Family for Beginners: A Novel

Whenever I pick up a book by this very talented author, I know it will be a winner, and this one is no exception. Flora Donovan is a florist in New York who loves her shop. But the shadows of her past seems to always hover over her. Little did she know that the moment Jack Parker enters her shop, life would never be the same. While a friendship starts to blossom, Izzy, Jack’s teenage daughter, is struggling with the loss of her mother, and the feeling that she has to help and be responsible for her Dad and younger sister. This still suffering teenager’s life is turned upside down when Flora is invited to the family’s summer vacation. In this at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming story, we are reminded of the effects ones childhood has on our present and adult life. How grief is expressed differently by each person no matter their age. How fear of losing love sometimes keeps us from risking loving either for the first time, or again. How love comes in all forms and shapes. Will they all be able to piece together their hearts and hopes to become a new family and find happiness, or will fear keep them from achieving that wonderful place. Thank you , Ms. Morgan , for another incredibly touching and exception story. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and HQN books. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I’ve read several of her books now and have decided that Sarah Morgan is one of my favorite authors of all time. I simply adore her. She writes with astounding agility from multiple POVs and covers relevant and relatable issues with a lively and uncanny level of skill yet her tales are well-balanced with humor, angst, tragedy, perceptive awareness, and observant insights on all sides. Family For Beginners was a slowly evolving and well-nuanced tale that was heavy on family drama while a new romance was blossoming for a widower with children and a timid yet sensitive and eager to please florist. The storylines were multifaceted with complex yet endearing characters who were struggling to find their place and establish their own roles within their newly formed dynamic.

4.5 stars. Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan is a poignant novel of healing, family and love. Florist Flora Donovan is effervescent, compassionate and intuitive but she is also emotionally scarred. A people pleaser due to her childhood with an indifferent aunt, she avoids confrontation and easily gives in during conflict. Flora is delighted by her burgeoning romance with widower Jack Parker and although they are not rushing their romance, she does meet his grieving children, seventeen year old Izzy and seven year old Molly. Molly quickly warms up to her but Izzy is prickly and standoffish. Flora knows Izzy’s reaction comes from her pain, but is there more to the teenager’s defensiveness than mourning her mother’s loss? Jack is a genuinely nice man but he is a little clueless when it comes to his oldest daughter. He is a bit of a helpless single father who is trying to balance taking care of his grieving children and a demanding career. Jack is sensitive to his children’s need to mourn their mother’s death, but he is also beginning to have feelings for Flora. Their relationship is becoming more serious so when it is time for his family’s annual vacation with his deceased wife’s best friend Clare, neither he nor Flora are looking forward to spending three weeks apart. Jack invites Flora to join them, but how will Clare feel about the new woman in his life? Izzy is not exactly coping well with her mother’s death. But she is also not willing to talk to anyone about exactly what is troubling her. Izzy is exhausted but she is also does not plan to give up any of her responsibilities. She makes no effort to hide her animosity towards Flora and she does everything she can to push her away. But once they are on vacation together, can Izzy continue to contain her growing anger and frustration? Family for Beginners is a heartfelt novel with a marvelous cast of characters, realistic issues and an idyllic setting. The characters are vibrantly developed with wonderful qualities and relatable flaws. The storyline is engaging and moves at a brisk pace. With unexpected revelations, Sarah Morgan brings this touching novel to a heartwarming and uplifting conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this fabulous novel to readers of contemporary fiction. I received a complimentary copy for review.