Thanks to #netgallery for the eARC!

This was my first read of Imogen Clark, and I loved it. A twisted tale. Two women who meet by coincidence (well it seemed so at the start) and but then develop a beautiful strong friendship. While Clio knows a bit, Leah is still surprised how she gets to be friends with Clio.

The four women, Grace, Melissa, Clio and Leah - The four pillars of the story and all connected by one single person - Charles/Ray. I cannot even come to think of how Grace was silent for her whole life. And how Clio soon adapter that as a legacy. Like mother like daughter. Melissa being Melissa never questioned anything/anyone and just went happily with what was there on her plate. What she did to Leah was wrong, but how else could she have made peace with what had happened. And finally Leah. There was no fault of her. There was nothing she could do. And still she was the one who was in most pain and had struggled. Come to think of it, Grace and Clio have only done what they could think of to reduce that struggle of Leah.

The writing and narration has been great. The story has been presented from each person’s perspective and from different timelines. It jumps from one time to another making it all the more relevant and connected for the reader.

I would definitely recommend this book. I loved reading this!

A fabulous family saga. Written in the voices of four women we found out why Clio is knocking on Leah's door. A gripping, twisty read to a great finale. Great characters with lots of secrets and lies.

Loved this book - the characters, the story and the writing style.
I have read other books by this author but this is my favourite
I would definitely recommend this book and any others written by her

I loved this book! It is well written and keeps you interested in the story. Each chapter is written in the first person with their name and time period as the title (then & now). This was a great format for the story as it was easy to follow and kept you wanting to find out what would happen next. Believable likeable characters from the outset had me interested and curious as to the outcome of events. It didn’t feel like there were any filler sections, it all just flowed. I am looking forward to reading more books by this amazing author. Thank you #netgalley

I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Clio and Leah grew up in two different worlds of society. However, their lives become intertwined when Clio stumbles on a family secret. Although you figure out early in the story in what the big secret is, you can'take help to see how this story unfolds.
This story is about loves, loss, betrayal and forgiveness.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I just love anything Imogen Clark puts on paper! The characters in this book felt like friends right from the start. I was drawn in and wanted to follow their stories as their lives and connections began to reveal themselves. I rooted for happy endings for them all! The complexity of choices that were made throughout will make you wonder whether honesty is always the best policy.

First, thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-galley of this book.

I loved this story! I couldn't put it down! The way it was written, I kept saying, "I need to find out what happens next.....just one more chapter!"

Melissa-then, is married to Ray and mother to Leah. Grace-then, is married to Charles and mother to Hector and Clio. Clio-today, has become friends with Leah.

It's a big circle as to how they all come to know each other.
#NetGalley #WhereTheStoryStarts

With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I mostly read thrillers but I also enjoy women's fiction. This is the first book I have read written by Imogen Clark. If you enjoy Amanda Prowse, I highly recommend this book. Based on Where The Story Starts I think I have discovered a great new author.

I was drawn into this book from the first page. The plot was intriguing even though it was obvious early on how Charles and Ray were connected.

The book was told from the POV of Leah, Clio, Grace and Melissa. It was a nice touch to make Leah and Clio so similar but come from different classes. I liked all four women but I especially liked Leah and Grace. I liked Grace and I could understand why she kept Charles`s secret. However if the story came to light in 2019 about the aristocracy it would probably shock no one.

Charles was an interesting baddie. Charles was a `commoner` so i would of liked to have read about his background. I don't think Charles was a bad man but he was definitely weak and probably scared of losing his status in life. I can't believe Melissa didn't question why Ray went away for long periods of time. I was annoyed that Ray walked out on Leah when she was 18 and never saw her again.

I will definitely catch up on Imogen Clark`s other titles.

Where The Story Starts is the story of how two very different women became unlikely friends. Clio is the heiress daughter of a baroness while Leah is a single mum bringing up two children in a small terraced house. When Clio knocks on her door one day a connection is forged and as the book unfolds the two women help and support each other in many ways.
Even though the ending of this book is obvious from the beginning I still really enjoyed watching the story unfold, and this I put down to wonderfully believable characters created by Imogen Clark. The book moves between the past and the current day to reveal the full story but as I said, it really is not hard to figure out what is going to happen. There is a real sense of warmth throughout the book and I think that is what kept me reading.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher,all opinions are my own.

