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Begin Again
Sometimes life gives you a second chance...and sometimes you have to take one for yourself.
When Tori's house burns down with her abusive husband inside, she flees with her six year old daughter to start anew. They leave town and stay in a motel.
It doesn’t take long for Tori’s small savings to run dry, and they find themselves struggling once more. One day, they meet a kind stranger who pays for their meal. The purse this stranger leaves behind could change everything...but not how Tori imagines.
When Tori's house burns down with her abusive husband inside, she flees with her six year old daughter to start anew. They leave town and stay in a motel.
It doesn’t take long for Tori’s small savings to run dry, and they find themselves struggling once more. One day, they meet a kind stranger who pays for their meal. The purse this stranger leaves behind could change everything...but not how Tori imagines.
Unknown Binding
Published December 1, 2018
33 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Leigh
24 books206 followersAmanda Leigh is the multi-genre author of numerous titles, including the Mature YA Paranormal Romance, the Beauty of the Dark series. She’s made up stories all her life, and written them down since she was eight. In college she got her degree in English and Communications, and worked as the Assistant Managing Editor on the literary magazine. Amanda advocates for mental health, cystinosis/rare disease awareness, and literacy. Strength: Lives Touched by Cystinosis is an anthology to raise awareness and money for cystinosis. She has a cat she adores and loves cooking, music, art, Psychology, Marvel, Harry Potter, and Elvis Presley. Not necessarily in that order. Find her online at www.authoramandaleigh.com and feel free to get in touch with her.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 22, 2019
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well I'm not really sure how I should feel about this book.
I mean it has some content that would not be suitable for young readers, such as 13/14-15+ year olds. Even as a 17 year old, this is a bit unsettling to read. But regardless, there was just something about this book that made me push on.
So..
The cover. Looks sweet, light hearted romance. So deceiving. Contradictory to the actual summary. I mean the summary talks about abuse, a tough situation, a kid involved. And this looks like some sunshiny cover overall. So definitely I was deceived. But I loved it regardless.
The storyline. Well there's nothing more that would excite or intrigue you more to read than an abuse story, especially when there's a kid involved. So I was definitely curious to see how it would pan out and scared if they will ever get a happy ending. But this author did not disappoint with the ending so definitely points to that.
The characters themselves. Well they have redeemable features such as resilience to tough it out in a situation which is not even through their fault, the mother being strong enough to get out and save herself and her family.
Such a husband should be killed, no offense.
Regardless, the characters were all resilient, nice, confident, strong, and loveable too. I loved them so much, I could not let go of them at the end. Sigh... So points to that.
I was just not happy with the abuse story. I'm not a fan of abuse stories and usually stay clear from them, so reading this was not easy, let me tell you. But since I'd already signed up, I wanted to continue reading it. But if anyone who may get triggered by this, should really stay away for their own mental sanity.
The stranger fact. A stranger helping them. I don't know why of all people you take a stranger's help to save yourself and your family. Clearly the husband had hit her a bit too much to run to strangers to help them.
DID AN EXTENDED FAMILY NOT EXIST? I'm really skeptical about that. Of all the people you trust, you trust a stranger to help you.
Humanity is far from trustworthy, these days. Clearly this woman should read her news.
Anyway, this is a so-so recommendation. Not highly recommended.
Until the next read,
-J.B
Well I'm not really sure how I should feel about this book.
I mean it has some content that would not be suitable for young readers, such as 13/14-15+ year olds. Even as a 17 year old, this is a bit unsettling to read. But regardless, there was just something about this book that made me push on.
So..
The cover. Looks sweet, light hearted romance. So deceiving. Contradictory to the actual summary. I mean the summary talks about abuse, a tough situation, a kid involved. And this looks like some sunshiny cover overall. So definitely I was deceived. But I loved it regardless.
The storyline. Well there's nothing more that would excite or intrigue you more to read than an abuse story, especially when there's a kid involved. So I was definitely curious to see how it would pan out and scared if they will ever get a happy ending. But this author did not disappoint with the ending so definitely points to that.
The characters themselves. Well they have redeemable features such as resilience to tough it out in a situation which is not even through their fault, the mother being strong enough to get out and save herself and her family.
Such a husband should be killed, no offense.
Regardless, the characters were all resilient, nice, confident, strong, and loveable too. I loved them so much, I could not let go of them at the end. Sigh... So points to that.
I was just not happy with the abuse story. I'm not a fan of abuse stories and usually stay clear from them, so reading this was not easy, let me tell you. But since I'd already signed up, I wanted to continue reading it. But if anyone who may get triggered by this, should really stay away for their own mental sanity.
The stranger fact. A stranger helping them. I don't know why of all people you take a stranger's help to save yourself and your family. Clearly the husband had hit her a bit too much to run to strangers to help them.
DID AN EXTENDED FAMILY NOT EXIST? I'm really skeptical about that. Of all the people you trust, you trust a stranger to help you.
Humanity is far from trustworthy, these days. Clearly this woman should read her news.
Anyway, this is a so-so recommendation. Not highly recommended.
Until the next read,
-J.B
October 15, 2019
Inspiring story and excellent, relatable characters.
October 14, 2019
This is my first book by Amanda. I would have loved for the book to be a little longer but it is a novella.
In the book the main character is Tori who has lived in an abusive relationship for 8 years until a house fire that kills her husband. Tori doesn’t have any family. She only has one friend. Tori is left a single mom with no job or home. She decides to pack up her daughter, Cassie, and what little money and belongings they have and leave. Tori finds herself living in a motel with no job, little food and money running out. Tori has looked in the want ads every week looking for work. Right now until school starts it is hard to find anything with her daughter not in school. With a little luck maybe her future can change. I give Tori props for managing to get her daughter away from the abuse.
Tori takes her daughter out to eat with what money she has left in her purse. A total stranger whose name is Annie offers to pay for Cassie’s meal. Tori notices the stranger leaves her purse. Tori takes it with plans to return it. Once she looks inside her mind starts telling her not to do the right thing. Cassie says something to her mom leading her to do the right thing. It is like god seen Tori needed a guardian angel. Annie is the answer to her prayers. Annie suspects what tori has been through and asks her questions. Annie tells her about what her mother went through and her childhood. Annie gives her a place to stay and helps her get a job.
Even though this wasn’t a long read I really enjoyed reading it.
In the book the main character is Tori who has lived in an abusive relationship for 8 years until a house fire that kills her husband. Tori doesn’t have any family. She only has one friend. Tori is left a single mom with no job or home. She decides to pack up her daughter, Cassie, and what little money and belongings they have and leave. Tori finds herself living in a motel with no job, little food and money running out. Tori has looked in the want ads every week looking for work. Right now until school starts it is hard to find anything with her daughter not in school. With a little luck maybe her future can change. I give Tori props for managing to get her daughter away from the abuse.
Tori takes her daughter out to eat with what money she has left in her purse. A total stranger whose name is Annie offers to pay for Cassie’s meal. Tori notices the stranger leaves her purse. Tori takes it with plans to return it. Once she looks inside her mind starts telling her not to do the right thing. Cassie says something to her mom leading her to do the right thing. It is like god seen Tori needed a guardian angel. Annie is the answer to her prayers. Annie suspects what tori has been through and asks her questions. Annie tells her about what her mother went through and her childhood. Annie gives her a place to stay and helps her get a job.
Even though this wasn’t a long read I really enjoyed reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2019
Begin Again - This is my first read by this author and I found it boring. I disliked the main character after finding out she still married an abusive man after suffering his abuse for over one year. Her redeeming feature was finally stopping him when he turned to abusing their daughter, after eight years of marriage.
Since I did not have any respect for her, I found her rambling boring. Instead of actually trying to find work, she hides in a motel looking at the help wanted ads, for weeks. She did not do enough after escaping to get them on their feet.
I felt no pity or concern for her but was sad her daughter had suffered for her mother's repeated stupidity. The woman knew he was abusive! I found this book on Booksprout. 3*
Since I did not have any respect for her, I found her rambling boring. Instead of actually trying to find work, she hides in a motel looking at the help wanted ads, for weeks. She did not do enough after escaping to get them on their feet.
I felt no pity or concern for her but was sad her daughter had suffered for her mother's repeated stupidity. The woman knew he was abusive! I found this book on Booksprout. 3*
October 14, 2019
This is the first book by this Author that I have read I found it to be well written with a very good storyline. A short quick story to read. One act of kindness helps a battered woman and her daughter get a new lease on life. This is a must read story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2019
This is my first time reading this author and it’s a truly inspiring and emotional read. There are some possible triggers as the main character is a domestic abuse survivor, but she doesn’t allow this to limit or dictate her future or the future for her child. It’s a wonderfully written short story.
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.
October 15, 2019
This is such a good book. It touched me on so many different levels. Written so well and the characters were amazing.
January 18, 2020
I didn't really enjoy the book because of the of whole concept and subject it is about.
This is my first book by Amanda. I would have loved for the book to be a little longer but it is a novella. This book could be a little emotional for some as it does deal with abuse.
Tori takes her daughter out to eat with what money she has left in her purse. A total stranger whose name is Annie offers to pay for Cassie’s meal. Tori notices the stranger leaves her purse. Tori takes it with plans to return it. Once she looks inside her mind starts telling her not to do the right thing. Cassie says something to her mom leading her to do the right thing. It was the right thing to do. Annie turns out to be the answer to her problems. Annie suspects what tori has been through about the abuse. This is a short read but it is ok. - By Kristina
This is my first book by Amanda. I would have loved for the book to be a little longer but it is a novella. This book could be a little emotional for some as it does deal with abuse.
Tori takes her daughter out to eat with what money she has left in her purse. A total stranger whose name is Annie offers to pay for Cassie’s meal. Tori notices the stranger leaves her purse. Tori takes it with plans to return it. Once she looks inside her mind starts telling her not to do the right thing. Cassie says something to her mom leading her to do the right thing. It was the right thing to do. Annie turns out to be the answer to her problems. Annie suspects what tori has been through about the abuse. This is a short read but it is ok. - By Kristina
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews