Begin Again was a fun whirlwind of events that happen with MC Frankie McKenzie as she gets a second chance to find out the “what if” in many areas of her life through the years. Once I got the hang of the plot, I couldn’t wait to see just life Frankie would wake up in, and the times I laughed out loud, with a true smile on my face, this was just the heartfelt story that I needed.

*many thanks to Avon Books, Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Frankie McKenzie makes her way home after a mediocre date and in an absolute freak accident, dies outside of her favorite kebab store. But she's able to revisit her life again. And again. It's a sweet exploration of what ifs in the spirit of The Good Place. Not wholly original, but makes good observations. I especially loved the depictions of friendship in the story.

Many thanks to Harper Audio for an advanced listener's copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

What an interesting and unusual storyline. I loved the idea of being able to explore making different choices in life with the grass is greener mentality. Frankie dies, but has the chance for a do-over and I loved her quick wit and dry sense of humor. What could be a depressing topic is well done and turns the narrative into an intriguing foray into what might be. This is a well-written unique book that you won't be able to put down and will leave you pondering your own life choices. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job bringing this story to life. (Pun intended?)

An unexpected kebab accident leads to tragedy, multiple life paths and all of the “what ifs”. The storyline is very Sliding Doors with the humor of a the a good a place. Writing style is perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Sophie Cousens!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

The grass is always greener on the other side... until you hop over the fence and go for a stroll.

If you liked The Midnight Library, this is a must-read! I think I liked this one better, because the characters were more relatabled and I loved the friendship and relationship dynamics.

It's Frankie Mackenzie's 36th birthday and she's on a first date that doesn't feel very hopeful. After deciding to sneak out on her date and head for home, she has a tragic accident and wakes up "on the other side."
After years of feeling unsatisfied with the trajectory of her life, unaccomplished and dissatisfied with her accomplishments, Frankie is overjoyed to hear that she will be given the opportunity to visit 5 alternate endings of her life, and then be given the chance to choose one of them as a point to being her life again.
What would happen if you took that flight, married that boyfriend, took a job, or moved to a new country to start fresh? Frankie gets to see her life played out as a Spanish teacher living on the beaches of Mexico, a wife of her first true love, an L.A. housewife living the live of the rich & famous, and true boss babe in the writing world.

By seeing all of her alternate endings played out, Frankie will realize what truly matters most in life, and what she is willing to compromise on. This was a great audiobook listen, and narrator was phenomenal, and I will certainly be recommending this book all summer long!

Thank you Netgalley for for this ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

What if...? Who hasn't wondered how their life would have turned out if different choices had been made. This story follows main character Frankie who is unhappy with her job, dating life, family and friends group. Then Frankie slips, falls and smacks her head on concrete then wakes up in a way station where she is given the choice of taking one of five crossroads from her previous life or moving on to the final destination. The story is clever, funny and well written. I really enjoyed enjoyed the story. The audio version narrator is great. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for providing the download.

I received this digital ARC free from NetGalley. This feel good novel, is easy to read and very enjoyable. I mean who wouldn’t want to explore different outcomes. Visiting different possible lives seems like a very cool adventure. This read is just clever, entertaining and simply charming. A truly enjoyable read.

This was an enjoyable and existential-type of book where the main character, Frankie, examines what it means to be satisfied with one's life. She has the opportunity to see just what might have happened at her decision-making pivotal moments in her life after effectively dying. The concept of an afterlife waiting room of sorts was interesting, Mable was hilarious (would love an offshoot book just about her and how she got there!) I was drawn in by every life switch and rooting for Frankie the whole way. For fans of "Midnight Library" and the movie "Sliding Doors" - get ready to think deep thoughts!

Book Title: Begin Again
Author: Helly Action
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Emma Sidi
Publisher: Harper Audio
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance
Audiobook Pub Date was April 2, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars!
Pages: 416

Frankie McKenzie lives in a small flat in London – which she describes is the size of a small van. She works as a gossip columnist, and unfortunately is indeed unlucky in love.
Her friend Alice sets her up with Oli Sarpong but she abandons him at the restaurant on their first date which happens to be on her thirty-sixth birthday.
Wait! She dies via kebab - yes a crazy accident. However, Frankie is given a chance to reassess her life and what was important to her. - Hmmm hopefully will have a positive outcome.
She has given up on finding ‘the one’ but it hoping for a +1
So was Toby really the 'one that got away’? Perhaps she should have stuck with rich playboy Callum? Then there was nerdy Oli.

Story is a bit long but narrator Emma Sidi goes a great job performing Frankie as well as the other characters.

Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio for granting me this audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date was scheduled for April 2, 2024.

'Begin Again' is for fans of magical realism and for anyone who enjoys a story that's as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally engaging.

The pacing of the book is fast, making it a thrilling read that's hard to put down. Each chapter feels like a short story, complete in itself, yet part of a larger, intricate plot. The transitions between realities are seamless, yet they leave you pondering the consequences of your own life choices. Love it...

A good what if? story with memorable characters. Showcases that you have more than you think and that life choices shape you. Be thankful for the life you have. The narrator is wonderful.

Begin Again is a fun, witty read. I really enjoyed the characters and Frankie’s journey. Thank you, #NetGalley!

Thank you NetGalley,

This book was recommended to my by a coworker and romance isn't usually a genre I read a lot but I wouldn't consider this a romance novel. It wasn't about finding a mate but about finding yourself so you can enjoy life to the fullest. It was about looking at the mistake you made in the past and what would happen if you chose differently. I thought this was a wonderful book about finding happiness in yourself and not in others.

Have you ever wanted to change the past and discover the result of choices not taken? Now, in this brilliantly fun novel of what-ifs, missed chances, and new beginnings, Frankie McKenzie discovers what starting over might bring…

Despite living firmly in her comfort zone, Frankie McKenzie feels unsettled. She can’t help feeling something’s missing. Is it a home to call her own? Travel? A more rewarding job? A relationship? Before she can work it out, she dies in a freak kebab-related accident after what she sees as yet another dud of a first date.

But life isn’t over for Frankie. Instead, she is miraculously offered a second chance: Frankie can revisit key moments from her past to see if different choices will lead her to the fulfilling life she’s always dreamt of.

Soon, Frankie will see what her life would have been if only she’d caught that one-way flight, accepted the marriage proposal, or attended the intimidating job interview.

What would she change if she could begin again?

This book felt like a more whimsical and British version of The Midnight Library, and I really liked it!

At the start I was annoyed with Frankie and her choices - I felt like she was making stupid decisions and I wasn't sure I would enjoy an entire book with her at its center, but when she arrived at The Station and started exploring her life crossroads further, she grew on me! I totally relate to the idea of wanting to go back to a crossroads and see what happens if I had made a different choice. It was super fun to get to explore the options with Frankie.

I also loved the overall message of this book! It made me so hopeful, remembering that we're all 100% in charge of our own lives.

I wouldn't say its the best book I ever read, but I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend. Especially the audio version - this narrator was fantastic!

3.75 rounded up

This book is a very similar concept to the Midnight Library by Matt Haig, but I have to say I enjoyed this one less. It was still entertaining, even with the predictable ending, but I had a hard time letting go of the comparison!

This was a feel good book. I enjoyed my time listening to it. Will read more by the author. I reccomend this book highly!

I listened to this book and the narrator did a fantastic job. I always like the what if you chose a different path and what would you do with a second chance type of story, makes you think of your own life choices. I enjoyed this book very much, it is the same concept as Midnight Library but more fun? It would make a great movie! I will be looking for other books by Helly Acton. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Getting Being Erica vibes but I enjoyed that series so I'm hopeful about this audiobook. Finished! Not disappointed at all. The narration lead me through this What If story. The characters grow and evolve as the story shares ideas of how finding your way isn't always a straight line.

Begin Again by Helly Acton reminds me of my favorite book The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. They share the same premise of the protagonist dying but having the chance to explore other lives they could have lived had they made different choices. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book up until the last 15% of it, I felt like the story got really predictable and slow. I also finished the book wishing they had developed more of the story once she chooses a life, it felt like the story ended too quickly. I thought that the dialogue was really well thought out though and I enjoyed the plot and all of the characters.