In honor of Valentine’s Day, I reviewed The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin.
McLaughlin is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author.
Devorah “Devy” Campbell has a perfect life, a handsome husband, beautiful daughter named Maren, and a successful business as a home organizer and estate sale agent in Chicago.
Her best friend, Ester, lives next door. Maren and Ester’s daughter, Rita, are inseparable. What more could she want?
Well, for starters, I should tell you what she didn’t want. She didn’t want to see her husband Chad’s car in Ester’s driveway after Ester posts on social media about having an affair with her best friend’s husband. She didn’t want to be dumped and publicly humiliated, and she most certainly didn’t want to uproot her daughter’s life, but according to Mick Jagger, “You can’t always get what you want.”
Unable to deal with Chad and Ester cohabitating next door and Chad planning to become Rita’s new dad, Devorah and Maren head to Oyster Bay, Rhode Island to move in with Devy’s estranged father, Sheriff Tremaine “Crow” Crowley and her brother, Colt.
Colt’s best friend since childhood, Hayden McKenna, also returns to Oyster Bay with his son, Conor, to start a new life six months after the tragic death of his wife, Sofia.
Hayden and Devy had a thing for each other back in high school, but the “Bro code” prohibited him from dating his best friend’s sister. Though the chemistry was there, and they fooled around a bit, Hayden would never make a public show of affection for Devy because of Colt.
After a few years of maybe we will probably we won’t, Chad Campbell arrived in town and charmed his way into Devy’s life after Hayen left for college. They married and he took her away from Oyster Bay to Chicago cutting her off from friends and family.
Going home for Devy is like admitting defeat. It’s even worse when Ester continues posting mean things about Devy and boasting about her new blended family.
When Chad calls Maren, he tries to manipulate her to insist her mother bring her back to Chicago.
She assumes Crow will give her a big, “I told you so,” but her father seems much different than she remembered. His shortcomings as the withdrawn widowed father of two children don’t extend to his relationship with his granddaughter. Crow is openly affectionate with Maren, and he is a supportive grandfather.
As Devy and Hayden settle back into their community, they must tackle their own demons. Can Hayden come to terms with his anger about Sofia’s death? Can Devy break Chad’s hold over her and her daughter, so they can establish healthy boundaries? Can you ever go home again? Are first loves meant to last?
No spoilers here. You should read this book and find out. Heidi McLaughlin writes an intimate story about forgiveness, new beginnings, and finding your way home.
Other Books by Heidi McLaughlin:
The Beaumont Series: The Beaumont Series: Next Generation
Forever My Girl Holding Onto Forever
My Everything My Unexpected Love
My Unexpected Forever Chasing My Forever
Finding My Forever Peyton & Noah
Finding My Way Fighting For Our Forever
Forever Our Boys A Beaumont Family Christmas
Forever Mason Give Me Forever
Everything For Love
The Beginning of Forever
The Seaport Series: Cape Harbor Series:
The Lobster Trap After All
The Love in Sunsets Until Then
Sail Away With Me
The Archer Brothers: Nashville Nights:
Here with Me Sangria
Choose Me The Reality Duet:
Save Me Blind Reality
Here with Us Twisted Reality
Choose Us
Stand Alone Novels:
Heartbreak Hill
Holiday Novels:
Santa’s Secret
It’s a Wonderful Holiday
Stranded with the One
Love in Print