NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—PeopleA heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, … THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR
In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.
When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out.
A joyful, hilarious, and hope-filled debut, Evvie Drake Starts Over will have you cheering for the two most unlikely comebacks of the year—and will leave you wanting more from Linda Holmes.
Praise for Evvie Drake Starts Over
“A quirky, sweet, and splendid story of a woman coming into her own.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six
“Effortlessly enjoyable . . . [a] pitch-perfect . . . adult love story that is as romantic as it is real.”–USA Today
“Charming, hopeful, and gently romantic . . . Evvie Drake is great company.”—Rainbow Rowell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park
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Evvie Drake Starts Over is a book about second chances. It’s about the time between an ending and a new beginning when you are in limbo trying to make sense of what has happened, how you’ll move forward, or what you will move forward to. It’s about falling apart and picking yourself up. It’s about acceptance and seeking help. This book was nothing like what I expected, and it was perfect.
Evvie is going to do it. She has packed her things, secured some funds, and she is getting reading to drive away. When her departure is interrupted by life changing news, Evvie feels stuck. Playing the grieving widow for an emotional abusive man she was going to leave is making her sick. Author Linda Holmes created a truly empathetic character in Evvie.
Dean is also stuck, but he is stuck in his head. As a major league pitcher, he lit up the sky. At least he did until the day he didn’t. He lost his game, and he has spent a lot of time and money trying to get it back. The daily barrage of insults and ribbing has him looking for a place to escape and basically hide out. Which leads him Andy, his best childhood friend who also happens to be Evvie’s dearest friend.
Evvie and Drake’s meeting and their budding friendship feels organic. There is no insta-love; it is a very realistic and relatable relationship progression.
The characters are delightfully normal in their imperfection. The dialogue is authentic. The pace was a bit slow at times but not so much that it impacted my enjoyment or influenced my rating. This romantic comedy is not particularly romantic in the traditional sense, but Evvie Drake Starts Over is a heartwarming read that left me feeling in love and hopeful.
The audiobook is fantastically narrated.
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Narration 5+ stars
Story 4.5 stars
What a fantastic debut novel! I was hooked from the very beginning and loved how relatable and honest Evvie’s journey was. The writing was witty and engaging and the book was fantastically narrated by Julia Whelan. Her male and female voices were wonderful and she conveyed so much emotion throughout the book. Whelan’s performance had me right in the story and even though I have the ebook version as well, I found myself only wanting to listen because her performance was so riveting.
One of the things I enjoyed most about the book is that it focused not only on Evvie’s own self-discovery and healing, but also on all the relationships in her life. Relationships between family, friends, townspeople, and loved ones, and the sometimes heavy expectations that come with each. Yes, there is romance, but it doesn’t overshadow Evvie’s own relationship with herself. Her friendship with Andy was one of the highlights of the book and was captured so authentically and truthfully. Their highs and lows brought smiles to my face and also left my heart raw and hurting. I also loved her relationship with Dean. They helped each other by giving strength and support when needed (and maybe sometimes not), but also how they each took the time to grow and go after what they wanted, needed, and deserved.
A beautiful feel good book from start to finish! I can’t wait for more from Linda Holmes!
THERE’S A REASON THIS BOOK IS ON ALL THE ‘BEST’ LISTS FOR 2019…
All the adjectives have been used to describe this book: charming, lovely, witty, relatable, complicated, quirky, sweet, enjoyable, hopeful – and they are all correct.
This book is all of that and then some more. It sneaks up on you. You like Evie. You can’t not.
If you loved “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel” then you will love this as well.
But mostly this book is about showing the world the cracks in your perceived perfection. And other’s perception of you. And how hard that is to do until it all falls apart. It’s about starting over and accepting yourself as you are. It’s about asking for what you want and for who you want. It’s about finding joy in the less-than-simple way of life. It’s about love.
Halfway through this book, I knew it was going to be in my 2019 favorites list. I hope it’s on yours too.
A little surprised this book is on so many book lists. Pros: written well, I liked the characters. Suspect the author is young, I loved what that brought to the characters. Loved the ending. Cons: there are a lot of books out there that are similar.
3.5 stars. It was cute and sweet and a perfect Hallmark movie type read. Not my usual genre but enjoyed a light read in between some others I’ve been reading.
It took me a couple pages to settle into EVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER, but once I hit page 25, I couldn’t stop reading. The writing is witty and the story is interesting and there are lovely, unexpected layers to the story that made me care for these characters and cheer for their happy ever after. An entertaining, satisfying summer–or anytime–read.
Many readers can relate to Effie Drake, a woman who finally breaks free from a bad marriage only to have it her husband did the moment she is leaving him. Guilt holds her prisoner, particularly when, short on funds and with bills piling up, she takes in a renter. Dean Tenney, former star baseball hero has suddenly lost his pitching ability and can’t figure out why. It’s all he’s ever wanted in life, and now it’s gone. Yet he can’t help his attraction to the skittish Evvie. What happens between these two can drive the reader crazy because they act like real humans, getting in their way far too. It makes for some interesting reading.
The best book I have read lately. It really surprised me, especially for a debut novel. I hope Ms. Holmes has more in her like this one. Laugh out loud hysterically in a few places. Insightful in others. Well done! I will recommend this for my book club.
Light summer reading, but still engaging.
Interesting characters and story. Kept interest throughout. Satisfying ending.
Outstanding!
What a great story! It ticks all the right boxes. Strong storyline, relatable and believable characters, and, the perfect balance between sadness and joy. Truly emotional, uplifting and romantic. And appreciably hilarious at times. This book is for keeps.
