Title: Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis
Wildstone Series Book Seven
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
What would you change if you had to start your life—and love life—over again?
When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma she learns that her fiancé and her BFF have fallen in love, she’s lost her job, and the life she knew is gone. Overwhelmed but grateful to be alive she starts over from scratch. Not as easy as it sounds, of course. But she’s never been a quitter, even if she wishes she could quit rehab, where her hot but evil physical therapist, Simon, puts her through the wringer.
Eager for a new beginning, Emma opens a doggy day care. Unfortunately, the only space she can afford is owned by her childhood nemesis Ali Pratt. But hey, she’s been through worse, right? She tries to roll with the punches, but a friend drops his grandpa off at the doggy day care in desperation then on top of that, she and Ali bring the term ‘frenemies’ to a whole new level. And then another grandparent shows up. And another.
In the midst of all that, Emma realizes she’s accidentally fallen for Evil PT. But the most horrifying thing of all is that Ali just might have turned into the best friend she’s ever had. And as Emma grows from the pain of her past and takes on her new path, she comes to realize that life isn’t what you’re given, it’s what you make of it.
Review:
Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis is a heartwarming novel of healing, love and friendship. Although this newest release is the seventh book in the Wildstone series, it can be read as a standalone.
Emma Harris has been through the most difficult year of her life. After a horrific accident that left her in a coma, but after several surgeries and intensive physical therapy, she is almost healed and ready to move on with her life.Her very sexy physical therapist Simon Armstrong is her biggest cheerleader and with her assistance, she now has a place to live. When the opportunity arises to purchase a doggy daycare, Emma receives help from Alison Pratt, her one-time nemesis. With a friendship budding between the two women and a tenuous romance with Simon, will Emma find a way to move forward?
Emma awakened from the coma to discover her entire life has changed. She has many injuries to overcome and her personal life has drastically. Simon has been a bit motivator in helping her regain her physical strength but she her recovery is still a work in progress. Once Emma moves into her new apartment, she begins to view Simon in a more romantic light. But since she is not ready for a permanent relationship, will she act on her attraction for him?
A big part of Simon’s life now entails caring for his father and working in the family-owned business. He also continues working as a few days a week as a therapist so he has little time for a personal life. Simon admires Emma for her hard work and amazing progress and he is also trying to ignore his simmering desire for her. As their daily lives put them in close proximity, will he continue to avoid giving into his attraction for her?
Alison is Simon’s cousin and she works in their family business. She helps out with her uncle whenever Simon needs someone to fill in for him. Alison is nursing a broken heart since her relationship with Ryan Dennison recently ended. She is still nursing a grudge against Emma because of things that happened when they were teenagers. So, no one is more surprised than Alison when she offers to become business partners with Emma. Since Emma is so friendly, will Alison find a way to work on becoming more open and caring for others?
Love for Beginners is a charming novel of new beginnings and self-discovery. All of the characters are multi-dimensional with realistic flaws and strengths. The romance between Emma and Simon is a bit on again/off again due to their respective emotional baggage. The friendship between Emma and Alison is humorous and touching but it continues to be a little rocky. With unexpected conflicts threatening Emma’s new relationships, Jill Shalvis brings this captivating novel to an uplifting conclusion. Old and new fans of the Wildstone series are sure to love this latest installment.
