Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my advance copy of The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page
Jo has broken up with her partner left her job and is feeling down, so she swops the beauty of The Dales for her uncles little shop in North London helping out by keeping it going while he is in hospital
As she meets new people and makes changes to the shop she starts to live again.
A beautiful story devoured in one sitting (no sleep that night).
I loved the characters especially Ruth.
The next free day you have put up your feet and immerse yourself in the world of Jo Sorsby.

This was an endearing story about the importance of friendship. Jo is recovering from a broken relationship and is looking after her uncle’s stationery shop on London. It is in the shop that she talks with her regular customers and gets to know them. Eventually, true friendships are formed. I enjoyed reading about the back stories of the people involved. There was some humour, a dash of romance and it was a very heartwarming read. I love a list myself and the use of fountain pens brought back many memories. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a beautiful touching story.
It made me want to jump into the pages and get to know the characters more
This book is based on friendship and the values that it brings!

Beautiful read. Thank you

what a wonderful story. Full of wonderful characters who I wished I knew. The book is based on the value and importance of friendship

Jo steps in to look after her Uncle Wilbur's stationery/hardware shop in London when he falls ill and it's the perfect escape for her while she's nursing a broken heart after breaking up with her partner James. She finds herself missing her family and her best friend Lucy, but after striking up a friendship with Ruth, the runaway vicar and Malcolm, an elderly gentleman who is attempting to write his first book, she finds that's she's not so alone after all...

The Book of Beginnings is a beautiful story that centres mainly around friendship and shows that the best friendships can be formed with the most unexpected acquaintances and this is where Jo finds herself when she meets Ruth and Malcolm. I loved the connection that the author created between these three characters, it was heartwarming, humourous and emotional in equal measures throughout the story and I felt like I was being wrapped up in a big warm hug, and then of course there's Erik (The Viking) the optician from the shop next door who Jo finds herself inexorably drawn towards, but you'll have to read it to see if anything happens there. This thought provoking story is the first I've read by this author but definitely won't be the last as I've just added The Keeper of Stories to my kindle.

I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

This is a very nice book. Showcasing alm the ups and downs that life throws at you. Loneliness, depression, anxiety, grief, breakups, relationships and just basic life as an adult.

This is a cute book about life and its ups and downs such as, relationships and breakups, friendships, loneliness and the sense of being ‘lost’ and grief.

I loved the central character of this book, Jo.
Jo’s life takes an unexpected turn. She recently splits From her boyfriend, and finds herself helping her uncle with his shop following his dementia diagnosis. As she settles into her temporary new job she meets new Acquaintances in the neighbouring businesses, customers etc.. some of whom become friends.

The little hidden stories within really tug at the heart strings.


*I was given an advance readers copy (ARC) from NetGalley for my honest opinion of this book*

Jo Sorsby steps in to look after her favourite uncle's stationery/hardware shop in London, moving from Yorkshire where a long term relationship has come to a devastating end. Approaching 40, Jo feels her chance of a family and happiness have passed her by. Gradually her memories of being in the shop with Uncle Wilbur have a soothing effect and Jo makes an effort to make it welcoming to other people. Why should handwriting be a lost art? Meeting new friends in her regular customers Malcolm Buswell and the runaway Rev Ruth Hamilton widens Jo's perspective and make her see she is so much more than "Average Jo". It's a delight to be part of their friendship as they explore the residents of Highgate cemetery. I loved the Keeper of Stories and this was equally delightful. Neighbouring business owners Erik the Viking and Lando provide humour and romance. I loved this. #netgalley #Thebookofbeginnings

What a beautiful, insightful and emotional read. Sally Page always amazes me with how insightful she is with her characters. They’re realistic, flawed but so totally human and I love their connections. I really connected with Jo in this story - her thoughts and
emotions caught me completely and I loved how we saw her grow in the support of Malcolm and Ruth. Their backgrounds and secrets only made their relationship stronger and I thought their friendship was so beautiful. Together with the perfect setting of a stationery shop for the stationery nerd in me this deserves all the stars.

EXCERPT: . . . she thinks of the three of them in the pub talking about ghosts and she smiles into the darkness.
An unlikely trio. A believer, a non-believer, and . . . what is she? She doesn't believe in God, she knows that. But on the other hand, she thinks there may be more to life than this. And she does believe that if you think about friends in trouble, wish them well with all your being, that in some way that does some good. It's not praying exactly, but it is not the act of someone who believes that there is nothing more out there. And she had no problem in believing that the fox had come to Malcolm just when he needed it.
So, a believer, a non-believer, and there she is, Average Jo, somewhere in the middle.

ABOUT 'THE BOOK OF BEGINNINGS': Jo Sorsby knows she is hiding from her past when she steps in to look after her uncle’s stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble notes with fountain pens and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from the life she has left behind.

Yet far from home, Jo feels 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.

MY THOUGHTS: . . . we spend too much time obsessing about finding "the one", and we forget that a best friend can be a lifelong love. There is a fundamental truth, comfort and joy in having a best friend.

I usually end my review with my favorite quote from whatever book I am reviewing, but here I am, starting off my review with it instead, because this quote contains the essence of The Book of Beginnings.

This is a book about the importance of friendships; old, new and fleeting. This is a book that made me look more closely at my friendships, and even more closely at myself and how good a friend I am or am not, as the case may be. It made me recall friends long gone and think of friends I treasure. It made me look at people I once regarded as friends and whom I let down, or who let me down. It is a book that brings comfort and joy and imparts great wisdom in an entertaining, warm and captivating manner.

I loved and adored everything about The Book of Beginnings. I loved the characters - real people, people I would like to be friends with. Jo has just had her life tipped upside down; dumped by the long-term boyfriend she thought she was going to marry, she takes refuge by taking over her Uncle Wilbur's business when he falls ill. There she meets, amongst others, an elderly man who buys a notebook each week for the research he is doing for a book he intends to write; a Vicar who has run away from her parish; and two men who operate businesses in the same lane as her uncle - Eric the Viking and Lando. She also realises that there is something wrong with the relationship between herself and her best friend, Lucy, and wants to put it right.

There is so much fun, joy and comfort to be had in this book. It is has reignited my interest in poetry, which I have not read for more years than I can remember, fountain pens and beautiful stationery.. There are some beautiful and entirely apt quotations included in the text. There is so much wisdom. But it is not a 'preachy' book; the wisdom is seamlessly woven into the plot. A lot of it comes from the mouth of the very surprising Reverend Ruth Hamilton. I wish I knew someone like her.

If you only read one book this year, please make it The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page. You won't regret it. If nothing else, you will come away with a marvelous method of dealing with scam callers. For me, personally, reading this book was like being wrapped in a warm, loving hug.

Two particular pieces of wisdom that resonate with me:
'I spent so much of my time being terrified of failing that I never thought - what if I made it?

It is never too late to be what you might have been - George Eliot, who gets more than a casual mention.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

THE AUTHOR: After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.

Sally now combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is studying to be a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperCollins via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This is such a charming and engaging book! It’s about the importance of friendships and family, about making decisions, and about finding your path in life.. The characters are all extremely well-drawn, and are very likeable. The writing flows beautifully, and as the story unfolded, I found myself immersed in the characters lives. There are a lot of secrets in this book, feelings of inadequacy, and people who have lost their way. But above all, there is love and hope permeating the pages, which I really connected with. It’s whimsical, enjoyable, made me laugh and made me cry. The ending is exactly what I hoped for, and I love it..This is a gorgeous story, and I totally recommend it.

After having read this author's debut novel, I was eager to read more of her work. "The Book of Beginnings" celebrates the myriad aspects of friendship and is an excellent read.

I very much appreciated the writing, the way the story was told and how it flowed. Written with empathy and humour, it conveys the author's love of all things stationery related. It also serves to remind us that friends can come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and creeds, and that to find a true friend is one of life's greatest gifts.

Our protagonist, Jo Sorsby, comes to London to look after her uncle's shop when he falls ill. Nursing a broken heart after a failed relationship, Jo at age thirty-nine, has come to the realization that her life seems to be in limbo. After several months running the North London shop Jo finds new, true, friends and perhaps a new love interest?

Several scenes in this heart-warming novel take place in London's famous Highgate Cemetery.  The ending of the book takes place at Christmas time, so this would be an excellent seasonal read, or alternately, it would make a lovely Christmas gift for a friend.

