DNF at 36%

I was really looking forward to this bc it's the first of many Emma Lord books on my TBR list. unfortunately... it's really not for me. And most of the issues I have with it are decidedly me problems so it won't stop me from checking out her other books, but it's still keeping me from fully enjoying it.

In this book we have Andie (short for "Andromeda"...cannot tell you how much I rolled my eyes when her ~quirky~ full name was revealed) as our main character, a college student who just transferred to a new school and is seemingly desperate to uphold her late mother's legacy. She's passionate about helping people which is great, but she does it to a fault - to the point where she actively meddles in other people's lives. This really bothered me, probably more than it should have. I would be soooo irritated if I had a friend who was constantly trying to "fix" me or my problems. Let me live!

We've also got the added plot point of Andie's boyfriend having transferred out of his school to go to her old community college to be with her...that's right folks, they pulled a switcheroo on each other. Out of the gate, we've got the miscommunication trope which I HATE, and this is unfortunately not the only instance of it - Andie also gets mad at her dad and doesn't talk to him for months because he seemingly ignored something she sent him, only to find out that he never actually got it??? Why can't people communicate I am begging.

I also had issues with the general tone of the book/MC being overly twee and cutesy and almost toxic positivity-vibes...Andie refers to herself repeatedly as something like aggressively optimistic (I don't remember the exact words used) and like I said, constantly spends her time meddling in other people's problems. I also could not STAND how in place of swearing, she...randomly says names of foods? Like "snickerdoodle!" or "brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts!" I am so serious I wish I was lying. It just feels SO forced and idk how to describe it other than it gives 2014 tumblr vibes. Those who know what I mean will get it.

I will say I didn't hate everything about this book! It's easy to read, with a very conversational writing style, which is why I won't write off everything from Emma Lord and plan to read more of her stuff. I also really liked the side characters of Milo and Shay and was actually way more interested in their lives and perspectives than that of Andie. Maybe that was part of the problem lol

Idk, maybe this book was just too immature for me? Which is not something I tend to think or say a lot - I am very immature - but it felt very heavy on the Y side of YA. Which, it's a novel about a college student, of course that's the case, but it just felt REALLY young to me. And like I said, that's probably a ME issue, not a book issue, but still kept me from enjoying it.

all that to say I'm setting this one aside. Thanks Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the arc!

Begin Again by Emma Lord is a heartfelt adventure following Andie as she experiences the highs and lows of her first year of college. She transferred from a community college to be with her high school boyfriend Connor. Blue Ridge State is Andie's dream school because both parents attended and met there. This place is extra special now since it holds many dear memories of her mother, who has since passed away. Andie forms some deep friendships and discovers herself throughout this book. I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was delightful! I highly recommend it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I will admit, I am not usually one to reach for a YA novel. There’s something about being a late 30s, mom, and professional that makes connecting to 18 year olds tough.

But I have to hand it to Begin Again by @ Emma Lord - this one had me totally invested. I loved the cast of supporting characters and was so swept up in finding out the answers Andie was searching for!

I definitely did not see a couple plot points coming and love when a book isn’t predictable! Though I will admit, I might disagree with many of the characters bagel orders. Also, not going to lie, I definitely googled upside down snowmen!

If you want a sweet romance that will bring you back to starting college where anything is possible - this is the one to grab!

I've read all of Emma Lord's books, and this one was the first set for a new adult audience in college instead of high school. Typically, I do enjoy that new adult age group in books and this one was no exception. There was a lot I loved in this book - the main character reminded me a lot of myself in HS/university right down to the major and constant advice for friends. I *loved* the secret society elements and the connections to the character's mom and the secrecy around a certain podcast etc. The friend group was fun and it was delightful to have a friend who was a bookstagrammer and fun to explore that aspect of life. The main part that lacked for me a bit in this book was the romance, even though it went in a certain (excellent) direction, I didn't LOVE the path there, which I don't want to discuss in too much detail for spoilers, but I know I'm not alone in it.

The audiobook was great though, and I'll still read anything she writes.

I was really, really impressed with this! I thought it was everything you could want out of a coming of age college set story. It had twists I didn’t see coming, which I GREATLY appreciated. It had a dead mom, which I did not know, but it was comforting by the end, thankfully. I enjoyed it a lot!

Alright Emma Lord, it's official. I'm reading any book you write from now on. There's something about Emma's writing that just lifts me up from any black mood and makes me smile. Maybe it's the banter and sweetness between main characters, the weird food combinations and quirky family run restaurants, or even the struggle the main character has at finding themself, always at a crossroad in their life.

Andie Rose has finally made it to the college of her dreams, the one her deceased mom went to. She's ready to honor her mom's memory, maybe follow in her footsteps, and finally be back in the same town as her boyfriend Connor. Her mid-semester transfer was a surprise, but she's sure it will be a good one. That is, until she learns that Connor also transferred - back to their home-town community college.

She tries to make the best of it, determined to carve her place out at Blue Ridge State. Her roommate, Shay, is a bookstagrammer and they instantly hit it off. The RA Milo may be eternally sleep deprived and sarcastic, but he's also helpful in quiet, steady ways, like hooking her up with a work study place when she thinks the task is overwhelming. Andie makes changes right away, getting her fellow dorm room students to bond over a game of Werewolf, like Mafia but with more gruesome deaths and giggling.

Then there's the ribbons. A school tradition that helps you get into a secret society, one that her mom took part in. Andie's never known which society her mother was a part of, so the only option is to get enough of all of them to qualify for all three. And collect enough so that Connor can have his choice too, when he transfers back at the end of the year. At least, that's the plan.

Even with Shay's help in collecting ribbons, Andie finds herself falling behind in her classes. Namely, in her statistics class, with her unyielding professor who thinks the ribbons are a waste of time. Andie starts to question her place at the college - it's always been her dream, but what about after? Did she get in just on her mother's legacy? Is she smart enough to get through her classes? Will she ever fit in with the other students, the ones who don't have to worry about tuition?

A perfect balance of existential angst, slow burn romance, college drama, reconnecting with her dad, and forming lasting friendships, Begin Again is a must read!

I listened to the audiobook, and at first I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stick out the whole story with Georgina Sadler. but soon I fell into the rhythm. Plus, I adored the way she portrayed Milo, Val and Shay. A great listen if you prefer audiobooks!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy through NetGalley.

This one was wonderful❤️

My first EMMA LORD book and It’s absolutely worth it. Will be reading more of her works in future.

Emma Lord struck gold again with Begin Again. Every protagonist Lord writes ends up finding a home in my heart - they're endearing and sweet, and I don't think I've loved a YA love interest as much as I have Milo in a long time.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for my gifted audiobook in exchange for a honest review!!

This was a fun YA novel that focused more on finding yourself with a touch of romance. The ribbon hunting and radio show made this more entertaining. I wasn’t super invested in the story, but no super bored either. I couldn’t even remember some of the friends because I didn’t really care! I do wish I could try this bagel place though!

For someone who is not always a big fan of romances, this one was hard not to enjoy!

This story made me nostalgic for my college days as it follows Andie Rose who has recently transferred from community college to the ultra-competitive Blue Ridge State, wanting to follow in her parent's footsteps, discover her true self and be on the same campus as her long-term boyfriend, Connor. But life never goes as planned, and Andie's only gets more complicated when she realizes Connor has transferred out of Blue Ridge to her community college. As Andie tries to make the best of an unexpected situation, she begins to discover not only what really matters to her, but also who really matters to her.

I really loved all the different relationships explored in this story -- Andie and her roommate, Andie and her parents, Andie and her RA/crush, and Andie and her long-distance boyfriend. There were so many relatable aspects of these relationships especially for a college kid.

Some moments were a little cringe here and there -- especially the cutesy language that gets used by Andie instead of swearing. I think these moments of cringe were elevated to due to it being on audio!

Overall, I did enjoy listening to this story as an audiobook because the pacing and chapters were short and action-packed for a romance read, that I never felt bored or zoned out. From cover to cover, this story was filled with remarkable wit and charm, empowering moments and a powerful theme surrounding the beauty in new beginnings.

Cute YA book. Listened via audio, and narration was GREAT!

Thanks to publishing and Netgalley for this listen and review!
4 STARS

I have love everything I have read by Emma Lord and Begin Again is no exception. Her characters are likable from the start and she has a way of building characters that other authors don't.

I really enjoyed this book right from the start. I love Andie and her desires to follow in her mom's footsteps at Blue Ridge University as a way to feel closer to her. I also love that nothing goes according to plan and that she realizes what's important as well as how to really be herself. Fantastic supporting characters in Shay and Valeria. And I love Milo and his mildly grumpy self.

This is fantastic, clean older YA that I would absolutely recommend and the narrator is really great.

*Strong language (including f-words)
*Previous death of a parent

Thank you to Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc and alc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

This is my second Emma Lord book and is probably my new favorite one. This story follows Andie Rose who is starting her second semester of college at her dream school, where her mother also went. She is planning to surprise her boyfriend, but he transfers back home too. So now she's alone knowing no one on campus, trying to find her place on campus. This is such a good coming of age story and I love seeing stories set in college!!

Begin Again by Emma Lord

This is a beautiful written coming of age story about a young woman in college trying to figure out what she wants from life. She was trying to walk in the footsteps of her late mother who helped others and made her name in the community. She really struggles finding her own space beyond her mother's legacy so you can really feel her personal struggle of finding her own path and giving herself grace as she makes mistakes along the way.

Andie Rose has worked very hard to transfer to Blue Ridge State College. Her boyfriend since she was a child goes there, but more important than that, her late mother graduated from there and certainly left her legacy. But when she arrives, she discovers her boyfriend no longer there having transferred back to a college back home. With no friends, and the inability to do any type of math, she is at first frazzled. She also feels a sense of anxiety always trying to be the best at everything, feeling that is what her mother would expect. But even with her mother’s absence her life has been filled with love. She lives with both her grandmothers and her father is there for her as much as he can be, which sometimes Andie feels is not quite enough.

As she settles in meeting her new roommate, Shay and her RA, Milo she begins to feel as if she has found a home. Trying to be the best at everything can be exhausting and add to that the pressure of work, sliding grades, a relationship that is crumbling, perhaps and trying to be as good as her mother was. The pressure is so high for her that it feels hard to see the forest before the trees.

Narrated by Georgina Sadler did a good job bringing life to Andie and her friends. It made it easy to follow along and listen too. I recommend this coming-of-age story it was wholesome and good. This was a four-star read for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a free copy of Begin Again for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was really good! I felt like the character development could have used a little more work, but overall a great read!

It was a treat to get an ARC of Emma Lord's new book. I have read a few of her books and have liked each one. This one brought me back to my first semester of college and all the feelings of heading into adulthood and finding your place at school, with new people, and with new life experiences. I liked the characters and I felt the emotions of the story including anger at the appropriate part. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook. The narrator was great and I loved listening.

This was a nice story about a young woman (college freshman) learning to be herself and follow her dreams without sabotaging herself by trying to help others. It was really nice to watch this young woman learn and grow and really figure herself out.

The story was pretty straight forward. There weren't many real twists that you don't see coming. This can be ok, but the progress felt a little slow at times.

Overall, it was a sweet and enjoyable read. If you enjoy stories with neat little bow endings, I would recommend this one.

I listened to the audio narrated by Georgina Sadler. She did a lovely job bringing the characters to life and I can recommend this format to audio fans.

I absolutely adored this story!!! I received the ARC from NetGalley and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I instantly fell in love with this college community! This story has strong themes of self discovery and self acceptance that I think so many readers can relate to. The author does an amazing job discussing grief and the struggles young adults face. I will be recommending this book to everyone and I cannot wait to read more!

To me, I couldn't get into this book and I had a really hard time trying to finish. It just didn’t hold my attention because it felt unrelatable and a bit cheesy. I didnt fall in love with the main character. Andie is definitely more on the naive side and it really bugged me that she is such a people pleaser and always trying to solve peoples issue but evade her own issues with her dad.
But it’s a feel good story of a young woman who is trying to figure out who she is and her footing. The message behind it is great for YA audience. I felt too old for it