If you found a woman living in your unoccupied new home, would you let her stay? That's what Gethin Thomas must decide when he encounters Jess no last name in his home. She has left a terrible relationship and is prepared to run again, but Gethin is sympathetic and invites her to stay. Together they decorate and renovate the house and become good friends, although Jess is still closed mouthed about her past life. When they realize they are falling for each other, a terrified Jess bolts and finds another place to live. Jess soon learns you have to let the past go and embrace the future. A lovely story of compassion and resilience.

A sweet love story, however the entire time I was waiting for something to happen with her ex. For me, i think everything was too sweet. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I thought this was a sweet friends to lovers. The characters drew me in along with the premise of this story.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Dell an Imprint of Random House Publishing Company. This story line can be read anywhere but I would recommend a mature reader. It has love, mystery, drama and suspense! Jess a girl that probably hadn't picked the best guys or had the best luck in the love department. Will that turn around or is she better left alone. Gethin had it all or so he thought until he didn't. Can looking back in your past help solve the problem or create more problems. Can helping someone out help heal the hurt of the past. Love is a marathon not a sprint if you can open your heart to it. But can to many hurts shatter the heart forever?

This book really took me by surprise. Not much happens— you should know that going into it. But the way the characters developed throughout the story and shared their various vulnerabilities was truly unique. I felt like I knew them both intimately, but all of that information came through the dialogue and the way they interacted with one another. The back stories, while important, had nothing on the dialogue. The author was great at showing their fear and uncertainty without hitting the reader over the head with it. This was a slow, sweet romance and a nice surprise. Bonus points because the characters were 45 and 48. It was a good reminder that insecure people who fall in love still act like children, no matter their age.

I did bump it up half a star more than I originally wanted, because part of the problem was me.

Plot-wise, it felt unrealistic from the beginning, and that sort of carried through the story until at LEAST halfway. I found it exceptionally odd and almost ridiculous that someone would be willing to let a total stranger stay in their home after walking in and realizing they've been squatting there for some time. Gethin's willingness to help her made sense, but letting her stay and giving her all these things felt crazy, and it was hard to get through.

The writing style wasn't for me - I'm used to American English so the structure was different, and I wasn't sure what some sentences meant. That's not the author's fault at all, which is why I bumped it to a solid 3 stars, but it was another thing that made the book even slower to me. And the book was already slow enough.

The pacing was very long, partly because I wasn't into it, and also because not a lot happens. It feels like every day was basically the same - they woke up, they talked a bunch, hung out with each other and/or friend(s), talked some more, went to bed. It took forever for something to happen, and even then it was probably 70% into the book before it picked up slightly. Plus, I was expecting more to happen with Jess's past. I mean, she's 45 and ran away, and all we see from her past is her friend. We saw more of Gethin's history than hers. (Also, Gethin was just a little bit boring. He didn't have that much in his character other than "he was nice".) So it wasn't that... exciting to me. Sorry, author, but it's true.

thank you Netgalley for the free copy

Character development was great, Jess had a backstory which I think made a more relatable character and great depth. The setting was described beautifully and really made you feel like you were immersed in the story. This didn't read like a typical romance, which was enjoyable because it was kind of like a palate cleanser.

3.5/5 stars

I love a story with a fresh start, especially while overcoming trauma. Even though that is the heart of this novel, I struggled to connect with the characters in this book. The way they met and got to know each other was just too big of a stretch for me. It was a pleasant book overall just maybe not for me.

Trigger Warning: mentions domestic violence

Thank you to Random House Publishing group and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful book about moving on in a new season of your life and trying to live life to the fullest. I have read the author’s book The Bookshop of Second Chances and was honored to be able to review the this book. Highly recommend

I appreciate seeing the author give such nuance to a character that is so clearly down on her luck. Culturally, the protagonist's position is often looked down upon. This author made Jess dynamic and thoughtful, showing how situations can very often be out of someone's control. That being said, the basis for the squatter to friends scenario, just seemed to farfetched. I like Jess, and I like where she took her. The premise made it all just a little too unbelievable.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Das Buch enthält eine größtenteils sehr ruhig erzählte und sich auch ruhig entwickelnde Liebesgeschichte. Ein Paar werden die beiden Hauptcharaktere erst gegen Ende des Liebesromans. Das hat für mich gut gepasst, da alles andere auch nicht zu Jess gepasst hätte. Sie brauchte Zeit, um wieder an Vertrauen zu sich selbst zu gewinnen und sich etwas neues aufzubauen.

Ich mag generell ruhige Liebesromane, ein paar Szenen zogen sich allerdings schon etwas und meine Gedanken sind beim Lesen abgeschweift. Vor allem ein paar Dialoge hätten meiner Meinung nach etwas gekürzt werden müssen.

Die Art und Weise, wie die Autorin die beiden Hauptcharaktere im Buch dargestellt hat, fand ich sehr schön und berührend. Ich konnte mir von beiden ein klares Bild machen und hatte bei Gesprächen teils das Gefühl, mit im Raum zu sein. Auch habe ich beim Lesen Gethin und Jess ins Herz geschlossen.

Die letzten 60 Seiten fielen etwas aus dem Buch heraus. Damit meine ich, dass auf einmal mehr Unruhe in die Geschichte gebracht wurde und eine Entwicklung um den Helden herum auf mich unpassend und ärgerlich wirkte. Ich hätte es besser gefunden, wenn auch der Schritt zum Paar hin ruhiger verlaufen wäre.

Auch ein Gespräch gegen Ende um die letzte Beziehung der Heldin herum wirkte auf mich etwas unangenehm. Vor allem eine Reaktion des Helden in Bezug darauf störte mich.

Ich denke, dass man auch das Ende etwas hätte kürzen können. Ein Liebesroman kann auch ohne Unruhe in der Beziehung ganz wunderbar sein. Das hätte meiner Meinung nach auch besser zum Rest des Buches gepasst. So haben die letzten 60 Seiten meine Bewertung doch spürbar nach unten gezogen.

🖤🖤🖤1/4

Für wen?

Wer ruhige Liebesromane mag, die sich gemächlich entwickeln, für den könnte das Buch etwas sein.

Vor dem Kauf sollte man sich darüber im Klaren sein, dass die Heldin in ihrer letzten Beziehung Gewalt erfahren hat und dies auch teils thematisiert wird.

This one just really wasn’t for me.. I liked the premise starting out, but it just felt SO unrealistic to me. Why would someone feel so comfortable with a complete stranger living in their house? That’s just not normal. I had hoped to find out more about that as the book progressed, but apparently he’s just the nicest guy in the world? I thought maybe there would be more explained in the storyline with his brother but unfortunately there wasn’t.

Also, the style of writing really bothered me. Much of the dialogue was styled in a way that asked a question at the end… it’s cold out here, isn’t it? I could stay at the house another two weeks, couldn’t I? That bad, was it? This bits the wrong way up, isn’t it? Once I picked this out— I was hyperfocused on it the rest of the book and that was a downfall for me because I found myself really irked. I typically don’t pick out things like this, but this stood out so much and it really lessened my enjoyment of the book.

This book came as a total surprise - it's the loveliest, coziest, most endearing story I've read in a while. It felt like a comforting hug or a whisper in the way that it pulled me in and invited me to stay.

Jess Cavendish is running away from another bad relationship and finds her way into an unoccupied fixer-upper. She takes a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant during the day and sleeps in the recently sold, but empty house at night.

The owner of the house happens to be Gethin Thomas who's also finding his way after the end of a long-term relationship. When he discovers Jess sleeping in his recently purchased home he doesn't kick her out or call the police. Instead, he takes a leap of faith and invites her stay.

Together, Jess and Gethin revive the house while also putting together the pieces of their own lives and developing a sweet and safe bond along the way.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House, for the ARC. It was a treat and a privilege.

