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Beginnings
1974. The Osmonds, space hoppers and climbing trees, all grounded in the ultimate belief that life was perfect. Childhood filled with tomorrows and a friendship built to endure anything. Or was it? Lou Turner loves Ashley Richards. Always has and always will. This is Lou's story...a story spanning thirty years...from the innocence of youth to the bitterness of adulthood. But can Lou use her beginnings to shape her future? Only one woman can answer that question. Childhood and friendship...love and belief...hope that yesterdays can be what futures are made of. And Lou's future began the day her world fell from a tree.
190 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Smith
25 books64 followersL.T. Smith is a late bloomer when it comes to writing and didn’t begin until 2005 with her first novel Hearts and Flowers Border (first published in 2006). She soon caught the bug and has written numerous tales, usually with a comical slant to reflect, as she calls it, ‘My warped view of the dramatic.’ Although she loves to write, L.T. loves to read, too — being an English teacher seems to demand it. Most of her free time is spent with her furry little men — two fluffy balls of trouble who keep her active and her apologies flowing.
She is also a very popular author at websites such as The Athenaeum and The Academy of Bards under the name of “Fingersmith”. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2008 Hall of Fame Author.
She is also a very popular author at websites such as The Athenaeum and The Academy of Bards under the name of “Fingersmith”. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2008 Hall of Fame Author.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 20, 2015
I am pretty much smitten with Beginnings. Ash is one of the most appealing, all-around likable and caring characters I've encountered in a novel in ages. It's easy to see why Lou adores her, though Lou herself, with her bursts of anger and fits of jealousy as an adult, tries my patience at times.
As with her other tales, L.T. Smith captures the pain and awkwardness of insecurity like no one else does. Meshing such intense self-doubt with such a pure love that seems destined from the day the two young girls meet makes all that insecurity much more believable...after all, those of us who question our worth the most are bound to feel we don't deserve the very love we most crave.
Perhaps because there is a lot of pain in here I can relate to I didn't laugh as much as I did when I read L.T. Smith's simply amazing See Right Through Me. There are definitely moments where you laugh, but your heart ends up aching more than your stomach does.
Even so, Beginnings is breathtaking when it comes to emotions. The reader is there with Lou as she struggles through childhood, her teens and then life as an adult. She may not always be the most composed or even mature, but she is very real. This line, for instance, is all too familiar:
"I flirt, I am a flirt, but the kind that is shocked when flirting actually works. The kind that when a woman smiles at me in an empty room, I still look over my shoulder just to make sure she’s smiling at me, then look back over it a second time."
Oddly enough (or maybe not, if you have ever been in Lou's shoes) it's the first half of the novel that has most lingered with me. Young Lou is someone your heart just breaks for as she agonizes over her own appeal, what it's like to be in love with someone you shouldn't (or think you shouldn't) and how on earth she's going to move on after losing the best friend she has ever known.
Another constant for Lou (that helps me sympathize with her even when she's a bit maddening) is how she battles her own emotions and longs to master them in certain situations, especially when it comes to Ash, whom she is convinced would "freak" if she knew about her love.
"There was no way I could have done that. I just had to tighten the reins on my feelings, be more careful with what I let show. I would have to learn how to do that. And quickly. But I know for definite—in that split second she held my gaze, she must have seen everything I had tried so hard to keep hidden."
I absolutely love how Beginnings comes full circle, the pop culture references that you might remember from your own childhood, the writing itself and how you can just fall into this story as if it is actually real life. As always when I finish anything by L.T. Smith, I hope there's more around the corner soon! :)
As with her other tales, L.T. Smith captures the pain and awkwardness of insecurity like no one else does. Meshing such intense self-doubt with such a pure love that seems destined from the day the two young girls meet makes all that insecurity much more believable...after all, those of us who question our worth the most are bound to feel we don't deserve the very love we most crave.
Perhaps because there is a lot of pain in here I can relate to I didn't laugh as much as I did when I read L.T. Smith's simply amazing See Right Through Me. There are definitely moments where you laugh, but your heart ends up aching more than your stomach does.
Even so, Beginnings is breathtaking when it comes to emotions. The reader is there with Lou as she struggles through childhood, her teens and then life as an adult. She may not always be the most composed or even mature, but she is very real. This line, for instance, is all too familiar:
"I flirt, I am a flirt, but the kind that is shocked when flirting actually works. The kind that when a woman smiles at me in an empty room, I still look over my shoulder just to make sure she’s smiling at me, then look back over it a second time."
Oddly enough (or maybe not, if you have ever been in Lou's shoes) it's the first half of the novel that has most lingered with me. Young Lou is someone your heart just breaks for as she agonizes over her own appeal, what it's like to be in love with someone you shouldn't (or think you shouldn't) and how on earth she's going to move on after losing the best friend she has ever known.
Another constant for Lou (that helps me sympathize with her even when she's a bit maddening) is how she battles her own emotions and longs to master them in certain situations, especially when it comes to Ash, whom she is convinced would "freak" if she knew about her love.
"There was no way I could have done that. I just had to tighten the reins on my feelings, be more careful with what I let show. I would have to learn how to do that. And quickly. But I know for definite—in that split second she held my gaze, she must have seen everything I had tried so hard to keep hidden."
I absolutely love how Beginnings comes full circle, the pop culture references that you might remember from your own childhood, the writing itself and how you can just fall into this story as if it is actually real life. As always when I finish anything by L.T. Smith, I hope there's more around the corner soon! :)
February 12, 2018
The first 30% or so are all taken up with a lot of young/teen/uni preamble. I felt it got a lot better once the adult Lou showed up. Prior to that, ugh. I forgot how L.T. is the queen of awkward and cringe. I could have sworn I'd read this before but GR says I hadn't. But... yes... lol yes I had. Prolly a few years ago.
I actually came across her work on a scouring of The Athenaeum. Found her under the name Fingersmith where this and a few others I hadn't read from her are still online. I'm kind of hit or miss on Smith's books. Typically her MC's are bumbling balls of insecurity, instead of fully formed adults.
Right. Well adult Lou. Holy crap what an angry/confused/generally messed up person. 'Well adjusted' isn't even in her vocabulary. Which makes for great angsty reading, and some readers absolutely CRAVE that, but in the same breath makes for a choppy and uninspired read for others. It doesn't flow as well for me.
There's inner dialog to describe what a MC is feeling/going through/motivations etc.. Then there's, would you just shut the hell up allready and get on with it. When a scene of dialog that is, say, a paragraph each takes up to 10 pages? Yea. That's a bit much. If I have to backpage just to find out what the bloody hell the question was 2-3 pages before, that's not a smooth reading experience.
I'd say DNF at 50% when they go from hate to... well what they fell into but I've already finished it a few years ago. Moving on.
I actually came across her work on a scouring of The Athenaeum. Found her under the name Fingersmith where this and a few others I hadn't read from her are still online. I'm kind of hit or miss on Smith's books. Typically her MC's are bumbling balls of insecurity, instead of fully formed adults.
Right. Well adult Lou. Holy crap what an angry/confused/generally messed up person. 'Well adjusted' isn't even in her vocabulary. Which makes for great angsty reading, and some readers absolutely CRAVE that, but in the same breath makes for a choppy and uninspired read for others. It doesn't flow as well for me.
There's inner dialog to describe what a MC is feeling/going through/motivations etc.. Then there's, would you just shut the hell up allready and get on with it. When a scene of dialog that is, say, a paragraph each takes up to 10 pages? Yea. That's a bit much. If I have to backpage just to find out what the bloody hell the question was 2-3 pages before, that's not a smooth reading experience.
I'd say DNF at 50% when they go from hate to... well what they fell into but I've already finished it a few years ago. Moving on.
January 25, 2023
Read this. JUST READ IT
Such a beautiful, bittersweet story of true love. And so well written. L.T Smith pulls you in and doesn't let go, she's incredibly gifted. This story is both really funny (in that irresistible British way) and heartbreaking. But don't you worry. L.T Smith excels at happy endings.
Such a beautiful, bittersweet story of true love. And so well written. L.T Smith pulls you in and doesn't let go, she's incredibly gifted. This story is both really funny (in that irresistible British way) and heartbreaking. But don't you worry. L.T Smith excels at happy endings.
