I was invited by the publisher to review this book. It is 1973 in South Dakota, and Rene dreams of becoming a classical ballet dancer, even as the classes become more of a financial burden for her family. Rene eventually leaves to train in Arizona, where the competition is fierce and her host family does not exactly welcome her. As Rene continues to pursue her dream, she starts to question what it is that she really wants: to excel at ballet, or be content just existing as is.

This is a good read for people who enjoy the journey of identity and self-fulfillment. It's a great book for readers who want to be introspective and follow a girl coming into her own. While this book has a lot of depth in terms of emotions and the thought process, I would have liked just a tad more to propel the plot forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Appreciate the gifted copy from NetGalley!
Starting From Here had moments of emotional depth and introspection, but overall, it felt a bit uneven. The themes of growth and identity were meaningful, though the plot didn’t fully capture me. Still, it's worth a read if you enjoy literary fiction with a reflective tone. A solid 3 stars.

Paula Saunders truly has a way with words.
Starting from Here was engaging and well written.
The way Saunders paints René‘s journey is magnificent. The writing is so perfectly descriptive to pull you into the time, the place, the particular scenes and into the head and heart of a young woman striving for greatness in 1973. Beautifully written in lyrical prose I was swept away in this book. And loved every second of it.

*Starting from Here* is a poignant coming-of-age story about René, a young girl with big dreams of becoming a dancer, and the obstacles she faces in her journey to reach them. Set against the backdrop of 1970s America, the novel explores her struggles with self-identity, family expectations, and the harsh realities of pursuing greatness. Beautifully written and full of raw emotion, it’s a heartfelt reflection on the complexity of girlhood and the pursuit of dreams.