What do you think?
Rate this book
Timber Falls #5
Just Getting Started
A tough cop. A tender marketing executive. A tenuous connection they'd both like to strengthen...
Deputy Painter never dreamed she'd get fan mail. When Chase Carpenter's letter crosses her desk, it never occurs to her not to answer it. After all, he's polite, grateful, and has amazing penmanship. Never mind that she arrested him two year earlier; he's clearly changed a lot since she took him down for using opioids at the town's birthday celebration. And she can't help but be flattered by his attention, given that he never gave her a second look the first time they met...
Chase is sober for the first time in his adult life, and now it's time to go home. The friendship he's been building with the tough redhead who helped get him on the path to sobriety feels like the start of something more...but when his last letter before leaving rehab goes unanswered, Chase worries that he's taken all this the wrong way.
Can they translate their long-distance friendship to a relationship IRL?
Just Getting Started is the fifth book in the Timber Falls sweet romance series. It has an HEA and stargazing and sensual hair washing. It has a cute dog who does not die and visits from some of your favorite Timberites, plus lots of new ones. It does not have sex scenes, but you won't miss them. Content warning for drug use flashbacks, reference to the past death of a parent, and a car accident not involving the main characters.
Deputy Painter never dreamed she'd get fan mail. When Chase Carpenter's letter crosses her desk, it never occurs to her not to answer it. After all, he's polite, grateful, and has amazing penmanship. Never mind that she arrested him two year earlier; he's clearly changed a lot since she took him down for using opioids at the town's birthday celebration. And she can't help but be flattered by his attention, given that he never gave her a second look the first time they met...
Chase is sober for the first time in his adult life, and now it's time to go home. The friendship he's been building with the tough redhead who helped get him on the path to sobriety feels like the start of something more...but when his last letter before leaving rehab goes unanswered, Chase worries that he's taken all this the wrong way.
Can they translate their long-distance friendship to a relationship IRL?
Just Getting Started is the fifth book in the Timber Falls sweet romance series. It has an HEA and stargazing and sensual hair washing. It has a cute dog who does not die and visits from some of your favorite Timberites, plus lots of new ones. It does not have sex scenes, but you won't miss them. Content warning for drug use flashbacks, reference to the past death of a parent, and a car accident not involving the main characters.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2021
31 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Fiona West
21 books125 followersFiona West is an American author living in the Pacific Northwest. Writing romance is her favorite thing, followed closely by reading, knitting and drinking tea while looking out the window. When she’s not doing those things, she’s spending time with her husband and two kids. Her debut novel, The Ex-Princess, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named one of their Best Books of 2019. Could Be Something Good, the first book in her new Timber Falls small-town romance series, is out now. Find out more about Fiona at http://www.fionawest.net or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.subscribepage.com/westwind.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 14, 2021
Trigger warning: drug use flashbacks, past death of parent, car accident.
-
JUST GETTING STARTED follows newly sober Chase Carpenter and his arresting officer Deputy Elizabeth Painter. Two years after Chase’s arrest, Lizzie was surprised to receive a letter from him. As they write back and forth, they become friends. Just as Chase is wondering if they could be something more than friends, the letters suddenly stop, leaving him to wonder if he had it all wrong. This is a companion book to the Timber Falls series.
-
Despite the heavy topic of drug addiction, this story was fairly lighthearted. I really appreciated seeing Chase work through the steps using the tools that he learned in rehab in his everyday life. I appreciated how Lizzie and Chase both acknowledged that Chase’s sobriety needed to be the main priority, even before their relationship. I enjoyed these two characters, and I am interested in reading the side characters stories as well. I will some day read more from this series! If you’re also looking to lose yourself in a new romance, consider checking this series out!
-
There was a moment in this book that caught me by surprise. It’s a very small moment in the book, only like 3 sentences; but there’s a scene where Chase and his twin brother are arguing, and his brother mentions how Chase didn’t use to mind “sharing” his past girlfriends, and Chase says that it “wasn’t right to trick them like that.” It’s not clarified if this is about kissing or sex, but regardless, if his brother was doing something with Chases girlfriends who were under the impression that they were with Chase, that’s assault. They didn’t consent to touching or being touched by his brother. I’m not sure if Chase knew his brother was going to do this to them or not. Chase does acknowledge it was wrong, and he does seem to feel guilty about it. Maybe this is something that is talked about in one of the previous 4 books in the series, but it is not explored in this standalone past the brief conversation where Chase says it was wrong. It’s never called assault. This is an eARC, so maybe there is more clarification in the final text that I’m not aware of.
-
If you have any recommendations of stories with sober main characters, please share!!
-
4/5 stars, JUST GETTING STARTED by Fiona West is available May 18, 2021!
-
Thank you to Fiona for sending me an eARC to review!
-
JUST GETTING STARTED follows newly sober Chase Carpenter and his arresting officer Deputy Elizabeth Painter. Two years after Chase’s arrest, Lizzie was surprised to receive a letter from him. As they write back and forth, they become friends. Just as Chase is wondering if they could be something more than friends, the letters suddenly stop, leaving him to wonder if he had it all wrong. This is a companion book to the Timber Falls series.
-
Despite the heavy topic of drug addiction, this story was fairly lighthearted. I really appreciated seeing Chase work through the steps using the tools that he learned in rehab in his everyday life. I appreciated how Lizzie and Chase both acknowledged that Chase’s sobriety needed to be the main priority, even before their relationship. I enjoyed these two characters, and I am interested in reading the side characters stories as well. I will some day read more from this series! If you’re also looking to lose yourself in a new romance, consider checking this series out!
-
There was a moment in this book that caught me by surprise. It’s a very small moment in the book, only like 3 sentences; but there’s a scene where Chase and his twin brother are arguing, and his brother mentions how Chase didn’t use to mind “sharing” his past girlfriends, and Chase says that it “wasn’t right to trick them like that.” It’s not clarified if this is about kissing or sex, but regardless, if his brother was doing something with Chases girlfriends who were under the impression that they were with Chase, that’s assault. They didn’t consent to touching or being touched by his brother. I’m not sure if Chase knew his brother was going to do this to them or not. Chase does acknowledge it was wrong, and he does seem to feel guilty about it. Maybe this is something that is talked about in one of the previous 4 books in the series, but it is not explored in this standalone past the brief conversation where Chase says it was wrong. It’s never called assault. This is an eARC, so maybe there is more clarification in the final text that I’m not aware of.
-
If you have any recommendations of stories with sober main characters, please share!!
-
4/5 stars, JUST GETTING STARTED by Fiona West is available May 18, 2021!
-
Thank you to Fiona for sending me an eARC to review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2021
Tears. So many happy tears.
I cannot thank Fiona enough for gifting me aan advance copy of this beautiful book. I’m trying to process my thoughts and gather some words because it was simply superb! And I have a lot of feelings about it that I can’t put into words.
First, I have to give a stranding ovation about the originality of the story. I’ve never read something like this. Writing a recovering addict falling in love with the cop who arrested him when he was at his worst must’ve been difficult and the execution was wonderful, heartwarming and extremely emotional.
I’m in love with Lizzy’s character. Not only I loved her being the cop, but I loved how the toughness and difficulties of the job never made her doubt of her capabilities even when she felt scared or intimidated by the challenges. I loved to see her being vulnerable and slowly opening up a door so Chase could go in despite her introversion and insecurities. Her sweetness and empathy melted my heart!
I love how real Chase felt to me. Fiona wrote his anxiety and the 12-step struggle ON POINT. I have been a witness of how powerful that program is and how difficult it can be to follow it and I could see that in how Chase was written. He was the sweetest and most patient person in the world, he was careful with her, so thoughtful, always giving her space, although he wanted everything from the start. I felt for him so many times, especially about his family issues, that made me root for him and his happy ending. He deserved a second chance in life and he worked hard for it.
The letters, the intimacy, the hope and all the important topics in this story made the romance have a different depth. It was a beautiful reminder that beautiful things can come out of the ashes when we allow hope to come in and re build what was broken.
💕💕💕
I cannot thank Fiona enough for gifting me aan advance copy of this beautiful book. I’m trying to process my thoughts and gather some words because it was simply superb! And I have a lot of feelings about it that I can’t put into words.
First, I have to give a stranding ovation about the originality of the story. I’ve never read something like this. Writing a recovering addict falling in love with the cop who arrested him when he was at his worst must’ve been difficult and the execution was wonderful, heartwarming and extremely emotional.
