Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
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.
Tags
Is The Art of Starting Over: A Second Chance Small Town Romance appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Parents should know this book deals with adult relationship themes including infidelity, betrayal by a best friend, and the death of a spouse. There's likely moderate romantic content and some mild language, but nothing graphic or explicit.
What to know going in
This book has no graphic violence, moderate sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death of spouse, grief, and infidelity (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens might appreciate the emotional journey of two people finding hope and love after devastating losses and betrayals.