The Art of Starting Over

De: Heidi McLaughlin

Narrado por: Kacy Combest, Christian Barillas

In this journey from first love to second chances, New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin brings a single mom and a widower back home to renew the spark that will light their way forward.

Devorah Campbell’s life falls apart under the pressure of one truth: her husband is having an affair with her best friend. So Devorah packs up her daughter and their shared heartbreak for small-town Oyster Bay, where she grew up. Her relationship with her father is still on the rocks, but Devorah has her brother there—and, unexpectedly, her brother’s best friend.

Hayden McKenna lost his wife a year ago and has struggled with single fatherhood ever since. Moving back home with his son is a last but best resort, a chance to start fresh, surrounded by family and old friends. But when Hayden runs into Devorah, his childhood crush, sparks fly as bright as ever. If only he could make her see them too…

Amid a swirl of hurt and healing, Devorah and Hayden grow closer, rekindling what they had all those years ago to discover that, sometimes, a new start means going back to the beginning.

©2025 by Heidi McLaughlin. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Love the story. Hate the voices

The female narrator is whiny. The male narrator is cringy. Loved the story but I preferred to read it rather than listen simply because of the narrators.

Overcoming Betrayal

I liked how after her life being devastated by the betrayal of your husband and best friend she showed her daughter how to start over and surrounded herself with people who loved her!

Good Book

The story was good kept me listening. Parts of the story seemed to drag on. Could have had more excitement in the story. Was pretty bland and you knew what to expect in the story.

A Beautiful Second Chance Romance in a Small Town

Sometimes writing a review is extremely challenging. This is not one of those times. The challenge this time is to not gush too much or give away some of the amazing plot. How do I get across how entertaining this story is? How do I express what a great escape it was? I tell you that I will be reading this story again and again. I tell you that I will buy the audiobook and listen to it.

Woozers!!! I am so stoked that I got an audio copy. The narrators were fantastic. They made the story even better which I honestly didn't think possible. They put emotions into what was happening, things that I missed. I could hear Devorah's struggles. Marin's frustrations and anger were more than I could have imagined. I could sense Hayden's regrets and determination. Chad's cockiness oozed from my speakers.

The story is a great reminder that things can go wrong, that hope maybe difficult to believe, but you can find or make your own happily ever after. The Art of Starting Over is an very emotional read. I am still at risk of a book coma. At times my heart was breaking. I couldn't stop thinking about Maren. What she went through just felt so real. The teacher in me wanted to take her aside and just let her vent. Thankfully the author created a support group that I would like to adopt. It was the unexpected protectors that took the book to the next level.

The characters have stayed with me. The residents of the small town of Oyster bay are a hoot for the most of part. Their drama kept me entertained for hours. The Crafty Cathys (what some would call busy bodies) are an eclectic group. They helped make Devorah's escape back to the smally town of Oyster Bay a little bit easier. After what she has been through she needs all the help she can get. She needs a second chance at a new beginning.

Not all second chances deal with a couple that lost their way. Devorah does get a second chance with Hayden, her sort of high school boy friend. More importantly, at least to me, was Devorah's second chance with her dad. Grab the tissues, the struggle will eat at your heart. At the end of the story, I was reminded it anything is possible. You just have to open up your heart.

01/01/25 My official first read of the new year. Just as fantastic as the first time I read it.