Review by Ronny
Just the Beginning is a charming romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet.
Favourite Quote:
‘Hello Rick. It’s been a while.’ Anya’s slightly husky voice still had the same power to mesmerise him, almost as much as her beautiful, elfin face and smoky grey eyes.
Book Synopsis:
Everyone in Halfmoon Quay, the picture-perfect village clinging to the edge of the Cornish coast, knows Rick Penrose is the person to turn to for help.
Friendly and reliable, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, he’ll do anything for anyone. When his teenage crush Anya moves back to the quay for a fresh start, he has the perfect solution. She needs a job and his great uncle needs help to run his hotel. It’s a win-win.
Following the death of her husband, Anya Stokes discovered everything about her life was a lie. Without her beautiful home and the luxuries she took for granted, Anya and her daughter, Freya, have no choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon Quay.
As she begins to turn her life around, Anya realises the perfect man might have been right under her nose all the time. But there’s a fine line between helping and taking over and Rick doesn’t always know where it is. Then Anya discovers he’s been keeping things from her and it’s like the past is repeating itself…
Review:
I am a huge fan of Sarah’s writing. Whenever I read her books, it is like being wrapped in a cozy blanket and spending time with a wonderful friend. This is the first book in a new series, and I cannot wait to spend more time in Halfmoon Quay. I loved this book and ended up reading it in one sitting. Sarah has this fabulous talent for creating these gorgeous, quaint, and sometimes quirky small towns that are just a joy to spend time in. I gobbled up everything about this town and adored all the secondary characters. There is heart in this community, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this book is all just fluff. This book has a lot of depth, and these characters feel real. Their lives aren’t perfect, and they are dealing with problems in their lives that are very relatable, this injects a sense of realism into the story.
The story was entertaining. It had drama, romance, humour, and heart. The story unfolded at just the perfect pace to keep me entertained. Anya’s journey of finding herself after her husband’s death and betrayal was heartfelt and very romantic. I absolutely adored Anya’s daughter Freya. She added that extra delightful charm that is sure to put a smile on your face. I think any parent can relate to Anya and Freya’s daily battle over Flora’s wardrobe choices, which often include tutus and princess dresses.
The romance between Anya and Rick is sweet and lovely. Rick has been pining for Anya since they were teenagers, and with Anya’s return, those feelings resurface pretty quickly. There are a few challenges that Anya and Rick have to work through as they start on this dating journey. Rick is a fixer and finds himself trying to fix all of Anya’s problems, which is something she doesn’t want. Anya wants to be able to stand on her own two feet and learn how to do things on her own for the first time in her life. It was interesting to watch as these two try to figure out boundaries and how to be a couple.
Just the Beginning is another sweet and heartfelt romance by the talented Sarah Bennett.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