This book was well written with a range of emotions and life experiences. I kept wanting to know more about Jess' background but had to be patient while she waited to share what she wanted with Gethin through their dialogue. I had a tough time connecting with the characters, probably because they were significantly older than I am. However, their constant dialogue and interactions were written well enough to demonstrate their patience and charm.

I love a good romance book and this did not disappoint. Well developed, characters, witty banter, what more can you ask for?

The Beginning of Everything is a nice, domestic romance, with some depth in its lead characters. I found it a bit too tame for my taste, but I think if you're looking for a cozy novel to read while cuddling up by a fire, this will appeal to you.

Jess Cavendish has run off from what seems to be an abusive relationship and is homeless. She lives in a tent in a cemetery but as it gets colder, she finds a vacant house and becomes a squatter. She finds a job as a dishwasher in a nearby restaurant. Gethin Thomas has recently left a relationship with a high profile personality and has purchased the house that Jess is living in. When Gethin encounters Jess instead of kicking her out he invites her to stay and help him fix up the house. Despite this rather unbelievable premise, I found this to be a slow burn, cozy book. Two forty-somethings leave their failures behind and start anew in a small town in Wales. I liked the setting and found both main characters very likable. It took a bit to get into it but overall I enjoyed it. I thank Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have been smitten with Jackie Fraser’s first novel since my first read. I was anticipating her second novel, and so pleased to receive an advanced reader copy. While very different than her first novel, this one does not disappoint. This book’s topics are a bit heavier, but “real life”. She doesn’t shy away from the hard of life and the complicated relationships we find ourselves in- the good and the bad and the ugly. I so appreciated how the main characters relate to each other, and the kindness they show to each other during the rough edges of their lives. They are beautiful. I wish I could visit the house featured in this book, and see the picture on the mantle.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

AHH-MAZING!!! What a memorable and heartwarming love story between two middle aged characters. "The Beginning of Everything" is a slow burn romance that is about starting over, healing, friendships, resilience, hope, courage and love. I felt so connected to the characters and the story and did not want it to end. ALL the emotions!! This is my first read by Jackie Fraser and I am already a huge fan! I absolutely loved this book so much!!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

After running away from an abusive boyfriend, Jess finds shelter in a vacant house. Gethin is the new owner of the home and plans to do several renovations before moving into his place. When he discovers a stranger living in his house Gethin is shocked! Instead of getting upset he surprisingly invites her to stay. Jess is extremely cautious of men and struggles to let anyone help her. However, she does need shelter and agrees to help with the renovations of the house in exchange for a room. Why would Gethin invite a stranger to to stay in his house? What will the family and friends think? Is he going crazy or is it a good idea? What could he possible gain from offering Jess to stay in his house? This is beginning of their journey to starting over and healing from past trauma.

Gethin and Jess develop a beautiful friendship and slowly their feelings for one another become stronger. The attraction is definitely there but will Jess be able to trust and open her heart again? I loved how Gethin was so open, kind and patient with Jess. It was refreshing that the focus was not on the past but moving forward. I loved Jess and was rooting for her the entire time. The author has a way of making the characters feel so real and relatable and I found myself feeling like I was right there with them.

Overall, it is such a wonderful love story that kept me engaged to the very end. I highly recommend this book and it deserves all the stars!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I received an E-arc from Netgalley and the publisher for an exchange of an honest review.

This was written beautifully with real characters who are going through so many things emotionally. I loved Gethin and Jess connect on different levels. They were strangers, then friends, then perhaps something more? It's a different vibe on what a love story is.

I loved how the emotional hurdles that Gethin and Jess go through. Gethin dealing with his ex and all the drama. Jess dealing with emotional baggage from many things. They both listened to each other and got along really well. I got the feeling Gethin and Jess were a bit older. I would estimate maybe in their late 30s and early 40s? It's a different change of pace than younger folk.

Designing a house together was pretty neat to see. I don't think I could do that. I loved how Jess had an eye for designing. I was hoping she would get a business started and Gethin would help her?

I would recommend this book if you are looking for a heartwarming contemporary romance fiction. It is different and I think you have to have patience with this book since it's a bit heavy on the pace and learning how to cope.