I love Emma Lord and I don't usually read YA, but I couldn't pass this one up. I really loved the romance and the world-building that Emma did.

I really loved this book! I loved how it reflected a (mostly) realistic view of your freshman year of college and how it can be challenging to find your place. It felt very real and the layers to it was so well done. I like the element of mystery as well, and I REALLY want to go to Bagelopolis!

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Maybe Emma Lord is publishing too many books too quickly? 😬 Regardless, here are my thoughts:

What I Liked:
-Andie is very easy to like. She's motivated (I mean, transferring from community college so quickly?! yes girl) and she is willing to do what it takes to be successful
-Andie's relationship with her roommate, Shay. As with most roommate situations, it took them a bit to warm up to each other but when they did, it was a beautiful relationship.
-The cute little radio show where Andie was able to connect with her mom? Loved this. Andie is a beast at giving good advice.
-Donuts


What I Didn't Like:
-While it was easy to like Andie and her motivation, I also found myself screaming at her to open her eyes and mind to other things than just the few things she was focused on. I mean, girl. There's more to life than Connor and getting back to him. (Though I would have behaved the exact same way). Andie really kind of bothered me at times and I wanted better for her.

Begin Again was a great story about starting over, or really just starting at all. Andre Rose is a mid year transfer to her dream college, the one where her parents met and her mom, who passed away when Andie was 11, left a legacy.

It’s heartwarming to watch Andie recognize that her dreams need to be her own if she wants to really enjoy life. She meets a great group of friends who are there to support her as much as she supports them.

Lord’s writing is funny, believable, and quickly paced.

I am definitely going to check out Lord’s other books!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Begin Again

A Novel

By: Emma Lord

Publish Date: 24 January 2023

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books

Teens and YA

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book Review:

This was a cute story, and I gave the book 3 stars. Andie has a plan to transfer from the community college to a state university. She plans on majoring in psychology. Once she gets there things don’t go as planned. Her relationship with her boyfriend is rocky. He was at the state university but is now at the community college. Her roommate needs a major and Andie has no ideas to help her. She is not used to not being able to help those around her. This is making her realize what she is truly made of. I really enjoy the friendship in this book and how they help each other out.

Emma Lord writes great, interesting, and fully developed characters who you love rooting for in their relationships but also all the other aspects of their journey.

Missed the mark. The story skips from issue to issue and if feels like the MC never stops complaining. Pacing of story also felt slightly off.

In Emma Lord's "Begin Again," readers are welcomed into a tight-knit friend group that resonates with the warmth of a chosen family. Andie Rose, armed with her meticulous plans and unyielding enthusiasm, embarks on a journey at Blue Ridge State, only to find her carefully crafted life veering off course. The dynamics of her relationships, particularly with boyfriend Connor, take unexpected turns, adding layers of complexity to Andie's pursuit of her goals. Lord skillfully weaves a narrative of empowerment, portraying Andie's struggle to redefine success amidst the ruins of her meticulously planned future.

The novel offers a delightful blend of romance and self-discovery, with Milo, Andie's grumpy R.A., challenging her notions of love and relationships. The "Just Kiss Already!" tension adds a charming touch to the storyline, keeping readers eagerly turning pages. Beyond the romantic subplot, Lord infuses the narrative with hidden Taylor Swift references, contributing to the novel's playful and enjoyable atmosphere. "Begin Again" provides a unique peek into the mind of a perfectionist, exploring the highs and lows of Andie's journey as she discovers the power of her voice on the school's pirate radio station, an homage to her late mother.

"Begin Again" succeeds in delivering not just a cute story, but a deeper exploration of resilience, self-expression, and the significance of found family. With its fun and heartwarming narrative, the book is a memorable addition to the YA genre, leaving readers reflecting on the unpredictability of life and the beauty of starting anew.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for generously providing this amazing digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Emma Lord's latest creation, "Begin Again," is not just a book; it's a delightful escape into a world where troubles, sadness, and pains are remedied by the sheer magic of storytelling. Lord, once again, proves her prowess in crafting promising, heartfelt plots that radiate pure happiness, joy, and positive energy. This book, in particular, has earned a special place in my heart, surpassing even my affection for her previous works.

The narrative unfolds with a fresh perspective on college life, steering clear of the regular clichés that often populate such stories. The characters, beautifully flawed and relatable, navigate through their own baggages, making them immensely likable.

