Reviews

Life Begins With You by Erica Lee

jsjarvis71's review

5.0

I have not listened to or read any of Erica Lee's work previously, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I found this to be an amazing book with a story that really grips at your heartstrings. The two main characters, Rebecca and Cassie were childhood best friends. Cassie's family life was not good and she began running with the wrong crowd, getting involved with drugs. As they hit high school, they grew apart, although it can be seen throughout the story that they never stopped thinking of each other. Now as adults, Rebecca is the teacher of Cassie's sister, which means they have to interact with each other more. Old feelings rekindle as the two become friends again, but family situations and internal issues cause problems for the two becoming more than friends. I will stop the description there to avoid any major spoilers.

I love the writing in this story, going back and forth from chapter to chapter between the two women. Each had their own issues that were keeping them apart. Each had to work to become vulnerable and open up about their past and the hurts they experienced. This felt more real than a lot of romance stories that I read or listen to, which I found to be very enjoyable. I will definitely be listening to this one again. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story between two friends who have loved each other for as long as they can remember but need a second chance.

liezlk9's review

3.0

I enjoyed it but it could have been longer and less soppy

khylabevibin's review

2.0

Two stars for potential but definitely not what I was expecting from Erica lee. One of her weaker books

Edit: brought to my attention this was written almost four years ago: read her recent books

liezlk's review

3.0

I enjoyed it but it could have been longer and less soppy

khieeae's review

2.0

Two stars for potential but definitely not what I was expecting from Erica lee. One of her weaker books

Edit: brought to my attention this was written almost four years ago: read her recent books

elvang's review

3.0

I won this book in the Women and Words Hootenanny back in December.
There were a lot of sweet moments between newly minted school teacher Rebecca finding herself back in her hometown teaching the baby sister of her childhood friend, Cassie. Cassie is the stereotypical misunderstood woman from the wrong side of the tracks with a chip on her shoulder and a mission to protect her little sister from unseen forces at home. Rebecca is the stereotypical best teacher ever with a load of regrets for abandoning Cassie back in their teens.

I do enjoy a good second chance romance but this one ended up being an average read.

genej101's review

3.0

Not a bad book but not compelling either. If anything it certainly demonstrates that trouble ensues when people DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER. That's the cautionary tale in this love story. Virtually every problem Cassie and Rebecca have ever had was simply because they did not TALK to each other. It's a quick, easy read and there are lots of good things but all solved so easily. I did like the five years later epilog, I always like those, to know what happened after the fireworks is nice.