I loved reading this book! Starting over is not an easy topic. Sara is lonely, depressed, and is making a brave move. There are many supporting characters who are easy to remember and visualize. The author introduced each one in a way that you could remember who was who and how they supported Sara. I look forward to reading more by Dee Ernst. Recommend.

This book is a breath of fresh air in the contemporary fiction bookshelves. The novel centers around Sara, a fifty-something protagonist, navigating life after experiencing a series of losses with a refreshing level of emotional maturity. Unlike many that rely on exaggerated drama, this book dives into real-world problems with authenticity. With how many characters woven into this story it should have become difficult to keep them straight, but the characters are so well-developed with their own distinct personalities and backstories, making them far more than a two-dimensional caricature. Sara's journey is enriched by discovering the importance of family and value of finding good friends (and being one), uplifting themes with good messages about resilience and recovery from loss. That said, there was a stretch that slowed down and lost some engagement before picking up with additional plot points. And while this is minor, there were a few sporadic moments like this, there was a portrayal of 400 thread count sheets as luxurious, which seemed dated in the era of 1,500+ thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Despite any minor issues, "Sara Starting Over" stands out for its focus on older characters dealing with realistic issues, relatable and refreshing. Dee Ernst delivers a heartfelt, genuine story that provides a satisfying, emotionally rich read.

I love books about starting over, and Dee Ernst does them so well. I especially love that she gives it to us straight without any frustrating big misunderstanding that the couple has to figure out. That ploy always feels like an insult to the reader’s intelligence and lazy writing. I read an advanced copy that could really benefit from a good copy editor, hoping those errors are gone by publication.

This is the book you want to read when you need a familiar plot that you know will leave you satisfied in the end. It is the story of Sara, starting life over again on the Chesapeake Bay (I so want to see the tv/movie version of this town). She quickly becomes part of the quaint small town and rebuilds her life in a place where she struggles to put roots down. Her family back home threatens this new chapter, but do not worry, this happy story will leave you in a good place.

Title: Sara Starting Over

Author: Dee Ernst

Publisher: 235 Alexander Street

Format: e-book

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Set In: Hills of Andrew, Virginia



Life has dealt an unexpected blow to Sarafina Castellano. Her partner, Marco, veered onto a different path, leaving her for a 23-year-old Italian tennis player. Then, the restaurant where she had worked for 15 years was consumed by fire. These setbacks forced her to pack up and return to her New Jersey roots.

Leaving behind her old life, Sara rents a Cape Cod from Bess Robinson in Virginia. Bess owns numerous properties and has a few demands for her renters. Sara was required to maintain the property’s interior, clean it, and get it painted; she was told to work on her appearance, get a job at the library, and adopt a pet. Bess wasn’t bossy; she was helping Sara move on and find comfort in her life. Then Stella, whom she met at the hardware store, informs her that appearances count and are noticed by the locals.

As Sara settles into her new life, she observes the community dynamics. A trip to the beauty shop reveals that many residents don’t like Bess, a multi-property owner. However, there’s a sense of unity among those regarded as “odd birds.” This includes Dante, who is related to Bess. He traveled to India and started liking Yoga and Meditation, which many residents see as outside of the norm. Sara feels differently. Dante painted the interior of the Cape Cod and told her where she could buy furniture. He’s very down-to-earth and helpful.

Sara begins to make friends. Sheila owns a ceramic studio, and Sara admires her creativity. Then there’s the local vet who comes over with two kittens who need a good home. Apparently, Bess arranged it. Maribeth is her longtime best friend and always offers her support. There are a few co-workers she’s close with, and then there’s Jack Lockhart, her neighbor, who is clearly interested in her. Jack and his brother, Harry, inherited the family home. Jack and Sara begin taking long walks on the beach with Jack’s dog and having breakfast together. Sara helps Jack deal with his social anxiety with patience and compassion. They enjoy each other’s company and aren’t rushing into a relationship, painting a picture of hope and new beginnings.

Just when they become a couple, Sara gets a phone call from her niece asking if it’s okay to live with her. Her father threw her out of the house when he found out she quit school. She wants to be an artist, and Sara has always supported her creativity. But can she provide a home and security when she’s just trying to get her life back on track?

“Sara Starting Over” is about recovering from a broken relationship and, as a result, being cautious about letting people get too close. It’s about Sara losing the restaurant and her passion for cooking with it. How she had to prove to her parents that she mattered when her brothers were spoiled and privileged because they were boys. How she wants her niece to be able to have the life she desires. She realizes that with the help of her friends and if she opens her heart to love, she just might start living again.

NetGalley gave me the book in exchange for an honest review

4 3/4 out of 5 chances to love again and be accepted

Denise Fleischer

Gotta Write Network blog

May 27, 2024

This is one of those books that will have you packing your car and heading to a small town to find a new life. Sara has lost everything that was near and dear to her heart and is trying to escape into a small coastal town where she can nurse her wounds and be alone, but fate as it often happens has other plans and she is soon thrust into a new romantic relationship, a new job, and taking care of her brother's daughter.
I loved the descriptions of the house she rented and reading about her decorating the house and making it a home, the romance was sweet and I liked how there wasn't a third act breakup. I think the subplot with her niece was the weakest part of the book though, it really ended before the story really got started, but maybe there will be a sequel? Fingers crossed because this book was such a fun read!

