I found myself thinking of a quote that I saw online which Judge Judy Sheindlin said (it could have been a quote of a quote but I know it from her) “if you don’t make it in your 20s, you’ll make it in your 30s, if you don’t make it in your 30s, you’ll make it in your 40s, if you don’t make it in your 40s you’ll make it in your 50s”. That’s what this book reminded me of. That no matter what age or position in life you will eventually make it. It may be a long journey but you will be the better person because of it.
Jess is a 40-something year old homeless woman, although she sleeps rough and isn’t as safe if she had something more than a tarpaulin roof over her head, she’s certainly safer than if she had stayed with her ex. One day she stumbles on a seemingly derelict house, she enters the threshold cleans up the site goes to work and returns. Until she bumps into handsome home-owner Gethin, who by some twisted form of fate allows her to stay in the house as a lodger. But what started off as a story of survival turns into a discovery of forgiveness and self-love.
I loved this linear, inner dialogue. I felt at the start that I was reading someone’s journal, which has now made me want to start to journal as well.
The raw emotion in this made me think “is this Fraser’s own story” when there was no mention of it in the afterword I was almost disappointed that this had been made up, but in actuality I think that’s what makes this book so perfect. It’s a great story of survival and it opens up a new viewpoint on homelessness. I think there’s such a huge perspective of “bad choices=bad outcomes” but in this case, and I’m so many other cases, Jess was just unlucky, she was scared, she met the wrong guy but she allowed herself to keep moving. I think this is a perfect book to prove that just because it’s not happening for you right now doesn’t mean it won’t happen for you.
This book is a perfect example of everyone’s version of “falling” is different, therefore reserve judgement and help each other through it. We all have different paths and when some paths collide, like Gethin & Jess, it can be beautiful and pure.
And on a foreword I just want to point out, be like Gethin & find yourself a Gethin, because life and love would be so much better if we’re all a little bit more like him.
This book will be published on 13th December 2023 by Simon & Schuster UK.

What a beautiful read this was. It’s rare to find a book which leaves you grateful for its story and this is definite one of them. A story of friendship and hope and renewal. Started it on a Sunday morning and couldn’t stop until I reached the end - a perfect way to spend the day.

Jess has broken up with her abusive boyfriend and is now sleeping in a tent in the graveyard with no where to go. She knows she can’t continue this arrangement so decides to break into a house which she knows has been empty for some time and squat there until she can save some money for a deposit to rent a place of her own. Sounds like a good plan until the owner, Gethin Thomas, arrives back one day.

Jess scarpers as soon as possible leaving all her belongings there. When she returns the next day to collect her things Gethin comes back. He wants to help her by allowing her to stay in the house while he prepares it for moving in himself. He asks in exchange for to help him with the decorating. And so begins a wonderful friendship.

This was a nice story but I did find it quite unrealistic. Who lets a strange, homeless person come live with them? Nothing actually happens in this story. This book basically is two people having conversations, asking questions and trying to getting to know one another but that is it. Even at the end there was no real fireworks.

There was parts of this book that irked me. The author says “I don’t know “ 55 times. I thought I was imagining it so I had to count. When discussing her past Jess kept saying I don’t want to talk about it but Gethin just asking questions. During most conversations the characters would pause and then have a 5 minute internal conversation with themselves.

This is not a genre I usually enjoy so I maybe the wrong audience. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book! It is beautifully written and I enjoyed getting to know Jess and Gethan. What a beautiful story. I will be buying for friends when it is published.

A very cute book. Easy to follow and i love the slow burn romance and it was refreshing to read a love story of two middle aged adults. This story is about taking chances, new starts, healing and courage.
This was my first Jackie Fraser book and i absolutely loved it. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

A beautifully written story about Jess, who is escaping from a difficult relationship and who finds help and support from an unlikely source. The story of Jess’s past is slowly revealed throughout the book, and her blossoming friendship with Gethin helps to heal her pain. I loved this story of friendship, love and relationships which, although a slow burner, was touching and heartfelt so kept my attention the whole way through. Beautiful!

Honestly I didn’t enjoy this all that much personally. Was it a decent story? Sure. However the characters were very meh, the writing style not the greatest and in general it just didn’t quite reel me in.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an arc of 'The Beginning of Everything'. I enjoyed the pace of the book as it gave me time to get to know and like the main characters Jess and Gethin. A lovely, gentle read that would be a perfect choice for the pool or beach.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the story initially, but I agree with other reviewers. The writing style was annoying. The ellipses and constantly saying, "Yes?" after a sentence was unneccesary. Gethin had no personality and Jess was a wet blanket. I did have sympathy for her situation though. I liked that it ended happily and that the characters were in their mid-forties.

