Revenge is best served cold, but their passion burns as hot as ever. Home for her sister’s funeral, Samantha knows the for all intents, her sister died three years ago on the night of her senior prom and Julian Ashburn–her sister’s husband and Samantha’s former lover–is to blame. He took her virginity, and he took her sister. Will he at least let her escape with her heart? ******** Although Begin With Goodbye has numerous romantic elements, it is not strictly a genre romance. (It's more of a romantic thriller.) If you're looking for the slow burn of two people falling in love, this is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a whirlwind of crazy, a love that won't quit, and a deeply held grudge, you may enjoy it immensely. Intended for mature audiences due to language and content.
Kelly Walker is a YA and NA author of several romantic titles, including the Souls of the Stones series. She has an unhealthy appreciation for chocolate, and a soft spot for rescued animals. Her best lessons on writing came from a lifetime of reading. She loves the fantastical, and the magical, and believes a captivating romance can be the most realistic magic of all. Kelly, her husband and her two children share their Virginia home with three dogs who walk her, and two cats who permit her to occasionally share their couch.
**A Kind Request** If you want to send me a message about one of my books, please do it through facebook or email. I don't check my GoodReads messages often and messages get lost beneath group messages.**
Review written: June 26, 2014 Star Rating: ★★★★☆ Heat Rating: TBD
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
Frankly, I am not sure what to think about this book. This was originally written as a 5 part serial though a quick glance at the plot snippets of the serials suggests that they ended about midway through this book.
Samantha goes home for her sister's funeral. It's the first time she has been home since her sister was diagnosed with cancer. Her sister's widower, Julian is Samantha's ex (and current) love. Very quickly, it's established that Julian wants Sam back.
Sam and Chloe (the sister) had a controlling and cruel mother and a father who stood by and did nothing. For Sam, Julian was a rock. But on prom night, all that changes when Chloe goes to prom with Colton so Sam can go with Julian, because Chloe gets raped.
Fast forward to the present again and we discover that all sorts of behind the scenes machinations and secret agreements have been made and why they have been made - for the sake of a little girl named Melody, Chloe's daughter.
As the horrible story unfolds, the web of intrigue and deception gets wider and bigger. Colton, his father the Mayor, Sam and Chloe's Mom, Julian, the Sheriff - they are all in on it - this horrid conspiracy of silence, social climbing, face and career-saving. It's ugly and brutal.
Things are said, actions are taken, a judge has a decision to make. And then, something else rocks the little town.
Major spoilers ahead. Read at your own peril.
In the end, I am giving this book 4 stars because it will rock your world. It has an ending you can't see coming. It's incredibly well-written and the author does a tremendous job with characterization. Color me impressed. I really want to stress that my rating is based on author prowess and not my enjoyment of the book.
ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
2 MANIPULATIVE STARS
It was okay. A little convoluted, I'm still not sure who killed the guy. I liked it, but it wasn't well written, as it was intended to be a series of novellas and that's how it felt.
Very quick read.
Samantha has come home for her sisters funeral. Home to a small town that hold secrets and lies. And while Sam is home, she rekindles a relationship with her sister's husband, who was her childhood sweetheart, fights family battles with her mother, and is there when her sisters rapist meets then end he deserves.
I am still reeling from finishing the book. Some parts I was able to figure out but I NEVER saw the ending coming. This book was full of twists and turns and kept me reading all night. It was so much more than a romance. I can't say more without giving the story away, but what a ride.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha has come back to town for her sister's funeral. She is also going to have to fa e her old high school boyfriend, Julian. She doesn't want to be here, but she has come for her sister.
On the night of their high school prom something awful happens to her sister, Chloe. She is broken by this and blames herself as much as she blames Julian. She leaves town hating him and decides she will never look back. Reeling from the loss of Samantha, Julian turns to her sister. They end up married with a child on the way. But not every thing is at it seems. Lies have been told and secrets have been kept, learning all of this has Samantha not sure what to do or where to turn. She stays to help with Chloe's daughter and ends up realizing her feelings cor Julian have not gone away. With everything out in the open now, will they be able to be together or will Samantha let the hate consume her?
I liked the book and thought the characters were well developed as well as the plot of the book. Some things were overdone, but other than that it's a great second chance romance. The ending left me shocked but it was a good ending.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fansite www.facebook.com/nerdgirl.ng.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This book has so many twists and turns, secrets, and lies that it's hard to write a review for without giving a lot away. I loved how fast paced everything was and how the story kept me guessing what was going to happen next.
Without giving anything away, the basic idea of the story is this: Sam comes home for her sister, Chloe's, funeral. She has to face not only her horrible mother, but her ex who happens to also be her first and only love and her sister's husband.
