Australia Week: New Beginnings by Iris Blobel

Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Levesque has been guardian to eight-year-old sister Mia since their mother’s death a few years ago. Luck comes their way when they inherit a small house in Hobart. Problem is though, they don’t know or have never heard of Clara Bellinger, the testator, and Sophie is afraid it’s all been a mistake.
As Mia settles well into her new school and life in general, Sophie is not only occupied by her search of what connected her to Clara, but also her new studies and the two men, who suddenly have become part of her daily life - Mark O’Connor, the lawyer representing Clara’s estate, and Zach, the hunk from across the road.

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Sophie has been taking care of her sister Mia ever since their mother died four years ago. Mia is only eight years old, so she's much younger than her sister, who's in her early twenties. Even though life isn't easy Sophie adores Mia. All of a sudden their life in crappy apartments is over when they inherit a house. The person who's made them the beneficiaries of their will is called Clara Bellinger. Sophie has never heard of this woman and she's puzzled why she and Mia have been left the house.

At first Sophie is afraid someone has made a mistake, but when the house appears to be really theirs she can finally relax a little. Mia is enjoying her new school and Hobart's fresh air is doing her a lot of good. Sophie doesn't have to do everything on her own any longer. There are two new men in her life who love helping her. The first one is Mark, the lawyer in charge of Clara's will, and the second one is Zach, Clara's good friend who lives across the street. Both of them would love to become more than friends with Sophie, but are they genuinely nice men or are they like the horrible guys her mother always came home with? Sophie is reluctant to begin a relationship. Will one of them be able to win her heart?

New Beginnings is a sweet story about a woman in her early twenties who's had a difficult life. Sophie is strong and determined. Even though she's wise in a lot of areas she's inexperienced in others. This contradiction makes her an interesting main character. Mia is a sweetheart and she brings a lightness to the story. I wanted to see them both happy. Because I couldn't wait to find out the reason they inherited the house and if Sophie would find love I read this story in one sitting. It's a lovely, light read and I enjoyed it very much.