I have been a big fan of Jill Shalvis' writing for decades and Love for Beginners is another great example of her talent at weaving a fantastic story! All of the Wildstone stories are complete standalones. Other that being set in the fictional town of Wildstone, Ca, they are individual complete books. This is the story about starting over and creating the life that you want. Emma was hit by a car while running a year ago. She was in a coma and wasn't expected to live. Well she proved the doctors wrong and then they told her not to expect to walk or live her life as she previously did. With the help of her PT Simon and her own determination she is working towards her new normal. She now needs to find a career and that brings her to Ali her old high school nemesis. All of these characters are working towards finding what makes their heart happy and surprisingly that brings them all together! This was a wonderful story of hope, humor, love and letting go. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book but I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction. It was told from multiple POV and should not be missed!

Jill Shalvis pens some of the loveliest prose in contemporary romance returns with Love for Beginners, a second chance at life story.

After waking up from a comma, Emma Harris must now face a new reality where her ex-BFF and ex-fiancé are now together and she must start from scratch while overcoming her physical limitations. Although her evil physical therapist will do everything in his power to help her succeed and perhaps even show her how to love again.

I know I can’t go wrong with Jill Shalvis when looking for pull at your heartstrings romance that include strong characters that make you want to root for. I loved watching Emma and Simon’s relationship unfold through its hot and cold back and forth along with the small town feel and the cute pets.

Jill Shalvis knocks it out of the park again with characters who are real, nuanced, flawed, and relatable! The relationship between Emma and Simon grew naturally and not super unrealistically romance novel fast, and you rooted for them! Alison and Ryan also were great side characters that were funny, human, and a strong addition to Wildstone. Probably one of my favorite Wildstone novels, and I also need a dog like Hog!

Last night I was debating TV or this book. (See yesterday's post) I started reading and no choice but to continue! It was awesome! Ms. Shalvis can make you laugh, tug on your heartstrings, and make you cry. Book #7 in the Wildstone series (all are standalone) Love for Beginners is a perfect anytime read (beach, couch sitting, chore avoiding, etc) Simon and Emma (Alison and Ryan) are so authentic, the dialogue so good, and the ending happy. Ms. Shalvis is an auto read for me and always will be.

I didn't realize that this was book seven of a series, and now I'm so excited to go back and read the rest of them! I've never read a Jill Shalvis book before, but I'm officially a fan.

The beginning of this book reminded me a lot of How To Walk Away: a woman recovering after a life-changing accident and a steamy PT. There were a lot of similar themes throughout the book, and I loved both of them.

The best part of this book though was Emma and Alison’s friendship. It didn’t start out that way, and they kind of had an enemies-to-lovers storyline friendship-style! It worked really well.

I’m a sucker for a canine sidekick, and Hog certainly stole my heart. I loved how Emma’s doggie daycare turned into a senior daycare--what a perfect combination!

LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, the latest in the Wildstone series is out tomorrow. Huge thank you to @getredprbooks & @harperaudio for our gifted review copies!

When I first started getting into romance, @tiffanyreadsitall told me I would probably enjoy Jill Shalvis. And of course, Tiffany was right!

Jill writes romance novels that are fun, usually deal with complex relationships and have open door romance. LOVE FOR BEGINNERS is no different. The main character is healing after a traumatic injury and develops feeling fr her physical therapist. This was fun because I am a PT and this is the first book I’ve read with my occupation!

We meet other characters along the way who are each going through something. There’s a lot going on but Jill does it so well. Reading this book is effortless and so enjoyable. Also, I highly recommend the audiobook and the narration is so good

I always fall in love with any of Jill Shalvis books. She will always be my all-time favorite author. She knows how to write incredible stories that make you fall in love with the characters. And we get a new story, Love for Beginners.Love for Beginners will bring Emma back to her life but just a tad different than before. She has recovered from a major injury so she is finally doing what she wants to do. It may be a bit challenging for her but she has the determination to do so. She may get some extra help from her hardass PT, Simon. It does not hurt that he is kind  and loving to her when she lets him. I love reading Love for Beginners. It was such a refreshing read. It made my day so much brighter and I know you will feel the same as well.

