A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a brilliant start to what I hope is a series, love the setting, love the characters the whole family aspect. Couldn't put it down. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Halfmoon Quay sounds like such a beautiful, idylic place ro relocate. Anya Stokes and her daughter Freya move back to the area to be with family after the death of her husband. Sadly she finds out that things weren't as perfect as she had believed and she is forced to sell their home and with the help of her family start again. On moving back to the area, Anya reconnects with her old friend Rick, he has always had a soft stop for Anya and he manages to get her a job and help her out, but we are soon left wondering wether he has ulterior motives.

It is a story about strength through sencond changes, friendship and family bonds. Who wouldn't want to live in Halfmoon Quay where everyone rallies together to help one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely enjoyable read in what sounds like an idyllic setting. Enjoyed the characters and the family vibes. Would recommend this book.

This was a fun book to read. This was a great introduction to the people of Halfmoon Quay and I look forward to getting to know them better. I appreciate that the characters seem down to earth and relatable and that their stories are realistic. They are the type of people I'd love to have a coffee with! Thanks #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks

A perfect cozy read to sweep you away to the charming Cornish village of Halfmoon Quay. After heartbreak and betrayal, Anya returns home with her daughter, hoping to start over—and maybe rediscover love with her teenage crush, Rick. Full of warmth, second chances, and small-town magic, this feel-good romance is a gentle reminder that every ending can lead to a beautiful new beginning.

I’ve read quite a few books by the author and tend to enjoy the first enough to devour the series as and when they come out.

Given my background with the author’s books, I must admit to being less than impressed with this ‘beginning’. It’s not a bad book by any measure, and I’ll detail why in a bit, it’s just that I have much higher expectations for the emotional connections that I get from her books.

This story is set in a small town near the water. The town is not doing as well as some of its neighbours in the off season, but that again is a secondary and probably long arcing part of the narrative. Anya chose to come to this town of her childhood holidays to kick her wounds and figure out a new future for her daughter. It didn’t include a new relationship, but some things just happen.

The supporting cast are all well done, as are the familial interactions. They are not over the top emotional, while managing to make them believably close. Rick gets told quite often how being too- good is not necessarily a good thing. I appreciated the male protagonist having flaws that make him more human.

I liked the romance in the centre, but I hold higher hopes for the following books ( if there are any) .

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and other books by the same author.

@sarah_bennettauthor is one of my favourite cozy books authors. Just The Beginning, her upcoming novel, is a perfect book for spring. The story of newly widowed young mother has to move in with her Aunt and Uncle after learning the devastating financial situation her late husband left her in. Taking refuge in the small seaside village she begins to rebuild her and her daughter’s lives. And maybe learns to trust again.
Releasing March 15 2025, this newest series will be something I look forward to following as it comes out. Thank you to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for letting me have an advanced copy for review.

"Just the Beginning" by Sarah Bennett provides a delightful and warm small-town romance with a hint of emotional complexity. In the lovely Halfmoon Quay, the novel explores the complicated lives of Rick Penrose, the village's constant good-guy heartthrob, and Anya Stokes, his teenage infatuation back in the area for a new beginning after a life-changing epiphany.
Bennett vividly captures the picture of village life, evoking a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes the reader immediately want to enter it. Rick is an instant likeable chap – a true good bloke who will always offer his services, perhaps occasionally a bit too readily. His unflinching helpfulness, initially appealing, later develops into the central conflict of the story, which examines the precarious balance between helping and bossing someone in a relationship.
Anya's journey is one of discovery and resilience. Having been stripped of her ease of life and shocked by betrayal, her return to Halfmoon Quay feels both necessary and intimidating. Bennett is effective in conveying Anya's vulnerability and her gradual progression towards independence. Her central aim of offering Freya a secure life gives an emotional depth to her character and her interactions with Rick.

The romance between Rick and Anya develops naturally, driven by their history and Rick's lingering love. They are sweet in their early encounters, full of easy familiarity. Bennett skillfully introduces tension, though, as she points up Rick's proclivity for overreaching and Anya's new requirement for independence. This creates a realistic tension and keeps the relationship from being too cloying. The novel's greatest strength lies in its investigation of how a past experience may affect a relationship in the present. Anya's earlier experience of a relationship founded on lies leads her to distrust Rick's sometimes overbearing but always helpful nature, so there are rational misunderstandings and doubts.

Bennett is an easy and enjoyable writer to read. Dialogue comes across naturally, and inner monologues of both Rick and Anya are well-nuanced, enabling the reader to relate to their personal strivings and wants. Though the story itself is fairly uncomplicated, the reader remains engrossed thanks to the careful development of characters and their blossoming relationship.
One of the book's key themes is being honest and open in a relationship. Rick's good intentions to keep Anya's secrets for her protection end up driving them apart and jeopardizing their romance.

