Firstly, this is my first Sarah Morgan novel and although I am familiar with name, I have not yet have read her books until now. The only thing is that I can say is that now, I know why this author has such good word of mouth and I am thoroughly and deeply impressed.

The novel is rife with deep emotion, empathy and understanding which is rewarding experience as the reader is able to experience the pain of passing and how each character is able to guide you through the many facets of the emotion. The characters are all deeply written with a three dimensional concept that breathes life into them. Dealing with death in a family and people on the outside looking in, Morgan does an exceptional job to explore the many levels of grief.

The plot flows at extremely good pace and the personal experiences found within the pages makes the novel even more engaging. The many different aspects of the novel are fully explored giving the story an overall richness.

Overall this is a fantastic read that should be experienced by everyone. With its fully developed and realised characters to the exceptional way the source material is handled. Morgan has deserved her crown of fiction and here she shows what her calibre is able to accomplish. A must read.

I am a massive fan of Sarah Morgan, I have read many of her series of books, my favourite being her 'From Manhattan With Love' series. I've read a few of her stand-alone novels too and recently reviewed the wonderful 'A Wedding in December' so I pounced upon the chance to sample her latest work and I was not disappointed.
Families are a complex thing, no two families are alike yet I think we all have that idea in our heads of how a family should behave. In reality, there are no set rules and everyone has to find a way to make their family work, and joining a new family can be hard as our heroine Flora discovers. Her new man Jack recently lost his wife, Becca, less than a year ago and still bears scars naturally. Jack seems perfect but although he wants her in his life, he doesn't seem to include her in everything as she eventually discovers. Jack's two daughters are very different in their attitudes towards the newcomer into the fold, the younger daughter Molly's acceptance and the elder daughter Izzy's hostility. So it's inevitable things don't go to plan and a holiday with her predecessors best friend doesn't sound like the best idea, especially as Becca seemed to be the perfect woman.
One of the main messages of this novel is to be yourself. If you're trying to it in or putting on a different persona to your own then it's not long before things go wrong. By being true to yourself, by remaining honest with those you love, that's how you resolve problems and learn to live together happily. A good lesson for us all to learn.
Also set primarily in the Lake District setting which I love was a great pull for me and I loved the idea of the boathouse on the lake and all that lovely scenery on your doorstep. Sarah has a wonderful style of writing that just brings everything to life so vividly and clearly. And a bonus was that the dog's name was Chase, just like my sister's adorable bundle of fluff.

I’ve got to come out with it straight away. I can’t possibly talk about anything else before I come clean and tell you. I loved this novel so much; it was velvety smooth, beautifully written, meaty with fabulous content and characters that were special. It is almost as though I was within the story and I really care about what is going on. I turned each page with expectation and there was not an iota of it that I didn’t enjoy. I read on so happily, immersed in the storyline. I have to say I have always admired this very talented author and I have collected her novels obsessively. I always feel a sense of desolation when I come to the end and know I will have a long wait before I can identify with Sarah’s characters, stories and read a really enjoyable novel again. Yes, I’m a huge fan of hers. She has captured my loyalty and I relish each book I read.
Flora takes after her mother in her choice of vocations, picking a position she will enjoy and has a great knowledge about. She works in a florists shop and derives great pleasure from creating exquisite and bespoke bouquets for her customers. She has the flair and skills that ensure she is popular and customers always want her to make up her magical creations for them. One day a stranger comes into her place of work and tells her he wants a special bouquet made up for Izzy, his treasured 17 year-old daughter. He watches Flora’s nimble work and is thrilled to bits with her handiwork. Little does Flora know, but this man, Jack will change her life forever. This is the start of a rollercoaster courtship between the two of them. It’s not an easy pairing. Jack is a widower with two girls, Izzy and Molly, ten years her junior. His family are still traumatised by Becca, their mother’s, sudden death a year earlier which has devastated the family. This is the heart-warming love story of Jack and Flora.
Sarah tells her story with oodles of compassion and understanding. Her writing is like the most wonderful dream that you don’t want to end. She handles issues that arise during Flora and Jack’s tender romance brilliantly. These include jealousy, resentment, fear, anger, envy and lots more. I’m writing my 5* review fluently and easily because if I could give her higher marks, I would. I loved Flora and thought her handling of the two girls was full of empathy and insight. I was absorbed by the storytelling and loved the way Sarah carefully considered each character’s point of view so effortlessly. She has amazing creative flair which is at times poetic and lyrical. I thought Jack was caring, kind and it was so obvious to me that they were made for each other. There were shocking revelations and I loved the way the various story threads were seamlessly woven together into a very satisfying ending. Secrets tumbled out and mended this broken family, making sure that their future would be very bright.
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher HQ in return for an honest review. Thank you for my copy. These are my own thoughts and I have read no other reviews before writing my own. I really loved this novel and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it.

Another heartwarming and rollercoaster read by Sarah Morgan. I have really enjoyed this, but not as much as I liked wedding in December. Unfortunately this has been missing something for me so I feel unable to give this one five stars. However this is definitely an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more by this author ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another heartwarming and rollercoaster read by Sarah Morgan. I have really enjoyed this, but not as much as I liked wedding in December. Unfortunately this has been missing something for me so I feel unable to give this one five stars. However this is definitely an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more by this author ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a heartwarming read that makes you laugh, smile and feel all warm inside.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Family for Beginners follows Flora as she navigates her way through a new relationship with widowed Jack and his daughters. Throw in the annual family trip to the Lakes to stay with his late wife’s friends and plenty of family secrets and Flora begins to wonder whether this family is right for her....

A quick, engaging story which I think would be a perfect summer beach read. I enjoyed the switching narration between Flora, Izzy and Clare and the descriptions of family life and the way in which we try to present ourselves how others want to see us.

Sarah Morgan knows how to write a heartwarming read. For me personally, although this was a nice story, it didn’t quite hit the mark and didn’t really hit its stride until about 2/3 of the way through the book. Also wondered what hold Becca had over everyone when its clear that she really wasn’t a very nice person.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Flora has been lonely for the whole of her life, after her mom dying when she was eight years old and forced to live with her auntie who didn’t want hot look after her sisters baggage. She meets Jack when she comes into the florist where she works to get a bouquet of flowers for this daughters birthday. She falls in love with Jack but will his two daughters accept her into their family when it has only been a year since their mom died.
Great book of love, family and relationships. Another brilliant book from Sarah.

The contents of a mysterious letter teases the reader in the prologue of this story Are all families as they seem?

When Becca dies she leaves behind a broken family and devastated friend. All hiding secrets from each other.
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Eventually husband Jack meets Flora, and she must face the ghost of Becca, the perfect wife, mother and friend.

As the characters develop we see all sides of their emotions and are soon privy to some shocking home truths.

I found this a little confusing to start but I soon felt a connection to the characters and willed for a happy ending.

I have read several of Sarah.s books and love the way that she makes her characters seem real.

Flora is a people pleaser, working in the same Florists her mother worked in, always trying to please. One day Jack comes into the shop looking for flowers for his daughter.

A relationship begins and a beautiful story is told.

Another amazing book from Sarah Morgan. If You’ve ever been part of a family you will laugh and cry at some of the antics of this family as they get to know each other afresh as Flora joins them. We all have either skeletons in the cupboard or secretes and this family is no different. Although an American family they travel to the Lake District to join close friends for their annual 3 week holiday and encounter fun, scares, and the beginning of a life ahead.
Thanks Sarah and NetGalley.

Another fantastic book by this author it was a saturated storyline and would definitely recommend to others and give this a four star rating

This book will warm your heart as the aptly named Flora the florist tries to integrate into a family deep in grief following the sudden death of Becca. Izzy the teenage daughter dislikes Flora but Flora is determined to try and win her over.The journey is a long and trying one. I could not wait to find out the secret about Becca. Sarah Morgan has done it again.

Another fantastic book by Sarah Morgan, an author I have recently discovered through Net Galley. Jack & the girls appear to be such a lovely family, going through such a dreadful time, that you cannot help but hope they all come through it in one piece. And you cannot help but love Flora - she is so fun, understanding and kind. She seems to have the ability to see things that other people just don’t. Throughout the book, you are aware that there are things yet to be revealed but, although I had an idea of what some might be, I didn’t guess it all!

I would highly recommend this book - it was a great holiday read - and thank Net Galley and the publishers fo letting me review it.

Family For Beginners is the second book by Sarah Morgan that I've read. I really enjoyed the story and read it pretty quickly, reading it in two sittings.

I liked the three differing points of view, though I have to say, I would have liked to see inside Jake's head at times! The story was well written and I really liked the setting once they got to the Lakes, where the addition of Clare and her family brought the book into its own. My one bug bear was just how quickly it seemed that Izzy turned around, but that's just me.

The underlying issue of Becca throughout the book was well done; though I felt like the big secret was alluded to for so long, I almost expected it to be something bigger if that makes sense.

Family For Beginners by @sarahmorganwrites . Published by @hqstories 💕💕
Sarah has treated us to another great book.
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We all have a certain member of the family who we refer to as ‘the head of the family’ or ‘the glue that holds everyone together’
Sadly when that person passes away - from time to time crackers within the family can begin to appear all because that ‘glue’ is no longer there.
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Here is what happens within this family. Jack has lost his wife Becca and is left to raised their 2 daughters Izzy & Molly.
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Along comes Flora who slowly starts to build a relationship with Jack much to the displeasure of Izzy.
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Wanting to keep things as normal as possible for his girls- Jack wants to continue with the family tradition of going on holiday to the Lake District and meet up with friends Clare & Todd.
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Only 12mth before her death Becca discloses a secret to her friend which now Clare wished she wasn’t told. It’s almost feels like it’s becoming a burden.
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Jack asks Flora to come along to which she reluctantly agrees. Izzy is far from happy with this arrangement and the progression of this relationship. Which is understandable given that she’s only recently lost her mum.
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It is a very emotionally charged book that tackles some very hard emotions. Grief, loss, love , secrets, feelings and rebuilding.
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An emotional ride which is so so well written.
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Following an extremely stressful few weeks it was so relaxing to finally be able to read Family for Beginners. Thank you netgalley! Sarah Morgan is one of my favourite authors and her stories never fail to entertain. Having read almost all of her books I can honestly say they just get better. I thought this book was very different to her usual style but as excellent as always. Flora is a florist who in the course of her work meets Jack who is a widower with two daughters, stroppy teenager Izzy and little Molly. Their relationship flourishes but Flora is resented by Izzy though not by Molly. Izzy in particular is still grieving the loss of their mother Becca who seems to have been perfect. Jack wants to continue the family tradition of holidaying in the Lake District at the home of Becca’s friends Clare and Todd. Flora reluctantly agrees to the trip. Before Becca died a year previously she had told Clare a secret. Clare wishes she hadn’t and that the secret had died with her. During the course of the few weeks holiday secrets emerge but relationships are glued. This story explores relationships, grief, loss and love but also building a solid family circle. Highly recommend!

Emotional Rollercoaster....
Well rounded and credible characters that jump from the page and an emotional rollercoaster in this family drama from Sarah Morgan. A book of second chances, love, life and intense relationships with an engaging storyline. It is an emotional read but also one to generate smiles and a definite feel good factor by the end.

Lovely book.
The story of a family whose lives change when the wife/mother dies. Facing a life with the important person in their life the husband and kids try to carry on as best they can. But each person is carrying secrets. Friends of the wife who died is also carrying a secret. Jack meets a lady named Flora, who also has things that she’s never confided in with anyone. The eldest daughter of Jack has issues with Flora as well as herself. Revelations follow from everyone when they visit Clara and Todd at their favourite holiday place.
Recommend it.