Victoria Bennett has been blessed with a loving husband, a wonderful son and amazing friends. Always the organized planner, Victoria was thrown life’s curve ball when she found herself a widow and single mom before 40.
After mourning the loss of her husband and rejoining her friends and family in her once simple life, Victoria finds herself venturing into the world of online dating with little … with little success.
After hanging up her keyboard and focusing on new experiences and hobbies, Victoria is as surprised
as everyone else when her favorite pastime leads to a new career and passion for life. When a friendship turns to romance, her life is once again thrown for a loop. Like everything new in her life she takes on the relationship with gusto, and a series of mishaps.
Victoria soon learns that sometimes the life you’ve planned isn’t the life you lead. It is still your life, just your life rewritten.
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Truly uplifting story!
While Victoria sure experienced more than a fair share of heartbreak, it was wonderful to follow her on her – occasionally hilarious – exploration of her new life, a life she had never planned for or even envisioned for herself.
Is it fair to Dillon when I say that Patrick was one of my favorite characters? Don’t get me wrong, Dillon is an awesome romance hero in his own right, but Patrick? Right in the feels.
What I didn’t get was the ginormous feeling of betrayal on Victoria’s part towards the end of the story. I mean, what’s the big deal?
(And I would have wished for another round of edits and proofreading. But I’m nitpicky like that.)
I really loved this one. It is a nice mix of Humor and life. I thought it would be sad at first but it isn’t. The story starts with her ridiculous online dating stories. We see bits of her husband in flashbacks. I did LOVE the notes he left her all over and then that last letter….it really hit me hard. Dillion is the super sexy IRISH…coffee and dessert making hottie she meets. He is really the best! When she met him and geeked out over his eyes and how she wanted to pet his velvety hair?I laughed and laughed every time I heard that.
Overall this is an enjoyable story that kept me smiling throughout. The characters were great and even her friend/sister were nice secondary characters. I was shocked at the end. It has a surprise I didn’t see coming.
I did listen to this on audio. S.T. Edwards did a good job with the narration. I only wish there was more of an Irish brogue. She did fine because the story calls for a light accent but it would have been amazing to hear a bit more.
I was late to the party on the this book, but boy did I love it. I love Andrea’s writing style you start reading/listening to her work and you simply can’t stop. She’s a one click author for me.
The story was based on a couple in their forties, Victoria a mid aged widow trying to find a new path in life and Dillon who is the owner and baker of a cafe in town and they start dating. The banter between Victoria and Dillon was hilarious and the writing flowed. I think anyone who reads this book will also fall in love with Dillon!!! The story makes you think about what decisions you would make. It also has some good messages such as hope, trusting yourself and just enjoying what life brings you.
Great Story & Audible Listen Delightful & Heartfelt!
Life Rewritten
By: Andrea Johnston
Narrated by: S.T. Edwards
This is audiobook is an enjoyable delight and I loved everything about it, from Andrea Johnston’s wonderful writing style, to the story and characters she created to S.T. Edwards fabulous narration. This book captivated me from start to end. The story and the characters are realistic and easy to relate to. Victoria thought she was spending the rest of her life with her husband, Patrick, the love of her life. His death changed the path of her life, her friends and even her son are encouraging her to get back out in the world. It was her husbands wishes for her to live on. She has her fair share of dysfunctional dates before giving up on it the dating app. She decides to move in another direction, turn a hobby and her love for books into a business venture. She meets up with Dillon, the hunk of a man who runs the Irish Coffee shop. I really liked Dillon, he was great with Victoria and for her. The two clicked and decide to go on a non-date date. I loved how everything plays out between them, quickly becoming friends, she is a bit hesitant at first, afraid to go further but the chemistry between them is undeniable. I adored Victoria’s friend and sister, Charlotte and Anna. Also loved the heartfelt letters. There is never a dull moment in this book, there is drama, emotional and moving moments, funny ones and a great twist you do not see coming, all leading to a wonderful burn romance. Thank you Andrea Johnston for this beautiful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, S.T. Edwards is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life giving each their own voice and personality. She does a great job portraying the characters and projecting their emotions into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
I love Victoria and her journey of essentially finding herself. Andrea writes the story and makes me feel like I’m right there with them. Victoria had the her support system with her best friend and little sister. The journey of her new life was a great experience nd I admire her for that. Between the online dating and the new business adventure, and throw in a sexy Irish man….yes, please. This story is inspiring to self confidence and new changes.
A truly wonderful and heart warming story about finding true love again, in your forties!
.”Dating is almost like a really long job interview. Except instead of a power suit and a great up do, you’re squeezed into some Spanx and trying not to order food that will stick to your teeth.” .
A great story about rediscovering love after losing your one true love; and rewriting your life a little. I truly enjoyed diving into Victoria’s life, her love of books, coffee, and her son really stuck to me. I felt like I could relate even though I’m a decade younger. I also really adored her friendship with her sister, Charlotte, and her best friend, Anna. Those three reminded me of my own triple threat of a group of friends – we handle life as one, and it’s amazing.
“COFFEE. IS THERE anything better? The smell. The color. The caffeine! I’m a firm believer in the concept that nothing starts a day off like a freshly brewed cup of coffee.”
“Most mornings I sit here, ponder life, read a little, and people watch. I love to people watch and try to figure out each person’s story. I suppose that little habit of mine has contributed to my love of reading.”
Not the first man to catch her eye in the book, but Dillon is the catch of the century. While I knew pretty early on he’d be a love interest; I didn’t fully comprehend the impact he would have on her life. With a few twists along the way, this story caught my heart and made me laugh out loud; but it also made me tear up a little too. A very well-rounded story. Well done, Andrea.
I have read this author several times, but had not yet read her debut novel …. until now!
This book did not disappoint. I love books with characters in their 40’s.
Victoria is a widow who is dabbling in dating, but not really looking all that hard. Online dating isn’t getting her much (except maybe a few laughs). So she is content with her son, her BFF, her sister, her wine, and her romance novels.
She gets an idea to start up a business, and enlists the help of coffee shop owner, Dillon.
Sparks fly and you’ll have to read to watch where it goes. There are some surprise twists that I never saw coming!!
I thought this book was wonderful. The characters were true to life like people and the main character often had me laughing out loud. One quote that shows this is “I almost feel like I could wear white today and not spill. I said almost; I’m feeling confident, not crazy.”
In the end, one quote sums the book up for me: “Instead of worrying about the life you planned, love the life you have.”