I would like to read other books by Jackie in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An aching tale of longing, The Beginning of Everything is a truly enjoyable read. Exploring Jess and Gethins journey was romantic and engaging.

I loved this book, it was well written and a real feel good story. I would recommend it for anyone who likes a good love story.

The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser 🫖 BOOK REVIEW

‘I think I’ve never liked anyone better, or loved anyone more.’

A very enjoyable read. Super cosy, proper "Sunday afternoon" type of good.
It made me feel warm inside 😊

This is the story of Jess, running away from an abusive relationship and leaving everything behind. She was officially homeless, so decided to crash at an empty house that was up for sale - this decision changes the course of her life completely.
Obviously the new owner caught her, but instead of sending her away she became the new housemate!

Some feelings started to show and the rest is a pretty love story.
It touches very difficult subjects, like domestic violence, trauma, the reconstruction of oneself after loosing it all, including your identity. But it is not a difficult read at all.

Simon sending cosy vibes 🥰 Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the ARC .

Jes tells a story of trust and the feeling that it is all her fault in relationships when they do not pan out.

Easy reading, just gives you a warm cozy feeling that possibly this time things might work out for her.

Summertime reading, Gives that feel-good factor.

This is an easy, heartwarming read which I enjoyed overall though it wasn’t a book I’d return to.

The immediate trust between the two main characters very early on in the book felt a little unrealistic, though I did like that Fraser quickly explained why Gethin was sympathetic towards Jess’ situation.

The main theme and takeaway from this book, for me at least, was the power of compassion and second chances and I liked that the characters were older and had genuine life experiences prior to us meeting them.

This will be a book for you if you’re looking for a well developed, good paced easy read which explores friendship, life and second chances in a heartwarming way.

Jess is squatting in Gethin's new empty house after running away from a violent relationship. He arrives one day and invites her to stay while he renovates it. She does and helps him with the renovation, over time becoming his lodger. Friendship then something more grows between these two middle aged people with lots of past baggage. They dance around taking the relationship further, then stepping back. Both reluctant to spoil the friendship they have. Both hurt by previous relationships. Both still trying to find where they fit in the world. I'm not going to spoil the end of the book but it's a merry dance they go on to get there.
Initially I wasn't sure about this book as it didn't seem to be going anywhere but then it becomes addictive and you just want to know what happens next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful book about second chances. The characters were amazing and really well written. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.

A heart-warming and uplifting read full of beautiful writing and characters you can't help but root for a happy ending. This is a lovely book about friendship and kindness and escaping the darkness of your past. I did like the idea that the characters were in their forties which is different but I did think they acted quite a lot younger with their actions and speech but that didn't ruin it for me. I felt overall this was a really easy reading light-hearted books (with some heavier topics in parts) with a great set of characters.

A linear story about Jess who has escaped a bad situation and arrived in Wales seeking sanctuary. She and Gethin begin a friendship which is sustaining and positive for both, albeit beginning with a very unusual meeting.

This is an original story. The author gently and sensitively reveals Jess’s emotions, how she really feels about herself and about the beginning of a new relationship. It’s really beautifully written, I’m not sure that it will be for everyone as it’s not dramatic, it doesn’t have huge twists, but it’s really compelling. You want to find out what will happen and you root for them both.

For such a simple story I really could not put this book down! I read until the early hours to finish it; always the sign of an enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A heartwarming story about a woman down on her luck who finds good fortune in an empty house. This book is everything you'd want and expect from a romance novel. The characters were likable, the plot moved at a good pace, the event that drives them apart feels true to the story and the resolution is believable.

I loved the details in the book about the house, the garden and the charming little villages in Wales. I could totally picture myself strolling among the hills and castles.

I enjoyed it so much I read it in two sittings over a couple of days. It was the perfect escape during a trying time with family. This would be a great holiday read for by the beach or pool, or cozying up on a couch next to the fire.

**Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for and advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a perfectly lovely and uplifting read The Beginning of Everything was. I absolutely loved the story of Tash and how she goes from escaping unhappy relationship and being homeless to finding kindness and love. A real feel good book that was easy to read and left a warm glow in my heart!