Where the Story Starts was a mesmerizing novel! I enjoyed how the characters were presented and their relationships. One day Clio visits Leah's house. The two women form a friendship and begin to spend time together. Leah has two children she is raising by herself. Clio lives in a huge house with her mother and her brother. The two women lead two different life styles. Leah struggles to raise her children while Clio has it made. As the days go on, the two women together will become involved in something that will forever change their lives. The story alternates between the days now and the past when they were young children. The story is full of emotion and written beautifully!

Lovely cover that drew me to the book. The book was lovely. A feel good read perfect for this time of year lazing on holiday or in the garden. It was easy to read and well written. Great read

Within the first few pages of this book, I knew I was going to become totally immersed in the characters.
Centred around four female characters in a past and present format, they are bound by a secret...one that was held together for more than 20 years.
As I was reading the book, I figured out the secret very early on..as I’m sure your meant too. But this was very much a character driven story and I loved these characters, especially Leah and Clio in the present day. I could have easily kept following their story and was quite sad to finish.
The author Imogen Clarke has been on my radar for a little while and I’m so glad I can add her to my list of authors to watch, as well as read her past books.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great novel about a pair of young women who discover friendship through a complicated series of events. I love the ending .

This is my first book by this author but I will definitely search for more. The story was like a puzzle with all of the pieces connecting one by one. There was family drama and secrets., and secrets always come to the surface. I really liked the characters of Clio and Leah.
Many thanks to Amazon UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It is obvious where this story is heading but this doesn't detract from enjoying the story as it unfolds. We follow two very different women who are related (half-sisters) but don't know it. We step into the tow very different lives of one man who has two wives and two families in two different places. I love the way the story weaves in and out of the past and the present, tracing the beginning of and development of love and parenthood and what happens when two worlds collide. It is a testament to duplicity, for knowing but choosing a very different course of action, of sticking to decisions and trying to help others. It is warm, interesting and the characters are delightful.
Follow Leah, a single parent and Clio a very privileged but bored individual keen to make things right and throw love Leah's way. Instead of long buried secrets blasting the friendship apart the truth actually liberates these two women and something very special is nurtured, forgiveness, acceptance and finally a sense of belonging.
I will read more of Imogen Clark!

Secrets, lies and friendship is the crux of this story. The story flows well considering there's a lot of background history that needs to be told.
A great book that has some great characters.

Having read Imogen Clark’s Postcard from a Stranger I know she delves into family secrets,, the struggle to keep them and the physical and emotional toll they wreak. The authors writing style from the previous novel is similar in this one - and its wonderful how she brings out the nuances of her characters in a way that you visualize them immediately and begin to feel that you have already met some of them in your day to day life. Two very different people,e meet and the choices they have made in the past haunt them (and us) as we learn their truths. Beautifully written and highly recommended

Enjoyable women's fiction.

*Thanks to Netgalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fascinating story about two families with two mothers who each have a daughter Clio and Leah. However, unknowingly, they share one husband and therefore one father. This man Charles is able to keep his double life for 18 years till one of the wives finds out and gives him an ultimatum. After the death of Charles, his other daughter Clio makes it her task to find out more about her half-sister and to come closer. It is well narrated while not all character are equally well developed. It brings up several questions about what is right and what is wrong which is always good when reading a book, therefore I would recommend reading it.

I really enjoyed this book. The way the author managed to weave the storyline’s together was faultless. Great writing, sad, yet heart warming story. I will recommend this book to others. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. I at first had an idea of who Ray was (I figured he was a bodyguard of Charles’), but boy was I wrong. I did appreciate the final chapter being from Charles’ point of view. The reason I did not give this 5 stars is because I would have liked to know of Charles ever found out about Melissa and how he felt. Overall, I did enjoy this book.

A gentle, beautifully written book that just creeps up on you. Each character is totally believable and the multiple voice storyline laces together effortlessly. A charming read and one I will certainly recommend.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Two families who come from very different backgrounds connect when Clio knocks on Leah's door. At this point, they have no idea that their lives are interwoven. This book follows two generations as they learn about each other and themselves. It is a fascinating character study. The story is told in the first person by the four main women. This allows the reader insight into their thoughts and feelings.

I really enjoyed this book even though after a couple of chapters I could predict how the central characters were connected. However it didn't really matter, I was interested to how the story would play out. Imogen Clark has a lovely style of writing and makes her characters easy to connect with .I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This is such a lovely read. Without giving the plot away I knew the ‘story ‘early on, however, this did not detract from the ebb and flow of these beautiful characters. Life can be funny at times and unfortunately some readers will be able to connect with this book as will know of a similar real life situation

I really liked the characters and agree that sometimes we are the bigger person to just let things go

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for ARC in return for an honest review

When Clio’s father dies suddenly she is thrown off kilter and in her grief she discovers some of the pieces don’t add up. Returning to a seaside home from a childhood memory, Clio befriends Leah and finds In her a true and honest friendship. But is there more to this seaside town that draws Clio in? What secrets lie in her and Leah’s pasts and how did this cottage draw them together? I enjoyed this story by Imogen Clark. I am giving it four stars only because it was a bit predictable, and the ending perhaps a little too tidy for a messy situation. I enjoyed the storyline and characters. The multi character narrative was well written and the perspectives appreciated. I highly enjoyed this book. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in. Highly recommend!

If you are looking for an easy read then this could be the book for you.

It is a predictable story with likable characters and it all falls neatly into place with a H.E.A.

Wow what a story,liked the way it alternates from character to character in each chapter.
The storyline is really about how each character evolves during the story as secrets are revealed slowly through the book.
Put this book on your reading list.