Utterly charming, just as expected from Linda Holmes. Made me cry, but in a good way! It explores the nature of guilt, loss, and social expectations stemming from how a relationship looks from the outside. A timely inclusion of gaslighting in the story, and the difficulties of explaining all of that to parents and friends, who have all seen the relationship as something else.

I really enjoyed both of the main characters. They felt like real people. The scene when Dean tells Evvie that he was thinking about kissing her after getting the pinball machine felt very swoony.

Evvie Drake Starts Over is an endearing story of a woman who is trying to get her life "back on track" after the loss of her husband. It was a feel-good story that was also able to cover some important topics like loss, relationships, mental health, and new beginnings.

I enjoyed that this was a romance book that was actually relatable and the main characters had regular issues they had to acknowledge and address. I appreciated that the issues were not only highlighted but dealt with and this made this book so much stronger. This also added some much-needed depth while also having plenty of light-hearted moments.

I look forward to reading more by Linda Holmes in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely, warm-hearted, generous book. I was excited and nervous to read it because I enjoy Linda Holmes so much on Pop Culture Happy Hour, and what if it didn’t live up to her on-air delightfulness? But it did, and then some!

Widowed Evvie is a wonderfully flawed protagonist, and washed-up pitcher Dean is a great foil and a good man on his own. Watching them help each other with their respective troubles was entertaining and sometimes hilarious, and left me a weepy mess by the end of the book (but in a good way). I hope Linda writes another novel soon, please!

Even though this book tackles grief, it manages to stay a light read that’s great for summer. It’s ultimately a book about friendship and inner strength. Evvie is such a joy. And, I’ll read any book recommended by Rainbow Rowell and TJR. Holmes is one to watch.

Many thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

A really enjoyed this. Predictable but fun characters and a nice style. Overall, an enjoyable and quick read.

As a fan of both baseball and chick lit, this book hit all the right notes for me. I found the storyline engaging and the characters to be believable. I know of Linda Holmes mainly from her previous role as a TV recapper on Television Without Pity, so it was interesting to see her branch out into fiction. I think she has a bright future ahead of her, and I look forward to future novels.

This book is a delight! I loved the characters and I loved the perfect blend of light-heartedness and more difficult topics.

The book managed to address the often overlooked reality and effects of emotional abuse with respect and without cliche.

The complexity of the relationships between the characters was refreshing and well-written without being melancholy. The book echoes the reality that relationships, both familial and in friendship, can be complex and difficult to navigate despite neither of the parties being the "bad guy".

I loved this book and can't wait for more from Linda Holmes!

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

RATING: 3.5/5 STARS

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER is a quirky, cute read about a girl (Evvie) who finds love with a baseball player (Dean) who lost his ability to pitch. This book received praise from Rainbow Rowell and Taylor Jenkins Reid, two fabulous authors. I enjoyed this story - it had a slow-moving, gentle quality to it that allowed me to get to know the characters and experience their growth. And there were some heavy themes represented, like dealing with failure, emotional abuse in a relationship, and self-care/mental health. The dialogue in the book shined in the forefront; I found the conversations between characters to be offbeat but humorous. However, there wasn't enough that happened in this book (in terms of plot) to make it "unputdownable." It is lacking that addictive quality that makes you want to read it all in one sitting.

Altogether a solid debut from Linda Holmes. I would recommend it to fans of the women's fiction genre. Books like MATCHMAKING FOR BEGINNERS by Maddie Dawson come to mind.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Social: Instagram post on @_shelf.awareness to come.

I chose this book like I choose most others, by the cover. Don't know why this caught my attention, but it turned out to be an enjoyable read.
Evvie, who recently lost her husband, accepts a boarder, a friend of her bff. Neither have had a good year, agree to not speak about their problems, but inevitably become friends.
I would definitely read additional books by Holmes.

Evvie Drake Starts Over is a homerun for debut novelist Linda Holmes! Evvie is struggling with a recent tragedy and the complexity of the situation cause her to bottle much of herself up in on quaint Maine homestead. Enter Dean-a former MLB pitcher who has also faced an insurmountable hurdle in his career and is need of a place to hideaway. The chemistry between these characters is clear from the start and the narrative flows effortlessly as we get to know them! Highly recommended for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Abbi Waxman, Victoria Henry and Ellen Berry.

SOLID 3.5 but sadly, just cannot round up. [distinct minority]

I wanted to read something light after a dense and depressing memoir about Libyan politics and prison. This was the perfect antidote! I felt like I was watching a romcom movie [but I was reading it].

The setting: Recently widowed Eveleth "Evvie" Drake rents an apartment in the back of her house to Dean, whose baseball career has been derailed. Their mutual friend, Andy, sets in it motion. Dean needs an escape, Evvie ... They strike a deal. Dean won't ask about her husband; Evvie won't ask about baseball.

Yes, fairly predictable. I didn't much care. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written escape. I liked reading about Evvie trying to figure out her [new] life. I liked all the other well-developed characters--in particular, Andy and his girls, his new girlfriend, Monica, Evvie's dad.

