Evvie Drake Starts Over: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

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

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

Wow! I was totally taken by surprised at how much I liked this story. Evvie, a new widow hiding a secret about her marriage, becomes a landlord to Dean, a professional pitcher who is trying to figure out how to overcome the yips. This book was funny, moving, realistic, and hot. I loved the banter between the two main characters and how they both were working through their own baggage but pushing each other. I enjoyed the complexity of Evvie's relationship with their mutual best friend Andy. I also appreciated how this story was about a little older main character. Great first novel! Also, book was well narrated!

**spoiler alert** 2.5 stars I had very high expectations for this book. I'm not sure if it was because of the positive reviews or the synopsis yourself, but I find myself to be mildly disappointed after finishing the book. The plot itself was very good. I really liked how the main character wasn't the perfect girl and instead had problems of her own and faced challenges with her marriage that ended after Tim died. My problem with this book is that I don't really see how the romantic relationship develops. One moment, Dean and Evvie will be out and about casually, without anything really serious, and in the next moment, they talk about how they love each other so much and how they miss each other. I think that it just went too quickly for me and I didn't really get the chance to see the relationship flourish and feelings deepen. The second half felt rushed somehow, as if Linda Holmes had to hurry up and finish writing the story in a few days. The first half I enjoyed though, watching them go from strangers to friends to more. I really enjoyed the addition of Andy in this story, as it showed how having a platonic relationship with a guy can put a strain on both of the people's romantic relationships. I also really liked the fact that he had kids, making him a little more untraditional than most male characters in books like these.

From lobstah rolls to baseball, Evvie Drake Starts Over is quintessential summer, and a 2019 must read. Set in small town Maine, Evvie Drake is picking up the pieces after the death of her husband. Dean Tenney rolls into town to get out of the spotlight and figure out what's next for a major leaguer who's got the yips. He ends up as Evvie's tenant. And something develops between them... Holmes deftly intertwines Evvie and Dean’s individual struggles with grief and loss, peppering it with humor, banter, and the age-old ‘When Harry Met Sally’ question, “Can men and women ever really be just friends?” In some ways, Evvie Drake Starts Over is a modern throwback — to when movies were about women’s lives, or about baseball (usually starring Kevin Costner). In Evvie Drake, you get both, though Costner's not who I picture when I think of Dean Tenney. I loved that Holmes really did the homework about players who get the yips, that mental health and therapy are portrayed openly and honestly, and that we also get a few of those romantic, picture perfect movie moments. In a word: Swoon.

This was such a beautiful and heart-warming story that gave me all the warm and fuzzies. When I finished I was shedding happy tears and hugging my book. Plus it really makes me wanna move to Maine. I went into a little hesitant knowing the romance was going to be a little slower and not quite the forefront of the story. However, the characters and dialogue made this an easy read that had me feeling so happy. It's one of those books where I struggle to fully explain how it made me feel. It was quirky and fun. But yet emotional and heartfelt. The main characters were fantastic. I absolutely adored Evvie. She was flawed, funny and relatable at times despite her situation. Her banter with Dean and her platonic best friend, Andy was perfection. I'm normally impatient with the slow moving romances but in this I was totally okay with how things progressed. It felt more realistic. Their friendship is what had my heart. I loved how they just got each other even though they're in completely different places. They're both broken and struggling. I completely understand why lots of people are raving about this beautiful, beautiful story! It had me in tears towards the end cause it just hit me in the heart. I'd highly recommend it if you love a feel-good, realistic love story. Wonderful summer read!! If you liked The Flatshare, I think you'd like this.

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

I read other reviews saying this book was too slow, that someone couldn’t understand her writing; etc. I didnt find any of that to be the case for me. This book was the story of a small town in New England and the people in it and their ways. it was wonderful. The love story was paced realistically and paralleled the growth of both main characters after their own tragedies. I liked this story and how the author portrayed it so much, I’ve favorited her and placed another two of her books on hold. Great job!

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

Evvie Drake's husband died, Evvie Drake hated her husband but no-one knew that not even her best friend. Now she is forced to mourn a man she hated so the townies don't think she is cold and mean. Dean Tenney has a case of the yips. He has been dropped from The Yankees, pursued by the media and wants to be left alone. Evvie Drake Starts Over is a story about starting over, facing your fears and letting people in. It is a heartwarming and emotional story about 2 people that lean on each other and fall in love. This is a story that makes you think and may even make you cry. This is written amazingly and should be read by anyone who loves a second chance at love.

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

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

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