From ribbon scavenger hunts to trivia nights, vampire games, and a pirate radio station honoring a new host, each element of the college experience is infused with vibrancy and charm. Lord's vivid descriptions make the reader long to teleport to the past, savoring the fabulous adventures of a seemingly idyllic college life.

At the heart of the story is Andie, a high-achieving heroine with a knack for fixing other people's problems through her anonymous advice column. However, it becomes evident that Andie uses this mechanism to evade her own issues, including resentment toward her father, yearning for her mother, and a strained relationship with her long-distance boyfriend, Connor.

The setbacks in Andie's love life and the unexpected twists in her college journey pave the way for a poignant and heartwarming self-discovery. The supporting characters, including the supportive roommate Shay and the charismatic RA Milo, add layers of depth to Andie's growth.

The charm of the college experience, complete with snow fights, dreamy bagel combinations, and the legendary pirate radio station, unfolds seamlessly. Lord's ability to blend humor, emotion, and genuine moments creates a captivating and authentic narrative.

Amidst the laughter and tears, the book explores themes of self-growth, finding true love, making peace with the past, and discovering one's purpose. Milo, the spectacular hero, emerges as a standout character, stealing hearts with his kindness, maturity, loyalty, and playfulness.

In summary, "Begin Again" is a genuine, heartwarming gem that deserves to be cherished. It invites readers to embark on a journey of laughter, tears, and ultimately, a deep appreciation for the magic of new beginnings. I highly, absolutely, and extremely recommend this enchanting read.

3.75 Stars

Such a fun contemporary novel! I loved the character dynamics and look forward to reading more from Emma Lord in the future.

I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I thought I would. I found the main character to be a little naive and immature for her age. It was a good story, but I was expecting more. I do feel that others will find it enjoyable. I think maybe this was a case where I hyped the book up too much in my mind. I'm confident other people will love. For me, it was just okay though.

This was such a cute and heartfelt book! The author did an amazing job telling this story and the characters were so endearing. It was a perfect adaptation of what many people go through when they are learning who they are and start venturing out on their own. I definitely would recommend this book!

Andie has Plans for her and her high school sweetheart, and in her efforts to surprise him, she finds they are not on the same page at all. As Andie starts to realize she has revolved her life around someone who had given her little consideration, she starts to think about what she does want and how to put in the effort. Great characters, and a nice grumpy/sunshine romance.

I fell in love with Andie’s found family very fast. Her group of friends really came through, even when it would be easy to be torn apart by drama. Obviously I liked Milo the best - cute and grumpy RA with a heart of gold? COME ON! But I also appreciated that he had his own complex story too.

The secret-society ribbon hunt was a bit convoluted for me, but an interesting plot device nonetheless. While I found a lot of it predictable, the story and their interwoven relationships were very sweet and it made me nostalgic for my own college days.

I am a fan of Emma Lord, so I decided to pick up this book and read it. And once again, she didn’t disappoint. Thanks, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC.

As usual, Andie has a plan: Transfer from community college to hyper-competitive Blue Ridge State, major in psychology, and maintain her lifelong goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure despite the nerves that have recently thrown her for a loop. But the moment she arrives, the rest of her plans go off the rails. Her rocky relationship with her boyfriend Connor gets more complicated when she discovers he transferred from Blue Ridge to her community college. Her roommate lesbian Shay needs a major, and despite her impressive track as being The Fixer, Andie’s stumped on how to help. And Milo, her grump of an R.A., is somehow disrupting all her ideas about love and relationships one sleep-deprived wisecrack at a time. But sometimes, when all your plans are in rubble, you find out what you’re made of. And when Andie starts to find the power of her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school’s legendary pirate radio station—the same one her mom founded before her passing—she learns that not all the best-laid plans are necessarily the right ones.

I enjoyed that it started after the winter break. From the back, I could tell that Andie would struggle with her growing feelings for Milko as soon as they met while trying to remain faithful to Connor. I did feel sorry for Andie not having her mother in her life anymore (was best friends with my late mother, so I can relate). But I did admire her desire to try and do better in school, stay faithful to Connor, and her friendships in this new but familiar town.

It was obvious early on that Connor wasn’t a good boyfriend for Andie. I was on #TeamMilo early on. Connor and his family were really the only characters I didn’t like or enjoy.

Emma Lord fans, romcom fans, and fans Just Kiss Already! books, you’ll be rooting for #TeamMilo as soon as you read them meeting. Pick this one up already if you’re a fan of any of that

I’m seriously the worst for never writing this review 👎🏽
But better late than never, I’m going to be gushing now:

I *loved* this book. And I seriously love Emma Lord. She has a gift, she truly always writes people you can’t help but care about, and this was no exception.

I loved the part about how the main characters are college radio hosts. That gave them extra depth and wonderfulness, especially considering there is a surprising legacy over there. And don’t even get me started on their families, I adored reading about their backgrounds and it made me all the more invested in their romance. A perfect, romantic read🥰.

I am extremely upset with myself that I did not read Begin Again by Emma Lord sooner, and I am even more upset that I have never read an Emma Lord book before up to this point. She has received so many accolades as a writer, that Emma Lord should have crossed my path at some point in my book-reading journey. Sadly she has not and now I am behind. Begin Again was the perfect mix of growing up and romance that every person reading a YA Fiction desires.

The story follows Andie as she arrives at her dream college after transferring from a community college, only to find that her boyfriend has transferred to her community college to be with her. As sad as she is, this IS still her dream college, and she dives into everything. Obviously, chaos is about to ensue.

Andie is awkward and weird and I love every piece of her. She is so relatable because of her personality that I think every person could find something to relate to. I also really love Milo. His whole demeanor and personality had me hooked at once. I would have loved to be Milo’s friend. The characters in this book are so different, but make up this little band of friends so perfectly that I kind of hope Emma Lord has a group of friends just like them that she based her characters on.

Not only are the characters fun to read, but they have so many levels that we learn as the story goes on, but the plot line in this book is unique. It’s not just about a girl going to college. It’s really about her finding herself and learning that what you have always known doesn’t have to be what you always know. I am a firm believer that college is where you figure yourself out. You make mistakes. You lose friends. You gain friends. You find your passions. Lord perfectly depicted this in book form. The writing is smooth and the story flows seamlessly. I felt angry, happy, sad, stressed, and tired (Milo!) at any given moment in the book right along with the characters. Lord has a style of writing that just draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. I had to know how it ended.

I know YA fiction is supposed to be for teens and early 20’s, but there is nothing better than a really good YA fiction novel. They are the best at making you feel all the feelings. Lord did an outstanding job of bringing me back to my college years and intricately weaving me into this story as if I were there. Stand out job! I cannot wait to read more from her!

"Begin Again" by Emma Lord is a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and resilience, earning a solid four stars. Andie Rose arrives at Blue Ridge State with a well-structured plan for her future, but life has other ideas in store. Her initially rocky relationship with her boyfriend Connor takes an unexpected turn when she discovers his transfer to her community college. Andie's roommate Shay presents her with a unique challenge, and the coffee-addicted R.A., Milo, disrupts her notions of love and relationships. As Andie's carefully crafted plans crumble, she discovers the power of her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school's pirate radio station, leading her to question if the best-laid plans are always the right ones.

The strength of this novel lies in its authentic portrayal of a friend group that feels like family. The bonds between Andie and her friends are beautifully depicted, adding depth and heart to the story. Andie's journey of self-discovery, along with her burgeoning romance with Milo, is a refreshing and well-executed narrative that keeps readers engaged.

While "Begin Again" offers a delightful blend of romance and self-empowerment, there are moments when the pacing could be quicker, and certain plot elements might benefit from further exploration. However, these minor quibbles don't overshadow the book's overall charm and its message that sometimes, when life derails your plans, you discover your true self. If you're looking for an unforgettable story of love, resilience, and new beginnings, "Begin Again" is a must-read that will warm your heart and leave you with a sense of hope and inspiration.

Emma Lord always make me laugh out loud. Her banter is spot on perfect and her stories have heart. This was no different.

Andie Rose transfers from her community college to Blue Ridge State (her dream school) mid year of freshman year. Her boyfriend, Connor goes there, and she looks at it as a way to reset their relationship to get it back on track. Little does she know that Connor has transferred back to the community college to be with her. Andie stays and decides to make the most of it - making friends, getting a work-study job, and finding her voice at the college's pirate radio station.

I enjoyed reading this - it was a cute story about finding yourself, finding your community, and beginning again. The characters were enduring and it was a fairly quick read.