Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet is one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read. I don’t particularly care for the enemies-to-lovers trope, but Millet did this trope right. I was engaged from the first page, I hated having to put the book down, and I ran the gamut of emotions with this story. I find I’m actually having a hard time with this review because my feelings are all over the place with this read. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, I cheered, and my heart burst with joy by the end. And the topics in this book are so big and meaty. This was one of those stories I would tell my husband about so we could discuss the big idea the characters were dealing with in the moment. I love when a book makes you want to chat with those around you. I really loved Millet’s characters. Kate is a great best friend who is not afraid to tell Julia truth, even when it may sting a little. I hope she is the main character for book 2! The kids are awesome — Conner, Mason, Hayley, and Brooke. I enjoyed watching Hayley, Kate’s adopted daughter, in all her tween glory. She totally reminded me of my daughter. I love, love, love how Conner and Mason love Julia and do all they can in their teenage way to take care of their mom. They are super sweet boys. And Brooke is great. I actually wish there had been more father-daughter interaction between Samuel and Brooke. It is very clear Samuel adores his kid. Julia is a delightfully complex heroine. She’s just turned 40, is a new empty-nester, has been widowed for ten years, and does all she can to support herself, her boys, and her church community. Julia is incredibly relatable. When you lose a loved one to an accident, you do go a little overprotective-crazy. You worry about the other shoe dropping ALL. THE. TIME. Because of this, you then hold on tightly to the loved ones you have as if you could actually control something. What I appreciate and respect about Julia is that, yes, she is super overprotective of her boys, but she knows it so she sets reasonable boundaries. I also really get her strong need to protect herself and her heart against Samuel. Samuel hurt her deeply in her early 20s. Add the pain of losing her beloved husband, and all of Julia’s hang ups make so much sense. Samuel is a superb hero. Yes, he messed up BIG time in his early 20s, but over the last 20 years he’s done the work and become a good man. I adore how he desires to care for Julia, and I love his protective streak. That will always make my heart swoon.

This review doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface on how good this book is. Julia Monroe Begins Again is an excellent Contemporary Romance and I highly, highly recommend this story. This is a story you do not want to miss!