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Beautiful Beginning: A Love Story
Why can't finding love be easy?
I thought what I had with Chaz was perfect.
He wasn't as outgoing as I'd want my husband to be.
But he was as kind, caring, and more than a little sexy.
And we met in college.
Like my parents did all those years ago.
Our relationship was everything I dreamed.
Until it wasn't...
Because finding true love looks like a broken heart, at first.
I thought what I had with Chaz was perfect.
He wasn't as outgoing as I'd want my husband to be.
But he was as kind, caring, and more than a little sexy.
And we met in college.
Like my parents did all those years ago.
Our relationship was everything I dreamed.
Until it wasn't...
Because finding true love looks like a broken heart, at first.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2023
About the author
J. Nichole
64 books201 followersJ. Nichole is an African American Romance author who lives in the Northern Virginia area with her real-life muse, her husband, and her outer body heartbeats, her daughter & son. When she's not battling the hustle and bustle of the DMV, she's enjoying both sketchy and fancy restaurants with her husband, and experiencing life as a child again with her kids.
Find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok: by_jnichole on all the things!
Find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok: by_jnichole on all the things!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 16, 2023
I am exhausted....
I guess it's been too many years since I was in college, but... I did not remember this much strife in my college relationship. Chaz and Journey took every ounce of energy with their incessant vascillating, and certainty about whether to be together In a relationship. I loved them and was annoyed with them both. Whitley and Dwayne as your go to couple is cute. Journey was almost as flighty as her heroine. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story.
I guess it's been too many years since I was in college, but... I did not remember this much strife in my college relationship. Chaz and Journey took every ounce of energy with their incessant vascillating, and certainty about whether to be together In a relationship. I loved them and was annoyed with them both. Whitley and Dwayne as your go to couple is cute. Journey was almost as flighty as her heroine. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story.
December 15, 2023
Beautiful Beginning
This title was perfect for this story. Journey and Chaz had such a beautiful beginning, but when reality started to set in for them,you could feel it too. I love how this author writes in a way you can feel the exact emotions and thought processes that a character is going through.
Journey was walking around with rose colored glasses until she couldn’t anymore. Chaz was the most decisive yet indecisive person. He was resolute in his feelings for Journey and the careered he wanted to have, but couldn’t seem to make up his mind on what was next. Both of these characters were really relatable and I enjoyed their beautiful beginning. I’m excited to see what happens next for them.
This title was perfect for this story. Journey and Chaz had such a beautiful beginning, but when reality started to set in for them,you could feel it too. I love how this author writes in a way you can feel the exact emotions and thought processes that a character is going through.
Journey was walking around with rose colored glasses until she couldn’t anymore. Chaz was the most decisive yet indecisive person. He was resolute in his feelings for Journey and the careered he wanted to have, but couldn’t seem to make up his mind on what was next. Both of these characters were really relatable and I enjoyed their beautiful beginning. I’m excited to see what happens next for them.
December 10, 2023
Beautiful Beginnings by J. Nichole
I was very lucky to get chosen to receive this ARC - the beginning of a three book series in J. Nichole’s new universe. For some part, I went into this book pretty blind but I was pleasantly surprised.
In some ways, it reminded me of my favorite book, Normal People. Except this time, I got to read about characters who look like me, which is always a bonus.
In Beautiful Beginnings readers get thrown into the college romance between Chaz and Journey. Chaz is a self isolating, political science student who prioritizes being lowkey , while Journey is a social butterfly, business student, cheerleader and an optimist to no end. She also is obsessed with love, comparing every relationship to that of her parents. When a chaotic meet cute at a coffee shop ends with them exchanging numbers, they are immediately tethered to each other. And somehow, Journey convinces behind the scenes Chaz to run for student government president, pushing him to the forefront of the campus’s social scene. This causes some strain in their budding relationship, both of them being insanely busy, and Chaz not sharing much interest in Journey’s social status. Combine this with a completely life changing phone call received by Journey, and we see how much love can be tested. Opposites attract but is it too much sometimes? Does love overcome everything?
I really enjoyed this book. Both of the characters really drove me insane but we also saw them grow, especially Journey. She had a lot of expectations for how things were supposed to go in her life and if they didn’t go to plan it’s like she flipped a switch thinking the world was gonna end. She also had serious trust issues which I wish we could have dove into a bit more, without having her act slightly insane. I really needed Chaz to step up a little bit it. I think he really struggled to understand how relationships work but it was basically his first time ever having a serious girlfriend so it made sense.