I’m in love with Lizzy’s character. Not only I loved her being the cop, but I loved how the toughness and difficulties of the job never made her doubt of her capabilities even when she felt scared or intimidated by the challenges. I loved to see her being vulnerable and slowly opening up a door so Chase could go in despite her introversion and insecurities. Her sweetness and empathy melted my heart!
I love how real Chase felt to me. Fiona wrote his anxiety and the 12-step struggle ON POINT. I have been a witness of how powerful that program is and how difficult it can be to follow it and I could see that in how Chase was written. He was the sweetest and most patient person in the world, he was careful with her, so thoughtful, always giving her space, although he wanted everything from the start. I felt for him so many times, especially about his family issues, that made me root for him and his happy ending. He deserved a second chance in life and he worked hard for it.
The letters, the intimacy, the hope and all the important topics in this story made the romance have a different depth. It was a beautiful reminder that beautiful things can come out of the ashes when we allow hope to come in and re build what was broken.
💕💕💕
May 21, 2021
Primero, quiero darle las gracias a la autora por haberme dado la oportunidad de leer y reseñar su libro a través de un Arc. Este es el quinto libro de la saga y no es necesario haber leído los demás para adentrarse a este mundo, solo se hace un poco confuso conocer a los personajes pues cada uno tiene su propia historia, la cuál conoces en los anteriores libros. Me encantó, me gustó mucho la manera de escribir de la autora, y aunque no suelo leer mucho romance, este libro logró atraparme desde un principio. Es un romance donde todo va muy rápido, pero la confianza que se llegan a tener es impresionante. No puedo esperar a leer los demás libros de esta saga. Lo recomiendo muchísimo.
/
First of all, I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review her book through an Arc. This is the fifth book in the saga and it is not necessary to read the others to enter this world, it just becomes a bit confusing to get to know the characters because each one has their own story, which you learn about in the previous books. I loved it, I really liked the author's way of writing, and although I don't usually read much romance, this book managed to catch me from the beginning. It is a romance where everything goes very fast, but the confidence that they come to have is impressive. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. I highly recommend it.
/
First of all, I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review her book through an Arc. This is the fifth book in the saga and it is not necessary to read the others to enter this world, it just becomes a bit confusing to get to know the characters because each one has their own story, which you learn about in the previous books. I loved it, I really liked the author's way of writing, and although I don't usually read much romance, this book managed to catch me from the beginning. It is a romance where everything goes very fast, but the confidence that they come to have is impressive. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. I highly recommend it.
May 17, 2021
What a beautiful, tender, emotional, sweet-with-a-touch-of-heavy romance!! I adored Lizzie and Chase in this wonderful slow-burn love story between two charming, compassionate, quirky characters in a small town.
After Chase is sent to rehab for opioid overdose, he strikes up a relationship via letters with Lizzie, the deputy who had arrested him. Fiona West does this part so well, allowing them to become friends, real friends, in a safe way, insecurities ignored and just as themselves.
When Chase comes home and they get to be around each other in person, it’s more difficult for them to let their guards down, much more so for Lizzie. But gradually when Lizzie gets injured and Chase takes care of her in his wonderful way, Lizzie begins to open up to him.
Chase is funny, a tiny bit self-deprecating and…well, I wanted to wrap him up in an enormous hug. I was so happy, when he came home from rehab, that he had lots of supportive friends and family, especially to counteract his crappy father! Chase is on the path to a second chance at a clean life and this entire thread was so well written, with compassion and care. And I loved how the author doesn’t make this the only aspect that defines him. He is a recovering addict, but he’s so much more than just that. I also loved how Chase talks himself through his anxiety at times. This was so relatable and refreshing to see.
Lizzie appears unaffected at first by anything. She doesn’t mind being by herself, especially outside gazing at the stars. But really, when she starts to fall for Chase, we learn how difficult it is for her to want to give her trust to anyone, how vulnerable she is, how even though she likes being alone, she really doesn’t like being lonely. None of us do. She really wants to give her trust to Chase, despite her beliefs that once he gets to know the real her, he won’t like her.
I loved watching each of them grow stronger as individuals, and discover their soul mate in life, the person they wanted to share their hearts with, each other. In many ways, with the redemption arc and the small-town charm and the aching vulnerability of these two precious souls, it reminded my of some of Claire Kingsley’s small town romances.
Knowing the parts of themselves they kept locked up and watching them fall for each other, trust each other, and know they had found their person to feel safe with being completely themselves, and falling so wonderfully in love, made the tension bearable!! West balances out the conflict/tension with the romance so well. This book gave me all the swoony, emotional, heart feels and I just wanted to stay reading this book for a very long time. I would read anything Fiona West writes, well done!
After Chase is sent to rehab for opioid overdose, he strikes up a relationship via letters with Lizzie, the deputy who had arrested him. Fiona West does this part so well, allowing them to become friends, real friends, in a safe way, insecurities ignored and just as themselves.
When Chase comes home and they get to be around each other in person, it’s more difficult for them to let their guards down, much more so for Lizzie. But gradually when Lizzie gets injured and Chase takes care of her in his wonderful way, Lizzie begins to open up to him.
Chase is funny, a tiny bit self-deprecating and…well, I wanted to wrap him up in an enormous hug. I was so happy, when he came home from rehab, that he had lots of supportive friends and family, especially to counteract his crappy father! Chase is on the path to a second chance at a clean life and this entire thread was so well written, with compassion and care. And I loved how the author doesn’t make this the only aspect that defines him. He is a recovering addict, but he’s so much more than just that. I also loved how Chase talks himself through his anxiety at times. This was so relatable and refreshing to see.
Lizzie appears unaffected at first by anything. She doesn’t mind being by herself, especially outside gazing at the stars. But really, when she starts to fall for Chase, we learn how difficult it is for her to want to give her trust to anyone, how vulnerable she is, how even though she likes being alone, she really doesn’t like being lonely. None of us do. She really wants to give her trust to Chase, despite her beliefs that once he gets to know the real her, he won’t like her.
I loved watching each of them grow stronger as individuals, and discover their soul mate in life, the person they wanted to share their hearts with, each other. In many ways, with the redemption arc and the small-town charm and the aching vulnerability of these two precious souls, it reminded my of some of Claire Kingsley’s small town romances.
Knowing the parts of themselves they kept locked up and watching them fall for each other, trust each other, and know they had found their person to feel safe with being completely themselves, and falling so wonderfully in love, made the tension bearable!! West balances out the conflict/tension with the romance so well. This book gave me all the swoony, emotional, heart feels and I just wanted to stay reading this book for a very long time. I would read anything Fiona West writes, well done!
May 18, 2021
Release Day Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just Getting Started by Fiona West
🐝
Chase is sober for the first time in years, and now following the steps, it's time to make amends and write to the person who made all of it possible, Deputy Painter. Lizzy is surprised when she receives his letter, but he's polite and charming and most of all grateful. Starting a long distance pen-pal relationship wakes something in him, but when his last letter before leaving rehab goes unanswered he thinks maybe he imagined it all?
🐝
This book was wonderful. It was sweet and raw and approached difficult subject with so much kindness and respect. Fiona West is truly a gifted writer, her penmanship is beautiful and the story she has created here is exceptional. As an anxious homebody myself, I felt seen in both Chase and Lizzy, even if our lives are far from similar. This story was so original, I have never seen something quite like it before: A recovering addict falling in love with the cop who arrested him, feels like a fantasy, but in this book it felt so real, their struggle felt so real, with every twist and turn of the story my heart clenched, cried and glowed. Their first kiss was legendary and it represented them so fully, funny but passionate, kind and gentle but possessive and daring at the same time. Chase and Izzy's story feels everlasting, and I believe in their Happily Ever After with my whole heart.
🐝
Thank you so much @fionawestauthor for gifting me an advanced reader’s copy! As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
🐝
🐝
Chase is sober for the first time in years, and now following the steps, it's time to make amends and write to the person who made all of it possible, Deputy Painter. Lizzy is surprised when she receives his letter, but he's polite and charming and most of all grateful. Starting a long distance pen-pal relationship wakes something in him, but when his last letter before leaving rehab goes unanswered he thinks maybe he imagined it all?
🐝
This book was wonderful. It was sweet and raw and approached difficult subject with so much kindness and respect. Fiona West is truly a gifted writer, her penmanship is beautiful and the story she has created here is exceptional. As an anxious homebody myself, I felt seen in both Chase and Lizzy, even if our lives are far from similar. This story was so original, I have never seen something quite like it before: A recovering addict falling in love with the cop who arrested him, feels like a fantasy, but in this book it felt so real, their struggle felt so real, with every twist and turn of the story my heart clenched, cried and glowed. Their first kiss was legendary and it represented them so fully, funny but passionate, kind and gentle but possessive and daring at the same time. Chase and Izzy's story feels everlasting, and I believe in their Happily Ever After with my whole heart.
🐝
Thank you so much @fionawestauthor for gifting me an advanced reader’s copy! As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
🐝
May 13, 2021
This sweet romance is so sweet that you might get a toothache!
Lizzie arrests Chase at a town event for disturbing the peace and he leaves town for almost a year to get help for his addiction. When he writes her an amends letter she writes back and they become pen pals. During the months that they write back and forth a friendship blossoms, but when Chase comes back to town Lizzie is scared to interact with him in person.
Meddling Martina invites them both to join her trivia team and they are able to connect in person without the pressure of a one on one meeting. After just one date, Lizzie is injured on the job and Chase moves in temporarily to help her as she recovers. They quickly settle into a companionable relationship that leads to more.
They have missteps in their relationship and there are complications due to Chase's recovery, but with a little help and encouragement from family and friends they get their HEA.
Fiona West has written another heart-melting small town romance and I can't wait to read more of this series.
Content warning: male MC is a drug addict in recovery
I received an ARC of this book from the author and Tempest and Kite Publishing.
Lizzie arrests Chase at a town event for disturbing the peace and he leaves town for almost a year to get help for his addiction. When he writes her an amends letter she writes back and they become pen pals. During the months that they write back and forth a friendship blossoms, but when Chase comes back to town Lizzie is scared to interact with him in person.
Meddling Martina invites them both to join her trivia team and they are able to connect in person without the pressure of a one on one meeting. After just one date, Lizzie is injured on the job and Chase moves in temporarily to help her as she recovers. They quickly settle into a companionable relationship that leads to more.
They have missteps in their relationship and there are complications due to Chase's recovery, but with a little help and encouragement from family and friends they get their HEA.
Fiona West has written another heart-melting small town romance and I can't wait to read more of this series.
Content warning: male MC is a drug addict in recovery
I received an ARC of this book from the author and Tempest and Kite Publishing.
May 21, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from her last week, and reading it has been one of the highlights of my week ❤️ a huge thanks to the author for this! This entire book felt like a warm cup of coffee☕❤️ this book is a sweet HEA with a friends-to-lovers trope and cute dog scenes! (There are also some TWs as mentioned below)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book follows Chase, a recovering drug addict with anxiety issues, and Lizzie, a deputy police who's highly introverted, aiming to get promoted to sergeant (she's the one who arrested him for drug use, after saving his life from overdose).
Their story starts when Chase sends her a letter from his rehab, thanking her for setting him on the path to recovery. She replies to his letter in politeness.. and then this grows into a regular exchange of letters, over the course of which they become close friends (and maybe more?)
When Chase leaves rehab, he aims to connect with her IRL.. the problem is that she's too shy, and he is dealing with extreme control and anxiety issues. Can they turn their long-distance friendship to a relationship IRL?
TW: one scene with drug usage, drug use flashbacks, reference to the past death of a parent, and a car accident not involving the main characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book follows Chase, a recovering drug addict with anxiety issues, and Lizzie, a deputy police who's highly introverted, aiming to get promoted to sergeant (she's the one who arrested him for drug use, after saving his life from overdose).
Their story starts when Chase sends her a letter from his rehab, thanking her for setting him on the path to recovery. She replies to his letter in politeness.. and then this grows into a regular exchange of letters, over the course of which they become close friends (and maybe more?)
When Chase leaves rehab, he aims to connect with her IRL.. the problem is that she's too shy, and he is dealing with extreme control and anxiety issues. Can they turn their long-distance friendship to a relationship IRL?
TW: one scene with drug usage, drug use flashbacks, reference to the past death of a parent, and a car accident not involving the main characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 18, 2021
3,5 stars!
