REVIEW: Starting Over by Barbie Bohrman

In Starting Over by Barbie Bohrman, Vanessa Holt doesn’t think she’s ready to start dating again, although it’s been a long time since she’s been in a relationship. However, with her family pressuring her to find a man, she agrees to a date with Cameron Thomas, if only to get them off her back. Yet, there’s a problem. He’s her daughter’s science teacher.

”Sweetheart, you know your mother and I want nothing but the best for you, right?”
“Yes.”
“I – I mean we – wonder when you’re ever going to get back in the saddle.”
I crossed my arms to keep my heart from exploding out of my chest. My cheeks blaze red in embarrassment. Because the very last thing any thirty-something woman wants is her father wondering when she’s ever going to be getting some in this lifetime.

Despite the fact that this book is written only from the heroine’s point of view (POV), and I prefer my romance novels to be from both the hero and heroine POV’s, this book was an engaging, fast-paced, enjoyable read about a heroine feeling pressured by her family to find love again, and a hero determined to show her that love is worth fighting for.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the man that abandoned Vanessa coming back into her life, and the possibility of having to share her daughter with him. Yet, there were some light-hearted moments between Cameron and Vanessa that had me smiling, especially with the references the hero made about himself being a nerd and Vanessa’s family giving her advice because they want her to find love again. However, the moment l liked best was at Josie’s school Halloween dance. Because Josie believes her mom has found the perfect guy in Cameron, and the discussion they have is the turning point in the couple’s growing relationship, as Vanessa no longer feels conflicted about dating her daughter’s teacher.

He leans down to whisper in my ear. “We’re practically heroes…even though we’re sworn enemies.”
“Why did you pick that costume anyway?” I ask him, still in a quiet voice.
“I don’t know, I kind of just really like the look of it.” He stares at me a beat, then asks, ”How about you?”
“As your sworn enemy, I cannot divulge that answer.” I stand on my tiptoes and quietly say, “Plus, Bruce Wayne might get jealous.”

I really liked the main characters, and their intense chemistry spills over onto the pages in nicely-detailed sex scenes. Vanessa has a very close relationship with her family, especially her brother. He’s helped her a lot, and became a father figure for Josie growing up. Then there’s the wonderful job she’s done raising her daughter on her own, which is proven when Josie challenges her about her bad decision concerning her future with Cameron. It was hard for Vanessa to hear the truth, but it was necessary, if she was to overcome her doubts and fears on love. While Cameron, he’s smart and funny. He treats Vanessa like the precious gift she is to him, and helps her at times when she really needs him such as when she gets sick. Proving that he is different to Josie’s father, and no way would he abandon her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Vanessa’s mother and sister-in-law are both absolute hoots. Vanessa’s mother because of the inquisition she gives Cameron when she first meets him; and her sister-in-law because she’s the sister Vanessa always wished she had. I liked when she defended Vanessa to a woman after Cameron and her comparison of baseball to sex. Both made me laugh.

The epilogue wrapped up the story nicely, as Josie gives a beautiful speech about her mom and Cameron that would make a mother proud, if their daughter was to deliver a similar speech. I would recommend Starting Over by Barbie Bohrman, if you enjoy heroines with nosy families that want them to find love and happiness again.

Book Info:

Publication: January 19th,2016 | Montlake Romance |

Single mom Vanessa Holt has a daughter she loves, a supportive family, and her art. Having given up on finding true love—if that even exists, which she doubts—she’s content to put romance on the back burner. But not everyone agrees. Those nearest and dearest are ready to see Vanessa let down her long blonde hair and have some fun.

To put their grumbling to rest, Vanessa agrees to go on a date with the next man who asks. Luckily for her, that man is Cameron Thomas, her daughter’s extremely handsome science teacher. She’d felt a spark of chemistry the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Now she’s ready to lay a whole lot more on the sexy bachelor.

But just as things get hot, they also get heavy. When the man who broke Vanessa’s heart reappears, her old doubts and fears about love rush to the surface. Will her fresh start with Cameron be over before it’s barely begun?