Beginning Over

by Stacey Wilk

Petra Wilde has always taken the path most expected of her. But not anymore. She's determined to create the life she wants. Though she has no idea how. With her cranky nineteen-year-old daughter in tow, she returns to Candlewood Falls to pack up her dying mother's belongings. Unsure and afraid to face the life her mother left behind, Petra avoids the inevitable and signs up for a cooking class.

Maverick Labraccio's life changed forever one horrible day five years ago. He went from being a top chef to a man stuck in the web of his misfortune. Now, forced by guilt, he agrees to teach a cooking class, that he knows he'll hate. So instead of teaching, he signs the class up for a food competition. Pass or fail. Win or lose. Doesn't matter. Until he gets to know one of his students.

Petra and Mav have a lot to digest this summer. They must learn together that true love is the secret ingredient to the best meals. And that mistakes can be forgiven and the past doesn't define you. But will they figure it out before the timer runs down and they spoil it all?

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2022

About the author

From an early age, Stacey Wilk told tales as a way to escape. At six she wrote short stories in composition notebooks, at twelve she wrote a novel on a typewriter, in high school biology she wrote rock star romances in her binder instead of paying attention.

But it wasn’t until many years later, inspired by her children and a looming birthday, that she finally took her story-telling seriously. And published her first novel in 2013. Since then, she’s gone on to publish fourteen more so women everywhere could fall in love and find an escape of their own.

She isn’t done telling stories. Not by a long shot. If you want to read her emotional and honest books about family, romance, and second chances, visit her at www.staceywilk.com

To see what she writes next, follow her Facebook group for her amazing readers – Stacey’s Novel Family https://bit.ly/2FK8Lae
Or join her newsletter - https://bit.ly/2A0jEFk

Reviews

[Sue Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooking up love!!!
I received an ARC copy of this book via Hidden Gems and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolutely gutted that I've only just found this book and its the last one in the series.
Also Stacey Wilk is a new author to me but I would definitely like to read more of her books.
Told from the POV of both characters, this is Mav and Petra's story.
Guilty over the death of his wife and losing his business and life in the bottom of the bottle, Mav is forced by his sister in law to help teach a culinary class at a school in Candlewood Falls for the summer break.
Petra is helping her father pack up her Mother's possession from her childhood home but decided to enrol in the culinary class to help fulfil her dream of owning her own café.
Brilliant storyline, fantastic characters and absolutely loved the HEA.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you’ve lived your entire life for others and suddenly have to make the choices for yourself? Will you be brave and dust off the old dreams you’d given up dreaming or go back to what you’ve always known and continue to give up everything for the people around you? This is the challenge Petra now faces while also coming to terms with the end of her beloved mother’s life. Maverick faces almost the exact opposite situation, believing that stubbornly clinging to his dream was the cause of his late wife’s death. Can these two wounded souls help to heal each other? I love everything about Candlewood Falls and this pair only reinforces that belief. I adored the messages in this book about reaching for your dreams and dealing with the regrets in life. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the next Wilde on her list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to be back in Candlewood - loved getting to know Petra this go around and hearing more about Ember and Raf.

Loved the budding romance, it took me back to my budding romance with my husband- reminding me of those sparks from the moment he touched my face some 13 years ago.

I love the fact that Stacey leaves the steamy parts up for the imagination- while bringing it in, it is tastefully done without graphic detail that turns the book into smut.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Wendy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got in my hammock and took a trip to Candlewood Falls. I love the people of this town. Petra and Mav have a lot going on and they both needed to start over, but it takes them quite a bit to figure it all out. We all need to start over once in a while. Always love to visit this town. A thunderstorm broke out right when i finished reading. Quite appropriate. You don’t know why? Well, you will have to read this book to find out!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning Over is the fourth book of the Hometown series. Petra is dealing with the end of her marriage, the loss of her mother, and a prickly teenage daughter, and wondering what comes next. Mav carries a load of unwarranted guilt regarding the death of his wife and no longer has any desire to continue in his career as an award winning chef. An encounter in a parking lot and a cooking class will set this pair in motion towards a new beginning for both. This is a great story, emotional and absorbing with likable characters. I enjoyed it a lot. 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story fell flat for me unfortunately. I found the H\h to be a very unlikely match as I couldn't feel the chemistry between them. Add in the majority of the back characters just being antagonistic and pushy and I couldn't buy into the tale

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting!

Beginning Over: WOW! So much going in this story! It was an emotional story but kept the reader wanted to see what happens with romance and bonding. I really enjoyed it!

[Teresa Reitnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting a new life takes letting go of past failures and tackling complications that arise. Petra and Mav need to find the correct direction to take in their endeavor of finding their new paths. A beautiful story bringing two lost souls together. I love visiting Candlewood Falls. The characters are amazing and believable. I received a copy, and I'm voluntarily giving my honest review.