Voyage Raleigh Magazine

Written By Elle Nestico

Local Stories June 2, 2025

Check Out Elle Nestico’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Nestico.

Elle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
First and foremost, I am a wife and stay-at-home mother of five (yes, five!) kids. My oldest was born in 2009, and since then, my full-time job has been Founder and CEO of the Nestico home. We are a crazy crew, with girls and boys, teenagers to toddlers. Noise is our trademark, and there’s never a dull moment with us around. Though every morning is like the beginning of ‘Home Alone’, and probably because of it, I truly love my life.
And though it’s turned out so much better than I could have ever imagined, I certainly didn’t plan it this way.
Before children, I was a social worker and a Kindergarten teacher. My husband and I are both from Pittsburgh, PA (go Steelers!), but we lived in DC, Virginia, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh before moving to Raleigh in 2020. I loved my job so much and always figured I’d go back at some point, but his career, babies, and life just sort of took over.
Though all those things gave me so much love, joy, and purpose, I secretly wanted more.
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always written fiction to process my experiences from a third-person perspective. This was no different. This book was largely inspired by the esoteric questions my friends and I had around the time of our mid-life milestone of turning forty. I began writing ‘The Rest Of My Lives’ as a means to ask the ‘bigger’ questions and to allow myself to really think about what life means, how it might work, and what we are here for. Though this story isn’t mine, I am so much a part of it. It’s deeply personal in that many of the experiences, queries, and examinations are mine or those of people dear to me. Though it’s largely a Metaphysical and Magical Realism novel, so much of it is real life.
Once I realized I might actually want to share it, I thought long and hard about what that meant. I knew that with so many responsibilities and commitments, everything that comes with kids, dinner, laundry, carpool, the dogs, and my marriage, finding the time and energy to create something just for myself would be challenging.
However, one of the main themes in the book is finding life’s purpose, so, putting my money where my mouth was, I mustered up the courage to plunge headfirst into the world of publishing. It was utterly unknown to me, super intimidating, and definitely a learning curve. Between writing, rewriting, and rewriting some more, long nights of researching, editing, and finding the right people to help me, and hardest of all – working through copious amounts of impostor syndrome – I definitely shed more than a few tears.
Though there were many days I wanted to quit and told myself writing my own book was a pipe dream, my children were watching me. So I kept going, especially for my girls. I felt it was so important that they watched their mom achieve her dream. I want them to know that at any point in their lives, whether it’s scary or not, they can do anything they set out to do. They deserve a life they love, with nothing left on the table.
So, here I am today, in such a place I could have never foreseen, a published author of a book I am so proud of, and halfway through my second.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Time and confidence were my biggest hurdles, for sure. Five kids are a lot to juggle, add in two dogs, a husband, aging parents, family, and friends; I found myself at the computer sometimes only twenty minutes at a time, or late into the night. I also don’t have a professional writing background. Although I’ve always loved creative writing and took it as an elective in high school and college, I completely discounted it as a career I was talented enough to pursue. My fear and self-doubt loomed large, and I easily could have succumbed to their pressure. But though I knew it would be a long road, something in me wouldn’t let me give it up.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My book is entitled, ‘The Rest of My Lives; A Metaphysical Love Story,’ and it is just that.
Firstly, it’s a contemporary romance novel about second chance, past life lovers, that flips between college in 2003 and present day (2022). And though the protagonists in the book grapple with a lot of issues, it’s fun, light, and a great beach or pool read. But just behind its main theme, it is interwoven with big metaphysical topics questioning time, love, angels and guides, soulmates, soul contracts, life purpose, past and in between lives, including prophetic dreams and different realms and realities.
So, though it is a breezy love story- on the flip side, it’s also very deep.
For many years I personally have pondered these more abstract subjects, and had already done a lot of research just for myself, which was a huge inspiration for the book.
But even while putting it together I was lucky enough to consult with numerous world renowned psychics, mediums, tarot readers, past life regression experts, and chakra energy healers.
Because of my extensive research, my novel stands out as not just a fun romance, but a fully grown metaphysical story that begs the reader to question their own thoughts and ideas on these subjects. Even if they don’t agree with me in theory, my main goal will be accomplished by just pondering those ‘what-ifs’ on their own. Which happens to be what I am most proud of in my work.
I have read so many fiction books over the years- most of which were really good, but a week later I honestly wouldn’t have been able to tell you what they were about. ‘The Rest of My Lives’ leaves a long lasting impression- one that truly makes us contemplate our lives both big and small.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
As I’ve gotten older, my view of success has changed. It’s not piles of money or the amount of things. It is simple but maybe the hardest to achieve: happiness, contentment, and joy, as well as truly accepting and loving yourself and those around you. Having a few close people who will walk with you through the dark and celebrate in the light. If you have children, raising them to be the same.
At the end of our lives – I think that’s what will matter.

Pricing:

  • eBook Free for Kindle Unlimited Members

  • eBook to purchase on Amazon – $4.99

  • Paperback – $14.99

  • Hardcover $21.99

Contact Info:

Author Elle Nestico

Elle Nestico