🎸🎼☕💗 "Where We Begin" (The Berkshires #1) (2020) 💗☕🎼🎸 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Series: (The Berkshires – Book #1)

Hardcover: 346 pages

Publisher: Independently Published (October 29, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 979-8695006032

Click Picture for Purchase Information

 

 

“Fate never gives you everything you want. But sometimes, when you least expect it, you get exactly what (or who) you need…

 Hannah’s life has suddenly become a lot less. Jobless, homeless, and boyfriend-less, that is. Now, all she wants is a fresh start—and her sister’s charming small town is the perfect setting for it. Finding a new romance is nowhere on her agenda. Too bad her heart (the stupid organ that beats a little faster every time her new boss is near) didn’t get the memo.

 Collin hasn’t been lucky when it comes to romance, either. But knowing he’s not cut out for love doesn’t stop him from wanting his beautiful new employee with an intensity that terrifies him. He barely survived losing his fiancée. Losing Hannah…well, he’s afraid there wouldn’t be any coming back from that.

 Can Hannah and Collin overcome the pain of their pasts—and the secrets they’re both still carrying—to take a shot at happily ever after? Or are they destined to remain star crossed forever?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Janey King, for providing a complimentary review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested and all words are my own. 

This is King’s debut novel, and is the first in this series. It is definitely not a “standalone” read with what I refer to as an open-end, or rather a cliffhanger of an ending that feels very abrupt. Those who’ve read it know what I mean. 

 

The two main characters; Hannah (everything-less) and the charming Collin are both in the small Northeast town to re-start their lives after the loss of relationships. Hannah’s boyfriend broke up with her and Collin’s loss is from an accident two years earlier that claimed the life of his girlfriend. They’re both instantly taken with each other in this sweet, heartbreaking, and sometimes amusing new adult fiction story. It is told in first person from each of their perspectives. 

 

While not an exciting page turner, I was definitely captivated by the story and the author’s use of short chapters definitely held my interest and kept the story moving. King’s relaxed, casual, and descriptive writing brought the story to life and can draw the reader in.  

 

There were a few typos such as punctuation marks and word placements. The biggest for me was the name of a character. Collin has two aunts; one of them starts out as Madison, is renamed to Madeline in chapter six (6), and renamed Madison in chapter 24 on. It was a bit confusing at first until I figured out it was a typo. 

 

This is not a Christian read, though there is a slight “prayer” before Thanksgiving dinner. For those interested in clean reads – this is what I call a “semi-clean” read. There is only ONE “closed doors” scene, but there is a LOT of talk and reference to looks, attraction (this is stated several times), lust, body parts, and innuendos (“Melt my panties off, who is this guy?”). There is the use of the “b” word with middle finger salute; a$$ and h%ll are used, though the use is sparse. There are no other foul words though.  

 

However, if you’re used to “squeaky clean” reads – this might not be for you. Even Collin’s aunts get a bit “dirty” and salty at some points. There is also mention of a drag queen, though this event is told as a reflection/memory and not integral to the plot and the person is not past chapter one (1).

 

Hannah is forced, due to her boyfriend walking away from their relationship, to move in with her sister and brother-in-law in small town Monterey, Massachusetts. It is no secret that Hannah doesn’t like her brother-in-law, and I wasn’t too sure if he liked her or was kidding around. He definitely wasn’t my favorite character at all and I’m glad his character was kept to a minimum. Cassie, Hannah’s sister, was also one character I was on the fence about as well. 

 

Collin is in Monterey to manage a café and heal from Caroline’s death despite it being nearly two (2) years earlier. It is his café that Hannah lands her job in and where she meets “Mr.  Sexy Pants”, a moniker that somewhat follows through the novel.

 

Collin almost instantly falls for Hannah when she accidentally spills her coffee, but is trying not to feel those emotions. Yet, he can’t help but want to get to know here.

 

Still, as the two spend more time together; sometimes accidentally and sometimes on purpose – they realize there is an attraction neither one can ignore. They decide to “hang out” rather than date. But, even those around them can see the attraction. 

 

Collin is also afraid of what Hannah will say when she learns about Caroline’s “accident”, so he doesn’t tell her about it. Though it is clear it is eating him up and preventing him from moving on.

 

Eventually, Hannah learns the truth and has to comfort Collin during a “rough moment”. It is clear he needs to put Caroline behind him, though it is difficult due to the situation. Hannah confesses about her adopted mother’s murder (she and her sister were both adopted by this woman). She too feels guilty because of a decision she made that she feels lead to her mother’s death, and uses that to connect to Collin.  

 

The romance is a slow build-up, and not rushed through. Though towards the end, the story picks more traction up. 

 

King definitely touches on the realism of guilt and tragedy with Collin’s character, but gives some hope with overcoming tragedies to fall in love again. 

 

I certainly adored the “Dickens Holiday Festival”, and this is what slightly leads into the cliffhanger ending. 

 

This was a very quick read, but I am still not certain how I feel about that ending though. I also wasn’t sure what to make of Ryan (Hannah’s ex) coming to town. I also wasn’t too sure how I felt about Hannah seducing Collin during a holiday meal. She also seemed far too jealous, though at the end there might have been a reason why. 

 

For those who want a spicier romance than a clean read, but don’t want “explicit” or “smut” – this is a pretty decent read. 

 

The untitled second book is (according to the back pages) set to be released March 2021.

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Janey King is a New Adult romance author. Where We Begin is her debut novel.

 

She lives in New Jersey with her husband and young son in a historic house that was built in 1887. When she’s not writing, she can be found fixing or redoing something in her house, tending to her gardens and planter boxes, riding her bike all over town, and sitting on the beach during the warm summer months. She must have lived a past life in the UK because her search for teahouses, plates of tiny sandwiches, and scones has become an obsession everywhere she goes.

 

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janey.king.7758

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjaneyking/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJaneyKing

 

Website: https://janeyking.net/

 

 

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