Life-affirming, hopeful, 'UpLit' fiction from an author that I intend to keenly follow. Highly recommended!

4.5 stars rounded up

I have to admit to not finishing Sally Page's earlier book (a fact that I have now rectified!), but I devoured The Book of Beginnings in one sitting. I loved the gentleness of this story and the characters, and the sincere lack of awareness that friendships can help with most situations.. Sally Page allows you to share each gentle awakening and discovery that Jo makes, with no rush to finish the story. Each character is gradually introduced to the reader and culminates in a friendship so strong, warm and real that you do not want the book to finish. I particularly loved the characters of Highgate Cemetery! Sally Page, you have made me want to visit this cemetery and walk amongst the characters on Christmas Eve... A wonderful book, perfect for anytime and I apologise for not making time for you before. Thank you NetGalley for an enlightening read.

I really enjoyed this book. Jo Sorsby steps in to run her uncle's stationery shop when he is hospitalised. She has just been through a breakup and this provides the perfect bolt hole. Before long she forms some unlikely friendships. Ruth is a vicar running away from something that happened in her parish and Malcolm is a man in his 70s trying to write his first book. This is a lovely story of friendship and love and I thoroughly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

What a gorgeously warm, enriching story with delightful, quirky characters who I would love to count as friends.

The main characters are so well scripted that the reader will become wrapped up in Jo’s grief, Malcolm’s loneliness and Ruth’s hidden story. It is heartwarming watching their friendship develop and blossom and seeing their care for each other.

And then there are the supporting characters: the larger than life personality of the loveable Eric the Viking; Lucy the out-spoken best friend; Uncle Wilbur, who appears just once, but whose character threads through the book; Lando and the policeman along with so many more curious characters who appear in the stationery shop. I felt I was meeting them all alongside Jo.

I could clearly envisage the settings, without being aware that I had read ‘descriptions’, the little stationery shop tucked in an alley, Malcolm’s house and Highgate Cemetery, with its imposing tombs.

This book covers such a range of topics: God and beliefs; the value of friendships, belonging and purpose and celebrating life itself. Learning about the characters who are buried in Highgate Cemetery is a treat. I also loved the poetry and quotes that appear throughout, particularly this one from George Eliot ‘It is never too late to be what you might have been’.

A fabulous, enthralling book that left me feeling a little bereft when I got to the end.

A sweet read, beautifully written and I was captured by it immediately. I couldn't put it down as it was so engrossing from start to finish. This book will stay with me for a very long time. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A really lovely book. A perfect story to snuggle up with. It went at a nice pace, had interesting characters and a good plot. I highly recommend it!

The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page is a wonderful follow up to her 1st novel The Keeper of Stories.

Jo Sorsby is running from heartache when she takes over her uncle’s stationary shop in London. There she hopes to find herself again, With the help of a eclectic group of friends she finds that happiness can be found when you least are expecting it, Ruth, Malcolm, Eric the Viking, The wonders of Highgate Cemetery and finding forgiveness and friendship all make this an lovely read. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the different characters. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a feel good read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher HarperCollins UK, and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page
Published Date: 28 September 2023
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

This is the second book by Sally Page and my first reading by this author.
I liked the cover, a sunny, bright yellow with warm purples and greens, a happy cover! What matters, for me, is between the covers and the book is beautifully written.

This novel is an emotional, heart-warming, humourous read. This plot flowed and ebbed and, in parts, especially Malcolm’s stories of George Eliot and Karl Max was lost on me. The characters were believable and sometimes charming (Eric the Viking!) which you can relate to. Each character brings to the story hidden secrets and grief.
I enjoyed the author’s style of writing, providing the reader with equal measures of fun and sadness, which at times caused tears to flow! Blossoming friendship is paramount throughout this book and it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. The book is about grief, relationships, love, friendship and wanting.

I enjoyed the story and give a 3 star rating.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

This is a book that surrounds you in a big blanket that makes you safe and warm that you don't want to leave. We are in London in a magical shop of stationary (which makes you want to find that fountain pen and bottle of Quink ink hiding in the back of your drawer!), with a wonderful cast of characters, Malcolm, Rev Ruth, Eric the Viking and Jo who are all trying to find their places in the world. This is a book of friendship - new and old and how to nurture and rekindle them.
I loved it!