Begin Again With You

Haven Bay #6

by Alexa Rivers

She’s the ex-wife of a con man. He’s the hunky librarian she once rejected. Sparks fly when he becomes her boss, but can they put the past behind them to try again?

Jobless and homeless, Charity St. John is forced to return to her small hometown with her tail between her legs. Years have passed since the scandal that blew her glamorous life apart, but no one in Haven Bay has forgotten… or forgiven.

Unfortunately, her new boss, Kyle Pride, is the guy she publicly shot down in high school. To make matters worse, he grew into a gorgeous and thoughtful man, but he wants nothing to do with her.

Charity is determined to prove she’s worthy of a second chance with Kyle, but how can they build a future together when the shadow of their past lingers?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Enemies To Lovers

Unknown Binding

Published May 16, 2022

About the author

Alexa Rivers writes about genuine characters living messy, imperfect lives and earning hard-won happily ever afters. Most of her books are set in small towns, and she lives in one of these herself. She shares a house with a neurotic dog and a husband who thinks he’s hilarious.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, baking, eating too much chocolate, cuddling fluffy animals, drinking excessive amounts of tea, and absorbing herself in fictional worlds.

Reviews

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I have to say is that Charity is much more forgiving and kinder than I am!! How people treated her and how she was attacked by a reporter and no one did anything, disgusting. I would not have forgiven any of those fuckers, but she's not me. She's so sweet and amazing. So glad she apologized to Kyle for who she was when she was younger and they make a cute couple. Logan can fuck right off a cliff

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters and is a story of forgiveness, redemption and love. The author once again does a wonderful job painting her scenes and moving the story fluidly. I loved reading Charity and Kyle's story and would highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Susan S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa Rivers did a fabulous job with this book for so many reasons. First, This book was well written. Rivers writes well defined characters and a story that flows easily from beginning to end. The way she describes her native New Zealand always makes me want to plan my next vacation there! Second, I always love it when an author includes characters from the other books in the series. In "Begin Again With You", just about everyone makes an appearance! Third, I found it very interesting the way Rivers had the male lead (Kyle) a victim of bullying during his teenage years. I haven't read about bullying in very many romance books. It was fascinating to read about a man who grew up harrassed as a child (let alone by the heroine) to the point where even as an attractive man that has women wanting to date him, he still has a vulnerablitity about him. Fourth, Rivers did a wonderful job creating the irony of Charity (h) experiencing what it is like to be bullied only as an adult. This story takes on such a profound connection between Kyle and Charity that makes you cheer for them throughout the story.
My favorite quote from the story: "Things tend to work out better for men when they listen to the women in their lives." !!!! LOVE IT !
I thouroughly enjoyed everything about "Begin Again With You" and would highly recommend it.
I received and ARC for an honest review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Chance At Redemption And Forever -
The last thing on Charity’s mind when she return to her hometown, was working for the guy she humiliated back in high school or actually falling for him as a adult. Kyle was happy with being single, but everything changed once his brother shared his ideal woman list and his high school crush, Charity, returned and started working for him.

I was really impressed with Kyle’s decision to give Charity the benefit of the doubt and accept her, flaws and all. In addition, Charity’s strength and determination to persevere whilst she was being persecuted, was truly admirable. However, after reading this story, I realised I wouldn’t want to live in a small town like Haven Bay, where everyone gets involved in your life and wants to tell you what to do. I appreciate there are also benefits to small town living; like neighbours helping when you need it and family proximity.

If you are looking for a moving and entertaining story, that will keep you interested from the first page until the final word, then this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begin Again with You-This book was very emotional. It is about shame, forgiveness, betrayal, guilt, holding grudges, and love. In high school, she stomped all over his ego and turned him into even more of an introvert. Then she got with the wrong man and turned her entire hometown against her. Now she has had to move back and hope that someone besides her sister will give her a chance. Of course, she would run into him and when she realizes who he is the guilt comes especially when his boss is the only one willing to hire her. The more time the two former school mates spend together the more he realizes that things just aren't adding up where she is concerned, and he decides to learn more. Their road to being together is full of pitfalls including The Love List, the Bridge Club, his brother and her ex-husband. Will she ever be able to call Haven Bay home again? What will it take for her to finally get the happiness that she has been searching for? I hope that you will enjoy reading this story and finding out the answers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book as part of the Haven Bay 2nd boxed set. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity wasn’t a nice person, she burned a lot of bridges, and made even more enemies when news of her husband’s financial schemes that hurt so many came to light. She can’t escape his harassment even from prison and her home town’s condemnation. Even hot librarian Kyle wasn’t sure if he could accept her because of how she humiliated him as a teen, but he’s forced to give her a trial basis assistant job. But she’s not the same person she was before. She shows that in how she enjoys helping other especially reading to the kids and participates in some of the things he loves. I’ve never been to a comic convention but it sounds like a blast and I loved how Charity was researching it for Kyle’s sake but came to enjoy it too. I laughed at all the ladies the bridge club were throwing at him once he announced he was looking for the one. Kyle is a sexy nerd who realizes that love doesn’t follow a list, your enemy can become your lover, and how important it is to take a risk every once in a while for love.

