Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:

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 the 7^th book in her wonderful Wildstone series. I have noted many times that I love reading any book by Jill Shalvis, as they are always wonderful pure romances.  The Wildstone series can be read as standalones, as each book truly has different characters that are not recurring.

Emma Harris, our heroine, has been in a coma, after being hit by a car, and a surprise to many, she wakes up after a year.  Now she has spent a long time in therapy being pushed to the max, as her physical therapist (whom she calls Baddass PT) continually puts her through the wringer daily. 

Simon Armstrong, is considered one of the best therapists, and he is determined to keep on forcing Emma to push beyond.  Slowly she has begun to recover, something no one ever expected, as her injuries were horrific. When she eventually leaves the hospital to return to her apartment, she learns her boyfriend was now living and in love with her best friend, and now they are both considered exes to her.  Simon manages to find an apartment for Emma to live, and also for him to keep an eye on her to continue her grueling exercise.

Simon is extremely busy, as his father is recuperating, he must handle the family business (Armstrong Properties) with his cousin Alison. But he continues to find time to help Emma, whom he has begun to have strong feelings for her. Simon was a great hero, but he had his own issues, especially taking care of his family, his patients, and knowing his last relationship was severed by his too busy schedule.

Emma was a fantastic heroine, her strength, perserverance and independence was amazing, especially with all the pain she has, and her tenacity to keep pushing herself.  Emma was also very attracted to Simon, even though at times she hated when he made her do more exercises. I loved Emma’s dog, Hog, who was a support dog, but who was also afraid of some other dogs.  Cute and adorable. Emma has no job, working part time at a doggy day care center, and when she discovers the owner is selling, she tries to get a loan from the bank to buy it.

Alison Pratt, Simon’s cousin, plays a major part in this story.  Alison worked for Armstrong Properties, managing the finances and office, especially with her Uncle Dale, out of commission.  When Simon tells Emma to talk to his cousin about a lease for Paw Pals, a doggy day care; she is shocked to discover that Alison was her enemy from high school. Alison and Emma hated each other at school, and the two have not seen each other since then.  Alison was hard and not totally likeable at times, but decides despite their old feelings to go into a partnership for Paw Pals, giving Emma the chance to run the place, and Alison an opportunity to run the financial side of the business.  They agreed, and slowly worked to get beyond the frenemy. Alison was also getting over breaking up with her boyfriend, whom she still cares for.  I really loved watching the two of them helping each other out, and a friendship began to form.

What follows is a heartwarming story, with a great couple, and wonderful secondary characters.  It is also a story about love, family, friendship and relationships.  When the doggy day care opens, it was fun to see Dale and other older generations spend time there, using the dogs as a reason to relax and feel safe.  I rooted hard for Simon and Emma to be together, as well as Alison and Ryan.

Love for Beginners was a fantastic, captivating, heartwarming story that was so well written by Jill Shalvis. I always come to expect wonderful and emotional stories from Shalvis.   If you have not read Jill Shalvis, what are you waiting for? 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher