Evvie Drake Starts Over: A Novel

This is the first book I’ve read by Linda Holmes, but definitely won’t be the last. I loved the storyline and all of the characters. It was humorous, but also very emotional. I couldn’t put this book down and would definitely recommended it!

I enjoyed reading this book!These emotional characters were filled with a great amount of depth, their background gave so much more to the development of the storyline which is solid and a consistent page turner. The story flowed easily throughout the pages. A must read!

This really lovely, bittersweet book left me smiling a third of a smile with tears in my eyes. Beautifully written with loveable, memorable characters, it is all about redemption, self love, overcoming failure and learning to bravely embrace new journies. I really loved this book.

The story of two people, both at turning points in their life. If you love books that are well written with thoughtful and thought provoking dialogue you will like this book. It truly is a journey. I enjoyed it but would have welcomed a bit more of the characters thoughts about each other. It’s odd that with all the thoughts about their history and their situations, what they were thinking about each other wasn’t clear.

Have you ever had a book that makes you feel good?Evvie Drake Starts Over was one of them. From beginning to end of the audiobook (even though I have the hardcover edition, I decided to try the audiobook, since I received it so quickly from the library), I was smiling and just feeling good about this story.It’s definitely a romance, a slow burn, but it’s also so much more. It’s about friendships, about loss, about mental health issues, a journey of personal rediscovery, of letting go, and of moving on.This debut novel touched me in the best way. And gave me 9 hours of feel good vibes that made this book unputdownable. Or in my case I walked and stayed in my car for far longer than planned. Those are the best kind of audiobook experiences, when I stay in my car even after I get home after a long day of work, and don’t want to stop listening.The friendships between Evvie and Dean, Evvie and Andy were the soul and heart about this story. I loved all three equally, and cheered them on from the sidelines.Throughout the entire novel, the dialogues really jumped out to me. I felt like I got to know everyone really well. Their dynamic, personality and backstory, just by the way they were talking to each other. Most often, Evvie and Dean’s rapport was everything, and really carried the story.This book isn’t super deep or life changing, but it’s an easy, light and feel good novel that is perfect for summer, and between heavier books. The setting, the characters, the story all are well developed, beautifully written and made for an awesome debut novel. I’m excited to see what the author has in store for us next.

There are many nice things to say about 'Evvie Drake Starts Over' - it's challenging to know where to begin. I'll start with the writing: it's clear and concise so that makes the book easy to read. At first the story seems simplistic: a woman, Evvie Drake, recovering from the loss of her husband, and a man, Dean Tenney, who was a talented major league pitcher who isn't any longer. The author, Linda Holmes, unveils the depth of what these losses mean to the characters in a methodical and meaningful manner. // Although the book is described as a 'summer read' those words cause me to think of stories as superficial, and this story definitely doesn't fit that description. It's often easy for readers to become annoyed by characters who have suffered from emotional abuse, as has Evvie, and to view them as annoying and weak. That's completely unfair to both the reality of the inner strength it takes to live with such abuse, and the inner turmoil of a person trying to understand how to deal with the abuse. It's also challenging to know how to move forward from its aftermath when it is no longer part of one's life. // All the secondary characters in the story are well developed, and one of the factors I liked about this book is that these people were 'good' folks. This includes, Andy, who is both Evvie and Dean's friend; the parents of Evvie, Dean, and Andy; and the children who are part of this story. Evvie's departed husband, and her emotionally departed mother are also realistic characters. They are the 'villain's of the book, and they are meant to be seen as such, because they are the characters that Evvie must psychologically overcome to 'move on' with her life. // This is a story I have no problems recommending as a good read. It has wonderful characters, and also meaningful insights to share with readers. It will go on my 'keepers list' and I will read it again.

So this Cali Girl has fallen in love with New England, thanks to my husband. I love reading stories that take place in New England, leaves changing colors in the fall, love for all New England sports, lobsters, chowdah, and Cape Cod / Nantucket. After reading the book description of Evvie (like “Chevy”) Drake Starts Over, small town in Maine, lobsters, washed up baseball player, I was so drawn to it. This book was a nice light enjoyable read about a widow that was starting a new chapter in her life, but was still carrying some unresolved baggage from her past. In comes Dean, a handsome washed up professional baseball player that ends up renting an apartment attached to her home. This story also deals with changing friendships and family relationships. In my opinion, the story wasn’t terribly deep, but it did add some emotional depth and sensitivity to the story so it was more than just a love story. I have to admit that reading about Evvie’s marriage to her husband, Tim (now deceased), sounded like something out of the movie “Sleeping with the Enemy.” I seriously could hear that eery music in my head, every time Evvie described her incidents with Tim. All in all, the book had a sweet and had a very nice ending that I think Evvie deserved. I cannot wait to see what Linda Holmes comes up with next.

So sad the story is over. There’s soMuch left unsaid/unwritten!! What a complex group of characters!!! I will miss them.

Gostei muito dessa leitura! O início do livro já me prendeu de cara e a protagonista foi evoluindo aos pouquinhos, em um ritmo que me fez sentir parte da história. Para além do romance, eu gostei dos dramas familiares e de como todo mundo é retratado de uma forma imperfeita mas sincera. Pontos extras pela sutileza em tratar de abuso emocional, achei muito bem abordado.

Such an honest, beautiful story of two people who overcame their own demons and found the silver lining. Loved every page and every word. Read in one breath. Thank you

Loved this book! The characters were charming and I loved their sense of humour! I found out about it from author Sarah Bessey's 5 star review in her newsletter and I'm so glad I did. A delightful romantic comedy!

Roman absolument merveilleux...une écriture vraiment différente et piquante meme en décrivant des choses tristes ...j ai vraiment eu de la peine de refermer ce livre et espère que son prochain livre sortira bientôt et sera aussi bon.

Reading this book was a pleasure and I consumed it virtually in one sitting.I immediately fell in love with both Evvie and Dean, from their meet cute to the ending it hit all the beats I wanted it to, but never quite in the way I was expecting.I laughed out loud several times, choked up at others and I will 100% read it again.Can’t wait for the movie (paging Netflix).