My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads Summary
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
My Review
I think this might be my favorite Melissa Tagg novel yet! I enjoyed Three Little Words, and highly recommend that you read it first, so you can meet the Walkers and read Seth and Ava’s story, first though.
While this novel had light hearted moments, and entertaining witty banter, it also had a depth that was beautifully written and interwoven flawlessly into the story. Healing is a very important aspect of this book, whether it be from past hurts and insecurities, cancer (not a main character, just so you know), a life changing injury, or a heart wrenching loss. Add in aspects such as figuring out where God is leading you, finding your calling and inspiration in life, learning to trust, and you have a very fulfilling story to read. I found myself rooting for all of the characters in From the Start, from Colton and Kate, to a little boy, the other Walker family members, a foster teen, and an alone and pregnant young adult. Every single character quickly wedged their way into my heart, and I found myself hoping and praying for them. For there is a beautiful faith, hope, and resilience to be found within the pages of From the Start. Some may have to start over again from the beginning, but it is NOT the end!
I really liked Kate and Colton. Kate was determined to do something to make a difference, just like her mother did, but what if she is meant to do so in a different way than she has planned? I completely related to Kate’s wish to make a difference, and her lack of football knowledge (I’m the one who didn’t exactly realize there was a difference between College and Pro football until last summer - not my dad’s proudest moment lol)! With that said, I still appreciated the football aspects of From the Start, and found it very interesting. Colton was so sweet, and really enjoyed seeing him grow and change in small town Maple Valley. As he discovered family, and what new direction he was meant to turn his life in, he became even more likeable!
There were so many sweet moments, humorous moments, heartfelt and heartwrenching moments, and so much more! I feel that Ms. Tagg has many more heartfelt and entertaining, real life stories in store for us through the lives of the Walker family, and I can’t wait to read them!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?
My Review
I think this might be my favorite Melissa Tagg novel yet! I enjoyed Three Little Words, and highly recommend that you read it first, so you can meet the Walkers and read Seth and Ava’s story, first though.
While this novel had light hearted moments, and entertaining witty banter, it also had a depth that was beautifully written and interwoven flawlessly into the story. Healing is a very important aspect of this book, whether it be from past hurts and insecurities, cancer (not a main character, just so you know), a life changing injury, or a heart wrenching loss. Add in aspects such as figuring out where God is leading you, finding your calling and inspiration in life, learning to trust, and you have a very fulfilling story to read. I found myself rooting for all of the characters in From the Start, from Colton and Kate, to a little boy, the other Walker family members, a foster teen, and an alone and pregnant young adult. Every single character quickly wedged their way into my heart, and I found myself hoping and praying for them. For there is a beautiful faith, hope, and resilience to be found within the pages of From the Start. Some may have to start over again from the beginning, but it is NOT the end!
I really liked Kate and Colton. Kate was determined to do something to make a difference, just like her mother did, but what if she is meant to do so in a different way than she has planned? I completely related to Kate’s wish to make a difference, and her lack of football knowledge (I’m the one who didn’t exactly realize there was a difference between College and Pro football until last summer - not my dad’s proudest moment lol)! With that said, I still appreciated the football aspects of From the Start, and found it very interesting. Colton was so sweet, and really enjoyed seeing him grow and change in small town Maple Valley. As he discovered family, and what new direction he was meant to turn his life in, he became even more likeable!
There were so many sweet moments, humorous moments, heartfelt and heartwrenching moments, and so much more! I feel that Ms. Tagg has many more heartfelt and entertaining, real life stories in store for us through the lives of the Walker family, and I can’t wait to read them!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This in no way affected my opinions, and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
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