No Skim Zone

Exploring Love and Healing in Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Summary

Evvie Drake is a newly widowed woman, though she’d absolutely hate being called that, trying to navigate a life she never expected to live. When a hot baseball player with problems of his own moves into her guesthouse, the two slowly start to open up in ways neither of them planned. What follows is a heartfelt story about healing, facing your emotions, and figuring out what you truly want.

Rating

Treasured Collection Exceptional: memorable, emotionally honest, and the kind of book you return to long after reading.

Initial Reaction

I’ve loved Linda Holmes since her Pop Culture Happy Hour days she always felt like the older sister who had your back. So when I finally picked up this book, I immediately kicked myself for not reading it sooner. It’s deeper, more layered, and far more heartfelt than I ever expected.

3 Things I Liked

1. Evvie’s emotional journey Watching her grapple with widowhood, confront the truth about her marriage, and figure out who she wants to be for the first time was raw and relatable. The book doesn’t rush her healing.
2. The slow-burn romance actually builds The trust between Evvie and the baseball player, which develops in real time. It’s patient, honest, and so well done that I almost threw the book at one point thinking I wouldn’t get the ending I wanted.
3. The “crying in the shower” moment That mundane scene hit me hard. I always thought crying in the shower was my thing clean, simple, no mess. Seeing it on the page made me feel understood in the quietest, most unexpected way.

3 Things I Didn’t Like

1. The emotional frustration is real At times, these two are so stubborn with their feelings that I wanted to shake them. Effective, but also maddening.
2. Some predictable beats It’s a romance, so certain things unfold just the way you expect. Not bad, just familiar.
3. The tension can feel slow in places  Even for a slow burn, there are moments where I wanted them to talk sooner. But the payoff is still worth it.

Who Should Read This?

Anyone who loves messy, realistic relationships; slow-burn romance; emotional depth; and sharp, warm writing. If you like stories about healing and second chances, this is absolutely your book.

Who Should Skip It?

Readers who want fast-paced romance or instant chemistry. If you prefer lighter, breezier reads without emotional messiness, this might feel too heavy in spots.

Final Thoughts

This book delivers everything I want in a contemporary romance: a deep emotional core, a complicated friendship, fantastic banter, a romance that builds slowly and honestly, and an ending that feels like a reward. It’s heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written. A true Treasured Collection read.