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The Art of Starting Over
In this journey from first love to second chances, New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin brings a single mom and a widower back home to renew the spark that will light their way forward.
Devorah Campbell’s life falls apart under the pressure of one truth: her husband is having an affair with her best friend. So Devorah packs up her daughter and their shared heartbreak for small-town Oyster Bay, where she grew up. Her relationship with her father is still on the rocks, but Devorah has her brother there—and, unexpectedly, her brother’s best friend.
Hayden McKenna lost his wife a year ago and has struggled with single fatherhood ever since. Moving back home with his son is a last but best resort, a chance to start fresh, surrounded by family and old friends. But when Hayden runs into Devorah, his childhood crush, sparks fly as bright as ever. If only he could make her see them too…
Amid a swirl of hurt and healing, Devorah and Hayden grow closer, rekindling what they had all those years ago to discover that, sometimes, a new start means going back to the beginning.
Devorah Campbell’s life falls apart under the pressure of one truth: her husband is having an affair with her best friend. So Devorah packs up her daughter and their shared heartbreak for small-town Oyster Bay, where she grew up. Her relationship with her father is still on the rocks, but Devorah has her brother there—and, unexpectedly, her brother’s best friend.
Hayden McKenna lost his wife a year ago and has struggled with single fatherhood ever since. Moving back home with his son is a last but best resort, a chance to start fresh, surrounded by family and old friends. But when Hayden runs into Devorah, his childhood crush, sparks fly as bright as ever. If only he could make her see them too…
Amid a swirl of hurt and healing, Devorah and Hayden grow closer, rekindling what they had all those years ago to discover that, sometimes, a new start means going back to the beginning.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2025
5318 people are currently reading
10946 people want to read
About the author
Heidi McLaughlin
122 books7,431 followersHeidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 760 reviews
January 4, 2025
I think I will be an outlier here, but I felt this was really slow and I didn’t enjoy it. The only enjoyable part was the flashbacks. The rest seemed so simple and slow.
I am gonna be honest I didn’t even make it until the end. Pushed through until about 3/4 of the way & by then I was done.
I think some will enjoy it, but I just need more excitement. This is for people who like slow burns. I usually like a second chance romance & that is why I did like the flashbacks, but the rest was just boring for me.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the free advance copy.
I am gonna be honest I didn’t even make it until the end. Pushed through until about 3/4 of the way & by then I was done.
I think some will enjoy it, but I just need more excitement. This is for people who like slow burns. I usually like a second chance romance & that is why I did like the flashbacks, but the rest was just boring for me.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the free advance copy.
January 6, 2025
Here is the deal-- I liked this book. But it is EXACTLY like the plot of Hope Floats. I mean, practically identical. I mean, the woman is humiliated VERY publically with her husband's affair. She races to her old hometown with her distraught daughter where everyone knows what happened. She meets an old love.... I mean, WTF? Sure there were a few differences, the old love had a kid himself. And she races home to her dad instead of her mom....but come on. I knew what was coming because of the movie, sure enough--same thing happened. I know the movie is from the late 90s, but seriously. It was so similar. I feel like there should be some sort of credit given to the writers of Hope Floats here.
February 9, 2025
Oh God. Dismal. The blurb highlights that McLaughlin is a NYT bestseller, but I was left wondering how on earth that was possible. The writing was just bad. Lead character is a total Mary Sue - as is the leading man. In fact all the characters are Mary Sues, unless they're one of the 3 designated Bitch characters. Everyone is just so good, so earnest, such a pillar of the community... so effing dull that rearranging my sock drawer would have been more interesting than persisting with finishing it.
The book needed a much stronger edit (or preferably another couple of drafts) - as well as several typos, there were so many examples of sentences starting with the same word (He, She etc) or dull move-by-move descriptions as characters reached for the handle, opened the car door, stepped out, walked down the path - doing nothing to advance the plot or develop the characters. And oh god, the telling instead of showing.