However, I think they really loved each other and it was super realistic of how college relationships play out, especially ones during a pivotal and transformational season such as senior year. I think the book is a great start to Nichole’s series and I’m excited to see how the rest of the books come to fruition.
Again, thank you to the author for this Arc!
I was very lucky to get chosen to receive this ARC - the beginning of a three book series in J. Nichole’s new universe. For some part, I went into this book pretty blind but I was pleasantly surprised.
In some ways, it reminded me of my favorite book, Normal People. Except this time, I got to read about characters who look like me, which is always a bonus.
In Beautiful Beginnings readers get thrown into the college romance between Chaz and Journey. Chaz is a self isolating, political science student who prioritizes being lowkey , while Journey is a social butterfly, business student, cheerleader and an optimist to no end. She also is obsessed with love, comparing every relationship to that of her parents. When a chaotic meet cute at a coffee shop ends with them exchanging numbers, they are immediately tethered to each other. And somehow, Journey convinces behind the scenes Chaz to run for student government president, pushing him to the forefront of the campus’s social scene. This causes some strain in their budding relationship, both of them being insanely busy, and Chaz not sharing much interest in Journey’s social status. Combine this with a completely life changing phone call received by Journey, and we see how much love can be tested. Opposites attract but is it too much sometimes? Does love overcome everything?
I really enjoyed this book. Both of the characters really drove me insane but we also saw them grow, especially Journey. She had a lot of expectations for how things were supposed to go in her life and if they didn’t go to plan it’s like she flipped a switch thinking the world was gonna end. She also had serious trust issues which I wish we could have dove into a bit more, without having her act slightly insane. I really needed Chaz to step up a little bit it. I think he really struggled to understand how relationships work but it was basically his first time ever having a serious girlfriend so it made sense.
However, I think they really loved each other and it was super realistic of how college relationships play out, especially ones during a pivotal and transformational season such as senior year. I think the book is a great start to Nichole’s series and I’m excited to see how the rest of the books come to fruition.
Again, thank you to the author for this Arc!
December 15, 2023
Opposites Attract
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows Chaz Brown and Journey Thompson. As a college senior Journey is looking to find love like her parents did while at Hillside. Chaz Brown is quiet shy book smart his not so cute meet with Journey. The attraction is instant and sparks fly. Chaz has the opportunity to be SGA president and with Journey backing him he wins. The adjustment is hard for Chaz and the fact that he rather be not seen. This was a good read and as the first book of this trilogy I’m looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows Chaz Brown and Journey Thompson. As a college senior Journey is looking to find love like her parents did while at Hillside. Chaz Brown is quiet shy book smart his not so cute meet with Journey. The attraction is instant and sparks fly. Chaz has the opportunity to be SGA president and with Journey backing him he wins. The adjustment is hard for Chaz and the fact that he rather be not seen. This was a good read and as the first book of this trilogy I’m looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
November 27, 2023
I enjoy J. Nichole’s writing style. I find her descriptions and expressions so easy to picture. Even though we didn’t get the HEA in this book it was not an abrupt cliffhanger of an ending. I hate when books do that and this did not. Chaz and Journey have a very realistic college romance. Nothing seemed unrealistic or had me thinking it was out of left field, like a lot of romances do. I thought Chaz’s character was very refreshing because I am exactly like him, introvert who doesn’t want to go out too much and sometimes can’t stand people peopling. There awkward encounter in the quad and him being uncomfortable around her large group of friends spoke to me. Can’t wait to see what the next books in this series have in store.
Favorite quote: “I felt his lips on mine once again. A soft peck that sent bits of me flying into the universe”
I picked this quote because it is such a beautifully written expression of feeling.
Favorite quote: “I felt his lips on mine once again. A soft peck that sent bits of me flying into the universe”
I picked this quote because it is such a beautifully written expression of feeling.
February 24, 2024
"I had both in my hand. But I never thought I'd have to release one. Which one was more important? "
This couple had me crying and I've never done that before, this story was so good I was up till 6 am finishing this off thats how good it was. I loved all the feelings.
This couple had me crying and I've never done that before, this story was so good I was up till 6 am finishing this off thats how good it was. I loved all the feelings.
December 15, 2023
Book: Beautiful Beginning (Is This Love? Book 1)
Author: J. Nichole
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Coming of Age
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
E-Book
First Person Dual POV
Release Date: 12/14/23 Pre-Order Now!
Disclosure: I would like to clarify that this review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) provided by the talented author, J. Nichole. I want to assure my readers that this is not a paid review, and all opinions expressed here are my honest and unsolicited thoughts on the book. If you have any queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.
Journey Thompson entered college with the hope of discovering a love story as enchanting as her parents'. But as graduation approaches, she finds herself still searching for that magical connection. That is, until a fateful sunny day when Journey and her girlfriends are leaving a coffee shop and a captivating introvert named Chaz Brown collides with her, causing her iced mocha to cascade down her shirt. Chaz, preferring the shadows to the spotlight, is not one for drawing attention to himself. He finds solace in the comfort of his home and dreams of utilizing his political science degree to combat the injustices of the world, with a particular focus on empowering future leaders. However, their accidental encounter thrusts him from the sidelines to the forefront of popularity as he becomes the SGA President.
Beautiful Beginning is such a heartfelt novel about growing up and realizing that expectations do not equate to reality. This is by far one of the most relatable books I've read. While I tend to find myself more drawn to fantasy books, Nichole has such a unique way of writing that it made me realize that the prospect of reading books about normal life was just as great as reading fantasy.
Journey, a dreamer at heart, had always believed in the fairy tale version of love. However, as she navigates the realities of life, she realizes that it's not always a bed of roses, no matter how desperately she longs for it to be. It is during her unexpected encounter with Chaz that her rose-colored glasses are forcibly removed, unveiling the complexities of love and relationships. While at times Journey's demands may come off as frustrating, stepping into her shoes allows us to empathize with her perspective and understand that we too would feel the same way.
Chaz possesses an impressive intellect, yet he may appear lacking in ambition. His true passion lies in transforming the world and achieving justice and equality for not only people of color but also the underprivileged. However, he resists placing himself in uncomfortable situations, choosing instead to remain within the confines of his comfort zone. While it may be tempting to label him as obstinate, there is an undeniable admiration for Chaz. Despite his reluctance to step into the spotlight, he tirelessly advocates for the marginalized members of society, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. His commitment to uplifting the smaller crowd around him mirrors what he would do if he were in a more populous city. Chaz's complex character compels us to appreciate his unique approach to making a difference, even if it diverges from conventional expectations.
Journey and Chaz's connection is undeniable. It pains me to think that, despite their contrasting visions for their futures, they push each other outside of their comfort zones. Their love blossomed in the idyllic world of university, where everything seemed rosy. However, as their relationship evolved over the course of a year, they learned valuable lessons about the stark contrast between expectations and reality. They endured challenges that tested their resilience and ultimately grew as individuals. Their journey together granted them a profound understanding of self-discovery, the pursuit of truth, and the power of hope.
If you're searching for a captivating story that defies expectations and takes you on a transformative journey of self-discovery, understanding, and hope, then Beautiful Beginning is the perfect book for you.
Author: J. Nichole
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Coming of Age
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
E-Book
First Person Dual POV
Release Date: 12/14/23 Pre-Order Now!
Disclosure: I would like to clarify that this review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) provided by the talented author, J. Nichole. I want to assure my readers that this is not a paid review, and all opinions expressed here are my honest and unsolicited thoughts on the book. If you have any queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.
Journey Thompson entered college with the hope of discovering a love story as enchanting as her parents'. But as graduation approaches, she finds herself still searching for that magical connection. That is, until a fateful sunny day when Journey and her girlfriends are leaving a coffee shop and a captivating introvert named Chaz Brown collides with her, causing her iced mocha to cascade down her shirt. Chaz, preferring the shadows to the spotlight, is not one for drawing attention to himself. He finds solace in the comfort of his home and dreams of utilizing his political science degree to combat the injustices of the world, with a particular focus on empowering future leaders. However, their accidental encounter thrusts him from the sidelines to the forefront of popularity as he becomes the SGA President.
Beautiful Beginning is such a heartfelt novel about growing up and realizing that expectations do not equate to reality. This is by far one of the most relatable books I've read. While I tend to find myself more drawn to fantasy books, Nichole has such a unique way of writing that it made me realize that the prospect of reading books about normal life was just as great as reading fantasy.
Journey, a dreamer at heart, had always believed in the fairy tale version of love. However, as she navigates the realities of life, she realizes that it's not always a bed of roses, no matter how desperately she longs for it to be. It is during her unexpected encounter with Chaz that her rose-colored glasses are forcibly removed, unveiling the complexities of love and relationships. While at times Journey's demands may come off as frustrating, stepping into her shoes allows us to empathize with her perspective and understand that we too would feel the same way.
