Thanks to Random House for the free advance copy of this book.

Recently widowed Evvie Drake spends all her time at home, and everyone presumes she is still grieving. When former MLB pitcher Dean moves into her spare room while he recovers from a career-ending case of the yips, they agree not to talk about these things...until they can no longer stay out of each others’ lives.

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER is a love story, but it’s also a wonderfully empathetic meditation of grief and the ways it does (or does not) manifest for different people. It explores trauma and small town social structures and the joy of a new relationship, all with a healthy portion of snappy pop culture references.

I loved that Evvie was a complete person even when single, with her own likes and obsessions, yet never veering into Quirky Heroine territory. I also loved that her best friend is a man, Andy, and their relationship is as layered as any relationships between girlfriends in other similar novels.

Evvie and Dean’s relationship is sweet and romantic and corny in the best way. I loved that they really had to work for their relationship with lots of really getting to know each other rather than the book just assuming they were meant to be.

This book is the perfect balance of funny and serious, just the way life is in the wake of major upheavals. Also, if you’re like me and are often mentally shouting at characters to get thee to a therapist, this is the book for you.