May 20, 2024
5-
Very relatable, heartwarming and funny...Loved it.
Very relatable, heartwarming and funny...Loved it.
December 1, 2015
It's been a long time for me since I've read a good lesbian romance. You know what type of good lesbian romance I'm talking about; one of those romances built through decades of angst, tons of passion, and bits of earth shattering sex.
But this book is more than a good romance. I've thoroughly enjoyed how the author depicted Lou's family, Lou herself, and live in England back in the 70's.
I would also have liked the author to provide as much detailed attention to the description of Ash, but, even if this book is in no way perfect, I will remember it with tenderness, as a great love story.
But this book is more than a good romance. I've thoroughly enjoyed how the author depicted Lou's family, Lou herself, and live in England back in the 70's.
I would also have liked the author to provide as much detailed attention to the description of Ash, but, even if this book is in no way perfect, I will remember it with tenderness, as a great love story.
November 7, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva
I just couldn’t get into this book... the main character was too whiny and somewhat annoying with her insecurities. It was more about a friendship that turned into love in the end, which was nice but I just didn’t enjoy this book.
I just couldn’t get into this book... the main character was too whiny and somewhat annoying with her insecurities. It was more about a friendship that turned into love in the end, which was nice but I just didn’t enjoy this book.
January 8, 2020
I liked the first third of this book, but then it became too repetitive and too unbelievable.
September 3, 2011
I've just finished reading this and loved it. I found the tears running down my face with both laughter and sadness. L T Smith has such a way of balancing the emotions of her reader, it is almost an art form. Although it starts slowly, don't give up. I would say out of the three this is definitely my favorite.
October 5, 2017
Just frigging read it.
January 13, 2021
Read this again and just as good as the first time..if it is not on your list ..add it
December 28, 2017
"Part Two"
Present Day
According to my Kindle I have read 51% of Beginnings and I have it open on a screen bearing the words above. I have decided to start my review now, quite safe in the knowledge that this book will still warrant five stars when I've read the remaining 49%. (Although I can of course change my rating if needs be).
My reasons for starting now are two fold; I was so inspired by this book that I was spending ages awkwardly tapping review notes into the ereader (rewarding but taking valuable time away from my reading), plus the ending of Part One, which takes Lou from age six to seventeen left me emotionally raw and utterly heartbroken.
As always L.T. Smith's writing is incredibly beautiful and wonderfully human, as is Lou Turner. Unlike so many fictional characters, Lou goes through the shit we have all had to deal with in life and Smith does not shy away from describing it to us in all its embarrassing glory. One particularly memorable scene is when Lou winds up having an argument with herself, via her internal monologue (or perhaps that should be dialogue in this case!)
"She isn’t my girlfriend. Really? That’s not the impression I got when you had your tongue down her throat.Why don’t you just fuck off? Touchy. Are you ashamed of being a lezza? Just fuck off! You are, aren’t you? Ashamed. Why was I having an internal monologue which actually consisted of two voices—mine, and... erm... mine."
Humorous moments like these are interspersed with vivid descriptive language and what I have come to think of as Smith's signature highlighting of the constructed nature of the text, drawing our attention to the fact that we are reading a written account, right in the middle of an emotional scene and pulling the reader out of the narrative. Paradoxically, this somehow pulls us deeper into the story as Lou, our narrator gives hints of what is still to come. The inclusion of music, more specifically references to listening to Alison Moyet singing "Only You' turns this into an almost cinematic experience. I know rakes of novels mention songs to give some cultural and chronological context but it rarely works this well; some of the passages almost came alive before my eyes. (The multi-sensory experience also pops up in Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter if you're interested)
Anyway, on to part two...I'm probably going to cry.
I finished the remaining 49% later the same evening (a read in one day book is always a good thing) but unfortunately life intervened and I wasn't able to finish my review until today.
Still awesome, still worthy of five stars and still full of utterly mesmeric writing; I should warn you though while Lou and Ash (her childhood crush) were adorable kids and endearing teens, I spent most of the second half wanting to beat them about the head for being such idiots! Our natural defensive mechanisms are in full flow here and LT Smith manages to drag poor Lou through a series of heartbreaking situations and near misses with Ash, without turning it into a farcical Frasier Crane style comedy of manners. Indeed, unluckily for Lou, from what I've read of LT Smith work thus far (A Work in Progress, See Right Through Me, Once to name but a few) some of her most beautiful writing comes when she's tearing her characters' hearts apart. One chapter in this book ends:
" “I can’t... can’t... Lou, I can’t do this.” She pushed me away, and I staggered backwards, passion replaced by disbelief as she ran away, leaving me gasping, stunned.
Leaving me standing alone with a broken heart."
I would highly recommend you read this book, and everything else by L.T. Smith but be prepared to have your heart-strings pulled.
Present Day
According to my Kindle I have read 51% of Beginnings and I have it open on a screen bearing the words above. I have decided to start my review now, quite safe in the knowledge that this book will still warrant five stars when I've read the remaining 49%. (Although I can of course change my rating if needs be).
My reasons for starting now are two fold; I was so inspired by this book that I was spending ages awkwardly tapping review notes into the ereader (rewarding but taking valuable time away from my reading), plus the ending of Part One, which takes Lou from age six to seventeen left me emotionally raw and utterly heartbroken.
As always L.T. Smith's writing is incredibly beautiful and wonderfully human, as is Lou Turner. Unlike so many fictional characters, Lou goes through the shit we have all had to deal with in life and Smith does not shy away from describing it to us in all its embarrassing glory. One particularly memorable scene is when Lou winds up having an argument with herself, via her internal monologue (or perhaps that should be dialogue in this case!)
"She isn’t my girlfriend. Really? That’s not the impression I got when you had your tongue down her throat.Why don’t you just fuck off? Touchy. Are you ashamed of being a lezza? Just fuck off! You are, aren’t you? Ashamed. Why was I having an internal monologue which actually consisted of two voices—mine, and... erm... mine."
Humorous moments like these are interspersed with vivid descriptive language and what I have come to think of as Smith's signature highlighting of the constructed nature of the text, drawing our attention to the fact that we are reading a written account, right in the middle of an emotional scene and pulling the reader out of the narrative. Paradoxically, this somehow pulls us deeper into the story as Lou, our narrator gives hints of what is still to come. The inclusion of music, more specifically references to listening to Alison Moyet singing "Only You' turns this into an almost cinematic experience. I know rakes of novels mention songs to give some cultural and chronological context but it rarely works this well; some of the passages almost came alive before my eyes. (The multi-sensory experience also pops up in Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter if you're interested)
Anyway, on to part two...I'm probably going to cry.
I finished the remaining 49% later the same evening (a read in one day book is always a good thing) but unfortunately life intervened and I wasn't able to finish my review until today.
Still awesome, still worthy of five stars and still full of utterly mesmeric writing; I should warn you though while Lou and Ash (her childhood crush) were adorable kids and endearing teens, I spent most of the second half wanting to beat them about the head for being such idiots! Our natural defensive mechanisms are in full flow here and LT Smith manages to drag poor Lou through a series of heartbreaking situations and near misses with Ash, without turning it into a farcical Frasier Crane style comedy of manners. Indeed, unluckily for Lou, from what I've read of LT Smith work thus far (A Work in Progress, See Right Through Me, Once to name but a few) some of her most beautiful writing comes when she's tearing her characters' hearts apart. One chapter in this book ends:
" “I can’t... can’t... Lou, I can’t do this.” She pushed me away, and I staggered backwards, passion replaced by disbelief as she ran away, leaving me gasping, stunned.
Leaving me standing alone with a broken heart."
I would highly recommend you read this book, and everything else by L.T. Smith but be prepared to have your heart-strings pulled.
April 15, 2018
Drama heavy story of first love and self-acceptance
Beginnings is similar to Hearts and Flowers Border with the painfully accurate experiences of same sex attraction and lust as a teenager in 1970's England. It also has its darker moments and some ugly family dynamics but Beginnings feels more hopeful to me by the end, even after so many extended periods in the story of heartache, misunderstanding and heavy romantic drama. There is humor and hope to offset the heavier moments so I'd call it a dramatic romance with very little fluff. Not a beach read but a well written and engaging story all the same. If you prefer your romance stories leaning more towards drama and angst than lighthearted fare, this one is worth checking out. For lighter more comedic leaning romances by LT Smith, check out Once or See Right Through Me.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Beginnings is similar to Hearts and Flowers Border with the painfully accurate experiences of same sex attraction and lust as a teenager in 1970's England. It also has its darker moments and some ugly family dynamics but Beginnings feels more hopeful to me by the end, even after so many extended periods in the story of heartache, misunderstanding and heavy romantic drama. There is humor and hope to offset the heavier moments so I'd call it a dramatic romance with very little fluff. Not a beach read but a well written and engaging story all the same. If you prefer your romance stories leaning more towards drama and angst than lighthearted fare, this one is worth checking out. For lighter more comedic leaning romances by LT Smith, check out Once or See Right Through Me.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2022
lotsa angst but MANCHESTER
October 27, 2023
3.5 Stars
March 27, 2018
Brilliant start to the book, it was so funny. Starts off in 1970’s Manchester. Extremely funny, fresh and poignant. I loved the book being written in normal English. It was so well written that I actually started to believe it was a true story. Wonderful descriptive writing that had me laughing then crying. The lack of communication between the two women was a bit frustrating at times, but nevertheless I enjoyed reading this book. It was the first book that I have read of L.T.Smith and looking forward to the next book.
June 14, 2015
Detailed score: 3.5
Having read other, raving, reviews for this book I feel a bit self-conscious that I didn't like it quite so much...
I certainly appreciated that the structure and themes of this book was different from your standard lesrom. It felt a little more like a work of fiction that happened to have a girl/girl friendship at its heart [which later turned to feelings of love] rather than an out-an-out romance.
Ultimately, I think I got sick of all the pining that takes place in this book. It runs all through the novel and I really got sick of the lack of communication between the two leads.
Perhaps others that enjoy angst and enjoy growing with / learning about characters through time will enjoy this book more than I did.
For me though, while I appreciated the fresh perspective, it was frustratingly angsty and missing the depth of emotion (or perhaps I just didn't believe / connect in with the emotion that was there) that I needed to truly 'jump in' and enjoy the novel
Having read other, raving, reviews for this book I feel a bit self-conscious that I didn't like it quite so much...
I certainly appreciated that the structure and themes of this book was different from your standard lesrom. It felt a little more like a work of fiction that happened to have a girl/girl friendship at its heart [which later turned to feelings of love] rather than an out-an-out romance.
Ultimately, I think I got sick of all the pining that takes place in this book. It runs all through the novel and I really got sick of the lack of communication between the two leads.
Perhaps others that enjoy angst and enjoy growing with / learning about characters through time will enjoy this book more than I did.
For me though, while I appreciated the fresh perspective, it was frustratingly angsty and missing the depth of emotion (or perhaps I just didn't believe / connect in with the emotion that was there) that I needed to truly 'jump in' and enjoy the novel
June 23, 2013
It took me three attempts and a whole year to get through a certain chapter at the beginning of this superb novel. I cried like a baby when Ash and Lou were forced appart, and I couldn't continue reading. L T Smith will make you laugh and cry like no other author, and I can't recommend her enough.
May 28, 2016
It is well written, I give you that.
But a well written story of one of the most insecure and whinest protagonist ever is never too much fun.
Kinda reminded me of myself. And that's never a good thing to read about. ;)
But a well written story of one of the most insecure and whinest protagonist ever is never too much fun.
Kinda reminded me of myself. And that's never a good thing to read about. ;)
February 15, 2015
Brilliant very funny and written as a real English woman thinks and speaks.
April 25, 2017
Boooooo, this book is an exact replica of her other book Hearts and Flowers border (a lot better than this shyte) I was so excited after i read HAFB that i bought this one straight away. I can't stand lazy authors, this book is identical, i mean the characters, the storyline, their physical description, their jobs (similar) The protagonist is not as funny though in Beginnings, she's actually annoying and manipulative, it's really hard to like her. The relationship has no depth just gives you a headache, not the heart wrenching type but the wtf type, can this book get and worse type. I couldn't even finish this. I hate spending money on books that make me so pissed off lol Note to the author, if you can't be bothered to write something original and not plagiarise your own work don't bother because you are stealing people's money.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews