Starting from Lost

Broken Beginnings #1

by S.K. Wills

Love is a risk. If you lose it all, would you dare to risk it twice?

Hannah Rogers is lost: cynical, insecure, and withdrawn. Skeletons forged through a bad breakup that should have been a marriage proposal. Now four years later, Hannah follows her dead-end job to the big city where her only hope is to survive the next eight months as her flirtatious boss’s personal assistant. The last thing her predictable life needs is to collide with the boy responsible for breaking her heart, or the twist of fate that sends a sexy new neighbor to awaken feelings she’s long since put to bed.

Alex Sorrento doesn’t have any room in his life for another pet project. He’s already put aside his career and his personal dreams to follow his half-sister Mackenzie to the big city. Lost in the guilt over the events that nearly took her life, he feels he owes her that much. When Mackenzie befriends the new girl on the second floor, Alex finds himself defenseless against the sizzling chemistry between them and the sadness in her eyes. Can he protect Hannah from her ex without losing his heart?

In this turbulent journey about self-discovery, forgiveness, and love, some second chances aren’t worth taking, but others have their own rewards.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

First published November 13, 2014

About the author

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S.K. Wills grew up with reading in her blood; a favorite pastime passed down thanks to her two beautiful grandmas. Wanting to inspire others, like good books inspire her, she added “write a romance novel” to her bucket list, and ultimately, checked it off. Writing makes her soul happy, and since she's now hooked on story-crafting, she's decided to stick with it for as long as it will have her. S.K. lives in Southeastern Michigan, and juggles expertly (or so she thinks!) also being a passionate marketer and entrepreneur helping other authors reach their writing dreams. She fuels her insatiable dream-chasing with what some would consider an unhealthy amount of coffee, and she wouldn’t have her crazy busy life any other way. To learn more, visit her at: http://skwills.com/

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Starting from Lost, author S.K. Wills weaves a wonderful coming of age story of self discovery, forgiveness, and moving on.

Starting from Loss is a touching story that follows Hannah Rogers' personal journey as she overcomes a broken heart and painful past, discovers her true inner self, learns to heal, grow, and move on with her life.

Hannah's first love Jake left her brokenhearted and lost when he moved away to follow his dream. Four years later, Hannah graduates from college and follows her lecherous boss to New York City for an eighth month stint as his personal assistant. Settling into her new apartment, Hannah meets upstairs neighbors Mackenzie and her half-brother Alex Sorrento. Mackenzie is a free-spirited young woman who gets Hannah to lighten up, while Alex is sexy and stirs long dormant feelings in Hannah that she thought she'd never have again since Jake. But Alex has his own troubled past to deal with ... can two broken people find a way to put their pasts behind them and find love again ... or will the sudden appearance of Jake leave Hannah spiraling downward again?

This is a slow building contemporary romance story that engages the reader to follow Hannah's journey as she faces her past, and rises from the abyss of heartache and loss that she has lived in for so long. Hannah's gradual discovery of her inner strength enables her to grow, and learn that she still has a life to live after a lost love, and even a chance at finding a new love. You can't help but feel compassion for Hannah's story, and anyone can relate to the happiness and pain of a first love, the lessons learned from life's experiences, and the ability to look towards the future.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I really liked Mackenzie and Alex, they both brought the kind of friendship Hannah needed that would help her move forward, and Alex was everything that you could hope to have in a hero. You can't help but cheer on Hannah and Alex as their journey is filled with trials and tribulations as they learned to put their pasts behind them and accept the gift of love.

Starting from Loss is a realistic and raw coming of age story that has a wonderful balance of humor, emotion, drama, and romance that will leave a smile on your face.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Fena A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"That first love, oh, such joy. Such beauty. And that first heartbreak. So bitter. So painful. That's enough to turn any girl dark, mortal or caster." - Beautiful Creatures

first love. first heartbreak. getting through it, getting over it. & thats the gist of it!

i have no problem with the story of this book, i can't say much for the writing tho. i understand the author was going for the multiple character's views but it just seemed all over the place. i had to reread a few lines to know whose head i was in, like for a minute it'll be Hannah then abruptly it'll be her mom. that just threw me off which took me awhile to finish this book.

"Tears fell for her broken heart. They fell for a boy she'd loved desperately, and for the man she'd lost. They fell for a future that would never happen and a past that would never heal. And as she cried, her body convulsing from the pain of it all, she just wanted to know why. Why hadn't she been good enough?"

like any other girl reeling from her first heartbreak with her first love, Hannah's lost with questions of why he left and such. not having had any closure hasn't helped for years. so when she ends up in the big city for her job with her ex Jake just living across the hall, and her new neighbours upstairs hot mysterious guy Alex and his energetic sister Mackenzie who becomes her new close friend, things get overwhelming.

"Do you ever still think about us?... No, not anymore.
Why not anymore?
Because... Because I couldn't afford to. Because you destroyed me when you left. Because you broke my heart every time you didn't call, every time I wished for you to be back in my life. Every time I wished that you loved me like I loved you. Every time I said I love you and you said 'I know', or that you cared too."

dealing with having Jake so near and having to fall for Alex is bringing up all kinds of feelings. after so long, Jake finally wants some reconciling but Hannah has matured. the siblings Alex and Mackenzie has their own tragic past to overcome with and together with Hannah in their lives now, them three endured. i loved the part when Hannah finally realises she no longer loves Jake cause Alex is who she is in love with now, in my head i was rooting "yes yes YES" lol. a story about second chances but not necessarily with the first love of our lives. bittersweet story that will definitely tug at the heartstrings.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Starting from Lost, by S.K. Wills, is about a woman named Hannah who travels to New York for a new job and a new lease on life. Leaving behind a life of discouragement, resentment and self-pity, Hannah is determined to start over. She decides to follow her boss to the big city as his assistant for a new project. She absolutely despises him, but agrees to the move knowing that it is a temporary eight month assignment.

As Hannah begins to get settled into her new apartment in the middle of the city, she is greeted by fun, energetic, Mackenzie who lives in the apartment above hers. Mackenzie is everything she isn’t - spontaneous, confident and sexy. They immediately hit it off as she makes her feel at home. Her first night in the city, she decides to head upstairs to meet Mackenzie for some pizza. Hannah heads to dinner and is greeted at the door by a strikingly handsome man, Mackenzie’s brother, Alex. Hannah is immediately attracted to Alex. He is mysterious and breathtaking. Alex is the last thing Hannah wants to get involved with, especially after her last disastrous relationship with Jake. Hannah thought they were getting engaged; instead, Jake broke up with her and moved to the city.

Hannah and Mackenzie continue to become closer friends, and she also enjoys spending time with Alex. He makes her feel things she didn’t know she could feel with another man since Jake. He almost makes her forget about Jake. That is until she realizes Jake lives across the hall from her! Little did Hannah know, their mothers planned for Hannah to move into his building, in hopes that they would rekindle their relationship after a four year break.

Who will Hannah choose? Will she even have a choice? How will the city change her in eight months and will she revisit love again? Who knows when you are starting from lost.

This book was a definite page turner. I enjoyed how the author told the story from both Alex and Hannah’s point of view. She sometimes changed point of view from paragraph to paragraph which at first was confusing, but I caught on quickly. The characters were interesting and believable, and the romance was sweet. Wills has created a great debut novel, one that I definitely recommend to others.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Ishabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please check out my review of this book and other books at Sultry, Steamy, Reading Book Blog.

I received a reviewer's copy of this book from CLP Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review as part of the book's blog tour campaign.

Starting From Lost is a cute little love story that really is not supposed to be cute. The story started out with the heroine trying so hard to get over her first love, the one who broke her heart beyond repair. I believe we’ve all been there. We’ve all had that guy who was the first to break our hearts.

The heroine, Hannah, was struggling to find her footing, even after years from the breakup. The hero is also a broken man who had issues as well as his own guilt to deal with. He’s a change from most of the heroes I often read. He’s not an alpha male. In fact, he’s atually quiet. However, as a reader, you’d still understand that even through his silence, he is very deep.

This book is about moving on, forgiving youself, forgiving others, and finding what you really want out of your life. The entire book is on the heroine’s journey to self discovery where she also finds love, even if that seemed impossible when the book first started.

The book also shows us that we need friends to get through some of the tough times. We also nee dour family becaus they always have our best interests at heart. I like that the author was able to take me, as a reader, with Hannah in her journey. This is a well written book that new adults should read.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four years ago , Hannah thought she had it all - a wonderful life with a boyfriend that was soon going to end up in a marriage proposal and the white picket fence dream. That was until he ended up dumping her and from that moment , her perfect life shattered . Hannah took the relationship ending very hard as we gather from the start of the book, it rocked her leaving her to be a broken mess and her friends having to try and put her back together like Humpty Dumpty. Now Four years later, she is ready to try and move on with her life and the first big step is moving to the big city for her new job. In the City , she meets Mackenzie who becomes her life saver. What will happen though when Hannah runs into Jason - the guy who shattered her heart into a million tiny fragments. Will she be able to forgive him and act like nothing happened or will their be an opportunity to try again ? This time though, someone else is in the picture Mackenzie's older brother Alex who makes it very clear throughout the book that he isn't the relationship type and how he has definitely time for a girlfriend, but we do see chemistry sizzling between Alex and Hannah. Will Hannah go for Alex or will she crawl back to Jason ? Can Alex protect Hannah without himself getting hurt in the process or will he find himself head over heels for Hannah ?

Starting from Lost is a journey and coming of age novel , which shows readers that sometimes in order to start fresh and a new life , you have to hit rock bottom and like a Phoenix bird - rise from the ashes in order to head your way back up the ladder of happiness.

Starting from Lost though readers is a slow read, so if you are wanting something fast paced then this isn't the book for you, but if you are wanting a novel to savour and journey with then check our "Starting From Lost" by SK Willis.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah doesn't have any confidence in herself or anything she does for that matter. Not since her breakup with her long term boyfriend four years ago. She is now working as an assistant to her not so nice 'boss" and is assigned to accompany him to New York City for eight months. Little does she know that she is in for a surprise or two in her new apartment complex!

Alex is a bartender who lives with his sister Mackenzie in the same complex. Hannah and Mackenzie soon become friends and Alex finds himself drawn to Hannah's sad eyes, well amongst other things. The thing is that after his own terrible experience, he doesn't have either the time or inclination to explore further. His main concern is his sister and her safety. The difficulty is with the two girls being best friends and spending more and more time together, he can hardly avoid Hannah.

When Hannah's ex makes an appearance, Alex becomes her Knight in shining armour for the sake of appearance or is it?

The pace is a little slow at times but with Hannah still battling with her feelings after seeing her ex so many years later, her ex now wondering if he did the right thing so many years ago and Alex fighting so hard against his own feelings, this book drew me in completely. It's full of doubts and denials. Trust doesn't come easy. It's about healing, self discovery and taking chances.

I would definitely recommend this novel. Oh! I forgot to mention the humour. There is loyalty too. Hannah's two best friends Toby and Jamie are ever so supportive whilst energetic Mackenzie encourages Hannah to learn to live a little. All in all, a very good read with a fitting end but in what way? That's for you to find out.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook which has no impact on the content of my review.

[Harman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I was going through my old emails when I realized I hadn't reviewed this book and I was shocked. I read this book 3 times since I got it! I just found it to be so cute!!

The plot of this book was pretty good, nothing I hadn't read before but it definitely had its own little quirks which can definitely steer a book away from the cliche labels. Wills did a fantastic job on her characters. Characters are what can make or break a book for me, usually I can't get very far into a book with shitty characters. Her characters were just...great. Mackenzie was probably my favorite character in the whole book...gosh is she perky.

I lived in New York City growing up and the memories that this book gave me...oh lord. I missed it so much. Wills just knows what she is doing when writing. Her writing is great and she just makes you want to fall in love. (Which my parents are totally not okay with considering I'm only 17...)

The only thing I wish the publisher's would do is give this cover a revamp. This cover does not do the book justice! I'm a person who is more likely to pick up a book with a nice cover and this only persuaded me with the synopsis. Come on publishers!! Give Alex and Hannah a cover they deserve!!

I keep checking for the second book in this series but I can't seem to find anything about it besides the fact that it is due to be out anytime in late 2015...THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! I sincerely hope that it is a continuation of Alex and Hannah's book but with my luck it will be Mackenzie's book, which would be fine.

