Jessica’s New Beginning
Jessica’s New Beginning
March 3, 2026
Adult Fiction - 356 pages
SOFTCOVER @ $24.95
HARDCOVER @ $34.95
Jessica thought she was happy on her own. But when she watches her ex find love with another woman, she realizes that’s what she wants too - someone she can spend her life with. But dating in your late 30’s is not exactly what she expected.
Sometimes when an author gets to their second book, it’s a bit of a letdown. They might not have a vision for where they’re going, or just didn’t put in the work to make the second book as good as the first. I am so happy that Jessica’s New Beginning was not a victim of the sophomore slump.
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Going in, I was worried that we’d already heard all of Jessica’s story in Emily’s Next Chapter, but I’m so glad I was wrong. Ann’s storytelling continues to improve, and she has such a great way of filling in Jessica’s details from book 1 without rehashing everything we already knew. Yes, there is some crossover, but I guarantee you won’t be bored with it!
There were so many deep and unexpectedly emotional moments in Jessica’s story that really made it a standout read for me this year. The wisdom found in a ten-year-old girl honestly floored me.
I only have two complaints with this story - the first is that I’m not a big fan of so many perspectives in one book. 2 POV is about the most I enjoy. That being said, Ann does an incredible job giving each character their own voice. She also made huge strides in narrating a child’s voice, which I’m very appreciative of!
The second complaint is that I hate where the story ended. It felt like a cliffhanger to me and I need to know the rest of the story now! That’s not at all me saying it was a bad ending, I just wanted to live in this world a little longer and get just a little more of Jessica’s story. It’s going to be a long wait to book 3 for me!
Jessica’s New Beginning is an emotionally rich story about rediscovery, resilience, and the courage it takes to build something new after everything has changed.
After the unraveling of her relationship with Lucas, the father of her daughter and the man she once thought she’d spend forever with, Jessica has focused on two things: raising Lily and building her career as a physical therapist. She’s proud of what she’s built, but there’s still a lingering ache where love and lust used to live.
Then comes Will: a teacher with two kids of his own and a sadness behind his smile. His wife passed away five years ago, and while he’s taken careful steps toward healing, he hasn’t opened himself up to love again until now. Their connection is instant, undeniable… and complicated.
Just as Jessica begins to see a future with Will, he finds that his daughter, Sophie, is struggling with this new woman in her life. It was clear that Sophie liked Jessica well enough, but it seemed that Sophie's memories of her own mother were beginning to fade away. To add more to the mix, Jessica sustains an unbearable loss at the beginning of this budding romance. She must decide if Will is the right man to stand by her side.
As tensions grow and insecurities mount, Jessica must determine if she can work through the grief that still lingers in Will’s home and in her own heart. Is pursuing love really worth it? Will the letters from Will's dead wife provide the necessary strength and hope, and perhaps a way forward for this newfound love?
A powerful follow-up to Emily’s Next Chapter, this story delves into the raw and real experiences of love later in life, co-parenting, grief, and the beautiful chaos of starting over.
REVIEWS
Schreiber’s second book in her Starting Over series is such a heartfelt story about hitting the reset button and finding the guts to step out of your comfort zone. I enjoyed learning more about the characters in Emily’s Next Chapter. Schreiber has a talent for showing characters at their most vulnerable, but not portraying that as a weakness. Jessica’s New Beginning really captures what it’s like to start over and grow, even when it’s scary. If you’re looking for something inspiring and real, this one’s definitely worth a read.
A touching, hopeful, and heartfelt story of romance, connection, and finding love after loss.
- Ellie Palmer, USA Today Bestselling author of Anywhere With You
Jessica's New Beginning is a second-chance romance about learning to trust yourself again and open your heart to new possibilities. Ann once again weaves a story full of growth, family, and love that also acknowledges the hardships we face in life & the importance of having a support system around you Jessica & Will's meet cute just warmed my heart and I love how their relationship grew and expanded to also include their children as well. The conversations in this novel moved me to tears at times for their thoughtfulness and realistic nature, which I think just highlights the author's amazing talent.
This novel is an open-door romance with mild spice (/5). I also want to acknowledge a few triggers in case readers need to be aware before reading: loss of a parent, grief/loss, loss of a spouse.