A great book that is a fast read.

Evvie is a woman who's husband just past away but where the world sees a wonderful man, she knew a man who emotionally abused her. We see her break free from the chains of her past and learn how to move forward. We also get to meet Dean who has struggles of his own. Together they help each other and develop a relationship that you can't help but cheer for....

​I enjoyed this novel very much, it is about a woman who has lived her life for her husband, slowly loosing her self esteem and herself as she suffers in silence the emotional abuse her husband put her through. This novel is about second chances and growth for many of the characters we encounter in this book. We see these themes throughout the novel not only with the main characters but with the father, and the best friend. I truly recommend this book for those who feel stuck in their life right now, this is not a sad book, it is a book that made me feel hopeful for the future.

Thank You Netgally for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

Loved Evvie, and loved her journey to find herself. This book was a really feelgood kind of book and I really enjoyed the writing style and the story.

I'm so glad I decided to read this book. I got the galley months ago but wasn't sure I'd like it...I was wrong. After reading more reviews and seeing others like it I decided to try it.
This book had so many personal ties from my past that it made it even more intimate and feel like an old friend. The copy for the library is on its way.

I really enjoyed this book but I have to admit I have some mixed feelings! As a widow myself, although under very different circumstances than Evvie, I could really identify with her on a number of things! Other things, not so much. And, this book really makes you think! Sometimes a good thing, sometimes, not so much lol! Overall, 4 1/2 stars :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Evvie is a likable, relatable character trying to find the happiness she’s not sure she deserves. I like how starting over for her doesn’t depend on whether or not she finds love, she’s determined to figure out who she really is. The fact that she does unexpectedly find love is a bonus. I found the relationships in this book sweet but also very real. Altogether the book is delightful.

I adore this book! It is filled with setbacks, new beginnings, humor and hope. I can't count how many times I laughed out loud.

"She wondered sometimes if they’d ever thought she was good enough for the doctor. For them, she had gone directly from lobsterman’s daughter to doctor’s wife, and because they didn’t know anything, they figured it was a promotion. This was how she knew without a doubt that reputation, in many forms, was bullshit."

Evvie (‘Evvie like Chevy, not Evie like Max Greevey') is my kind of people. She's down-to-earth and a great story teller with heart. After losing her husband who emotionally abused her for years without anyone knowing, she is trying to get on with her life. Her sense of humor and selfless need to help people are wonderful traits, though her best friend Andy says she needs to stop trying to "fix" people.

"Dean reached over to rub his right shoulder. “Yeah, make your jokes. I went to eight sports psychologists and two psychiatrists.” He started counting off on his fingers. “I did acupuncture, acupressure, suction cups on my shoulder, and candles in my fucking ears—which, ask me about that sometime. I quit gluten, I quit sugar, I quit sex, I had extra sex, I ate no meat, just meat. I took creative movement classes, I was hypnotized a lot, and I learned how to meditate. That’s the one I still do, by the way.” He looked at Andy, who had his mouth twisted into a perplexed curve. 'Where did I lose you? Extra sex?'"

Dean has a real challenge with the whole "yips" thing which I had never heard of meaning he, in his case as a star pitcher for the Yankees, cannot throw straight anymore. With the need to get away from the big city he rents out Evvie's apartment and they quickly become comfortable with each other and find an attraction there. However, both Dean and Evvie need to piece their lives back together on their own first before they can be a couple, and what a wonderful couple they could make.

This is such a heart-warming and delightfully funny read which I cannot recommend enough. If you like a "coming of age" romance, a lot of laughter, and a little drama, give this one a try. It won't disappoint. Another top read for 2019.

Romance and baseball collide in this charming novel that makes for delightful summer reading. When a young widow and a former professional athlete meet, they start an unlikely friendship that eventually turns into something more. While the novel is too open ended to be a Happily Ever After, it has a wonderful cast of characters and offers some unexpected twists.

I fell in love with this charming book! Evvie is trying to get over the death of her husband and befriends Dean a tenant. I love the relationship between the characters. I totally recommend this gem of a book..

I loved this story! I found myself trying to sneak time at all hours of the day to keep reading. I felt myself feeling all of Evvie's frustrations, and giddiness, and mental breakdowns. I loved the moment Monica put a name to all the "mean" Evvie had experienced from Tim and actually called it emotionally abusive. It's all too common. The trauma is real. But to see her come out of it, and evolve was amazing. I was also so entertained by the rom-com aspect of the story.

Previously this summer I read Nina Hill. Evvie Drake gave me similar feelings as Nina Hill, which is to say that I loved it. Evvie, the main character in this book, goes through some complicated situations, but ultimately convinces everyone she's fine. In the end she figures out she's been lying to herself and everyone else. This book had parts that made me upset she hadn't stood up for herself, but ultimately she "finds' herself and is a strong, independent character. This book was easy to read, with characters that were easy to like and relate to. I loved this book and am only sad that its done (and that I didn't get to it before now!)

