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Where We Begin Again
Five years ago, Jeremy broke Lina’s heart, and she walked away from the man she once believed was her forever.
Putting thousands of miles between them, she’s built a life that feels steady and safe—complete with a new relationship and a new career she can count on.
Until Jeremy walks back into it.
Now a college football coach living in the same city, Jeremy has never stopped carrying the weight of the choices that cost him Lina. When their lives begin to overlap, try to keep things simple. Friendly. Safe.
But old feelings resurface quickly, along with the painful reasons they fell apart in the first place.
When Lina realizes they can’t stay just friends, she's forced to decide if risking her carefully rebuilt world is worth a second chance at the kind of love that once broke her.
Because this time, loving Jeremy means more than opening her heart—it means trusting he won’t break it all over again.
Putting thousands of miles between them, she’s built a life that feels steady and safe—complete with a new relationship and a new career she can count on.
Until Jeremy walks back into it.
Now a college football coach living in the same city, Jeremy has never stopped carrying the weight of the choices that cost him Lina. When their lives begin to overlap, try to keep things simple. Friendly. Safe.
But old feelings resurface quickly, along with the painful reasons they fell apart in the first place.
When Lina realizes they can’t stay just friends, she's forced to decide if risking her carefully rebuilt world is worth a second chance at the kind of love that once broke her.
Because this time, loving Jeremy means more than opening her heart—it means trusting he won’t break it all over again.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2026
About the author
Erika Gonzalez
1 book12 followersErika Gonzalez is a contemporary romance author who loves writing dual POVs, messy love stories, and happy endings. She's a stay-at-home mom of three who writes during nap times and after-school activities. Her books feature character-driven romance and complicated relationships.
Connect with her on erikaggonzalez.com or Instagram
Connect with her on erikaggonzalez.com or Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 2, 2026
Lina and Jeremy’s history feels real, and their reunion is loaded with genuine tension. Watching Lina weigh the safe life she rebuilt against a shot at real love made for such a satisfying read. Every scene where they tried to “keep things friendly” just made the tension worse (in the best way). By the end I was rooting so hard for them to figure it out. Highly recommend!
July 5, 2026
ARC REVIEW****
I really enjoyed Lina and Jeremy’s second chance romance. Right from the beginning, I was pulled into their story. Erika did a great job capturing all the emotions that come with seeing an ex again, and it made me feel everything right alongside them.
There were a few parts where the story dragged a little for me, and at times it felt a little predictable. But honestly, I feel like that’s pretty normal with second chance romances, so it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
The biggest surprise was finding out why they broke up. I genuinely did not see that coming, especially since there weren’t any trigger warnings at the beginning. That reveal completely caught me off guard.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! For Erika’s debut novel, I think she did a great job delivering a heartfelt story. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her. And now I really need a Krista and Zach book because I have to know what happens with them!!
I really enjoyed Lina and Jeremy’s second chance romance. Right from the beginning, I was pulled into their story. Erika did a great job capturing all the emotions that come with seeing an ex again, and it made me feel everything right alongside them.
There were a few parts where the story dragged a little for me, and at times it felt a little predictable. But honestly, I feel like that’s pretty normal with second chance romances, so it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
The biggest surprise was finding out why they broke up. I genuinely did not see that coming, especially since there weren’t any trigger warnings at the beginning. That reveal completely caught me off guard.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! For Erika’s debut novel, I think she did a great job delivering a heartfelt story. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her. And now I really need a Krista and Zach book because I have to know what happens with them!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2026
I was completely captivated by Jeremy and Lina's journey together. I found myself instantly immersed in their world, while Erika brilliantly depicted the raw, emotional weight of their relationship.
If you live for simmering tension, emotional recovery, character-driven conversations, and second-chance love, you are going to love this!
This beautifully written debut novel has taken its spot as top five favorites on my reading list this year. I can't wait for book 2.
Thank you Booksprout and the author for this ARC opportunity.
If you live for simmering tension, emotional recovery, character-driven conversations, and second-chance love, you are going to love this!
This beautifully written debut novel has taken its spot as top five favorites on my reading list this year. I can't wait for book 2.
Thank you Booksprout and the author for this ARC opportunity.
August 2, 2026
I normally steer more towards thrillers, but truly enjoyed my time with this book. The story felt cute and the characters relatable. I frequently found myself on the edge of my seat, which was a nice surprise I was not expecting. This is an enjoyable short read when you need a little break during a 1k+ pager.
July 25, 2026
I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next book! From the very first page, I was completely invested in the characters and their journey. It was an engaging, heartfelt love story that kept me hooked until the very end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you like a slow burn, healing, dialogue driven, second chance romance with football, this is for you!
Five years ago, Jeremy broke Lina’s heart and left her. So she moved home to pick up the pieces and move on with her life. But when Jeremy takes a football coaching job in town, he’s placed right back into her orbit. Not to mention his best friend starts dating hers. Cue forced proximity!
Unfortunately- they’re both dating other people and neither one has healed the wounds of the past. It was a fun ride unravelling the heartbreaking mystery of what happened all those years ago, and how both Jeremy and Lina have coped in the time since - with people who aren’t right for them but who have put a bandaid on a bullet wound in the meantime. And maybe it isn’t right or fair to those caught in the crossfires, but I did think it was a very real portrayal that sometimes we try to keep ourselves safe or distracted in the arms of the wrong people.
I am a sucker for a healing romance and this delivered in the best sense. Both Jeremy and Lina were able to slowly learn to trust one another again, and I cheered so hard at their HEA! A beautiful debut novel and I can't wait for book 2! A very enthusiastic 4* from me!
-Slow Burn
-Enemies to lovers
-Second Chance
-Dual POV
-Mutual Healing
Five years ago, Jeremy broke Lina’s heart and left her. So she moved home to pick up the pieces and move on with her life. But when Jeremy takes a football coaching job in town, he’s placed right back into her orbit. Not to mention his best friend starts dating hers. Cue forced proximity!
Unfortunately- they’re both dating other people and neither one has healed the wounds of the past. It was a fun ride unravelling the heartbreaking mystery of what happened all those years ago, and how both Jeremy and Lina have coped in the time since - with people who aren’t right for them but who have put a bandaid on a bullet wound in the meantime. And maybe it isn’t right or fair to those caught in the crossfires, but I did think it was a very real portrayal that sometimes we try to keep ourselves safe or distracted in the arms of the wrong people.
I am a sucker for a healing romance and this delivered in the best sense. Both Jeremy and Lina were able to slowly learn to trust one another again, and I cheered so hard at their HEA! A beautiful debut novel and I can't wait for book 2! A very enthusiastic 4* from me!
-Slow Burn
-Enemies to lovers
-Second Chance
-Dual POV
-Mutual Healing
June 16, 2026
Oh Jeremy and Lina. Why do I feel like you are my real friends? Where We Begin Again is such a beautiful story of second chances, and individual growth. Here are three things I loved about this story:
1. Raw and vulnerable characters. Jeremy and Lina are fully formed, complex characters. Lina has been broken - or believes she has - so deeply and as readers we are pulled inside those feelings. Our man Jeremy has made some mistakes, but we are also brought into the world of a man who has grown and learned from his past.
2. Incredible side characters - I love a side character! I want to know everything about them! Zach and Krista fill these roles perfectly as both sage advisors and instigators at times. They are fun, they have their own full out storyline, and they make this story complete.
3. Erika Gonzalez makes is hard to out down this book. She builds tension, and higher stakes as the story moves forward and has a knack for ending a chapter right when we are holding our breath!
Bonus - I needed out over all the teacher stuff - the details are so real!
This is in my top 5 reads of the year so far and I encourage you to add it to your TBR.
Thank you for this arc read and the opportunity to read and review this book!
1. Raw and vulnerable characters. Jeremy and Lina are fully formed, complex characters. Lina has been broken - or believes she has - so deeply and as readers we are pulled inside those feelings. Our man Jeremy has made some mistakes, but we are also brought into the world of a man who has grown and learned from his past.
2. Incredible side characters - I love a side character! I want to know everything about them! Zach and Krista fill these roles perfectly as both sage advisors and instigators at times. They are fun, they have their own full out storyline, and they make this story complete.
3. Erika Gonzalez makes is hard to out down this book. She builds tension, and higher stakes as the story moves forward and has a knack for ending a chapter right when we are holding our breath!
Bonus - I needed out over all the teacher stuff - the details are so real!
This is in my top 5 reads of the year so far and I encourage you to add it to your TBR.
Thank you for this arc read and the opportunity to read and review this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
*ARC REVIEW* I want to start off by saying, I LOVE a good dual POV romance, and this book did not disappoint 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Right off the bat, I fell in love with Lina. She is sweet, feisty, a wonderful friend, and someone you root for the entire story! She is the kinda girl we all want to be friends with in real life.
The character development for every single character was so well done, and I found myself wanting to know everything about them. Their childhood, teen years - all of it! Your heart breaks several times for the protagonists, and the undeniable attracted they have towards each other is evident throughout.
The storyline is straightforward and refreshing. The type of book that you can just sit and devour in one sitting because it doesn’t have you jumping all over the place. It was the perfect balance of wholesome romance with just the right amount of spice 🔥
I thoroughly enjoyed every page!!!
Right off the bat, I fell in love with Lina. She is sweet, feisty, a wonderful friend, and someone you root for the entire story! She is the kinda girl we all want to be friends with in real life.
The character development for every single character was so well done, and I found myself wanting to know everything about them. Their childhood, teen years - all of it! Your heart breaks several times for the protagonists, and the undeniable attracted they have towards each other is evident throughout.
The storyline is straightforward and refreshing. The type of book that you can just sit and devour in one sitting because it doesn’t have you jumping all over the place. It was the perfect balance of wholesome romance with just the right amount of spice 🔥
I thoroughly enjoyed every page!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review! My very first🥹 I would first like to thank @erikagenevievereyes for the opportunity to read her book, a lovely lady & a great Author! This book, where to start, I related so much to Lina, a strong woman who made me feel so many things having been through some of the same things myself, a strong MMC who displayed emotion & yearning in all the right ways, I was HOOKED on this book. I’m not the quickest reader but I found myself unable to put this book down when i reached 52% through, I just kept going, I needed to know where this was going, the emotional turns, the relation i had to the journey in this book is crazy, beautifully written, highly recommend reading when its released. For me, its a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, if i had any criticism, it would only be some parts maybe some extra fleshing but that may be the fantasy reader in me used to so much going on, but i could not put it down😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author,Erika Gonzalez for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What I loved most about Where We Begin Again was that Lina and Jeremy's story wasn't just about a second chance—it was about working through the messiness of life's choices, communication, and starting over.. It was a realistic take on falling apart and coming back together.
I enjoyed watching them work through old hurts and rebuilding trust. Their relationship felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end honestly.
I did wish for a little more depth in a few of their conversations which is the only reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me.
Overall, this was a heartfelt second-chance romance about forgiveness, growth, and choosing each other despite the messy parts of life.
What I loved most about Where We Begin Again was that Lina and Jeremy's story wasn't just about a second chance—it was about working through the messiness of life's choices, communication, and starting over.. It was a realistic take on falling apart and coming back together.
I enjoyed watching them work through old hurts and rebuilding trust. Their relationship felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end honestly.
I did wish for a little more depth in a few of their conversations which is the only reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me.
Overall, this was a heartfelt second-chance romance about forgiveness, growth, and choosing each other despite the messy parts of life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed the story.
The characters were likeable and the dialogue was realistic.
The book was well-paced and flowed easily. Thank goodness the timeline wasn’t all over the place like some current novels are in style to be. Give me a straightforward story any day. Life is too complicated for back and forth timelines.
Character development was simple and uncomplicated; thank you for not dwelling on boring past histories.
This is a sweet romantic story about the power of love and friendship. A refreshing read for those who need a quick and enjoyable escape.
I’m looking forward to more reads from this author.
The characters were likeable and the dialogue was realistic.
The book was well-paced and flowed easily. Thank goodness the timeline wasn’t all over the place like some current novels are in style to be. Give me a straightforward story any day. Life is too complicated for back and forth timelines.
Character development was simple and uncomplicated; thank you for not dwelling on boring past histories.
This is a sweet romantic story about the power of love and friendship. A refreshing read for those who need a quick and enjoyable escape.
I’m looking forward to more reads from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
**ARC Review**
From the moment I opened this book, I was hooked.
They character development was absolutely on point.
I loved how both of the main characters were drawn together by some sort of cosmic force. Almost like there was no other possible alternative.
Lina is an absolute gem, the kind of friend that every woman wants. She is the epitome of a beautiful human and by the 5th chapter, you just want everything good for her.
I would read this book again in a heartbeat.
Thank for you for allowing me to arc read for you.
**ARC Review**
From the moment I opened this book, I was hooked.
They character development was absolutely on point.
I loved how both of the main characters were drawn together by some sort of cosmic force. Almost like there was no other possible alternative.
Lina is an absolute gem, the kind of friend that every woman wants. She is the epitome of a beautiful human and by the 5th chapter, you just want everything good for her.
I would read this book again in a heartbeat.
Thank for you for allowing me to arc read for you.
July 18, 2026
'Because this time, loving Jeremy means more than opening her heart—it means trusting he won’t break it all over again.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a good book!! Jeremy broke Lina’s heart so she moved back home to piece her life back together! Five years later Jeremy accepts a job as a football coach and is now thrust back into Lina’s orbit and life. The only problem is they are both seeing other people! You must read to find out if they will come back together or not!
July 21, 2026
Where We Begin Again is a very good second chance romance. Once I got into this book I was pulled in and didn't want to put it down. I wanted to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. Enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Such a great read! The character development is spot on. I was invested from the beginning and couldn't wait to see what was coming next. The way the story flowed had me feeling like I was watching a movie! Beautiful imagery! The epilogue left me wanting more. I highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Author
I seriously fell in love with this book! It’s an emotional rollercoaster but it doesn’t take forever to build like some books do. I would def recommend this book for all my romance lover friends.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews