A FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS has got to be the best feel good story I have read in a long time. Flora Donovan works in a floral shop and is extremely lonely but no one knows this about her. Flora has no family. Her mom died when she was young and she was brought up by her aunt. An aunt who made it clear that she wasn’t really wanted. Then Flora meets Jack. Jack has lost his wife, the saintly Becca, who is everything Flora is not. His children are afraid Flora is trying to take their mother’s place. Well Izzy is anyway. The relationship begins to grow between Jack and Flora and things move forward quickly. Jack insists that Flora join them on their family holiday in the Lake District in England. Izzy sure knows how to push Flora’s buttons! Hang on to your seats, it’s a crazy rollercoaster ride!



I have only read Sarah Morgan once before but after reading A FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS I know I will be reading everything by her that I can get my hands on. She hooked me from the very first page. I found myself totally absorbed in this story and I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters within this heart tugging story. I found all of the characters very real and relatable and it was interesting to read how they are all dealing with their grief in very different ways and it takes a summer away to try and help them.



A FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS has it all, romance, grief, great dialogue, and awesome characters. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! I have made it a quest to catch up on the rest of Sarah’s books because her writing is just that good. She makes her readers feel every emotion her characters are feeling to the point where you feel as if you are right there, struggling along with them. My emotions were on a wild roller coaster ride from the first page all the way until the very end. At first I really tried to read it slowly and make it last, but soon I was so caught up in everyone’s lives and business, I was flipping the pages like a mad woman.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. This was a great book by Morgan. Even though there were some heavy topics, it was a somewhat lighter read. The characters, and the flaws they showed made it vary intriguing. It was a good summer read !

“Fortunately love isn’t finite. You don’t use it all up on one person. It’s like a river that keeps flowing.”

Gosh, I fell in love with this book HARD! My first read from Sarah Morgan certainly won’t be my last. Her characters are so well thought out, well developed and with this story, a tale of how grief and secrets tear away at one’s heart, she manages to show how the love of family and friends can add up to a beautiful second chance.

When Jack Parker meets Flora Donovan, there’s a hint a future happiness, for both of them. Flora finds herself immediately at odds with Jack's oldest daughter, Izzy. Izzy is not pleased with his interest in this interloper. Sadly, Izzy isn't afraid to undermine Flora's place in the Burn’s family life. Interesting enough, she can’t help but admire Flora in some ways. I love this conflicting aspect of seventeen-year-old Izzy’s emotions. Told from both Flora's and Izzy's perspectives, later including his dead wife Becca's best friend Clare, we see full circle the place that each have in the Burn's family.

Days after I finished reading this, I found myself thinking about it and my heart clenched at the struggles this family faced, and how acceptance and loved would see them through. Yes, there's a lovely happy conclusion, but they are tested. Open communications are not always Jack's strength, and when Flora doesn’t push him, he’s bound to make some mistakes that very nearly drive her away. She quickly bonds with Molly, his youngest daughter, but Izzy is another story. The family dynamics are complicated by Becca's secret, and both Izzy and Clare's knowledge of it. With this Morgan peels away the layers of feelings that these women have; Flora's loneliness and all the love she has to give, Izzy's grief and deep need to be there to keep the families day to day life going, and Clare's desire to move past her own grief, losing her best friend and the anger at her actions.

This book made me giddy with the promise of family for Flora, who is truly a lovely character, and love for Jack and his daughters. It’s got all the feels; sadness, joy, belonging. and everlasting love, and it’s a book I’m happy to recommend. 5 Stars! ~ I started in the evening and finished in one go.

Flora feels like a fish out of water since she lost her mother at the age of eight. Everything changes the day Jack comes in front of her with a sad smile on his face looking for the right flower to give to his daughters who suffer from the recent loss of their mother.

Jack is a widower who does everything to make his daughters' lives as uncomplicated as possible but does not seem to be achieving success in his endeavors. Upon meeting the sweet florist Flora who seems to see through him, he sees a new chance for happiness to arise.

But Izzy, Jack's eldest daughter, does not welcome this approach and does everything to disrupt the couple. She keeps all her pain for herself and also struggles to keep her relationship with her younger sister, Molly very calm.

Molly is a beautiful seven year old girl who steals the show whenever she appears and brings a touch of lightness to the plot even though she is suffering a lot from the loss of her mother, Becca. A woman who seemed to be more than perfect.

When the family goes on vacation to England at Becca's best friend house, Clare, and takes Flora along with them, all the dilemmas that were very well guarded come to the fore in a strong and intense way making each rethink their behaviors and decisions.

Although I think Sarah Morgan has put a greater focus on Izzy who spent the whole book being a spoiled and boring teenager, I really liked the way she conducted each character's revelations, putting them at the right time to cause the necessary tension and good impact on the player.

Sarah Morgan's books are special. I waited for a special day to read and review this.

Emotions seeped into the words as each of the characters show their side of the story. There was a bit of mystery too as the story started with Jack's wife's best friend reading and burning up a letter with a secret which was linked well later. The story then moved on to Flora who was Jack's new love and her adjustment with his children. Trials and tribulations dogged her steps as she tried to find her place in the family.

The writing was powerful. The feeling of grief and loss, happiness and laughter slowly made the prose come alive. Every word written was magical as they pulled me deep into the story.

A brilliant read.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of Family for Beginners to read. This was a good summer read for me and with the cover it definitely screams summer. This story takes you through a lot of different things such as acceptance,love,loss, drama and a good feeling as well. The author did a great job at writing this story between alternative views and it flowed nicely the whole way through. You could definitely connect with the characters in this story.

I don’t know how Sarah Morgan does it, but she always seems to manage to create characters that I can relate to each time. I also ended up falling in love with the plot and the plot setting. The setting was just simply beautiful.

I loved that it was in the summer time on the lake. The cover also grew on me. I preferred the U.K. one at first but then I liked the lake U.S. one better after all.

I like how Sarah Morgan also manages to write in multiple character point of views. Some authors make that confusing, but it is flawlessly done in her books.

I would definitely recommend this book especially if you are looking for a good escape during coronavirus lock down or whatever is getting you down in life.

Family for Beginners was a five star rating. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read and review this. Sorry it took so long to get around to it, I took a month long hiatus from blogging.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

3.5 Stars. Sarah Morgan is an excellent fiction writer and her books often have family themes to them. This one has some heavy topics (death of a parent/spouse) yet it is still a feel good novel full of continuous character growth. The only character I didn't fully by into was Izzy. I think a teenager facing a life trauma like that wouldn't be so quick to turn around - her character was a bit unrealistic in that way. I would recommend this as a "beach read" this summer.

I loved this book! I thought it was such a beautiful story about the dynamic and complexity of relationships and grief. I found the story very moving. I would definitely recommend it. If you like women's fiction, this is a must read!

Flora Donovan is working in a florist shop, living the dream, so her friends think. She is actually a very lonely woman who just wants a family. When her mother died when she was only 8, she was raised by her single aunt, who never wanted children. Flora never felt loved and wanted and when her aunt died, she sold the home to pay medical bills and moved into a very small, very decrepit apartment and works doing what she loves, designing floral bouquets. When Jack Parker, a customer looking for something for his 17 year old daughter's birthday, strikes up a conversation with her, they seem to have a connection. His wife, Becca, died previously in the year and the last thing he was looking for was a new relationship. One coffee leads into more, then lunch, then dinner, then meeting his two daughters. Will Flora and Jack be able to overcome obstacles to become a family with his two children?

I really enjoyed this story. It was so real, with a variety of characters. There is Flora who is a people pleaser, she will do things she does not want to do in order to be accepted and not rock the boat. Izzy, Jack's 17 year old daughter, has taken on the person running the house and family. She doesn't think they need anyone else in their little group and family. She is trying so hard to be strong, but has a lot of issues locked up inside. Little Molly is adorable. She wants to like Flora, but doesn't want to upset Izzy. Jack just wants to have a family that loves and cares for each other, but one that includes Flora. The story has multiple narrators. Clare is Becca's best friend, but they had a falling out shortly before her death. She doesn't want to like Flora, but she can't help becoming friends with this lovely woman. The other POVs are Flora and Izzy. Izzy is very good at hiding her feelings towards Flora from her father. Flora sees it and is actually surprised that Jack thinks Izzy likes her. Izzy is the one that can ruin everything for Jack and Flora if she has her way, but Flora knows there is more to this angry teenager than meets the eye and won't give up.

I liked the themes in this story. Feelings of loss and the anger that surrounds it, grief, loss, honesty, standing up for oneself, self-worth, and forgiveness all play a part in the resolution of the problems facing this family and their friends. Izzy, Jack, Flora and Clare all undergo changes based on their personal growth. A wonderful family drama, great for a summertime read by the beach, the pool or sitting outside.

I contributed this review to Really Into This

Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!

Special thanks to Harlequin for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

I am a total Sarah Morgan fangirl. As soon as I read the prologue, I'm getting loads of Liane Moriarty vibes. Multiple narrators, a secret that's bubbling beneath the surface & families dealing with heartache & loss. I just love this book.

Sarah Morgan is able to write about heavier topics in a way that is comforting, positive & warms your heart. For instance, FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS deals with a good amount of grief. Jack is a single dad. Along with his two daughters, he is reeling from the death of his wife/their mother.

Meanwhile, we meet Flora. She is florist & readers know immediately that her heart is authentic. Flora suffered the loss of her mother at a young age. A chance meeting between Jack & Flora seems incredibly serendipitous. Readers see how the connections are made between Flora & Jack's daughters. Through alternating narrators, we get a full story.

For me, this is a tale of healing, second chances, acceptance & love. Sometimes we find relief & grace where & when we least expect it. FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS by Sarah Morgan further solidifies my love for this author.

I was so excited to be a part of the blog tour team for author Sarah Morgan. I have just started reading her books and I am hooked. When I saw this book I was intrigued by the setting in the English Lake District. Her accurate and vivid descriptions held me spellbound and I couldn't put the book down!

This is a powerful story with likable characters that many will identify with. The author thinks through how to present the book. She does chapters on the main characters so we get to know them better. As secrets are revealed, and the repercussions that follow, we come to learn that following your goals sometimes takes all strength and determination.

This book deals with all kinds of trials that we face day-to-day, and because of this, there is a little something for everyone.

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with a life-affirming exploration of love, loss, and how families come in all shapes and sizes…

New York florist Flora Donovan is living the dream, but her bubbly optimism hides a secret. She’s lonely. Orphaned as a child, she’s never felt like she’s belonged anywhere…until she meets Jack Parker. He’s the first man to ever really see her, and it’s life-changing.

Teenager Izzy Parker is holding it together by her fingertips. Since her mother passed away a year ago, looking after her dad and little sister is the only thing that makes Izzy feel safe. Discovering her father has a new girlfriend is her worst nightmare—she is not in the market for a replacement mom. Then her father invites Flora on their summer vacation…

Flora’s heart aches for Izzy, but she badly wants her relationship with Jack to work. As the summer unfolds, Flora must push her own boundaries to discover parts of herself she never knew existed—and to find the family she’s always wanted.





USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes lively, sexy contemporary stories for Harlequin.

Romantic Times has described her as 'a magician with words' and nominated her books for their Reviewer's Choice Awards and their 'Top Pick' slot. In 2012 Sarah received the prestigious RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America. She lives near London with her family. Find out more at www.sararahmorgan.com.


Author Website

Twitter: @SarahMorgan_
Facebook: @AuthorSarahMorgan
Instagram: @SarahMorganWrites

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; HQN/Harlequin

I will admit when I first started Family for Beginners I wasn’t sure I would love it. Flora, a florist, (love it!) seemed so weak as the love story with widower, Jack. We didn’t get the moments they started to fall in love, and I felt like it was rushed. Flora is soon meeting Jack’s two daughters. That is where the story grew for me and I melted into the story. The love story was the main plot, it was the story of Flora and Izzy (Jack’s 17 year old daughter) learning what a true family could be. Flora’s compliant nature, and Izzy’s rigidity are both stemming from their mother/daughter relationships. As the two get to know one another they realize they just might have more in common then they thought. I kept reading this novel as I loved the other two books I read by the author. It did not disappoint. I enjoy the realism of the plots and characters. They are strictly romance stories but love stories of families. I recommend this one for a summer read!


<i>***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***</i>

I’m pleased to say that Sarah Morgan as usual had me from the beginning to the end. A Family for Beginners was such a lovely read that pulls at your heart and leaves it smiling.

A Family For Beginners takes us through a family that is broken yet fixable. We experience their loss, love and finding their way to where they are meant to be.

Meet Flora. A florist who lived in the city. I loved her character. She is one of those people that doesn’t know how wonderful she is. She is the type of person that you really want to see have a HEA. You’re begging for it. After the loss of her mother, she was sent to live with an aunt who really never wanted kids. Growing up feeling unloved and not wanted, she had searched life for a sense of belonging. They say when you least expect, what’s meant to be appears and for Flora, it was Jack Parker. He has everything that Flora could hope for but is it worth it?

Jack is handsome, smart but has a lot going on in his life. He strolled by the shop one day looking for something special for his daughter and over time developed a really nice friendship with Flora. They both have their own insecurities and obstacles but find a way to work through them. When an emergency has happens with Flora, she is put in a situation where their relationship comes out in the open which doesn’t make someone happy. She is determined to make things difficult.

Meet Izzy. I wouldn’t say typical teenager. She’s barely able to make it through her days. After the death of her mother, she sort of took on a pseudo mom role for her sister. Her little sister is so adorable. A little mature for her age but that complements her charm as a character. At first I thought Izzy was a brat but that eased up when I got to know her better. Taking on this role sort of keeps her glued together so when she finds out about her dad’s girlfriend, that isn’t exactly the best news. Actually, it’s her worse nightmare. She doesn’t want a new mom. She likes her family just as is with no additions and she goes out of her way to maintain that status.

This is a tough situation for kids to be in with the loss of a parent. Then things shift when their summer vacation plans come up. Usually they did this with her mom but Jack decides this time to invite Flora. As much as Flora is sympathetic to how Izzy feels, she went through the same heartache losing her mom, she wants to have the chance to have a real relationship and grow with them. Izzy is resistant at all costs. Flora finds herself pushed to the test but ultimately she has to find a way to get what she wants to badly. What happens next really is the turning point of the book that really puts everything out there and in perspective. I thought those next moments were some of my favorite because it really gets deep in the hearts of the characters.

I don’t want to give too much but there is so much to their story independently that will really pull you in. Just as equally important is the relationship between Jack and Izzy and the secrets that unraveled in the book. I loved the exploration of them as a family and how Jack and Flora’s relationship really tackled many issues tied into redefining them as a family. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful read that was touching, funny, emotional at times but get you invested all throughout. I’d recommend adding this on to your TBR list.

This is a story about love, loss, blended family and how everyone just wants to be accepted and understood. Flora Donovan is a happy-go-lucky florist in NYC who was orphaned as a child and never really part of a family that loved her. Jack Parker is a widower who lost the love of his life Becca a year ago and is still trying to find his way to a new relationship. He has two daughters, teen-ager Izzy and little Molly who is so precocious. When Jack meets Flora, no fireworks explode because this is not a book primarily about romance and new love. It’s more about family dynamics and forming bonds. Izzy is hurting and finds acceptance in the mom role that her mother left behind. Izzy cooks, cleans and acts as a mother for Molly, seeming to have little life of her own. Molly is more accepting of Flora when she meets her but is still influenced by Izzy’s distrust of anyone who wants to replace their mother. When Jack invites Flora to accompany the family on their annual vacation to the Lake District in Great Britain, Izzy is beside herself and Molly is a little anxious. The second half of the book is about the family’s vacation together and their burgeoning relationships with each other. Flora wants to be accepted, but she is well aware that she has to get Izzy to trust her before that will be possible. This book is all about the plot and the hearts of each of the characters, with a slow change for all of them. It is a really lovely story that is heartwarming and tear-gushingly good. Fans of Sarah Morgan’s books and family drama will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from HQN via Netgalley as part of the blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

With a cover like this one, how can that not set the scene for a great summer read? I love the cover! Family for Beginners does make for a great summer read and doesn't require much from readers expect your favourite place to read it with your favourite beverage.

Family for Beginners explores loss, belonging, acceptance and family in a lighter, more dramatic way this dark emotional reader is used to. It provided an emotional response from me that had me feeling a few emotions for the family in this story.

The characters are all likable yet a little frustrating at times with their ability to create some high drama in the family and to the story. I felt for the characters each looking for acceptance and a place to belong after a loss that changes their world. I cared for them and their conflicts with themselves and each other. Now this family is overflowing with love with each other, and at times the dark reader in me was drowning in it. I think I really need to read more books like this. Lol Even though I found the drama high and at times I wanted it to stop, it felt very realistic, and I couldn’t help but love the characters.

The story wraps up nicely, and I had a feel-good feeling after reading this warm and uplifting story. I recommend for a summer read!!

Flora Donovan is a florist (a florist named Flora, right?) living a single life in New York City but not the one her married and partner-committed friends think she is. She’s very lonely and doesn’t have much of a social life despite her efforts to create one. She’s orphaned and doesn’t even have family to lean into and has a real thirst for being part of one. Then Jack Parker walks into the shop and life changes in that moment for both of them. He’s a widower with two daughters and it’s the first time in the year since his wife died that he’s had any interest in pursuing a relationship. Sounds like the perfect start to a wonderful union, right? Not so fast says 17-year old Izzy Parker who’s been the caretaker of her father, little sister and home and is resistant to be replaced.

One of the reasons Sarah Morgan has become one of my auto read authors is because she is so skilled at getting family dynamics right...the good, the bad and the reality. She doesn’t miss here as she combines the pleaser Flora with the in-charge Izzy and throws them at the in-denial Jack. All three of them are wonderful people in their own rights but Izzy’s insecurities related to her losing the role she stepped into following her mother’s death makes things almost toxic. Unfortunately, it’s all covered by a veneer of politeness that gives Jack cover to not see a thing. It would be easy to make Izzy the villain but that’s not how I interpreted the character, which is fine writing because she could be deliberately cruel at times. When Jack decides to keep their summer holiday travel tradition with his deceased wife’s best friend and invites Flora to join them, well, you can almost picture the ensuing train wrecks.

I loved this story and came to appreciate Flora, Jack and Izzy for who they really were, not for how they sometimes showed up. Each showed growth as they found themselves in difficult situations and made imperfect choices out of love. It wasn’t as predictable as I’d anticipated as I was prepared to make Izzy the villain and see her get her comeuppance. I had real empathy for all of them and admired Flora for stepping up and not giving in to her old patterns of past behavior. I listened to the book and had to remind myself that there was only one narrator as she distinguished the characters so vividly and distinctively. She delivered a fine performance and I’d be happy to listen to other books she’s narrated. This was a wonderful story about a family trying to find their blend following a tragedy. It reeks of authenticity.

If you are searching for a book to lose yourself in, you can't go wrong here. More than just a light romance, the characters, and their dilemmas/baggage is so real it's almost heartbreaking watching them fumble through the process of creating a family. I think I may be making it sound depressing, but it wasn't- it's just not a light read. I recommend it if you'd like to lose track of your reality for a weekend.

Sarah Morgan always wows me with her writing, and Family for Beginners is no exception. This book is absolutely beautifully written from start to finish. Did I always like the characters? Did I always agree with their actions? Nope and Nope, but how often do we like any given person 100% of the time, or how often do we find someone we always agree with? It's no different with Morgan's characters. Flora and Izzy frustrated the daylights out of me more often than not, but once all is revealed, everything makes sense and comes together. As part of a blended family myself, I know how difficult it can be, which is part of the reason so much of this one hit home with me. To refer to one of my favorite lines - these characters had to do their share of forging ahead and I'm sure they flattened more than a few daisies, but such is the way with families, and this one certainly kept me turning the pages. All in all, another touching, emotional read by Sarah Morgan.

Favorite Quotes:

Clare was so far out of her comfort zone she couldn’t have found her way back with a compass or SatNav.

Her mother had always emphasized that life was what you made of it, but Flora couldn’t help thinking that what you made depended on the raw ingredients you were given. Even the best chef couldn’t do much with moldy vegetables.

A teenager is a unique and unpredictable animal. They adapt to their surroundings… Which, now that I think about it, is probably the definition of a virus, too. Go figure. Even after they leave home you feel the aftereffects.

“We’ve kissed. And it is always amazing, and stop looking at me like that because frankly kissing him was better than any sex I ever had.” “You must have had terrible sex.”

Life is too short to fill it with friends who don’t care about you or bring you joy… But bad friends are like the old clothes in your closet. They’re the stained shirt, the sweater with the hole in it, the dress that no longer fits. They have no place and should be cleared out.”


My Review:

I’ve read several of her books now and have decided that Sarah Morgan is one of my favorite authors of all time. I simply adore her. She writes with astounding agility from multiple POVs and covers relevant and relatable issues with a lively and uncanny level of skill yet her tales are well-balanced with humor, angst, tragedy, perceptive awareness, and observant insights on all sides. Family For Beginners was a slowly evolving and well-nuanced tale that was heavy on family drama while a new romance was blossoming for a widower with children and a timid yet sensitive and eager to please florist. The storylines were multifaceted with complex yet endearing characters who were struggling to find their place and establish their own roles within their newly formed dynamic.