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The Gift of a Good Start
More Than Bestselling authors and real-life heroines
Every year, Harlequin's More Than Words award is given to three real-life heroines, women whose courage and vision have helped change people's lives for the better. Once again, three bestselling Harlequin authors have written stories inspired by these remarkable women.
In The Gift of a Good Start, teacher Olivia Harris could lose more than her job when budget cuts threaten to close her school. Olivia's nonprofit group, which helps students in need, is also at risk.
Determined to save her charity, Olivia attends an awards banquet, hoping to meet potential donors. Handsome and charismatic Langston Hill supports the Children's Hospital, and at first, Olivia thinks he could be an ally, someone to help her nonprofit reach the next level. But Langston works for the board of education--he's on the committee that's trying to close her school. Olivia cares about Langston, but how can she love a man who might be responsible for shattering her dreams?
Look for all three ebooks inspired by real-life Red at Night by Katie McGarry, You Are Here by Liz Fichera and The Gift of a Good Start by Earl Sewell. Visit the Harlequin More Than Words website at www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com or your favorite ebook retailer to download these free novellas today.
Every year, Harlequin's More Than Words award is given to three real-life heroines, women whose courage and vision have helped change people's lives for the better. Once again, three bestselling Harlequin authors have written stories inspired by these remarkable women.
In The Gift of a Good Start, teacher Olivia Harris could lose more than her job when budget cuts threaten to close her school. Olivia's nonprofit group, which helps students in need, is also at risk.
Determined to save her charity, Olivia attends an awards banquet, hoping to meet potential donors. Handsome and charismatic Langston Hill supports the Children's Hospital, and at first, Olivia thinks he could be an ally, someone to help her nonprofit reach the next level. But Langston works for the board of education--he's on the committee that's trying to close her school. Olivia cares about Langston, but how can she love a man who might be responsible for shattering her dreams?
Look for all three ebooks inspired by real-life Red at Night by Katie McGarry, You Are Here by Liz Fichera and The Gift of a Good Start by Earl Sewell. Visit the Harlequin More Than Words website at www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com or your favorite ebook retailer to download these free novellas today.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 27, 2014
Review: 3.5
This story is a part of Harlequin’s More Than Words. Every year Harlequin selects three inspiring who make a different the More Than Words award. An author is picked to write a story about their charities. This story is inspired by Elizabeth Roefels Diller Community Foundation. The foundation helps the community out in many different ways including helping students get school supplies. Currently, The Gift of a Good Start and the other two stories for the More Than Words are free.
In this story, a teacher named Olivia is in danger of losing her job and her school because of budget cuts. Olivia was inspired by the Diller Community Foundation so she decided to start her own nonprofit organization called It Takes A Village. The organization helps provide tutoring services to school children and to provide them with school essentials. Olivia’s organization is also in danger if her school is closed. Olivia is determined to try to save her school and organization from being closed. The students at the school receive a really good education.
“Students remain with us from kindergarten through 8th grade and we work hard to give them the gift of a good start.”
Olivia’s friend invites her to a banquet and she ends up sitting next to this guy named Langston. She likes Langston but she is not looking for a relationship. Olivia’s last relationship went down in flames. In the past, Olivia had a boyfriend or fiancé who seemed like a great guy but it turns out that he was a womanizer. He had been cheating on her. She is not very trusting because of her ex. She tends to take it out on Langston. Olivia ends up finding out that Langston is a member of the school board that is involved with slating her school for possible closure. Olivia has a dilemma in the story. Langton turns out to be a really nice guy so she decides to give things a try but he might have a hand in closing her school. Also, Olivia wants to expand her nonprofit organization but she needs to find funding so that is another obstacle in the story.
I thought this was a good story and it was written for a good cause. It never said how old Olivia was in the story. The romance did seem a little lacking. I like Olivia and Langston together but I wish a little more of their relationship would have been shown. It seemed to skip ahead a lot. I know the story was supposed to be more about the non-profit organization. I did feel that Olivia was a little rude at times but I felt it was a little rude of Langston to answer his phone while they were having dinner. She did tend to jump to conclusions when it came to Langston. I thought that is was understand though that she was cautious due to her disastrous past relationship. It wasn’t fair to take it out on Langston.
“Olivia, somehow we’ve taken a wrong turn, and I would like to get directions on how to get back to the main highway.”
Olivia really cared about her community and the children that she taught. She really tried to make a difference. Olivia was still determined even though the situation seemed bleak. I liked the ending.
This story is a part of Harlequin’s More Than Words. Every year Harlequin selects three inspiring who make a different the More Than Words award. An author is picked to write a story about their charities. This story is inspired by Elizabeth Roefels Diller Community Foundation. The foundation helps the community out in many different ways including helping students get school supplies. Currently, The Gift of a Good Start and the other two stories for the More Than Words are free.
In this story, a teacher named Olivia is in danger of losing her job and her school because of budget cuts. Olivia was inspired by the Diller Community Foundation so she decided to start her own nonprofit organization called It Takes A Village. The organization helps provide tutoring services to school children and to provide them with school essentials. Olivia’s organization is also in danger if her school is closed. Olivia is determined to try to save her school and organization from being closed. The students at the school receive a really good education.
“Students remain with us from kindergarten through 8th grade and we work hard to give them the gift of a good start.”
Olivia’s friend invites her to a banquet and she ends up sitting next to this guy named Langston. She likes Langston but she is not looking for a relationship. Olivia’s last relationship went down in flames. In the past, Olivia had a boyfriend or fiancé who seemed like a great guy but it turns out that he was a womanizer. He had been cheating on her. She is not very trusting because of her ex. She tends to take it out on Langston. Olivia ends up finding out that Langston is a member of the school board that is involved with slating her school for possible closure. Olivia has a dilemma in the story. Langton turns out to be a really nice guy so she decides to give things a try but he might have a hand in closing her school. Also, Olivia wants to expand her nonprofit organization but she needs to find funding so that is another obstacle in the story.
I thought this was a good story and it was written for a good cause. It never said how old Olivia was in the story. The romance did seem a little lacking. I like Olivia and Langston together but I wish a little more of their relationship would have been shown. It seemed to skip ahead a lot. I know the story was supposed to be more about the non-profit organization. I did feel that Olivia was a little rude at times but I felt it was a little rude of Langston to answer his phone while they were having dinner. She did tend to jump to conclusions when it came to Langston. I thought that is was understand though that she was cautious due to her disastrous past relationship. It wasn’t fair to take it out on Langston.
“Olivia, somehow we’ve taken a wrong turn, and I would like to get directions on how to get back to the main highway.”
Olivia really cared about her community and the children that she taught. She really tried to make a difference. Olivia was still determined even though the situation seemed bleak. I liked the ending.
January 7, 2018
I have had good luck with free book on Book Shout so this was a disappointment as one of the rare misses. The story is promising, but I felt the writing and dialogue was stilted and for a romance novel it focused more on the school closing aspect of the story. I can appreciate that storyline as a teacher myself, but felt it was too much of the overall story. I found the characters to be kind of shallow and I never really connected with them.
October 3, 2018
I just didn't see the connection between the main characters. And then there was the completely unethical behavior since he awarded her a $25ok grant even if they were apart at the exact time it was awarded. The non-profit was almost an after thought in this story.
November 25, 2024
This e-book has been in My Digital Library since October 18, 2015.
This was a good story about the start of a local charity organization that was built on a framework of the charity Diller Community Foundation.
I rated it 4 stars.
This was a good story about the start of a local charity organization that was built on a framework of the charity Diller Community Foundation.
I rated it 4 stars.
June 13, 2025
Promising short story, but I couldn’t connect with either character. I don’t understand how they developed feelings for each other given the circumstances. The way they talked to each other annoyed me at times.
June 17, 2016
Good news travels fast; bad news travels even faster.
Olivia Harris teaches the 3rd grade in Chicago. Through budget cuts, her school is placed on a list of schools that could possibly and would probably be closed. It doesn’t matter that the school rates among the highest in the city; politics are politics and logic seldom has a role to play.
Olivia has always wanted to make a difference in the world. As a teacher, she prided herself in filling young minds and forming lives filled with promise. She willingly and joyfully tutored children that spend extended time in the hospital or need that little extra help that makes all the difference. She started a non-profit organization “It Takes A Village”, which provides school supplies and tutoring for underprivileged children. Her livelihood, her life’s passion, and the neighborhoods children’s welfare were all in danger of collapse.
A chance meeting with a tall dark stranger may change her life even more dramatically, as Langston Hill invades her life with passion and the promise of more.
This is a tear-jerker, first class. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book but it surprised me in several ways. The vivid characters and their heartbreaking tribulations have you shaking your head in empathy. This isn’t the type of story I would readily accredit to a male author as it is probably more appreciated by women readers. I am not one that watched reality shows, as I get little pleasure out of my fellow man’s ignorance or woes, but this story left an impression on me. I think others will also enjoy it and perhaps give it a higher rating.
Olivia Harris teaches the 3rd grade in Chicago. Through budget cuts, her school is placed on a list of schools that could possibly and would probably be closed. It doesn’t matter that the school rates among the highest in the city; politics are politics and logic seldom has a role to play.
