Though reading about grief and loss aren’t usually what I gravitate towards, I have a read some interesting books recently by authors tackling grief. Since neither really fits the usual trope romances, but nor are they completely sad, I thought a review would be helpful to those unsure if that’s what they want right now.
They fit just as much into a fiction category as romance, but I discovered them when searching for romance. Are we going to get a happy ending here? Yes. Are we going to be better people at the end of the read? They will certainly make you think.
Check out these hotter romance novels, if prefer.
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Romance books dealing with grief and loss
Evvie Drake Starts Over
By Linda Holmes
Eveleth “Evvie” Drake is the resident window a small, seaside town in Maine. She rambles around her large house, rarely leaving. Everyone assumes she’s still grieving the loss of her husband, nearly a year later. Evvie doesn’t correct their assumptions.
Meanwhile, Evvie’s best friend, Andy, suggests she takes a tenant to help her make ends meet. His childhood friend, Dean Tenney, a former major league pitcher who is suffering from a case of the yips, is in need of a place to wait out the paparazzi while also trying to figure out the rest of his life.
Evvie and Dean agree to the arrangement and Dean moves into the apartment at the back of her house. They set some ground rules: Dean doesn’t ask about Evie’s husband and Evvie doesn’t ask about Dean’s career. Obviously, rules get broken.
This book deals with grief and loss – the loss of Evvie’s husband and the loss of Dean’s career. Two different kinds, but both consuming. The story also deals with abusive situations.
I enjoyed watching this story unfurl. The characters are well fleshed out and even supporting characters are relatable. It tackles several tough topics and still manages to be real. If you’ve ever lain on the ground in a dark room, hoping that someday, you’ll feel better outside of that room, you’ll “get” this book.
The Garden of Small Beginnings
by Abbi Waxman
Lillian Girvan witnessed the car crash that killed her husband. This led to a mental breakdown of epic proportions. However, she’s come a long way in three years and finally feels like she’s getting the hang of being a single mother to her two young daughters.
Though she’s becoming a bit underwhelmed with life, she still appreciates her job as a textbook illustrator. Where else are you going to draw a whale penis? Up next, a vegetable gardening class that her boss asks her to take. Lillian drags along her children and sister to the Saturday class.
I read this book thinking that it would be a hot and heavy romance. It’s not. At least, the romantic option certainly isn’t the focus. This is a story about sisters who are each other’s friend and support system, especially during a time of great need. Even through grief, the story is witty and warm.
The cast of supporting characters that we meet in the gardening class are also pretty darn amazing. And finally, the romantic element that’s there is perfect and leaves us wanting more. It leaves us wanting to find those people in our own lives.
They are out there, you only need to look.
Paris is Always a Good Idea
by Jenn McKinlay
Chelsea Martin is stunned when her father announces that he’s getting remarried to a woman he’s only known for two weeks. She’s forced to confront an uncomfortable truth about herself: she hasn’t been able to move forward with her life since her mother’s death 7 years prior. Chelsea realizes that the last time she was happy was during her travel gap year. She sets out to Ireland, France, and Italy, to find the three men she fell in love with in each country.
Her plans are thrown a wrench in the form of her coworker and business rival, Jason Knightley. But is there more than meets the eye where Jason is concerned?
I loved this book. I had hearts in my eyes through the romantic times and tears during the sad times. I will say that I disliked the beginning. If anyone in your life was announcing they were going to marry a person they’d only known for two weeks, it would be a folly to not tell them that it’s very crazy. Her sister did guilt trip her about that – and I think Chelsea’s reaction was totally warranted. However, I liked the writing well enough to keep reading through my discomfort. I’m glad I did because my reward was huge.
This book delivered on over the top romance scenes that just fit right into the odd and lovely little world. Plus, you get to visit a tiny village in Ireland, Paris, and a vineyard in Tuscany. I loved it.
Conclusion
Many romance novels don’t take you so deeply into people’s lives. While we are often exposed to the thoughts of the heroine or sometimes both the heroine and hero, these particular books take you on a bit of a different journey. It’s tougher to write good stories that involve grief and loss, but they are so wonderful because we can learn how others can move beyond their losses. Sometimes, books like these will nourish the soul, touch something we crave but don’t know how to ask for.
Do you have a favorite romance novel that deals with grief and loss? The best feedback comes from readers! Please leave a comment.
