EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER

I loved this charming and light-hearted story, a @readwithjenna pick from a few years ago! When recently-widowed Evvie Drake rents her house’s back apartment to former MLB pitcher Dean Kenney, the two strike up a congenial if unlikely friendship. They soon find they are in a shared period of mourning: Evvie for the unkind husband she’d been planning to leave; Dean for the malfunctioning pitching arm that caused his premature and very public exit from baseball. As Evvie and Dean consider whether their shared support may be deeper than friendship, this book blooms from a straightforward romance to a genuinely grown-up relationship story. I loved this heartwarming novel about how, in the context of meaningful friendships, unconventional grief and life’s general messiness, there is plenty of joy to be found in surprising new beginnings.

Recently, after trying out a few so-so audiobooks, I had an epiphany: I tried searching for books by my favorite narrators instead. It was my first time choosing an audiobook this way - and I liked it! A great narrator can make the characters come alive, voice another gender without sounding like a cartoon, and make me look forward to rainy 30 degree dog walks. And some of the very best ones have made me fall in love with some of my top audiobooks ever. So happy I can add this one to the list! Highly recommend listening to this one if you’re in the mood for a light-but-not-fluffy, heartwarming book with plenty of warmth and wit.

One of my favorite parts of this book was Evvie’s tender relationship with her Dad, a lobsterman in the small Maine town where she lives. Her appreciation of his hard work was such a sweet subplot, and inspired these lobster rolls. I went to camp in Maine and now spend time in Montauk, so I have opinions about lobster rolls! Perfection to me is one with plenty of tail meat on an untoasted bun, mayo, and a tiny amount of celery for crunch. This one tasted like summer, and made me feel like beach days are around the corner!