Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First, the audiobook narrators were good! It was Dual POV and narrated by dual F/M narrators, which is always nice.

As other reviews have said, this book is a lot like Hope Floats. I don’t know if it is Hope Floats inspired or a coincidence. Either way, I don’t think you will find any surprises or unique plot points in this book.

I do think it’s worth a listen or read though if you need something predictable, romantic, and comforting to listen to.

Overall, nothing groundbreaking for me here but still enjoyable for romance genre fans. 3.5⭐️ rounded up

Read/listen if you like:
Brothers best friend
Recently divorced FMC
Widower MMC
Small town romance
Second chance
Clean romance

This was a good book. It started a little slower than what I normally read. I thought the narration was good.

This is a cute , sweet small town romance type book and the narration was done really well. This isnt my favourite book by the author but an easy listen with a predictable outcome but still enjoyable. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this audio arc.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Devorah Campbell's husband has a public affair, she races one to her dad, and reconnects with an old love. I felt like I've read this story before.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced listener copy of The Art of Starting Over!

GENRE
• Standalone
• Adult
• Contemporary romance

SUMMARY
When Devorah discovers her husband is having an affair with her best friend, she takes her young daughter and moves back to her small hometown. There, she has a chance to work on her relationships with her father and brother—and potentially rekindle the spark that once blazed between her and her first-ever crush.

REVIEW
This is a sweet, small-town, second-chance, contemporary romance. The pacing is on the slower side, so don’t go in expecting an action-packed adventure, but if approachable, slice-of-life stories are your cup of tea, give this book a try. Personally, I hoped for a bit more subversion of both tropes and gender norms, but those aspects are easy enough to overlook if you’re drawn to the larger context of the story.
2/5

The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin had a promising beginning that instantly intrigued me. However, after the revelation, the momentum is lost and the narrative becomes very unrealistic. Curious if others felt the same, I read reviews and discovered that 46 people said it closely resembled Hope Floats. It's disappointing and frustrating that a book seemingly derived from another's work has garnered a 4-star rating. I cannot support an author who likely copied someone else's work. While the movie is 27 years old, it's surprising that no one on Heidi's team recognized this.

Kacy Combest as Devorah was difficult to listen to, as her voice made Devorah sound extra whiny. Christian Barillas as Hayden is much more preferred as he sounds real and genuine.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ALC.

Deborah and Hayden had a little romance growing up. They fancied themselves in love but never said the words. Ending married to others, they find themselves later in the same town they grew up in and sparks fly.

I really enjoyed listening to this one. The narrator did a fantastic job.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet small town romance. It was a little predictable, but still very enjoyable.

Devorah and Hayden had a secret relationship in high school. Devorah's brother was Hayden's best friends so they never pursued a relationship after high school. They both married other people and moved away from their small town. By fate, they both show up in Oyster Bay looking to start over. Hayden was widowed and Devorah's husband had left her. The reconnection is quite lovely.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio for the advanced listener copy. I enjoyed the audiobook. Kacy Combest and Christian Barillas were wonderful narrators. This book is definitely recommended for fans of small town romances.

2 🌟
I tried, I realllllly tried. But so many parts of this book are blatantly ripped from the movie Hope Floats that I couldn't keep going. Every time I thought it was starting to differ, another key plot point was exactly as the movie. There is a difference between using something as inspiration and copying it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc in exchange for an honest review.

Heidi McLaughlin delivers a poignant and beautifully written story in The Art of Starting Over, capturing the raw emotions of two individuals navigating personal struggles as they return to their hometown. The novel masterfully explores themes of resilience, second chances, and the importance of family.

At the heart of the story are Hayden and Devorah, two deeply complex characters whose personal journeys intertwine in a way that feels both natural and compelling. Hayden’s patience and unwavering support for Devorah make him a standout character, offering a dynamic that feels both realistic and emotionally gripping. McLaughlin’s ability to depict personal growth, heartache, and healing is evident throughout, making the reader truly invested in their relationship.

However, the true stars of the novel are the children and grandparents. Their humor, warmth, and strong moral compasses bring depth and light to the narrative, balancing the heavier themes with moments of joy and wisdom. The intergenerational relationships add richness to the storytelling, showcasing McLaughlin’s talent for crafting multidimensional characters.

With lyrical prose and emotionally charged storytelling, The Art of Starting Over is a testament to the power of love, family, and the courage it takes to embrace a new beginning. McLaughlin’s novel is not just a romance; it’s an exploration of the human experience, making it a must-read for those who enjoy heartfelt and character-driven stories.

Since I listened to the audiobook, I’ll start with the narrator performances. It was well done, clear and definitely did the job of bringing the characters to life. As for the story, the biggest feature that stands out for this book is how closely it resembles storyline and themes in the movie Hope Floats. While that isn’t a negative, it made the read feel a little formulaic and unoriginal. In the romance space, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence, but for me, it definitely detracts a little from my enjoyment.

The art of starting over., is a story of meeting your first crush again. This might be a pretty good book. But the male narrator made it seem the male character was wishy washy, frustrating man who could not be relied on. This book would be a four. But the audio version is a two

The Art of Starting Over was just the audiobook I needed this cold February weekend! The way that Heidi McLaughlin wove rich character development through a plot that was predictable but enjoyable none the less. The main characters have both been through terrible loss and this second chance love story has many bumps along the way. I will definitely look for more titles by Heidi McLaughlin. This is a dual narration to define the parallel stories and I liked both narrators.

Thank you NetGalley, Heidi McLaughlin and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions shared are my own.
The Art of Starting Over is now available.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Such a great second chance romance. Very similar to the movie Hope Floats. It was funny and sad and made me have butterflies while kicking my feet. So enjoyable. The narrators did a great job.

Devorah Campbell and her daughter have left Chicago after the betrayal of her husband. Not only did he cheat on her, but he did so with her best friend.
Needing some breathing space, Devorah returns to Oyster Bay, her hometown. Even though her relationship with her sheriff father has not been the best, it allowed her to spend time with him and her brother.
Hayden McKenna and his son are also back in town after the death of his wife. He too needs a place to start over and what better place than Oyster Bay where his kind parents still live.
Years ago in school, Devorah and Hayden had a young crush, but it was their secret. Now that they are both back in town, a sort of friendship starts, which reignites the old feelings. But Devorah’s insecurities and her ex seem to have her guarding her feelings. Besides, they need to think about the two kids .
Will they ever let down their guard? What happens when tragedy has Devorah rethinking her future?
This was a sweet and touching story about second chances in life and love. A reminder that sometimes we need to take a leap of faith.
The narrators Kacy Combedt and Christian Barillas did a good job with the various voices.
After reading this book, I am glad I decided to give this audiobook, courtesy of Netgalley and Montalake, a try. I find that audiobooks bring the stories to life.
The narrators Kacy Combedt and Christian Barillas did a good job with the various voices.
The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sometimes writing a review is extremely challenging. This is not one of those times. The challenge this time is to not gush too much or give away some of the amazing plot. How do I get across how entertaining this story is? How do I express what a great escape it was? I tell you that I will be reading this story again and again. I tell you that I will buy the audiobook and listen to it.

01/24/25 Woozers!!! I am so stoked that I got an audio copy. The narrators were fantastic. They made the story even better which I honestly didn't think possible. They put emotions into what was happening; things that I missed. I could hear Devorah's struggles. Marin's frustrations and anger were more than I could have imagined. I could sense Hayden's regrets and determination. Chad's cockiness oozed from my speakers. The dual narration kept me entertained for hours.

The story is a great reminder that things can go wrong, that hope maybe difficult to believe, but you can find or make your own happily ever after. The Art of Starting Over is an very emotional read. I am still at risk of a book coma. At times my heart was breaking. I couldn't stop thinking about Maren. What she went through just felt so real. The teacher in me wanted to take her aside and just let her vent. Thankfully the author created a support group that I would like to adopt. It was the unexpected protectors that took the book to the next level.

The characters have stayed with me. The residents of the small town of Oyster bay are a hoot for the most of part. Their drama kept me entertained for hours. The Crafty Cathys (what some would call busy bodies) are an eclectic group. They helped make Devorah's escape back to the smally town of Oyster Bay a little bit easier. After what she has been through she needs all the help she can get. She needs a second chance at a new beginning.

Not all second chances deal with a couple that lost their way. Devorah does get a second chance with Hayden, her sort of high school boy friend. More importantly, at least to me, was Devorah's second chance with her dad. Grab the tissues, the struggle will eat at your heart. At the end of the story, I was reminded it anything is possible. You just have to open up your heart.

01/01/25 My official first read of the new year. Just as fantastic as the first time I read it.