Chaz possesses an impressive intellect, yet he may appear lacking in ambition. His true passion lies in transforming the world and achieving justice and equality for not only people of color but also the underprivileged. However, he resists placing himself in uncomfortable situations, choosing instead to remain within the confines of his comfort zone. While it may be tempting to label him as obstinate, there is an undeniable admiration for Chaz. Despite his reluctance to step into the spotlight, he tirelessly advocates for the marginalized members of society, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. His commitment to uplifting the smaller crowd around him mirrors what he would do if he were in a more populous city. Chaz's complex character compels us to appreciate his unique approach to making a difference, even if it diverges from conventional expectations.
Journey and Chaz's connection is undeniable. It pains me to think that, despite their contrasting visions for their futures, they push each other outside of their comfort zones. Their love blossomed in the idyllic world of university, where everything seemed rosy. However, as their relationship evolved over the course of a year, they learned valuable lessons about the stark contrast between expectations and reality. They endured challenges that tested their resilience and ultimately grew as individuals. Their journey together granted them a profound understanding of self-discovery, the pursuit of truth, and the power of hope.
If you're searching for a captivating story that defies expectations and takes you on a transformative journey of self-discovery, understanding, and hope, then Beautiful Beginning is the perfect book for you.
December 15, 2023
I absolutely love this book! I have read several J. Nichole books and like the others, this one did not disappoint.
Journey and Chaz are muti-dimensional characters. Just when you think you know where things are going to go, they surprise you and definitely keep you on your toes!
Journey and Chaz are in their senior year at an HBCU (Yay! I love that this story takes place at an HBCU). One can say that they meet by happenstance while on campus, but I think this was destined to be. Journey lives life with rose-colored glasses on where the glass is always half full. She hopes to be like her parents and Dwayne and Whitley from a Different World and meet, fall in love, and marry while she is in college. Chaz, on the other hand, is more realistic. Though he is intelligent and focused and wants to make a change in the world, he at times wants to be left alone. These two must navigate life not only as students but they must also deal with family drama, friendships, and what life has in store for them as lovers once college is over and they have to go into the real world.
Both characters were realistic and relatable. I saw a little of myself in Chaz (a person who at times wants to be left alone and has a hard time dealing with large crowds; like Chaz I suffer from social anxiety, so it was good to see that in a character). Journey’s story is also relatable. In life, we often dream of how we want our life to go but we soon learn that things are not always what they seem to be, and we must be willing to adapt to change.
Though the pacing and progression of the story were great, at times, I did become a little frustrated with the characters. Just when I though they got it all together, things would fall apart (but this is what makes the story real—life doesn’t always go as planned or as we would like it to).
In this story we wonder, is love enough? Should the decisions we make, should our life choices, be guided by our love for ourselves as individuals or should we consider the love we have for our significant other? What if you had an idea of how you wanted your life to go since you were little and one chance meeting changes everything? Would you be able to let go of those hopes and dreams to build and create something new? I love how these questions are answered at the end of the book. I really look forward to seeing where Journey and Chaz’s story goes from here.
I received an ARC of this book, but all the opinions are my own.
This book is a definite 5/5 stars!
Journey and Chaz are muti-dimensional characters. Just when you think you know where things are going to go, they surprise you and definitely keep you on your toes!
Journey and Chaz are in their senior year at an HBCU (Yay! I love that this story takes place at an HBCU). One can say that they meet by happenstance while on campus, but I think this was destined to be. Journey lives life with rose-colored glasses on where the glass is always half full. She hopes to be like her parents and Dwayne and Whitley from a Different World and meet, fall in love, and marry while she is in college. Chaz, on the other hand, is more realistic. Though he is intelligent and focused and wants to make a change in the world, he at times wants to be left alone. These two must navigate life not only as students but they must also deal with family drama, friendships, and what life has in store for them as lovers once college is over and they have to go into the real world.
Both characters were realistic and relatable. I saw a little of myself in Chaz (a person who at times wants to be left alone and has a hard time dealing with large crowds; like Chaz I suffer from social anxiety, so it was good to see that in a character). Journey’s story is also relatable. In life, we often dream of how we want our life to go but we soon learn that things are not always what they seem to be, and we must be willing to adapt to change.
Though the pacing and progression of the story were great, at times, I did become a little frustrated with the characters. Just when I though they got it all together, things would fall apart (but this is what makes the story real—life doesn’t always go as planned or as we would like it to).
