This book was an enjoyable read. The characters were all very believable. Even though it could seem predictable it was written well enough so I didn’t care.

I love books that are set in Maine. It's a unique state and favorite place to visit (at least, for me, in the summer and early fall). Not sure that the author totally captured the character and essence of the state (some references to lobstering didn't quite do it for me), but otherwise, it was an enjoyable and interesting book.
The two main characters, Evvie and Dean, have each been through traumatic events. For Evvie, it's the sudden death of her high school sweetheart husband (but things in that relationship weren't really what they appeared to be), and Dean is dealing with what could be the early ending of his career as a major league pitcher. There are a number of other interesting characters and one disappointment was that I didn't feel Evvie's husband's character wasn't really well-developed on a timely basis. We do eventually learn more about him and their relationship, but it's very late in the book.
The book is well written with lots of funny lines and a number of poignant moments. I like its depiction of adult relationships, as they should be (but aren't always portrayed in fiction), and the story lines kept my attention.

Evvie Drake Starts Over is included in a Books for Summer article in Entertainment Weekly and I loved the author's response to a question about it being classified as a beach read: "I'm extremely lucky to have written this book and published it. Read it at the beach. Read it in book club. Read it in the tub. Someone told me she read it in the tub. It made me so happy."

I agree -- read Evvie Drake Starts Over in the place and time that suits you best!

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Evvie Drake Starts Over is a cute romance novel about a young widow and a washed out Major League pitcher helping each other get through personal struggles. Evvie's husband dies in a car accident and the whole small community has their eyes on her while she holds a secret about their marriage that she doesn't want the community to know about. Dean's career crashed when he suddenly couldn't pitch anymore. Evvie's best friend connects the two of them and they soon develop a fresh and well you know how it will end ;)

This would be a great beach read. The characters and their relationships are well balanced and believable. Lots of witty dialogue which I love. I got frustrated when the characters had a hard time communicating with each other - leading to more drama but that's just me as a reader being sucked into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Evelyn Drake lives a quiet existence in a small sleepy coastal town. She has been a widow for a year. Everyone in town thinks that she taken her husband death badly, even her best friend Andy.
Dean Tenney is having a hard time as a pitcher in Major League Baseball, and needs a place to lay lay and figure out what his plans for the future are without baseball. He moves to Maine in a spare apartment that Evelyn has. The two have agreed not not discuss baseball or Evelyn's diseased husband. But as the rules get thrown out the window when something more then friendship develops between the two, can they find a way to make it work. Or are there lives to different. I loved this book. It was a cute romance.

What a singularly lovely book. Funny, sexy, inspiring... reading along as Evvie finds her footing was a marvelous ride. Watching her love the people around her and learn to love herself felt like a long, slow, satisfying stretch (punctuated by laughter and tears). Understanding her feelings, allowing herself to take up room in her own life and that of her friends and family, Evvie finds not just the expected romantic happy ending but a much more profound happily every after in her own skin.

I’ve listened to the author’s podcast for years, and Evvie’s hilarious banter was all the more satisfying being heard in her voice. I’ve also enjoyed ring side seats with she had to gently inform the podcast audience that her cohost and male best friend were really never getting married. Seeing pieces of that friendship on the page was so rewarding, honoring the value of found family alongside an interest in other romantic loves.

I know Holmes has a rewarding job currently, and I wouldn’t want to miss her editorials or wry voice commenting on the pop culture of the week, but a big part of me wishes she would do this and only this. I know I’ll be back to read Evvie’s story again and I can’t wait for the day when those rereads can skip right into other parts of her back catalogue. This is a debut that demands more, and I look forward to the day when Holmes takes up up more room on my shelf.

I've been listening to Linda Holmes' Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast for about a decade now so I was thrilled to get to read her first book. I have to say, it sounds exactly like something Linda would write- smart female protagonist with a male best friend (sounds like co-host Stephen Thomson!), cute, but flawed romantic interest, and a book that's about baseball, but not about baseball at the same time (harkens back to all the times Linda has said Friday Night Lights is about football, but not about football). All in all, a cozy read with a touch of baseball and romance.

Oh my gosh, I loved this book so much! Set in a small town in Maine, this book is about Evvie Drake, a young widow struggling with the fact that she was planning to leave her husband right when he died in a car accident, and what happens when a friend of a friend, former major league pitcher Dean who has spectacularly washed out of baseball, comes to rent the apartment attached to her house. Just one of those great books with quirky but very real characters, a perfect slice of contemporary women's fiction. I read much of the last quarter of the book with tears in my eyes, not because it was all sad but just because it gave me all the feels! I've been a fan of Linda Holmes all the way back to her recapping days for Television Without Pity, so I was excited to check out this debut novel of hers, and I wasn't disappointed. 4.5 stars.