Thank you so much to Fiona for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review 🥰
A tough cop trying to be herself at work and at play. A tender marketing executive who's not cut out for corporate life. A tenuous connection they'd both like to strengthen…
“Just Getting Started” has:
❤️🩹 A recovery story
💌 Beautiful romantic letters
🌠 Inspiring starry nights
🏞 Amazing character arcs
😍 Sweet romantic moments
🤒 People taking care of each other
🔥 Level 2 sexiness
Fiona West delivers a character-driven tale of love and recovery. This is a book that grips you from the start and has you fighting for a better future right along side this couple. Fiona gradually builds this love story from both perspectives, showing us that friendship and partnership can be the basis of everything. You’ll find great supporting characters, but no buckets of chemistry, just sweet romantic nights.
➡️ If you like the things listed above and sweet small-town romances, this book is for you!
This book is available on KU! 🥰
TW: drug usage recovery.
Thank you so much to Fiona for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review 🥰
A tough cop trying to be herself at work and at play. A tender marketing executive who's not cut out for corporate life. A tenuous connection they'd both like to strengthen…
“Just Getting Started” has:
❤️🩹 A recovery story
💌 Beautiful romantic letters
🌠 Inspiring starry nights
🏞 Amazing character arcs
😍 Sweet romantic moments
🤒 People taking care of each other
🔥 Level 2 sexiness
Fiona West delivers a character-driven tale of love and recovery. This is a book that grips you from the start and has you fighting for a better future right along side this couple. Fiona gradually builds this love story from both perspectives, showing us that friendship and partnership can be the basis of everything. You’ll find great supporting characters, but no buckets of chemistry, just sweet romantic nights.
➡️ If you like the things listed above and sweet small-town romances, this book is for you!
This book is available on KU! 🥰
TW: drug usage recovery.
May 20, 2021
I absolutely love this series from Fiona West. Just Getting Started is another great read about two people finding love in a small town. By no means is this story formulaic or unoriginal, though. It is truly unique and I have not read anything else with this dynamic between its characters.
Lizzie is a police officer who arrested Chase at a public event. He is now sober and moving forward with his life. The connection they have and the love building between them were so well done. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing how they would get their HEA.
The plot moves at a good pace and is emotional without being overly angsty. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Lizzie is a police officer who arrested Chase at a public event. He is now sober and moving forward with his life. The connection they have and the love building between them were so well done. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing how they would get their HEA.
The plot moves at a good pace and is emotional without being overly angsty. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
May 23, 2021
May 18, 2021: Happy Pub Day to Just Getting Started! Buy a copy here!
RTC!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
RTC!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 19, 2021
I love this series and am so happy to get another Timber Falls book!
While in recovery, Chase becomes pen pals with Lizzie, the shy but very capable cop that arrested him. No meet-cute here but these two introverts find themselves writing their own slow burn, true love story. At first, Lizzie is unsure whether to respond but she finds herself drawn to his precise penmanship and concise words. She writes back in her most professional manner but may have left a tiny leeway for another letter from him. The bond they develop in the letters is so deep and their devotion to each other and themselves makes this one hard to put down! Definitely worth a read.
While in recovery, Chase becomes pen pals with Lizzie, the shy but very capable cop that arrested him. No meet-cute here but these two introverts find themselves writing their own slow burn, true love story. At first, Lizzie is unsure whether to respond but she finds herself drawn to his precise penmanship and concise words. She writes back in her most professional manner but may have left a tiny leeway for another letter from him. The bond they develop in the letters is so deep and their devotion to each other and themselves makes this one hard to put down! Definitely worth a read.
May 23, 2021
"Just Getting Started" by Fiona West was a heartwarming story that featured incredibly likable, relatable characters and a sweet romance between protagonists Chase Carpenter and Lizzie Painter. I loved that so much of their courtship took place through letters, which was old-fashioned but completely perfect for them. Stubborn, independent Lizzie was very confident in her work as a sheriff's deputy but shy in social settings, seemingly afraid that others would find her uninteresting if they were allowed to get to know her. Lizzie opened up to Chase in her letters, however, and he couldn't help but be drawn to her. The hard part was convincing her to spend time with him in person!
Having suffered from anxiety myself, I found it very easy to understand and empathize with that part of Chase's background. I really admired his determination to overcome his past mistakes and build a new life for himself. He was so sweet and caring, not only with Lizzie but with his mother and brothers too. Chase's estrangement from his twin, Christopher, was very difficult for him, and I kept rooting for Chase to finally break through Christopher's walls and get to the root of the problem. Over the course of the story, it became clear that there was a lot more to Christopher than it seemed at first, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know him better in the next book of the series.
Overall, I loved "Just Getting Started" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Having suffered from anxiety myself, I found it very easy to understand and empathize with that part of Chase's background. I really admired his determination to overcome his past mistakes and build a new life for himself. He was so sweet and caring, not only with Lizzie but with his mother and brothers too. Chase's estrangement from his twin, Christopher, was very difficult for him, and I kept rooting for Chase to finally break through Christopher's walls and get to the root of the problem. Over the course of the story, it became clear that there was a lot more to Christopher than it seemed at first, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know him better in the next book of the series.
Overall, I loved "Just Getting Started" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 7, 2024
It was good but not really my favourite nor close ig. It was obviously very angsty due to chases addiction but like it didn't feel like they truly clicked. Chase was obsessed from the begining but also like trying not to help her or anything them moves in right away practically. Lizzie however just did not seem to like chase more than friends and more than writting letters. Once chase is back she closes herself off untill chase literally forces her to Interact. While he is love struck he just keeps telling him to leave her alone and gets super angry all the time. From being friendly to Grumpy with every once in a while a small random thought of kissing him or wanting him there then back to Grumpy like what. Even by the end when they got engaged it didn't feel right the way lizzie just randomly says it and the way they act. Idk it was very well written and definitely a slow burn just not my type of slow burn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2021
This was such a sweet and emotional story!! It was actually my first time reading about the people of Timber Falls and I fell in love with the characters. I loved that the author detailed the characters' inner thoughts and struggles so that you were really able to understand what they were thinking and feeling.
Chase is in recovery from a drug addiction and Lizzie is the deputy police officer who arrests him. It's a story of forced proximity, recovery, overcoming anxiety struggles, and learning to trust one another. But most of all, it's a story of two people falling in love against all odds.
Thank you so much to the author for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
CW: drug abuse and overdose, recovery, anxiety
Chase is in recovery from a drug addiction and Lizzie is the deputy police officer who arrests him. It's a story of forced proximity, recovery, overcoming anxiety struggles, and learning to trust one another. But most of all, it's a story of two people falling in love against all odds.
Thank you so much to the author for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
CW: drug abuse and overdose, recovery, anxiety
February 13, 2023
Just getting Started is wonderful
I really enjoyed this story. The deals with addiction and recovery. The story is challenging, but reminds us recovery is a choice and a life long battle. But having support can make it happen each hour, each day, each year if you want it.
I really enjoyed this story. The deals with addiction and recovery. The story is challenging, but reminds us recovery is a choice and a life long battle. But having support can make it happen each hour, each day, each year if you want it.
June 18, 2024
Such A Great Romance Book
This was a very good book about drug addiction. It really had good information and tips to help with recovery. The love of family and friends was very good also. The romance story was fun. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This was a very good book about drug addiction. It really had good information and tips to help with recovery. The love of family and friends was very good also. The romance story was fun. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
July 3, 2021
Great story
I really liked the relationship between the two main characters. I also keep falling more and more in love with the townsfolk. Keep the stories of this world coming!
I really liked the relationship between the two main characters. I also keep falling more and more in love with the townsfolk. Keep the stories of this world coming!
November 14, 2024
What I absolutely love about the stories Fiona West creates are how refreshingly original and relatable they are. While I have never personally been a drug addict or known someone who is, I know that the struggles they go through are real and valid, and it's nice to see someone who is recovering from their addiction shown in a positive way. What makes it even more unique is that the one person who allows him to find redemption is also the person that set him on the path to recovery by arresting him and getting him the help he needed. It shows the humanity that can exist when people show compassion and forgiveness towards each other. I wish more people were like this couple.
Officer Lizzie Painter doesn't handle social interactions well. She's a great police officer, she takes care of her grandmother while she lives with her, and she loves her yellow labrador, Pancake. But meeting strangers? Being emotionally available to friends and neighbors? Absolutely not. Which makes it all the more out of character when she begins exchanging letters with a man she once arrested - Chase Carpenter. Chase initially sent an email to Lizzie while in rehab, to thank her for arresting him and letting her know he's now in a successful rehab program. Lizzie doesn't normally keep in touch with those she's arrested, but there's something about Chase's letter that compels her to write back. Soon they become pen pals, going from acquaintances to true friends. But when Chase completes the program and moves back to Timber Falls, the dynamic shifts, and now Lizzie must confront her insecurities if she wants their relationship to work. It's early for Chase to be entering into a relationship with anyone, but Lizzie is special. When their worlds collide, things are messy. Love often is.
Chase and Lizzie were so adorable together. While they didn't appear in sync at first, I soon realized that they actually were very much in tune with each other's emotions and ways of being that most people might miss. Chase doesn't push Lizzie, even though he desperately wants to maintain their friendship and possibly develop something more. He recognizes that she's shy, which is frankly an understatement, and he does everything he can to make her feel comfortable with him. He begins writing her letters again, keeping a distance between them since in person makes her nervous. When circumstances change and they are thrown together, he respects her need for space while also ensuring that he can be there if she needs him too. Lizzie, poor thing, I just wanted to give her a hug for most of the book. She was so insecure about herself, because she didn't fit in with society's expectations, and she worried that Chase wouldn't like who she really is. I liked seeing her character open up over time, come out of her shell just a little and see her own value. Chase did that for her. Towards the end, trust is tested, and I was very sad to see them both struggle to get through what it meant for their relationship. It was hard for me, as someone not understanding addiction, to wrap my head around why what had happened was so wrong. I could see both sides, and it killed me to read how much pain they both felt. There was a HEA but it was not an easy road to get there.
I haven't read any other books in the Timber Falls series, so don't feel like you have to in order to enjoy this book! I certainly will go back and read them now. As always, very impressed by Fiona West's writing.
**I received a free copy from the author and I have a relationship with the author as a paid beta reader for other books. This is my honest review.**
Officer Lizzie Painter doesn't handle social interactions well. She's a great police officer, she takes care of her grandmother while she lives with her, and she loves her yellow labrador, Pancake. But meeting strangers? Being emotionally available to friends and neighbors? Absolutely not. Which makes it all the more out of character when she begins exchanging letters with a man she once arrested - Chase Carpenter. Chase initially sent an email to Lizzie while in rehab, to thank her for arresting him and letting her know he's now in a successful rehab program. Lizzie doesn't normally keep in touch with those she's arrested, but there's something about Chase's letter that compels her to write back. Soon they become pen pals, going from acquaintances to true friends. But when Chase completes the program and moves back to Timber Falls, the dynamic shifts, and now Lizzie must confront her insecurities if she wants their relationship to work. It's early for Chase to be entering into a relationship with anyone, but Lizzie is special. When their worlds collide, things are messy. Love often is.
Chase and Lizzie were so adorable together. While they didn't appear in sync at first, I soon realized that they actually were very much in tune with each other's emotions and ways of being that most people might miss. Chase doesn't push Lizzie, even though he desperately wants to maintain their friendship and possibly develop something more. He recognizes that she's shy, which is frankly an understatement, and he does everything he can to make her feel comfortable with him. He begins writing her letters again, keeping a distance between them since in person makes her nervous. When circumstances change and they are thrown together, he respects her need for space while also ensuring that he can be there if she needs him too. Lizzie, poor thing, I just wanted to give her a hug for most of the book. She was so insecure about herself, because she didn't fit in with society's expectations, and she worried that Chase wouldn't like who she really is. I liked seeing her character open up over time, come out of her shell just a little and see her own value. Chase did that for her. Towards the end, trust is tested, and I was very sad to see them both struggle to get through what it meant for their relationship. It was hard for me, as someone not understanding addiction, to wrap my head around why what had happened was so wrong. I could see both sides, and it killed me to read how much pain they both felt. There was a HEA but it was not an easy road to get there.
I haven't read any other books in the Timber Falls series, so don't feel like you have to in order to enjoy this book! I certainly will go back and read them now. As always, very impressed by Fiona West's writing.
**I received a free copy from the author and I have a relationship with the author as a paid beta reader for other books. This is my honest review.**
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews