There's something special about romances set in small towns, right? I love the cozy vibe, especially when it’s a coastal town. These two books have that warm small-town charm but deliver a heartwarming punch!
Goodreads says, "After her publishing career and engagement fell apart in Boston, Leah Powell has no choice but to return to her sleepy coastal hometown on Cape Cod. Feeling lost and discouraged, she stumbles upon a once prominent historic sea captain’s home that now looks as dilapidated as she feels. Suddenly inspired, Leah decides to transform it into a bookstore and café she will call The Sandy Page.
Luke Nicholson, a life-long local and contractor, remembers Leah even if she doesn’t remember him. Intrigued by her return and her project, he agrees to help her bring the old captain’s house back to life. As they work together, The Sandy Page slowly becomes the town’s go-to gathering spot for locals, tourists, and anyone who is feeling adrift during this long, sweet summer. It’s a home for second chances. But will it be enough for Leah and Luke?"
I was looking for a cozy read to curl up with on a long summer weekend, and The Sandy Page Bookshop is just that. I loved the small-town vibes and the descriptions of Cape Cod, filled with its beaches and historic homes. The book never stressed me out and was somewhat predictable at times, but it was a delight nonetheless. I enjoy stories about second chances filled with heart, so The Sandy Page Bookshop was just that. The bookstore brought many community members together, and in the end, it was a feel-good read.
Goodreads says, "In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.
When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out."
Evvie Drake finds herself alone in her big house after her doctor husband dies an untimely death in a car accident. Now she has to start over her life, but barely leaves her house other than to hang out with her best friend, Andy. Andy tells her that his good friend from college, who is a former MLB pitcher, is looking for a place to escape the spotlight. His friend, Dean Tenney, has had some trouble pitching lately and has lost his stuff, much to the dismay of his coaches and doctors. No one is sure why he can't compete anymore, so he is looking for a place where people won't recognize him and he can rest and recuperate. Andy recommended Evvie's apartment, so Evvie, who needs the money, takes him up on this. Slowly, their friendship forms as they have much in common with both of them trying to rebuild their lives. Evvie Drake Stars Over by Linda Holmes is a delightful audiobook about second chances, starting over, and moving on from the past.
I had been wanting to read Evvie Drake Stars Over for quite some time, and I'm so glad I finally dived into the audiobook, narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. She never disappoints! I adored the relationship between Evvie and Dean, especially how he escapes the limelight of New York City to join her in a small coastal town in Maine. Also, I appreciated Evvie's transformation from a widow struggling with her confidence into a more well-rounded person. She confronts her past, including her abusive marriage and her overbearing mother, along with other issues that have plagued her for years. During Evvie's journey, Dean is also dealing with his own challenges, particularly when he loses his pitching skills. Lastly, I really enjoyed their slow-burning romance and appreciated that this book was more than just a love story; it had a lot of depth as well. I highly recommend it!
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