#41: EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER // Are you looking for another great summer read? This is it! I adored this sweet story! The characters are all wonderful, and of course, Evvie was my favorite! I pictured her being a Rachel Green while reading this novel. Another thanks to @annebogel for the recommendation from her Summer Reading Guide!
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Evvie’s husband passes away, and while trying to get past his death, a handsome, ex-pitcher moves into her guesthouse. Does love blossom between them?? Read it and find out! Evvie Drake releases June 25th! Thank you, @netgalley for my copy!
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As Evvie Drake packs her car to leave her husband, she receives a call from the hospital that will change her life for good. A sweet story that would make a fine rom-con, this is one of those books that will be a great summer read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut! First, it’s a small town setting and I have come to really enjoy these types of books. Secondly, I feel like readers can really connect with Evvie and Dean. I think at one point or at some point in your life you you experience(d) what they are going through. Evvie Drake is a recently widowed woman. With no children of her own she spends her time alone or with her bff, John and his 2 children. Her father lives not far either. She works from home so it’s easy for her to stay hidden. That is until Dean, who’s battling his own problems rents her spare apartment on her property. Slowly she starts confiding about her deceased husband who was a doctor and the issues their marriage had. Dean becomes the person Evvie needs in her life. They share warm, fun moments and at times heavy issues too. Through time Evvie starts to live while trying to gain control of her past that has affected her in more ways than one. I love how Dean brings out the best in her but how Evvie has hope for a much better life.

Sweet book that deals with some tough ideas in a very kind and loving way. The characters have their flaws, but that is what makes them worth spending some time with. Recommend!

This is a 5 star book!! I loved this book. This book spoke to me on so many levels. I laughed. I cried. I got mad. I got happy. I identified with so many of the emotions of so many of the characters. So thankful to have had this book dropped into my life!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2828826142

Funny and sweet! A good romcom with strong female character. Relationships (friendship and dating) drive the plot.

This is an adorable, witty, feel-good romance - I loved the characters and the dialogue and the relatable development of the relationship between the protagonists as they become friends and fall in love. Sequel?

"There would come a time, she knew--she supposed, she even hoped--when it would have lasted long enough with him that it would be relaxed and familiar. It would feel so beautifully ordinary that seeing him emerge from anywhere and move toward her wouldn't turn her cheeks pink."


This story is well written, compelling and thought provoking. Evie is a complex, likable protagonist with emotional baggage that involves a dead husband and her feelings about their relationship. Evie's friendships and romance are colored by her previous experiences. Human connection and communication is at the heart of this story. Themes of divorce, absent parents, unhappy marriage, friendship, love, loyalty, vulnerability and connection will keep you thinking long after you've read the last page of this book.

Evvie Drake is a young widow living in a small town in Maine. A year after her husband's death, Evvie seems stuck in sadness and loneliness. To others, it seems she is deeply grieving her husband. But that is not the reason for her unhappiness. She feels guilty and inadequate.Then her best friend's childhood friend moves to town. Dean is a famous pitcher with demons of his own, and he helps Evvie become unstuck. His words to Evvie will resonate with many readers: "You wake up one day and you need a whole new plan.." This was a thoroughly satisfying read.

I enjoyed Evvie Drake Starts over but it moved rather slowly at times. I don't know why but I felt like I needed to know Evvie better as the story unfolded. I wasn't quite as invested as I wanted to be for a character-driven novel.

Evvie Drake’s life is complicated. Married to a monster that makes her think she’s the monster. We never get to know her deceased husband except through a few of her memories. Sadly, she lies to everyone she loves to protect her monster husband’s reputation (due to the psychological abuse she endured). Thankfully, Dean— the washed out athlete with his own issues, enters her life and slowly they fall in love and changes made to both of their lives = a happily ever after!

I liked how the author didn’t rush the main characters relationship. The book was well written and an enjoyable read.

Eveleth Drake will be the first to admit that she married the wrong guy. She was literally on her way out the door when she got the news. He didn’t make it. Filled with something like guilt, grief, relief even, Eveleth must begin again. And she does, first alone, and then with “Baseball Dean”. They both need a do-over. But this is not the linear love story readers have come to expect. This story is frustrating, quirky, warm, clever, fresh and hope-filled. Get ready for rights to be sold to a streaming service near you. I loved Evvie Drake Starts Over. Hits shelves on June 25th! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to @NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the privilege and pleasure of this advance copy.

This book is such a standout in women's fiction! It was thoroughly rewarding and pleasurable to read. One of the reasons this book is so exceptional is that it felt both riveting and comfortable. As the plot and characters develop, significant information comes to light naturally.

The main characters are outstanding because they are relatable and complex. They experience growth which seems authentic during the novel. They have relationships and friendships with strong and interesting secondary characters.

The premise of this book, which involved a young widow and her relationship with a disgraced major league pitcher, is unique and intriguing. I found the baseball references to be interesting without overweight plot. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys romance in their novels.