Cover Image: Starting Over on Sunshine Corner

Starting Over on Sunshine Corner

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This is the third book in The Sunshine Corner series. It’s seriously such a cute series, and one I highly recommend checking out! The books can be read as a stand-alone, but the whole series is so good, it’s worth reading them in order.

This book is a friends to lovers romance, one of my favorite tropes. The characters and the storyline are so relatable. I loved watching the relationship between Rebecca and Jackson blossom. It was just the sweetest. If you’re a fan of small town romances, you’ll love this book!

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Phoebe Mills' Starting Over on Sunshine Corner is such a comforting contemporary romance. This friends to lovers, single mom, surprise pregnancy romance is truly everything I could have wished for. Mills' writing is clear, fun, and compulsively readable. I have not read a lot from Mills but the books in the series all have a charm and ease about them, making them a lovely small town escape. While this novel might hold some tropes that may turn away some readers, I do enjoy them all and think that Phoebe Mills really lovely draws out this sweet romance between two best friends learning what it means to grow and shift their relationship. I think this is definitely a must read for any Phoebe Mills fan, or any small town romance lover!

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Rebecca is a single mother who is really focused on her child and keeping her life as stable as possible that she really doesn't have time to date. When she spends one night with her best friend Jackson, were there is no strings attached it came with unexpected consequences where now she's pregnant. Jackson is it's a very free guy who isn't interested in being tied down he just wants to surf his days away but his father landscaping business is really trying to settle him down. Now with the new of a baby on the way he's got a lot of decisions to make about the future he didn't care to plan for.

So this is a pretty slow read for me. I really enjoyed it though. I liked getting to know the characters from their perspectives and seeing how this news was really going to impact their lives. I mean Jackson just wants to do his job and surf and enjoy himself he really wasn't thinking much for the future and very much into the now. Rebecca is a responsible mother doing every everything she can to care for her daughter and virtually the opposite of Jackson. But now that they have this baby on the way decisions must be made and Rebecca is already going through the single mother this without the others help and now she's going to have another with a guy who doesn't seem to want to settle down naturally she's concerned about the future. It was interesting seeing how this book played out though and how they worked through what life handed them. Pretty good book I enjoyed it.

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This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. The character development was excellent. I would definitely recommend to others, a must read!

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Small town books are my jam, & this series helped solidify that even more! This was a great friends to lovers, that kept you reading page after page 💗 Becca & Jackson complimented each other perfectly, being exactly what the other needed. They worked to overcome obstacles together, as well as individually. Found family is big in this book & I loved how the community works to look after their own 💕

I have loved following these characters, and others, over the series! They have brought so many laughs & smiles to my face, & I can't recommend them enough if you are looking for a fun, sweet, small town story 💗

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An irresistible friends to lovers romance, that was also very charming. A great addition to the series.
Many thanks to Forever and to NetG for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills is the third book of the contemporary romance The Sunshine Corner series. As with a lot of romance series the main characters do change in each new book of the series with the setting of The Sunshine Corner daycare being what ties the books together. With the characters changing the books can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so but there are glimpses of previous characters for those reading in order.

This time around in the Sunshine Corner series we have a friends to lovers story coming our way. Rebecca Hayes is a single mother who has all her focus on raising her child with dating being the last thing on her mind. Jackson Lowe has been Rebecca’s best friend forever but has never admitted to Rebecca that he’d like their relationship to be more. When on night things get a little heated between these friends they never expect it to turn into forever.

The Sunshine Corner series is one that I have been following from the beginning and always enjoy returning to this charming small town romance series. Once again I found myself enjoying the characters and getting to know their stories and love that we get glimpses of those from earlier stories as well. Also being a sucker when children are involved this one definitely kept my attention and kept the pages turning waiting to see how the story would turn out.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Starting Over on Sunshine Corner
by Phoebe Mills
Pub Date 07 Feb 2023
3 🌟🌟🌟

Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills is the third installment in the Sunshine Corner series. However it can be read on its on. I wanted to love this book however I just could not get past the fact that through almost the whole book Jackson's father treated Jackson like a young child instead of an adult, and Becca also second guessing him and treating him like a child. This was a major turn off for me. Usually I love friends-to-lovers / opposites-attract romance .

I just want to say Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story . I truly appreciate it.

*******Disclosure*******
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.
*************************

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A small town, opposites attract, will they won’t they, single mom, friends to maybe more enjoyable sweet addition to a truly lovely series. This book focuses on Rebecca and Jackson. Great friends and yet so very different. They’ve got a long history and have always been there for each other. And then in an instant everything changes. Together with a lot of honesty, angst and a few bumps along the way theyfigure it out for their eventual (no surprise here) happily ever after. Its a really sweet, fun read.

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I have been thoroughly enjoying the stories surrounding this close-knit group of friends (and family) in Phoebe Mills' Sunshine Corner series. This time it's Becca and Jackson in the spotlight, in a friends-to-lovers / opposites-attract romance with a few surprises along the way.

I love how Mills doesn't shy away from tossing her characters into the deep end of emotional upheaval while still maintaining an upbeat vibe in her books. There's emotional depth but also plenty of humor, especially when friends and families get together. I don't know if Mills is from a large family but she sure gets the sibling dynamic.

Both Jackson and Becca are dealing with family issues while also exploring building a relationship different from what they've had as best friends since high school. For Jackson, he's struggling to figure out what he wants career wise. His father is pressuring him to take over the family company but Jackson knows he'd wither on the vine if forced into an office job when his passion is surfing. But he also knows that Becca needs the stability of a sure thing. And then there's the fact that, as the youngest son, everyone still treats him like he's a goof-off who lacks ambition. Not so. I love how much he has always (secretly) loved Becca, how well he understands her, and how hard he works to be the best possible partner and provider, in every way.

Becca's chaotic and abusive childhood has had a lasting impact on her as an adult. Jackson has always been her best friend but she's never felt inclined to change that status, even now when she's pregnant from their one night stand. Truth is, she doesn't handle change of any kind well and that includes emotional closeness. I appreciate how the author moves her relationship with Jackson forward at a slow pace, giving her the time she needs to figure things out. The progression of her feelings and their relationship as a couple are portrayed realistically, given her hang ups. By the time I reached the end of the book (loved that epilogue!), I was confident in their love and future happiness.

This is the third book in Mills' Sunshine Corner series. It stands well on its own but readers should be aware that the community of characters from the first two books are also prominently featured in this one, with one heroine in particular struggling with new motherhood. I love following the relationships of previous couples but if you'd rather not meet them for the first time post-HEA, you may want to begin with book one, The House on Sunshine Corner then follow that with A Wedding on Sunshine Corner.
4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review

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I found Phoebe Mills books last year and fell in love with her small town romance books. However, this is book three and I have not seen a lot of growth with her writing. We have a bigger cast but there are alot of jumps in the book. The chapters towards the front of the book are longer than at the beginning then it changes and the chapters are short and it seems like the ending of the book is rushed.

I wanted to love this book however I felt like this story is everything I dislike in books, Surprise pregnancy, grumpy and sunshine, and second chance romance.

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Starting Over on Sunshine Corner was a lovely book. It was a story that took a moment to get into, but once I did, I was invested in the characters. It was a little predictable and the ending came too quickly compared to the set up of the middle. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a light romance.

Thank you to Phoebe Mills, Forever, and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I received a copy of Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills from Forever Pub in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a city girl. Well, sort of. More of a city-adjacent girl. But if I ever start dreaming of moving to a small town, it will be because of these small town romance series like A Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills. These little contemporary romances have just the right combination of small town charm, close female friendships, and a coziness that just fulfills the sentimental and romantic parts of my soul.

In Starting Over on Sunshine Corner, Rebecca Hayes is a single mom who is just trying to raise her daughter while managing her career. She is encouraged to get back out there but from sheer nervousness - she enlists the help of her best friend, Jackson. Of course, little does she know that despite Jackson's reputation for just wanting to have a good time, he's always had a thing for her. After one particular night in which things escalate, it seems that friendship is all that is in store for Rebecca and Jackson - that is until she finds out that she is pregnant. As the two friends navigate what this means, they each have to look into their hearts to see what's been there all the time and Jackson will have to prove to Rebecca, others in the town, and also to himself that he's always been a good and responsible man, despite what they may have always thought before.

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This is a such a sweet, heartwarming series and I was so happy to revisit the occupants on Sunshine Corner.
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This time it’s Becca’s turn for love. She’s a single mom of a sweet four year old who has great friends and an even better best friend in Jackson. She’s always had a crush on him but never wanted to risk their friendship until one night they decide to cross the line just once. Just once somehow ends up in a pregnancy and everything changes
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I loved seeing these two best friends from high school develop into something more. This was a story that simply made me smile.

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I’ve read the first two in this series, but you can absolutely read STARTING OVER ON SUNSHINE CORNER as a standalone, which I love! Thank you @readforeverpub for my copy of @authorphoebemills newest release.

If you like single mom, friends to more, surprise pregnancies (I genuinely think everyone but grandma is pregnant in this novel!), and surfing, then you will enjoy this one for sure!

