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theonlybaillie's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I really appreciated the balance of lighthearted-ness and deeper, meaningful conversation in this book. I think the grief element was done beautifully and appropriately for a YA book. The romance was very cute as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Car accident
rebeccap's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
I really liked Begin Again by Emma Lord. Full of lovable and relatable characters, it reinforces the idea it’s ok NOT to have everything figured out. I can totally relate to the main character, Andie, who likes to have a plan and stick to that plan. She’s also a “fixer” (sometimes to the detriment of what’s best for her). This results in a variety of hilarious albeit cringeworthy experiences as a mid year freshman transfer at her parents’ alma mater. Throughout the semester Andie She struggles to figure out how to make a space for herself instead of constantly worrying about what’s best for everyone else or that she’s not living up to the legacy of her mom who passed away when Andie was a preteen. I love the messages of forging your own path and that every day is an opportunity to Begin Again.
I really liked Begin Again by Emma Lord. Full of lovable and relatable characters, it reinforces the idea it’s ok NOT to have everything figured out. I can totally relate to the main character, Andie, who likes to have a plan and stick to that plan. She’s also a “fixer” (sometimes to the detriment of what’s best for her). This results in a variety of hilarious albeit cringeworthy experiences as a mid year freshman transfer at her parents’ alma mater. Throughout the semester Andie She struggles to figure out how to make a space for herself instead of constantly worrying about what’s best for everyone else or that she’s not living up to the legacy of her mom who passed away when Andie was a preteen. I love the messages of forging your own path and that every day is an opportunity to Begin Again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Grief
Minor: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Emma Lord's books are always good. I've been reading them since Tweet Cute, and I love her books so very much. They're cute and wholesome and this book is definitely a fave of 2023.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Grief, and Death of parent
Death of parent is off page, and years later.patricktreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Begin Again was absolutely the adorable New Adult rom com that I hoped it would be. While at first the Main character annoyed me, the rest of the main ensemble really pulled me into the semester. It wasn't super intense, and pieces were predictable, but the story over all just felt good which is something that is needed especially in winter months. I also think the narrator really did their job pulling you into the storm.
I don't know that I would read it again right away, but it has potential to be a cozy reread in the future.
I don't know that I would read it again right away, but it has potential to be a cozy reread in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Grief
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
This ended up being a beautiful story with such a sweet ending. There was a chunk in the middle that I was getting worried I wasn’t going to end up liking this book but it was so cute.
I want to deck Connor and I don’t care that he is fictional that kid deserves reality to be knocked into him because dear lord is he a dick…I was getting so annoyed by the levels she was going for him but I loved their moment of reckoning and I think the way the plot blooms after that scene was near perfect.
The front half of the book had a decent balance of her story and the romance but I think it leaned into the romance a bit more (nothing wrong with that but I felt like the second half was a bit better) whereas the second half you really get to see Andie’s story shine; you get to see more about her late mom and the relationship between her dad and her within this post mom stage of their lives and I LOVE the way the author highlighted the love of friendships throughout this book.
All in this book is a fairly light and sweet read but it has heavy overtones of learning how to come into your own, the love of friendships, the love of lost ones, coping with the loss of a parent and learning how to live for yourself while honouring the legacy left for you.
I want to deck Connor and I don’t care that he is fictional that kid deserves reality to be knocked into him because dear lord is he a dick…I was getting so annoyed by the levels she was going for him but I loved their moment of reckoning and I think the way the plot blooms after that scene was near perfect.
The front half of the book had a decent balance of her story and the romance but I think it leaned into the romance a bit more (nothing wrong with that but I felt like the second half was a bit better) whereas the second half you really get to see Andie’s story shine; you get to see more about her late mom and the relationship between her dad and her within this post mom stage of their lives and I LOVE the way the author highlighted the love of friendships throughout this book.
All in this book is a fairly light and sweet read but it has heavy overtones of learning how to come into your own, the love of friendships, the love of lost ones, coping with the loss of a parent and learning how to live for yourself while honouring the legacy left for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Gaslighting
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