There’s something special about the community of Wildstone: whether you have been there your entire life or just arrived, there is a place and people there who understand, empathize, cheer, and correct you (when needed), and Shalvis has a bit of all of that here. When we meet Emma, she’s recovering from a horrible accident and a coma, and is working through her physical therapy in the hopes of getting her own place and starting her life over again, albeit a changed one. With her glorious St. Bernard mix ‘emotional support’ dog Groundhog (or Hog for short) the two have a balance that is perfection. He’s there when she needs the comfort and she protects him from all things big, bad and scary – which in Hog’s case is most everything except food. Her therapist, Simon;; dubbed Hardass PT, is stretching himself thin between work, caring for his father after his strokes, being there for family and friends, and workng in his father’s company despite the fact he hates it. Of course, the company is being more than capably managed by his cousin Alison, a hard-as-nails on the outside, super sharp businesswoman who is currently reeling from her own breakup with one of Simon’s friends.

But Emma’s prospects for work are few: no one wants to hire her, she’s got a crush on Hardass PT, and somehow she is feeling that being ‘mostly’ happy is more than enough. Survivor's guilt has Emma not believing in herself or that she can / she deserves more – and with everything coming to a crunch point without job prospects, she decides to buy the dog training / day care center that she’s worked at part time for ages. But – there are kinks in the works. Her connection to Simon is electric, and both are constantly wondering ‘what if’. But she lives upstairs from he and his father, and Simon is always holding to a ‘hands off’ policy with his patients. He’s never quite made a relationship work between his own commitments to work to his father and to do it all – based on a promise made to his dying mother when he was a teen.

Then we have Ali – Emma’s nemesis in high school (although both see it differently) who had a hard life as a child and learned the value of family and connections only through Simon and his father Dale, even as Simon and Dale’s relationship was fraught and difficult after Simon’s mother died. Alison is a talk tough, resting-bitch face, take no prisoners, cut them off before they can hurt you sort of girl who could hold a grudge for a gold medal, and does not do well with sharing feelings. Lonely without Ryan, who she ran off with her own insecurities, her inability to attempt to be liked lest she be hurt, and her own stubbornness. Then Simon pushes she and Emma together – the two start to work as partners (not friends) with each using bits of the other’s personality and drive to move forward and get what they think they want in life. With Emma’s kind nature and Ali’s hardnosed sense of right and wrong – there are kerfuffles and missteps, but the two discover that they like and rely on one another – friendships that both desperately needed. When you add in Simon and his genuine inability to see that he needs and wants Emma in his life without a solid push from his friends and father, and Ali’s attempts to be open with Ryan, his family and try to be more ‘likable’ - the growth that everyone in this story experiences, with moments of struggle, guilt, hope and healing – you cannot help but want to stand up and cheer them all on – after bopping a few on the head for boneheaded moves that is. The dogs, their personalities and the ‘elder sitting’ that sort of grew from a need of an afternoon and morphed into more – along with answers to long-believed untruths and some insight for all concerned have you wanting to rush to Wildstone to get your own moments of hope, love, cheer, and smiles.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=:” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aUF /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I loved this sweet, and emotional story about family, regrets, second chances, and love. When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma after a horrific accident, life isn't the same. She is determined to be stronger and live life on her own terms. But guilt and pain make it difficult to recover completely. Simon is her sexy physical therapist. He is intrigued by this woman who won't give up, and pushes her to be her best. They have an attraction that they both fight, neither being ready for a relationship, but can't hold back either. Simon's cousin, Ali, is heartbroken when, Ryan, the love of her life, breaks up with her. She works for Simon, but wants something to build as her own. She wants to be partners with Emma in her new Doggy Daycare business. But since they are frenemies since high school, they must learn to get along and work together. Maybe they might learn from each other and find the strength to build the kind of life they always wanted, that just may include Simon and Ryan as well. Shalvis has created a beautiful story that is so moving, and funny, with quirky characters and a heartfelt slow burn romance. I loved this charming story and can't wait for more from Wildstone!

LOVE FOR BEGINNERS – Jill Shalvis
Wildstone Series
William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-302543-1
June 8, 2021
Contemporary Romance

Wildstone, California – Present Day

A year ago, Emma Harris had the best life possible. A fiancé who loved her and a best friend who stood by her side. But after she is run over in an accident and ends up in a coma, she wakes up months later to learn that her fiancé and best friend were now in love with each other. Determined to make a life on her own and be independent, she moves into a rental apartment owned by her physical therapist’s family. Her PT, Simon Armstrong, is hunky and all, but Emma is not in the market for a new love interest. Her one love right now is her emotional support dog named Hog. The St. Bernard is there whenever she needs him. Emma is looking for a job other than the few hours a week she currently works at the doggy daycare, Paw Pals. However, she is still recovering from her injuries, and finding the right job is hard to do.

Simon is professional when it comes to treating Emma, but even he has to admit that he finds her attractive. However, he has his hands full taking care of his father who had a stroke, plus running the family business and continuing to work part-time as a PT. Simon’s cousin, Ali Pratt, does the books for the business and is a big help to him, but she is restless, searching for something else. Ali recently broke up with Ryan, and they “share” custody of their dog, Killer. Ryan ended things with her because he felt she was holding back in their relationship, and he wanted her to open up to his friends. Ali is an introvert, though her mouth has been known to run off a few times. One of those times is when she realizes that Simon rented the upstairs apartment to Emma, her high school nemesis. To say those two women don’t see eye to eye is an understatement. Yet, despite their rivalry, they have more in common than they realize.

It is a new beginning for Emma in LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, the latest tale set in fictional Wildstone. Emma’s life changed forever the day she stepped off the sidewalk and was hit by a car. She feels guilty because she wasn’t checking for traffic, and because a passenger in the car that hit her died, leaving a man a widower. She was in a coma for months and awoke to find that her body was in a lot of pain, and she had to relearn her skills. Even her memory isn’t the same. But the biggest blow to waking up was learning that her fiancé and best friend were now in love. For this reason, Emma is now afraid to love again. Why face that pain again?

Emma is determined to get her physical health at full strength but continues to run into roadblocks when it comes to finding a job. Then, she learns Paw Pals is on the market. Dare she try to buy it? Will anyone loan her the money? There is an attraction brewing between Simon and Emma, but they both seem determined to have it not go anywhere. Except, well, the late nights spent together on the rooftop at the apartment building have them growing closer. Will it lead to something beyond a friendship?

Ali is prickly when it comes to forming relationships. She blames Emma for why she lost out on going to her dream college and instead, ended up in a dead-end job in Wildstone. Readers will have to read LOVE FOR BEGINNERS to get the lowdown on their long ago run-ins. Meanwhile, Ali and Ryan dance around the fact that they are still attracted to each other despite their breakup. She doesn’t understand why she must be the one to change. Isn’t accepting someone for what they are part of love? Ali and Emma have a sparring start to their “reunion” in LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, but they soon become friends. Where will it lead?

Readers will enjoy the sparkling humor and spirit of finding rebirth—and love again—in LOVE FOR BEGINNERS. Don’t miss this entertaining tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Every time I read a book written by Jill Shalvis I am in love with the characters and the journey she creates and writes about; Love for Beginners, book seven in her Wildstone series, is no exception. It is another example of Shalvis’ sense of humor, the personalities she gifts unto her characters, allowing the reader to connect with each of them. The strength and determination she blessed Emma with, waking from a coma and learning how to live again. Not live her old life, but create a life that she could live without feeling survivor’s guilt. The perseverance and determination, not allowing Emma to be a quitter, no matter the challenges and difficulties life had thrown her way. The way she creates a new life for herself at a doggy day care and how that place helped with saving others in need. The beginning of a friendship with her former childhood nemesis, Ali the “frenemy”, enables each of them to improve to become better people and find the best friend they both needed. Then there is Simon, the physical therapist, who puts Emma through the wringer; as her determination and will to survive speaks to him, magnetically pulling him to her. As his feelings for her grow, Simon doesn’t handle it well because of the chaotic demands on his time and life. When Emma finally realizes she is all in, having fallen for Simon, life attempts to throw her a few curve balls; allowing her to recognize that life isn’t what you are given but what you make of it.

Ms. Shalvis wrote an amazing, emotional, touching story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale that sizzled with magnetic attraction, scorch the sheets chemistry, witty banter, and charming characters making it difficult, at least for this reader, to put the book down. I totally enjoyed and highly recommend Love for Beginners to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Jill Shalvis does it again!

This story features 2 couples. One couple is Emma and Simon. Emma is recovering after being in a coma, and Simon is her physical therapist. Their connection is instant, and their friendship grows into more, but both have reasons why being together may or may not work.

The other couple is Alison and Ryan. Alison happens to be Simon's cousin, and tends to not be the best person. She holds herself back and is afraid to dive in. Ryan pulls her out of her shell, and helps her learn to stand up for what she wants.

This book is lovely, as are all of the Hill Shalvis novels I've read.

This story was so good! Emma starts out this story in recovery from a coma. She's lost everything and is starting over in life. Hardass PT, Simon, is the driving force in her life. What happens when you realize you have a big crush on your PT? And maybe it goes both ways? I've got to say, I fell in love with Simon, too. I really enjoyed this book. It deals with real life issues like starting over and aging parents who need a little help. It also contains one, fantastic love story. Shalvis knows how to balance everything just right. This is why I try to never miss a new story from her. Emma and Simon will light up your week! 4 stars

Jill Shalvis does it again! This story had everything I have come to expect from the author and everything I look for in a romance. Great characters, range in emotions, humor and heat. This is Simon and Emma's story, two individuals who are not looking for love but form a bond that leads them to confront the reality that they have developed feelings for each other without even trying. I enjoyed getting to know both of them as individuals. They've both been through a lot and have trouble letting people in but the more time they spent with each other the more their walls come down and soon they find themselves fighting for something neither of them was ready to pursue.

What I enjoyed the most this story was the watching the connection between Simon and Emma evolve into something more. I loved their candid moments and their flirty banter along with how explosive their chemistry was and how they complemented each other in all other aspects. Their whole journey into romance was engaging and a treat for me to read.

Along with the romance, I loved both Simon and Emma's growth as individuals. I loved watching them interact with the others characters, letting other people in and overall opening themselves up to new friendships and experiences. One of these characters was Allison. She was Simon's cousin and Emma's high school nemesis. Having these two meet up again was both funny and emotional. Both were harboring some deep issues about what happened between them and both were stubborn, which led to a lot of amusing moments and one-liners. I loved how they bonded and came to terms with their issues. It made for a few entertaining and emotional moments.

Overall, LOVE FOR BEGINNERS had the perfect balance between elements. Friendship, new beginnings, closure, individual growth and romance. All of these were explored with Shalvis' trademark humor and exceptional story-telling skills.

All in all, a great read.

4.5 STARS

You know what? I know, I've said it before but Jill Shalvis is an automatic winner for me. She delivers without fail. I read another book recently that had a heroine who was in a coma and her fiancé and best friend fell in love with one another while the heroine was unconscious. Quite the coincidence, I was hoping that the stories wouldn't be too similar. Thankfully they weren't.

I need to point out again that these are categorized as women's fiction but have strong romance elements. To me they are contemporary romance with an additional female voice. But in every book we meet strong women who let fate take control of their lives, no, they are the captains of their...uh...life/ship.

This time we meet frenemies Emma and Alison and Alison's cousin Simon. After an almost fatal accident Emma is slowly returning to a somewhat normal life with the help of her physical therapist, Simon. While her body is healing, her mind takes a bit more work - Emma struggles with a severe case of survivor's guilt and with that comes an inability to accept that she's worthy of being loved. Simon, who loves his job as much as he hates feeling trapped after becoming his father's caretaker when his dad had a stroke, has a similar issue. He's so busy with all aspects of his life that he doesn't think there is room enough for a woman. Especially for someone like Emma, who he is falling for a little more every day. He admires her strength, her resilience and stubbornness, that she doesn't give up and how she soldiers on despite some setbacks. Likewise, Emma can't help falling in love with Simon's dedication to his family, his kindness and the mix of gentleness and bossiness.

And then there is Alison. You can see from the start that these two could be great friends. Alison is a super-introvert and hides behind a tough exterior. But if you look closer you see that she's all gooey inside, a soft soul that can be easily hurt. I loved how Emma and Alison got rid of their baggage and made room for friendship. They were more similar than they cared to admit in the beginning.

You know what you need?”
“More wine?”
“A plan,” Emma said. “A plan to win him over with your smartassy, bitchy brilliance.”
Alison was speechless for a full minute. Her throat actually felt tight.
“What?” Emma asked.
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

Alison's boyfriend broke up recently with her and it was plain as day that both of them weren't happy about it. Over the course of the story Alison it becomes clearer that Alison isn't the only guilty party and I was glad to see that Ryan learned from his mistakes as well.
I love the strength of these women and this author knows how to write good guys who are also a little bit alpha that makes them so sexy.

"You’re one of my very favorite people, Emma.”

Shalvis's stories can get a little angsty but her sense of humor is present at all times. And as per usual, it wouldn't be a Jill Shalvis book if there weren't dogs and geriatric family members providing some comic relief. Hog, an emotional support dog who needed an emotional support hooman was such a cutie. I love how these animals all have their individual personality traits. I also adored the family dynamics between Alison, Simon and Dale. They were such a tight-knit bunch.

Jill Shalvis really has struck gold with this series. The books in the Wildstone series are special and LOVE FOR BEGINNERS is just another wonderful addition to it. All the books in this series can be enjoyed as complete standalones.

“Have you ever loved someone so much that when they smile at you, your heart stops? Because that’s how it is with you, Emma, from the first day I met you."

This Wildstone series has been a little hit or miss over the years, but I’m pleased that LOVE FOR BEGINNERS was something that I could get behind. With a premise that isn’t so heartbreaking, there’s just enough to make the readers sympathetic to the heroine, but it’s more than just feeling bad for her. After recovering from a coma, Emma Harris has a lot to overcome with her fiancé and best friend falling in love. She has lost her job and she’s still in the midst of sorting out her feelings for PT. It’s a relationship that was very obvious from the beginning, but one that I was willing to get behind because of everything that Emma has already been through. Rather than just relying on heartbreak, Shalvis explores things like life, love and friendship in a much more better manner, making me enjoy this book more than the others in the series. It has a better balance and I hope that any future books of hers will have this style again.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Women’s Fiction or would like to try the genre but still have a little bit of romance to tide them over.

As a romance reader, I have no idea how I haven’t read anything until now by this wonderful author. Love For Beginners left me with all the tender heartwarming feelings just now after finishing, and I loved it!

Now I feel like I need to go back and visit the rest of this Wildstone series, because it just seemed like the cutest made-for-tv Hallmark setting.

The chemistry between Simon and Emma was so hot, and I loved that we get to see a side romance from Simon’s cousin Alison too.

*many thanks to the publisher and getredPR for the gifted copy.

LOVE FOR BEGINNERS By Jill Shalvis
Romance Fiction
384 pages

In Jill Shalvis's 7th Wildstone book we have Emma, a young woman who was in a horrible accident which changed her life as she knew it.  Emma is a fearless woman though who doesn't let life knock her down. As she is getting her life back to normal she buys a doggy daycare with a woman who happens to be her high school arch-nemisis. Will Emma and her arch-nemisis make up or break up?? 


Wow!!!!!!!!!!  I have loved everything I've read by Jill Shalvis and this newest book is no exception.  I love her feel good romances and her amazing characters that you love to root for!!!!!!  I highly recommend this book

Beginning your life in the middle is hard for Emma, recovering from a lengthy coma and debilitating injuries. And Simon, her Hardass PT is also a challenge in the midst of his own newish beginning where he has committed to doing a job which he hates and caring for a stroke-damaged father. Both were rejected by prior lovers and find releasing the holds their pasts have on their lives challenging, but not insuperable. A sweet story of struggles to find a new norm and move forward in life and love. Pups named Hog and Killer help nudge them in the right direction. A charming second chance romance.

This was just an o.k. read for me and I'm not sure why. Jill Shalvis is an author that I've always enjoyed, however, I realized that this is part of the Wildstone series (#7) and I have not read any of the previous books in the series. I'm not sure if that kept me from really connecting or not? I loved Emma's perseverance and always love books with cute dogs! But this is a book I will probably never think of again after reading it and writing this review.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.