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sunshine20806's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
ABC TBR Challenge: 2/26
This is easily my new favorite Emma Lord!
Begin Again introduces us to Andie, a second-semester freshman transfer to the university that united her parents and sparked her mom's infamous career in broadcasting. Andie is excited to go there not just because of what it means to her now that her mom is gone, but because she can also finally be at the same school as her long-time boyfriend. But when Andie arrives and finds out that he transferred to her old community college instead, all her plans get thrown out the window. What follows is a coming-of-age tale of making new friends, going on adventures, and finding yourself in the midst of trying everything new.
I thought this was a great college story, one that really emphasizes the way young adults typically change and spread their wings once they get to higher education. Andie's core friend group is delightful, and I really appreciated that none of the drama that happens in the book has anything to do with those friendships being tested. Each character gets room to grow and explore themselves, all told through the lens of fix-it-Andie, which I loved! There's also a lot of emphasis on family; both Andie and Milo, our romantic lead, bond over a lost parent and family issues. And, of course, it wouldn't be an Emma Lord book without a swoony romance to boot! Begin Again plays into one of my favorite things - broadcast/radio romance - and gives us a romance that's a warm and cozy strangers to friends to lovers moment. Milo and Andie suit each other so well and I loved exactly how it all went down - it was soft and warm and sweet!
I would say the one thing I didn't understand and never really vibed with was Andie's quirky choice to use baked goods as curse words. But it's not distracting enough that I gave it much attention.
All in all, this was a perfect contemporary for me. A good bit of romance but mostly a lot of heart and growing up.
I received a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Wednesday Books for providing me access!
This is easily my new favorite Emma Lord!
Begin Again introduces us to Andie, a second-semester freshman transfer to the university that united her parents and sparked her mom's infamous career in broadcasting. Andie is excited to go there not just because of what it means to her now that her mom is gone, but because she can also finally be at the same school as her long-time boyfriend. But when Andie arrives and finds out that he transferred to her old community college instead, all her plans get thrown out the window. What follows is a coming-of-age tale of making new friends, going on adventures, and finding yourself in the midst of trying everything new.
I thought this was a great college story, one that really emphasizes the way young adults typically change and spread their wings once they get to higher education. Andie's core friend group is delightful, and I really appreciated that none of the drama that happens in the book has anything to do with those friendships being tested. Each character gets room to grow and explore themselves, all told through the lens of fix-it-Andie, which I loved! There's also a lot of emphasis on family; both Andie and Milo, our romantic lead, bond over a lost parent and family issues. And, of course, it wouldn't be an Emma Lord book without a swoony romance to boot! Begin Again plays into one of my favorite things - broadcast/radio romance - and gives us a romance that's a warm and cozy strangers to friends to lovers moment. Milo and Andie suit each other so well and I loved exactly how it all went down - it was soft and warm and sweet!
I would say the one thing I didn't understand and never really vibed with was Andie's quirky choice to use baked goods as curse words. But it's not distracting enough that I gave it much attention.
All in all, this was a perfect contemporary for me. A good bit of romance but mostly a lot of heart and growing up.
I received a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Wednesday Books for providing me access!
whoisnyah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookswithbryleigh's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
5.0
OHHH y'all Emma Lord is my queen! She is quickly becoming a favorite author and her books are imbued with magic and goodness and all things lovely. Every book I have read from her has hit me in a different way and this one was just beautiful and romantic and sweet and exactly what I needed as I'm preparing to go to college. It has grumpy-sunshine and VIBES and Taylor Swift references LOL and it is just a beautiful story that goes so much deeper than just a romance. All the stars!!
suchii's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
emilyjarvie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5