragedy no one sees coming forces the two women to unite, as small-town bias threatens to destroy innocent lives. But first, Helen and Charlene must confront the vacancy in their hearts. As they do, can they find new strength, acceptance, and a second chance at love? 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jann Alexander is an author, photographer, and public speaker on all things Texas history. She's a 22-year resident of central Texas and creator of the Vanishing Austin photography series. Her lifelong storytelling habit and her more recent passion for Texas history merged in 2025 to become the historical novel Unspoken, set in the Texas Panhandle during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, and is her first book in The Dust Series. Vacancy, releasing in September 2026, is the second novel in the series. She holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland. When Jann is not reading, writing, or creating, she bikes, hikes, skis, and kayaks. Jann always brakes for historical markers. 

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REVIEW

 

Helen is a middle-aged schoolteacher. She is processing her life and marriage after the unexpected death of her husband, sorting out her feeling for him in what seemed to have been a cold marriage to a much older man. She becomes attached to one of her students, Jilly, whose mother is not living up to Helen’s expectations.

Charlene, the young mother of Jilly, is barely keeping her head above water. Her partner is an abusive alcoholic with a fifteen-year-old son. Without the help of loyal friends, she’d lose everything.

When tragedy strikes, Helen and Charlene must work through their problems, prejudices, and preconceptions to survive their emotional trauma.

I really enjoyed this book by Jann Alexander, the first I’ve read from her. The far West Texas setting, the building tension, and the excellent character development gives life to this story of women trying their best to do the right thing, stumbling, falling but never giving up. It’s also a story about second chances and finding love where you can at any age.

I admit I was not quite prepared for the ‘tragedy’ and was pretty taken aback, but it worked really well as a catalyst. The resolution was satisfying for both Helen and Charlene, which added a happy ending to a sad story.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy women-centered stories about strength, resilience, forgiveness, and empowerment.

I give this book: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

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