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Scientific Method Universe
Every New Beginning
The more things change, the more they stay the same. And that goes double for New Year's at the beach house.
Molly's at the beach house for the first time in years and she's got a lot on her mind. She wants a more stable career than the one she has, but that might involve going back to school (which she swore she'd never do). It also might involve imposing more regularly on her...friends in London. Which might be fine? But what if seeing each other more often means they lose the thing that makes their relationship special?
Of course, she could spill all this to her family and let them reassure her, but that's a can of worms she's not so sure she wants to open. Plus, she has plenty of distractions. Some folks are contemplating parenthood, some are contemplating the nature of love, others are dealing with loss, everyone's favorite triad has finally admitted their feelings for each other, and then there's Lucy. (Mmm, thank goodness for Lucy.)
Hugs, gossip, cuddling, speeches, long walks on the beach, new friends, and loads of laughter. Sure, decisions must be made. But for now all she has to do is eat some good food and love on her family. Happy New Year's at the beach house to Molly!
Molly's at the beach house for the first time in years and she's got a lot on her mind. She wants a more stable career than the one she has, but that might involve going back to school (which she swore she'd never do). It also might involve imposing more regularly on her...friends in London. Which might be fine? But what if seeing each other more often means they lose the thing that makes their relationship special?
Of course, she could spill all this to her family and let them reassure her, but that's a can of worms she's not so sure she wants to open. Plus, she has plenty of distractions. Some folks are contemplating parenthood, some are contemplating the nature of love, others are dealing with loss, everyone's favorite triad has finally admitted their feelings for each other, and then there's Lucy. (Mmm, thank goodness for Lucy.)
Hugs, gossip, cuddling, speeches, long walks on the beach, new friends, and loads of laughter. Sure, decisions must be made. But for now all she has to do is eat some good food and love on her family. Happy New Year's at the beach house to Molly!
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2018
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Kris Ripper
89 books402 followersKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 20, 2022
Reunited with everyone for one last time (unless Kris Ripper writes more because I’m ready for that) 💜
February 18, 2024
It was both delightful and bittersweet to read this last novella in the SMU New Year’s Eve spinoff series. I have a few short stories left but otherwise, I’ll be waiting with everyone else for Ripper to revisit this world. I adore these characters and have so many questions about what’s next for all of them. There’s a teaser about Jase being lonely and then Lucy’s restlessness and need for something different.
But first and foremost, this is about Molly being welcomed back into the fold of this found family. They rented a second house because of how many people come now! I loved seeing all of their traditions continue and her observations about the way this week together has changed and grown from the last time she was there. While I wanted to talk her out of pursuing an MFA (it’s not necessary before she can write her book!), I loved the way she, Davey, and Eddie talked about the different forms of intimacy and the way she talked about possibly being aromantic or grayromantic. Most of all, I loved seeing her relationships with everyone and the strong bond she and Will still have.
This is the least standalone of all the NYE stories. Many things are alluded to but not explained. It’s imperative to have read Untrue (in which case you absolutely must read the entire SMU series first). As an SMU completist, it was a balm to see how Truman, Hugh, and Will were doing after the events of Untrue.
Characters: Molly is a 31 year old aromantic or grayromantic polyamorous Black copywriter who lives in Amsterdam and has paramours in London. This is set in California.
Content notes: anxiety (secondary character), recent death of pet dog (secondary characters), past disease scare (secondary character), secondary characters applying to be foster parents and/or thinking about adopting, on page sex, D/s, impact play, edging, sex toys, ableist language
But first and foremost, this is about Molly being welcomed back into the fold of this found family. They rented a second house because of how many people come now! I loved seeing all of their traditions continue and her observations about the way this week together has changed and grown from the last time she was there. While I wanted to talk her out of pursuing an MFA (it’s not necessary before she can write her book!), I loved the way she, Davey, and Eddie talked about the different forms of intimacy and the way she talked about possibly being aromantic or grayromantic. Most of all, I loved seeing her relationships with everyone and the strong bond she and Will still have.
This is the least standalone of all the NYE stories. Many things are alluded to but not explained. It’s imperative to have read Untrue (in which case you absolutely must read the entire SMU series first). As an SMU completist, it was a balm to see how Truman, Hugh, and Will were doing after the events of Untrue.
Characters: Molly is a 31 year old aromantic or grayromantic polyamorous Black copywriter who lives in Amsterdam and has paramours in London. This is set in California.
Content notes: anxiety (secondary character), recent death of pet dog (secondary characters), past disease scare (secondary character), secondary characters applying to be foster parents and/or thinking about adopting, on page sex, D/s, impact play, edging, sex toys, ableist language
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December 8, 2018I freaking love these books. They're like settling in with old friends and catching up on their lives. Which is pretty much exactly what they are. This year, it's Molly's turn to narrate New Years at the beach house, and it's great to see her again.
This one's a little...less intense...than some of the others, but I think that has to do with Molly herself. She's pretty together and knows herself pretty well (a lot like Hugh in that regard), even when she's chewing on issues and problems.
I love that Hugh, the patriarch of his giant found family, is totally unaware that he's the patriarch of his giant found family. That's also so Hugh. He knows himself so very well in most aspects and is entirely clueless in others. But Molly sees it. So do Will and Tru.
I will caution that to understand the New Years books it really helps to have read at least the core of the Scientific Method universe... Will, Hugh, and Truman's books. Because diving into the Beach House without them is like being thrust into a party where you know no one at all. It can be fun, but you're gonna be really confused.
This one's a little...less intense...than some of the others, but I think that has to do with Molly herself. She's pretty together and knows herself pretty well (a lot like Hugh in that regard), even when she's chewing on issues and problems.
I love that Hugh, the patriarch of his giant found family, is totally unaware that he's the patriarch of his giant found family. That's also so Hugh. He knows himself so very well in most aspects and is entirely clueless in others. But Molly sees it. So do Will and Tru.
I will caution that to understand the New Years books it really helps to have read at least the core of the Scientific Method universe... Will, Hugh, and Truman's books. Because diving into the Beach House without them is like being thrust into a party where you know no one at all. It can be fun, but you're gonna be really confused.
January 2, 2023
This whole series just gives me the warm fuzzies
January 2, 2019
Ripper writes relationships- all relationships- incredibly well. This is no surprise to anyone who reads zir. This addition to the universe was FULL of a variety of relationships that are fully defined by the people within them. Loved this.
January 2, 2019
Perfection!!!! Wonderful to have Molly back in the fold. And lucky us. I saw several threads that could lead to stories in the coming year.
January 16, 2019
Every day life never seemed so amazing
1st. I'm biased. I've loved these characters, and the stories, for years now. But even then, Kris has made the mundane into something extraordinary.
The themes of family, tragedy, growth, sex and its many forms, and intimacy are written so well you don't even realize you came out of this a better person.
Molly is an old, yet present friend, that lives abroad and would like to pursue a new academic path. However, coming to a decision to stop, drop, and become an academic is not always easy. Especially when it might just mean changing the dynamics of friendship/lovers. But the Beach House is a place of old, present, and new possibilities. And new possible futures are always welcomed.
So, join us and become another Ripper obsessed fan.
1st. I'm biased. I've loved these characters, and the stories, for years now. But even then, Kris has made the mundane into something extraordinary.
The themes of family, tragedy, growth, sex and its many forms, and intimacy are written so well you don't even realize you came out of this a better person.
Molly is an old, yet present friend, that lives abroad and would like to pursue a new academic path. However, coming to a decision to stop, drop, and become an academic is not always easy. Especially when it might just mean changing the dynamics of friendship/lovers. But the Beach House is a place of old, present, and new possibilities. And new possible futures are always welcomed.
So, join us and become another Ripper obsessed fan.
April 12, 2023
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. It was nice to get some more time with the group, but Molly's dilema or whatever didn't grab me, and I'm a little bit tired of Truman's hangups and Will someone *still* not really considering his partners 'husbands' after all this time and everything that's gone into making that their reality. wth? Overall it's a nice cast of characters though and I enjoy their get togethers.
May 21, 2022
This was fine imo. I guess it’s on me for reading these even though I hate holiday romance writing. I would give it 3 stars but I feel guilty for skimming it so I could get to the Will/Hugh/Truman scenes - I really like Molly as a person but I don’t feel strongly about her as a character - so I’m giving it 4 stars instead.
