Hoping this is the start of a lovely new series. A lovely spring read full of related characters and a seaside setting. Thank you for the arc.

'Just the Beginning' is the first in a new series by Sarah Bennett. Recently bereaved, Anya and her young daughter move to Halfmoon Quay in Cornwall. Everything has gone to pay debts , even their home, so Anya and Freya move into the garden studio of her aunt and uncle whilst they get back on their feet. The rest of the family gather round to help, particularly Rick, who has never quite got over his teenage crush on Anya... With a picture-perfect setting and a large cast of characters, I suspect this will be the first in a new series. Great for fans of Bella Osborne and Alison Sherlock.

Just the Beginning is a compelling and poignant story of a new beginning for a young woman who has been betrayed.

Anya and her young daughter move back to the Cornish coast for a fresh start after her husband dies. He has left her at risk financially and she needs to rebuild their lives. She moves in with her aunt and uncle, and a young man she knew in high school reaches out to help her secure a job. She is desperate and everything is complicated. Will Anya find security and happiness?

Although the situations that lead to them are tragic, new beginnings are often inspirational tropes in which we cheer for the main character from the first page. Anya’s priorities include her young daughter, which raises the stakes in every decision she makes. Anya needs to learn to trust again and to secure her finances and housing. You will enjoy the well-developed and relatable characters.

A childhood friend who was also her secret admirer steps in to offer assistance. Some of his help backfires when he is too helpful. Can she maintain her newfound independence and trust him with her future? The intimate scenes in this slow-burn romance fade to black.

Poignant themes include starting over, found family, trust, communication, returning home, family drama, secrets, and supportive community.

Content Consideration: reference to suicide (in the past)

I recommend Just the Beginning for fans of the author as well as new beginnings tropes, complicated family drama, and childhood friends-to-lovers romance.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #JustTheBeginning upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I have read most of Sarah Bennetts books and find that they are all well written, have beautiful settings and realistic warm characters this book is no exception. I am so pleased this is a start to a new series as I really loved the Penrose family and can not wait to catch up with them again.
The story is mainly focused on Anya who has recently lost her husband, her home and realised that her whole married life has been a lie.
So, when her family offer her a bolt hole in their back garden for herself and her little girl on the beautiful Cornish coast she accepts. A fresh start is exactly what she needs.
When Rick offers her a job helping out at his uncles hotel it seems as if everything is slotting into place. With support from her family and friends , a new job, and the possibility of romance Anya is starting to feel positive but, as we all know life has a tendency to throw a few curve balls just when we least expect it!
I can not wait for the next book and to learn more about these new characters.

Just the Beginning by Sarah Bennett

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Everyone in Halfmoon Quay, the picture-perfect village clinging to the edge of the Cornish coast, knows Rick Penrose is the person to turn to for help.

Friendly and reliable, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, he’ll do anything for anyone. When his teenage crush Anya moves back to the quay for a fresh start, he has the perfect solution. She needs a job and his great uncle needs help to run his hotel. It’s a win-win.

Following the death of her husband, Anya Stokes discovered everything about her life was a lie. Without her beautiful home and the luxuries she took for granted, Anya and her daughter, Freya, have no choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon Quay.

As she begins to turn her life around, Anya realises the perfect man might have been right under her nose all the time. But there’s a fine line between helping and taking over and Rick doesn’t always know where it is. Then Anya discovers he’s been keeping things from her and it’s like the past is repeating itself…

My Opinion

Sarah Bennett has written a lovely story, it was such a treat to be able to read it. Following the death of her husband Anya is having to make a new start with her daughter Freya. Just the Beginning was an uplifting read. A beautiful story with a beautiful setting.

Rating 4/5

For the new series from one of my favourite authors we have moved to Cornwall and the coast. Halfmoon Quay is going to be a place we are going to know well.

Even better we are going to learn a lot about the residents as well. There is cast of characters to get to know through either their main stories or through sub plots, but for the first book we focus on Rick Penrose.

Rick helps anyone in the village and spends his time when not working, do anything and everything for the villagers to help their situations. It does mean he has little time for himself, especially his love life, that is until his teenage crush comes back to the village.

Anya is getting over the loss of her husband and what she finds out about one he has died. With her precious daughter and very little else she seeks solace with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon Quay.

Starting from the bottom, Anya finds herself helping at the local hotel, which belongs to Rick's Great Uncle and all it seems to be going well, but there are still secrets and it seems this is going to get in the way of a lot of them being able to move along in life.

Will there be a happy ever after for them all, or will stubbornness and pride become before it all?

The only way to find out is to buy the book and take a trip to Halfmoon Quay as soon as you can. I cannot wait until I visit again.

After the loss of her husband, and having found that she’s not going to be able to sustain the comfortable lifestyle both she and young daughter Freya are used to, Anya is glad to find refuge with her aunt and uncle and among the community at Halfmoon Quay – even if it means living in a shed at the bottom of the garden (although, I have to say, it’s quite a comfortable shed!) and needing to find a job.

Rick remembers Anya from their teenage friendship – she never knew how he felt about her then, but he’s soon only too aware that his feelings really haven’t changed. But he’s most keen to do anything he can to help her with her fresh start – there’s rarely any problem he can’t find a solution for, even if that can make him mildly irritating at times however well-intentioned his actions. But his elderly great uncle really is struggling with everything he needs to do at the beachfront hotel he owns, Rick is getting increasingly worried about him, and Anya would be the most perfect assistant – well, so long as she can put up with his particularly gruff exterior, and is willing to do everything the way it’s always been done.

Anya’s hurt and vulnerable, determined to stand on her own feet but happy to resume friendships and relationships from happier times – including a growing friendship with Rick, however much he’d secretly rather like it to be rather more. But some of his actions – never more than trying to help, as he always does – give her real cause to doubt his intentions, make her wonder if she’s been wrong to trust him so much, and think that she might have been betrayed yet again.

Something I love about the author’s books is the way she creates communities that make you feel so much part of their everyday lives – very real individuals, just living their lives, that soon become friends you really care about. While this book would work just fine as a standalone, it’s also the most perfect start to a new series, with so many individuals I’m looking forward to getting to know rather better. The map at the book’s start helped me picture its lovely setting – but the whole book was a perfect introduction, and I soon felt entirely comfortable about being part of the community, finding out about the various relationships and family connections. And, just in case you get lost a little, there’s a really useful list of characters too. And every one of those relationships, romantic or otherwise, is beautifully drawn – with some lovely emotional touches, lots of love, plenty of smiles and laughter, but with a few tear-jerking moments too.

This was a story I thoroughly enjoyed, with a few “to be continued” threads as you’d expect from the first in a series – and I’ll certainly be looking forward to spending more time at Halfmoon Quay. And, do you know, I think there are many others who’ll really enjoy it there too…

Just The Beginning by Sarah Bennett is a new series that a lot of us have been waiting for with bated breath!! We start with the first book and take the atmosphere in, as she slides in each character. If you’ve been with Sarah since her first books, you know that this story will be the start of many stories to come from Half Moon Quay, they will all interlink, so I cannot wait to see what comes next!!
Anya, after a traumatic time of finding out after her husband’s death that he was a con man, who left her and their daughter deep in the lurch, has come back to Half Moon Quay. Her Aunt and Uncle have opened their hearts and home to the pair, so they can feel loved and supported as Anya gets back on her feet.
Rick, who’s always had a crush on Anya is delighted she’s come to stay in the village, and is right there ready to help her all he can!!
So with Anya’s crushed heart, and Rick’s full and rapidly beating one, what could possibly happen!!! LOTS!!!!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #SarahBennett.