Perhaps the most strange aspect of the book were the slips in tone. The book reads as if it's for your 70 year old grandma, all so sweet and nice and conservative and small town values... and then there's suddenly a phrase like "balls-deep" or "shit-eating," a "c*ck" and a full-on sex scene. Which I wouldn't have a problem with, except it was so not the aesthetic of the rest of the novel. Main character Devorah gets drunk and has to be "rescued" before she has a one-night stand, when normally she barely drinks and has only had sex with her husband. There's so much about how she doesn't know if she's ready for a relationship... while holding hands and kissing the guy she liked in high school (who realistically is still mourning his wife at this point.) Okay, I'm going to have to stop before the ranting affects my blood pressure. But yeah - bad book. Bad.
Edited to add: I keep wanting to come back to this review to highlight just had bad this book is. So one more thing: the two featured kids are supposedly 9, I think? Yet they spoke like 5 year olds, without any of the sass that 9 year olds usually convey. I was left questioning if McLaughlin had ever met a child? Right, I'm going to stop. For real. Let it go.
The book needed a much stronger edit (or preferably another couple of drafts) - as well as several typos, there were so many examples of sentences starting with the same word (He, She etc) or dull move-by-move descriptions as characters reached for the handle, opened the car door, stepped out, walked down the path - doing nothing to advance the plot or develop the characters. And oh god, the telling instead of showing.
Perhaps the most strange aspect of the book were the slips in tone. The book reads as if it's for your 70 year old grandma, all so sweet and nice and conservative and small town values... and then there's suddenly a phrase like "balls-deep" or "shit-eating," a "c*ck" and a full-on sex scene. Which I wouldn't have a problem with, except it was so not the aesthetic of the rest of the novel. Main character Devorah gets drunk and has to be "rescued" before she has a one-night stand, when normally she barely drinks and has only had sex with her husband. There's so much about how she doesn't know if she's ready for a relationship... while holding hands and kissing the guy she liked in high school (who realistically is still mourning his wife at this point.) Okay, I'm going to have to stop before the ranting affects my blood pressure. But yeah - bad book. Bad.
Edited to add: I keep wanting to come back to this review to highlight just had bad this book is. So one more thing: the two featured kids are supposedly 9, I think? Yet they spoke like 5 year olds, without any of the sass that 9 year olds usually convey. I was left questioning if McLaughlin had ever met a child? Right, I'm going to stop. For real. Let it go.
November 21, 2025
Both Devy and Hayden are starting over from differing circumstances. As teens they were in love, but obstacles stood in the way of becoming more. They ended up marrying someone else and ten years passed. Now, they have both returned, each bringing a child with them, to the small town where they grew up. Devy hopes to reconnect with her father and brother and find a supportive place for her and her daughter. Hayden wants to raise his son with small town values while being close to his loving parents. Is it too late for Devy and Hayden to rekindle what they had and create a cohesive family for themselves and their children?
This was middling of the road for me. On one hand it’s a sweet comfort read. Devy and Hayden are a couple to root for, and their morals are in the right place. Characterization is well defined. Falling under the cons, the story had issues of repetition mainly while in the characters’ thoughts. The steamy scene toward the end felt awkward. Honestly, it would have been a boon for it to have closed door. And after all the feel-good, personal growth they experienced, I wasn’t prepared for the jarring event that happened just before the conclusion.
I would fill this book under the category of ‘it’s mildly entertaining while you’re reading but would totally forget it after it’s closed.’
This was middling of the road for me. On one hand it’s a sweet comfort read. Devy and Hayden are a couple to root for, and their morals are in the right place. Characterization is well defined. Falling under the cons, the story had issues of repetition mainly while in the characters’ thoughts. The steamy scene toward the end felt awkward. Honestly, it would have been a boon for it to have closed door. And after all the feel-good, personal growth they experienced, I wasn’t prepared for the jarring event that happened just before the conclusion.
I would fill this book under the category of ‘it’s mildly entertaining while you’re reading but would totally forget it after it’s closed.’
April 3, 2025
Parece que me leí un remake de la película Hope Floats.
January 8, 2025
Sweet book about first loves but honestly it feels like Hope Floats in book form!
January 5, 2025
Oh dear. I think this is not for me. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is predictable and the pace is really slow. The ex husband and his mistress are simple caricatures of ‘bad’ people. The hero and heroine behave like OAPs - where is the excitement, the tension the anticipation?
There is so much telling and very little showing and I just kept wanting something exciting to happen. We can’t all like the same kind of books and whilst this author is clearly very popular, her style is simply not what I look for.
There is so much telling and very little showing and I just kept wanting something exciting to happen. We can’t all like the same kind of books and whilst this author is clearly very popular, her style is simply not what I look for.
January 5, 2025
DNF. Gave it a go as an AMZN first read but I just felt some of the plot lines weren’t believable, like, oh we live in this really small town where everyone knows everything about everyone but the FMC couldn’t remember what year the MMC graduated HS even though they hung out all the time and he was her brother’s best friend? Just couldn’t get into it when storylines seemed to contradict themselves.
March 4, 2025
I devoured this book. The writing was as if I was there talking to the characters. It was such a page turner. I loved Devy and Hayden, and the son and daughter were the perfect kids. The ending was super. I have added this author to my must-read list.
July 7, 2025
This book is a poorly written ripoff of Hope Floats.
It’s impossible to believe this author has written 20 novels with nonexistent editing.
I read this to take a break from reality and it’s truly the ONLY reason I did not cut my losses half way through.
It’s impossible to believe this author has written 20 novels with nonexistent editing.
I read this to take a break from reality and it’s truly the ONLY reason I did not cut my losses half way through.
December 3, 2025
4.5/5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. Its a small town romance where you can cozy up beneath a warm blanket and your favorite lounge chair and het onto the story. The setting, main characters and even the side characters were well developed and I could sympathize with the fmc, Devorah.
Plus I really like a comeuppance moment with a cheating ex ( who is not the mmc). Groveling is well deserved even if it's not the mmc that needs to fo it ( he doesn't because he's perfect or at least perfect for the fmc. ).
Has the following tropes:
🌹 Small town romance
🌹 Cheating Ex with New ❤️ love
🌹 Chick Lit and romance
🌹 Divorcing fmc and Widower MMC
When Devorahs husband leaves her for her supposed best friend, her whole world crumbles. She takes her daughter to her hometown and meets Hayden who is a widower with a son the same age as Devorah daughter. Hayden immediately takes a liking to Devorah and sparks fly between them.
I liked the fmc has a backbone and stands up for herself when the people that she thought would support her both betrayed her. She deserved a great man like Hayden to come into her life.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Its a small town romance where you can cozy up beneath a warm blanket and your favorite lounge chair and het onto the story. The setting, main characters and even the side characters were well developed and I could sympathize with the fmc, Devorah.
Plus I really like a comeuppance moment with a cheating ex ( who is not the mmc). Groveling is well deserved even if it's not the mmc that needs to fo it ( he doesn't because he's perfect or at least perfect for the fmc. ).
Has the following tropes:
🌹 Small town romance
🌹 Cheating Ex with New ❤️ love
🌹 Chick Lit and romance
🌹 Divorcing fmc and Widower MMC
When Devorahs husband leaves her for her supposed best friend, her whole world crumbles. She takes her daughter to her hometown and meets Hayden who is a widower with a son the same age as Devorah daughter. Hayden immediately takes a liking to Devorah and sparks fly between them.
I liked the fmc has a backbone and stands up for herself when the people that she thought would support her both betrayed her. She deserved a great man like Hayden to come into her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
This was a weird writing vibe for me. It was a dual POV but told in 3rd person? I didn’t like it but it was ok.
February 2, 2025
Hope Floats, But BETTER!