Some gentle, wry humor.
"Baggage, she said. So goddamn much. I should have my own cargo plane."

"... she figured "revitalizing" was for over thirty and under forty, "anti-aging" was for over forty and under seventy."

"...steaks were comically macho..." [size]

So though I didn't necessarily care for the ending [way predictable], it could have been worse [not adding my total spoiler as to how].

Recommend. Especially for a beach read.

An absolutely sparkling debut romance. These characters felt so real that I wanted to plan a trip to Maine so I could hang out with them! If you've loved Linda Holmes' trademark wit and repartee on Pop Culture Happy Hour, you'll find it and more in Evvie Drake Starts Over. I have a new favorite author!

I enjoyed this endearing story of a woman trying to figure out her life after her husband's passing, and a baseball phenom trying to piece his life back together after a career setback. I appreciated the author's ability to weave in humor and lightness while writing about difficult situations. At times, I found the story a little predictable, but it was a nice read overall.

I really wanted to like this book, I wanted to be invested in Evvie and Dean's story, but I felt like the book dragged in many spots and made me lose interest in the story. It was a good, feel good story, I just feel like some parts could've been cut out to make it a quicker read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

A little slow paced for me but a good read. It’d be perfect for a vacation or on the beach.

I did appreciate that the grown ups in this book acted like grown ups. There was no miscommunication, etc. Evvie (what a ridiculous name) and Dean were a good match. I liked how their relationship evolved.

A heartfelt love story , about two people who are facing loss. Evvie ‘s husband dies just as she is about to leave him. Dean, a onetime rising professional baseball player is loosing his talent and career. They are thrown together by a mutual friend. These characters were well defined and believable. A great story hat rang true. I will continue to follow this author. Thanks for my advanced copy.

I requested this book on Netgalley, and I won't lie... the cover caught my attention. Judging from it, this book looked like a cute, fun, silly read. While yes it was cute, it was even more than that. It was serious, sometimes a bit dark (you'll know what I mean if/when you pick this up), and very realistic. There is no insta-love in this story. This was a carefully crafted, well thought out love story that was both believable and realistic.

Evvie (rhymes with Chevy) is a widow who is grieving more than just the loss of her husband. Dean is a professional baseball player that moves to town and eventually stays in Evvie's apartment attached to her house. Both have secrets, one heavier than the others.

I wouldn't call their love story a slow burn, though it felt like that. It wasn't rushed and it didn't feel like those sappy love stories where they fall head over heals within the first chapter. This was a real view into the lives of two people whose lives turned out far different than they expected.

This had obvious romantic undertones but I think it focused more so on Evvie and her grieving, processing and growing as a person after the death of her husband. This will be a great summer read and I think many will love this, but beware of the serious elements that pop up throughout this story. This has an emotional aspect that I wasn't expecting. It is lighthearted and fun, but again, there is a part of the story that will break your heart. Well, it broke mine. I loved Evvie and all her flaws. I wanted her to have a happy ending more than anything.

Evvie Drake is a young, married woman living in a small town in Maine when her life suddenly turns upside down. Her husband has died unexpectedly and she is forced to learn to live a new life as a single woman, all alone.

Meanwhile, Dean Tenney is experiencing some big time life changes, as well. He was a star pitcher for the Yankees, until recently, after he inexplicably lost his ability to throw a decent pitch. Depressed and confused, he leaves the League and is searching for a way to get away from the city, the spotlight, and the scrutiny. He decides to hide out and soul search in Maine, where his childhood best friend, Andy, lives.

But Andy happens to also be the longtime (platonic!) friend of Evvie, and Andy has an idea: Evvie is alone in that great big house. Maybe Dean could move in to the attached apartment?

He does, and you might be able to guess what happens next. ;) Watching the slow development of Evvie and Dean’s relationship is a joy to behold. There are laughs, awkwardness, and sad moments, too. I especially loved their dialogue—it felt smart and real. And the writing throughout in the book is also very clever. I found myself highlighting choice, particularly great phrases often (something I rarely do!).

Evvie Drake Starts Over is a great read and will particularly touch anyone who has had to find love after a tragedy. It really shows that we *can* have another chance at love—and that it can be even better the second time around.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming, charming tale of love between two broken people. A year after her husband’s death, Evvie Drake still carries immense guilt disguised as grief. As she evaluates her life and seems to be stuck moving forward with it, she does a favor for a friend and rents her attached apartment to a major-league baseball player with a case of the ‘yips.’

Evvie, Dean, and the cast of characters are believable and likable, though flawed. As Evvie tries to ‘fix’ Dean, she begins to face her own feelings, which allows her the freedom to admit that her marriage wasn’t what it appeared. I loved Evvie, including her disposal of the hated marital dishes, her creative swearing, and her ability to be optimistic while struggling with her own pain.

I would recommend this sad, funny, romantic, offbeat, witty, and inspiring story to anyone looking for an enjoyable read that goes beyond a light romance story.