Just the Beginning is the first in a new series Halfmoon Quay by Sarah Bennett. Every book I have read by this author is a guarantee of getting a fantastic story.
The location of this book is perfect. The story focuses on Anya. The title of the book Just the Beginning leads the way for what the reader can look forward to with her returns to Halfmoon Quay.
The author has given readers the best community full of friends and future connections as the series will continue in the future books.
Thank you #NetGalley, #SarahBennett and Boldwood Books for the copy of #JusttheBeginning. This is my personal honest review.

Just the Beginning by Sarah Bennett is a heartwarming and delightful romance that captures the charm of small-town life and the beauty of second chances. Set in the picturesque seaside Halfmoon Quay, this is the first in a new series by the author and is the story of Anya, who, after a series of setbacks, returns to her childhood home to rebuild her life and her heart.
Bennett’s writing is warm and engaging, effortlessly pulling readers into the community and its vibrant characters. Anya is a relatable protagonist, dealing with life’s challenges with a mix of vulnerability and strength, making her journey feel authentic.
Being back in her childhood community means she’s surrounded with familiar friends and old faces, her connection with Rick is instant and it’s clear their chemistry will only lead to one thing. The romance is well-paced, full of sweet moments and undeniable chemistry but entirely believable and I was rooting for the pair of them from the start. The supporting cast of quirky, loveable townspeople adds so much to the book and I cannot wait to hear more about them as this series continues.
What I particularly enjoyed about Just the Beginning was its focus on family, friendships, and personal growth, alongside the romance. While the plot may be slightly predictable and follows a familiar but well-loved trope, Bennett’s skillful storytelling and emotional depth make it more than just a formulaic romance. The book delivers feel-good moments, along with some poignant reflections on loss, healing, and the importance of taking chances. I know picking up a book by Sarah Bennett will leave me feeling happy and full of heart.
Just the Beginning is a delightful, feel-good read that’s perfect for anyone looking for a comforting escape. Sarah Bennett once again proves she knows how to craft a sweet romance with heart, leaving readers smiling by the end. If you're a fan of small-town love stories with a strong sense of community, this book is definitely worth your time.

Anya lost everything after the death of her husband, she found out she was living a lie, she moves in with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon quay.. sweet story about starting over.

If you are looking for an uplifting and heartwarming read then look no further. Just the Beginning made me smile throughout with wonderful characters and a gorgeous setting. Both of which I thought worked so well. The characters in this story were well rounded. There were a few to meet but their different personalities helped bring them to life and each one stood out.

Let’s talk about Anya and Rick. I thought this pairing was perfect. They were engaging and interesting characters. There was also a hopeful feel to their situation especially with Anya going through a tough time. So this made me feel for her character even more. Although I have to admit I did feel like I wanted to shake them a couple of times but I liked that this made them more realistic to me. They might have their flaws but they were still good people. The romance was sweet with little moments of bubbling chemistry. I think this aspect worked so well for these characters. It didn’t feel forced and I loved their connection even if it wasn’t all plain sailing.

In fact the whole community feel was well written and created a strong connection for me with the people who live there. I can’t wait to read more books in this series and find out what happens next to this group of people. I almost wish I could move to Halfmoon Quay myself. All that’s left to say is I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this hopeful, engaging and heartwarming read. I definitely recommend!

Anya is going through a really tough time. Drew, her husband, has passed and left behind so much debt and his shady business all came to light. Since his death is being ruled as a suicide, the isurance company will not shed a penny. The bank has also informed her that they will be repossessing the house. She is broke and has no where to go. She has refused her recently married mother's help and therefore she and her daughter Freya must relocate to Halfmoon Quay. There, the Penrose family will help her get off her feet and help her with her daughter Freya. Rick Penrose has been in love with Anya since they were teenagers and used to vacation together. Anya's return is stirring up a lot of old feelings and he is going to finally fight for Anya's love. However, a huge lie may throw Rick's plans off course when Anya finds out.

Sweet and delightful, Just The Beginning, is
a beautiful story about love, patience, trusting and learning to love again.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this sweet and lovable story.

Lovely book although at times, the plot did get slightly unbelievable in places. Perfect when you are not in a mood to read anything too serious

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author. I did not particularly enjoy the many many characters and the unbelievable plot.

Just the Beginning is the first book of the brand new Halfmoon Quay series by Sarah Bennett. I adore feel good reads with a beautiful setting so I jumped at the chance to be part of the book tour when the opportunity arose. I'd also never read anything by Sarah Bennett before and had been meaning to for a long time so what more excuse did I need to jump right into this lovely story?

I really felt for Anya within the first few pages; her whole life has been turned upside down, inside out, topsy turvy, everything she'd once believed turned on it's head. She leaves everything behind and into the warm embrace of her extended family who are more than happy to envelop both Anya and her daughter Freya in their time of need. Rick in particular is more than ready to help Anya in any way he can, although he risks coming across as overbearing at times. He just wants to help everybody with any problem they have, but that can unfortunately seem like he thinks people are incapable of dealing with things themselves.

I think everybody would love to be a part of the Penrose family, with Ron and Amy at the helm. The whole family are loving and supportive, with some brotherly teasing thrown into the mix too of course. Each of the four brothers have their own unique personality traits and quirks, and Great Uncle Davy was a delight! It took me a few chapters to get my head around who was who but the character list at the start of the book helped and it wasn't long before I was familiar with the whole community of Halfmoon Quay.

My favourite thing about this book was definitely the community feel, as it's not just the Penrose family who welcome Anya and Freya. Whilst living in such a close knit community can have it's drawbacks I feel that it was just what Anya and Freya needed to help them feel as if they belong, particularly little Freya who has lost everything she's ever known.

All in all this was a lovely story about second chances and family, set in a beautiful coastal village. I've heard book two will be coming soon so I'm looking forward to revisiting Halfmoon Quay.

A special thank you to Boldwood Books for the digital ARC I received in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the first book in a new series by Sarah Bennett, and the first book I have read by the author and I loved it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

This is a wonderful start to a new series set in the picture-perfect village of Halfmoon Quay on the Cornish Coast. This is a heartwarming story of second chances, love and family relationships.

Anya, along with her daughter, Freya, returns to Halfmoon Quay to start over after the death of her husband and the discovery that everything about her life was a lie. Anya and Freya move in with her aunt and uncle and Anya slowly begins to turn her life around and with the help of gorgeous Rick Penrose, Anya’s childhood crush., she realizes the perfect man might have been right under her nose all the time. Rick is known in the village for helping anyone in need. But is he helping Anya or taking over?

The characters are so likable and I adored the Penrose family and the close-knit community of Halfmoon Quay. The perfect escapist read and I adored it!

The map and list of characters at the beginning of the story was an added bonus!

I loved this book! I just loved the story and all the characters!

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a heartwarming read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

This was a really sweet romance. A fast easy read overall though the story itself was a little slow at times. One of the best parts was the family relationships outside of the main character relationships. I can see how this could unfold into many more stories. I think this also set this book apart from a lot of traditional romances.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Following the death of her husband and the world crashing down around her, Anya and her young daughter Freya move in with her Aunt and Uncle in Halfmoon Quay. Looking around for a job her friend Rick suggests that she helps his great uncle with running his hotel. The only problem is that Rick is keeping a secret from her that she can't forgive.
I always look forward to reading a new series from this author, she manages to give life to their settings, especially in a favourite part of the world, Cornwall. Anya is really struggling after losing her husband and previous life and has trust issues, Rick is always trying to help people, which isn't always appreciated. They are the main characters, there are a plethora of other family members which can be confusing at times but are there to set up for following books in the series. A very enjoyable read, especially as there is the promise of further books in the series to come 4.5* rounded up to 5 *.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.