It’s been a long time since a book made me cry, but this one did. Devorah’s world crumbles when she discovers her husband is cheating—with her best friend, of all people. The way she finds out, combined with their total lack of remorse, made me furious. Heartbroken, Devorah returns to her hometown with her daughter, where she crosses paths with Hayden—her brother’s best friend and her first love. Hayden, a recent widower, is also trying to rebuild his life. As they lean on each other for support, old feelings resurface. Beyond their connection, the story is rich with small-town charm (think Sweet Home Alabama vibes), Devorah’s journey of healing—not just from romantic heartbreak but from the pain of lost friendships and a strained relationship with her father. As Devorah and Hayden’s lives intertwine, their children become close, and Hayden’s family fills the void for Devorah’s daughter in so many ways. This story hit me on a personal level. Having had a complicated relationship with my own father when he was alive, and my father-in-law stepped into that role for me. Watching Devorah’s father, Crow, try to be the dad he never was really hit me emotionally.
This book is a slow burn, but it’s not just about romance. It’s about family, healing, and finding new beginnings where you least expect them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an advanced reader’s copy 🤎
It’s been a long time since a book made me cry, but this one did. Devorah’s world crumbles when she discovers her husband is cheating—with her best friend, of all people. The way she finds out, combined with their total lack of remorse, made me furious. Heartbroken, Devorah returns to her hometown with her daughter, where she crosses paths with Hayden—her brother’s best friend and her first love. Hayden, a recent widower, is also trying to rebuild his life. As they lean on each other for support, old feelings resurface. Beyond their connection, the story is rich with small-town charm (think Sweet Home Alabama vibes), Devorah’s journey of healing—not just from romantic heartbreak but from the pain of lost friendships and a strained relationship with her father. As Devorah and Hayden’s lives intertwine, their children become close, and Hayden’s family fills the void for Devorah’s daughter in so many ways. This story hit me on a personal level. Having had a complicated relationship with my own father when he was alive, and my father-in-law stepped into that role for me. Watching Devorah’s father, Crow, try to be the dad he never was really hit me emotionally.
This book is a slow burn, but it’s not just about romance. It’s about family, healing, and finding new beginnings where you least expect them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an advanced reader’s copy 🤎
May 1, 2025
This book was cute as really heartwarming. Not extreeemlyyyy realistic… but i would definitely recommend it for someone going through a heart break.
February 12, 2025
I don't usually review books I didn't finish, but I made it through 87% before quitting, so it counts as read in my book.
I tried, I realllllly tried. But so many parts of this book are blatantly ripped from the movie Hope Floats that I couldn't keep going. Every time I thought it was starting to differ, another key plot point was exactly as the movie. There is a difference between using something as inspiration and copying it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc in exchange for an honest review.
I tried, I realllllly tried. But so many parts of this book are blatantly ripped from the movie Hope Floats that I couldn't keep going. Every time I thought it was starting to differ, another key plot point was exactly as the movie. There is a difference between using something as inspiration and copying it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2025
This book is Hope Floats... tweaked, but it's Hope Floats. The similarities are hard to miss. Some scenarios are too spot on. The 3rd person POV was hard to read, but the book was ok till the likenesses stacked up and were too hard and annoying to ignore. If you've never seen the movie, watch it. The book, you could pass on it.
February 1, 2025
The Art of Starting Over
To say that Devorah Campbell is going through a lot right now is an understatement. After finding out her best friend Ester is having an affair with her husband Chad from a video app, Dev & her daughter Maren pack up their life in Chicago and return to Oyster Bay Rhode Island where Dev grew up. Devorah’s relationship with her father is icy at best but at least she has her brother Colt and unexpectedly his best friend Hayden McKenna. Hayden McKenna became a widower a year ago and is having a hard time being a single dad to his son Conor. Father and son also move back to Oyster Bay. It is in Oyster Bay he reconnects with Devorah. This time Hayden has a second chance at proving he loves Devorah, but is Dev ready to open her heart again?
Beautiful Setting, Second Chance Love & Heart Felt Moments
I love the setting of Oyster Bay Rhode Island. Rhode Island is a state I would love to see one of these days. Heidi’s descriptions of Oyster Bay did get me lost in that world & the friendly people living there. I think many of us can relate to Hayden being scared to admit our feelings for someone whether it’s due to fear of rejection or other people around us etc. I like how Devorah & Hayden get a second chance at love and how they get along with the others child as well as their own and immediately become a blended family. I also like how Crow, Devorah’s father, tries to be close to Dev again and tries to make up for not being the best father by being a good grandfather to Maren. That was very heartfelt & I teared up a little too with those scenes as well as some others. I also like how the book reveals that love blinded Dev to her husband Chad’s worst traits & how controlling he was & once she got away from him her eyes were opened. That’s what happens to all of us we’re blind to our ex-lovers & spouses’ flaws until we’re either far away or out of the relationship. The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin just came out today on February 1st! I look forward to doing the Behind The Book discussing this one!
To say that Devorah Campbell is going through a lot right now is an understatement. After finding out her best friend Ester is having an affair with her husband Chad from a video app, Dev & her daughter Maren pack up their life in Chicago and return to Oyster Bay Rhode Island where Dev grew up. Devorah’s relationship with her father is icy at best but at least she has her brother Colt and unexpectedly his best friend Hayden McKenna. Hayden McKenna became a widower a year ago and is having a hard time being a single dad to his son Conor. Father and son also move back to Oyster Bay. It is in Oyster Bay he reconnects with Devorah. This time Hayden has a second chance at proving he loves Devorah, but is Dev ready to open her heart again?
Beautiful Setting, Second Chance Love & Heart Felt Moments
I love the setting of Oyster Bay Rhode Island. Rhode Island is a state I would love to see one of these days. Heidi’s descriptions of Oyster Bay did get me lost in that world & the friendly people living there. I think many of us can relate to Hayden being scared to admit our feelings for someone whether it’s due to fear of rejection or other people around us etc. I like how Devorah & Hayden get a second chance at love and how they get along with the others child as well as their own and immediately become a blended family. I also like how Crow, Devorah’s father, tries to be close to Dev again and tries to make up for not being the best father by being a good grandfather to Maren. That was very heartfelt & I teared up a little too with those scenes as well as some others. I also like how the book reveals that love blinded Dev to her husband Chad’s worst traits & how controlling he was & once she got away from him her eyes were opened. That’s what happens to all of us we’re blind to our ex-lovers & spouses’ flaws until we’re either far away or out of the relationship. The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin just came out today on February 1st! I look forward to doing the Behind The Book discussing this one!
Read
June 15, 2025audiobook
January 5, 2025
4.0-4.25 stars. Happy with my Amazon 1st reads choice this month. Author is new to me and one I'd try again. Heart warming second chance, small town romance. Widowed dad/Hayden, with a 9-year-old son, moves back to his hometown. Much to his surprise, his high school crush, Devorah, and her 9 yr old daughter have moved back as well. Devy's a mess after confronting her cheating husband. The story has its share of emotions and relationships needing to be healed. Particularly with Devy and her gruff dad (a heart grabber moment). This is a cute, feel-good story with a great ending.
January 5, 2025
DNF at 20% as I found the writing really stilted and dull. There was no energy at all and it felt very cliched.
December 19, 2024
Heidi McLaughlin’s The Art of Starting Over is a poignant and beautifully crafted story of second chances that left me utterly captivated. Devorah and Hayden’s journey is a heartfelt exploration of love rekindled amidst the ashes of heartbreak. Devorah’s move back to Oyster Bay, seeking solace after her husband’s betrayal, is raw and relatable. Hayden’s struggles as a widowed single father tugged at my heartstrings, making me root for him to find happiness again. Together, their chemistry is undeniable, a mix of nostalgia and newfound hope that felt both authentic and deeply moving. The small-town charm of Oyster Bay, complete with its quirky residents and heartfelt moments, is the perfect backdrop for this emotional rollercoaster.
What sets this story apart is McLaughlin’s ability to weave layers of healing and redemption. Devorah’s reconnection with her father was as compelling as her budding romance with Hayden, providing a touching reminder that sometimes the most complex battles lead to the most meaningful victories. The flashbacks to their youth and bond made their journey feel like coming home—not just to Oyster Bay, but to each other. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t put this book down. The Art of Starting Over is a testament to resilience and the beauty of beginning again, and it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time. This is a must-have for any book lover's collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!
What sets this story apart is McLaughlin’s ability to weave layers of healing and redemption. Devorah’s reconnection with her father was as compelling as her budding romance with Hayden, providing a touching reminder that sometimes the most complex battles lead to the most meaningful victories. The flashbacks to their youth and bond made their journey feel like coming home—not just to Oyster Bay, but to each other. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t put this book down. The Art of Starting Over is a testament to resilience and the beauty of beginning again, and it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time. This is a must-have for any book lover's collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!
March 29, 2025
✨Review✨
5🌟
📖Book: 24/78
📚 Title:
The Art of Starting Over
✍️Author:
Heidi McLaughlin
📄Pages: 285
💫Genre:
💜Fiction•Romance
••••••••••••••••••••••••
📝Synopsis 📝
Devorah’s life is falling apart and her marriage is probably over since she has discovered that her husband and best friend are having an affair. She’s forced to move back home as a single mom and deal with her broken relationship with her father. She also runs into her high school love, but he too is going through a tough situation as a single father. Will her stars align or will she go back to the life she once had?
💭My Thoughts 💭
This book was perfection and just what I needed. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and most certainly not my last. It reminded me of Hope Floats so much which is a movie I love. I hold both characters near to my heart since they both had so much going on, and their journey to heal was beautiful to read. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and it was a short read.
💜Single Mom
💜Single Dad
💜2nd Chance
💜Loss & Grief
💜Cheating
💜HEA
✨QOTD✨
What 5 star second chance romance will you forever recommend ?
•••••••••••••••••••••••
#bookstagrammer #secondchanceromance #bookstacommunity
#bookreview #romancebooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #booksthatmademecry #bookworms #bibliophile
5🌟
📖Book: 24/78
📚 Title:
The Art of Starting Over
✍️Author:
Heidi McLaughlin
📄Pages: 285
💫Genre:
💜Fiction•Romance
••••••••••••••••••••••••
📝Synopsis 📝
Devorah’s life is falling apart and her marriage is probably over since she has discovered that her husband and best friend are having an affair. She’s forced to move back home as a single mom and deal with her broken relationship with her father. She also runs into her high school love, but he too is going through a tough situation as a single father. Will her stars align or will she go back to the life she once had?
💭My Thoughts 💭
This book was perfection and just what I needed. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and most certainly not my last. It reminded me of Hope Floats so much which is a movie I love. I hold both characters near to my heart since they both had so much going on, and their journey to heal was beautiful to read. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and it was a short read.
💜Single Mom
💜Single Dad
💜2nd Chance
💜Loss & Grief
💜Cheating
💜HEA
✨QOTD✨
What 5 star second chance romance will you forever recommend ?
•••••••••••••••••••••••
#bookstagrammer #secondchanceromance #bookstacommunity
#bookreview #romancebooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #booksthatmademecry #bookworms #bibliophile
August 9, 2025
This is a sweet, second chance love story. But when compared to this author’s two most recent books (Before I Go and Heartbreak Hill), which were emotional roller coasters, this one fell a little flat. Still, I enjoyed how uncomplicated this story was despite the difficult situations both the hero and heroine were dealing with. And I’m always a fan of characters who behave like mature adults and whenever there’s not a lot of drama llama.
The narrators for this audiobook were good - they weren't a detriment to the story, but didn't elevate it either.
*thank you to NetGalley and Brillance Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The narrators for this audiobook were good - they weren't a detriment to the story, but didn't elevate it either.
*thank you to NetGalley and Brillance Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 8, 2025
Absolutely fascinating how a woman could walk in and watch her husband sliding in and out of her best friend and not slice and dice both of them. Oh right, she has to raise her daughter and not go to jail.
Sleazy Chad was the most arrogant and manipulative creep I have read about in a long time. However, for Devy to go back to her hometown and for one second, consider forgiving and returning to her super selfish husband was insane. Blew my mind what their 9 year old daughter said to Chad, when she caught him in his lie! Wow!!!
