I really loved The Bookshop of Second Chances, by Jackie Fraser, so I was excited for The Beginning of Everything. I didn't love this one as much as the former, it was more like a 3.5-star read for me, but I still really enjoyed it. I was completely invested in the characters and their backgrounds. The introduction to our love interests is a little strange, But other than that it was a fun read.

📖My Thoughts📖

This was the second book I read by this author and goodness, it most definitely won’t be my last. She knows just how to hit you in all the feels, bringing all the emotions out. I allowed this book to just completely pull me in, shutting out the world around me. I loved the simplistic yet powerful relationship that develops between the two main characters. It was such a moving and heart wrenching story. While there was some romance between the two lingering yet seemingly tucked to the side as though it were two teenagers that were shy and ignoring the obvious, the friendship they developed over time was far more powerful and elicit. As with all books, there are mixed reviews, but for me, it was a fairly well written and enjoyable read. I’ll be on the lookout for more books by Ms. Fraser in the future.
Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing and Jackie Fraser for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look, I know we're not here to read romance novels because they're realistic, but I was pretty frustrated by the implausibility of some of the characters' behaviors in this book. It distracted me from anything else I might have enjoyed.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book got off to a very slow start, but then it got better from there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing me with an eARC of The Beginning of Everything in exchange for my honest review!

This friends-to-lovers tale isn't one of the best romances I've ever read, but it boasts enough breezy charm to help me be a little more forgiving toward its flaws. To get those elements out of the way first, I think it's implausible for Gethin to let Jess stay with him here. Then there's this strange penchant that Jess's narration has for constantly ending trains of thought on questions, which adds a jarring uncertainty to the tone. Other little aspects like these bugged me, but thankfully they're not major enough that they drive me to dislike the book outright. I still like following along with Jess and Gethin's dynamic as they gradually bond together and learn about each other's lives. Their dialogue flows along smoothly and convinces me that they're truly comfortable in this space they're sharing. And the third act is handled quite well, leaving me feeling satisfied once I turn the last page.

Overall, I'm officially rating The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser three out of five stars. I don't think this is something I'd reread, but I had a good time with it while it lasted, and I'd be up for diving into more of Fraser's writing.

Such a wonderful story and yet hard for me to describe why. There were so many insightful commentaries about life in general that really struck me. Both characters are starting over, looking for second chances, making this friends to lovers book a new favorite. The slow burn feels genuine and therefore the love that comes after. If you like details in your story that are insightful, vulnerable, and genuine, this will be a winner for you, too.

I never thought I’d give "The Beginning of Everything" four stars. The premise is ridiculous: a man finds a homeless woman living in his newly purchased home and invites her to stay. Because most people would call the cops on her, not say, “Hey! You can continue to live here if you help renovate the house.” It’s such an unbelievable response to the situation.

But that’s how this love story begins, with Gethin finding Jess squatting in his new house and offering her a place to stay. And then you follow along as their relationship moves from landlord-tenant to roommates to friends to maybe more.

I was so skeptical about all of it, especially when Gethin tells Jess he’ll put her on his car insurance. I mean, really? Who does that? But my skepticism fell away as their relationship evolved, and before I knew it, I had fallen in love with the love between these two damaged, middle-aged people.

Jackie Fraser has written a heartfelt romance about gathering the courage to love again when you’re old enough to know you may be better on your own. You just have to accept the story’s initial absurdity to see the beauty of it.


My sincerest appreciation to Jackie Fraser, Dell, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

While I didn't have any specific issue with this book, it just wasn't what I was expecting and hoping for. I still greatly appreciated the opportunity to read it, and I know not every book I read is going to resonate with me. However, I would still highly recommend this beautiful tale for other bookworms, as it might be for them.

3.5 This book I feel like should be categorized more as women lit than romance in this story following Jess a women in her 40s who was fleeing a bad relationship. We follow Jess as she moves to a new town with no where to go she finds her self breaking into an abandoned house to camp while she saved up money for her own place. That is until Gethen shows up having bought the house getting ready to remodel. Gethen catches Jess and decides he can use her help remodel in exchange for a place to live.

This book was a little darker topic than I was expecting for a romance. I enjoyed that it was different just wasn’t expecting it. I enjoyed them becoming friends and them helping each other through their struggles but if you are looking for a steamy romance this is not it. I did like the writing and might pick up more from this author in the future. I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I just devoured this story. I read it pretty much in one sitting, Just wonderful slow burn romance. My apologies for the late review, I fell a bit behind.

In "The Beginning of Everything" by Jackie Fraser, readers are treated to a heartwarming friends-to-lovers story that radiates with resilience, hope, and the promise of new beginnings. Jess, determined to leave a toxic relationship behind, finds herself on a journey of self-discovery, carrying only a few cherished belongings. Her path crosses with Gethin Thomas, who is also seeking a fresh start after the end of a long-term relationship. The two characters, both in need of a new beginning, find themselves unexpectedly sharing a recently sold, unoccupied house. What starts as a practical arrangement, with Jess helping in the renovation in exchange for room and board, evolves into a beautifully unexpected friendship as they bond over shared interests in music and food.

Fraser skillfully weaves a tale of healing and connection as Jess and Gethin navigate the restoration of the house and, in the process, restore a sense of hope in each other. The narrative unfolds with warmth and charm, capturing the essence of the characters' vulnerabilities and the gradual opening of their hearts. The author explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the transformative power of second chances as Jess, with a painful past, grapples with the possibility of love again. "The Beginning of Everything" is not just a charming tale of a budding romance; it's a testament to the courage required to embrace new opportunities and the healing that can arise from unexpected connections. Fraser's storytelling invites readers to root for the characters' journey, making this novel a delightful exploration of love and the transformative potential that lies within the courage to start anew.

This is a cute story about our leading lady Jess who escapes a really difficult life and we follow her on her journey to a second chance. She meets Gethin who strikes a deal with her to allow her a place to stay. We are then taken on a journey into their slow burn blossoming romance. Sweet story!

I wanted to love this soooo bad because the premise is right up my alley, but where was the chemistry?? The story was pretty depressing and I just didn't like Jess and Gethin together.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This one just really wasn’t for me. I liked the premise, and I enjoyed bits of it, but it also felt super unrealistic to me that someone could feel so comfortable with having a complete stranger live in their house.

Also, the style of writing bothered me with how every dialogue seemed to end on a questions.
"It's cold out here, isn't it?"
"That bad, was it?"
I found myself cringing every time and it kept pulling me out of the story. Normally this stuff doesn't bother me but I think it was used so much that it just really bothered me.

A beautiful story about two people finding each other in the most unusual predicament - a friends to lovers slow burn romance to be cherished. What a beautiful story! Enjoyed it a lot

The Beginning of Everything was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Jackie Fraser. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

This was not an easy book (surprised in this day and age there was no content warning), but it was warm and beautiful. I won't summarize the plot, but this will resonate with readers looking a story about second chances in life and love.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think that if I could change anything about this book it would be the pacing. It was a little slow and I could lose interest at times.

The things I loved was the age and maturity of the MC's. It's about starting over. Getting out of bad relationships and making a new life for yourself. I think being the same age as the MC's is what endeared me to this book and them so much. It is a sweet romance. Definitely a take it slow kind of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, even though my review is ~3 weeks late 😅

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing style was different. Very frazzled. It really seemed like I was in Jess’ head and listening to her thoughts. But I still loved it.

It’s not often that you read about a 40-something year old woman that flees an abusive relationship, sleeps in a cemetary overnight, breaks into a home & stays there for 6 weeks until she gets caught by the homeowner, and him allowing her to stay!

Landlord/lodger to lover? One roof? It’s not quite a Second chance romance.. it’s more like they both got their second chance at love after leaving bad relationships. I love how they were friends first, and fell gradually, cautiously. I love how patient Gethin was. He was just so incredibly KINDDDD. It was almost unfathomable how kind he was, but that’s what makes him a book boyfriend 😅

Overall, 4/5 stars. Loved it.

Trigger Warnings: abusive relationships, mental health, briefly touches on topics of drugs.

I'm not often a friends to lovers fan but when Jackie Fraser delivers, I will gladly accept and adore every moment of it. Fraser crafts characters that are so emotionally vulnerable and real feeling. The struggles that both our characters face in their past and present work together to bring these two together in such a wholesome way.

I loved that are leading lady (and dude) was in her forties and not so young, I think adding to the middle-age characters needs to be more prevalent in the romance genre. It's cozy, feel good, and wholesome. The growth of strangers to friends was so beautiful to watch and the romance blossomed quite naturally and didn't feel forced. This is certainly an emotional read and guarantees a beautiful ending that leaves your heart bursting.