The Start of the Story by Jane Lovering

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Rowan Thorpe can be forgiven for living with one foot in the past. Since having to say goodbye far too young to the future she had planned, moving on still feels a daunting task. So, when historian Connor O’Keefe strides purposefully into her office and life, looking far too handsome for his own good and threatening to undermine the local legends she holds close to her heart, she is more than a little unsettled.

Connor has a past too, and his own reasons to keep his heart under wraps. But when a combination of fate and an unexpected snowstorm mean that Rowan and Connor have all the time in the world to swap stories, it may finally be time to for an end and a new beginning.

My Opinion

I enjoy reading Jane Lovering's writing as she writes about places I am familiar with and the writing style is just beautiful. Rowan and Connor don't get off to the best start, but I really liked see how they interacted with each other throughout the book.

The Start of the Story has some funny bits whilst also being serious in places. Jane Lovering has written a nice slow burn romance. Overall this is relatively quick read that should definitely be on your want to read list.

Rating 4/5

I enjoyed learning about the folklore and the poignant flashbacks in the story set in North Yorkshire. Rowan and Connor are easy-to-like characters, and their interactions are full of conflict, humour, and passion. I like the believable characters' emotional journey, the storytelling that draws you into Rowan and Connor's lives and the local legends the story explores through their work.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher.

As is often the case with Jane Lovering’s books, we have a heroine who has had a difficult past who meets up with the hero and they immediately rub up the wrong way. So what’s different about this book from other similar romantic fiction you might ask? Well, there’s just something special about Jane’s writing which make her books so engaging and hard to put down.

Dr Rowan Thorpe is a folklorist gathering stories of myth and legend from the local Yorkshire community particularly looking at the legends of the Fairy Stane. Professor Connor O’Keefe is a historian also researching the local moors to see if there may have been a Roman settlement there. They clash over many things with Connor as a historian needing evidence before drawing conclusions which of course doesn’t really work for Rowan as a folklorist. When Connor tells her he may need to lift the fabled Fairy Stane, Rowan is horrified, Not only is it a significant part of the local area’s history and folklore but it’s got particular special meaning to Rowan for personal reasons. There are some interludes woven into the narrative showing the significance of the Fairy Stane throughout the centuries. You don’t really know how they fit into the story at first but when it is revealed, my goodness that’s a rather emotional moment.

Although Rowan may seem rather closed off and reclusive at first, as we started to learn more about her my heart went out to her. I don’t want to give away all the details of course but I can say that her heart has been broken and she is grieving not only the loss of a person but the loss of her hopes for the future. I was particularly touched when Rowan recognising despair in another character, went to simply be with them, knowing exactly what that despair felt like. Connor has also had his heart broken but in a very different way. There’s an element of forced proximity in this story as first of all, Rowan finds herself railroaded into agreeing that Connor can stay temporarily in her spare room. Then there’s a snowstorm which sees them trapped in her remote cottage with nothing else to do but talk of their pasts and perhaps in doing so come to terms with what’s happened and look to the future.

The Start of the Story is another wonderful book from Jane Lovering. I adored the characters, the setting, the ducks (!!) and how the story evolved. I don’t know what it is about her writing but she draws me in everytime and I feel so emotionally invested in her characters. With her gentle humour, a real warmth and a beautifully written romance, The Start of the Story is highly recommended by me.

This story “started” in the mid-1800s with the arrival of Irish immigrants fleeing the famine and settling in the cold, desolate landscape of Yorkshire England. Rowan Thorpe is a folklorist whose current project is uncovering the stories told, and eventually written, about the Fairy Stane, a large, heavy stone set among the reeds and bracken on the moor between her restored mill cottage and the remains of an English manor house. Legend has it that the Stane is the gateway to Fairyland and it isn’t to be moved or the “little people” will escape and wreak havoc on the earth. Although she knows that the tale isn’t true, she’s highly protective of the site, both in honor of those long gone and for more personal reasons. So, it’s no wonder she doesn’t welcome visiting Professor Conor O’Keefe, an historian who is in York to research a possible Roman settlement on land where the Stane sits and who announces when first meeting her that he might have to turn the stone over to check for markings. As these two wounded souls are thrown together, first due to noisy neighbors, then thanks to blizzard conditions, they begin to build a friendship and to realize that they have more in common than they initially thought. Rowan’s job is to record and preserve these oral traditions and Conor’s is to gather facts and uncover artifacts to explain history, but the lines begin to blur the more they share about themselves and the motivations that inform their actions.

Although there is an enemies-to-lovers romance that slowly builds, this book focuses more on how grief, guilt, and shame manifest and the stories that people tell themselves and eventually share with others as a way either to explain things they can’t comprehend or to provide comfort when tragic life events occur with no rhyme or reason, both of which are at the heart of the oral storytelling tradition. The pace of this story is very slow, sort of like an archaeological dig. It’s told from Rowan’s POV, and I would like to have heard more of Conor’s perspective. Initially, I had trouble understanding Rowan’s protectiveness of the Stane, which made her seem very rude and antagonistic. Since she doesn’t believe that fairies are real, and everyone who told or recorded the stories originally is long gone, who besides herself would have a problem with the stone being lifted temporarily? Moving the stone doesn’t negate the value of oral storytelling, especially from an historical perspective, but she argues that it does. Luckily, as time goes on, Rowan’s and Conor’s motivations both become clear, and Lovering does a stellar job of tying all elements of the story together. Anglophiles, history buffs, and readers who like closed door romances embedded in more complex stories will find this book compelling. Recommended.

A lovely story once it gets going and I learnt much about folklore and history, some of which brought a tear to my eye.
Unfortunately the 3 stars is because I really could not bring myself to like the MC, she just annoyed me with her negativity.

Jane Lovering’s The Start of the Story is a heartwarming and cozy romance that brings together two characters, both haunted by their pasts, in a charming, snowy setting. With its gentle pace, small-town charm, and themes of healing and second chances, the novel offers a pleasant escape for readers looking for a light and uplifting read.

Rowan Thorpe, the protagonist, is a woman still grappling with loss and the challenge of moving forward after her dreams for the future were cut short. Lovering paints Rowan as a sympathetic character who is stuck in the past—both emotionally and professionally, as she clings to the local legends that have long comforted her. When historian Connor O’Keefe arrives, with his sharp intellect and disarming good looks, he threatens not only her peace of mind but also the cherished stories that give her life meaning. Rowan’s attachment to the past and her reluctance to embrace change form the crux of her emotional journey, making her a relatable figure for anyone who has struggled to let go of grief.

Connor is equally complex, though his emotional barriers are less immediately obvious. He arrives in Rowan’s life with his own baggage, and Lovering slowly peels back the layers of his character as the novel progresses. The chemistry between Rowan and Connor is subtle but grows steadily as the two characters are forced into close quarters by a combination of fate and a snowstorm. The forced proximity trope is well-handled, creating moments of quiet intimacy where they can share their stories and, in turn, begin to face their respective pasts.

What makes The Start of the Story enjoyable is its focus on the emotional growth of the characters. Both Rowan and Connor are wounded souls, and Lovering doesn’t rush their development. Instead, she allows their relationship to unfold at a natural pace, giving them space to confront their fears and vulnerabilities. The snowy, idyllic setting serves as a perfect backdrop for their slow-burn romance, providing cozy and atmospheric moments that balance the heavier themes of loss and healing.

However, while the novel is undoubtedly heartwarming, it does lean heavily on familiar romance tropes. The story follows a predictable path, and some readers may find the plot lacks the depth or tension needed to truly keep them on the edge of their seats. The external conflict—centered around Connor’s work as a historian and Rowan’s attachment to local myths—feels more like a convenient plot device than a fully developed source of tension. As a result, the stakes never feel particularly high, and the story unfolds without too many surprises.

That said, Lovering’s writing is charming and easy to read. Her dialogue is witty, and she brings a sense of humor and warmth to the story that keeps it from feeling too heavy, even when dealing with topics like grief and letting go of the past. The secondary characters, while not deeply fleshed out, add to the cozy small-town atmosphere, creating a sense of community and belonging that enhances the novel’s comforting tone.

Final Thoughts:
The Start of the Story is a sweet, slow-burn romance that offers a gentle exploration of grief, healing, and second chances. While the plot may be predictable and the stakes relatively low, Jane Lovering’s engaging characters and charming writing style make this an enjoyable read, particularly for those who appreciate a cozy, feel-good romance set in a picturesque, snowy landscape. It’s the perfect book for curling up with on a dreary day when you need something heartwarming to lift your spirits.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Rowan is not used to living on her own, after her husband died, she’s not been able to move on with her life.

Connor arrives at the moors to investigate a stane, but as well as that he left Ireland after a relationship he was in didn’t work out. Rowan has been talked into letting him stay with her whilst he’s doing the research.

This story covers the issue of grief, whether it’s about death or failure of relationships.

It was lovely to see both characters talking about their pasts and the beginning of a relationship.

I recommend this book.

This is not my usual type of read in that I would not normally read something heavily focused around folklore and it was this aspect that I did not gel with. I just did not connect with it or find it interesting. However, the characters are wonderful and really make the book and I ended up caring about them. The book grew on me as well and as more is revealed about the characters, I warmed to the book and the goings on. This ended up being a beautiful read that captured something inside me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

Although Christmas appears in this book, it would be wrong to consider it a strictly festive story as it goes much further than simply being a yuletide treat. I’m pretty familiar with Jane’s writing style and love that her characters come with the kind of flaws and weaknesses we all deal with regularly. Let’s face it: We may not mourn a late partner, but we all know someone who does, and we empathise with the depth of that pain.
Rowan has become hyper-focused on folklore and fights to protect the memories involved in telling these stories. Despite earning her degree in history, she works tirelessly to safeguard legends and happily accepts that sharing folktales does not require the support of facts.
I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Rowan. Her personality was complex, and I initially thought she was decidedly rude. That opinion passed quite quickly once I understood the motive behind her actions and words. Life had been harsh and decidedly unkind to her, leaving her grieving for what might have been.
Equally, historian Connor has a troubled past and is not even vaguely interested in anything more than a place to stay and the occasional meal. During his visit from Ireland, ridesharing was a bonus, and he counted his blessings as he didn’t have a car. As much as Rowan follows legends, Connor deals with evidence and searches for proof of ancient Roman settlements.
I’m unsure how a couple with so much in common could see two sides of the same story. Their conflicting views brought about a tension that went way deeper than physical attraction. There was a cerebral connection that challenged them, and I loved it.
Jane Lovering has imagined some fantastic characters, and her timing is perfectly tuned to create light comedy that does not diminish the incredibly moving aspects of this very special book.

A cute story, touching on folklore, history and rebuilding your life after being broken.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this arc.

There are some major issues that must be and are sensitively addressed. Before the book finished, I did believe in the attraction between Rowan and Connor. But it was a long way to get there. For a book that is only 268 pages, it felt a lot longer and in this case, that isn’t great.

Rowan has a doctorate in folklore and the security of a paid position to actually make a living at investigating it and writing about it. When a visiting Irish professor who is intensely interested in possibly digging around something that is sacred to Rowan pops into her life, she is less than pleased. Rowan vehemently, and I mean vehemently, refuses to allow this, using the fact that the stone harks back to the folklore and traditions that she is recording to ensure that this oral history isn’t forgotten. Their arguments about the stone and whether Connor will be allowed to raise it continue for a long time. Rowan shuts down any attempt at Connor talking her into it. Frankly, this got boring.

But this is only part of the story. Rowan lost her husband suddenly four years ago and still hasn’t finished grieving for him. Connor believed that he had found the woman of his dreams in Dublin only to have his planned future come crashing down when he was told the truth about her. She can’t move on and he now doubts himself as how else could he have been so wrong? This is not only a slow burn romance, it’s a barely simmering one for most of the book. This is the part which made the book read so slow to me. It also didn’t help that Rowan spends most of the book as wrapped in grief and, at times, difficult to like. I understand why she is this way but it’s not easy to read.

Connor is the one who figures out what the stone actually is and it ties into what he knows about Irish history and what he learns about a former manor in the area. I honestly would not have put the two together but did have a small inkling – based on the little vignettes scattered through the book that it had great but unmentioned significance to people who used to live in the area. The truth is heartbreaking but the outcome is emotionally satisfying while also acknowledging the pain that people went through and how this marker helped them.

I ended up enjoying Rowan and Connor’s growing relationship once they’d moved past what was holding them back. After the simmering burn, what followed was a bit explosive and fast. “The Start of the Story” is a slow, cozy book that taught me some new things but I wish it had moved a bit faster. B-

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for an early copy of this book for my review. Rowan and Connor complete strangers both trying to deal with their own heartache, are thrown together when Connor needs a place to stay & Rowan has a spare room. Reluctantly Rowan opens up her home & also ends up opening up her heart. I loved the interactions between these two characters and how their friendship evolves.

A widowed English folklorist and an Irish Historian meet in the heart of Yorkshire . Will the chills of the North Yorkshire winter make their headlong collision course over the ‘fairy stone’ freeze or will a thaw develop as they are forced to spend the festive season together.
Interesting foray into fairy folklore . A thoroughly enjoyable book

The Start of the Story by Jane Lovering is a comforter of a story. Rowan and Connor's chemistry reminded me of Briana and Roger in Outlander- total opposites, two opinionated people with their own way of thinking. Enjoyable quick read to remember

Was a little unsure of this slow burner of a romance to start, however the story navigates through loss and grief for both Rowan and Connor and how their romance then blossoms from the discoveries they make whilst experiencing this, if you love a cosy book you’ll like this one. 3 stars for me
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This was slow paced, a bit too slow in my opinion. Whilst I liked Connor, I never really warmed to Rowan. The author had her unnecessarily grumpy and antagonistic at times. The romance was too drawn out. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Start of a Story, the lead characters are Folklorist and Historian. This is the kind of story - a little whimsy, a lot of passion in its characters is what made me love the author's writing. It reminded me of her earlier books and I absolutely loved reading it.

Rowan is a folklorist. Connor is a visiting historian at the University of York. They come to blows over their perceptions of a site on the moors. But somehow Rowan offers Connor her spare room for six months. She is coming to terms with losing her husband and he with a bad break-up. Gradually they develop an understanding of each other - and a realisation that their historical perceptions are both wrong.

Rowan, whose doctorate specialises in the study of folklore, lives in a remote cottage that she and her late husband restored. In particular she is studying a stone which is said to cover the entrance to Fairy land, but this is then put at risk by an Irish professor who is looking for a lost roman settlement.
The location sounds wonderful but bleak, and very lonely for a grieving young widow. Her study of folklore sounds fascinating and different to the archeology that study of the past brings to mind. Connor, the Irish history professor, is a complex character also grieving the end of a relationship. There also flashbacks to the past that gradually make sense as the story develops. The romance side is a very small part of the story, with the more professional interplay between the main characters taking centre stage. With a twist at the end that I didn't see coming this is a gentle book that I did really enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I thought this was an interesting book and it moved at the perfect pace for the characters. Rowan has a PhD in folklore. She enjoys working in her tiny office with only one assistant. She lives in remote isolation in a restored cottage that she and her late husband had lovingly restored. She has put up barriers to ensure her isolation. Her special place is a stone where folklore says fairies and other little people lived underneath. It's within walking distance of her home

Connor is a visiting professor who is looking to determine if there had been a local Roman outpost. He's on a temporary 6 month assignment. He's focused on wanting to lift that special stone to see if it has any indication of Roman occupation. We find out that he's in North Yorkshire for a totally unrelated reason.

When Connor can't find housing, Rowan's assistant suggests that Rowan offer him lodging until he can find other accommodations. Rowan isn't pleased at all, but can't come up with a good excuse. She's snarky, nasty, and difficult with Connor, but he keeps his good humor and good manners.

Their attraction is slow to develop and I would almost say this isn't a romance, but instead a story of growing, learning, accepting, and leaving the past behind.

I truly enjoyed this book. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could.