Olivia has always wanted to make a difference in the world. As a teacher, she prided herself in filling young minds and forming lives filled with promise. She willingly and joyfully tutored children that spend extended time in the hospital or need that little extra help that makes all the difference. She started a non-profit organization “It Takes A Village”, which provides school supplies and tutoring for underprivileged children. Her livelihood, her life’s passion, and the neighborhoods children’s welfare were all in danger of collapse.
A chance meeting with a tall dark stranger may change her life even more dramatically, as Langston Hill invades her life with passion and the promise of more.
This is a tear-jerker, first class. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book but it surprised me in several ways. The vivid characters and their heartbreaking tribulations have you shaking your head in empathy. This isn’t the type of story I would readily accredit to a male author as it is probably more appreciated by women readers. I am not one that watched reality shows, as I get little pleasure out of my fellow man’s ignorance or woes, but this story left an impression on me. I think others will also enjoy it and perhaps give it a higher rating.
March 17, 2016
Olivia Harris is a dedicated teacher whose love of children and learning is bone deep. When faced with losing her job it is not herself she worries about but the eager young minds who are losing their best chance at an excellent education is her main concern.
Langston Hill at first seems to be everything Olivia had dreamed of finding in a man, he is compassionate, loves children as much as she does, believes in a childs right to receiving the best education and then turns out to be a member of the board determining which schools are closing or staying open.
Disillusioned by her discovery Olivia confronts Langston and they work past being on opposing sides. At least for a while.
I firmly believe in nurturing the love of learning, am appreciative of what it takes to be an excellent teacher and am wholly on board with the reality that a good education is a springboard for a good life.
This short read touched me as it was meant to and reminded me how fortunate I was in the school attended that had the kind of dedicated teachers who strove day in and day out to give the knowledge needed for students to succeed once they grew up.
Langston Hill at first seems to be everything Olivia had dreamed of finding in a man, he is compassionate, loves children as much as she does, believes in a childs right to receiving the best education and then turns out to be a member of the board determining which schools are closing or staying open.
Disillusioned by her discovery Olivia confronts Langston and they work past being on opposing sides. At least for a while.
I firmly believe in nurturing the love of learning, am appreciative of what it takes to be an excellent teacher and am wholly on board with the reality that a good education is a springboard for a good life.
This short read touched me as it was meant to and reminded me how fortunate I was in the school attended that had the kind of dedicated teachers who strove day in and day out to give the knowledge needed for students to succeed once they grew up.
April 21, 2014
Men should not write romance stories, well except maybe Nicholas Sparks, they seem to lose something along the way. This book was so matter of fact that sometimes it left like I was reading a play manuscript. He said this and she said that, but nothing in between. I am glad I read this book in the More Than Words last because it wasn't as good as the other two books that won. I don't know what they saw in this one to make it a winner but it was annoying and lacked chemistry. The main character, Olivia was annoying and I hated her most of the books, what she wanted to do was so brave and amazing but the author left out the heart of the character so whatever she did was downgraded. I know that this was based on a real women and I sure hope that she is nothing like this character. I liked Langston, the name was stupid but his character was ok. He also lacked the heart that a male character should have. I loved the other two books and the idea of this contest but this one fell short on so much that I don't know how it won.
April 16, 2014
This book just didn't really do much for me. I thought it just didn't make a whole lot of sense. It was probably written just to get information out about the program. The main character didn't make that much sense to me. I felt like she was supposed to be such a great, giving person that everyone would want to be friends with, but then she was kind of mean and embarrassing in public! I wouldn't want to be friends with her because I'd be afraid of what she'd do. It seemed like she was one of those people that I'd avoid as much as possible and quietly dislike. Because of how she is, I didn't really understand why the guy would want to keep going after her either. I didn't understand why he would stay in the job he's in either. It didn't seem to fit his lifestyle. And I hated how he left things so unclear. Really? Was there no way to let her know at least what was going on? Meh. Not my favorite...
April 3, 2014
Meh.
Olivia had good intentions and all, and I liked what she wanted to do, but too often she came off as incredibly rude. It was in everyday actions, and I just wanted to slap her.
I simply didn't like her at all.
Olivia had good intentions and all, and I liked what she wanted to do, but too often she came off as incredibly rude. It was in everyday actions, and I just wanted to slap her.
I simply didn't like her at all.
January 6, 2017
The storyline of this book was intriguing, and being part of the More Than Words Program made me very excited about reading it. Unfortunately, I was bored with this book. Olivia was also very annoying.
June 29, 2014
The Gift of a Good Start was a short quick read with a great message in making a difference in the lives of others. I would of likes more to be written between the lines. A good read.
Read
March 23, 2015This was a good book. I'll recommend as well.
November 29, 2015
A nice little romance that's a tribute to a nonprofit leader
December 28, 2016
This books brings my inner power and inspiration forward on doing voluntary work and having faith in organizations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews