Final Payments by Mary Gordon

Set in the 1970s, this novel follows Isabel Moore, a woman in her early thirties who has spent the last eleven years caring for her demanding, invalid father. Upon his death, Isabel is thrust into a world of newfound freedom and must navigate the complexities of her own desires, guilt, and the expectations of those around her. As she reconnects with old friends and explores romantic relationships, Isabel grapples with the moral and emotional debts she feels she owes, ultimately seeking redemption and a sense of self beyond the shadow of her father's influence.