Starting over for most of us is a difficult challenge, but if you have almost lost everything important in your life, it becomes a life-altering time. And this is how Sara is trying to lose herself in a totally new place after losing her boyfriend, father, restaurant business and her passion for cooking. But it is possible to find a way forward and reconnect with aspects of the past to make a new future. Heartwarming!

Sara has fallen into a deep depression. She has lost her treasured restaurant she spent her life building, her father passed away and her ex just married a beautiful woman half his age. Alone with nothing to do and no-one to care for Sara travels in her beat up old car until she finds a suitable landing space, preferably one where she can be isolated and wallow in peace. She stumbles upon Hills of Andrew, a quaint southern town with a storybook main street and the quiet ambiance she is searching for. Renting an adorable house with a gorgeous view, Sara slowly settles in. She finds a job at the town library and her world and fragile heart opens up in ways she never imagined. At middle age Sara did not think new friendships and the flutters of love were even a possibilty. Icing on the cake, though she is terrified of getting hurt again, Sara is surprisingly intrigued by a handsome neighbor who runs the local theater. This is a really easy, quiet, sweet story about starting over in every way. Sometimes you have to take risk to start anew, but it is well worth it. Thumbs up for me!

I love Dee Ernst's books and she's done it again with Sara Starting Over. There are no fireworks or dramatic storylines, just a hopeful story about a woman in her 50's who has suffered some big personal losses but picks herself up, makes a complete change of pace, and writes herself a brand new and sparkling chapter in the story of her life.

Sarafina is a well-established NYC chef reeling from some big blows. Her beloved Italian restaurant closed after a fire in the upstairs apartment. She emptied her savings trying to help her employees, then was told the building owner wouldn't allow her restaurant to reopen. Her 10 year relationship with a famous sports agent imploded when he found "the love of his life" and dumped her. Finally, she moved home to take care of her dying father. Now that he's gone, she's devastated on all levels, when, almost on a whim, she rents a somewhat rundown cottage for a year on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay with amazing views of the water. Initially knowing no one, and unable to even contemplate cooking again, within a very short time she finds herself with a job at the local library, two adorable kittens, a growing circle of acquaintances and friends, and a potential spark of attraction to her next door neighbor, a lifelong bachelor who runs the local theater. All of these changes slowly lead her back toward her kitchen and toward rediscovering the joy she once found in her passion for cooking.

I loved that this isn't some idealized view of small town living. There are warts that come with living in a community not necessarily open to change, but although they are not glossed over, they are also not dwelled upon and the tone is overall hopeful and forward looking. This is exactly the kind of romance that I love to read, a woman discovering not only a new love, but finding her way back to her own self. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Sarafina has lost her restaurant, her boyfriend and her father. she has to start over. this is about second chances in life. good read.

I have never read anything by this author but I can’t wait to read more books by Dee Ernst. This book shows that anyone can be down and out with life but new things can happen anytime. This book will leave you feeling good. The author did a great job with all of the characters and the story line. I definitely recommend reading this book.

Sara Starting Over follows the prevalent theme in many of Dee Ernst's novels...... women in their 50's and older beginning a new life after losses. Sara Castellano, the main character, has lost her live in boyfriend, her restaurant, her mother, when she was a young girl, and most recently, her father. She moves to small southern town, the Hills of Andrew. There, she meets a variety of new people and attempts to reinvent her life. Along this new path, she meets interesting people with their own insecurities and is able to come to terms with her losses and grief to find a different kind of happiness. I found the book to be uplifting, the characters were well developed, but at time the story dragged. All in all, I recommend reading Sara Starts Over. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I do not normally read contemporary fiction. I usually like mysteries and fantasy books of almost any kind. This particular book, because of it's title and the author's TikToks, I thought I would give it a go. I too am starting over at a "certain age". I needed a feel-good story where the herione goes through some "real" challenges after a tremendous loss and come out the other side. If not whole, at least being able to go on. Of course, finding a little romance later in life is not bad either. Everyone has to deal with some kind of family drama, trauma, misunderstandings, etc. This story made me laugh out loud, cry a little here and there and just smile at the end. Give it a go as it will be worth the read.

This is a charming story full of well-crafted and sometimes quirky characters set in Hills of Andrew, a small southern town. While the protagonist struggles with grief after sustaining three major losses in close succession, the overall tone is one of hope with new possibilities for fulfilling relationships by taking risks.

If you like foodie novels with realistic heroines and second chance themes, you will enjoy this book. The feel-good ending was a satisfying conclusion to a quick and entertaining read.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m new to Dee Ernst and I very much enjoyed how this story was told. Sara was immediately likeable, and while we started a bit slow and didn’t get into the nitty gritty of her past, I was so invested in her getting to know her new surroundings. The plot was believable, but not boring, and the slow burn of romance throughout the book (not only for Sara!) was so heartwarming.

I am a long time fan of Dee Ernst and was thrilled to be able to early read Sara Starting Over. It's a story that immediately sucked me in and a book I did not want to put down.
Sarafina - or as she prefers - Sara leaves New York city after suffering so many disappointments. She settles in a small town where she meets a close knit community. Sara is able to find peace, contentment and friendship. Most of all she finds herself again.
I highly recommend this book especially for those who enjoy a seasoned heroine.
My thanks to #NetGalley for giving me a chance to early read Sara Starting Over for a fair and honest review.
Five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Sara Starting Over by Dee Ernst. Reading a book by Dee Ernst is like sitting down to a good cup of coffee with a cherished friend. Perfectly!