*A copy of this book was provided via Xpresso Books and the author for an honest review.

[Abrie jabiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unable to put it down!

This book reeled me in and kept me up late reading most nights. A relatable storyline to all of us who have lost first loves.

[Esperanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning to stand on your own after a difficult heart break and depression can be a hard one to pull through. But this is what Hannah has to face, starting over. It took me a while to chug through this book, not because I wasn't interested but because I too had to face something like this not long ago. There is no fantasy/paranormal aspect to fly away to in this book, but real life issues that deal with the let downs in life.

SK Wills acknowledges that life isn't all a bed of roses with lust, love and affection waiting at your doorstep. This book focuses on a broken heart healing. The main character Hannah is not as confident in her life as her parents and friends wish her to be but she is taking things in her own way at her own time. On the other hand, she knows she has some changes to make, but can she pull it off? Hannah must heal and it proves to be difficult, it is not a fly by night challenge.

Wills helps her readers to see that women as well as men hurt after a break up and it is not always right to run away when love is on the horizon. This book proved a difficult one for me after a personal loss. It was hard to read and not feel her pain, anguish and distrust. All those feelings are real after a break up and surely Wills wanted her readers to see that even with the difficulty of pain and love lost a person can heal. This journey that she takes her readers on is not short and to the point it is a journey of discovery of oneself. Wills plans out carefully the healing points, and she also lets her readers know that it is not always about having a crutch, but really about standing on your own.

I rate this book 4 stars and recommend to those that are willing to walk through the pain and healing after a heart break, and be ready to accept self reflection. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah's life seemed all mapped out for her when she was just 19 years old. She had fallen for her very best friend and she was going to get her happily ever after. Then, Jake decided he was moving to the big city, and leaving her behind. He even ended things on her birthday. She was crushed and her world has been spinning ever since that day. She is alive but not really living.

Then Colt her scumbag boss decides to take her with him on an assignment in New York city that is to last eight months. She would be his personal assistant and although she has a business degree, she doesn't think much of herself so she agrees to go. What she doesn't know is a big surprise awaits her in the big apple. Will she be able to move on or just spiral further down her sad road?

The secondary characters play a great role in this drama. Hannah immediately meets a girl in her apartment building named Mackenzie and they hit it off right away. Mackenzie is the complete opposite of her. She bubbly, open and eager to be friends. She also has an extremely HOT brother named Alex who Hannah can't seem to get her mind off.

The writing and story line in this novel was well thought out, exciting, suspenseful and full of friendship, love, romance and heart break. Everything you love to hate about romance is in this beautifully written novel. The author has amazing skills and she keeps you engrossed with her articulate prose and all different types of characters who you can't help but fall in love with.

This book earned its five stars and honestly I would give it more if I could.

[Jennifer Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was given an ARC for an honest review.*

“Love is a gift, meant to be given…”

Starting from Lost is about first love and what happens when that love breaks your heart. Do you move on? Can you love again? Is there closure? Will you ever be able to trust love again? Hannah and Alex think they have the answers to those questions. But, do they really?
S. K. Wills’ debut novel is nothing short of splendid. I found myself easily wrapped up in her story and turning the pages well into the night!
Watching Hannah’s self-esteem grow, pain heal, love blossom, and path of self-discovery made you root for her the entire story. Alex is your classic, brooding, sexy man. A man we all want to love and heal. He is so sweet and caring you can’t decide if you want to hug him or drag him to your bed. I’m leaning toward both! And, sweet Mackenzie, you can’t help but love her and want her as your friend. You grow along with Hannah and Alex, experiencing their ups and downs, crying and laughing along with them. Add a sprinkle of Alex’s playful and humorous sister, Mackenzie, and you have a recipe for an entertaining read.
Hannah and Alex definitely started from lost, and watching them learn to love and give the gift of love, is, both, enjoying and rewarding. I only wish a couple of the characters had gotten their just desserts, but maybe that’s just me!
I would, definitely, keep an eye on this author. I look forward to reading many more excellent works from Ms. Wills.

[C.S. Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting from Lost, from breakout author S.K. Wills, is a story that relates to anyone who has ever loved, lost and found herself grappling with the pieces that remain. S.K. has the ability to create characters who live beyond the pages of her book, so that the reader empathizes with their sorrow and rejoices with their wins. From page one, her writing voice will pull you in, grounding you in the story of these characters and connecting you to their journeys of growth and healing.

