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Ludzecky Sisters #1
Begin Again
Welcome to The Ludzecky Sisters, a contemporary romance series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Kathryn Shay. Follow these six beautiful blond sisters as they try to make their way in the world after a tragedy strikes the family. Each book has a cameo appearance by one of the sexy heroes from Shay’s beloved O’Neil series.BEGIN AGAIN tells the story of Paulina Ludzecky who, since her husband died three years ago, runs a contracting business with her twin, Antonia. She’s ready to dip her toes in romance, when she meets Adam Armstrong, the architect on the new music hall her company is building.For Adam, opposites attract and he’s drawn to this no-nonsense, down-to-earth girl next door. She’s equally interested in him though he’s too different from her to settle down with. But alpha male Adam has other plans for Paulina and isn’t about to let her go, even when Paulina has trouble with committing to him. Sex, yes! Love, no! This second chance at love story will tug on your heartstrings.If you like sisters in love stories, New York City romances and family saga romances, try the rest of the books in The Ludzecky PRIMARY COLORS, RISKY BUSINESS, THE WAY WE WERE, HANDLE WITH CARE and LOVE STORY.Praise for Kathryn Shay romance “Kathryn Shay writes some of the cleanest prose around, and it’s my belief she’d make the Yellow Pages sound interesting if the phone company put her on staff. And Ms. Shay knows her way around a steamy love scene.” The Romance Reader
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
823 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
174 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 9, 2019
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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August 11, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (8/11/2020)! 🎁
September 27, 2015
This is the first book in a series about a Polish-American family and the love they share. Adult contemporary romance.
Paulina is the youngest of a long line of Ludzeckys. Well, she and her twin, Antonia. She and "Nia" shared more than the womb; they married twin brothers, their high school sweethearts, who were tragically killed in a car wreck three years ago. Since then Paulina and Nia moved into their childhood home with their mother, raising their three children together. And, after three years of grief and celibacy, Paulina is branching out. Beginning to date.
This is a hurt/comfort story about a family that is moving past tragedy. Paulina likes a colleague, Adam Armstrong, who is the architect of a new structure Paulina and Nia's construction company are building. That's right these ladies are builders--they shared the company with their husbands and continue to run it on the day-to-day. Paulina is attracted to Adam, and they agree to a no-strings relationship. Mostly because Paulina doesn't want to get involved. Adam agreed, never suspecting he'd fall hard for the competitive tomboy who'd much rather a picnic and a beer than champagne at a gala. She's nothing like the women he usually dates, and it blows his mind how strong he feels toward her.
Of course, Paulina is protective of her twin sons, and won't let Adam meet them--or any of her family. They develop a nice bond, always at arm's length--until Adam wants more. Much more.
This is a bittersweet story, with a solid resolution. There are some ensemble aspects, with the POV mostly centered on Paulina and Adam, but occasionally shifts to Matka (matriarch of the Ludzeky family) and Nia. Nia is a woman who cannot let go--she desperately mourns her lost love, and it's affecting both her young son Sal and Paulina. I was touched by the constant love of Paulina's large and boisterous family. They are really so sweet, and Adam is a likable guy. I ached for his frustration with Paulina's reticence.
There's a bit of sexytimes, but nothing too graphic. I think I'd have liked a bit more story, but there's more to come with this series, so I'll likely learn more about them in the future.
Paulina is the youngest of a long line of Ludzeckys. Well, she and her twin, Antonia. She and "Nia" shared more than the womb; they married twin brothers, their high school sweethearts, who were tragically killed in a car wreck three years ago. Since then Paulina and Nia moved into their childhood home with their mother, raising their three children together. And, after three years of grief and celibacy, Paulina is branching out. Beginning to date.
This is a hurt/comfort story about a family that is moving past tragedy. Paulina likes a colleague, Adam Armstrong, who is the architect of a new structure Paulina and Nia's construction company are building. That's right these ladies are builders--they shared the company with their husbands and continue to run it on the day-to-day. Paulina is attracted to Adam, and they agree to a no-strings relationship. Mostly because Paulina doesn't want to get involved. Adam agreed, never suspecting he'd fall hard for the competitive tomboy who'd much rather a picnic and a beer than champagne at a gala. She's nothing like the women he usually dates, and it blows his mind how strong he feels toward her.
Of course, Paulina is protective of her twin sons, and won't let Adam meet them--or any of her family. They develop a nice bond, always at arm's length--until Adam wants more. Much more.
This is a bittersweet story, with a solid resolution. There are some ensemble aspects, with the POV mostly centered on Paulina and Adam, but occasionally shifts to Matka (matriarch of the Ludzeky family) and Nia. Nia is a woman who cannot let go--she desperately mourns her lost love, and it's affecting both her young son Sal and Paulina. I was touched by the constant love of Paulina's large and boisterous family. They are really so sweet, and Adam is a likable guy. I ached for his frustration with Paulina's reticence.
There's a bit of sexytimes, but nothing too graphic. I think I'd have liked a bit more story, but there's more to come with this series, so I'll likely learn more about them in the future.
February 18, 2016
Started off rocky as so many characters were introduced it was confusing. Ok book in the end.
February 8, 2017
This was so-so. The main relationship was overshadowed by all of the family members. I finished the book but had to skim a few parts. The main characters were likable enough but the story itself lacked depth.
***Minor spoiler ahead
It was hard enough to believe that twin sisters married twin brothers and that the brothers died at the same time. But the sister is supposed to be super shy and introverted but the heroine reminisces about a time when the sisters and their husbands had sex outside. Together? TMI
I do not intend to read the next book in the series.
***Minor spoiler ahead
It was hard enough to believe that twin sisters married twin brothers and that the brothers died at the same time. But the sister is supposed to be super shy and introverted but the heroine reminisces about a time when the sisters and their husbands had sex outside. Together? TMI
I do not intend to read the next book in the series.
October 5, 2015
This was fun and sweet. I found it interesting that the one who proclaimed not to be a snob and not care about the divide society puts on people is the one who cared and became the elitist. Paulina had a tragedy. Her and her sister Nia (Antonia) lost their husband’s to a horrible accident leaving them to have to come together to heal and raise their children. Paulina starts the healing process and wishes to move on but is afraid that she will hurt her sister’s feelings.
Nia is stuck in a holding pattern and because of this she does something that is wrong when Paulina begins to date. The seed she planted had unintended consequences of hurting people. I know she thought she was protecting her sister and keeping her in reality but it really just ended up causing pain. I think that she does begin to grow in the end and see that allowing someone in doesn’ t diminish what she had with her husband.
Paulina is a vibrant firecracker who is strong and stubborn. Upon meeting Adam she has a attraction but fights it because he is uptown and she isn’t. Adam begins as the snob. He can’t understand his pull towards Paulina but believes she isn’t his type and are from different worlds. As the begin to see each other, it is Adam who sees their similarities and embraces their differences. She puts him in his place and gets him to see beyond his world. He opens up to her and changes. He begins to see the world has grey and colors other than black and white. That your societal standing doesn’t matter as long as you are with the one you love.
Paulina though goes opposite of what she is raised to be. She becomes the elitist. She begins the relationship wanting no strings and just sex. which she gets and is steamy and romantic in the way the intimacy occurs. But than Adam gets feelings and she is fighting and denying hers. Adam changes the game. He looks beyond the differences and embraces them. He gets to know the person and likes what is there. He loves the firecracker and her kindness. She though again becomes the snob and what she tells him is just horrible. No wonder Adam reacts how he does. Her family blames him but Paulina knows the truth. Nia knows as well for she encouraged this.
In the end it is Nia who helps Paulina and Adam. Nia and her mom. Her mom points out that Paulina is acting snobby and judgmental. That she is being narrow minded and not listening to her heart.
The writing grabs you and with the differences and the clashing these two do you get a fun steamy romance in which the two characters grow and see that differences and where you come from doesn’t need to be a barrier but a adventure that should be embraced. That your heart is what you should follow and that love is what matters.
Nia is stuck in a holding pattern and because of this she does something that is wrong when Paulina begins to date. The seed she planted had unintended consequences of hurting people. I know she thought she was protecting her sister and keeping her in reality but it really just ended up causing pain. I think that she does begin to grow in the end and see that allowing someone in doesn’ t diminish what she had with her husband.
Paulina is a vibrant firecracker who is strong and stubborn. Upon meeting Adam she has a attraction but fights it because he is uptown and she isn’t. Adam begins as the snob. He can’t understand his pull towards Paulina but believes she isn’t his type and are from different worlds. As the begin to see each other, it is Adam who sees their similarities and embraces their differences. She puts him in his place and gets him to see beyond his world. He opens up to her and changes. He begins to see the world has grey and colors other than black and white. That your societal standing doesn’t matter as long as you are with the one you love.
Paulina though goes opposite of what she is raised to be. She becomes the elitist. She begins the relationship wanting no strings and just sex. which she gets and is steamy and romantic in the way the intimacy occurs. But than Adam gets feelings and she is fighting and denying hers. Adam changes the game. He looks beyond the differences and embraces them. He gets to know the person and likes what is there. He loves the firecracker and her kindness. She though again becomes the snob and what she tells him is just horrible. No wonder Adam reacts how he does. Her family blames him but Paulina knows the truth. Nia knows as well for she encouraged this.
In the end it is Nia who helps Paulina and Adam. Nia and her mom. Her mom points out that Paulina is acting snobby and judgmental. That she is being narrow minded and not listening to her heart.
The writing grabs you and with the differences and the clashing these two do you get a fun steamy romance in which the two characters grow and see that differences and where you come from doesn’t need to be a barrier but a adventure that should be embraced. That your heart is what you should follow and that love is what matters.
August 31, 2018
Begin Again by kathryn Shay
This book starts out with the twin women of the Ludazecky family and they've lost their twin husbands in the crash.
They ran the family company and now three years later we find Paulina has taken over the building aspects of the contracting company.
Love the designs she's involved with at the latest project and how pretty and prestine it all sounds.
Paulina doesn't want to start dating but...she does have to work with the new design architect, Adam.
Love the sister time at Sofia's yoga studio.
He knows of the women's lifes and tragedies but he's trying to hold it all together.
Sexual scenes and many other good points to this story as the days go by. Love how the family comes together in times of need.
At times there are just too many characters in a scene to keep straight. Love that the others in the large family have a book for themselves.
Author's note at the end and other works by the author. Excerpts from the next in the series are included.
This book starts out with the twin women of the Ludazecky family and they've lost their twin husbands in the crash.
They ran the family company and now three years later we find Paulina has taken over the building aspects of the contracting company.
Love the designs she's involved with at the latest project and how pretty and prestine it all sounds.
Paulina doesn't want to start dating but...she does have to work with the new design architect, Adam.
Love the sister time at Sofia's yoga studio.
He knows of the women's lifes and tragedies but he's trying to hold it all together.
Sexual scenes and many other good points to this story as the days go by. Love how the family comes together in times of need.
At times there are just too many characters in a scene to keep straight. Love that the others in the large family have a book for themselves.
Author's note at the end and other works by the author. Excerpts from the next in the series are included.
November 1, 2020
We all like a bit of romance to banish the autumn/winter blues, and Kathryn Shay has succeeded in helping us live another life for a while.
Paulina Petrone runs a building company after the death of her husband and brother-in-law a few years ago. Her husband and his brother were twins, and had married Paulina and her twin Antonia. After the tragic accident, Paulina and her sister leant on each other greatly, but both approached their grief in differing ways.
Paulina's latest contract is to build a Music Hall, which puts her in contact with the handsome architect Adam Armstrong. As they both navigate dating people differing from themselves, as well as having to contend with Paulina's family, this is a typical love story with a happy ending. (Phew!)
I liked this book. It follows the usual pattern for romances - a whirlwind romance followed by heart ache with it all working out in the end. This is a light chick lit that really hits the spot.
Paulina Petrone runs a building company after the death of her husband and brother-in-law a few years ago. Her husband and his brother were twins, and had married Paulina and her twin Antonia. After the tragic accident, Paulina and her sister leant on each other greatly, but both approached their grief in differing ways.
Paulina's latest contract is to build a Music Hall, which puts her in contact with the handsome architect Adam Armstrong. As they both navigate dating people differing from themselves, as well as having to contend with Paulina's family, this is a typical love story with a happy ending. (Phew!)
I liked this book. It follows the usual pattern for romances - a whirlwind romance followed by heart ache with it all working out in the end. This is a light chick lit that really hits the spot.
April 25, 2019
Loved It
It's great that Luke's sisters her a series of their own. The closeness that they so have it shown when tragedy strikes two of them. But Pauline is the first of the twins after three to take the chance of dating again and she is scared. Adam is the architect on the new project with Ludzecky & Pattrone. When he meets her is in awe & they start dating.
It's great that Luke's sisters her a series of their own. The closeness that they so have it shown when tragedy strikes two of them. But Pauline is the first of the twins after three to take the chance of dating again and she is scared. Adam is the architect on the new project with Ludzecky & Pattrone. When he meets her is in awe & they start dating.
March 4, 2021
A very full story to be so short
This story could have been so sad but was handled with the loving support of family. Especially since Paulina has a twin she has someone who knows her as much as she does herself. Adam does seem to be the opposite of Paulina’s blue collar persona, but he has a good soul under that $2000 suit. Sweet sexy read
This story could have been so sad but was handled with the loving support of family. Especially since Paulina has a twin she has someone who knows her as much as she does herself. Adam does seem to be the opposite of Paulina’s blue collar persona, but he has a good soul under that $2000 suit. Sweet sexy read
June 7, 2018
Adam is 37 and has not found his forever love. Paulina has been a widow for three years. They meet through business. Both wishing to just have a physical relationship. The story shows Paulina’s struggles in moving forward with the relationship especially when Adam wants more.