I do have to say that the end was a bit cheesy for me. I did find myself saying, "Oh, come on. Really?" when I read it. You'll just have to read and find out for yourself and see if you think the same. I think it would have been just as good without the ending thrown in.
Begin With Goodbye by Lilly Wright is part one of a serialized novel titled Begin With Goodbye. This has a bit of a different storyline from any I've read before. The sister, Samantha, returns to her home town after leaving it in her dust three years ago for her sisters funeral. She's now trying to make sense of the mess left behind. Her sisters widow who was also her own first love, her beautiful niece who is now motherless, and her own mother who is a heartless hateful woman she can't stand to be around. She is ready for the truth to come out into the open and finally purge the cloud of misery from her life and the memory of her sister. ******** Begin With Goodbye by Lilly Wright is part two in her serialized novel Begin With Goodbye.
Sam has decided to stay for the summer and help Julian take care of Melody. She's not happy to be back in her home town. She is still VERY resentful of Julian and very regretful for the lack of relationship she's had with her recently deceased sister since she left town.
Sam gets bumped a little of her high horse when she realizes she knows nothing about taking care of a child, and Julian is capable and knowledgable. At least more than she's given him credit for up to this point.
Now Sam and Julian have to tackle the terrible conversation with Melody, letting her know her own mother has passed away and won't be coming home, ever. Exactly how do you explain such a thing to a toddler?
Another enjoyable installment - I just wished they were released more frequently. Impatience is a hardship. ******** Begin With Goodbye by Lilly Wright is part three in her serialized novel Begin With Goodbye.
After a nasty encounter with her mother in the last installment, Sam remembers why she never came back home. It's all about appearances and control and that's the last thin Sam gives a hoot about. Sam is only interested in the truth.
The story opens with Sam in the interrogation room at the Sheriff's Department with none other than Colton Thomas. The scumbag that raped her sister on prom night three years ago. He's practically drooling for her to sign an affidavit stating that she accuses him of raping her sister.
Something feels off. Luckily, Julian has been contacted by someone within the department that isn't corrupt and storms in the interrogation room to her rescue.
Sam's feelings for Julian are starting to shift and she is NOT happy about it. Julian tries to talk to her about their past and what was once between them, but drops her at the house and goes off on his own. This leaves her to do some investigation of her own around the house and she does not like what she finds. It leaves more questions than it provides answers. ******** Begin With Goodbye Vol. 4 by Lilly Wright is part four in her serialized novel Begin With Goodbye.
Sam has just learned that Melody is Colton's daughter, NOT Julian's. That Julian married Chloe to protect Chloe and the baby. She also learned that Julian and Chloe were never intimate. That the last woman Julian was with was in fact her, three years ago. He's saved himself for her this whole time.
This is a shock - she's slept with anything and everything since then to forget and to punish.
On their return from a day trip they realize that the authorities are waiting for them at Julian's. Perhaps it's about the affidavit and Sam's unwitting betrayal of a non-disclosure that had her name forged to it. Either way, they aren't sticking around to deal with this just yet. So they go ahead and keep driving out of town - plausible deniability if they are "unaware" the officials were looking for them. ******** Begin With Goodbye by Lilly Wright is part five in her serialized novel Begin With Goodbye.
We are progressing even further into the intrigue and deception that is beginning to drown Sam and Julian. Her mother is becoming a bigger problem and Sam and Julian must put their heads together and come up with some kind of plan that will enable them not only to be together but to keep Melody away from Sam's mother and biological father. ******** Begin With Goodbye by Kelly Walker is the entire Begin With Goodbye serial so far plus what would have been parts #6 and #7.
From the author's FB page:
I have pulled the serials to publish it as a complete novel under my other name, Kelly Walker
This book finishes out the entire tale of Sam and Julian and all the subterfuge involved in life after her sisters death.
We learn who is to blame for the recent murder, we also learn some very interesting facts about Samantha's sister.
A perfect way to finish out the story that left me a little gob-smacked, but happily so.
This starts off with a funeral. The sister of The h had died of cancer. The H was once her boyfriend. There was so much suspense, didn't know which way the story was going. This author knew how to twist the plot line and still no link to detract. Even the last sentence grabbed me.
**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
4 full of twists stars!!
Holy cow!! What an intricate, surprising, and crazy story!! "Begin With Goodbye" was a quick, super exciting, on the edge of your seat read!
Sam comes homes home for her sisters funeral, and is reminded quickly about why she ran and never returned three years ago!! She has to face her dragon lady of a mother, the snobbish and crooked members of the community, and her first love, the guy she has been unable to forget or forgive and who just happens to be her sisters husband.
