I am so sorry I'm so late to the party on this one, especially as it was such a good read!

Sheryl is a new to me author and Learning to Love didn't disappoint at all. It was deep, a heart tugger at times and feel good moments too. And honestly I was invested as there was a delightful four legged friend - shout out for Dougal!

Wasn't sure what to expect but got a very enjoyable read, that was emotional and had me invested.

Learning to Love is the book that hypnotized me from the very first page and didn't let go until the end.
It is a story about family, about love, the one for others and the one for ourselves, about forgiveness and about strength.
It is also very realistic, and while reading, I could have imagined the real people going through life. It was like hearing about someone from my own environment.

I loved how Andrea's and David's relationship took time to develop, and how they needed some time to learn to love (again). I think that the title of the book is just perfect.

I also liked the small town vibe, or village in this case. I always enjoy stories set in small towns, with only few residents.

The book reads really easy, as Browne's writing style is very good. It's simple yet beautiful.
I also think that the novel was the perfect length. Not too short nor too long.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Learning to love and am looking forward to read more from this author.

Sheryl Browne has a writing style that grips you and hooks you to the pages until the very last word. Her characters are all very realistic and the situations plausible. It often felt like I was stood watching someone else’s life play out in front of me, not just reading about it.

The characters are all worth investing your time in, okay maybe not Jonathan, but then there is always one!! The storyline is tender, and is one of love, loss and life, told in the most caring and mindful manner.

The title ‘Learning to Love’ fits the book perfectly, with both Andrea and David having to do just that. I gasped at each twist and turn that Ms. Browne so cleverly created for them.

The whole book from beginning to end was just a delight to read, it pulled at my heart-strings and had me eager to devour it in just two sittings.

I’ve never really made much of a secret of how much I love Sheryl Browne’s writing, have I? I’ve even quite surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying her thrillers – I’m really looking forward to the third DI Matthew Adams book, Deadly Intent, and I’ll be reviewing it here on Being Anne for the forthcoming tour with Brook Cottage Books. But I will admit that I have a particular liking for her softer side. You might remember (what – hasn’t Sheryl mentioned it in a while?!) that The Rest of my Life was one of my books of the year in 2015, and I’ve been really looking forward to reading another. My goodness, it’s taken me an age though – Learning to Love was published by Choc Lit for kindle in June 2016, then in paperback in April this year, and still it sat on my “one day soon” reading pile. But, at long last, thanks to my extended overseas stay (yes, I’m still catching up on my holiday reviews…), I finally got round to the reading. And, do you know, it was everything I really hoped it would be… and maybe even just a little bit more.

(Blurb)

This was just a perfect holiday read. It’s not deep and serious – although it does have its moments – but it’s not laugh-out-loud chick lit either. It’s a story with family relationships at its heart, and a real sense of community, but with tension, drama, day-to-day chaos, and a lovely developing romance. There’s a really perfect balance here – characters you take to your heart, some very funny moments, but others that have you wiping away a tear.

The author has an immense talent for characterisation – these people are real, their exchanges totally believable, their dialogue so real you can hear it. Although teenagers are fairly uncharted territory for me, I really enjoyed the ones in this book – with moments when I thanked my lucky stars that I don’t come across too many on a daily basis. I loved Andrea, immediately likeable, brave, and with a real inner strength: and I grew to love David after a shaky start. I even liked Dougal the dog.

But my real favourite (with an emphasis on the “real”) was “dotty elderly mother” Dee, her eccentricities both funny and touching, and wholly recognisable to anyone dealing with a similar situation. And the laughter around her behaviour was perfectly judged… there was that feeling that if you didn’t laugh, you might just not be able to cope with it and cry instead.

Heartwarming and gripping, as promised? Absolutely – a great story well told, with a warmth and depth of feeling that touched me to the heart and left me smiling. You can’t ask for much more than that, can you?

My thanks to Choc Lit and netgalley for my reading copy – I’m sorry it took me so long!

Heartwarming, moving and exceptionally authentic!

This is a charming story that reminds us that life is unpredictable and full of curve balls and it's how we approach and handle these highs-and-lows and ups-and-downs that truly make all the difference.

The writing is precise and smooth. The characterization is well done, with a variety of characters that are genuine, compassionate, strong, quirky and lovable. And the plot is a compelling, engaging, emotional tale of heartache, loss, grief, jealousy, friendship, family dynamics, manipulation, mysterious mishaps and romance.

Overall, this is a sweet, enjoyable read about multi-generational, blended families that will have you laughing, weeping and certainly cheering until the very last page.

Thank you to Sheryl Browne and Choc Lit for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a while since a book with a romantic thread throughout has captured my attention. Sheryl Brown’s writing style is imperative in my falling in love with the story. You can feel her own love for the characters and her genuine care for them.

The story is a map of different roads. At the heart is the importance of family and love. Andrea and David are very likeable characters and I found myself investing my own emotions in them, which is very rare for me. However they have to overcome many obstacles throughout the book. Jonathan Eden is certainly an intricate part of the story and he will have you pulling your hair out at times.

The Kids in the book are awesome! Sheryl has them well written and true to form. The neighbourhood biddies are fantastic and well how can I leave out Gran Dee, mothers always know best!

I would love to read a series of novels based on these characters. I want to know what happens in their next adventures!

If you’re a fan of Catherine Alliott, Fiona Walker then this is the novel for you.

This story has a lot to offer - mystery, crime, deceit, love, dotty elderly women... Ms Browne's novel kept me awake into the wee small hours - I simply had to finish it before I could go to sleep. The plotting is first class, with more than enough twists, turns, and layers to keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat.
Not as light-hearted as a typical chick lit (though it did have its moments) it still had all the necessary ingredients I'd expect, as well as tension and drama by the bucketful.