Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review #familyforbeginners #netgalley

Flora is hopeless at relationships she is a people pleaser bar when it comes to herself until she meets a mystery man in her florists one day whilst he is looking for a bouquet to give his daughter. Follow Flora and Jack as they trundle through the dark learning about themselves and how to fit together after Jack becomes a widow. Will they make it? Or will Jack's family come between them?

Sarah's books are always raved about in every online bookclub I am in on social media. I did read one of her books before but didn't overly enjoy it however wanted to give another a go which I'm glad about.

Although this book is a romantic read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as trauma, flooding, lies, death and suicide amongst others. However the author tactfully writes in a way that shows how deep set emotions can cloud our judgement and perspective of things. It shows that taking a step back (which the reader does) makes things appear clearer. This book has a beautiful message throughout.

Unfortunately I went on a requesting spree during lockdown and my tastes have since changed.

As the book has been on my shelf since 2020 or 2021 I believe I need a cull as I am highly unlikely to ever read it.

To be fair to the author I have star reviewed based on the average.

I really enjoyed this book, it has lots of twist that keeps you wanting more. Once I got into this book I couldn't put it down. This book is overflowing with love, laughter, and acceptance to the changes that life throws at you. A lovely read.

A fun read, which will have you laughing and also crying in places. this is the ideal holiday read! Highly recommended

My first Sarah Morgan book that wasn’t a Christmas themed one and I loved it just as much as I did her other books. Her writing is so beautiful and moving and lovely and writes such wonderful characters.

A wonderful book about family and relationships
A fantastically well written book by an author that I have read many books from

Absolutely lovely book. Is there anything that Sarah Morgan does wrong?

Heartwarming story that centres around loss, teenage struggles, adjustment and new family dynamics.

Pleasure to read.

Sarah Morgan never disappoints with her stories. This is no exception.

Wonderfully written and an exploration of not only the relationship between the two main characters but a plethora of complex family relationships too.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

A book that draws you into the life of Flora touching on loss and love. I found it hard to put down as I became a part of the circle of Floras ups and downs. Sarah’s writing style has a way of drawing you into the setting and unfolding story!

Family for beginners is the story of Flora and Jack. Flora lives in a world of flowers, after losing her florist mother at the tender age of eight. She was taken in by an uncaring aunt who didnt really want her. Lonely Flora longs for a family of her own. Enter Jack a widower with a young family. He drops into the florist for some flowers for his daughter Izzy. They strike up a friendship. Family For Beginners is told from the perspectives of both Flora and Izzy. Sarah Morgan skillfully deals with the issues of loss and what happens when life doesnt work out like you expected it too. Another enjoyable read from Sarah Morgan.

Flora Donovan is a florist, a job she adores but she is lonely. Flora was orphaned as a child, left with her aunt who never really wanted her but felt obliged and she has grown up never really feeling like she belonged anywhere, until she meets Jack Parker and everything changes. Jack is a widower, whose wife Becca died suddenly a year earlier, leaving him the sole parent of their two daughters Izzy, 17 and Molly, 7 and since Becca died, Izzy has been the one to look after them both, so when Jack introduces Flora to them Izzy immediately feels threatened, but both Izzy and Flora have secrets, could those secrets ultimately bring them together and are they more alike than Izzy realises?

This latest story by Sarah Morgan is set firstly in New York and then mainly in the beautiful countryside of the Lake District, and narrated by Flora, Izzy and Clare, who was Becca's best friend. It's a tale of love, loss, grief, hope and fear, of two young girls struggling to deal with the sudden death of their mother, of a young woman trying to discover who she is and where she belongs in this world and a man who is trying to do what's best for his daughters whilst moving on himself. This story is beautifully crafted, with characters that are so easy to endear to and love. I adore Sarah Morgan's books and this one was no exception.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and HQ for the auto approval. I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Family for Beginners is my first introduction to Sarah Morgan's writing and it did not disappointment. As someone who enjoys family sagas of this type, I loved how it brought together social misfit Flora with widower Jack and his two daughters. The challenge for Flora lies in Izzy's reaction and rejection of her as she's still struggling with the circumstances of her mother's death. But as time passes, and they spend time together on a trip to the Lake District, Flora's relationship with Izzy comes to a head and Flora finds herself questioning if she'll ever find the family she so desperately wants.

