a great beach read for the summer. This is an unusual love story with unexpected situations and characters that you can not forget.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is one of those books that takes time telling the story which is something I like.. characters develop. And the story comes together, Jess is shown for exactly who she is a survivor starting over. This could be a great beach read.

At first, I thought the plot was unrealistic but was drawn in by the characters. Although the ending seemed inevitable, the story involved 40-something characters which was refreshing. Ultimately it's a story about hole, resilience and kindness.

Interesting. This story is told in the first person; Jess Cavendish. Jess is a 40-something woman who feels that she's never really made the "best" choices for herself. She finds herself running away from a bad relationship with nothing but a knapsack, a few cherished belongings, some clothes, and a little money. She finds herself living in a tent in a cemetery in Wales.

This is a story that delves into the "human condition" and an individuals reactions/defense mechanisms resulting from an event. In this book we see everything from Jess' perspective with only a glimpse into other characters based on her perception of their actions/reactions. Outside of Jess' revelations and inner thoughts, the dialogue will drive the story. I believe this to be a well written story, with some good characters, and a good flow to it.

I found this to be an interesting story; but, for this reader, it didn't pick-up and get really good until about 60% of the way through. Perhaps that's just me; so don't judge it by my feelings and give it a chance. It might be the story you've been wanting to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Beginning of Everything" and all opinions expressed are my own. This was a bit hard to follow and the whole thing was really slow moving. Since I know nothing about the country it is set in it was also hard to get into the book. The characters weren't exciting or interesting. So much dialogue to follow also. I read the whole thing and was expecting something to actually happen? maybe at the end? no didn't happen. This book was just not for me.

The main thing that bothered me was the writing style - everything (especially dialogue) ends with a question mark or includes an ellipses. At one point i counted thirteen (!!) ellipses on one page alone. And because I'm petty, I'll complain about this other annoying quirk where the mc responds to simple statements with an affirmation when it's literally unnecessary. Examples:
"I'm Mike." "Yes," I agree.
"The thing is," he says, "I really like you." "Yes."
"I wasn't angry, Jess, I was ... upset." "Yes. I'm sorry."
"I love you," he says. "Yes. I love you, too."

The content itself wasn't exciting either - the mc has zero character development, instead good things just happen to fall into her lap and make her life better and she confuses this with personal growth. The love interest's only personality traits are being nice and having a hot ex-wife. The only time i was interested in a character is when the mc's best friend comes to visit but she's only there for two chapters and there was quite literally no reason for it. you could've removed those two chapters and the book would have flowed smoother.

Anyway, this is a book where the characters all talk about nothing and nothing happens. I exhausted the search function of my kindle and they mention putting the kettle on sixteen different times, because all they do in this book is sit around and have tea.

4.0 stars

Thank you to Jackie Fraser, Simon & Schuster UK, and NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book!

This is the second book that Jackie Frasier has written - the first was based in Scotland and this book was based in Wales. I loved learning about Wales as I have found more and more ancestors in my family tree that are from Wales. This book made me badly want to travel there and soak it all in!!

This is a bit of an unbelievable story, but it does show the power of kindness and gratitude. The two main characters are fully fleshed out and would make interesting stories on their own. But again, the way that they meet is a little wild, but something that I could see happening in Wales.

The descriptions of the countryside, people, and the RAIN which I love make Wales sound like a dream. If the people living there are anything like the characters in the book, I would love to live there!!

This book is hard to place in one category, but I think Chick Lit is probably the most appropriate. It was fun. light, and easy to read even though it rained a lot in the book.

Definite RECOMMEND

first, i would like to express my deepest gratitude to netgalley, ballantine, and dell, for the electronic advanced reader copy! the thoughts and opinions in this review are solely my own! 📖🧸😁

2.0 ⭐!

listen, i truly wanted to like this book but the writing style was very difficult to get into when reading it. there were so many ellipses (...), questions at the end of the dialogue, short sentences, dashes, and parentheses. maybe i'm not used to the style of writing but i found it to be really messy and all over the place, as it felt like i was reading a first rough draft copy of the book. it also felt like there were missing portions of the book because it felt like something was missing whenever i was reading the conversations. like these characters pause and hesitate way too much, as well as having way too many internal thoughts in their minds. 🎡💂🏼‍♂️

the whole story/plot line is just very unrealistic. so jess, the fmc, is running away from a toxic relationship (her ex), and she lives from place to place and finds this unoccupied house. she lives there for a while and i found that part to be actually realistic and felt really bad for jess. there comes the guy, gethin, who actually is the owner of the house (not living there yet) and he sees her. he does not yell or scream at her to get out, he actually lets her stay and they become housemates (what 😐). if i was gethin, i would totally be freaked out as to why a stranger is in the house, but afterward, i would help them with food, clothes, etc, not let them become housemates with me. i mean i thought i would get to see jess's journey, but gethin being a super nice person helps her with literally everything. he gave her a house, a job, he introduced her to all of his friends, and almost gave her a car...like everything was handed to her in a silver platter. on the other hand, jess just questions, assumes, overthinks, and never takes any credit when people compliment her; also likes gardening though! however, i wished i could've seen a deeper progression with jess's character like starting over in a new town, or if she never met gethin (made the whole book very unrealistic and almost hallmark-like). ⚯🪄☕👑

and like their connection is just so one-dimensional. both characters acted like best friends rather than them being in a romantic relationship. their dialogue always seemed so confused/indecisive by how it always ends with a question. also, they are so nosy and curious with one another. like gethin keeps on asking her about her past life and jess does not want to share it at all (it is super personal to her where she mentions that she is not comfortable sharing it), and he still wants to continue on asking questions about jess's past life. jess also reciprocates the same energy back, as she admits in the book that she is nosy. i'm like, "read the room, people!" when they talk, i forget that these characters are 40-something and not teenagers. also gethin is just the dullest character i ever read, his only personality trait is that he is nice. there was a part of the book where he was sad about his past relationship, but it was completely his fault for why they broke up. and when they were talking about something serious, they got side-tracked and distracted by jess wearing high heels. let's just say i did not care for both characters. there was a huge portion of the book where they talked about furniture and i thought this was a furniture or an ikea advertisement by how much they were talking about furniture and interior stuff. 🎡💂🏼‍♂️⚡

i'm sad because i was excited to read this book, but i feel like i am not the right audience for it. it was so promising if the book just only focused on jess starting over. please don't let my opinion of the book not make you want to buy it, as i am sure this is suitable for other readers! i hope since this is an arc, then there will be improved changes once that book is set to release on the publishing date. once again, thank you to netgalley, ballantine, and dell, for the e-arc! also, congratulations to jackie fraser for her sophomore novel! 🍸🍹🎉🎈

this book is set to release on september 26th, 2023! 📖🪄🪐

It took a few pages to get into the writing style and the way Jess’s mind works but once I did, I could not put it down. Jess and Gethin were great characters all on their own and together they were like peanut butter and jelly! I loved Gethin’s quite strength and support.

My only complaint was Jess’s lack of confidence in herself, which is understandable in the beginning, but still hasn’t developed by the end. It was sad to see that piece missed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so cute and perfect for summer! I don’t think the author could have done any better! 5 stars for me.

The Beginning of Everything is a charming and thoughtful and really sweet novel.

The premise was interesting. I thought the relationship developed really naturally, and I enjoyed reading about people not in their twenties.

It was incredibly slow paced though, too slow for me to really be interested in it. It took me a few days to finish and I didn’t have the feeling of “omg what happens now” until the very last 10% of the book.

So while it was soft, tender and gentle — and really, the book couldn’t have been otherwise — I just don’t think it was for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was such a refreshing read. I enjoyed the journey so much and I felt like it really paid off in the end and left me with a lot of emotions. There’s a lot of depths to the characters which I always appreciate and the setting was immersive and descriptive in the best way. Will definitely be recommending this to anyone who needs a good pick me up along with a bit of a cry.

This book was so much more than I expected! Wow - wonderful writing, beautiful story, and incredible emotions.

It's heavier than I expected (but do not think that's a bad thing!)

I loved that the characters were older than a traditional rom-com - definitely makes it more believable in my eyes.

Thanks so much for the copy!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book. I was hooked from page 1

Thank you to @netgalley and Penguin Random House International USA for this ARC. Jess ran away from a bad situation. She left everything behind and had no place to live. After pitching a tent in a cemetery for a few days, she notices a house that had just sold. Thinking that the home would be empty for a couple of weeks, she moved in. When the owner shows up, she startles and runs again. After a couple of hours, she tries to break back in when she sees a note written to her from the owner offering his place for her to stay as long as needed. They develop quite an odd but fun relationship. This book was easy and fun to read but unrealistic as well. #TheBeginningofEverything #JackieFraser #Sept2023

This romance novel is the equivalent of getting root canal; long, boring, and desperate for it to be over. The idea was interesting but slow and dull. Jess is resourceful but so anti letting anyone in that she alienates herself. No self esteem. She’s not an admirable or likable character. And the ellipsis, oh, all the ellipsis—I’ve never seen so many in a book. Spoilers--I thought her suggestion for the night after was totally unfair and I thought him bringing home a one night stand was appalling. Not the book for me nor can I recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

On the basis of my love for Jackie Fraser's previous book, The Bookshop of Second Chances, I sought out The Beginning of Everything, and I'm so glad I did. There is something about Fraser's characters that makes me want to embrace them, even when they are acting in unbelievable ways or when they can't see themselves as they really are.

Both in their mid-forties, Jess and Gethen are escaping from unhealthy (and in Jess's case, potentially dangerous) relationships. Jess has been living rough in a cemetery, so finding an empty house is a blessing, and she quickly takes a dishwasher job to save for her own living space. But Gethen, who has just bought the house, trustingly allows her to stay in return for her help renovating and decorating the house. And although they develop a friendship which could turn into something more, Jess insists on paying rent, maintaining her status as a lodger, and guarding her emotions.

I don't consider this a romance, but a deeply felt character study. Although Jess has helped Gethen to emerge from his depression, she sadly feels that because of her past experiences, she has nothing to offer him, or anyone.. Gethen is a treasure--a very appealing character, but he has a hard time breaking through Jess's almost impermeable shell. Fraser tells the story in a matter-of-fact style that works perfectly with the plot and the protagonists. I will definitely continue seeking out her books and her quirky and endearing characters.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

A very slow burn romance, and a beautiful story of a woman rebuilding her life and finding herself after so much difficulty.
I would have appreciated more details about her past so her achievements could have more depth, but I still enjoyed it a lot.

I started this book and inititally thought I was going to stop. However, I am so glad I kept going. It turned out to be so darn sweet and I loved the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a decent time with this book, and I think the things that brought down my rating were very subjective because I may not have been the target audience for this book.
I think the friendship between Jess and Gethin was really lovely to see, and I enjoyed both of their characters. I did find it hard to connect with them however, and this is probably because they are in their 40s, and I am not. Another thing I struggled with was the vernacular or the dialogue. I speak American English, and I sometimes struggled to understand their British/Wales phrases and sentences.
Overall this was not a bad book, but it just was not my cup of tea. I think someone closer to the characters age would really enjoy this.