A 4 Star Review: Julia Munroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet, A Debut, Contemporary Romance with Southern Charm

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

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About This Book:

Samuel was back. It seemed unfair to be blindsided. And in church no less. Shouldn't there be a commandment about that? Thou shalt not step foot inside thy ex's place of worship.

Julia Monroe has just turned forty and has high hopes for a fresh start after the last decade of her life abruptly left her a young widow and a single mom. With both her boys off to college, she can finally focus on expanding her New Orleans-based cleaning business. Julia is ready for new beginnings--but God has other plans. Samuel Reed, the ruggedly handsome Green Beret who shattered her heart over twenty years ago, has returned to town and is the kind of distraction she never saw coming.

After their first interaction in years leaves her mind spinning and her emotions out of control, Julia knows she needs to avoid him if she wants any chance of preventing history from repeating itself, but her meddling best friend keeps throwing them together. And now it seems inevitable that the man who was hard to forget might just be impossible to resist.

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MY REVIEW: ★★★★/5

Rebekah Millet’s strong, albeit new, author voice shone in this delightful contemporary romance featuring a widowed, 40 year old mother of two college-aged boys and a single, former Green Beret. If you’re looking for a second chance romance with a bit of snark, swoon and sass, this may be the book for you!

Highlights:

Heartwarming and Hilarious
Southern, New Orleans Charm
Second Chance Romance
Faith, Family and Friendship
Life After Loss
A Hunky, Former Green Beret MMC
A Widowed, Empty-Nest FMC

I adored the New Orlean’s setting with its historic district, beignets and French Quarter flair. Millet brought the setting alive in a personable, authentic way that I admired. I also loved the hilarious inner monologue Julia had at times as well the characters of Mama and Teddy. I couldn’t have laughed more over their antics, especially Mama’s. The deep friendship and sarcastic conversations between Julia and her best friend Kate were heartwarming and entertaining.

While I enjoyed the story, Julia’s reluctance and petulance bothered me in the first ⅓ of the story. But since I was enjoying the secondary characters and snark, I chose to push on and I was so glad I did. I read a review where the reader didn’t enjoy Sam’s character, saying any man would have walked away after being subject to Julia’s immature attitude but I believe his choices to continue to pursue and serve her was a beautiful picture of his new heart in Christ, as well as a picture of how Christ pursues and serves us, even when we are not the most lovable.

I loved Sam’s character and the change in his life, the way he handled himself and the way he chose to seek Julia out and offer his love. It was rewarding to see Julia grapple with her circumstances and finally tune her ear to hear the answer God was repeatedly giving her. Oh, how many times we pray for an answer, God answers, and yet our hearts are stubborn, reluctant or not in tune to hear His will.

Summary:

For me, this story read much like a romantic comedy, filled with faith, romance, friendship, family, heartache and forgiveness. There are also threads of motherhood, grief, humility, and ministry. I believe it will easily appeal to both secular and Christian readers. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Content and Trigger Warnings: Clean (no swearing or inappropriate content). Loss of a Spouse, Miscarriage, Cheating