“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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“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.
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Secrets aren’t always unfolded at the right time or for the right reasons…
Sarah brings you into the story full speed ahead bringing in a full spectrum of characters each with a depth of characteristics. Their emotions carry from the pages and tend to tug on the heart-strings a little. This book has a little bit of everything but the big hitter was a death of a family member. They are never easy to get through. This book takes the healing process to fruition adding in all the twists and turns of everyday life along the way. From New York City to quiet Lake District you feel like you can really settle in. Secrets big and small thicken the story and make you grip in anticipation. Just when you think you have the whole story a plot twist is dropped right onto your lap. I was definitely caught by surprise. I really enjoyed this book and I’m sure you will too.
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.
Absolutely loved this beautiful, heartwarming story. Sarah Morgan writes with such depth and honesty about relationships. I love her characters so much. Her books just keep getting better and better.
This was a thoroughly delightful and heartwarming read with characters that I absolutely loved, especially adorable seven-year-old Molly.
My heart totally went out to Flora who, with no sense of family and belonging, tries so hard to fit in. She is involved with Jack who recently lost his wife Becca and is now raising teenage Izzy and seven-year-old Molly on his own. The characters are wonderfully and believably developed showing both their flaws and their strengths.
Flora wants to love and be loved but will she be able to let go of her past and her reluctance to open up in order to reach true intimacy with Jack and his family? Can Izzy get past her anger and pain and begin to accept Flora into their family? And Jack has his own secrets that will threaten their relationship when revealed. This story isn’t just about the romantic relationship between Flora and Jack. It is about, more importantly, family dynamics and the importance of each member in that family. I rejoiced as Flora took those first small steps in trusting and exposing her vulnerabilities.
The story doesn’t really find its footing until Flora joins Jack and his daughters on their annual summer vacation in England with Becca’s friend Clare at a place known as the Lake District. Away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the story finds its strength in the genuineness of the evolving relationships. Warning: You may need tissues.
This is the first book that I have read by Sarah Morgan. I loved her writing style so now need to get some of her older books.
Clare and Becca have been best friends since just about their first breath on earth. Now Becca is gone and Clare is left with a life altering secret and no plans to share it.
Flora hasn’t felt like she belonged since her mother died, her aunt didn’t want to be saddled with a kid and didn’t really do much to nurture Flora as she grew up. Working in the same florist shop her mother did was about the only choice Flora had to keep her sanity and memories of her mother alive. Until she saw a man staring at the flowers in the shop window, she thought that this unfulfilled life was all she was destined for.
Jack lost Becca about a year ago and is having a hard time raising their two daughters on his own. Their relationship wasn’t the greatest lately but he loves the girls, 17 year old Izzy and her little sister Molly who is 7. Izzy has stepped up to help him with everything tremendously and now he wanted to show his appreciation by getting her the perfect birthday gift. Becca was the perfect gift getter though and he had no idea what he was doing. Having wandered toward the florist shop he is staring, seemingly overwhelmed by life when he spots the most calming eyes staring back at him through the window.
Izzy misses her mom, she wishes their last interaction wasn’t a fight. More than that though, she wishes she didn’t know what she knew. Taking care of the house is now her responsibility and she doesn’t want her Dad to not need her anymore so she steps it up to become indispensable. She is covering pretty well with her emotions until her Dad brings someone home for dinner.
Once again Ms Morgan takes us on a trip with people we feel like we’ve known forever. While this novel was a little easy for me to “figure out”, it didn’t disappoint or diminish the storyline for me at all. In fact I read all 358 pages in one sitting, 2 hours in fact. As with all her books I hate when they end and can’t wait for the next story. I voluntarily read an advance copy without expectations for review, all opinions expressed are my own. 4 ½ stars for this latest release.
Family for Beginners is a beautifully written story of love, loss and family secrets. Flora was the perfect addition to Jack’s family, and I loved the bits of humor that Sarah Morgan added to her internal dialogue. All of the characters were wonderful, and I really enjoyed reading about their time at Lake Lodge.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Flora Donovan is a florist living her own life. Most people think she’s got it made. She has a job she loves, lives in her own apartment. Little do they know that she’d just about give anything to be loved, to not be so alone.
She meets widower Jack Parker when he comes in to buy some flowers for his teenager daughter, Izzy for her birthday. There is just something about Flora that draws Jack to her. They start having coffee together. That eventually turns into dating. Izzy has been holding her family together and doesn’t know how to show true feeling/emotions. She feels betrayed by her dad and her little sister as they get close to Flora.
Flora completes can relate to what Izzy is going through because she lost her mother at a very young age too but doesn’t want to lose her relationship with Jack.
Things come to a head when they go on a family vacation to visit old family friends and family secrets are revealed. They must decide if they are going to be able to work through everything to go forward as a possible family unit.
This story really pulls at the heart strings. I’m so glad there is a HEA for everyone involved.
Family for Beginners is another excellent book by Sarah Morgan. It’s a story of loneliness, love, family, and loss. Flora Donovan, a New York florist, loves her dream job of working in a florist shop. After being orphaned as a child she has never truly felt as she belonged..to anyone or anywhere. One day she meets Jack Parker and slowly learns how to love someone. Jack’s teenage daughter is still grieving the death of her mother and isn’t too happy about Flora being in her dad’s life. As Flora and jack grow closer, Flora tries to bond with his daughter. This is a story about family and the bonds they create, about finding yourself, and finally feeling like you belong. It’s a beautifully written story and I highly recommend it!
“Life is like a garden, don’t you think? Sometimes glorious, and sometimes a disaster. It’s messy, but always real. And sometimes all we can do is forge ahead, and if that means flattening a few daisies on the way, then so be it.”
Carolyn – Family For Beginners
Heart warming and healing, Sarah Morgan’s Family For Beginners is about all the imperfections that make life and family complicated, messy, and wonderful all at once. Sarah Morgan has a knack for creating characters you feel as if you’ve known all along but still want to peel back the layers to their story. Drawing you quickly into their lives, sharing their vulnerabilities and most intimate secrets while instilling humor, romance, and friendship is a Sarah Morgan specialty. Light and easy to read but terribly hard to put down, Family For Beginners is endearing and an absolute must read this summer!
Family for Beginners is a wonderfully written, emotionally engaging story about dealing with the death of a loved one while harboring secrets that could affect the way others remembered that person. It is also about finding acceptance, love and your place within a family dynamic and the lengths you would go to fit in. Flora is a florist who was orphaned at a young age and never felt the love again that she shared with her mom. Jack is a recent widower who is raising two young daughters, trying to make life as normal as possible, while hiding a secret about his deceased wife that would devastate his daughters. Jack and Flora are beginning a relationship based on friendship, trust, and mutual attraction with the added stress of introducing Flora to Jack’s daughters. Molly, the seven year old, is instantly smitten with Flora but Izzy, the teenager, is defensive and angry that life is changing again. She feels threatened with her place within the family unit because of a secret that she is keeping from the night before her mom died. Also added into this mix is Becca’s childhood friend, Clare, who is also harboring a secret about Becca. The development of the story and characters is simply amazing and so well-written that you are invested in the outcome as the secrets are revealed, the healing begins and the different relationships are starting to blossom. I truly did not want to put this story down until I finished reading it.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
So far, 2020 has been a confusing year, and escaping into a good book has been a wonderful way to cope with the uncertainty. I was so happy to dig into the newest Sarah Morgan book and Family for Beginners did not disappoint, in fact, it has everything that I’ve been missing the past few months; friends, family, companionship and vacation along with the ups and downs that go with them.
I read an advanced copy of this book
Read with the title “Family for Beginners “
I always love Ms Morgan’s stories and this one was no exception. Fitting into a ready made family is never easy but when said family have dark secrets it is even harder. Fabulous story with fabulous characters. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this book! I could really understand where the characters were coming from and although it is a happily ever after kind of story, it is not formulaic. I enjoyed my time with these characters.
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 reader.
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 touching and sometimes searing look at families and how one’s expectations may not always be accurate, this book drew me in and held me the entire plot. I thought the pacing was excellent. The characters were realistic; there were no stereotypes, but lots of honest actions and reactions. And the witty banter (especially between Clare and her husband and Clare and her mom) made me smile in recognition. The author has a gift with creating familiar scenarios. I highly recommend this one. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for a digital ARC of this book.
Family For Beginners is a wonderful story of family and love. It gives you heartache but feels your heart with love at the same time. The story proves that family is not always blood related.
This book captured me and made me feel all. the. things. First…there’s Flora. She’s a people pleaser and avoider of conflict. She is the person who will tell you what you want to hear over voicing her own opinions so as not to upset anyone. I cannot tell you how strongly I related to her. Morgan writes this character so very strongly that it hit me to my core. Then there’s Jack. Jack recently lost his wife and is now scrambling trying to figure out how to raise his two girls, Izzy and Molly, while still working his job and settling into this new way of life. Jack depends a lot on his oldest daughter, Izzy. Oh Izzy. She is seemingly keeping it all together for everyone while keeping her own emotions in check so she can care for her Dad and sister. Add in sweet Molly and lifelong friend, Clare and you just fall in love with all the people who come into Flora’s world one-by-one.
Morgan’s characters grab you. They demand that you feel what they are feeling and pull you into their world in a way that you can’t but help laugh and cry with them. The story here of not just wanting family but wanting to be wanted is told from various perspectives and it makes it all the more rich and delightful. I loved this book. I loved the dual settings of NYC and the Lake District in England. I love that this isn’t just a romance. And it isn’t just women’s fiction. I love the way that Morgan portrays family and friendships and the secrets that can be hidden at times. It is, what feels like, a very real and honest story of love. I felt that this was one of Morgan’s strongest works to date and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a book about love, friendship and family.
Thank you to Sarah Morgan and Harlequin for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.