[Kay Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I couldn’t read fast enough but then as I approached the last chapters, I didn’t want it to end.
Charity has reluctantly returned home, moving in with her sister and family, because she is broke and has no where else to go. Added to that, she was a trophy wife for a convicted swindler who is now in prison. He took lots money from people in this town and they’re not welcoming her back to say the least. She’s treated as an outcast in this small town she was raised in.
She is offered only one job, at the local library. The librarian is a former high school acquaintance that she had loudly embarrassed when she verbally turned him down for prom. Neither forgot the incident. However, he has grown into a hottie in the years since school and their chemistry is immediate.
This is a fascinating book with a wonderful well developed storyline, fascinating characters and guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I received this as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review

[Shebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Rivers does it again!

Haven Bay is one of my favourite fictional beachside towns filled with characters I not only care about but seek out. This story is no exception.

I've been curious about Kyle since Sterling attended poker night in book 1. His reserved nature - especially in contrast to his brother Logan - and introverted manner were markers of a hidden man worth discovering, and I'm glad Charity was the one to help with said excavation. With her fiesty shell and soft centre, she and Kyle complemented each other well.

I felt awful for Charity when we caught snippets of her past earlier in the series. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle for her in Haven Bay, but I'm so glad she persevered.

As for Charity and Kyle... wowee! Their odd frenemy work situation fostered the perfect environment for a true friendship-or-more relationship to incubate within the library walls. Plenty of heat and heart, and the usual crazy townsfolk I love to see.

PS We need more of Gray!!!!!!!! 😍

NB I received an ARC of this novel

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making mends with your hometown! This was an awesome story. Charity St. John and Kyle have known each other since high school, although Kyle had feelings for Charity, she shot him down in front of everyone and humiliated him along the way. Well, Charity is back in town as her ex-husband is in jail for conning many out of their hard earn money including several people where she grew up. As she returns home, she makes several stops because she needs a job and she use to be a barista, well that doesn’t go well, and she is humiliated but does the respectful thing and walks out with her head hung. Of course, the story then becomes of Kyle and Charity, which is very cute, but some secrets that she hasn’t shared with many come out and this is where things go south for her at one point. Again, this story is great, and it captivated me from the beginning!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will She Get Another Chance ? . . .

This story shows the reader both the good and bad sides of small town living. For Charity St. John, returning to Haven Bay is a painful experience. She is now jobless and homeless, her scandal still front-and-center in everyone’s mind. She’s the talk of the town, but not in a good way. The gossips won’t let anyone forget. And the job she gets as an assistant at the library makes Kyle Pride, the man she once hurt and rejected, her boss. Everyone in town wishes she had not come back.

At first, Kyle wants nothing to do with her. But he has observed that Charity is not the woman he remembers from their past. She has changed and he sees that she is hurting. Will he be able to show her kindness and compassion to start the healing process she needs? Or will he ignore her and let her deal the circumstances she brought onto herself? And if he accepts her, will the town give her a chance as well?

[Laura Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begin Again With You is a second chance love story. Alexa Rivers writes heartfelt love stories. Her characters endure life struggles to come out on top with a committed partner. I enjoy her books.

The main characters attend school together. Charity St. John treated Kyle Pride poorly in high school. It affected how Kyle presided in his life. When Charity returns to town, several people in town shunned and treated Charity poorly. Kyle against his better judgment agrees to hire Charity to work at the local library with him.

Charity had suffered from her poor choices in life. She returns home to get a start on a new life with plans to be in and out of town as soon as possible. When Kyle gives her a job, her life starts to turn around. Can Kyle and the town forgive Charity for things that weren’t in her control?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charity has been through a lot but her home town that she’s been forced to move back to only sees her as a villain. Kyle is the town nice guy and is a hot bachelor to boot. Charity and Kyle have bad history from high school and he’s as anti-Charity as the rest of the town but his boss hired her to work with him. After an unfortunate scene he starts to realise that Charity is no longer the “princess” from school nor does she match what the town says. Their feelings start to grow and together they decide to take a chance on each other but it’s not all smooth sailing with some meddling from his brother and the Bridge Club ladies their romance is shot down before it really starts. But Charity has decided to lay her past out for all to see and maybe they’ll realise that she’s not so bad after all. Sweet, emotional, a little steamy but a beautiful story all up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity and Kyle have a history - she was the popular girl, he was the nerd. When he publicly asked her to a school dance in high school, she was cruel and rude. That moment had an impact on both of their lives. Fast forward many years and Charity is back in their home town, hated by more than just Kyle. Her ex-husband scammed people out of money, including many in her hometown. Staying with her sister to regroup and find a job, she ends up working with Kyle at the library. Can they move past that bad moment to at least be friendly colleagues? Or will the attraction Kyle has always felt for her re-surface?

I have read some of the other books in this series but not all - I have liked all the ones I have read. I think this works as a stand alone, but if you have read the others, you would know more about Kyle’s friends and Charity’s sister Faith. All the characters are well-written and are people you would know.

I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charity has come home with her tail between her legs. Penniless, she moves in with her sister's family. And who does she need to take a job with? Kyle, the boy, now sexy man, who Charity humiliated in high school.
Through reading the book, we find out that Charity has a kind personality underneath her brittle outer shell. The one she'd erected after finding out that her husband cheated people out of their life savings and everyone assumed she was in on it.

Slowly, the real Charity emerges, but she's ready to crawl back into herself at the slightest provocation. Great love story. Some sexy love scenes so this is best for mature audiences.

This is the sixth book of the series, the third in the Haven Bay Series Books 4-6 book.

I love Alexa River's books. The first book I'd read has an unforgettable character and he is introduced in this book, although sparingly. I found Charity and Kyle's story to be very touching.

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity St. John comes ack home devastated an has to live with her jolly Sister an her Sister’s family. Due to her devious past no one is willing to take a risk on heart hire her. The one job that is willing to hire her on trial basis she has to report to the alpha male she publicly humiliated in High School. Talk about down on your luck. Charity’s Sister has faith in her. Charity stumbles upon this peace of land in Haven Bay an makes friends with the town recluse. After all the emotional trauma slowly Charity rises out of her shell of just flying under the radar an dealing with her demons. Kyle Pride, the same nerdy guy who just wanted to take Charity on a date shows Charity that her life has meaning as he rescues her from the older Women of the towns Bridge Club who don’t forget anything an has a young woman for Haven Bay’s hunk of a Librarian. This was a fun read, realistic plot an fun storyline. I read this novel for an honest review for an advanced reading copy.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

With no other options, Charity returns to Haven Bay divorced, broke and homeless. She wasn't always nice when she was younger, and not everyone is welcoming, blaming her for the actions of her ex-husband. Now she's working for Kyle, and feeling guilty for the way she treated him when they were in high school. She doesn't tick off anything on his girlfriend wish list, but he feels a huge zing when he's around her. I love how easily he forgives her for her past treatment, preferring to see only the best in her. This is the first time in the series that I didn't like the Bridge Club, finding them to be closed-minded and judgmental. It was great to be reading in Haven Bay again; I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Charity and Kyle. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 6 in this amazing Heaven Bay Series. A second chance romance between Kyle and Charity. Charity is Faith’s younger sister who comes back to her home town after a messy divorce and scandalous case of fraud involving her ex husband. He was a prominent investor who stole from his clients and was found guilty and sentenced to jail. However, Charity was at the receiving end of all the clients wrath’s including Kyle whom she humiliated and mistreated back in high school. This story deals with sensitive issues such as rejection, abandonment, manipulations, deceit and trust. Kyle and Charity will have to face each other again and deal with their past issues as well as their present ones where secrets are revealed and forgiveness is given. A story that will captivate you from the very beginning !

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courage
I admired both Charity and Kyle for their courage: down on her luck and having no other place to go Charity returns to the place she´d rather not be, her hometown where everybody blames her for her ex husband´s fraud and where she behaved in a manner she is still ashamed of after all these years. Being shunned publicly left a mark, but Kyle is able to see the good that came out of it, he is able to forgive Charity and takes the leap to give their relationship a second chance, although Charity doesn´t tick off all the boxes on his wish list for a partner for life. They show us, that mending fences and going after what you want is possible even though chances might look slim on the outside.
I received this book as a review copy.

[Anne Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life has taught Charity some hard lessons, but can the man she loves believe in them? This is a book that pulls at your heartstrings, between Charity’s determination to make good on what she sees as her guilt and her actual historical guilt, and the general disbelief of the town. It’s a fine line she treads, and her generosity of spirit, particularly in respect of others’ lack of belief in her, is frankly touching. And then there’s Kyle – hunk extraordinaire, with real reason not to want anything to do with Charity. The small hiccup in that plan is falling in love with her, but it’s a love that has a side of doubt for a while. This is a good read, the characters are uniformly well written, and I hope we see more of Grey!

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity starts off popular, becomes a bit of a bully, then is a trophy wife for a man who bilks money from everyone around. She did not know and gives everything she can back in trust, coming back to town to stay with her sister until she can stand on her feet again. Kyle is a fellow classmate that she bullied in front of all when he asked her to the dance. Now the only job she can get is to be his assistant at the library. Cringe worthy time.
Loved the characters, their determination and caring natures. The storyline is a roller coaster of drama, betrayal, secrets, surprises, reconnecting, strength, redemption, acceptance and so much more. Loved the ending and future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity has come home to Haven Bay after her life implodes. She's divorced her conman husband, lost her job and her accommodation. She knows things will be tough but she can stay with her sister, Fiona, until she gets back on her feet.
Now she needs a job. She tries everywhere, there's an assistant librarian job, no experience necessary. She goes to apply and bumps into Kyle, except he's changed from the geeky nerd she was so horrible to at school. A fact she's really ashamed of, she wasn't a nice person then.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great read in the series from Alexa.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almost a second chance story. Kyle and Charity knew each other in high school, but she had humiliated him then and he had never forgotten it. With circumstances beyond her control made her return to her home town, it was not easy. The town held her ex-husband's crimes against her and it was hard. When the only person in town that would give her a job was Kyle, it was awkward at first, but then they got to know each other better.
The story did have alot going for it and all the characters were interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity has to return to her hometown of Haven Bay after her divorce from the conman that took money from many of the residents in town. She moves in with her sister until she can get a job but no one wants to hire her until she sees a ad for a librarian assistant. When she goes to apply for the job she runs into Kyle who was a nerd in school and she was not very nice to him but now he has grown into a handsome nice man. This is a sweet romance with Charity and Kyle who did not have a very good past but he wanted to help her get back on her feet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I loved being back in Haven Bay where the townsfolk have your back and romance will find you whether you like the person or not which happens to be Kyles case. The way Charity use to act to how she is now is quiet different and I get her putting up a false wall of how she acts, but you can't lie to yourself nor others of how you really feel for long so seeing her and Kyle being forced together in a way enabled them to both see who they are now which leads to some laughs, a few tears, frustrations and a HEA that is well deserved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ash Juillet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyle was adorable. He was basically the son of Steve and Bucky (one of my OTPs), so that was another reason I loved him. Physically, he was a mixture of Stucky, but emotionally, he was Steve Rogers.

What I liked most about him was that although he was reluctant to make nice with Charity after everything that had happened between them in high school, he quickly came around to thinking she was wonderful.

I didn't like Logan and how he kept on trying to break Charity and Kyle up, although I understand he thought he was doing what he considered to be best for his brother. Still, his stilted apology at the end of the book didn't make me like him any better.

[lissyloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Charity and Kyle. Charity is not proud of her past, and has crawled back to her home town in desperate need of a fresh start. The town is not eager to have her back and neither is Kyle, her new boss, a boy from high school that she was not kind to. It is a second chance romance with some hot and steamy scenes. It is written in the third person and isn’t as easy to read as a 1st person story. It did have an interesting storyline that had me engaged and not wanting to put the book down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Kyle and Charity’s story. It’s a sweet engaging story that had me totally in engrossed and entertained. It’s a story of second chances. She returns home to Haven Bay after her life is dissolving, she’s divorced her husband who was a ConMan trying to get a job but can’t find anything. She bumped into Kyle who she was horrible to in school and he’s changed and now she’s ashamed for what she did. Kyle is able to forgive her and the relationship starts. It was a great read and very enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beth Gildersleeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of small-town, steamy romance! Charity comes back to Haven Bay as her last resort and the townspeople make it clear she's not welcome. She finally lands a job working in the library. Too bad her hunky new boss, Kyle, is the boy she humiliated in high school. But as they spend time together, they realize their assumptions about the other one are wrong. The only question is, can they change the minds and the hearts of the people in Haven Bay before it's too late? I received an ARC and am freely leaving my review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity had been the high school beauty queen and had treated Kyle terribly. She graduated and later became a trophy wife until she was pushed out! Homeless she had to return home to live. But the town treats her like a pariah. She gets a job as an assistant to Kyle at the library and he’s not happy! He’s a hunk now but he still remembers her treatment of him from high school. But after working together he can see below the surface that she’s hurting. Can he help her heal? Will it lead to more? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Testing times
This book is about Charity and Kyle. She’s returning to her home town, but is understandably worried about how they will all receive her. As expected, her reception is cold, thanks to her lying ex-husband’s money-hustling ways. When Charity and Kyle first see each other, she doesn’t recognise him, but he remembers who she is immediately. After all the hurt she caused him years ago, will he be one of the few to actually welcome her back? I give this book four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.