Whilst this was an ok story, the main characters were interesting the story seemed to plod rather than gallop. There was nothing that grabbed me and made me want to read the book quickly to find out the ending. It was, in my opinion, a nice story and nothing more.

Lovely - 4.5 stars really. A warm hug of a book. I was really rooting for all of the characters. I enjoyed the way the book unfolded and how we got to know all their secrets. I enjoyed this authors first book and I will look out for future books too.

The Keeper of Stories was one of my favourite reads so I was thrilled to be able to read an advanced copy of Sally Page’s new book.
I absolutely loved everything about this book and perhaps loved it more than The Keeper of Stories! It’s such a heartwarming gorgeous read with a cast of wonderful characters… both dead and alive.

This is quite simply another amazing 5⭐️ read. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for early access to this beautifully written offering from a very talented author.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were really well written and came to life for me. Highly recommended.

This is an easy read with a warm fuzzy feeling. A book about being brave and being yourself, about taking chances and making the most out of opportunities. I haven’t read Sally Page’s first novel but I certainly will now!

I loved the last book by this author and was worried this one may not be as good but what a beautiful and fascinating read. It made me feel like I had a warm hug reading this book and I absolutely fell in love with Malcolm, the run away vicar and Jo in her Uncle Wilburs beautiful stationary shop. This is a book about those unlikely friendships that can change your life in ways you never thought possible and sometimes being you is just enough but a Viking neighbour may help as well. A warm hug of a summer read.

Having read Sally’s first book The Keeper of Stories I couldn’t wait to read this. Sally’s characters come to life so much you feel you know them. Jo, Malcolm and Ruth are three people you wouldn’t expect to be friends but friends they become. They are all lost souls in their own way and help each other. A great read and a book you will not want to put down.

This was the second book I have read by Sally Page. The book, right from the start gives you a warm fuzzy feeling even though it starts off about love lost. The writing from Sally Page shows the redeeming features of human nature to be kind. Page writes so descriptively that you feel you are with the characters and therefore want to keep on reading to know what happens next. The Protagonist Jo Sorsby is a great character, and all her flaws and characteristics come out slowly, but they are written in a way that is believable. However, my favourite character is Malcolm Bussell an ongoing character who has more charm than people initially give him credit for. But Sally's description is endearing and makes you want to get to know him.

The Book of Beginnings made me laugh out loud in places and very few books do that. I loved the interactions between all of the characters. The hope, friendship and grief are intertwined in their life stories and you begin to route for each of them in turn It showed how people can enrich each others lives.

In conclusion, a lovely warm book that was enjoyable to read which left me having faith in human nature where interactions and friendships enrich others. Another really enjoyable book written by Sally Page and one I would recommend.

A beautiful book of loneliness, friendship and new beginnings. I loved this book even more than I enjoyed Keeper of Stories.
A feel good book but one with poignancy, loneliness and a few laugh out loud turns of phrase

I have to admit that I haven't read the previous book of Sally Page yet, but from the author of the bestseller,'The Keeper of Stories', comes the next uplifting story.

Jo, who is looking after her uncle’s shop in London, whilst recovering from a relationship breakup. Jo happily chats to her customers and takes time to get to know them, but Jo can't help feeling adrift.

When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian struggling to write his first book, she realises that she isn’t alone.

It’s the beginning of a friendship that can transform Jo’s life . . . if only she can let them in.

The Book of Beginnings is so beautifully written. The plot, the characters, and the blossoming friendships are perfectly put together in this heartwarming story. There is some sadness but also a lot of happiness and laughter.

A touching book which you will devour in one sitting. Highly recommended!

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. Thank you @Netgalley, @bysallypage and @harpercollinsuk.

Sally Page you are a genius!.. you have a ch a way of writing that draws you in and gives you all the feels of each character!

A story basically all about friendship and new found friendship- of 3 people in a point of their life they are a little sad and confused, life hasn’t always been kind, or dealt them with struggles.

And don’t get me started on the Highgate ghosts intertwined in this fabulous heartwarming novel.

Highly recommended!

What an utterly delightful story! I was wary about reading this, as I loved The Keeper of Stories and wondered how Sally Page could match that. In fact, I loved this one even more. Everything was perfectly done: the gorgeous stationery shop; the rounded, believable characters; the friendships made across the ages; and the understated but heart-wrenching romance. A quirky, charming and unpredictable story that I would highly recommend.

I loved this book! The main character Jo was interesting, flawed and struggling, but she was kind and most importantly hopeful. I loved the friends she made along the way and their discussions about the people in the cemetery near their home. This was truly enjoyable and her efforts to find her way back to her best friend were just the cherry on top. Love love love!

Well now I want to open a stationery shop!!! Jo is looking after her Uncles shop whilst he is in a care home. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend and decided the move to London would be great for a fresh start and to see what she wants to do next. Whilst in the shop she befriends the customers especially Ruth the runaway Vicar, Eric the Viking and Malcolm (not sure why he didn't get a name or maybe I missed it !) . They all have their secrets that are shared throughout the book - I loved Malcolm's story and his Christmas Eve ghosts - I think that is a book in itself ! Also his mother who was a pilot during the war - again another story I would love to read !
This is a perfect book to curl up with and read - its full of warmth, slight sadness , friendship but overall uplifting - such a lovely book .... Also I NEED a fountain pen now.... read to find out more !

I’m a huge fan of stationery and books and when I realised this book was set in a stationery shop I was eager to read it. Jo is looking after her uncles London shop as he is unwell and has moved to a care home nearer Jo’s mum.

Jo is still in turmoil from the breakup of her relationship with her long term boyfriend James. Moving to London seems the perfect distraction to mend her broken heart. As she struggles with her new surroundings she is befriended by some of the customers who frequent the shop.

Ruth the run away vicar, Malcolm and Eric the Viking each had their own story and were wonderful characters and their support and friendship lifted Jo from her own worries. Jo’s friendship with Lucy has had its own difficulties but I was glad when each of them reached out and rekindled their relationship. The distance from her old life allows Jo to reflect on her relationship with James and if he really was the one for her.

The Christmas Eve Ghosts chapter was fascinating. I read more about these people after being interested in their true life stories.

This book celebrates friendship. It was written beautifully. Full of humour and touches of sadness it really made me reflect on my own friendships and what they mean to me. The importance of the written word resounded and I might even start using my redundant fountain pen . A gentle read and one which I enjoyed.

Jo is still reeling from her break up with James when she is put to the task of looking after her Uncle Wilbur’s hardware cum stationery shop in London. Wilbur is struggling with his health so Jo’s mum has moved him back up north to a care home where she can be close to him. Sadly, his deteriorating health makes it unlikely he will be back behind his beloved counter.

Coming from a rural landscape Jo finds the transition to busy streets a challenge, but loves the little alleyway that the shop is located in. Over the weeks Jo realises that the hardware part of the business is no longer viable, and, being a stationery lover with a particular passion for fountain pens, she decides that this is the future of the business. The customers to the shop are a mixed bunch, though firm friendships are made. Jo also gets to know her immediate neighbours in the alleyway, in particular Eric the Viking, the gorgeous man next door.

‘Sweeet Jeeesuus’ (if you know, you know!;) - this book was brilliant, a story so beautifully written. I loved The Keeper of Stories and this was even better. The plot, the characters, the friendships and their love for each other were so perfectly written. Lots of sadness, but a lot of humour too, excellent!

A full 5* review, if not more.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Uk.

Wow! What an amazing book!!
Would love to read more from the author.
Thankyou netgalley for the Arc!

This is a beautifully written book and so original. The characters are fantastic, all expertly crafted and totally unique but blending together in the very best way that community should do. It is so nice, and rare, to read something that feels unlike any other book I've read but that also feels familiar and comforting.
Definitely one to recommend and a great book to cuddle up in front of a fire on a wet afternoon.
Thank you for the chance to read this

Thank you netgalley & publisher for an advanced copy of this book. Having read a previous book by this author, I was more than happy to read another and I certainly wasn't disappointed. A quote within the story sums this book up perfectly, " a place for everything & everything in its place" . The characters that we meet seem to be in the right place at the right time, whatever the reason for them being there and because of this, we see beautiful friendships develop. Certainly I book I recommend.

I really enjoyed Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories so was excited to read her latest book, The Book of Beginnings.
The Book of Beginnings is a story of friendship tied up in grief and hidden histories.
The story centres around Jo who is in London all on her own looking after her uncle’s shop as he has fallen ill.
She’s feeling lost and lonely as she recovers from a breakup, worries about her uncle’s deteriorating condition and her poor mum who is in denial and running herself ragged.
As Jo settles into temporary custodian of the little shop she meets some new friends and fascinating people.
There’s lots of layers to this story and the friendship between Jo, runaway vicar Ruth and Malcolm was really heart-warming.
Jo healing her friendship with her best friend is something I totally related to.
And the little love interest is lovely to see what happens here, but I liked that it wasn’t the focal point of the story.
Ruth, Malcolm and Jo are an unlikely friendship trio but them coming together and helping each other in so many ways is beautiful.
At times I felt really moved, I felt sad and I felt joy.
Stick with it as it’s a slow burner but a really lovely read.
I also feel compelled to up my stationery game and invest in a proper fountain pen!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.