Sam is a journalism student and values knowledge and truth above all else. She learns quickly that there are just some things that may be better left hidden.
When secrets come to light, Julian and Sam join forces for the good of Sam's niece. Sam struggles with the wall of hate she has built to keep her away from Julian, especially when she learns things may not have been what she thought they were.
Julian loves Sam, has always loved Sam, and will do whatever it takes to get her back. However, he may have to choose between his daughter and his first love.
It is hard to write a review because there are so many secrets, so many twists and turns and big revelations that absolutely make this story. I do not want to ruin this read for anyone. This is the perfect, quick, summer read!
I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 for this book. The idea, the characters, for the most part were spot on. But there were little things that I didn't like, which slides it down to a 4.
Julian and Samantha were high school sweethearts. One night, something terrible happens with Samantha's sister that draws Julian to her arms ...... or so Samantha thinks.
Part of what puts this book into a solid 4 was the predictability of the book. I knew instantly about Melody and who her father was; I found Samantha's public outburst and then the lawsuit to be overdone.
But beyond that, I really loved Julian's love for Samantha. I loved that he calls her Sam all the time (much to her parents'... or rather, her mother's, dislike), but calls her Samantha when she's not listening, or when she really needs to listen to him. I found him to be a mix of Beta-male and Alpha-male... more beta, but at times his Alpha came out and I liked him better that way.
And while the book was predictable....
.....the ending most definitely surprised me.
Side note: I don't think the cover works for the book. I went into the book confused if it were a modern day or historical romance. And while the town is well-to-do, I found them to not be ball-gown kind of people.
I read this book in just a couple sittings. The story moved along, with twists and turns, and I didn't want to put it down. I am still not sure who did something at the end of the book (don't want to give away anything) but that is one of the things I like about the ending. I THINK I know the answer, but it really could have gone a couple different ways. While this is a love story/romance, it is SO MUCH MORE! The suspense, drama, mystery, and relationship between Samantha and her mother is what kept my interest. This is the first of Kelly Walker's books I have read, but it will NOT be the last.
*I was given an ARC in return for an honest review.
I read this book in just a couple sittings. The story moved along, with twists and turns, and I didn't want to put it down. I am still not sure who did something at the end of the book (don't want to give away spoilers) but that is one of the things I loved about the ending. I THINK I know the answer, but it really could have gone a couple different ways. While this is a love story/romance, it is SO MUCH MORE! The suspense, drama, mystery, and relationship between Samantha and her mother is what kept my interest. This is the first of Kelly Walker's book I have read, but it will NOT be the last.
*I was given an ARC in return for an honest review.
Samantha is back in her home town for her sister's funeral.
This means means not only does she have to face her awful mum who not would only control her and her sister Chloe. Her dad would stand back and let it happen. I was so angry reading this part I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall.
Julian and Samantha were high school sweethearts. This ended when something awful happens, resulting in Samantha leaving town.
Julian ends up marrying and having a daughter with Chloe. Whilst your reading this book you the reader can tell and feel that Julian never got over Samantha and that he is still.in love with her and Samantha is still in love with Julian.
I was not expecting the ending and it completely shocked me and I never saw this ending coming
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Not great but not bad. The characters seemed somewhat exaggerated. I really didn't care for the heroine. I understood her anger/bitterness but felt it was over the top. A little communication helps and felt that she should have tried to talk with the hero more . The hero was okay. He sacrificed a lot but could have found another way to have solved the situation.
What I liked was that there where several layers to the plot. Some romance, suspense and mystery. Pacing was done well and everything was pretty much resolved in the end.
Netgalley Arc I have mixed feelings about this book. I started off reading this novel when it was published on parts and the first three were brilliant, and had me hanging on every word dying for more. But when I got the whole book and have now finished I am lost and have this utterly stumped feeling. I'll say the writing was good, the suspense was held brilliantly, but the plot thickening ended up with a thick gloppy mess. It just didn't sit well with me.
Love love love this book! Was a very quick read but ending blew me away!
When Sam returns home for her sisters funeral she thinks she has things all figured out and hates Julian for things he may not have done. As secrets unravel and lives intertwine can Sam make peace with the past to live her life?
I found myself captivated by this book and unable to put this down. It had two huge twists and I did not see either of them coming. If interested in this book, I would avoid reading reviews that give plot details as I think it would ruin the book.
This was a quick read. It kept me enthralled in the story that I could not put it down. There were a lot of twists in this story that it keeps you so captivated that you don't see what is coming at in end. This is more than a story of Love, Heartbreak and Betrayal. Definitely an excellent read!
Love the storyline and the characters!! It is kind of difficult to not give away a bit of the story in a review!! but in summary is a good love story!!!!!!