This book is absolutely brilliant and how fantastic that it’s the first in a new series. The characters and setting are all great with big family secrets and troubled relationships. I cannot wait to be back into Halfmoon Quay for the next instalment.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A really beautiful beginning to a new series. Finished enough to read as a standalone but with obvious leads to the next so you are eager for it to continue, compassionate and romantic. Lovely characters and a village you want to visit.

Ah Sarah has done it again with the fabulous first book in her new series of Halfmoon Quay. Any, the heroine of this book, has been to hell and back when her cowardly ex suddenly dies and leaves her in one hell of a mess.

Moving to the Quay, at the rescue of her aunt and uncle she suddenly finds herself and her three year old daughter are suddenly thrown into a world were people keep secrets with the best intension. I liked Anya but at times she really annoyed me especially with her behaviour towards Rick. I read the book in three days and it needs to be part of your must read list for 2025.

I do feel the ending was rushed though. Sorry!

Can't wait to read book two in this great new series

New series of four books from Halfmoon Quay a Cornish seaside village, full of wonderful characters and the usual Sarah Bennett magic!!
Anya has lost everything after the death of her husband showed their life to be a lie, so her extended family scoop her and her daughter Freya up and help her to start a new life at Halfmoon Quay.
Full of enchanting characters, a charming village and family secrets and dynamics!!
Glorious warm hearted easy reading, and gorgeous escapism!!
Loved this latest and can’t wait for the rest of the series!! You can always rely on Sarah for just lovely very human tales!!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read!! Loved it

Omgosh what a brilliant book I just wanted to read it for forever.
I really like all the characters. They work so well together just like a big family should do. So many families don't help each other out but this story shows how much a family that works together to sort things out stays together.
In the beginning I wanted to wrap my arms around Anya and help her just like her family did. But she is a strong person and she's managing on her own with everything life is throwing at her with just some help.
I can't wait for more in this series I love it.

I enjoy Sarah Bennets books and i have just finished reading the three books in the Lavender Bay series. I really feel I can't review this one and not say that it was very like the Lavender Bay books. It was also very short . I love a sequel but these series that many authors are putting out as separate books end up being very repetitive. They would read a lot better in just one book.
So putting that to one side,yes I enjoyed this story,liked the characters. It was well written as usual and kept my attention. I just feel these books are becoming a bit similar to each other.

What a lovely read from one of my favourite authors. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and can’t wait for the next instalment now!
Highly recommended

this was a pretty good book!! I think it was a cozy read, had some heartwarming feels to it, and kept me entertained the whole time!! I think it was cute and had some good themes. I also liked the writing style

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was brilliant . Going to be a fab new series . Set in a beautiful beach village. Loved the list of characters at the beginning of the book. We met some great characters in the story. You felt for Dave and Anya in different ways. You had old and new love, families pulling together . Can’t wait for the next one. Sarah Bennett never disappoints . Loved it .

A book full of very likeable characters set somewhere that is idyllic. It’s a good bit of escapism which, although a bit predictable, doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the story. It’s a good book if you are looking for a gentle read.

Just the Beginning by Sarah Bennett was the latest in a string of new books I’ve read. It was a good one!