One thing I really love about how S.K. has crafted this story is the fact that Hannah learns from her past, is able to see the first love for what it was, and doesn't fall back into the trap of it. This isn't the well-done trope of a second chance between first loves. It’s a story of growth, self-discovery, and rebuilding. Like so many young women following the loss of first love, Hannah is left to pick up the pieces and realizes she doesn't know who she is at all. But she does pick them up, and she is stronger for it, growing from a girl to a woman by the last page. Her character is completely relatable and real.

Alex and the secondary characters are easy to fall in love with, and you will find yourself rooting for every single one of them (except, maybe, for Jake!) The budding romance will keep you on your toes and turning those pages.

This book is a five-star must read and this author is one to watch!

[Jennifer Senhaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a 4.5.
Lost and finding love when least expecting it—the basis for this sweet love story. I loved this book. Alex is a guarded brother who will protect his exuberant sister at any cost, including his own happiness. After all, for Alex, “Love was a con, and he wasn’t falling for it again.” Great Line, S.K. Wills.
Hannah, devastated after losing the love of her life, is lost and trying to discover exactly who she is, if not Jake’s girlfriend.
Mackenzie is Alex’s sister, who despite her tragic past, loves life, and befriends Hannah the minute she moves into the apartment downstairs. The apartment which just so happens to be across the hall from Jake.
The author made it easy to identify with Hannah as she tries to define her feelings for Jake and Alex, and decides who she wants to be. You witness her growth as a woman, and it’s empowering for her and the reader.
Alex is the strong silent guy, perfect. Exactly the kind of guy you would want, if he wasn’t so deathly afraid of loving again.
The chemistry between Hannah and Alex is instant, but both are too scared to open up. I enjoyed the simmer of this romance, as well as each character’s discovery of themselves.
The author does a great job of revealing bits and pieces of the back story throughout the book
Well done. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Ally Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical romance novel. In fact, I'd call it women's fiction with a strong romance theme. So if you go in expecting this tale to set your hormones ablaze and skip right past the emotional awkwardness of falling in love, then you will probably be disappointed.

However, if you read this book with the mindset of truly connecting with Hannah, of understanding the depth of her feelings and sensitivities, and with a desire to remember all the uncomfortable and joyous moments of finding your heart's passion, then you will adore this book.

Wills creates a realistic if extreme situation of a young woman whose heart has been broken so deeply, she never fully recovered. As a result, she hides from connection and love. It's not until she meets her neighbors and learns more about their broken pasts, that she can truly feel understood and brave enough to start again.

"Starting from Lost" is the perfect name for this surprisingly deep and eloquent narrative. It's not without its flaws--but there's so much more here than first meets the eye.

STARTING FROM LOST is the perfect read for fans of Nora Roberts and women's fiction, and those who enjoy the journey of romance, rather than just the sexy destination. There's heat, mind you, but it's the kind that comes from a long, slow burn.

A very satisfying read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about those who suffer from their past relationships. Hannah cannot forget her first love, Jake, who dumped her just when she thought he was going to propose. When she moves to the city, she meets up with Mackenzie and her brother Alex, who live in the same building and who also suffer with memories of their pasts. This is their story of turbulent lives, how they strive to live again without the pain, and how taking second chances is not always a bad thing. This is an interesting book, but I had a lot of difficulty getting into it and through it. I found the book dragged somewhat—definitely a slow read. It is well written but just did not do it for me. I really do not know why. Perhaps the introspection, or the slowness, or the characters and their pasts and new lives. I just found it difficult to get into, read and stay with. I have not discounted the author or other books, however. This one was well enough written to make me want to try another one I the series or in another series by the author. I think people who enjoy savoring a story will enjoy this one, especially if they enjoy good romances and stories of how people overcome their past histories. I received this from Library Thing to read and provide an honest review.

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian I Dig Good Books


A lovely story of letting go, and setting yourself free.