Easy reading.
Easy reading.
June 17, 2018
So, this was cute. Definitely "clean" and it started pulling at heart strings, but then it just *ended* and it was before I felt they were solid and steady with eachother. I was pretty disappointed. Over before it ever really began.
June 23, 2018
Great start to another fantastic series
Kathryn has done it again. I loved Promises to Keep and meeting the Ludzecky family. Glad she has decided to delve into this very close Polish family. Looking forward to reading more about them.
Kathryn has done it again. I loved Promises to Keep and meeting the Ludzecky family. Glad she has decided to delve into this very close Polish family. Looking forward to reading more about them.
July 13, 2018
Moving on
I appreciate the fact shay gives paulie time to grieve and put herself together before meeting a gentleman who gets her mojo up and going. I also love the difference in the length of time it takes the twins to grieve and become ready to meet new men
I appreciate the fact shay gives paulie time to grieve and put herself together before meeting a gentleman who gets her mojo up and going. I also love the difference in the length of time it takes the twins to grieve and become ready to meet new men
October 26, 2020
Interesting story
A sweet romance with compelling characters and an interesting premise. Again, I was surprised to find the writing stiff as opposed to the first book I'd read from this author.
A sweet romance with compelling characters and an interesting premise. Again, I was surprised to find the writing stiff as opposed to the first book I'd read from this author.
June 17, 2025
Really good read
Really enjoyed the it reading i didn't want put it down the story behind it was was i felt the same when I lost my husband so I felt her pain i go engoy life but never found a nother mani I'm so glad the she did
Really enjoyed the it reading i didn't want put it down the story behind it was was i felt the same when I lost my husband so I felt her pain i go engoy life but never found a nother mani I'm so glad the she did
February 28, 2017
Nice story
This was a good story. I felt for paulina Nd also for Adam. I hope to read more of them if I read the following books in this series.
This was a good story. I felt for paulina Nd also for Adam. I hope to read more of them if I read the following books in this series.
September 12, 2017
From South Africa
Thank you for a wonderful romantic story. I really enjoyed it tremendously. I can recommend this book to romance lovers
Thank you for a wonderful romantic story. I really enjoyed it tremendously. I can recommend this book to romance lovers
June 11, 2018
Great read
Could not put it down, cannot wait to learn about the rest of the family! Look forward to doing this soon!
Could not put it down, cannot wait to learn about the rest of the family! Look forward to doing this soon!
June 18, 2018
Good Read
Somewhat predictable, short story, easy relaxing read. Could see the ending fairly quickly but when reading a romance, you expect this.
Somewhat predictable, short story, easy relaxing read. Could see the ending fairly quickly but when reading a romance, you expect this.
July 1, 2018
A young widow runs a construction business with her family and meets the architect who has designed the music hall for their community that she is building.
July 3, 2019
Just a fun easy summer read.
August 27, 2019
DNF - not my type of book
September 2, 2020
Slow going
I loved that some of the main characters have ethnic names and that they live their cultures. But I did not find the characters or their stories compelling.
I loved that some of the main characters have ethnic names and that they live their cultures. But I did not find the characters or their stories compelling.
September 10, 2020
Ok story. Would have liked an epilogue but you do find out more in the following book from the excerpt I read from the next book.
May 29, 2021
A nice easy read, one to relax and enjoy. Sexual situations, some foul language with strong characters. A happy for now ending.
June 10, 2024
Entertaining beach read.
November 1, 2016
3.5 stars
October 5, 2015
Paulina is the youngest of a long line of Ludzeckys and shared more than just womb with her twin Antonia "Nia". The in fact married twin brothers who were tragically killed in a car wreck three years ago. Since then Paulina and Nia moved into their childhood home with their mother, raising their three children together. After three years of grief and celibacy, Paulina is beginning to date. Paulina likes a colleague, Adam Armstrong, who is the architect and they agree to a no-strings relationship. This is a wonderful story of overcoming the grieve of loss. The characters are wonderful and you just are drawn to them.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for my review. Review was first posted at Blushing Reads
October 5, 2015
Magdalena and Logan were two of my favorite characters. They have been friends for a number of years and while neither has any past baggage they are dealing with the everyday things that life throws at us. suddenly they see each other in a different light and have to decide if that is the direction they want to go. This was truly a wonderful story. While the first two sisters dealt with moving past grieve Magdalena has to learn that it is okay to let go and have love.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for my review. Review was first posted at Blushing Reads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews