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Beignets for Two #1
Julia Monroe Begins Again
Julia Monroe has just turned forty and hopes this next decade goes much better than the last, in which she became a young widow raising two children on her own. With both her boys off to college, it's time for new beginnings, and she can finally focus on expanding her New Orleans-based cleaning business--but God has other plans. Samuel Reed, the ruggedly handsome Green Beret who broke her heart over twenty years ago, has returned to town and is the kind of distraction she never saw coming.
After their first interaction in years leaves her mind spinning and her emotions out of control, Julia knows she needs to keep her distance from him if she wants any chance of keeping history from repeating itself, but her meddling best friend has other plans to throw them together. It seems inevitable that Julia will have to face her past with Samuel, but only if she can work up the courage to embrace the kind of new beginning she never thought she'd see again.
Rebekah Millet will make you laugh, swoon, and cry in this delightful debut novel of first loves and second chances wrapped in the magic of New Orleans.
After their first interaction in years leaves her mind spinning and her emotions out of control, Julia knows she needs to keep her distance from him if she wants any chance of keeping history from repeating itself, but her meddling best friend has other plans to throw them together. It seems inevitable that Julia will have to face her past with Samuel, but only if she can work up the courage to embrace the kind of new beginning she never thought she'd see again.
Rebekah Millet will make you laugh, swoon, and cry in this delightful debut novel of first loves and second chances wrapped in the magic of New Orleans.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2023
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6369 people want to read
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October 21, 2023
I'm awarding 5 clean and shiny stars to this debut from Rebekah Millet featuring a 40-year-old widow with a cleaning business. Here are 5 reasons why:
🌟 Julia and her struggles with her faith, parenting, priorities, and forgiveness to be so relatable
🌟 Samuel is a lovable hero. He has mistakes in his past and is determined to grow in his faith.
🌟 Chewy, the poodle mix, is a faithful protector for Julia.
🌟 So many great supporting characters like BFF Kate, Julia's mama, and Samuel's crusty daddy.
🌟 This is an inspiring, clean romance with humor and heart.
Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
🌟 Julia and her struggles with her faith, parenting, priorities, and forgiveness to be so relatable
🌟 Samuel is a lovable hero. He has mistakes in his past and is determined to grow in his faith.
🌟 Chewy, the poodle mix, is a faithful protector for Julia.
🌟 So many great supporting characters like BFF Kate, Julia's mama, and Samuel's crusty daddy.
🌟 This is an inspiring, clean romance with humor and heart.
Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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October 11, 2025I did not finish this. Unfortunately, it has every single romance trope that I don't like.
Julia Monroe is a 40 year old widow and mother to 2 boys. Her boys are at college, she is living with her dog, and cleaning houses with her homemade products. Before she was married, in her 20's, she was head over heels in love with a guy. The guy didn't want to commit, so he left.
Present day, she is at church and sees her old flame there. We follow the progression of her second chance romance with him and her struggle to forgive him for leaving all those years ago.
I truly thought that I was going to like this book. The synopsis and the cover drew me in.
The first scene was excellent! I felt endeared to Julia Monroe and wanted to see more of her life.
However...
I soon realized that her quirky personality actually just felt like immaturity and lack of social awareness. The more I was in her head and reading her thoughts, the more I couldn't stand her. I can see that it was trying to be funny, but I was more so embarrassed by her behavior as a 40 year old woman with 2 sons who had been married for a significant time. It didn't match up.
Then comes the guy and the romance. First of all, she clearly hasn't forgiven him and wants nothing to do with him. Fine - forgiveness is hard. But the way she goes round in her head hating him but also being physically attracted to him drove me nuts. As an almost 30 year old reading about this 40 year old, I saw nothing in her thoughts or behaviour that inspired me, endeared me, or encouraged me about getting older.
The romance itself was so cringe! He was trying to be all cool and suave by ignoring her pleas to stay away. He just knew she still had feelings. Ew. Like dude, back off. It was such a turn off for me. The "hate to love" trope makes no sense in this setting because her words are saying - I don't trust you. Stay away from me. And he is saying - I know you still find me attractive; give me a second chance. NO. There was no cute resisting here, Julia straight up told him. Grrr.
The Christian content was fine. It was refreshing to see her going to church. She prayed here and there and she had a nice come to Jesus moment. This was overshadowed by everything I wasn't liking though.
I got 83% in. I had to quit after she had a conversation in the car with her sons. The boys are letting her know that they are ok with her dating again and they like this guy who's been hanging around.
Julia's reaction to her sons being so clear and mature about their feelings and their mom's life had me closing my ereader and deciding to dnf. I wasn't enjoying it and I didn't want to read about Julia Monroe anymore.
This is likely a case of it's me and the tropes not the book. If you enjoy reading hate to love, second chance romance then this might be a fun time for you. I just really don't like those tropes.
I won't be rating it since I didn't finish it. I hope others have a better time than I did.
I was given a free ebook copy by NetGalley and Bethany House to give an honest review.
Julia Monroe is a 40 year old widow and mother to 2 boys. Her boys are at college, she is living with her dog, and cleaning houses with her homemade products. Before she was married, in her 20's, she was head over heels in love with a guy. The guy didn't want to commit, so he left.
Present day, she is at church and sees her old flame there. We follow the progression of her second chance romance with him and her struggle to forgive him for leaving all those years ago.
I truly thought that I was going to like this book. The synopsis and the cover drew me in.
The first scene was excellent! I felt endeared to Julia Monroe and wanted to see more of her life.
However...
I soon realized that her quirky personality actually just felt like immaturity and lack of social awareness. The more I was in her head and reading her thoughts, the more I couldn't stand her. I can see that it was trying to be funny, but I was more so embarrassed by her behavior as a 40 year old woman with 2 sons who had been married for a significant time. It didn't match up.
Then comes the guy and the romance. First of all, she clearly hasn't forgiven him and wants nothing to do with him. Fine - forgiveness is hard. But the way she goes round in her head hating him but also being physically attracted to him drove me nuts. As an almost 30 year old reading about this 40 year old, I saw nothing in her thoughts or behaviour that inspired me, endeared me, or encouraged me about getting older.
The romance itself was so cringe! He was trying to be all cool and suave by ignoring her pleas to stay away. He just knew she still had feelings. Ew. Like dude, back off. It was such a turn off for me. The "hate to love" trope makes no sense in this setting because her words are saying - I don't trust you. Stay away from me. And he is saying - I know you still find me attractive; give me a second chance. NO. There was no cute resisting here, Julia straight up told him. Grrr.
The Christian content was fine. It was refreshing to see her going to church. She prayed here and there and she had a nice come to Jesus moment. This was overshadowed by everything I wasn't liking though.
I got 83% in. I had to quit after she had a conversation in the car with her sons. The boys are letting her know that they are ok with her dating again and they like this guy who's been hanging around.
Julia's reaction to her sons being so clear and mature about their feelings and their mom's life had me closing my ereader and deciding to dnf. I wasn't enjoying it and I didn't want to read about Julia Monroe anymore.
This is likely a case of it's me and the tropes not the book. If you enjoy reading hate to love, second chance romance then this might be a fun time for you. I just really don't like those tropes.
I won't be rating it since I didn't finish it. I hope others have a better time than I did.
I was given a free ebook copy by NetGalley and Bethany House to give an honest review.
February 11, 2023
Up-and-coming romance author Rebekah Millet shines in this delightful second-chance story. When an old flame re-enters a widow’s life, she guards the heart he once shattered. But his charm and persistence soon have her grappling with forgiveness—and the chemistry that still sizzles between them. "Julia Monroe Begins Again" is a warm and witty tale that will grab you by the heart!
dnf
October 14, 2023Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet - DNF at 51% - Ch 21
Let me start by saying this book has tropes I am not usually a fan of (hate to love mostly) - so take my review with a grain of salt. This may be something for you - and it's just not for me. I do think Rebekah has great writing and I would love to check out future books by her if the tropes are up my alley - I probably should have really waited to see if the tropes would have been for me or not but I digress.
Julia Monroe is a 40 year old widow and mother of 2 boys, 18 and 19 years old, who are off to college now, leaving Julia at home alone to figure out this next stage of her life. She had a beautiful, happy marriage to her husband Mark - but he passed away 10 years ago and she is not eager to jump into a new relationship, for fear of getting hurt again. In comes Samuel Reed, the "ex-boyfriend before her life with her husband". Their relationship ended on bad terms but 20 years later, he's back in town and arrives at her church and old memories resurface.
Ya'll I reallllllly wanted to love this book. I feel bad honestly, but it just wasn't for me. I am not going to "rate it" since I didn't finish it, but from what I read 50% in, I was beyond frustrated with Julia.
She sees Samuel at her church and references how he "needs to find another place of worship" and that rubbed me the wrong way. She continues to be so mean and hating him for a good portion of the book, but she's still thinking about how handsome he is and stuff - yet she's so mean. Some of what she said just rubbed me the wrong way. I understand she has not forgiven Samuel for what he did and there's some trauma she is holding onto - but 20 years later Samuel has truly changed, is a Christian and showing true remorse after all he has done, yet she is holding such a grudge against him and cannot move past their past. This is something I struggle with reading in books - the "I can't let this go" trope. It's frustrating - I know it's hard to forgive people but as a 40 year old she just exhibited such immaturity in her thoughts and behavior. She was downright mean to him and that just frustrated me. And then he just kept coming back after she was so rude - it was truly like a hate to love situation that frustrated me. I have enjoyed enemies to lovers in the past but....this was just truly hate to love and I didn't like that.
After hearing from a close friend more frustrating things that occur in the 80% mark, I decided I was just not the right person for this book and decided to DNF. I honestly think several will enjoy this - for those who love the second chance hate to love books, but I am starting to realize what I enjoy in romance books and this was just not for me. I have seen there are some good faith moments in this book but unfortunately I was not able to make it there with everything I wasn't loving.
Again, while I am disappointed that I didn't end up loving this or finishing it, I will be on the look out for more of Rebekah's books in the future - just need to make sure the tropes are for me! :)
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book to honestly read and review.
Let me start by saying this book has tropes I am not usually a fan of (hate to love mostly) - so take my review with a grain of salt. This may be something for you - and it's just not for me. I do think Rebekah has great writing and I would love to check out future books by her if the tropes are up my alley - I probably should have really waited to see if the tropes would have been for me or not but I digress.
Julia Monroe is a 40 year old widow and mother of 2 boys, 18 and 19 years old, who are off to college now, leaving Julia at home alone to figure out this next stage of her life. She had a beautiful, happy marriage to her husband Mark - but he passed away 10 years ago and she is not eager to jump into a new relationship, for fear of getting hurt again. In comes Samuel Reed, the "ex-boyfriend before her life with her husband". Their relationship ended on bad terms but 20 years later, he's back in town and arrives at her church and old memories resurface.
Ya'll I reallllllly wanted to love this book. I feel bad honestly, but it just wasn't for me. I am not going to "rate it" since I didn't finish it, but from what I read 50% in, I was beyond frustrated with Julia.
She sees Samuel at her church and references how he "needs to find another place of worship" and that rubbed me the wrong way. She continues to be so mean and hating him for a good portion of the book, but she's still thinking about how handsome he is and stuff - yet she's so mean. Some of what she said just rubbed me the wrong way. I understand she has not forgiven Samuel for what he did and there's some trauma she is holding onto - but 20 years later Samuel has truly changed, is a Christian and showing true remorse after all he has done, yet she is holding such a grudge against him and cannot move past their past. This is something I struggle with reading in books - the "I can't let this go" trope. It's frustrating - I know it's hard to forgive people but as a 40 year old she just exhibited such immaturity in her thoughts and behavior. She was downright mean to him and that just frustrated me. And then he just kept coming back after she was so rude - it was truly like a hate to love situation that frustrated me. I have enjoyed enemies to lovers in the past but....this was just truly hate to love and I didn't like that.
After hearing from a close friend more frustrating things that occur in the 80% mark, I decided I was just not the right person for this book and decided to DNF. I honestly think several will enjoy this - for those who love the second chance hate to love books, but I am starting to realize what I enjoy in romance books and this was just not for me. I have seen there are some good faith moments in this book but unfortunately I was not able to make it there with everything I wasn't loving.
Again, while I am disappointed that I didn't end up loving this or finishing it, I will be on the look out for more of Rebekah's books in the future - just need to make sure the tropes are for me! :)
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book to honestly read and review.
October 31, 2023
“This would be so much easier if You just told me what to do…”
Oh my gracious… I am still recovering from this fabulous read! Fair warning – I will probably babble incoherently about it in this review, despite my best efforts to make sense. I laughed on nearly every page. I shed a few tears, too. And I’m pretty sure I came thisclose to being electrocuted from all the sparks between Samuel and Julia… this is NOT a complaint, mind you. Just a swoonified observation.
From the very first page, I suspected that Julie Monroe Begins Again was going to be on my list of favorite reads of 2023. About halfway through, I suspected it would be making my list of favorite books I’ve ever read. And by the end, I knew it would have a solid place on both lists henceforth and forevermore. Between Julia’s sassy running commentary (courtesy of the delightfully written first person narrative), her ‘demon dog’ Chewy, her best friend (and matchmaker) Kate, her mothering anxiety over her college-age sons, and her chain-smoking-no-feelings Mama, I had lots to guffaw and snicker over. The witty mental asides from Julia combined with the smart dialogue to leave me glued to the pages… and okaaaaay… swoony hunk Samuel helped with that too.
Speaking of Samuel, I wish y’all could have seen my ever-scanning ‘book boyfriend’ antennae go up when I read this first line of chapter two:
“I think Henry Cavill just got saved or joined our church.”
Um. yes please! Let’s find out more.
And oh boy did we ever! Turns out Samuel is Julia’s first love, and they have a tumultuous past – one that we learn about in layers – but this former Green Beret is now on a mission to win back Julia and to show her how he’s changed. I mean… honestly… his sincerity, his intentionality, his integrity, his swooniliciousness… ghfjdalkjsdlskfhdkslvhjdlska. <– That’s my last coherent thought flying away. Okay, but seriously – he sounds pretty perfect, right? Well, he isn’t. And that’s one of the many reasons I loved him AND wanted to shake him silly. He’s flawed, and so is Julia. They made a lot of mistakes, together and separately, back in college, and true to form they make a few in being reacquainted now. This time though, the mistakes come from people who’ve lived more life and surrendered to Jesus more than they had before but are nonetheless blindsided by the other’s return to their world and still deeply scarred (especially Julia) by their earlier romance. I thought their reactions made sense given what they’ve each been through, and I also thought that they were necessary speed bumps in helping them ultimately leave behind the pain of the past.
There is so much more I could talk about but I’ll try to sum up. The breathless chemistry and sweet-sizzle kisses between Julia & Samuel is perfection. So is the mix of their flirty banter (particularly on Samuel’s part) and the tender relationship that rebuilds between them. Julia cyberstalking her boys at college, worrying over the gray hair in her eyebrow, and debating how often she really needs to shave her legs is priceless & relatable. Also, the faith thread – especially the emphasis on taking things to Jesus in prayer instead of reacting in our own humanity – really spoke to my heart, and I thought the author wove this beautifully into the story.
Bottom Line: In case you can’t tell, I really loved Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet. It doesn’t feel at all like a debut, but rather the work of a seasoned author. Millet has mastered the art of showing vs. telling, and every word felt perfectly placed. I loved everything about Julia & Samuel’s love story – even when I was frustrated with one or both of them – and I’m still grinning every time I think of them. The wit, the humor, the romance, the friendship, the family themes, and the faith themes – all of that, plus the incredibly engaging writing voice – make this a fave read that I’ll go back to when I need to sink into a great story with all the feels. A must-read for fans of Bethany Turner, Pepper Basham, and Becky Wade! Can’t wait for book two!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed (with full disclosure) at Reading Is My SuperPower
Oh my gracious… I am still recovering from this fabulous read! Fair warning – I will probably babble incoherently about it in this review, despite my best efforts to make sense. I laughed on nearly every page. I shed a few tears, too. And I’m pretty sure I came thisclose to being electrocuted from all the sparks between Samuel and Julia… this is NOT a complaint, mind you. Just a swoonified observation.
From the very first page, I suspected that Julie Monroe Begins Again was going to be on my list of favorite reads of 2023. About halfway through, I suspected it would be making my list of favorite books I’ve ever read. And by the end, I knew it would have a solid place on both lists henceforth and forevermore. Between Julia’s sassy running commentary (courtesy of the delightfully written first person narrative), her ‘demon dog’ Chewy, her best friend (and matchmaker) Kate, her mothering anxiety over her college-age sons, and her chain-smoking-no-feelings Mama, I had lots to guffaw and snicker over. The witty mental asides from Julia combined with the smart dialogue to leave me glued to the pages… and okaaaaay… swoony hunk Samuel helped with that too.
Speaking of Samuel, I wish y’all could have seen my ever-scanning ‘book boyfriend’ antennae go up when I read this first line of chapter two:
“I think Henry Cavill just got saved or joined our church.”
Um. yes please! Let’s find out more.
And oh boy did we ever! Turns out Samuel is Julia’s first love, and they have a tumultuous past – one that we learn about in layers – but this former Green Beret is now on a mission to win back Julia and to show her how he’s changed. I mean… honestly… his sincerity, his intentionality, his integrity, his swooniliciousness… ghfjdalkjsdlskfhdkslvhjdlska. <– That’s my last coherent thought flying away. Okay, but seriously – he sounds pretty perfect, right? Well, he isn’t. And that’s one of the many reasons I loved him AND wanted to shake him silly. He’s flawed, and so is Julia. They made a lot of mistakes, together and separately, back in college, and true to form they make a few in being reacquainted now. This time though, the mistakes come from people who’ve lived more life and surrendered to Jesus more than they had before but are nonetheless blindsided by the other’s return to their world and still deeply scarred (especially Julia) by their earlier romance. I thought their reactions made sense given what they’ve each been through, and I also thought that they were necessary speed bumps in helping them ultimately leave behind the pain of the past.
There is so much more I could talk about but I’ll try to sum up. The breathless chemistry and sweet-sizzle kisses between Julia & Samuel is perfection. So is the mix of their flirty banter (particularly on Samuel’s part) and the tender relationship that rebuilds between them. Julia cyberstalking her boys at college, worrying over the gray hair in her eyebrow, and debating how often she really needs to shave her legs is priceless & relatable. Also, the faith thread – especially the emphasis on taking things to Jesus in prayer instead of reacting in our own humanity – really spoke to my heart, and I thought the author wove this beautifully into the story.
Bottom Line: In case you can’t tell, I really loved Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet. It doesn’t feel at all like a debut, but rather the work of a seasoned author. Millet has mastered the art of showing vs. telling, and every word felt perfectly placed. I loved everything about Julia & Samuel’s love story – even when I was frustrated with one or both of them – and I’m still grinning every time I think of them. The wit, the humor, the romance, the friendship, the family themes, and the faith themes – all of that, plus the incredibly engaging writing voice – make this a fave read that I’ll go back to when I need to sink into a great story with all the feels. A must-read for fans of Bethany Turner, Pepper Basham, and Becky Wade! Can’t wait for book two!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed (with full disclosure) at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 20, 2023
This book was so much more than I imagined it would be going in to it. The description caught my attention right from the beginning and I'm not sad one bit that I added this book to my overwhelmingly large TBR list.
This book had a large vibe of women's fiction mixed with a heaping dose of romantic tension, flirtations and real life situations. There is a lot of heavy in this one- grief, widowhood, unhealthy relationships, miscarriage and even a stalker situation in this book. The balance between the heavy and the not so heavy was perfectly rationed to also lend this into a contemporary romance situation and left me turning pages.
By the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
"Considering your reaction today, I think you may have some unresolved issues with him, which makes sense since he was your first great love."
"A great love? No." I reached for my door handle. "He was my worst love."
I loved the redemption aspect of this book. That underlying tone throughout is what made this book really sing for me. I loved the friendship between Julia and Kate. Good friends are good for the soul and this friendship was such a joy to read about.
The romance with Samuel was hilarious, heart wrenching at times an adorable. ALL OF THE FEELS for these two! There were some slight innuendos along the way and what I would consider mature content (still very much a clean read, just heavier topics than what I would recommend for young teens). I adored the genuine descriptions and thoughts of putting yourself back out into the dating world later on in life. The author had a great voice on this and I truly enjoyed reading it. The chemistry was great and the conflict believable and the desire for a HEA so real!
I'm excited to see what this author has to write next! I'll definitely be picking it up!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content: death of a spouse, grief, miscarriage, unwed pregnancy, mentions of one night stands and lifestyle, slight innuendo, mild amount of religious exclamations (some as pleading prayers), religious undertones, redemption vibe, second chances, later in life main characters, taking chances, flirtations, swoony romance and kisses only.
This book had a large vibe of women's fiction mixed with a heaping dose of romantic tension, flirtations and real life situations. There is a lot of heavy in this one- grief, widowhood, unhealthy relationships, miscarriage and even a stalker situation in this book. The balance between the heavy and the not so heavy was perfectly rationed to also lend this into a contemporary romance situation and left me turning pages.
By the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
"Considering your reaction today, I think you may have some unresolved issues with him, which makes sense since he was your first great love."
"A great love? No." I reached for my door handle. "He was my worst love."
I loved the redemption aspect of this book. That underlying tone throughout is what made this book really sing for me. I loved the friendship between Julia and Kate. Good friends are good for the soul and this friendship was such a joy to read about.
The romance with Samuel was hilarious, heart wrenching at times an adorable. ALL OF THE FEELS for these two! There were some slight innuendos along the way and what I would consider mature content (still very much a clean read, just heavier topics than what I would recommend for young teens). I adored the genuine descriptions and thoughts of putting yourself back out into the dating world later on in life. The author had a great voice on this and I truly enjoyed reading it. The chemistry was great and the conflict believable and the desire for a HEA so real!
I'm excited to see what this author has to write next! I'll definitely be picking it up!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content: death of a spouse, grief, miscarriage, unwed pregnancy, mentions of one night stands and lifestyle, slight innuendo, mild amount of religious exclamations (some as pleading prayers), religious undertones, redemption vibe, second chances, later in life main characters, taking chances, flirtations, swoony romance and kisses only.
October 22, 2023
Wow! This feel-good, exceptionally witty, sizzling chemistry yet clean romance novel is fantastic! Amazing to think that this is the debut book for its author, Rebekah Millet. I highly recommend Julia Monroe Begins Again to every reader who enjoys remarkable writing filled with amusing banter, family dynamics, friendship, and romance.
I was immediately pulled into the perfectly paced story of the multifaceted lives of Julia, her mother, and two sons; Samuel and his daughter; and Kate and her daughter. Within the pages of this story, the characters experience the gamut of emotions such as grief, loneliness, anxiety, freedom, excitement, forgiveness, and love.
Millet's storytelling weaves a tapestry of the Christian faith, the complex connections of family, the vivid warmth of friendship, and a gentle yet electrifying romance that honors boundaries.
The Christian faith content is a source of profound depth and inspiration, especially when Kate is involved. Several noteworthy and impactful scenes are racing through my mind as I write this review. One of my favorites is near the end of the book when Julia and Kate are being authentic Christian friends -- one of them reminds the other of God’s life-changing forgiveness, mercy, and grace that He extends to each of us. Just like other portions of this book, it is so relatable. Having a trustworthy friend who encourages me to keep God and His ways my focus as I constantly depend on Him is such an incredible gift.
As I draw this review to a close, I find it necessary to mention that, given my personal sensitivities and boundaries, I made a conscious choice to overlook the occasional use of coarse language (no swearing or foul language at all) and references to Marie Kondo.
I received an eARC of Julia Monroe Begins Again from Rebekah Millet, Bethany House Publishers, and NetGalley. I am neither obligated to write a positive review nor compensated for doing so. These words truly convey my assessment and authentic sentiments about this romance novel.
I was immediately pulled into the perfectly paced story of the multifaceted lives of Julia, her mother, and two sons; Samuel and his daughter; and Kate and her daughter. Within the pages of this story, the characters experience the gamut of emotions such as grief, loneliness, anxiety, freedom, excitement, forgiveness, and love.
Millet's storytelling weaves a tapestry of the Christian faith, the complex connections of family, the vivid warmth of friendship, and a gentle yet electrifying romance that honors boundaries.
The Christian faith content is a source of profound depth and inspiration, especially when Kate is involved. Several noteworthy and impactful scenes are racing through my mind as I write this review. One of my favorites is near the end of the book when Julia and Kate are being authentic Christian friends -- one of them reminds the other of God’s life-changing forgiveness, mercy, and grace that He extends to each of us. Just like other portions of this book, it is so relatable. Having a trustworthy friend who encourages me to keep God and His ways my focus as I constantly depend on Him is such an incredible gift.
As I draw this review to a close, I find it necessary to mention that, given my personal sensitivities and boundaries, I made a conscious choice to overlook the occasional use of coarse language (no swearing or foul language at all) and references to Marie Kondo.
I received an eARC of Julia Monroe Begins Again from Rebekah Millet, Bethany House Publishers, and NetGalley. I am neither obligated to write a positive review nor compensated for doing so. These words truly convey my assessment and authentic sentiments about this romance novel.
October 26, 2023
A sweet story of new beginnings after big losses. Heartfelt and real with a great cast of characters. I was completely involved in Julia's journey and enjoyed it thoroughly.
October 16, 2023
Okay, this book was so swoon worthy, y’all! It was the perfect combo of witty banter and fiery chemistry while keeping it clean and classy.
Julia Monroe is a 40-year-old widowed mom whose life is turned upside down when her ex-boyfriend from college returns to New Orleans—and joins her church.
Given their history filled with heartbreak and betrayal, he’s the last person she wants to see, let alone be involved with. But Samuel Reed is intent on winning her back. Will Julia be able to let go of the past and open her heart to trusting Samuel again?
I loved this book! There’s something about characters with messy pasts whose lives have been turned around by the Lord that I can’t get enough of. (Probably because it’s my story too.)
As an almost 40-something, I loved that the characters were around my age. I also loved seeing Julia’s growth throughout the book. I’m hoping we see more of Julia and Sam! 👀😍
A huge thanks to Bethany House for the gifted copy to review. (All opinions are my own.)
Julia Monroe is a 40-year-old widowed mom whose life is turned upside down when her ex-boyfriend from college returns to New Orleans—and joins her church.
Given their history filled with heartbreak and betrayal, he’s the last person she wants to see, let alone be involved with. But Samuel Reed is intent on winning her back. Will Julia be able to let go of the past and open her heart to trusting Samuel again?
I loved this book! There’s something about characters with messy pasts whose lives have been turned around by the Lord that I can’t get enough of. (Probably because it’s my story too.)
As an almost 40-something, I loved that the characters were around my age. I also loved seeing Julia’s growth throughout the book. I’m hoping we see more of Julia and Sam! 👀😍
A huge thanks to Bethany House for the gifted copy to review. (All opinions are my own.)
October 4, 2023
Although the book was decent, it didn't completely meet my expectations. Julia Monroe, a young widow who raised two children on her own in the last decade, has recently turned forty and is optimistic about starting anew. Now that her boys are in college, she sees this decade as an opportunity for a fresh start. Second chance romance.
I was really hoping to enjoy this book, but I just couldn't connect with the main characters, especially Julia. As someone who's a bit older, her behavior and thoughts seemed a bit immature to me. Unfortunately, the humor fell flat and I didn't find any of it funny. Additionally, the dialogue and romantic parts were cringe. All the references to the hero's physique and lusty desires seemed excessive for a Christian romance, overshadowing the intended Christian message.
An alright read, but it didn't personally resonate with me. While it may not have been a perfect match for my preferences, I believe it could certainly appeal to others.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
I was really hoping to enjoy this book, but I just couldn't connect with the main characters, especially Julia. As someone who's a bit older, her behavior and thoughts seemed a bit immature to me. Unfortunately, the humor fell flat and I didn't find any of it funny. Additionally, the dialogue and romantic parts were cringe. All the references to the hero's physique and lusty desires seemed excessive for a Christian romance, overshadowing the intended Christian message.
An alright read, but it didn't personally resonate with me. While it may not have been a perfect match for my preferences, I believe it could certainly appeal to others.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
January 8, 2025
This book has humor and heart with a southern flare and I enjoyed every page! Books that make me laugh out loud are my favorite and this book had me laughing out loud for sure. Rebekah's humor is fabulous! It's so refreshing to find romance with characters in their 40s.
November 8, 2023
What an amazing debut by Rebekah Millet! I loved the Southern, sassy, quirky Julia who’s a widow in her 40’s faced with the past and overcoming her fears when it comes to romance and business. It’s a unique read with a not-so-typical heroine. She’ll definitely cause you to feel a gamut of strong emotions which the writer does an excellent job eliciting, proving she’s someone to watch out for.
Julia Monroe lost her husband Mark 10 years ago. She truly loved him and had two sons with him who are now in their late teens and attending college. But before Mark, there was Samuel Reed. After more than 20 years, she spots him at her church and suddenly the pain, heartache, and betrayal she never forgot is pushed to the forefront. Samuel seems to have changed, but can she reconcile Samuel 2.0 with the Samuel from her past.
As she struggles with forgiveness, she also struggles with real fears and anxiety. She’s so afraid of loss, that she isn’t willing to give Samuel a chance or pursue a business opportunity for her homemade cleaning products. Enter her friend Kate. Everyone should have a friend like Kate who pushes Julia and helps her see what God has been trying to show her all along.
Samuel’s a former Green Beret who lost an eye. He’s gone through a lot in those 20 years he’s been away. He’s definitely matured and is infinitely patient. He recognizes the spark between him and Julia that’s still alive and well, but realizes he’s hurt her deeply. He doesn’t want to give up on her, but he might have to in order to respect her wishes.
It’s a heartfelt, funny, poignant, raw story of loss, second chances, romance, overcoming fears, and forgiveness. Told from Julia’s perspective, I found myself sometimes uncomfortable in her head. She’s opinionated, quick to judge, and flippantly funny. But, she’s also a caring mom, and someone who’s trying to do the right thing. For anyone who’s experienced miscarriages, loss of a spouse, or other deeply traumatic events, it’s easy to sympathize with Julia’s fears. I loved the way things finally resolved in the story. If you’re frustrated with Julia, give her a chance. She might just surprise you.
For an authentic Southern experience, I recommend listening to the audiobook version. The narrator does a great job capturing all the characters, especially Julia and really brings this story to life.
Highly recommend to Christian Women’s Fiction, Christian romcom, and Chick Lit fans. Looking forward to reading more books by this author. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars
Julia Monroe lost her husband Mark 10 years ago. She truly loved him and had two sons with him who are now in their late teens and attending college. But before Mark, there was Samuel Reed. After more than 20 years, she spots him at her church and suddenly the pain, heartache, and betrayal she never forgot is pushed to the forefront. Samuel seems to have changed, but can she reconcile Samuel 2.0 with the Samuel from her past.
As she struggles with forgiveness, she also struggles with real fears and anxiety. She’s so afraid of loss, that she isn’t willing to give Samuel a chance or pursue a business opportunity for her homemade cleaning products. Enter her friend Kate. Everyone should have a friend like Kate who pushes Julia and helps her see what God has been trying to show her all along.
Samuel’s a former Green Beret who lost an eye. He’s gone through a lot in those 20 years he’s been away. He’s definitely matured and is infinitely patient. He recognizes the spark between him and Julia that’s still alive and well, but realizes he’s hurt her deeply. He doesn’t want to give up on her, but he might have to in order to respect her wishes.
It’s a heartfelt, funny, poignant, raw story of loss, second chances, romance, overcoming fears, and forgiveness. Told from Julia’s perspective, I found myself sometimes uncomfortable in her head. She’s opinionated, quick to judge, and flippantly funny. But, she’s also a caring mom, and someone who’s trying to do the right thing. For anyone who’s experienced miscarriages, loss of a spouse, or other deeply traumatic events, it’s easy to sympathize with Julia’s fears. I loved the way things finally resolved in the story. If you’re frustrated with Julia, give her a chance. She might just surprise you.
For an authentic Southern experience, I recommend listening to the audiobook version. The narrator does a great job capturing all the characters, especially Julia and really brings this story to life.
Highly recommend to Christian Women’s Fiction, Christian romcom, and Chick Lit fans. Looking forward to reading more books by this author. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars
Read
October 24, 2023If you love Contemporary Christian Romance, especially rom-coms, this is the book for you! I loved that the heroine was in her 40s and a widow, which puts a totally different spin on falling in love. I loved Julia's voice and I laughed out loud. For fans of Pepper Basham, Becky Wade, and Becca Kinzer.
October 24, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany House, and the author Rebekah Millet for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
Quick take: this is not the book for me. I see a really high average on GR so, clearly, I am in a definite minority. But I just found Julia to be an intensely irritating and immature person, and almost every time she was on-page I found myself rolling my eyes. Consider: you are a 40-something woman with two college-age kids. You had a wonderful marriage to a kind, supportive, loving man, who passed away many years ago. You have successfully supported your family, raised two well-behaved, responsible, upstanding sons, participated actively in church, performed years of community outreach, and shown unflagging grace to your cantankerous mother. This is Julia.
And yet, confronted with an ex from 20 years previous, Julia reverts to her inner six year old. Petty behavior (sneaking away from him, telling him he can't attend her church, you name it), sulking, and outright meanness. She BEGS for God's help in forgiving him and understanding what to do, and when it comes to her via church sermons, realizations, moments of inspiration, and Samuel's own testimony, she ignores everything because she's holding such a grudge. Never mind the fact that she's equally as guilty of bad past behavior. Julia then begs for a sign and when she receives one in the form of first her best friend, then her mom, THEN HER TWO CHILDREN telling her to go for it, she still waffles and whines and hedges. Come on Julia. I just could not get on board with her behavior. She allowed Sam to do everything for her and was continuously nasty and snappy to him.
Sam was questionable too. Why did he persist when Julia pushed him away so hard and so often? Because of a 20-year old connection? He didn't even know her big secret. I can't believe most men (or anyone at all, for that matter, gender notwithstanding) would have persisted in their attachment to a person who treated them like Julia did. The fact that he continued to be so pushy and so tenacious made him look like either a doormat or an oblivious jerk.
I enjoyed both of the cantankerous parents, Julia's mom and Sam's dad. Julia's kids sounded like nice boys. I wanted to like Chewy the attack poodle but once he bit Sam I just got annoyed. Typical small dog shenanigans, getting away with biting and other aggressive bad behavior because he's little and fluffy and cute. Wonder if Sam (and Julia) would have thought it was so funny if Chewy was a German Shepherd or Lab?
Eh. I see the appeal of the book and I liked the Louisiana setting and the Christian elements, but I just COULD NOT get past Julia.
Quick take: this is not the book for me. I see a really high average on GR so, clearly, I am in a definite minority. But I just found Julia to be an intensely irritating and immature person, and almost every time she was on-page I found myself rolling my eyes. Consider: you are a 40-something woman with two college-age kids. You had a wonderful marriage to a kind, supportive, loving man, who passed away many years ago. You have successfully supported your family, raised two well-behaved, responsible, upstanding sons, participated actively in church, performed years of community outreach, and shown unflagging grace to your cantankerous mother. This is Julia.
And yet, confronted with an ex from 20 years previous, Julia reverts to her inner six year old. Petty behavior (sneaking away from him, telling him he can't attend her church, you name it), sulking, and outright meanness. She BEGS for God's help in forgiving him and understanding what to do, and when it comes to her via church sermons, realizations, moments of inspiration, and Samuel's own testimony, she ignores everything because she's holding such a grudge. Never mind the fact that she's equally as guilty of bad past behavior. Julia then begs for a sign and when she receives one in the form of first her best friend, then her mom, THEN HER TWO CHILDREN telling her to go for it, she still waffles and whines and hedges. Come on Julia. I just could not get on board with her behavior. She allowed Sam to do everything for her and was continuously nasty and snappy to him.
Sam was questionable too. Why did he persist when Julia pushed him away so hard and so often? Because of a 20-year old connection? He didn't even know her big secret. I can't believe most men (or anyone at all, for that matter, gender notwithstanding) would have persisted in their attachment to a person who treated them like Julia did. The fact that he continued to be so pushy and so tenacious made him look like either a doormat or an oblivious jerk.
I enjoyed both of the cantankerous parents, Julia's mom and Sam's dad. Julia's kids sounded like nice boys. I wanted to like Chewy the attack poodle but once he bit Sam I just got annoyed. Typical small dog shenanigans, getting away with biting and other aggressive bad behavior because he's little and fluffy and cute. Wonder if Sam (and Julia) would have thought it was so funny if Chewy was a German Shepherd or Lab?
Eh. I see the appeal of the book and I liked the Louisiana setting and the Christian elements, but I just COULD NOT get past Julia.
November 21, 2023
I listened to this humorous, laugh out loud, heartwarming story. My favorite side character was the mama. She cracked me up!! Julia and Samuel are the best. Julia is my book bestie and Samuel, my book boyfriend. The epilogue was a fun surprise, and it ended the way I liked it. Happily!! This isn't a Christmas book, but it sure made my spirits bright. I highly recommend it.
December 11, 2023
My heart, my heart, my heart. 😭
I devoured this in less than 12 hours—yes, it was that riveting—and have been sitting on this review ever since because I.don’t.have.words.
Julia is an empty nester. At 40, her boys are off in college, and she’s been a widow for the last decade. Her own heart, her friends, and her boys are encouraging her to live again… but beginning again is a scary thing.
In walks Samuel—literally. The man she used to know. The man who broke her heart. But is 20 years enough time to heal past hurts?
This story painter a beautiful picture of forgiveness, loss, second chances, & how the Lord can redeem our pasts and our mistakes for good. It’s a mature (adult) read covering heavy topics such as miscarriage, unhealthy relationships, a stalking situation, grief, and past sexual sin. However, Millet handled each topic with such grace that nothing felt gratuitous.
I fell in love with the characters. Julia’s struggles are raw & real. Her friendship with Kate is #friendshipgoals. They’re authentic and honest. Building up while also giving it to each other straight. I adored Samuel. He had his past. He made his mistakes, but his repentance, his faith, his quiet steadiness and gentle pursuit of Julia were all real.
It’s a story that lingers & I can’t get it out of my mind. A new favourite I already look forward to rereading! 💛
I devoured this in less than 12 hours—yes, it was that riveting—and have been sitting on this review ever since because I.don’t.have.words.
Julia is an empty nester. At 40, her boys are off in college, and she’s been a widow for the last decade. Her own heart, her friends, and her boys are encouraging her to live again… but beginning again is a scary thing.
In walks Samuel—literally. The man she used to know. The man who broke her heart. But is 20 years enough time to heal past hurts?
This story painter a beautiful picture of forgiveness, loss, second chances, & how the Lord can redeem our pasts and our mistakes for good. It’s a mature (adult) read covering heavy topics such as miscarriage, unhealthy relationships, a stalking situation, grief, and past sexual sin. However, Millet handled each topic with such grace that nothing felt gratuitous.
I fell in love with the characters. Julia’s struggles are raw & real. Her friendship with Kate is #friendshipgoals. They’re authentic and honest. Building up while also giving it to each other straight. I adored Samuel. He had his past. He made his mistakes, but his repentance, his faith, his quiet steadiness and gentle pursuit of Julia were all real.
It’s a story that lingers & I can’t get it out of my mind. A new favourite I already look forward to rereading! 💛
November 24, 2023
What a fabulous debut from Rebekah Millet. One of my favorite tropes of old flame to new flame with a few obstacles to overcome.
This story was cute, quirky, witty, swoony and also taught spiritual truths.
The author has written her characters with depth and authenticity. Two of the cantankerous varsity were Samuel’s dad, Teddy and Julia’s mom, Anne. “Standing next to the dining room table, Mama stared him down. Clad in all pink and yellow, she looked like a ticked-off Easter egg.”
The storyline has a realistic world view of consequences of sin and coping with the aftermath. Julia had to work through a boatload of guilt and on toward forgiveness. Samuel had to prove to her that he was a changed man. Not only was Julia faced with the possibility of dating Samuel again, she had to balance her work life, motherhood, and her ministry to help the elderly. She needed to focus on what God wanted her to do.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read with a laugh on almost every page. This author will go far.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Review Team. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This story was cute, quirky, witty, swoony and also taught spiritual truths.
The author has written her characters with depth and authenticity. Two of the cantankerous varsity were Samuel’s dad, Teddy and Julia’s mom, Anne. “Standing next to the dining room table, Mama stared him down. Clad in all pink and yellow, she looked like a ticked-off Easter egg.”
The storyline has a realistic world view of consequences of sin and coping with the aftermath. Julia had to work through a boatload of guilt and on toward forgiveness. Samuel had to prove to her that he was a changed man. Not only was Julia faced with the possibility of dating Samuel again, she had to balance her work life, motherhood, and her ministry to help the elderly. She needed to focus on what God wanted her to do.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read with a laugh on almost every page. This author will go far.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Review Team. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
October 25, 2023
This is a very cute book about a forty-year-old widow finding love again. What she doesn't expect is for it to be with her ex that she dated in college. I thought this book was really well done. I liked the comedy and the characters. Julia was so funny. I also liked how persistent Samuel was, and patient. I also really liked Chewy the dog. I loved how much Julia loved her sons and Samuel loved his daughter. There is a good Christian message throughout the book about seeking His will and not our own and not trying to control everything without consulting Him. Julia also has to learn to forgive Samuel for past hurts. There is a lot of funny moments as well. The main thing I didn't like, since it is a Christian Fiction book, is I thought there was too much focus on Samuel's body. And some sexual innuendos. But overall, I thought this was a good romcom.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
October 30, 2023
Pretty sure I was smiling the entire time I read this book. I mean, Harry Connick Jr. is referenced right off the bat. How could I not smile? An all around adorable and charming romcom. I can’t wait to read more stories from Rebekah Millet.
June 8, 2024
Praise God for a true Christian fiction romance. So refreshing!!! Cannot wait for more from this author! Thoroughly enjoyed!
October 6, 2023
Julia Monroe is content in her life as a widow and single mom of two college boys with her own cleaning business in New Orleans. But her life gets interrupted when her ex, Samuel Reed, shows up at her church—and makes it clear that he wants to start dating again. Julia finds herself wrestling with her past hurts and God’s plan for her future as she steps into the beginning of something new.⚜️
Julia Monroe Begins Again is a delightful and hilarious romance book by debut author, Rebekah Millet. Even though the characters were nearly twice my age, I loved seeing their growth in this story and thoroughly enjoyed their witty humor. I also appreciated that the characters’ faith was an integral part of this story. I feel like this isn’t necessarily something you see in a lot of Christian fiction these days, but God’s faithfulness and redemption was evident on every page. And this book was so steeped in New Orleans culture that I felt like I was really there. I congratulate Rebekah Millet on the upcoming release of her debut novel, and I look forward to reading any future books she writes!🩷
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Rebekah Millet and Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📗
Julia Monroe Begins Again is a delightful and hilarious romance book by debut author, Rebekah Millet. Even though the characters were nearly twice my age, I loved seeing their growth in this story and thoroughly enjoyed their witty humor. I also appreciated that the characters’ faith was an integral part of this story. I feel like this isn’t necessarily something you see in a lot of Christian fiction these days, but God’s faithfulness and redemption was evident on every page. And this book was so steeped in New Orleans culture that I felt like I was really there. I congratulate Rebekah Millet on the upcoming release of her debut novel, and I look forward to reading any future books she writes!🩷
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Rebekah Millet and Bethany House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📗
July 30, 2024
I loved this book!!!!
This is such a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud-funny, full-of-hope book!
*The main character is a widow in her 40s which is not your normal age for a MC. And she is so REAL! I so relate to the way she thinks and overthinks and worries and imagines things. So FUNNY!!!
*I love the heat between Julia and Samuel….dont get me wrong this is a clean, closed door romance but there is 🔥 between these two!
*I loved Julia’s mother - the way she described her I can see her in her kitchen, drawing on a cigarette, that raspy voice and that judgmental look covering up a mother’s tender heart!
*I’ll always think of Julia and Samuel every time I see an alpaca from now on! 🦙 😂
*I love how Julia’s best friend is her sounding board; she’s loyal and supportive but also frank and just humbly tells her how it is.
*And I love how Julia’s faith in the Lord becomes more real to her as time goes on. Her struggle with listening to the Lord and asking Him first before rushing headlong into things or trying to fix it on her own is so familiar!
I can’t wait to share this book with my sisters and my book friends - they’re going to love it! And I’ll definitely be anxiously awaiting this author’s next book!
This is such a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud-funny, full-of-hope book!
*The main character is a widow in her 40s which is not your normal age for a MC. And she is so REAL! I so relate to the way she thinks and overthinks and worries and imagines things. So FUNNY!!!
*I love the heat between Julia and Samuel….dont get me wrong this is a clean, closed door romance but there is 🔥 between these two!
*I loved Julia’s mother - the way she described her I can see her in her kitchen, drawing on a cigarette, that raspy voice and that judgmental look covering up a mother’s tender heart!
*I’ll always think of Julia and Samuel every time I see an alpaca from now on! 🦙 😂
*I love how Julia’s best friend is her sounding board; she’s loyal and supportive but also frank and just humbly tells her how it is.
*And I love how Julia’s faith in the Lord becomes more real to her as time goes on. Her struggle with listening to the Lord and asking Him first before rushing headlong into things or trying to fix it on her own is so familiar!
I can’t wait to share this book with my sisters and my book friends - they’re going to love it! And I’ll definitely be anxiously awaiting this author’s next book!
March 15, 2025
“It’s time you stopped looking at what you can handle and start looking at what God can.”
I'm so glad I gave this a try and especially in the month of March! I was hoping for NOLA/Mardi Gras vibes as I've never read something with both, and this definitely delivered!
I laughed, grieved, and and cheered for these characters as they confronted so much painful history and learned to forgive as they received God's forgiveness. The 4 stars come from a bit of annoyance and cringe-worthy back and forth between Julia and Samuel, BUT they both pulled through and ended up having real, beautiful character growth. The growth of faith was also something I really appreciated in this book. As Julia fully surrendered to God's will, she found her greatest freedom and joy.
The side characters were also great! Julia's mom appropriately grated on my nerves and entertained me, and Julia's bestie, Kate was an amazingly supportive friend-I can't wait to read her story next! Plus, Julia's evil little dog?- I mean, come on!
All in one redemptive, hilarious, relatable, and sweetly fun, I'm so glad I read this author now and can't wait to get to her newest release!
I'm so glad I gave this a try and especially in the month of March! I was hoping for NOLA/Mardi Gras vibes as I've never read something with both, and this definitely delivered!
I laughed, grieved, and and cheered for these characters as they confronted so much painful history and learned to forgive as they received God's forgiveness. The 4 stars come from a bit of annoyance and cringe-worthy back and forth between Julia and Samuel, BUT they both pulled through and ended up having real, beautiful character growth. The growth of faith was also something I really appreciated in this book. As Julia fully surrendered to God's will, she found her greatest freedom and joy.
The side characters were also great! Julia's mom appropriately grated on my nerves and entertained me, and Julia's bestie, Kate was an amazingly supportive friend-I can't wait to read her story next! Plus, Julia's evil little dog?- I mean, come on!
All in one redemptive, hilarious, relatable, and sweetly fun, I'm so glad I read this author now and can't wait to get to her newest release!
October 24, 2023
It's a win for Rebekah Millet and her debut novel. Julia Monroe and her first person voice is honest, relatable, and funny. Her mama's heart is so tender and I was right there with her as she learned to adjust to being an empty nester. Though Julia is a bit younger than I am, her woes and delights were on point. There is great banter between Julia and Samuel and I really enjoyed their second chance and the themes of true forgiveness, living boldly, and leaving fear behind. The quirky supporting cast of Julia's and Samuel's family and friends made the story quite lively. It wasn't exactly a rom-com, though Julia's inner voice was funny in a self-deprecating way. It was more of a women's fiction with a good measure of romance and faith. I loved learning about New Orleans and the culture surrounding that great city. One day I will make it there to visit.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House and via JustRead Tours was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House and via JustRead Tours was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2023
Short review:
I have NEVER said this before, EVER. But this is my favorite book of this year.
Long review:
Wowwowwow. Wow. Wow. I don't even know how to BEGIN a review for this book. I have so many thoughts about it.
First, find a friend to read this with. It makes it so much...MORE. This book is FABULOUS, and you WILL want to talk about it with someone, so hurry and find a reading buddy!
I laughed so hard at many points (the amount of quotes I copied down is insane!), but I also was deeply touched several times. Her heartache was palpable, and I wanted to kick some patootie a time or two. And her cleaning-lady cursing? Hilarious! At different times, I laughed so hard my kids were staring at me, I got teary-eyed, I hurt for Julia, I was in complete shock with her, I swooned with her. I was basically Julia. Except not really, 'cause I'm pretty sure Kate was based off of me.
Rebekah Millet has found at least one reader who will read every book she writes now. Go get yourself this phenomenal debut!
I have NEVER said this before, EVER. But this is my favorite book of this year.
Long review:
Wowwowwow. Wow. Wow. I don't even know how to BEGIN a review for this book. I have so many thoughts about it.
First, find a friend to read this with. It makes it so much...MORE. This book is FABULOUS, and you WILL want to talk about it with someone, so hurry and find a reading buddy!
I laughed so hard at many points (the amount of quotes I copied down is insane!), but I also was deeply touched several times. Her heartache was palpable, and I wanted to kick some patootie a time or two. And her cleaning-lady cursing? Hilarious! At different times, I laughed so hard my kids were staring at me, I got teary-eyed, I hurt for Julia, I was in complete shock with her, I swooned with her. I was basically Julia. Except not really, 'cause I'm pretty sure Kate was based off of me.
Rebekah Millet has found at least one reader who will read every book she writes now. Go get yourself this phenomenal debut!
August 4, 2024
What a cute debut!
It's a second chance romance for widow Julia Monroe and her ex-boyfriend Samuel Reed. Samuel broke her heart over twenty years ago and it's tough for Julia to believe he's changed.
Lots of humor and New Orleans details in the pages.
It's a second chance romance for widow Julia Monroe and her ex-boyfriend Samuel Reed. Samuel broke her heart over twenty years ago and it's tough for Julia to believe he's changed.
Lots of humor and New Orleans details in the pages.
Read
August 13, 2024Fans of authors like: Denise Hunter and Becky Wade are sure to love this one!
What an incredible debut into the Christian Fiction world! I loved Millet’s voice and her creative turn of phrase. I savored each of her words. I particularly enjoyed the humor throughout with some definite LOL moments.
I loved that Millet tackled an older hero and heroine and all their baggage that came with them. I applaud that she went against the romance “norm” and intentionally chose characters in their early forties. 👏🏻👏🏻 (I think we need more novels like this.) To fully appreciate the humor and relatability of this story, I’d recommend this for readers in a later season of life.
This book addresses widowhood and while I caution readers if you’re sensitive to this topic, I think Millet did a fabulous job creating a character with realistic emotions and desires when it came to such a subject. She approached it with delicacy and accuracy.
This is not a soft or fluffy Christian romance, it navigates some difficult obstacles and subjects head-on. I appreciated the candor in which this novel was written. While the romance is present throughout the novel, this book is told from a single POV and goes into a greater depth for the female character, therefore it leans toward women’s fiction.
If you enjoy cleans reads, loaded with humor while tackling tough topics, and a strong faith thread—then you’re gonna love this book!
💕 kisses only
🙉 no crude language
Content warnings: sudden/unexpected death, widowhood, miscarriage
What an incredible debut into the Christian Fiction world! I loved Millet’s voice and her creative turn of phrase. I savored each of her words. I particularly enjoyed the humor throughout with some definite LOL moments.
I loved that Millet tackled an older hero and heroine and all their baggage that came with them. I applaud that she went against the romance “norm” and intentionally chose characters in their early forties. 👏🏻👏🏻 (I think we need more novels like this.) To fully appreciate the humor and relatability of this story, I’d recommend this for readers in a later season of life.
This book addresses widowhood and while I caution readers if you’re sensitive to this topic, I think Millet did a fabulous job creating a character with realistic emotions and desires when it came to such a subject. She approached it with delicacy and accuracy.
This is not a soft or fluffy Christian romance, it navigates some difficult obstacles and subjects head-on. I appreciated the candor in which this novel was written. While the romance is present throughout the novel, this book is told from a single POV and goes into a greater depth for the female character, therefore it leans toward women’s fiction.
If you enjoy cleans reads, loaded with humor while tackling tough topics, and a strong faith thread—then you’re gonna love this book!
💕 kisses only
🙉 no crude language
Content warnings: sudden/unexpected death, widowhood, miscarriage
January 25, 2024
Julia Monroe Begins Again is yet another book that never would have been on my radar were it not for Bookstagram. This sweet Christian romcom was exactly what I needed in January!
There was a lot to love about this story:
☕️MC in her 40s
☕️Charming New Orleans setting
☕️Themes of trust, healing, and forgiveness
A few aspects bothered me:
😕I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by Julia on occasion, even though I admired her dedication to her sons’ well being.
😕The book felt a little longer than necessary and repetitive at times.
I was thinking I��d land somewhere around 3.5-3.75⭐️ as I was reading, but the sweet ending caused me to bump up my rating to a 4⭐️.
🥰Fans of Courtney Walsh should definitely pick this up!
⚠️Content warnings:
Profanity: none
Sexual content: 1/5 (kissing only)
Triggers: References to past miscarriage, death of a spouse
There was a lot to love about this story:
☕️MC in her 40s
☕️Charming New Orleans setting
☕️Themes of trust, healing, and forgiveness
A few aspects bothered me:
😕I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by Julia on occasion, even though I admired her dedication to her sons’ well being.
😕The book felt a little longer than necessary and repetitive at times.
I was thinking I��d land somewhere around 3.5-3.75⭐️ as I was reading, but the sweet ending caused me to bump up my rating to a 4⭐️.
🥰Fans of Courtney Walsh should definitely pick this up!
⚠️Content warnings:
Profanity: none
Sexual content: 1/5 (kissing only)
Triggers: References to past miscarriage, death of a spouse
Read
November 7, 2023Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher via JustReads Publicity Tours.
Spiritual Themes
Julia is a Christian and there are several scenes where she’s attending church. Plus, a big part of the plot has to do with a housecleaning ministry Julia started to take care of people who cannot clean their homes.
Flipping back through, I see more than one instances where Julia experiences the Holy Spirit’s leading. And I really appreciated an honest prayer she prays, midway through the book. Honest prayer is fiction is a blessing and inspiration to me, and I like reading about characters receiving the Holy Spirit’s ministry, too.
Overall, the main themes are forgiveness and, ultimately, putting ourselves in God’s hands.
What I Liked
The series is called “Beignets for Two,” and I did appreciate the occasionally nods to New Orleans culture, especially when the characters enjoyed beignets.
I liked that the male love interest, Samuel, is an eyepatch-wearing veteran. This is a casual fact in the book, and it’s mentioned occasionally but it’s not something the author overemphasizes.
The speaker’s voice is fun and engaging. Julia is a relatable character and I could absolutely empathize with her guardedness in interacting with Samuel. The author does a good job portraying the healing journey that the characters undertake, together.
Julia’s thoughts were also deeply honest and relatable. When she realizes that Samuel had another motive for attending an event, beyond just seeing her, she tells herself that’s a good thing, though it’s easy to read the embarrassment/disappointment in that feeling. I’ve been there!
Overall, the characters felt very realistic and I appreciated the nuance. This is especially evident to me in the character of Mama, a gruff, cigarette-smoking (almost) shut-in who is very protective of her family, even if she has no interest in romance. I liked having the opportunity to slowly unpack the layers of this character, as Julia also learned more about her mom.
Content Notes
Although I enjoyed the book, it’s not one that I feel comfortable recommending. While the book easily falls into the “clean” category because there’s no sex, there is a good deal of sensual content:
Flirtatious dialogue about Samuel going shirtless
Julia “playing peek-a-boo” with the tattoo on his chest when an injury keeps him from wearing pullovers.
Commentary about how especially attractive it is when he prays, because he’s hot
This is a sampling of the sensual content, which was prevalent in the book. It wasn’t enough for me to personally stop reading, but I did wonder at points, and I don’t feel comfortable recommending the book with the purpose of my blog.
To be fair, a lot of Julia’s thoughts are realistic. I can see where she’s coming from and even imagine thinking similar thoughts. However, it was more than I wanted to read about.
Concluding Thoughts
As I look back over the book, the spiritual content is excellent. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed for me by the sensual content. This is something I’m very sensitive to, and other readers may not be as deeply affected/pulled in by this. However, I don’t feel comfortable recommending the title.
Spiritual Themes
Julia is a Christian and there are several scenes where she’s attending church. Plus, a big part of the plot has to do with a housecleaning ministry Julia started to take care of people who cannot clean their homes.
Flipping back through, I see more than one instances where Julia experiences the Holy Spirit’s leading. And I really appreciated an honest prayer she prays, midway through the book. Honest prayer is fiction is a blessing and inspiration to me, and I like reading about characters receiving the Holy Spirit’s ministry, too.
Overall, the main themes are forgiveness and, ultimately, putting ourselves in God’s hands.
What I Liked
The series is called “Beignets for Two,” and I did appreciate the occasionally nods to New Orleans culture, especially when the characters enjoyed beignets.
I liked that the male love interest, Samuel, is an eyepatch-wearing veteran. This is a casual fact in the book, and it’s mentioned occasionally but it’s not something the author overemphasizes.
The speaker’s voice is fun and engaging. Julia is a relatable character and I could absolutely empathize with her guardedness in interacting with Samuel. The author does a good job portraying the healing journey that the characters undertake, together.
Julia’s thoughts were also deeply honest and relatable. When she realizes that Samuel had another motive for attending an event, beyond just seeing her, she tells herself that’s a good thing, though it’s easy to read the embarrassment/disappointment in that feeling. I’ve been there!
Overall, the characters felt very realistic and I appreciated the nuance. This is especially evident to me in the character of Mama, a gruff, cigarette-smoking (almost) shut-in who is very protective of her family, even if she has no interest in romance. I liked having the opportunity to slowly unpack the layers of this character, as Julia also learned more about her mom.
Content Notes
Although I enjoyed the book, it’s not one that I feel comfortable recommending. While the book easily falls into the “clean” category because there’s no sex, there is a good deal of sensual content:
Flirtatious dialogue about Samuel going shirtless
Julia “playing peek-a-boo” with the tattoo on his chest when an injury keeps him from wearing pullovers.
Commentary about how especially attractive it is when he prays, because he’s hot
This is a sampling of the sensual content, which was prevalent in the book. It wasn’t enough for me to personally stop reading, but I did wonder at points, and I don’t feel comfortable recommending the book with the purpose of my blog.
To be fair, a lot of Julia’s thoughts are realistic. I can see where she’s coming from and even imagine thinking similar thoughts. However, it was more than I wanted to read about.
Concluding Thoughts
As I look back over the book, the spiritual content is excellent. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed for me by the sensual content. This is something I’m very sensitive to, and other readers may not be as deeply affected/pulled in by this. However, I don’t feel comfortable recommending the title.
October 18, 2023
Oh my goodness, I just finished this captivating debut novel by Rebekah Millet and it's a hoot! I highly recommend this witty and sassy story of starting over at 40. I have a friend who is very funny and risk adverse as well, so I could understand Julia's desire to manage her life and responsibilities without ANY risk. But what about all the blessings God has in store for her? Julia Monroe Begins Again is a hilarious and poignant journey from widowhood to second chances.
"If there was one thing life had taught me, it was that if you loved someone-one way or another-they could be taken from you, and I didn't have the strength to to through that kind of pain again."
Samuel is the former Green Beret hero in this story who was her first love. He joins her church and she is NOT happy to see him. Things had not ended well twenty years ago and he needs her forgiveness. He is not the same man he was. Her inner dialogue had me laughing out loud. "It seemed unfair to be blindsided. And in church no less. Shouldn't there be a commandment about that? Thou shalt not step foot inside thy ex's place of worship." Her best friend Kate, owner of Books & Beignets, keeps trying to throw her together with Samuel and is able to ask her the hard questions with honesty and love as only best friends can do.
The rest of the cast of characters add humor and love to the story as well. Julia's grumpy mother, Samuel's grumpy father, his brother Wyatt, Julia's sons Connor and Mason, and Brooke.
Don't miss this witty debut novel, you will love it!
Thank you to the author, Net Galley and Bethany House for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I also pre-ordered a copy from Baker Book House for my keeper shelf!
"If there was one thing life had taught me, it was that if you loved someone-one way or another-they could be taken from you, and I didn't have the strength to to through that kind of pain again."
Samuel is the former Green Beret hero in this story who was her first love. He joins her church and she is NOT happy to see him. Things had not ended well twenty years ago and he needs her forgiveness. He is not the same man he was. Her inner dialogue had me laughing out loud. "It seemed unfair to be blindsided. And in church no less. Shouldn't there be a commandment about that? Thou shalt not step foot inside thy ex's place of worship." Her best friend Kate, owner of Books & Beignets, keeps trying to throw her together with Samuel and is able to ask her the hard questions with honesty and love as only best friends can do.
The rest of the cast of characters add humor and love to the story as well. Julia's grumpy mother, Samuel's grumpy father, his brother Wyatt, Julia's sons Connor and Mason, and Brooke.
Don't miss this witty debut novel, you will love it!
Thank you to the author, Net Galley and Bethany House for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I also pre-ordered a copy from Baker Book House for my keeper shelf!
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