Like all the best chocolate chip cookies, this book is warm, sweet, and will melt your heart. I cannot recommend Evvie’s story enough. It’s the perfect summer read!
5 STARS!!
I LOVED THIS ONE! Evvie Drake Starts Over was a sublime mix of all that I enjoy in women’s fiction. The balance of wittiness, family drama, romance, and friendships were perfection. I felt for the heroine’s circumstances and I think I laughed as much as I swooned. For a fiction debut, I was truly impressed with this author’s writing style. I heartily recommend this book for readers who enjoy women’s fiction/romance such as the early works of Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was witty, poignant, and romantic. I’m thrilled to have another women’s fiction author I can go to and I hope I don’t have to wait too long for her next release.
Awesome book
This book felt like an enjoyable stroll into the small town life and love of Evvie Drake, the funny but misplaced guilt ridden widow heroine. Wit its slow paced, slow burn romantic plot, I felt I had plenty of time to get to know her up close and personal, as well as her love interest, the handsome, lost his mojo magic pitch, professional baseball player hero, Dean Tenney.
Her best friend, Andy, was quite a nice touch, too. I loved how they were always there for each other. In fact, I’d like to have a deeper glimpse of the behind the scenes love story that unfolded with him while Evvie and Dean were dancing around each other. He’s a single dad raising girls all the while keeping a great sense of humor and life perspective.
My only complaint would be how easily Evvie and Dean didn’t fight for their love at one point. Sure, it lead to some realizations and a reunion, but it still bothered my avid romantic at heart heart. At least they both stayed celibate during the separation.
Romance safe: Only one steamy scene, the few other ones felt more implied than detailed, no OW/OM drama, no love triangle, no cheating. When prompted by Evvie, Dean at one point does give her a woman by woman recount of his past relationships. Evvie has only been with one man (her deceased, verbally abusive husband).
(These comments are based on a library edition. This is not a detailed ARC review.)
A sweet and sincere grown-up love story . . . Fans of grounded romance will fall hard for Evvie Drake and Dean Tenney, two broken people who help each other mend. . . . Refreshing and real, with a huge heart. I loved it.
This book was more than I expected!?! I love a good rom-com but this went alittle deeper. It touched on the hidden relations between a husband and a wife, how & why we let “society” dictate our lives, and the parental relationship. Yes, it was funny moments (romance was cute too) within the book but the author did a very good job of delving deeper, without lecturing! This should be added to your tbr list—it’s worth the read!!!
This is a new author for me, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be reading a lot more of her books. Evie Drake Starts Over is about a young widow who tries to work through the death of her doctor husband, who she didn’t love, and all the lies that developed throughout the marriage with her abusive husband. This isn’t a dark story, but it does have some very life altering events in Evvie’s life that has shaped her into the woman she is, at least until Dean, the washed up Yankees pitcher comes into her life. Both of these characters tugged at my heartstrings, but I found this story to be full of laughter, sass, tender moments, and life lessons that everyone can benefit from. Very well written story, loved the relationship between Evvie and Andy. Evvie’s father and Dean’s parents were pretty special too. Webster as a great addition at the end. Well worth the read!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Full disclosure, I have been listening to Linda Holmes on her Pop Culture Happy Hour (PCHH) podcast for many, many years. I’ve always appreciated the way she stands up for and lauds the romance genre, be it books, television shows, or Hallmark movies. So of course, I’ve been beyond curious to read her book since I found out she was being published. When I requested an ARC of this one, I really thought it was a long shot. I was elated to be approved for an ARC and couldn’t wait to dive in…while I was also terrified to read this book at the same time. What if it didn’t live up to my expectations? Not only would I be disappointed in a book I was looking forward to, but I’d most likely have a different view of Ms. Holmes, too. I know that’s not fair, but I knew it was a possibility. All this long, rambling paragraph to say I needn’t have worried. This story is amazing!
I immediately fell in love with this author’s writing tone and rhythm. Everything flowed so smoothly and easily while keeping me engaged in the narrative. The characters are all very likable, totally people I would love to be friends with. On top of all of that, the story is interesting. Although we know the gist of Eveleth’s and Dean’s issues, I still found myself enjoying how it all unfolded.
There are small and mundane things that the author adds that, instead of bogging the story down, add to the richness of the writing. Her detail about windshield wipers really spoke to me because it helped me to relate to Evvie and how she grew up. There were also huge things that are uncovered in such a subtle way that you don’t, at first, realize their impact.
So many things are understated and under the radar, which helps this book to sneak up on you with its intensity. I was almost surprised by the depth of my feelings for the situation when things started falling apart more and more for Evvie. The gut-punches and butterflies and tears were expected, but not to the extent that they occurred.
I’m so happy for Ms. Holmes and cannot wait to see what else she may have up her sleeve. I was already a fan, now I’m a super-fan.
** I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and given freely. **
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/evvie-drake-starts-over-arc-review/
4.5 stars
I am so glad I picked this book up. I have never read a book by Linda Holmes before and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this as a summer-time-must-read.
Recently widowed Evvie barely leaves the house. Everyone in their small town thinks its the overwhelming grief. But Evvie is keeping a lot of secrets.
For supplemental income, her best friend Andy recommends a friend of his to rent out an apartment in her house. Dean has a case of the “yips”. He used to be a great starting pitcher for the Yankees. Now he is retired and somewhat lost. As is Evvie.
Evvie and Dean strike a deal: Dean won’t bring up Evvie’s dead husband and Evvie won’t bring up baseball. Their natural progression into friendship is endearing. And eventually the deal gets broke by both sides and Evvie needs to confront a lot about the truth of her relationship with her deceased husband, and how to share what happened.
This was a great read about friendship and second chances. Definitely one-click it now.