There are some trigger warnings, and it does have a semi-deep dive into pregnancies, birthing and life as a new mom, so if this is a difficult topic for you, reach out and I can share more insight for you. 💗

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Summary
Becca is a single mom of an adorable little girl. Her best friend since high school, Jackson, has been a great support over the years. When Becca decides she is ready to start dating, she turns to Jackson to help her get her groove back. And then she finds out she is pregnant. Jackson has always been a good time; surfing, working for his family's landscaping company. Becoming a father wasn't in his immediate plans, but he wants to do right by Becca, who he has always had feelings for, so maybe this baby is the start of something with them.

Review
I've read the entire Sunshine Corner series over the last few years. I was looking forward to this one a lot, because I was intrigued by both Jackson and Becca. I was a little disappointed. It was a sweet romance, and very cute. It just felt repetitive at times. Jackson's father and how he treated Jackson like a kid instead of an adult, or Becca second guessing Jackson's ability to act like a grown-up, I felt bad for the guy because it was such a chunk of the book. I was happy to return to Sunshine Corner and see characters like Hilde, who is up to her tricks again, and see how Abby and Savannah are doing in their relationships and milestones. If you like a sweet romance in a small town, with a friends to lovers/accidental pregnancy, you will definitely like this.

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“…when he looks at you? It’s as if he’s just found the end of the rainbow.”

Jackson and Becca have been friends since high school and claim to have never considered the other romantically. After a night out leads to a one night stand, Becca ends up pregnant. As a single mom to sweet Sofia, organized and type A Becca isn’t sure that surfing Jackson has the right personality to step up and do what’s needed. After years of being teased for his go-with-the-flow attitude, Jackson isn’t sure he’s enough for Becca, either.

“It was as if her heart was expanding to let more love inside, while her brain was shrinking.” - Motherhood in a nutshell

This was a sweet story with closed door only romance. Becca and Jackson complimented each other so well. And Sofia was a cutie! I also enjoyed all of the friendships and found family that supported them both. As a heads up, there was a lot of discussion surrounding pregnancy, breastfeeding, post-partum experiences, etc., as there are a lot of pregnancies in their friend group in this book. It’s third in a series, and could be read as a standalone; reading the previous two books would help in knowing more about all the characters!

Thank you Forever Publishing (Grand Central) for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

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Single mother Rebecca has a one night fling with her best friend, Jackson, and the result is an unexpected pregnancy. Jackson has a reputation in town for being an irresponsible guy so he feels he has a lot to prove to himself, his father, and Rebecca. This is the third Sunshine Cove so the various friends and couples from the other books make appearances at their various states of their own pregnancies.

I need everyone in this town to stop being so baby crazed. It’s like a disease among this group of friends. I am the same age as Rebecca and even with my friends who want / have children, kids are not discussed as much as this group of people seem to do. I was really bothered that none of the practicalities of Rebecca having a second child outside of a relationship was never addressed. There was never even a hint at abortion being an option. There was no discussion of how she could afford another child. Young millennials (again, Rebecca and I are the same age) don’t bring children into the world without thinking things through. I’ll step off my soap box now.

I liked the relationship between Rebecca and Jackson in theory. I love friends to lovers stories where they have both been crushing on each other but neither want to make the first move. Having read the previous books I knew their story was coming and had been waiting for it, but it fell completely flat. There was zero heat or tension. You can have a fade to black story, but I should at least feel like the two are in love with one another. The baby plot line took over everything. I wanted the morning after their one night. I wanted to watch them navigate the awkwardness of their relationship changing beyond the baby storyline. In short I just wanted more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills is the third installment in the Sunshine Corner series. Mills masterfully captures the quaint small-town atmosphere, populating it with relatable characters that readers can't help but root for. This heartwarming story will leave readers eagerly anticipating their return to Heart's Hope Bay.

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Rebecca Hayes has a busy life raising her daughter and building her career. She has amazing people helping her and she is especially grateful for her best friend Jackson. When Rebecca and Jackson step over the line of friendship, both their lives are about the change. Rebecca is the steady one, the reliable one while Jackson is easy going and does not like commitment. He wants to ride the waves with no attachments. They are complete opposites, but they do say opposites attract. Can Jackson step up to support Rebecca or will he head for the ocean?

Phoebe Mills is one of my new favourite authors. Her series The Sunshine Corner, has been a delight to read. The characters are witty, genuine and heartwarming. I loved Rebecca and Jacksons story of best friends testing the waters of a different kind of relationship. I also enjoyed catching up with the characters of the first too books. Thanks so much to Forever Publishing for the kind gift of the book of which I voluntarily read and reviewed. Stop by Sunshine Corner friends, you will love it.

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