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The Beginning of Everything
The Beginning of Everything: A Novel | Jackie Fraser
3 posts | 3 read | 5 to read
An irresistible friends-to-lovers novel of resilience, hope, and new beginnings from the author of The Bookshop of Second Chances A charming book about hope for a new life full of love!Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of All the Days of Summer After escaping a bad relationship, Jess Cavendish is running and leaving it all behind, carrying just a few treasured belongings in her knapsack. She needs to start over, but that means sleeping where she can and making the most of her slim savings. Luckily, she comes across a recently sold, unoccupied house. It couldnt hurt to stay there while she saves up enough to get her own place, right? Gethin Thomas is also looking to move on after the end of a long-term relationship. Hes returned to his hometown, anxious to renovate the fixer-upper he bought and move out of his sisters cramped guest room. When he walks through the door one morning, he finds Jess, whos ready to run again, and surprises them both by offering to let her stay. It feels like the right thing to do, but Jess doesnt want a handout. They strike a bargain: Jess will help with the restoration, furnishing, and decorating in exchange for room and board. While they peel wallpaper and shop for new furniture, an unexpected friendship develops as they bond over music and food, and slowly open up to each other about their pasts. When its time for Gethin to move in, he convinces Jess to be his official housemate and she agreesso long as he lets her pay rent. The connection between them soon shifts to an attraction that seems both inevitable and overwhelming, and Jess must decide what she wants. With so much hurt in her past, can she risk loving again? She was brave enough to reach for a new lifeand now a future she hadnt even dreamed possible could be just within her grasp.
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julesG
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Pickpick

Jess is squatting in an empty house when the owner suddenly shows up and she has to run away again. She fears the worst when she returns a few days later, but finds a note from the owner who invites her to stay. They meet, strike a bargain, and Jess helps fixing and furnishing the house. When Gethin moves in, Jess stays as his lodger. Soon it feels like they are more to each other than landlord and lodger, or even good friends. But even though ⬇️

julesG Jess likes to travel light out of necessity, she has a huge load of emotional baggage that she needs to sort through first.

I liked that both MCs are middle-aged and with a bit of life experience under their belts. Both have had rough breakups. Both have had interesting but completely different lives so far. So, do opposites really attract? I found this a hopeful #romance with believable characters and believable problems.⬇️
3mo
julesG The #audiobook was a delight as the story is set in a Welsh town and I'm a sucker for a well-narrated book with accents. 3mo
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CleverGirl
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Mehso-so

I really loved The Bookshop of Second Chances and I wanted to love this but it was…ok? I appreciate that it was allegedly about people in their 40s but they could‘ve been 25 and it wouldn‘t have changed much. I only held out because I thought there was going to be some big reveal about Jess‘s ex. Eh. A lot of dialog. Not much plot. I guess if you want something cozy and sort of nice, here‘s your book. Will I still read her next book? Probably.

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monalyisha
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An imperfect romance novel but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I get the feeling I‘d love Jackie Fraser IRL. Her writing just clicks for me.

Why is it imperfect? It‘s bit of a ridiculous premise. Some suspension of disbelief is required. I think Fraser‘s self-aware and does her best to acknowledge the improbability of the situation. By the book‘s conclusion, there‘s at least one unaddressed loose end - & the end we get is more telling than showing.👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: HOWEVER, the telling was sort-of required, since one of the protagonist‘s (understandable) weaknesses is her avoidance and reluctance to communicate and share pieces of herself. And it was so refreshing to read about an aging alternative woman! She‘s not your typical romance lead and I love her (and the author) for that. (edited) 3mo
monalyisha 2/2: Her taste in music, movies, and her past spent living on the fringes of society (by choice and by necessity) were all details I haven‘t encountered yet in this genre. There‘s a recognition of class, privilege, and trauma that‘s often skimmed over (especially the first two), which felt true and real. And there‘s a sense of joy and humor that shines through, too. The Welsh setting is icing on the cake. In all, bravo! (edited) 3mo
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