loved this romance and finding love and remembering love before the one. love the friends and the chemistry between the couple was on fire and loved the banter.

Devorah heads back to her hometown with her daughter after finding out her husband has been cheating on her with her best friend. The husband plans on moving in with the friend, her daughter, and wants to make a new family. Hayden is grieving the loss of his wife with his son in Dev's hometown. Dev and Hayden were secretly involved in high school, but he didn't want her brother or father to know. Now that she is back, will history repeat itself or will loss and broken hearts keep them apart?

This book gave me "Hope Floats" vibes and I didn't hate that at all. Both of the characters had to overcome a lot to move on and I enjoyed being on that journey. This book will rip your heart out and I don't want to spoil that for you, but just be prepared. McLaughlin always writes books that touch your heart and make you laugh. That is why I will keep reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NG & Montlake for an e-arc!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: February 1, 2025
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Devorah marriage falls apart when she finds out her husband is having an affair with her bestfriend. Devorah and her daughter, Maren decide to take a break from Chicago and move to her small town to live with her father, and try to rebuild her life. She runs into Hayden, her childhood crush and forms a connection. Will they finally have a chance to be together?

This was my first book that I've read from Heidi, and I've enjoyed it! I enjoyed the two pov's between Hayden and Devorah. There were some parts of the book that were emotional for me, specifically Devorah's dad. Overall, great story!

While it's not a great book, I hold some respect for authors who can make me cry. There were multiple parts where I definitely teared up, almost all of them were of Devorah and her dad.
After finishing the whole book, I kind of understand why some readers weren't a fan of the writing. It definitely got worse before it got better. The first half did test my patience with the slow pacing and also the wild timing of having the FMC in a situation where she had to deal with her husband's cheating and also flirt with her high school crush. I mean, it could've been better if the author just let Devorah tell the story of the cheating and say she was in the middle of divorce.
The humiliation she went through and her leaving made for a huge emotional turmoil. The romance, even if minimal at the beginning, shouldn't have been so soon.
I honestly thought the book would be a closed-door type of romance, so you can't imagine my surprise when the sex scene started. As some readers mentioned, it was a complete tone shift and it didn't flow well with the rest of the book. I honestly skimmed this part.
Plot wise, there wasn't much happening. It was all sickly sweet and went in one straight direction the whole time. Hayden was unbearably perfect. And the same goes for his son and parents. It felt like their whole existence was dedicated for Devorah and her daughter.
All in all, it wasn't a total let down but it left a LOT to be desired.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

In Heidi McLaughlin's THE ART OF STARTING OVER, Devorah is clued in to an unthinkable affair, then walks in on her husband and best friend, confirming that her suspicions were valid -- and that she needs to begin a new life without him, her, the baggage of a marriage she'd presumed to be happy enough, not great, but not unbearable. Retreating to her home town, Devorah falls immediately into the fractured relationship with her father while reconnecting with her brother and his best friend Hayden, also recovering from heartbreak. In twisty, believable moments, McLaughlin tells the story of second chances for romance, family, and one's own young self. A story that kept me up way too late reading! I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

I liked this second chance small town romance novel. Devorah moves back home after her marriage falls apart. She moves back to her childhood home with her son.loving back home also means working on her relationship with her father, who is the town’s beloved sheriff. Her childhood crush has also moved home after his wife’s death. This story is about finding love again and being at peace. It’s heartwarming.

The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin is a sweet, small-town romance about Devorah, whose world falls apart when she finds out, in a very public way, that her husband has been cheating on her with her best friend. Dev moves back home to live with her dad, Crow, and her daughter, Maren, to try and rebuild her life.

As she starts to heal, she meets Hayden and his son, Conor, and they start to form a connection. If you’re looking for a Hallmark-style book, this one is perfect. It’ll give you all the same warm, feel-good vibes as the movie Hope Floats.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read The Art of Starting Over.

The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin is a heartfelt and emotionally resonant story about love, healing, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life from the ground up. With her signature blend of romance and real-life emotion, McLaughlin delivers a powerful narrative that explores second chances—not just in relationships, but in rediscovering yourself.

The characters feel genuine and deeply human, shaped by past mistakes, lingering pain, and the hope for something better. McLaughlin handles themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and resilience with a tender touch, making the reader feel every moment of heartbreak and hope. The romantic arc is slow-burning and satisfying, grounded in trust, vulnerability, and emotional connection.

What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional depth. It’s not just about finding love again—it’s about reclaiming your own strength, rewriting your story, and learning that it’s never too late to begin again.

The Art of Starting Over is a moving and beautifully written story that lingers long after the final page. It's perfect for readers who love emotionally driven romance with depth, heart, and hope.

I sobbed ugly tears and felt like my world was crumbling along with Devorah's. There was a lot of emotion packed into this small town and it really was done beautifully.

I LOVE ALL THINGS HEIDI! She could write a grocery list and I'd read it haha. Angsty and so great as always. Thanks for the ARC!

This is a classic small town romance with a nice balance between the past and present. The characters are likeable and down to earth. It’s a light-hearted, fun read.

Such an emotional roller coaster! I loved it but it made me cry multiple times. It got super close to home for me with the daddy daughter component but it was an amazing read. It’s been a long time since I read a book in 3 days- every free moment I’ve had the past three days have been spent immersed in this book. I had to know how it’d end up and I’m so glad I finished it as fast as I did. I loved it. Read it. That is all.

THE ART OF STARTING OVER by Heidi McLaughlin is a contemporary, adult, second chance romance focusing on high school sweethearts Devorah Campbell and Hayden McKenna.

Told from omniscient third person perspectives (Devorah and Hayden) using present day and memories from the past, THE ART OF STARTING OVER follows the return to Oyster Bay of Devorah Crowley Campbell. Devorah and Hayden were high school sweethearts but life and responsibilities got in the way. Fast forward to present day, Hayden McKenna, a single father and widower is looking for a new start, and returns to his home town to start anew with his nine year old son but Hayden never expected to come face to face with his former girlfriend, Devorah Campbell, a woman whose return comes with the dual betrayal of her soon to be ex-husband and his very familiar mistress. Devorah is struggling with what happened and why, and moving back to Oyster Bay reveals some of the small town mentality, behavior and lost time with family and friends. Hayden is willing to start a new path going forward but Devorah is about to face another heart breaking loss that may push Hayden out of her life.

The world building focuses on the rekindling romance between our story line couple; the ongoing and very public betrayal by her husband; the reconciliation between Devorah and her father; the small town bullies and long term memories; and the manipulation and gas-lighting aimed directly at Devorah and her daughter Maren.

The relationship between Devorah and Hayden is one of second chances, a high school romance that was destroyed by misunderstanding and a lack of communication, and the small town bully who was determined to take control. Hayden has loved and lost but has never forgotten about the woman who moved on without him. There are no $ex scenes.

We are introduced to Devorah’s daughter Maren; her brother Colt, their father Sheriff Tremaine ‘Crow’ Crowley, and Devorah’s soon to be ex Chad; as well as Hayden’s son Conor, and his parents Lee and Darcy, and several locals in Oyster Bay.

THE ART OF STARTING OVER is a slow building story of grief and loss, betrayal, second chances, family and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and inviting; the romance is subtle ; the characters are determined, charismatic and inspiring.


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Thank you Netgalley, Montlake publishing and the author for the e-arc in exchange for my h9nest review.

The book is a small town second chance romance that touches on loss, grief, and resilience. I enjoyed the book over all, although I did think I would have loved it more. To start, I didn't think how Deborah found out about her husband's affair was believable. It didn't make sense to me that someone would do that, then be surprised when caught.
The children seemed much much younger than they were written and the slow burn was almost too slow?
I like how the love was written and the authors style of writing. I think that maybe I just wanted more.

This is a second-chance romance set in the small town of Oyster Bay. The story follows Devorah Campbell and Hayden McKenna, former high school sweethearts whose relationship ended due to life’s challenges and misunderstandings.

Now a single father and widower, Hayden returns to Oyster Bay with his son for a fresh start—only to cross paths with Devorah, who is dealing with the betrayal of her soon-to-be ex-husband. As they reconnect, old feelings resurface, but Devorah faces new heartbreak that threatens to push Hayden away again.

The novel explores themes of love, loss, family, and resilience. Alongside the rekindled romance, Devorah must navigate small-town gossip, family struggles, and emotional manipulation. The story is slow-building and character-driven, with a heartfelt and inspiring journey toward healing and new beginnings.

The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin is a heartfelt novel about loss, resilience, and new beginnings. It follows a woman rebuilding her life in a small town after a devastating breakup. The emotional core is touching, and the charming setting and supporting characters add warmth. Moments of insight into self-discovery and change are inspiring.

However, the pacing is uneven, with some sections dragging and others feeling rushed. The romantic subplot, while sweet, relies on predictable tropes, and some dialogue and interactions feel simplistic or unrealistic.

Overall, it’s a decent, uplifting read about second chances, but it lacks depth and may not fully captivate those seeking more complexity.

I wanted to love this book far more than I did; like I actually thought I would love it... but the more I read, the more I was convinced I had read (or seen as it turned out) this book before. Yes, it is strikingly similar to the movie, Hope Floats. The public humiliation, the distraught daughter, the returning to her old hometown just at the same time as her old love...? Granted in this book he also had a child, the same age of her daughter... but it just was so eerily similar.

It was also slow. Like very slow - after the rush of the first few chapters it just seemed to drag. The only parts I enjoyed were the flashbacks to her first love... that was it and the only thing that got me through until the end.

If you love truly SLOW burns - slow, slow, slow... then this will be an amazing book for you, and honestly the characters are all well written and there's a nice layer of depth as well. For me this was just not the book for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this e-arc for me to review.

If you like a good romance novel, I would recommend reading this one. But have some tissues you might need them.
This is a story of a woman whose world gets turned inside out and upside down in an instant when a post from her so called best friend goes viral. Imagine learning your husband is sleeping with your best friend on a viral post that the world can see. Turning her and their 9 year olds daughter world into a spiral. Going back home and trying to start over. She ends up with more than she could imagine.

I liked this book despite it being a bit predictable. Oyster Bay was a charming setting for small town vibes. Devorah and Hayden both end up in OB as adults after both suffer heartbreak. The POV switches from Dev to Hayden but it is not confusing and there is not too many characters to keep track of. The family dynamics remind me a bit of Sweet Home Alabama but better. Overall, I enjoyed the story and read it pretty quickly. The book does hold your interest and there was one unexpected event in the book. Solid 3 1/2 star read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Art of Starting Over delivers a compelling friends-to-lovers story with strong chemistry and witty banter that keeps the romance engaging. The emotional depth, especially as the characters navigate the fallout of the wife’s betrayal—her husband cheating with her best friend—adds complexity to their relationship. Their support for each other during vulnerable moments makes for an emotional yet uplifting read.

However, while the romance is well-developed, the love scenes feel out of place. The overly descriptive nature disrupts the story’s emotional flow rather than enhancing it, making it harder to stay immersed in the connection that had been so beautifully built.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read with a solid foundation, though a more subtle approach to intimacy would have strengthened the romance.