Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan is a feel-good story of family and friends, and whether there has to be a difference between the two. Published by Harper Collins, the story introduces us to American family Becca, Jack, Izzy and Molly; outsider Flora and Becca & Jack’s friend Clare and her husband & son in England. Encompassing city and countryside; urban cool and rural warmth; friends, relatives and strangers, Sarah Morgan’s book asks ‘Who says you can’t choose your family?’
Flora: Which flowers should I include in the bouquet?
What about the family I want, and that my Mum would have wanted for me?
Jack: What do 17-year-old daughters want for their birthday?
Can I do this – keep my girls safe and happy, but still have a life for myself?
Izzy: Are we going to England over the summer, like we usually do?
Who is this woman, what does she want from my Dad and why can’t I hate her?
Clare: What will they want to eat, when their flight from America gets in?
Should I tell him the secret my oldest friend left me with?
What I thought of the book
‘Family for Beginners’ by Sarah Morgan is perfect for right now – when many of us are either living at close quarters with our relatives or miles away and missing them. The book is about changes we can’t control and how to cope with and make the best of, them. It reminds us that no two families are the same, but gives a heart-warming and hopeful account of what can happen when you find the family that’s right for you.
I’m usually a fairly slow, deliberate reader, but flowed through Sarah’s book in a couple of hours for one reason – it’s thoroughly likeable. The locations are fully formed and describe a range of beauty, from the flower shop where Flora works to Jack’s immaculate designer house in America to Claire’s home in the Lake District with its glorious setting. Food and flowers play a large part in the lives of the characters and are relished in sensorial detail. It says a lot about the book that I’m not sure if most of the scenes were actually described as bathed in sunshine, or if Sarah Morgan just made me feel that they were.
Despite the sunshine, there was more depth to this story than I expect from a ‘beach read’. The secondary characters are interesting, sometimes funny (I’d read Julia’s diary) and give insights into the motivations and actions of the main cast.
Characteristically, I might have expected one of this main cast to make a revelation in the middle of the book, leading to pages of gloom and despair. Not so here – the drama was revealed subtly along the way and, superbly realistically, allowed the rest of the characters’ lives to continue around it.
Best of all, this is a novel where I wasn’t frustrated by the characters’ inability to communicate and left shouting “just tell her!” throughout. Flora, Jack, Izzy, Clare and the others don’t always talk, but I got to know the characters well enough to understand why that was. In turn, that meant that the book moved me more than I was expecting and (spoiler alert, but not really) left me cheered up and grinning at the end.
Sarah Morgan has created a lush world, where genuinely nice characters are generous with their time, their hospitality, their care and their love for one another. If this sounds like the sort of place you’d like to escape to – and who wouldn’t? – then ‘Family for beginners’ is the next book you should start.
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
‘Family for beginners’ ebook can be bought from Harper Collins here, where it is currently available for 99p!
The paperback, which retails for £7.99, is also available at the above link.
Please bear in mind that book distributors; bookstores and delivery companies are either closed or operating with limited staffing – rightly, given the current situation. Be prepared for possible delivery delays and check the website for details.
Photo copyright: Ev Sekkides
About the Author
(At Sarah Morgan’s website, she says)
I love horses, mountains, movies, good food, books, music and anything that makes me laugh.
I trained as a nurse and worked for a few years in the ER, an experience I’ve used in many of my books.
I fell in love with my husband at work because he was cool and calm in a crisis and my life is one big crisis.
I love to travel. In the UK my favourite places are the wild coastline of North Cornwall and the mountains of the Lake District. When I’m craving sunshine I love the Greek Islands. My favourite city is New York.
I’m an extrovert and sitting in silence all day typing is torture for me. I’ve been known to talk to my laptop.
Sarah Morgan is a Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 18 million copies of her books, including ‘One summer in Paris’ and ‘A wedding in December’ and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and have earned her starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal.
About the book
Title: Family for beginners
Author: Sarah Morgan
Publisher: HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-1848457942
Format: Paperback
Trimsize: 198x129mm
Pages: 400
Review by Sharon Corbally
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* We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
24 comments
This sounds like my kind of book and a great read. I might have to download this one!
Yes please do, Sarah Morgan is a fabulous author
Sounds like a wonderful read and what a wonderful way to pass the time while we are all at home! Sounds like my kind of read and I have been on the lookout for a new good book to read. I am heading over to check this one out and will add it to my Kindle 🙂
You won’t regret it as it is a good read indeed
This looks like an interesting book to read on family matter. Thank you for sharing.
our welcome, so glad you think so
I’ve been tackling my book list for the last few weeks, and have been running out of things to read! This seems like a perfect addition.
This sure is Elizabeth, worth checking it out
Definitely a book for now when we are with our families 24 hours a day. Sounds an enlightenning book.
It sure was and entertaining as well Fiona
Looks like a good book 🙂 I think reading books is something one can do in these periods of self home quarantine, Like I have started after a long time.
Exactly, it helps you travel and relax your mind
It’s probably one of the best times to read about families. The book sounds awesome – thanks for the recommendation:)
Your welcome Monika, it is a lovely book
Ooh I’ve been looking at this. I follow her on Facebook and she is advertising it a lot at the moment. It’s definitely on my list
Glad to hear that, he is an amazing author
We are always looking for new reads and this one sounds right up my street. I am adding this onto my list thank you xx
Glad to hear that Melanie
This looks like an interesting read. I am definitely add this book to my list.
Yes please do Sue
Now is a great time to catch up on some reading and this sounds like a very nice book to check out! I love the cover art too! Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome, yes it is a great book indeed
Good to read some books during the lockdown time and this seems like a book I would love to find out more. Thanks for your review.
Your welcome! So important to keep reading to stay entertained