In this story we wonder, is love enough? Should the decisions we make, should our life choices, be guided by our love for ourselves as individuals or should we consider the love we have for our significant other? What if you had an idea of how you wanted your life to go since you were little and one chance meeting changes everything? Would you be able to let go of those hopes and dreams to build and create something new? I love how these questions are answered at the end of the book. I really look forward to seeing where Journey and Chaz’s story goes from here.
I received an ARC of this book, but all the opinions are my own.
This book is a definite 5/5 stars!
November 30, 2023
This book is the first I’ve read by Miss J. Nichole and I am thoroughly intrigued and plan to delve into her other work. I personally was able to read the book in a few hours and I wanted to read it twice before sharing my thoughts and opinions which I highly recommend because the second time around I feel I had a different experience. So let’s start with the characters Chaz and Journey. They are the definition of your opposites attract trope Chaz being more introverted, realistic and indecisive whereas Journey is extroverted and a bit naive but we’ll say hopefully optimistic. I felt like I knew them in real life. She did a great job of making these characters relatable because as I’m reading I see so much of myself in Journey and so much of the red flags i saw her ignore I realized I also over looked when it came to my own potential suitors. I loved how Chaz’ thoughts were expressed being able to see the back and forth he has in his head vs what he actually communicates gives a better understanding (for me atleast) of the way men think. The vulnerability they had with one another was refreshing for me in a time in reality where everyone is in competition to see who can be more mysterious and closed off. I love that although this is a romantic type book I was able to view it through a new lens our love for a significant other cannot overpower our love for ourselves. A whole person and a half person cannot come together successfully we have to love ourselves enough to choose ourself even when we want so badly to have it all. I believe this has perfectly set up the “Beautiful beginning” of this trilogy and CANNOT WAIT to see where our college lovers end up. I gave this book 4/5 because I wish we had a bit more backstory on Chaz. I felt like we got more glimpses into Journeys upbringing and family dynamic than we did him but that also contributes to his mysterious aura. My other critique is I wish we had more scenes that helped to establish to the readers how they were able to feel their emotions so passionately there was some time jumps but I also understand that given their roles and the fact they’re in college certain things can be repetitive since they’re on a schedule but I can’t wait to see how they interact as adults with as they said much less going on. Overall I definitely plan on recommending this book and I’m honored to be one of the first to read their story.
December 14, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book, but the opinions in this review are my own.
This book centers around two college students named Chaz and Journey as they find each other and learn more about themselves during their Senior year. Journey is the bubbly, popular, yet intelligent FMC who has dreams of finding her version of Dwayne and Whitley on campus and feels like time is running out. Chaz is a quiet strength who sees missteps in both community and government and wants to be behind the scenes and make the power moves for change. They meet, and being around each other changes the lens of how they see college, the impending beginning of their adult life, and where love fits into that.
From what I gleaned, this is the beginning of a trilogy. Because of that, there is a significant focus on world-building and giving you a glimpse into how the primary characters process events around them so you can see their growth farther down the line. It falls heavily under the opposite attracts trope, but maybe they will eventually see that they are more alike than they thought.
One character keeps popping up but is very 2D, so I assume they will have more importance in the future. Seeing him mentioned was just a bit confusing, but nothing developed further at this time.
If you love college romances that potentially can turn into second chances, check this book out.
http://tinyurl.com/BeautifulBeginning
This book centers around two college students named Chaz and Journey as they find each other and learn more about themselves during their Senior year. Journey is the bubbly, popular, yet intelligent FMC who has dreams of finding her version of Dwayne and Whitley on campus and feels like time is running out. Chaz is a quiet strength who sees missteps in both community and government and wants to be behind the scenes and make the power moves for change. They meet, and being around each other changes the lens of how they see college, the impending beginning of their adult life, and where love fits into that.
From what I gleaned, this is the beginning of a trilogy. Because of that, there is a significant focus on world-building and giving you a glimpse into how the primary characters process events around them so you can see their growth farther down the line. It falls heavily under the opposite attracts trope, but maybe they will eventually see that they are more alike than they thought.
One character keeps popping up but is very 2D, so I assume they will have more importance in the future. Seeing him mentioned was just a bit confusing, but nothing developed further at this time.