March 27, 2024
After Untrue I was desperate for some kind of epilogue, some kind of closure, some kind of light spark at the end of the deep dark tunnel that was Untrue.
Sadly I didn’t really get it.
It was nice and fun to see the gang assembled one last time. But like Untrue it didn’t really give me what I needed.
I felt the love. But something is still missing.
Sadly I didn’t really get it.
It was nice and fun to see the gang assembled one last time. But like Untrue it didn’t really give me what I needed.
I felt the love. But something is still missing.
November 29, 2018
Fun at the beach house
This year, Molly is narrating New Years at the beach house. The regular cast of characters is there, but I felt that Molly resolving her dilemma felt a little more shallow than previous books. But definitely read it...it’s the beach house!
This year, Molly is narrating New Years at the beach house. The regular cast of characters is there, but I felt that Molly resolving her dilemma felt a little more shallow than previous books. But definitely read it...it’s the beach house!
March 24, 2022
3 stars
A satisfying conclusion to the New Years SMU spin-off series. Like the rest of the books in the spin-off, I didn't connect much with the characters or the story. It was still nice to see all the characters and relationships in a good place, especially after the events of the last SMU book.
A satisfying conclusion to the New Years SMU spin-off series. Like the rest of the books in the spin-off, I didn't connect much with the characters or the story. It was still nice to see all the characters and relationships in a good place, especially after the events of the last SMU book.
April 4, 2022
And that's a wrap! The last of the currently published Scientific Method verse. How fitting that this entire book was basically just nostalgia and looking back fondly at precious memories. I loved the examination of family and romance.
December 30, 2018
All the happy sighs. Probably my favorite of the New Year’s books because it shows how much growth so many of the characters have undergone.
July 16, 2020
I love this series, but the New Year books somehow never grip me the same way. I read them because they're part of the canon, and I am a sucker for that canon.
October 13, 2020
3 1/2 nice to get Molly back, and glimpses into how Davey, Evan and Cait are going but somehow the voice in this wasn't the same as the rest of the series, and not just because of a change in POV.
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June 26, 2024https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
Molly from Every New Beginning is arospec!
Molly from Every New Beginning is arospec!
November 16, 2024
4.5 stars
This New Year’s at the beach house novella is simultaneously an ending and a new beginning, as it says on the tin. At this point, all the relationships in the extended found-family of the Scientific Method Universe are in a solid place (though far from stagnant). However, Molly is in a different place and ready to embark on a new adventure in her life.
It was lovely to revisit one of my favorite characters in this series, and I’m pleased that Ripper takes the time to remind us that she’s a three-dimensional character rather than Will’s former girlfriend. I honestly could have done without the sexy bits in this book. That particular pairing has always seemed contrived to me, though perhaps Ripper is setting up a significant change in Lucy’s life for a future story here as well.
Kris Ripper is an author added to my insta-buy list for any future installments to this universe. The story as it stands is relatively complete as of this novella, but I’d be thrilled to revisit almost all these characters in the future.
This New Year’s at the beach house novella is simultaneously an ending and a new beginning, as it says on the tin. At this point, all the relationships in the extended found-family of the Scientific Method Universe are in a solid place (though far from stagnant). However, Molly is in a different place and ready to embark on a new adventure in her life.
It was lovely to revisit one of my favorite characters in this series, and I’m pleased that Ripper takes the time to remind us that she’s a three-dimensional character rather than Will’s former girlfriend. I honestly could have done without the sexy bits in this book. That particular pairing has always seemed contrived to me, though perhaps Ripper is setting up a significant change in Lucy’s life for a future story here as well.
Kris Ripper is an author added to my insta-buy list for any future installments to this universe. The story as it stands is relatively complete as of this novella, but I’d be thrilled to revisit almost all these characters in the future.
January 9, 2021
Fantastic. This one is Molly's return to the beach house after too long absent, and it's a delightful addition to the series!
2nd read: I got so much more out of this than I did two years ago. This is one of the few series I have re-read during the hellscape of 2020, and what a good idea, even this soon after first reading them. Very comforting, revisiting all these basically kind characters in all their variety.
2nd read: I got so much more out of this than I did two years ago. This is one of the few series I have re-read during the hellscape of 2020, and what a good idea, even this soon after first reading them. Very comforting, revisiting all these basically kind characters in all their variety.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews