megs_bookrack's Reviews > Begin Again
Begin Again
by
by
Emma Lord and I have a special relationship. It's like she sees me, she gets me, she channels what interests me into her stories. Every time I pick up one of her books, my heart is filled to the brim with love.
Okay, I'm not delusional. I know we don't actually have a special relationship, but I definitely connect with her stories in a remarkable way; one that stands out to me amongst the many books I read.
For her latest release, Begin Again, I'll be honest, I didn't read the synopsis. I don't really care what it is about, if her name is on the cover, I'm picking it up.
I went into this blind and was absolutely delighted with how this story began to unfold. Something completely wild happens in our protagonist's life right off the bat. I was shocked and laughed, is this what this book is about?
This story follows Andie, who is navigating her first year post-high school. After spending her first semester at a local community college, remaining at home with her grandmothers, Andie has recently transferred to the college of her dreams.
Blue Ridge State is 2-hours from Andie's home and once she is there, she quickly realizes that she is on her own for the very first time. Honestly, the wide-open freedom is jarring and a bit overwhelming.
Andie is a girl who always has a plan and right from the start her plans for her time at Blue Ridge don't go as she anticipated. Her long-term boyfriend, Connor, who attended Blue Ridge first semester actually transferred to Andie's old community college to surprise her.
She transferred to Blue Ridge with the hopes of surprising him. Huge whoopsie!
That enormous flub really sets the stage for Andie's first term. She's sort of thrown for a loop, but she isn't someone who gives in easily. She slowly starts to build her own life; establish her independence.
Andie finds a group of friends, passions to pursue and a boy who is super kind and shares her interests. Blue Ridge is beginning to feel like home.
Life isn't always smooth sailing though, as we all know and before too long the stress-monster is rearing his ugly head.
Connor is trying to maintain his presence in Andie's life and she has mixed feelings about the status of their relationship. Then some startling secrets are revealed and of course, there's some family drama happening that Andie can no longer ignore.
It's a lot for her to try to navigate successfully. She's sort of torn between the person she was and the person she has the potential to become. I became super invested in Andie's life and all the issues swirling around her.
This story is set in that pivotal time of life when you are transitioning from high school, living with your family, to adulthood, living on your own. It's that sweet spot where the building blocks of your future really begin to solidify.
Andie had some trauma in her family. She lost her mother when she was younger and her father skipped out a bit after that. It was a very impactful experience in her life.
As you would expect, Andie brings that into college with her. Her relationship with her father is still strained, even though he is making an effort, she's not entirely sure she's ready to forgive him just yet.
I love how Lord's stories always include the complexity of family life. Families are just that, they're complicated. Even the ones that appear perfect, there's always something there; some issue or issues that can be explored.
Andie being on her own for the first time was also so compelling. She was on quite a journey of self-discovery, even if she was the last one to realize it.
Emma Lord brings so much love to her stories. You can tell she writes with care. She cares about her characters and how the issues are presented. While the stories overall have a feel-good tone, there are always deeper meanings and connections to be made.
I connected particularly well with this story. I'm not entirely sure what it was, but I developed such empathy for Andie. Additionally, the friend group, the found family feel, really touched me and the ending was completely satisfying.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
While I figured I would love this story, I had no idea how much I would LOVE this story. I cannot wait to see what Emma Lord gifts us with next!!
Okay, I'm not delusional. I know we don't actually have a special relationship, but I definitely connect with her stories in a remarkable way; one that stands out to me amongst the many books I read.
For her latest release, Begin Again, I'll be honest, I didn't read the synopsis. I don't really care what it is about, if her name is on the cover, I'm picking it up.
I went into this blind and was absolutely delighted with how this story began to unfold. Something completely wild happens in our protagonist's life right off the bat. I was shocked and laughed, is this what this book is about?
This story follows Andie, who is navigating her first year post-high school. After spending her first semester at a local community college, remaining at home with her grandmothers, Andie has recently transferred to the college of her dreams.
Blue Ridge State is 2-hours from Andie's home and once she is there, she quickly realizes that she is on her own for the very first time. Honestly, the wide-open freedom is jarring and a bit overwhelming.
Andie is a girl who always has a plan and right from the start her plans for her time at Blue Ridge don't go as she anticipated. Her long-term boyfriend, Connor, who attended Blue Ridge first semester actually transferred to Andie's old community college to surprise her.
She transferred to Blue Ridge with the hopes of surprising him. Huge whoopsie!
That enormous flub really sets the stage for Andie's first term. She's sort of thrown for a loop, but she isn't someone who gives in easily. She slowly starts to build her own life; establish her independence.
Andie finds a group of friends, passions to pursue and a boy who is super kind and shares her interests. Blue Ridge is beginning to feel like home.
Life isn't always smooth sailing though, as we all know and before too long the stress-monster is rearing his ugly head.
Connor is trying to maintain his presence in Andie's life and she has mixed feelings about the status of their relationship. Then some startling secrets are revealed and of course, there's some family drama happening that Andie can no longer ignore.
It's a lot for her to try to navigate successfully. She's sort of torn between the person she was and the person she has the potential to become. I became super invested in Andie's life and all the issues swirling around her.
This story is set in that pivotal time of life when you are transitioning from high school, living with your family, to adulthood, living on your own. It's that sweet spot where the building blocks of your future really begin to solidify.
Andie had some trauma in her family. She lost her mother when she was younger and her father skipped out a bit after that. It was a very impactful experience in her life.
As you would expect, Andie brings that into college with her. Her relationship with her father is still strained, even though he is making an effort, she's not entirely sure she's ready to forgive him just yet.
I love how Lord's stories always include the complexity of family life. Families are just that, they're complicated. Even the ones that appear perfect, there's always something there; some issue or issues that can be explored.
Andie being on her own for the first time was also so compelling. She was on quite a journey of self-discovery, even if she was the last one to realize it.
Emma Lord brings so much love to her stories. You can tell she writes with care. She cares about her characters and how the issues are presented. While the stories overall have a feel-good tone, there are always deeper meanings and connections to be made.
I connected particularly well with this story. I'm not entirely sure what it was, but I developed such empathy for Andie. Additionally, the friend group, the found family feel, really touched me and the ending was completely satisfying.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
While I figured I would love this story, I had no idea how much I would LOVE this story. I cannot wait to see what Emma Lord gifts us with next!!
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Begin Again.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
August 15, 2021
– Shelved
August 15, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 24, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 25, 2023
–
5.0%
"Oh my goodness!
That was so silly and cute.
Was that in the synopsis?
I need to go read it, I have no clue what this book is supposed to be about. LOL"
That was so silly and cute.
Was that in the synopsis?
I need to go read it, I have no clue what this book is supposed to be about. LOL"
January 25, 2023
–
43.0%
"I'm really having fun with this.
The sweetest story I've read in a while.
I sort of needed this."
The sweetest story I've read in a while.
I sort of needed this."
January 26, 2023
–
59.0%
"This is such a great examination of that very important time transitioning from high school life to college life. Lord has handled it really well. I am loving watching Andie settle into her independence and gain some confidence. I know it's uncomfortable for her, but it's very satisfying to read. She's discovered so much about herself already."
January 26, 2023
– Shelved as:
arcs-read
January 26, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-19 of 19 (19 new)
date
newest »
message 1:
by
Chelsea
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Jan 27, 2023 10:38AM
Love this review and can’t wait to read the book!
reply
|
flag
Chelsea wrote: "Love this review and can’t wait to read the book!"
Thank you so much, Chelsea! I hope you have fun with this one. There's something about Lord's stories. I just adore them and this really isn't a genre I read a ton of. Her stories make me so happy.
Thank you so much, Chelsea! I hope you have fun with this one. There's something about Lord's stories. I just adore them and this really isn't a genre I read a ton of. Her stories make me so happy.
Andrea wrote: "I LOVED this review!!! And I’m certain you and Emma do really have a special relationship!!!!"
Hahaha, thank you so much, Andrea!! I appreciate that :)
Hahaha, thank you so much, Andrea!! I appreciate that :)
I love this review! And I totally get what you mean by that remarkable connection to Emma Lord’s books. I think for me that connection comes from the fact that all her story concepts are like, super specific and fresh.
generic username wrote: "I love this review! And I totally get what you mean by that remarkable connection to Emma Lord’s books. I think for me that connection comes from the fact that all her story concepts are like, supe..."Awww, thank you so much. You're definitely correct, her story concepts are quite specific and she nails them! She goes on in. Sometimes they get a little crazy, but that makes them no less perfect! LOL
Reading this one now and totally agree with your review! It’s such a fantastic story and the audiobook is especially well done. Loving the narrator.
Chelsea wrote: "Reading this one now and totally agree with your review! It’s such a fantastic story and the audiobook is especially well done. Loving the narrator."I'm so glad to hear that you are loving it! So fun!!! I know, the narration made it feel so engaging. Love it!
Carol wrote: "Wonderful review, Megs 💞💞!!! Adding to my TBR 🤗"
It so stinking cute, Carol. I hope you have fun with it. And thank you!!! xx
It so stinking cute, Carol. I hope you have fun with it. And thank you!!! xx
Debra wrote: "Fantastic review, Meg!"Thank you so much, Debra! xx There's something about the way Lord tells a story, it gets me every freaking time! LOL
Wonderful review, megs! I have recently experienced something similar when I read two books by two different authors: Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Brandon Sanderson. It's really nice to feel seen by an author and to recognize others like you as characters in a novel, isn't it?!!!
Nora wrote: "Wonderful review, megs! I have recently experienced something similar when I read two books by two different authors: Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Brandon Sanderson. It's really nice to feel seen by an..."Yesssss, I am so glad you get what I am saying with that, Nora. It is just so relaxing for me too, to find that special sweet spot where you really connect with an author's entire vibe. If you don't mind me asking, what Silvia Moreno-Garcia did you read that you particularly loved? I love SMG's books soooo much too!
Yun wrote: "Great review, Megs! This sounds like a lovely story! So glad you loved it! :)"Thank you so much, Yun!! 💕☺️
megs_bookrack ((traveling...limited access)) wrote: "Nora wrote: "Wonderful review, megs! I have recently experienced something similar when I read two books by two different authors: Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Brandon Sanderson. It's really nice to fe..."
I love Mexican Gothic by the author. However, I didn’t enjoy Silver Nitrate as much. However, I own two books by the same author that I am really interested in reading!
I love Mexican Gothic by the author. However, I didn’t enjoy Silver Nitrate as much. However, I own two books by the same author that I am really interested in reading!
Nora wrote: "megs_bookrack ((traveling...limited access)) wrote: "Nora wrote: "Wonderful review, megs! I have recently experienced something similar when I read two books by two different authors: Silvia Moreno..." Yeah, Silver Nitrate was definitely unique. I loved it, but can certainly understand why it might not be everyone's cup of tea! LOL -- I hope you enjoy the others you have!!