Sarah Morgan truly takes you on a journey of love, grief, evolving families and friendships. Family for Beginners looks like a summer but is equally emotive and will take you through the various stages of a teenager's perspective of handling loss and change. Told through alternating perspectives, you really get a feel for the story and the emotions that both are battling with. Flora's past with her own mother's loss and subsequently loneliness means she desperately needs to be loved and accepted and Izzy's hostility is the challenge she needs to overcome. Their common ground is the loss they've both been dealt and that conversation takes a while to happen due to Izzy continuously shutting her out, which feels a little frustrating but is not entirely unexpected.

Heartwarming and beautifully mapped out, Family for Beginners is a fun beach read if you're looking for a book with a bit of everything - family drama, romance, a holiday abroad and teen angst. Sarah Morgan does an amazing job of bringing it all together!

Family For Beginners by Sarah Morgan is a delightful contemporary tale that will swell your heart.
The novel is about love, loss and family. Family is important. It represents security and it is where we belong. When loss threatens to tear apart the very foundations, a family needs to learn how to belong again.
Not everyone is fortunate to have a loving family. We see a character who felt like excess baggage following the death of her mother. She has spent her whole life looking for love and putting others first. “She wanted to be important to someone.” This is such a sad emotive statement.
When someone dies suddenly, regrets and guilt pile up – guilt over what we did or didn’t say or do, and guilt for being alive. “You’re afraid that if you laugh, it might appear that you loved the person less.” We need to learn to live again.
Everyone handles loss in a different way. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. We must just muddle through as best as we can.
The novel is set in New York City and the Lake District. These locations are polar opposites – NYC is stifling, crushing spirits. In contrast there are the wide open spaces of the Lake District where souls can run free.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and easy to empathise with.
Family For Beginners was totally charming. I love all Sarah Morgan’s novels, they fill my heart and soul with love.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“Love isn’t finite… It’s like a river that keeps flowing.”
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Morgan always manages to immerse me in the world of her story and Family for Beginners was no exception. Warm, hopeful and life-affirming, this is definitely one of her best yet!

Oops, managed to overlook giving feedback on the preview copy of this book. Sarah Morgan never fails to please and as previous reviewers have.suggested, this is an excellent read, so much so that I am now going to reread it as it is very entertaining and knowing the storyline already doesn’t detract from that.

Sarah Morgan always has the knack of hitting the emotional ratio just right. With Family For Beginners, she brings to our attention the problems with falling in love with someone who already has children from a previous relationship. I love that as well as being a fun read it tackles important topics. A fabulous read and one I won't forget.

I loved this book, for some reason the cover reminded me of a Carole Matthews book I read years ago, so I was hoping for something along those lines with regards to an author. This didn’t disappoint. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I love Sarah Morgan’s books for a holiday read - this one felt a bit different but I enjoyed a more challenging story.

When Flora falls in love with Jack who is a widower she isn’t just taking on a boyfriend but also his perfect wife and his two daughters. Izzy, especially, puts up barriers as she is angry her father has got a new replacement for her mother within a year of her mother dying.
I used to really enjoy Sarah Morgan’s M&B Modern novels and I feel this takes her novels one step further as this isn’t a formulaic romance but concentrates on the harsh realities of being the interloper or step parent in a new relationship. Having to live up to the perfect wife (Jack is a widower), Flora has to contend with a nasty step daughter and continue the tradition of holidaying with Jack’s best friends who also were friends and holidayed with his wife.The more Flora tries to impress the more she fails and feels a failure with no support from Jack. Flora soon realises families aren’t perfect and there is no need to strive for perfection. This is a great family romance read which any step parent would identify elements of their own relationship .





I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted