The Beginning of Everything, Jackie Fraser
The Beginning of Everything, Jackie Fraser
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The Beginning of Everything

Author: Jackie Fraser

Narrator: Hannah Curtis

Unabridged: 10 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/26/2023


Synopsis

An irresistible friends-to-lovers novel of resilience, hope, and new beginnings from the author of The Bookshop of Second Chances

“A charming book about hope for a new life full of love!”—Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of All the Days of Summer

After escaping a bad relationship, Jess Cavendish is running and leaving it all behind, carrying just a few treasured belongings in her knapsack. She needs to start over, but that means sleeping where she can and making the most of her slim savings. Luckily, she comes across a recently sold, unoccupied house. It couldn’t hurt to stay there while she saves up enough to get her own place, right?

Gethin Thomas is also looking to move on after the end of a long-term relationship. He’s returned to his hometown, anxious to renovate the fixer-upper he bought and move out of his sister’s cramped guest room. When he walks through the door one morning, he finds Jess, who’s ready to run again, and surprises them both by offering to let her stay. It feels like the right thing to do, but Jess doesn’t want a handout. They strike a bargain: Jess will help with the restoration, furnishing, and decorating in exchange for room and board.

While they peel wallpaper and shop for new furniture, an unexpected friendship develops as they bond over music and food, and slowly open up to each other about their pasts. When it’s time for Gethin to move in, he convinces Jess to be his official housemate and she agrees—so long as he lets her pay rent. The connection between them soon shifts to an attraction that seems both inevitable and overwhelming, and Jess must decide what she wants. With so much hurt in her past, can she risk loving again? She was brave enough to reach for a new life—and now a future she hadn’t even dreamed possible could be just within her grasp.

About The Author

Jackie Fraser is a freelance editor and writer. She's worked for AA Publishing, Watkins, the Good Food Guide, and various self-published writers of fiction, travel and food guides, and self-help books. She reads a lot (no, really), in multiple genres, and is fascinated by the Bronze Age. She likes vintage clothes, antique fairs, and photography. She also likes cats.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Shelley's Book Nook on September 04, 2023

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On: The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog This book did not work for me in so many ways. I am not going to bother with the plot or the blurb I am just gonna state what felt off for me. I didn't buy that Gethin would let her stay there, they are complete strangers t......more

Goodreads review by Sian on April 09, 2023

This book is a beautifully written emotional roller-coaster.......more

Goodreads review by paige (ptsungirl) on August 21, 2023

"Writing about things years later can't show how you felt at the time, usually—only how you remember feeling." °•*⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review because I loved this book. It was a fresh take on a person hurt by the worst o......more

Goodreads review by Hannah on May 29, 2023

This one just really wasn’t for me.. I liked the premise starting out, but it just felt SO unrealistic to me. Why would someone feel so comfortable with a complete stranger living in their house? That’s just not normal. I had hoped to find out more about that as the book progressed, but apparently h......more

Goodreads review by Shannon on September 29, 2023

This one just wasn't for me. It was pretty emotionally heavy and felt rather depressing just to listen to. Added to that, I didn't find the two MCs had much chemistry at all and I really wasn't invested in their story in the slightest. Rather disappointing since I did enjoy the author's last book. M......more


Quotes

“A charming book about hope for a new life full of love!”—Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of All the Days of Summer