“A perfect read for someone who feels lost when it comes to family [or is] looking for a second chance at love.”—Fresh FictionWho says you can’t choose your family? USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with a life-affirming exploration of love, loss, and new beginnings… dream, but her bubbly optimism hides a secret. Orphaned as a child, she’s never felt like she’s belonged anywhere…until she meets Jack.
Teenager Izzy is holding it together by her fingertips. Since her mother passed away, looking after her family is the only thing that makes Izzy feel safe. Discovering her father has a new girlfriend is her worst nightmare—until her father invites Flora on their summer vacation…
Flora’s heart aches for Izzy, but Izzy is determined to keep Flora at arm’s length! As the summer unfolds, they forge a tentative bond, but Flora and Izzy must push past their boundaries to learn that families come in all shapes and sizes…
Don’t miss Sarah Morgan’s next book, The Summer Seekers!
“Readers will be delighted.”
—Publishers Weekly on One More For Christmas, starred review
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Sarah Morgan writes beautiful, tender books about characters who come to life on the page.
I love all of Sarah Morgan’s books and this one was no exception! Don’t miss FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS!
Whenever I pick up a book by this very talented author, I know it will be a winner, and this one is no exception.
Flora Donovan is a florist in New York who loves her shop. But the shadows of her past seems to always hover over her.
Little did she know that the moment Jack Parker enters her shop, life would never be the same.
While a friendship starts to blossom, Izzy, Jack’s teenage daughter, is struggling with the loss of her mother, and the feeling that she has to help and be responsible for her Dad and younger sister.
This still suffering teenager’s life is turned upside down when Flora is invited to the family’s summer vacation.
In this at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming story, we are reminded of the effects ones childhood has on our present and adult life. How grief is expressed differently by each person no matter their age. How fear of losing love sometimes keeps us from risking loving either for the first time, or again. How love comes in all forms and shapes.
Will they all be able to piece together their hearts and hopes to become a new family and find happiness, or will fear keep them from achieving that wonderful place.
Thank you , Ms. Morgan , for another incredibly touching and exception story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and HQN books. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
A great story about a woman, Flora, who has no family and suddenly finds herself in a relationship with widower, Jack.
Morgan is a master of multi-layered plots and characters that keep you reading long after your bedtime. The latest examines friendship and family and how sometimes we hold on to things far longer than we should because they are familiar. (I’m beginning to sense a theme in my recent reads.) Morgan always takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, but she never disappoints.
A beautiful story about the complexities of family, friendship and grief. I loved this book. A must read for fans of women’s fiction.
Family for Beginners is women’s literature that focuses on the journey of the individuals in the book. There is a romance running throughout, but the transformations of the characters in how they view themselves is the main story–and what a story!
Ms. Morgan portrays the innermost and most basic human qualities in her characters and allows the reader to witness every change they undergo in a way that first buries you deeply and then exhumes you as you share in their accomplishments and emotional breakthroughs.
This story is a very emotional story of family–being family, finding family and keeping family. Beautiful! Just beautiful!
Great read! This book had so many touching moments….. I was hooked from the very beginning & loved these characters & their struggles through loss & change. I loved the strength of their families & friendships helped them to face their fears & bring them peace.
I loved this book, couldn’t put it down. These characters were so real and with writing of the teen-aged daughter was spot on. We all regret being given a secret you don’t want to know and I think we all would react exactly like the book.
No amount of words can describe how beautiful this book was. Sarah has such a keen understanding of human nature. The story touched my heart.
Family For Beginners by Sarah Morgan is a delightful contemporary tale that will swell your heart.
The novel is about love, loss and family. Family is important. It represents security and it is where we belong. When loss threatens to tear apart the very foundations, a family needs to learn how to belong again.
Not everyone is fortunate to have a loving family. We see a character who felt like excess baggage following the death of her mother. She has spent her whole life looking for love and putting others first. “She wanted to be important to someone.” This is such a sad emotive statement.
When someone dies suddenly, regrets and guilt pile up – guilt over what we did or didn’t say or do, and guilt for being alive. “You’re afraid that if you laugh, it might appear that you loved the person less.” We need to learn to live again.
Everyone handles loss in a different way. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. We must just muddle through as best as we can.
The novel is set in New York City and the Lake District. These locations are polar opposites – NYC is stifling, crushing spirits. In contrast there are the wide open spaces of the Lake District where souls can run free.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and easy to empathise with.
Family For Beginners was totally charming. I love all Sarah Morgan’s novels, they fill my heart and soul with love.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“Love isn’t finite… It’s like a river that keeps flowing.”
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Excellent book! Hard to put down!
I couldn’t put it down. My new favorite author. Thanks
This. Is. An. Outrage. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve stayed up until 1am because I needed to finish a book!? And the tears….I’m here trying to sob and sniffle quietly enough that I don’t wake my sleeping husband. Do yourself a favor and read this book (the tears were both heartbreaking ones and happy ones). But also…try to start it earlier in the day than I did.
For anyone who has ever had to deal with a deceased spouse and has children…I can feel your pain. I’ve lived through it and it wasn’t fun. This was very well written and everyone came out so much better for taking the time to understand and talk.
Poignant, sweet, and undeniably heartwarming!
Family for Beginners is an evocative, captivating tale that delves into the complex bonds and emotional ties between family members and immerses you in a tale about confronting the past, accepting the things you cannot change, following your heart, learning to trust, and embracing the future.
The prose is smooth and polished. The characters are lonely, sorrowful, and conflicted. And the story is an exceptionally absorbing tale about life, loss, love, grief, adultery, acceptance, forgiveness, familial drama, friendship, teenage angst, loneliness, communication, contentment and romance.
Overall, Family for Beginners is a beautiful mix of heart, happiness, and hope. And it’s no secret that Sarah Mogan is one of my favourite authors, and once again with this moving, emotive, affecting tale she didn’t disappoint.
An emotionally charged story of starting over! FAMILY FOR BEGINNERS by Sarah Morgan revolves around a man who lost his wife, his teenage daughter who took the world onto her shoulders as her way of coping and the new woman who’s beginning to become the light of his life. The story line is quick to hook the reader and the characters keep our attention throughout. I really enjoyed it!
Jack Parker is a bit obtuse but easy enough to like. He sees his children through the filter that his eldest daughter has developed and doesn’t see the subtle nuances that reflect the chaos below the surface. He’s beginning to feel like Flora could be the love of his life and can’t believe there could be anything wrong with those feelings.
Isabella Parker has programmed herself to be perfect and won’t stand for letting her father down. She knows a secret that eats at her soul and that and her very existence are weighting heavily on her actions. She can’t let this new woman come in and take the only place she has left.
Flora Donovan is delightful. She’s kind and understanding and has no idea of what she’s walking into when she begins to date Jack. She sees herself in the eyes of his teen and can feel the despair she tries so hard to hide.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family drama as a setting stone to overcoming odds and finding happiness. It’s fast paced and full of emotion.
Sarah Morgan has never disappointed in a book yet. I read the first 20 or so pages yesterday and finished it today, I just could not put it down! This books has it all, family tragedy, teenage drama, romance, old friends and did I mention the romance? This book tells a story so well that you get caught up in it likes it is your own family. I love books that drag you in and make you feel like you are there watching from the sidelines. I recommend this book to all who love reading.
Awesome book Awesome writer
I loved the characters in this book … so many different ages and situations and all of them weaved together so well into a truly uplifting story. Can’t wait for Sarah’s next book!