This story was so stinking cute. I loved everything about it - I did find it to be a little predictable, I called just about every "twist" but still really enjoyed it. I also felt Andie was so relatable, especially to me on a personal level. I went through almost this exact scenario when I went off to college. (Realizing that the person you thought was going to be spending the rest of your life with was only meant to be there for a time, and that a lot of growing can happen over the course of a few months)

Loved the grumpy / sunshine aspect of this story - Loved Milo from the first second he came into the story. And I loved the friendships in this book - so many times in books there is a catty female character and I was so pleased to see the drama without it being because of a woman.

Emma Lord always delivers realistic and likable characters and an engaging plot. I loved and related to Andie and her organization/plans. The college campus setting was great. Emma Lord is a must-read author for me!

I love nothing more than an Emma Lord book. I’m so proud to share a name with her 😂 I was immediately hooked by this book and finished it in one sitting. I appreciate that it’s a fresh story and doesn’t mimic any of her other books.

4.5 stars

I really like Emma Lord’s writing style. Her books are for those times when you just want a good, fun, feel-good read. She knows how to include real world problems and issues without making her characters the victim in a situation. They come out stronger and better people. Her characters are relatable on so many levels. Although this book takes place on the college level, (I’m definitely not college age) I could still relate to Andi’s dad in the book. I think this book is great for so many different age groups.

Overall I loved Begin Again. The writing was wonderful and the story just left me feeling good!

***Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy in return for an honest review***

I love Emma Lord and I don't usually read YA, but I couldn't pass this one up. I really loved the romance and the world-building that Emma did.

I really loved this book! I loved how it reflected a (mostly) realistic view of your freshman year of college and how it can be challenging to find your place. It felt very real and the layers to it was so well done. I like the element of mystery as well, and I REALLY want to go to Bagelopolis!

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Maybe Emma Lord is publishing too many books too quickly? 😬 Regardless, here are my thoughts:

What I Liked:
-Andie is very easy to like. She's motivated (I mean, transferring from community college so quickly?! yes girl) and she is willing to do what it takes to be successful
-Andie's relationship with her roommate, Shay. As with most roommate situations, it took them a bit to warm up to each other but when they did, it was a beautiful relationship.
-The cute little radio show where Andie was able to connect with her mom? Loved this. Andie is a beast at giving good advice.
-Donuts


What I Didn't Like:
-While it was easy to like Andie and her motivation, I also found myself screaming at her to open her eyes and mind to other things than just the few things she was focused on. I mean, girl. There's more to life than Connor and getting back to him. (Though I would have behaved the exact same way). Andie really kind of bothered me at times and I wanted better for her.

Begin Again was a great story about starting over, or really just starting at all. Andre Rose is a mid year transfer to her dream college, the one where her parents met and her mom, who passed away when Andie was 11, left a legacy.

It’s heartwarming to watch Andie recognize that her dreams need to be her own if she wants to really enjoy life. She meets a great group of friends who are there to support her as much as she supports them.

Lord’s writing is funny, believable, and quickly paced.

I am definitely going to check out Lord’s other books!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Begin Again

A Novel

By: Emma Lord

Publish Date: 24 January 2023

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books

Teens and YA

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book Review:

This was a cute story, and I gave the book 3 stars. Andie has a plan to transfer from the community college to a state university. She plans on majoring in psychology. Once she gets there things don’t go as planned. Her relationship with her boyfriend is rocky. He was at the state university but is now at the community college. Her roommate needs a major and Andie has no ideas to help her. She is not used to not being able to help those around her. This is making her realize what she is truly made of. I really enjoy the friendship in this book and how they help each other out.

Emma Lord writes great, interesting, and fully developed characters who you love rooting for in their relationships but also all the other aspects of their journey.

Missed the mark. The story skips from issue to issue and if feels like the MC never stops complaining. Pacing of story also felt slightly off.

In Emma Lord's "Begin Again," readers are welcomed into a tight-knit friend group that resonates with the warmth of a chosen family. Andie Rose, armed with her meticulous plans and unyielding enthusiasm, embarks on a journey at Blue Ridge State, only to find her carefully crafted life veering off course. The dynamics of her relationships, particularly with boyfriend Connor, take unexpected turns, adding layers of complexity to Andie's pursuit of her goals. Lord skillfully weaves a narrative of empowerment, portraying Andie's struggle to redefine success amidst the ruins of her meticulously planned future.

The novel offers a delightful blend of romance and self-discovery, with Milo, Andie's grumpy R.A., challenging her notions of love and relationships. The "Just Kiss Already!" tension adds a charming touch to the storyline, keeping readers eagerly turning pages. Beyond the romantic subplot, Lord infuses the narrative with hidden Taylor Swift references, contributing to the novel's playful and enjoyable atmosphere. "Begin Again" provides a unique peek into the mind of a perfectionist, exploring the highs and lows of Andie's journey as she discovers the power of her voice on the school's pirate radio station, an homage to her late mother.

"Begin Again" succeeds in delivering not just a cute story, but a deeper exploration of resilience, self-expression, and the significance of found family. With its fun and heartwarming narrative, the book is a memorable addition to the YA genre, leaving readers reflecting on the unpredictability of life and the beauty of starting anew.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for generously providing this amazing digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Emma Lord's latest creation, "Begin Again," is not just a book; it's a delightful escape into a world where troubles, sadness, and pains are remedied by the sheer magic of storytelling. Lord, once again, proves her prowess in crafting promising, heartfelt plots that radiate pure happiness, joy, and positive energy. This book, in particular, has earned a special place in my heart, surpassing even my affection for her previous works.

The narrative unfolds with a fresh perspective on college life, steering clear of the regular clichés that often populate such stories. The characters, beautifully flawed and relatable, navigate through their own baggages, making them immensely likable.

From ribbon scavenger hunts to trivia nights, vampire games, and a pirate radio station honoring a new host, each element of the college experience is infused with vibrancy and charm. Lord's vivid descriptions make the reader long to teleport to the past, savoring the fabulous adventures of a seemingly idyllic college life.

At the heart of the story is Andie, a high-achieving heroine with a knack for fixing other people's problems through her anonymous advice column. However, it becomes evident that Andie uses this mechanism to evade her own issues, including resentment toward her father, yearning for her mother, and a strained relationship with her long-distance boyfriend, Connor.

The setbacks in Andie's love life and the unexpected twists in her college journey pave the way for a poignant and heartwarming self-discovery. The supporting characters, including the supportive roommate Shay and the charismatic RA Milo, add layers of depth to Andie's growth.

The charm of the college experience, complete with snow fights, dreamy bagel combinations, and the legendary pirate radio station, unfolds seamlessly. Lord's ability to blend humor, emotion, and genuine moments creates a captivating and authentic narrative.

Amidst the laughter and tears, the book explores themes of self-growth, finding true love, making peace with the past, and discovering one's purpose. Milo, the spectacular hero, emerges as a standout character, stealing hearts with his kindness, maturity, loyalty, and playfulness.

In summary, "Begin Again" is a genuine, heartwarming gem that deserves to be cherished. It invites readers to embark on a journey of laughter, tears, and ultimately, a deep appreciation for the magic of new beginnings. I highly, absolutely, and extremely recommend this enchanting read.

3.75 Stars

Such a fun contemporary novel! I loved the character dynamics and look forward to reading more from Emma Lord in the future.

I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I thought I would. I found the main character to be a little naive and immature for her age. It was a good story, but I was expecting more. I do feel that others will find it enjoyable. I think maybe this was a case where I hyped the book up too much in my mind. I'm confident other people will love. For me, it was just okay though.

This was such a cute and heartfelt book! The author did an amazing job telling this story and the characters were so endearing. It was a perfect adaptation of what many people go through when they are learning who they are and start venturing out on their own. I definitely would recommend this book!

Andie has Plans for her and her high school sweetheart, and in her efforts to surprise him, she finds they are not on the same page at all. As Andie starts to realize she has revolved her life around someone who had given her little consideration, she starts to think about what she does want and how to put in the effort. Great characters, and a nice grumpy/sunshine romance.

I fell in love with Andie’s found family very fast. Her group of friends really came through, even when it would be easy to be torn apart by drama. Obviously I liked Milo the best - cute and grumpy RA with a heart of gold? COME ON! But I also appreciated that he had his own complex story too.

The secret-society ribbon hunt was a bit convoluted for me, but an interesting plot device nonetheless. While I found a lot of it predictable, the story and their interwoven relationships were very sweet and it made me nostalgic for my own college days.

I am a fan of Emma Lord, so I decided to pick up this book and read it. And once again, she didn’t disappoint. Thanks, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC.

As usual, Andie has a plan: Transfer from community college to hyper-competitive Blue Ridge State, major in psychology, and maintain her lifelong goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure despite the nerves that have recently thrown her for a loop. But the moment she arrives, the rest of her plans go off the rails. Her rocky relationship with her boyfriend Connor gets more complicated when she discovers he transferred from Blue Ridge to her community college. Her roommate lesbian Shay needs a major, and despite her impressive track as being The Fixer, Andie’s stumped on how to help. And Milo, her grump of an R.A., is somehow disrupting all her ideas about love and relationships one sleep-deprived wisecrack at a time. But sometimes, when all your plans are in rubble, you find out what you’re made of. And when Andie starts to find the power of her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school’s legendary pirate radio station—the same one her mom founded before her passing—she learns that not all the best-laid plans are necessarily the right ones.

I enjoyed that it started after the winter break. From the back, I could tell that Andie would struggle with her growing feelings for Milko as soon as they met while trying to remain faithful to Connor. I did feel sorry for Andie not having her mother in her life anymore (was best friends with my late mother, so I can relate). But I did admire her desire to try and do better in school, stay faithful to Connor, and her friendships in this new but familiar town.

It was obvious early on that Connor wasn’t a good boyfriend for Andie. I was on #TeamMilo early on. Connor and his family were really the only characters I didn’t like or enjoy.

Emma Lord fans, romcom fans, and fans Just Kiss Already! books, you’ll be rooting for #TeamMilo as soon as you read them meeting. Pick this one up already if you’re a fan of any of that

I’m seriously the worst for never writing this review 👎🏽
But better late than never, I’m going to be gushing now:

I *loved* this book. And I seriously love Emma Lord. She has a gift, she truly always writes people you can’t help but care about, and this was no exception.

I loved the part about how the main characters are college radio hosts. That gave them extra depth and wonderfulness, especially considering there is a surprising legacy over there. And don’t even get me started on their families, I adored reading about their backgrounds and it made me all the more invested in their romance. A perfect, romantic read🥰.