Hannah has to move to New York for an 8 month job assignment. Her parents find her the flat to rent and imagine her utter horror when her neighbour across the landing is her first love, Jake, who dumped her on her birthday. Upstairs though, is Mackenzie and her brother Alex. Hannah and Alex fight the attraction that is instant and powerful, and when they evenutally give in to it, Hannah gets those stars she wanted.


Its told from Hannah and ALex's POV and we also get some Mackenzie, Jake and some of Hannah's slime ball boss. I knew he was up to no good, but he didn't come out as bad as I was seeing.


Alex's torment and the history of his heartache is painful to read, emotianl, difficult. Once its fully revealed you can understand him a little better, and why he keeps pushing Hannah away. Once Hannah truly lets go of Jake, she is a woman on a mission and its beautiful to watch her transformation.


As I said, a lovely story, thats the best word I can find, lovely.


4 stars

[Tami Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of things to love about this book:

A strong heroine, with whom the author does a marvelous job of helping to grow and come into her own. This is no self-loathing character who constantly feels sorry for herself because of love lost. This is a character who grows and learns, and realizes that there is life after lost love, after all. And she learns all of this all on her own, which is also pretty cool.

A super cool and slightly broken hero who you just want to take home and tuck into your own bed for the rest of your life.

An amazing cast of supporting characters, some wonderful, some not, but all well-defined and believable.

A little bit of humor, a little bit of sappiness, and a lot of heart-warming-ness (Is that a word? It should be.)

Well worth the read. Will definitely be a favorite for fans of contemporary romance.

One aspect to note, so you are not thrown off-guard: This book reads from multiple perspectives, not just the hero and heroine. Which is kind of cool, because sometimes, the supporting characters add the best chuckles.

[wendy Shelton(obsessedbybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

* * ARC received on behalf of obsessed by books for an honest review * *

Hannah is getting the chance to start over and chance to heal.

Hannah is taking an opportunity to make her life better, she's taking a job in New York as a PA and trying to get over a heart break, that happen 2 years ago. Hannah thought she had met her prince charming, he was her best friend turned to lovers, Jake was perfect til the day of her 19th birthday he tells a her he is leaving, she thought he was going propose. since then Hannah hasn't lived she feels love is evil.
Hannah is going to NY for 8 months she can do it. Her first night there she meets MacKenzie and her brother Alex.
Alex is alot like Hannah, his heart was broken, but he blames himself for his loss and the fact he just about loss his sister to. He isn't so open to love, but somtimes you can't stop it from happening.
This book is about love, loss, forgiving, and growth. I give this book 5 stars. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Hannah.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the blurb, I knew right away that I wanted to read “Starting from Lost.” It seemed like a great first read of 2015, and I was really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, it took me a bit to get into, and had a hard time finishing it. I found Hannah’s character to be way too cynical to be likable, and found her to be a little immature, too, but I sympathized with her and can understand where she’s coming from. As for Alex and Mackenzie, I really liked enjoyed their characters.

For a debut novel, “Starting from Lost” was well-written. S.K. has a lot of talent as an author, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I will be on the lookout for more books to come by this author.

Overall, while I liked the idea of this book, I wish it would’ve moved along a little faster, and kept me wanting to turn the page. Also, I thought it could easily pass for a YA read.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A contemporary romance about moving on from first love, this novel was, unfortunately, hindered by under-developed characters.

Hannah heads to the big city where her first love fled to after he dumped her, and there she befriends Alex, her new friend’s brother, who’s dealing with issues of his own. Throw in an unexpected neighbour, meddling parents, and a whole host of undecided and fearful individuals and you get the idea.

I was, unfortunately, unable to connect with the characters from the start: I found Hannah incredibly immature and mopey beyond measure, while I found Alex unconvincing and emotionally unstable in an unrealistic way. The writing was somewhat clichéd (a lot of ‘seeing stars’ and feeling an irresistible pull ‘at first glance’), and the dialogue unconvincing, which led to the plot being lost under a telling that was awkward and unrewarding.

*I received a free copy of the book from the author, via Chic Lit Plus, in exchange for my honest review.

[Grace Ravel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be dangerous to your relationship. For real. I almost threw my Kindle at my husband when he interrupted me while I was reading. I could not put it down. I loved Hannah. I loved reading her journey and see her grow into a strong person and rise above her heartache, and find her way to the hero. And what a hero he is! Alex is just too cute in a sexy, yummy kind of way--the perfect hero. I liked that neither characters descended into caricatures as both were believable and relatable.
The secondary characters are just as well-drawn. Often, the other characters fade into the background and become props. Not here. You get an insight on all of them (how can you not like Mackenzie?).
This is S.K.'s debut novel but I can't wait to read more from her. She has a great voice and knows how to move a story along.

[Margaret Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC: I received a free copy of this book through CLP in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation.

Starting From Lost by SK Wills surprised me because I didn’t think I would like it but I ended up loving it. I didn’t know if I would like Hannah when the book started because she didn’t seem like someone that I would get along with. But once I was a few chapters into the book I began to like her. She has the kind of personality that bother me, but they usually end up growing on me. I felt bad for Hannah and what happened to before the book started and I love watching, and she moved on and learned more about herself and life. In the end, I fell in love with the characters and this authors style of writing. I can’t wait to read another book by this author and I am sure that almost everyone would end up loving this book like I did.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book and I can't wait to see more from this author. It missed the 5 star mark for me because I felt it was a little drawn out but the overall story and the writing were terrific. Alex has devoted his life to taking care of his sister after tragic events in the past left her battered and hurt. He's having trouble letting go and living his life. Hannah Rogers has moved to the city for her job. She's been stuck in life ever since her boyfriend dumped her on her 19th birthday. Now it's time to start living again. You'll definitely want to read this one to see how Hannah and Alex help each other start living life again. I recommend it.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the book description, I was really hoping to like this book more than I did. It is written in third person and did not seem to flow smoothly. The overall storyline was good, but it took me about two thirds of the book before I really started getting into it. Towards the end, the book seemed to pick up pace and flowed better. The author definitely seems to have potential, and I would be interested in reading more, this one was just really rocky for me.

* This book was reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristen Mcpeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from early reviewers on librarything, it is not an advanced copy. Overall it was a very good book. Few grammatical errors. Characters were built up well, happy ending. The only thing I can say about the book is that I am noticing a recurring theme in romance novels...since I am relatively new to the genre I am unaware if this is normal. The theme is the handsy boss and the testosterone fueled boyfriend, not a fan of the theme, but it seems to be in almost every romance novel I've read. Not this author's fault, this theme was minor in comparison to other novels and the love story was predominate throughout the novel.

[Kay Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this for an honest review.
S.K. Wills does a great job in her debut novel. It is sweet and endearing all at the same time. We meet Hannah a girl who was so wrapped up in her first love that she is devastated when it ended. She goes through years of hiding and being unsure of herself Not fully able to move on. Hannah's job take her to the exciting city of New York.

There she faces her demons and meets the handsome Alex who has plenty of demons of his home. It was realistic and raw. I couldn't put this book down. A five star read.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hannah has allowed rejection by her first love to alter her life. Jake took not only her heart but also her confidence when he abandoned her for the big city. When her job takes her to the city as well, she meets bright and bubbly Mackenzie and her handsome, brooding brother Alex, another victim of love gone wrong. Alex and Hannah are drawn together despite their brokenness...until the past threatens their future. I found it hard to relate to Hannah's total loss of self worth when she had her heart broken. This lack of empathy had me frustrated by her actions for most of the book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah has been mourning the loss of her best friend turned boyfriend, Jake, for four years. Not because he died, but because he dumped her on her 19th birthday. When she moves to New York, she discovers he's her neighbor. But, her upstairs neighbor Alex is sweet, gorgeous and about as emotionally available as she is. Their story is full of growth, missed opportunities, opportunities that are not missed, and hope there really are second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this journey!
Please note that I received a free copy of this book and in turn I have left this honest review.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

***to be fair I'll tell you I recieved an ARC of this book in return for an honest review***

That being said, I loved this book. A very touching story about a girl who overcomes a sad past to live a beautiful future.

The author does a great job of bringing you into this world and making you care about her characters. I would definitely read more by miss S.K. Wills

[Amy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy for an honest review. I love a book that grabs me and keeps me wanting more . I got that her with the story of Hannah and Alex . Hannah didn't want love , a man or anything that came with it . Then she meet Alex and Alex isn't looking for any of that either . Can these two broken souls find a path to true love or will they be forever alone