This serves as a good reminder of how assumptions can be dangerous and how important it is to be openly communicative.
Strengths of "Just the Beginning" are Charming Small-Town Setting: Halfmoon Quay is a genuine and inviting place, Likeable and Relatable Characters: Rick and Anya are both well-developed with understandable motivations, Realistic Relationship Dynamics: The handling of the complexities of forging a new relationship amidst past baggage is well done, Engaging Writing Style: Bennett's writing is clear to read and keeps the reader engaged, Exploration of Significant Themes: The novel addresses themes of trust, autonomy, and the support balance within a relationship.

Weaknesses of the book according to me are Familiar Elements: Some plot points may be reminiscent of familiar plot elements for readers in the genre, Rick's Over-Helpfulness: Central to the conflict as it is, some readers may find Rick's initial overbearing personality frustratingly in places.

"Just the Beginning" is a warm and pleasant read for those who enjoy heartwarming small-town romances with realistic characters and a dash of emotional depth. Sarah Bennett writes a wonderful tale of second chances, the nuances of trust, and discovering love in the unlikeliest of places. If you are searching for an engaging and delightful story with a happy ending, this book is a sweet choice. It's a reminder that sometimes, the ideal one might have been in front of us the entire time, even though the way to figuring out that isn't always easy.

I like books about second chances and I spent some really enjoyable time with this nice romance. I liked the supportive family, the well-developed characters and the gorgeous setting. I can recommend to anyone who likes a gentle romance.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I like small town vibes in romances and this one in particular brought it up a notch, because hello, there's a map?!😍  I'm a fantasy reader and I'm always obsessed with maps so this book having a town map made my day.  Then it also has a list of characters which I liked, but I would've preferred a family tree instead, because I sometimes got lost and I dunno who's who😅  The romance itself though was a little bland, not enough chemistry for me and I honestly think that they're not a right fit for each other.  It's very clear that both weren't actually ready for a relationship.  I think the story would've benefitted if the FMC sought therapy as she clearly needed to get her head straight.  The ending was just as expected, and overall a decent read.

A heartwarming and uplifting read from Sarah Bennett.
I loved the setting of a Cornish village.
Main character, Anya, returns to Halfmoon Quay after the death of her husband. She needs a fresh start for her and her daughter.
I loved all the characters in the story. The sense of community was beautiful….wonderful friendships.
Perfect story for fans of found family, second chances and starting over.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

An easy summer read with which to escape to Cornwall. I really loved the dynamic between the tight-knit Penrose family and also the growth of Anya as she rebuilds her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope there will be a sequel to find out more about the Penrose boys - I think this would make a great sitcom!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

I did not realize that this was going to be a series, has Sara Bennett got me hooked with her first book Just the Beginning? Halfmoon Quay is the perfect location for not just a storybook romance but for a vacation and armchair travel. This a sweet read with likable characters. It is about, family, friendship, community trust and starting over.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Just The Beginning by Sarah Bennett is a ideal for readers who like slow-burn, small town, second chance romances. Childhood crushes reunite in this charming town after tragedy and grief strike main character Anya. When Rick finds Anya and her daughter Freys back in town, he offers her a job and support. Family secrets and love follow.

This is my first book by Bennett, and I found their writing relaxing and easy to read. While I could have done without the family drama and just focused on the two main characters, I understand why Bennett made the choices they did for the story. Just wasn’t my cup of tea for the story.

3.75/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fabulous start to a new series that I cannot wait to read. Loved the characters and the setting. Fast becoming a favourite author.

After losing her husband,and finding out she has lost her home, Anya and her daughter Freya decide to move back to Halfmoon Quay and live with her aunt and family.

Rick Penrose is the pillar of the community and always tries to help everyone. He’s a good looking bloke who will do anything for anyone. He hears that his childhood crush Anya is moving back to the Quay for a fresh start.

Anya needs a job and Ricks Uncle needs someone to help run his hotel so this suits everyone. Anya gets to know Rick and realises her soulmate might have been here all along. Rick oversteps the mark with his helping and Anya discovers he’s also been keeping secrets from her. Is this history repeating again for Anya or can she really trust Rick?

Loved it, feels like a great series will come of it. Would be a great tv show too. I loved the Penrose family, really loved Ma, loved the spiky Davy too.
Anya had come home to be supported by her family after the death of her husband and father of her daughter. She needed support and a home. Her extended family swooped in to support her and her daughter. Reconnecting with family she was enjoying friendships lost and making new connexions. Rick one of her cousins cousins and Anya had sparks as soon as they reconnected and Anya discovered she was his unrequited love from their teens. They soon start up a relationship and she has to navigate a relationship as a widow and single mum. This was a gentle read and i cant wait to get more involved in the family. Thankyou netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank your for the chance to read this. If there’s one thing I will always EAT UP, it’s a small town romance. Series lie this, like dream harbor, chestnut springs, etc are some of my favorite romances. Just The Beginning had a great romance, great lead and excellent supporting cast. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

This is the first in a new series and I was very excited to read this book, it did not disappoint, the characters were very well written and likable, the area sounds amazing and I am looking forward to reading more about these characters.