The author is very perceptive in the way she describes her characters thoughts but I struggled to finish this book as the story was very predictable and one I had read many times before. I will definitely check out this authors other books as she is a very strong writer; I just couldn't enjoy this story which has been told so many times before.

Really enjoyed this story. The characters were likable and well written. The story drew me in and was very interesting.

Loved this book- the characters, story and writing style!! I loved the previous books by the author, but this is my new favorite. I just love the way Imogen Clark tells a story. I get caught up and feel like I'm a part of it. Clio, Leah and Grace were my favorite characters. They were all amazing in their own way. Charles was simply a terrible. All he thought about was himself. Did he even love his wife? He honestly thought he got away with everything and was great at keeping secrets/lying. I'm not sure how he was able to keep up his charade for so long. Leah ended up being alone because both of her parents were only thinking about their own feelings. I can't believe how her father never contacetd her. Leah struggled but she ended up being able to take care of herself and two children. I loved the friendship she created with Clio. They were exactly what each other needed. I enjoyed how the book alternated between characters and the past and present. Loved the ending.

Definitely recommend the book and all of the author's previous books!!! I look forward to reading more. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

How are Leah and Clio connected? No spoilers. This is a gentle, well told story of four women- two sets of mothers and daughters- and a secret that unites them. The alternating narration works well as the truth spools out because you'll get the idea as they do. I enjoyed this one more than I anticipate because of the quality of the writing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect for fans of domestic British novels. A very good read.

What a "page turner", definitely 5 stars. So hard to review without spoilers though. The characters really drew me in. Each chapter written from the point of view of one of the characters, skipping backwards and forwards in time. Sounds complicated but written so well it's seamless and just makes you want to continue reading! One of the best books I've read in a long time.
I received an early review copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Really enjoyable read. I guessed early on in the book what drew Clio to Leah but that did not stop my enjoyment of the story. The whole story is really well written and the characters are believable. Both sides of the story come together really well. It was a pleasure to read this book and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Where the Story Starts is on page one. With the body of a woman being found washed up on the beach at Whitley Bay. Who was this dead woman? And what connects her to the other characters met later in the book?

Next, stressed single mum Leah answers her doorbell to a mysterious woman, sure she had stayed in Leah’s cottage years before when it was a holiday let. But what are her true intentions and why is she there?

I wouldn’t want to spoil the intricate plot by revealing too much of the story but suffice to say Imogen Clark is a technically very skilled novelist, deftly creating tensions between Leah, told in the first person, and Clio, the stranger, told in the third, a technique that I thought I wouldn’t like, but in fact works very well.

I am not the target reader, but I enjoyed this story greatly. And whether she is handling the characters or the setting, her prose is always colourful and easy to read. Fans of Postcards from a Stranger will not be disappointed.

I received this novel pre-publication from Net Galley, with the hope that I would write a review. No one, including the author, has had any input into my review nor the rating that I have given.

I have just started reading the first book of this trilogy so will post a proper review when I have read them all

5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! I just didn’t want to put this down and I kept holding my breath waiting for it to all unravel! Lies, lies and more lies!! This is suspenseful and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Great writing! I wonder if they’ll do a movie about this one?

I don’t want to give anything away but, what a tangled web we weave! Things got really crazy in this one and I couldn’t wait to find out how it all went down. Lies, mystery and friendship all tied up together! What’s not to love about that? I loved it and will definitely read another by this author.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the way the characters developed over the pages. Although it was a storyline that I predicted there were still a few surprises long the way and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

In a rush to leave the house with her two children, Leah is surprised when a strange woman is standing on her doorstep. Clio remembers the house from a family holiday and following the death of her father she has decided to visit for old times sake. But the house has never been used as a holiday home so is Clio mistaken or is there more to the story ?

Despite their differences the two strangers hit it off straight away and gradually become the best of friends. But will the truth drive them apart ?

This is a lovely book with some fantastic characters that keep you engaged throughout. The story is told from the present and also the past so we get to find out the truth gradually overtime, as well as finding out more about the individuals involved.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Imogen Clark is a wonderful writer each book is special.I was drawn right into Where The Story starts.The characters the emotions past and present the strength of a mothers love.a beautiful read.#netgalley #lakeunionpublishing.