If you love college romances that potentially can turn into second chances, check this book out.
http://tinyurl.com/BeautifulBeginning
December 13, 2023
This book was given to me as an ARC! Personally, college stories usually aren’t for me. Most of the time, I generally think “these kids dumb” 😂😂. However, with this one, I enjoyed the dramatics of Journey & the introverted spirit of Chaz.
“Who wants that perfect love story anyway?” Journey Thompson does! She is a senior in college who’s excited to graduate but also hoping she will eventually find the Dwayne to her Whitley. A run in on campus introduces her to Chaz Brown. Chaz likes to stay to himself, not have too much attention on him but his wit & commitment to positively impacting his community will make anyone swoon.
The only thing I didn’t like was me not knowing this was a series lmfaooo! I kept seeing the percentage go up like… is this the end?! This is it?! And then boom, parts 2 & 3 come out next year lol. I’ll check back in with them & let y’all know my final thoughts on the series. I’m riding with them so far even with Journey’s unrealistic expectations for life. What the elders say? You make a plan & God will cackle at you? Yeah lol
“Who wants that perfect love story anyway?” Journey Thompson does! She is a senior in college who’s excited to graduate but also hoping she will eventually find the Dwayne to her Whitley. A run in on campus introduces her to Chaz Brown. Chaz likes to stay to himself, not have too much attention on him but his wit & commitment to positively impacting his community will make anyone swoon.
The only thing I didn’t like was me not knowing this was a series lmfaooo! I kept seeing the percentage go up like… is this the end?! This is it?! And then boom, parts 2 & 3 come out next year lol. I’ll check back in with them & let y’all know my final thoughts on the series. I’m riding with them so far even with Journey’s unrealistic expectations for life. What the elders say? You make a plan & God will cackle at you? Yeah lol
December 8, 2023
This isn’t my first read but the author and I’m thankful to have received an ARC- compared to her other writing this is definitely not like you would be use to but was still enjoyable.
Journey has always had a dream of attending an HBCU and finding the love of her life , not only like her parents did, but her favorite TV couple- Whitley and Dwayne. Throughout the book you navigate her senior year of college and how “DELULU” she is over finding her person to have her “happy ever after” with.
Chaz is also in his senior year and not sure what he wants to do next in life , convinced by his professor to try something new on campus , he does but still is unsure. When he meets Journey he’s instantly attracted but once he starts to see how she feels about her future he begins to question a lot.
Overall this was a good read and I can’t wait to see what the next two books in the series have in store for Journey and hopefully we can updates on Chaz as well.
Journey has always had a dream of attending an HBCU and finding the love of her life , not only like her parents did, but her favorite TV couple- Whitley and Dwayne. Throughout the book you navigate her senior year of college and how “DELULU” she is over finding her person to have her “happy ever after” with.
Chaz is also in his senior year and not sure what he wants to do next in life , convinced by his professor to try something new on campus , he does but still is unsure. When he meets Journey he’s instantly attracted but once he starts to see how she feels about her future he begins to question a lot.
Overall this was a good read and I can’t wait to see what the next two books in the series have in store for Journey and hopefully we can updates on Chaz as well.
December 18, 2023
“Journey, girl, take your time!” I wanted to scream this so many times while reading “Beautiful Beginnings”
This book took me back to my undergrad years in college, being in love with my 1st serious boyfriend and making choices about my life that centered around love and adulthood.
Chaz & Journey are graduating seniors who have just found love in each other. Complete opposites they navigate their first “adult” relationship with all of the ups and downs expected BUT Journey has dreams of a fairytale ending where she ends up walking down the aisle and Chaz… has no idea what he wants to do or where he wants to go next. This brings them to a crossroads.
I enjoyed watching their story unfold, even though Journey and her Dwayne and Whitley [A Different World] expectations drove me crazy at time. This is a cozy romantic read and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in their story.
Overall message- choose you first and always.
This book took me back to my undergrad years in college, being in love with my 1st serious boyfriend and making choices about my life that centered around love and adulthood.
Chaz & Journey are graduating seniors who have just found love in each other. Complete opposites they navigate their first “adult” relationship with all of the ups and downs expected BUT Journey has dreams of a fairytale ending where she ends up walking down the aisle and Chaz… has no idea what he wants to do or where he wants to go next. This brings them to a crossroads.
I enjoyed watching their story unfold, even though Journey and her Dwayne and Whitley [A Different World] expectations drove me crazy at time. This is a cozy romantic read and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in their story.
Overall message- choose you first and always.
December 21, 2023
“Beautiful Beginnings: A Love Story” gives you all the HBCU college show vibes (All American: Homecoming meets A Different World)! Journey is a popular college cheerleader with all the friends, and Chaz is the quiet, cute, kind of nerdy college student! Their worlds literally clash at the Campus Coffee Shop and the rest is History…
Life is good for them, until it’s time to make some Life Decisions! Journey is stuck in a fairytale land of what love is supposed to be from her parents and watching the show A Different World, and Chaz isn’t sure what life is supposed to be or look like-but he knows what he doesn’t want!
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Journey did drive me crazy! And it seemed like she was trying to force things based on her perception of what love was supposed to look like! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Life is good for them, until it’s time to make some Life Decisions! Journey is stuck in a fairytale land of what love is supposed to be from her parents and watching the show A Different World, and Chaz isn’t sure what life is supposed to be or look like-but he knows what he doesn’t want!
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Journey did drive me crazy! And it seemed like she was trying to force things based on her perception of what love was supposed to look like! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
December 15, 2023
Cute
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this author and have read a lot of her books. This one took me some time to finish. The story is about kids in college trying to figure it out. The beginning pulled me in and locked me in. However, the female main character really was annoying to me. Maybe it was simple immaturity, but she made the book nearly unbearable. However, I would like to see how this series ends. I did not like the ending, and beware, it does end on a cliffhanger. The book was about love. Black love and also showed how opposites can attract. I would give a solid 3/5. There were a few grammatical errors as well. I didn't take off for that, however. Will def read the next installment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this author and have read a lot of her books. This one took me some time to finish. The story is about kids in college trying to figure it out. The beginning pulled me in and locked me in. However, the female main character really was annoying to me. Maybe it was simple immaturity, but she made the book nearly unbearable. However, I would like to see how this series ends. I did not like the ending, and beware, it does end on a cliffhanger. The book was about love. Black love and also showed how opposites can attract. I would give a solid 3/5. There were a few grammatical errors as well. I didn't take off for that, however. Will def read the next installment.
December 2, 2023
College love story that surrounded Journey and Chaz. Journey believed loved was what she saw from a Different World (Dwayne & Whitley) and her parents. She met Chaz an introvert by heart and she helped him come out of his shell. He was never really comfortable with it, but for her he tried. However, no matter how much he tried it wasn’t him, the life she wanted after college also wasn’t him. Her last few months in college she had to realize the expectations she set were unrealistic and life was falling apart in front of her. But was it really!? This was a great read and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
December 15, 2023
This story is about Journey and Chaz who are seniors in college. They meet and hit it off but they do not have much in common. Despite the obstacles, they fall in love. Finagling love is difficult because they are different and because they both have plans for the future that just doesn’t resonate with the other. In addition, Journey has to face some hard truths about what love really is versus what she thought it was for most of her life. At the end of the day, both Journey and Chaz have to grow a little in order to be together. They end up going separate ways at the end of the book but I’m hopeful that they can come full circle eventually. I’m anxious about the next book.
December 10, 2023
This is the first book in a series, and thank goodness with the way the book ends. A few things I loved: the way the characters could be your friends, or your siblings, or your close colleagues. The way they are written makes them seem so real - and that’s also what makes them so annoying! I just wanted to reach into the book and have a chat with them both!
It’s also interesting to read a book from the perspective of someone wanting to leave college with a certain set of goals met, as that was the opposite of my experience.
Overall a really solid read!
It’s also interesting to read a book from the perspective of someone wanting to leave college with a certain set of goals met, as that was the opposite of my experience.
Overall a really solid read!
January 24, 2024
Interesting start
I agree with other reviews, the book was slow and she was very immature. I also think the book should have touched on the fact that Chaz was an introvert and had anxiety. You don't grow out of being an introvert. She didn't seem to respect his boundaries, but because she's an extrovert her way of doing things was deemed right and he needed to change. People have to respect differences. This was a situation where opposites clearly don't work but I like him more than her. I don't think the book should have been from both POVs.
Would not recommend
I agree with other reviews, the book was slow and she was very immature. I also think the book should have touched on the fact that Chaz was an introvert and had anxiety. You don't grow out of being an introvert. She didn't seem to respect his boundaries, but because she's an extrovert her way of doing things was deemed right and he needed to change. People have to respect differences. This was a situation where opposites clearly don't work but I like him more than her. I don't think the book should have been from both POVs.
Would not recommend
November 27, 2023
This book is very different from J. Nicholes others. It’s exactly what I’m looking for when I need a break from the typical romance novel. Just a good work of fiction with an opposites attract trope mixed in. I don’t usually go for college romances, probably because I’m 50, but I’m enjoying this journey of two young people trying to figure out their future and how and if each other fit in it. I’m looking forward to how the rest of the series pans out.
December 6, 2023
Journey was in her 4th year of college still looking for her forever love that she has dream about. She meets Chaz after he accidentally bump into her and made her waste her coffee. From the beginning these two had chemistry but they live two totally different lifestyles. Journey is a outgoing person and Chaz is an introvert. Not your typical romance novel but nice to see two young people trying to figure out how to blend their lifestyle together. Waiting to read the next book in this series.
December 11, 2023
Her dream is to attend a HBCU and find the love of her life and carry on in the footsteps of her parents, but love doesn't come for her, and she is so over that phase of her life that is until an iced mocha is dumped down her back by Chaz. It starts them along a path, but it isn't anything like she expects. Will they make it to a happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2023
ARC review :
Beautiful Beginning was the first book of J. Nichole that I read and I throughly enjoyed it ! I loved the budding romance that Journey and Chaz had throughout the book. I loved how all in all , they discovered themselves. I also loved how Journey’s friends were a calm, turnt up balance to her and her overthinking.
One thing for sure is I’m ready for a follow up. I want to see how all the characters grew.
Beautiful Beginning was the first book of J. Nichole that I read and I throughly enjoyed it ! I loved the budding romance that Journey and Chaz had throughout the book. I loved how all in all , they discovered themselves. I also loved how Journey’s friends were a calm, turnt up balance to her and her overthinking.
One thing for sure is I’m ready for a follow up. I want to see how all the characters grew.
January 3, 2024
I received an E-ARC from the author.
Beautiful story about young love. The main characters are college students who fall in love at first sight. Their love is easy and uncomplicated but at their age, should love be a priority? I enjoyed this read, it was quick and an excellent pallet cleanser. The ending is unexpected. Im looking forward to reading the second book which releases later this month.
Beautiful story about young love. The main characters are college students who fall in love at first sight. Their love is easy and uncomplicated but at their age, should love be a priority? I enjoyed this read, it was quick and an excellent pallet cleanser. The ending is unexpected. Im looking forward to reading the second book which releases later this month.
May 7, 2024
Although Journey and Chaz had chemistry, they wanted different things in life and their paths to post college days were vastly different! Not sure if they will meet up again but in Journey's fairytale life they ended up married like her parents who by the way got divorced, so us that really the path she wants to travel? Only time will tell! I'm not sure if I liked this one enough to go on to see what happens in the future, I will see! For now it was an okay read.
November 26, 2023
This book definitely took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I’m excited that it’s a serious and can’t wait to read book #2 and #3 to see where it takes the couple. Leaving college and starting a new life is hard, leaving behind the one you love is even harder. I want so badly for Chaz and Journey to win. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them.
November 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this college romance. There was plenty of nostalgia for my college days watching these characters figure out what they wanted their lives to look like after graduation. The romance between Journey and Chaz had me feeling ALL THE EMOTIONS. And I can’t wait to see what’s next for them in this series.
December 15, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the author.
This is the first book that I've read from this author but it'll definitely not be the last. The characters are well developed and the story lines are easy to follow. She makes you feel like you're right there with the characters experiencing whatever they're experiencing. Will highly recommend reading this book!
This is the first book that I've read from this author but it'll definitely not be the last. The characters are well developed and the story lines are easy to follow. She makes you feel like you're right there with the characters experiencing whatever they're experiencing. Will highly recommend reading this book!
December 18, 2023
Not sure🤷🏽♀️
This is so beautiful. It took me a minute to get into but the more I read the more it grew in me. My heart is full and not sure how I want things to be. Not a typical story from the author but oh so good. I surely was thinking and hoping. My outcome didn’t appear. Will keep waiting for a compromise.
Happy Reading‼️
This is so beautiful. It took me a minute to get into but the more I read the more it grew in me. My heart is full and not sure how I want things to be. Not a typical story from the author but oh so good. I surely was thinking and hoping. My outcome didn’t appear. Will keep waiting for a compromise.
Happy Reading‼️
December 21, 2023
This is the first book I've read written by J. Nichole; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the first book in the Is This Love? Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Journey & Chaz; after meeting in college she thinks she has it all.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the Is This Love? Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Journey & Chaz; after meeting in college she thinks she has it all.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
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