****Thank you Prime 1st Reads, this was really good!!!!
Sleazy Chad was the most arrogant and manipulative creep I have read about in a long time. However, for Devy to go back to her hometown and for one second, consider forgiving and returning to her super selfish husband was insane. Blew my mind what their 9 year old daughter said to Chad, when she caught him in his lie! Wow!!!
****Thank you Prime 1st Reads, this was really good!!!!
January 15, 2025
Classic small town romance
A cute classic hometown romance tale where everyone knows how it will end but goes along for the ride with the characters anyway in the name of romance
A cute classic hometown romance tale where everyone knows how it will end but goes along for the ride with the characters anyway in the name of romance
January 5, 2025
I love that feeling when you finish a book and just smile because it broke your heart but put it back together again. THE ART OF STARTING OVER had it all - passion and love scenes (perfect amount), sweetness, healing and silly times. It is as much a story of family as it is of romance. Of empowerment and grief. Of self love and allowing your heart to open
I loved Hayden and Devorah both together and separate.
Heidi, please make this series!
I loved Hayden and Devorah both together and separate.
Heidi, please make this series!
February 4, 2025
I want to start that this book is a definite miscommunication/lack of communication trope, that I'm not a fan of at all. However, I still liked the book.
Devorah Campbell, mom of a nine year old girl and happily married to Chad for 20 years. Although, one day getting a pedicure she hops on the internet to find a video of Ester, her best friend, telling the whole world the she is having an affair with her best friend's husband! Devy knows this can't be about her, but she still calls Chad, no answer, then Ester, no answer, and she discovers it's true. She packs up herself and daughter and they go to her hometown, Oyster Bay, where she never wanted to go to again.
Hayden McKenna lost his wife Sofia a year ago. After trying to deal with the loss, and being a single parent at his cuurent home and town and decides the he cannot, and moves back to his hometown, Oyster Bay. He discovers the love of his younger life happens to be there also!!! Is it fate? Will his life time best friend, Devy's brother, even let him dater now? What about her dad. Crow, the towns sheriff, that scared him back then of being locked up?
Devorah and Hayden need to decide which each one wants from all those years ago.
Devorah Campbell, mom of a nine year old girl and happily married to Chad for 20 years. Although, one day getting a pedicure she hops on the internet to find a video of Ester, her best friend, telling the whole world the she is having an affair with her best friend's husband! Devy knows this can't be about her, but she still calls Chad, no answer, then Ester, no answer, and she discovers it's true. She packs up herself and daughter and they go to her hometown, Oyster Bay, where she never wanted to go to again.
Hayden McKenna lost his wife Sofia a year ago. After trying to deal with the loss, and being a single parent at his cuurent home and town and decides the he cannot, and moves back to his hometown, Oyster Bay. He discovers the love of his younger life happens to be there also!!! Is it fate? Will his life time best friend, Devy's brother, even let him dater now? What about her dad. Crow, the towns sheriff, that scared him back then of being locked up?
Devorah and Hayden need to decide which each one wants from all those years ago.
February 20, 2025
The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin is a tender second-chance love story about a family navigating loss. I was particularly impressed by Hayden’s patience and care while helping his son grieve. I also appreciated how he and Devorah prioritized their children as they adjusted to new family dynamics.
That said, the premise didn’t feel original—if you’ve seen Hope Floats, you’ll recognize this plot. While Devorah’s journey of reconnecting with her father added depth, her character was frustratingly passive for much of the book. I wanted her to find her strength much sooner.
If you enjoy small-town romances with a gentle, introspective feel, this is a sweet and heartfelt read.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars
That said, the premise didn’t feel original—if you’ve seen Hope Floats, you’ll recognize this plot. While Devorah’s journey of reconnecting with her father added depth, her character was frustratingly passive for much of the book. I wanted her to find her strength much sooner.
If you enjoy small-town romances with a gentle, introspective feel, this is a sweet and heartfelt read.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars
March 20, 2025
i loved this book! the story was so sweet and i loved the characters, from the main characters to their kids to the grandparents, i think everyone was used perfectly in this story! i also loved the small town new england setting, it really just helped me picture everything so clearly
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