In a single word: charming. There's not a lot of <i>there</i> there, but it is funny and heartwarming like the best of the 90s rom-coms.

“The tag on her chamomile teabag said, There is no trouble that a good cup of tea can’t solve. It sounded like what a gentleman on Downton Abbey would say right before his wife got an impacted tooth and elegantly perished in bed.”

-Linda Holmes, Evvie Drake Starts Over

Eveleth "Evvie" Drake hasn't been happy for a long time. On her way out the door to leave her old life and verbally abusive husband behind, she's told there's been an accident. Meanwhile, Dean Tenney, a major-league baseball pitcher, isn't throwing well. He is exiled to Maine to figure out his life. There, he meets Evvie, his landlady. Together, they sort through their issues and try to start over.

I thought Evvie Drake Starts Over was cute. It was sad, but hopeful. Funny, but serious.

It reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, except in this novel, there's romance, and a little less darkness surrounding Evvie and her need to seek therapy--which, I heavily applaud Holmes for sending Evvie get professional help.

I especially appreciated the witty therapy jokes that rang so stinkin' true, like this one:

“Therapy is like a toothbrush. You can’t really put it to use for anybody except yourself.”

As far as the romance goes, oooof. I really liked Dean, but Andy was the single dad best friend, whose kids absolutely adored Evvie. I was honestly shocked they didn't end up together, and I would have liked more time spent on exactly what it was besides a moment they'd tried to have after her husband died that turned them away from the idea of getting together.

Can you tell I'm a best friends-to-lovers trope kind of reader?

But back to Dean. He was great, and he helped Evvie in a lot of ways find her independence, and really, her voice. I loved that about him. I really think that he will be good for her. Literally my only hangup with Dean was his darn potty mouth. F-bombs were on the horizon of every scene with Dean.

On the upside, Evvie was a great heroine. I really sympathized with her, and I rooted for her one-hundred percent. She was entirely likable, and I am so happy to have spent a few hours getting to know her through Linda Holme's writing!

This is a sweet, delightful summer, poolside read. Absolutely hits the spot for when you need a lighter read after the winter full of heavier books. Highly recommend this!

#EvvieDrakeStartsOver #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #BallantineBooks

Super cute book. The perfect beach read! I needed something light after a heavier read and this fit the bill perfectly.

I needed some light reading for bedtime/summertime after reading some really heavy novels lately and I found the perfect thing in Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. It was the perfect balance of a fun easy read but with enough gravity to keep me engaged with the writing and the story.

Holmes did a great job of writing Evvie and her guilt over the final days of her husband's life without making her seem like a pathetic creature with nowhere to go. I love that her best friend was one who got her out of the house at least once a week and showered her with love while she got through a tough time.

The introduction of Dean into the story made it seem obvious that it was a forced love connection but I adore that the author made the choice for them to really take their time with their relationship and really base it on mutual respect and healing from their respective pains before they moved the story into more of a love connection. Well done there!

I would love to see more from this author. I think she has a great voice in a space that is getting crowded with 'starting over' stories. This one took the time and care to explore the intricacies and the ins and outs of how people grieve for different losses be they for a career or a loved one.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to explore this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Eveleth Drake lives by herself after the untimely death of her ex-husband. She’s no ordinary widow. Of course, she’s sad but her marriage was less than perfect and her relationship with her husband was pained.

This book was not what I expected. Once Dean came into the story I just knew it would be this instant cheesy love story. I loved how the story slowly but steadily took you through the lives of Evvie and Dean as they were both going through toughest challenges in their lives and realizing they didn’t have to face their pain alone.

This is a good book that shows the issues of everyday life but doesn’t come across as too emotionally heavy. The story did seem to drag a little towards the end but overall I liked the story.

Evvie and Dean... <3 When two people meet at just the right time for just the right reason...

Evvie had a hard time mourning the loss of her husband, and a true friend from outside her town was just what the doctor ordered. They both were at low points and needed each other's support and love.

This was a sweet romance and I loved it.

People always talk about "summer reads" or "beach reads" and it has become a little clique but I'm here to tell you this is THE perfect summer/beach read. Although it was on the lighter side it tackled some tough topics like grief and abuse but in a thoughtful way. It's a beautiful story about starting over and you'll come to deeply care about Evvie & Dean. The setting in Maine just added to the overall atmosphere and I loved how realistic the entire story was. I would definitely recommend this book and listened to some on audio (narrated by Julie Whelan) which was delightful as well.

I received Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes as an ARC from NetGalley. I absolutely loved this book! Evvie is married to Tim, her high school sweetheart, and has decided to leave him because he is abusive to her when he is killed in a car accident. She now gets the chance to start her life over. Dean is a washed-up major league baseball player looking for a place to stay that is out of the limelight so he rents a room from Evvie in small-town Maine. I loved Evvie and Drake and their story! This is one of the best books I've read this year! It's hard to believe that it is Linda Holmes' debut novel. I hope she plans to write more.