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Ridgewater High #0.5
When We Began
What's the first rule when staying at your best friend's house for the week? Don't fall for her older brother.
I never paid much attention to my best friend’s older brother until he refused to kiss me.
After that humiliating day, I promised myself that Liam Turner would regret ever making me feel less than worthy.
But then I got stuck spending the week at his house.
So to make the best of the situation, I made plans to find my next summer boyfriend and flaunt it in Liam’s face.
Revenge was working great until Liam made a U-turn and targeted his charm and hotness on me.
A practice date? Sure. I'd show him what he'd been missing.
Falling for the enemy was not on the agenda.
You can receive a FREE copy of this book by joining Judy's VIP Reader's Club! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/co8iptic2v
I never paid much attention to my best friend’s older brother until he refused to kiss me.
After that humiliating day, I promised myself that Liam Turner would regret ever making me feel less than worthy.
But then I got stuck spending the week at his house.
So to make the best of the situation, I made plans to find my next summer boyfriend and flaunt it in Liam’s face.
Revenge was working great until Liam made a U-turn and targeted his charm and hotness on me.
A practice date? Sure. I'd show him what he'd been missing.
Falling for the enemy was not on the agenda.
You can receive a FREE copy of this book by joining Judy's VIP Reader's Club! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/co8iptic2v
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
336 people are currently reading
2508 people want to read
About the author
Judy Corry
33 books1,391 followersJudy Corry is the USA Today Bestselling Author of YA and Contemporary Romance. She writes romance because she can't get enough of the feeling of falling in love. She's known for writing heart-pounding kisses, endearing characters, and hard-won happily ever afters.
She lives in Southern Utah with the boy who took her to Prom, their four amazing kids, and two dogs. She's addicted to love stories, chai latte's and dark chocolate.
She is represented by Lane Heymont at The Tobias Agency.
Keep updated with Judy and her books here ➜ https://subscribepage.com/judycorry
Find her on Instagram and TikTok: @authorjudycorry
She lives in Southern Utah with the boy who took her to Prom, their four amazing kids, and two dogs. She's addicted to love stories, chai latte's and dark chocolate.
She is represented by Lane Heymont at The Tobias Agency.
Keep updated with Judy and her books here ➜ https://subscribepage.com/judycorry
Find her on Instagram and TikTok: @authorjudycorry
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
September 2, 2022
I wrote the thing, so I better give it 5 stars, right? ;)
In all seriousness, Cassie and Liam's story was so much fun to write. Sometimes you need a book that just makes you happy, and this one did that for me.
It was also super fun to give sneak peeks into where the other characters in the Ridgewater High series were the summer before their stories began. :)
In all seriousness, Cassie and Liam's story was so much fun to write. Sometimes you need a book that just makes you happy, and this one did that for me.
It was also super fun to give sneak peeks into where the other characters in the Ridgewater High series were the summer before their stories began. :)
May 25, 2022
Oh my gosh this book was so cute... like...... XD
I love this author's books so much I can't even...... *totally fangirling lol*
See you later as I spend more money on romance books I totally don't need but really really want XD
I love this author's books so much I can't even...... *totally fangirling lol*
See you later as I spend more money on romance books I totally don't need but really really want XD
May 17, 2019
Super cute! I love Judy Corry's books.
May 21, 2019
Timing is Everything
He liked her when she wasn’t into him. Then he liked her but she didn’t. Timing is everything. Over a dare they start to see each other in a different light. Flirting turns to interest. Maybe what they each wanted was right under their noses all along.
This is a sweet, clean read, suitable for all ages but geared towards teen audiences.
He liked her when she wasn’t into him. Then he liked her but she didn’t. Timing is everything. Over a dare they start to see each other in a different light. Flirting turns to interest. Maybe what they each wanted was right under their noses all along.
This is a sweet, clean read, suitable for all ages but geared towards teen audiences.
May 16, 2019
This book was so much fun! Cassie and Liam have the best banter and this was the perfect length for a quick read. It was fun getting little glimpses into where the other characters of the Ridgewater High series were the summer before everything started. So cute! Loved it!!
May 18, 2019
This was a fun quick read with lots of light humor. It's neat to get both viewpoints too as we get a fuller more satisfying understanding of both characters' hesitations and challenges toward going the next step in a relationship.
March 17, 2020
This is a prequel novella in the Ridgewater High Series that was just published after titles #1-5. If you haven't read any of the series it is a good introduction to the series. If you already have read any of the full length titles in the series, you get the background story of an established couple in the series and a glimpse into some of the other series' heroes and heroines lives the summer before they got together.
This title itself was well written. Though it was an novella it felt like a full length novel. The characterization and personal background stories of the hero and heroine was fully fleshed out as well as their own personal past history knowing each other.
The heroine's background is painful and I glad that both the reader and the hero are told it, so we both can understand and not be confused why she has made the decisions she has in the past.
On the note of communication, I am so glad that this couple were NOT one of those what I call "too stupid to be together because they have misunderstandings that can be resolved if they only talked". I found it refreshing that they were honest and open with each about their thoughts and feelings 99% of the time to the point I would say very bluntly so sometimes.
Their years long history of personally knowing each other because of the hero's sister being the heroine's best friend and the heroine spending one week every summer in the siblings' home made the short time span to both having strong romantic feelings believable.
Language: No profanity.
Sensuality: This particular author writes clean/sweet teen and adult romances, so kissing only.
Source: I subscribed to the author's newsletter through BookFunnel and received a free Kindle (mobi.) download of the title.
This title itself was well written. Though it was an novella it felt like a full length novel. The characterization and personal background stories of the hero and heroine was fully fleshed out as well as their own personal past history knowing each other.
The heroine's background is painful and I glad that both the reader and the hero are told it, so we both can understand and not be confused why she has made the decisions she has in the past.
On the note of communication, I am so glad that this couple were NOT one of those what I call "too stupid to be together because they have misunderstandings that can be resolved if they only talked". I found it refreshing that they were honest and open with each about their thoughts and feelings 99% of the time to the point I would say very bluntly so sometimes.
Their years long history of personally knowing each other because of the hero's sister being the heroine's best friend and the heroine spending one week every summer in the siblings' home made the short time span to both having strong romantic feelings believable.
Language: No profanity.
Sensuality: This particular author writes clean/sweet teen and adult romances, so kissing only.
Source: I subscribed to the author's newsletter through BookFunnel and received a free Kindle (mobi.) download of the title.
May 17, 2019
I love Judy's books and this story was definitely a special treat!
It had a similar feel to My Mistletoe Mix-Up (probably because they're both novellas, lol), but I was totally okay with that!
I liked seeing different characters from the other books and I can't wait to read "Forever Yours"...especially since we'll probably see more of Cassie and Liam. 😏💗
It had a similar feel to My Mistletoe Mix-Up (probably because they're both novellas, lol), but I was totally okay with that!
I liked seeing different characters from the other books and I can't wait to read "Forever Yours"...especially since we'll probably see more of Cassie and Liam. 😏💗
July 7, 2020
“I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for you in case you decide to try and throw me in.”
His eyes lit up. “What a great idea you just gave me.”
I gripped my beach bag. “Don’t even think about it. Revenge is kind of my thing.”
He smiled at me like I’d just presented him with an irresistible challenge. “I’ll look forward to it.”
It was that train of thought that made me realize something.
I was jealous of Bridgett.
Jealous of any girl Liam might be interested in dating.
Which told me one thing.
I liked Liam.
And I wanted him to like me back.
There was only one girl I wanted to charm, and she was currently talking to Luke Davenport somewhere in the woods.
“I still need to get you back for throwing me in the pool.”
“I’m pretty sure that watching you walk off to talk with Luke tonight was torture enough.”
“Fine then. As long as you let me kiss you whenever I want, we’ll call it even.”
“I think I can handle that.”
And instead of climbing out of my car and heading into my house, I leaned over the center console to give her one last kiss.
This was a fun and cute read. The relationship between Liam and Cassie was adorable. The swoon, the banter the laughs, the emotions all in this adorable book. This book gives you little glimpses into where the other characters are before everything starts. 4 stars.
His eyes lit up. “What a great idea you just gave me.”
I gripped my beach bag. “Don’t even think about it. Revenge is kind of my thing.”
He smiled at me like I’d just presented him with an irresistible challenge. “I’ll look forward to it.”
It was that train of thought that made me realize something.
I was jealous of Bridgett.
Jealous of any girl Liam might be interested in dating.
Which told me one thing.
I liked Liam.
And I wanted him to like me back.
There was only one girl I wanted to charm, and she was currently talking to Luke Davenport somewhere in the woods.
“I still need to get you back for throwing me in the pool.”
“I’m pretty sure that watching you walk off to talk with Luke tonight was torture enough.”
“Fine then. As long as you let me kiss you whenever I want, we’ll call it even.”
“I think I can handle that.”
And instead of climbing out of my car and heading into my house, I leaned over the center console to give her one last kiss.
This was a fun and cute read. The relationship between Liam and Cassie was adorable. The swoon, the banter the laughs, the emotions all in this adorable book. This book gives you little glimpses into where the other characters are before everything starts. 4 stars.
June 10, 2023
This was a super cute romance! I loved Cassie & Liam so much! Cassie is staying at her best friends house for a week. Liam is her best friends brother and has always been the boy who pranks her and never looked twice at her. At least that’s what she thought :) Liam liked the old Cassie. The Cassie who didn’t need to wear makeup and flirt with all the guys. When Liam & Cassie are playing a game and are suppose to kiss Liam tells her if he kissed her it would be like kissing his sister. So Cassie never thought twice if Liam liked her or not. So this is their story of realizing they both have liked each other all along and the end is super cute. Very quick read! I loved it!
November 10, 2023
This is a really sweet coming-together, enemies-to-dating story. Judy Corry is rapidly becoming one of my go-to YA romance authors. I loved how sweet Liam was, and how he gently coaxed Cassie into becoming herself again, and not whatever version of herself she thought boys would like.
The other thing I loved about it was how it sets up quite a few other couples that feature in later book.
The other thing I loved about it was how it sets up quite a few other couples that feature in later book.
December 26, 2021
I believe this is just what I needed to get out of my horrible reading slump, a super-fast, simple, cute romance. Nice and easy to follow, not too much drama/conflict, it's just fun and very fluffy! our main two characters I found to be easily likable and just the two together is adorable.
June 22, 2024
I was not expecting such a quick story, but I am glad to have been able to get the background for this romance (I know, I know, it is a Novella). Can't wait to see how the stories come together!
September 10, 2025
Short and sweet.
I liked that the FMC was into makeup and clothes - that’s an unusual FMC and it was fun for a change.
I liked that the FMC was into makeup and clothes - that’s an unusual FMC and it was fun for a change.
May 9, 2022
Cute, sweet romance, too short to have much substance to it but a nice "check in" on all the Ridgewater High characters...
July 9, 2019
A really good beginning to this series!!! Love the practice date!!! A really good beginning to this series!!! Love the practice date!!! Cassie and Liam are adorable!! Loved their banter.
July 21, 2019
Very short quick read. Kind of ends abruptly.
December 29, 2021
For a sort of prequel novella, it really didn’t offer much and since it was short; there was much to the storyline as compared to the rest of the series.
June 2, 2019
**** it's a few that many spoilers in this review***
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
I didn’t even realize that it was a book way before the others. I clearly would’ve heard about well I think I did heard about Cassie wait for no; I believe it been Jess yes, I that other book with his friend. I think but not only that Emerson and his sister best friend way before their book came out.
At first, I thought I wasn’t going to finish this book at all. But I realize I need to stop reading certain books when I am half asleep and really tired because I began not to like the book. But in reality, I liked this book! & was glad that Cassie (who got my name by the way) well more so sort of nickname) though; I bet her real name is Cassandra... I lost track so back to what I was saying I was glad that Cassie & Liam were gotten together in the end. & glad he finally admitted he had feelings for her, but she never admitted to him that it was the same for her! But maybe he knew in the end!
Btw, I’m trying to think was there a book with Luke in it... I believe so but I’m not sure since I’ve read this series a while back and completely forgot, but I do remember Noah, Emerson & Juliette... & Jess best friend! Then boom I realize Luke ended up with Ashlyn 😌 I knew one of the guys ended up with her lol!
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
I didn’t even realize that it was a book way before the others. I clearly would’ve heard about well I think I did heard about Cassie wait for no; I believe it been Jess yes, I that other book with his friend. I think but not only that Emerson and his sister best friend way before their book came out.
At first, I thought I wasn’t going to finish this book at all. But I realize I need to stop reading certain books when I am half asleep and really tired because I began not to like the book. But in reality, I liked this book! & was glad that Cassie (who got my name by the way) well more so sort of nickname) though; I bet her real name is Cassandra... I lost track so back to what I was saying I was glad that Cassie & Liam were gotten together in the end. & glad he finally admitted he had feelings for her, but she never admitted to him that it was the same for her! But maybe he knew in the end!
Btw, I’m trying to think was there a book with Luke in it... I believe so but I’m not sure since I’ve read this series a while back and completely forgot, but I do remember Noah, Emerson & Juliette... & Jess best friend! Then boom I realize Luke ended up with Ashlyn 😌 I knew one of the guys ended up with her lol!
July 14, 2024
When We Began by Judy Corry is a prequel novella to the Ridgewater High series. Cassie never paid much attention to her best friend. Alyssa’s older brother, Liam, until he refused to kiss her during the party game of Seven Minutes of Heaven back in junior high. Now in high school, she has to spend the week with Alyssa and her family while her parents are out of town. She is determined to find her next summer fling and flaunt it in Liam’s face. It was working great until Liam began to target his charms to her. As they begin to hang out and talk, they discover they were wrong about each other and many other things. Falling in love certainly wasn’t in the plans.
When We Began is a short but sweet teen romance with plenty of banter and emotional revelations. Even though it is a novella, it was engaging and felt like a full length novel. It is a clean romance with plenty of heart and fun. I loved Cassie and Liam as individuals and as a couple. Their banter was fun and sweet. It was a wonderful mix of friends/enemies to lovers romance. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I hope to see Cassie and Liam together in the series. While it is a teen romance, readers who love romance will enjoy this story. It is a great story to fill an afternoon. I recommend When We Began.
When We Began is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
When We Began is a short but sweet teen romance with plenty of banter and emotional revelations. Even though it is a novella, it was engaging and felt like a full length novel. It is a clean romance with plenty of heart and fun. I loved Cassie and Liam as individuals and as a couple. Their banter was fun and sweet. It was a wonderful mix of friends/enemies to lovers romance. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I hope to see Cassie and Liam together in the series. While it is a teen romance, readers who love romance will enjoy this story. It is a great story to fill an afternoon. I recommend When We Began.
When We Began is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
September 2, 2024
When we began by Judy Corry 💗
“You deserve a guy who will cherish you. Someone you can let know all the different parts of you and who knows how lucky he is to be with you.”
Rating: 5/5✨
Spicy: 0
Thoughts: 💭
Omg this was such a cute novella! I was looking on Books from the Apple app, and saw this book. When I read the summary I was like that looks kind of cute. So what I did was read it! And to be honest it was the best decision I have ever made to be honest! 😩 So I rated it 5/5 ✨
For this being a short a novel, it was a bit rushed but it lined up the romance story line. But the tropes though!👀 Enemies to Lovers, then best friend brother! Like agh was worth it. I love the relationship Cassie and Liam have to be honest. They grew up with each other and stuff but how they can be normal among each other and do not need to impress one another was cute.
I wish I could say more, but I know for a fact I’m going to read the whole series now!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves:
1) Twisted hate but with no spice
2) Enemies X Lovers
2) Best friend brother
“You deserve a guy who will cherish you. Someone you can let know all the different parts of you and who knows how lucky he is to be with you.”
Rating: 5/5✨
Spicy: 0
Thoughts: 💭
Omg this was such a cute novella! I was looking on Books from the Apple app, and saw this book. When I read the summary I was like that looks kind of cute. So what I did was read it! And to be honest it was the best decision I have ever made to be honest! 😩 So I rated it 5/5 ✨
For this being a short a novel, it was a bit rushed but it lined up the romance story line. But the tropes though!👀 Enemies to Lovers, then best friend brother! Like agh was worth it. I love the relationship Cassie and Liam have to be honest. They grew up with each other and stuff but how they can be normal among each other and do not need to impress one another was cute.
I wish I could say more, but I know for a fact I’m going to read the whole series now!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves:
1) Twisted hate but with no spice
2) Enemies X Lovers
2) Best friend brother
August 26, 2024
This short novella is a great introduction to Judy Corry’s world of Ridgewater High romances. I loved reading about Liam and Cassie and the start of their relationship. I loved the two of them so much I wish this was a full-length novel. The whole story takes place over just a couple of days and just wasn’t enough and I hope to see them still together in the other books.
I also loved that Alyssa, Liam’s sister, was all for her bestie Cassie and Liam getting together. Lots of siblings might be resistant to their best friend and sibling dating since it can be very awkward if the relationship didn’t work out. But Alyssa encouraged Liam to go after Cassie and give it a shot. We love a supportive sister.
Judy Corry’s writing had me kicking my feet at the cuteness and smiling like an idiot.
I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series and Judy’s other books.
If you want a sweet romance without the spice, Judy Corry just may be for you.
I also loved that Alyssa, Liam’s sister, was all for her bestie Cassie and Liam getting together. Lots of siblings might be resistant to their best friend and sibling dating since it can be very awkward if the relationship didn’t work out. But Alyssa encouraged Liam to go after Cassie and give it a shot. We love a supportive sister.
Judy Corry’s writing had me kicking my feet at the cuteness and smiling like an idiot.
I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series and Judy’s other books.
If you want a sweet romance without the spice, Judy Corry just may be for you.
August 30, 2024
I love the trope, best friends brother don’t get me wrong, and this was a fast read. But the way that the fmc is posed as an insecure, serial dater is so annoying and the way that the mmc didn’t see that as a red flag is insane.
Honestly short book with short chapters so realistically I can’t complain since content needs to be built faster. We can’t even pose this as if both characters hated each other (per what the book says) because they didn’t. He just threw her in the pool and she put shaving cream on his hand and that was the premise of their ‘hate’ relationship. Also the instant change from the mmc being annoying to all of a sudden the best guy ever and she has a crush on him now cause he let her talk about her daddy issues and her other 6 week relationships didn’t. Absolutely crazy. I needed more tension build up fr. Their chemistry was about the same as a stale piece of bread.
Nonetheless, it was a clean book and so that’s an added star:)
Honestly short book with short chapters so realistically I can’t complain since content needs to be built faster. We can’t even pose this as if both characters hated each other (per what the book says) because they didn’t. He just threw her in the pool and she put shaving cream on his hand and that was the premise of their ‘hate’ relationship. Also the instant change from the mmc being annoying to all of a sudden the best guy ever and she has a crush on him now cause he let her talk about her daddy issues and her other 6 week relationships didn’t. Absolutely crazy. I needed more tension build up fr. Their chemistry was about the same as a stale piece of bread.
Nonetheless, it was a clean book and so that’s an added star:)
June 9, 2023
"When We Began" by Judy Corry was such a sweet and fun novella. The summer setting was great and I enjoyed getting to know Cassie and Liam. The author has done very well creating three-dimensional characters who feel like real people all in a novella that is under 150 pages. As we get to know Cassie, we learn about her familial difficulties with her father and how that has impacted her. The speed of the story was just right. It didn't feel rushed or tedious. The writing style was smooth and the story was interesting, sweet, and lots of fun. This is the first story I've read from this author. I can't wait to read more! In addition to the emotional depth, there were lots of lighthearted and amusing moments. "When We Began" was very fun to read and encompasses the bright and sunny feeling of summer. I highly recommend!
December 28, 2023
Another sweet book from the slow burn queen @judycorry 😉 Short and sweet. Best friend’s brother trope. A tad of fake dating/dating practice. A bit of forced proximity. Even a splash of enemies to lovers. Loved the mixture of all these tropes. This is a quick feel good read. I would have liked for it to have been longer. But alas, it IS a novella. I love this couple-Cassie and Liam. Who am I kidding, I love all of Judy’s couples. Even though this is a series, I read it as a stand alone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #bookstagrammer #sweetromance #cleanromancenovels #cleanreadsauthors #judycorry #bestfriendsbrother #enemiestolovers #forcedproximity #yabooks #whenwebegan
January 6, 2020
This is a good introduction to the Ridgewater High series. I loved the idea that Cassie and Liam grew up together, so they know what each other is like when they aren't trying to impress anyone. The practice date was great. I like the mention of the characters that are to be the main characters in the next book. It just flowed nicely.
This was a quick read and kept me entertained throughout the whole book. It had enough humor to make me laugh out loud (at times). No profanity or sexual content, other than passionate kissing. This is a cute, clean high school romance book.
This was a quick read and kept me entertained throughout the whole book. It had enough humor to make me laugh out loud (at times). No profanity or sexual content, other than passionate kissing. This is a cute, clean high school romance book.
January 23, 2024
This little novella is really nice for in between.
You already know these stories, but I still liked this one.
Liam is Cassie's best friend's big brother, they've known each other for a while, but the timing just wasn't right. I love that there isn't a lot of back and forth. It's a love story that makes you smile without all that drama.
I also thought it was great that you got little glimpses into the past. For once, Liam wasn't really an ass, he just couldn't handle his feelings before and was afraid to show them. Just like Cassie.
You already know these stories, but I still liked this one.
Liam is Cassie's best friend's big brother, they've known each other for a while, but the timing just wasn't right. I love that there isn't a lot of back and forth. It's a love story that makes you smile without all that drama.
I also thought it was great that you got little glimpses into the past. For once, Liam wasn't really an ass, he just couldn't handle his feelings before and was afraid to show them. Just like Cassie.
April 15, 2021
Another Judy Corry winner! I’ve never read a YA novel, as an adult anyway, and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel reading about two teens falling in love. But it took me by surprise. This is another sweet novella, an enemies to lovers/best friend’s sibling. This is my second book by Judy and I am a fan of her work! This was also the first book I read written in first person, which I found I enjoyed! She earned a new fan!
October 5, 2021
Idk if it’s a one star or 1.5 but this book was a disappointment. I loved her other books so I’m just ??? confused why this one was so bad?? It was so rushed and it felt like they had no connection. Novella or not, the process should still go smoothly. Judy why😭 all your other books were amazing and then there’s this. Liam and Cassie… your love story sucked. 1/10 (I either like it or I don’t, so there you go)
March 18, 2024
This book was such a cute read. Liam had a crush on Cassie when he was a freshman year and when they went into a closet for seven minutes in heaven he made a comment about it being like kissing his sister because he was nervous and that caused them to always fight. They spent a day together and realized how much they enjoyed being with each other and liked the other one. One of them just needed to confess what they feel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews