Begin Again

Andie Rose arrives at Blue Ridge State University for her second attempt at freshman year, after withdrawing from her previous college due to anxiety. She quickly gets involved in campus life, joining the school paper and making new friends while trying to stick to her detailed ten-step plan for academic and social success. Her new life includes an unexpected romance with a fellow student, despite her determination to focus solely on classes and activities. Meanwhile, she works to navigate complicated family dynamics back home and maintain connections with her childhood best friend. The story tracks Andie's journey through her first semester as she confronts past academic struggles, develops new relationships, and learns to balance her drive for perfection with reality. She discovers that plans and checklists can't account for everything life throws her way. The novel explores themes of second chances, self-discovery, and the courage to deviate from carefully constructed plans. At its core, it's about finding one's place in the world while learning that imperfection and uncertainty can lead to growth.

Readers found this YA romance predictable but comforting. Many reviews mention strong platonic friendships and mental health representation as highlights. The college setting and character dynamics earned praise, with readers appreciating how the protagonist navigates anxiety and relationship challenges. Likes: - Authentic portrayal of anxiety and therapy - Focus on friendship alongside romance - Campus setting details - Character growth throughout story - Upbeat tone despite heavier themes Dislikes: - Plot follows standard romance formula - Some found the pacing slow in middle sections - Several readers noted repetitive internal monologue - Secondary characters needed more development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (9,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.9/5 "The anxiety rep hit home perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much time spent in the MC's head" - Amazon review "Sweet but nothing groundbreaking" - StoryGraph user

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon Two rival high school seniors fall for each other during a 24-hour scavenger hunt on the last day of school.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord Two teens manage their families' competing restaurants' social media accounts while falling for each other through anonymous text messages.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter A high school senior enlists her next-door neighbor to help her win over her childhood crush through a series of rom-com inspired schemes.

Love & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura A teen takes a summer internship at a museum and gets involved in a fake-dating arrangement that leads to unexpected complications.

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales A bisexual teen who runs an anonymous relationship advice service at school faces her own romantic dilemmas when she falls for her client.

🌟 "Begin Again" is Emma Lord's fourth published novel, following her successful YA contemporary romances "Tweet Cute," "You Have a Match," and "When You Get the Chance." 🎭 The story's protagonist, Andie Rose, is a theater kid-turned-biology major, reflecting Emma Lord's own background of switching career paths and finding unexpected passions. 🎓 The novel accurately portrays the often-overlooked experience of college transfer students, with approximately one-third of all college students transferring at least once during their academic careers. 🎵 Musical theater references are woven throughout the book, particularly nods to "Hadestown" and "Hamilton," showcasing the author's deep knowledge of contemporary Broadway. 🏛️ The book's setting, Blue Ridge State University, is inspired by various colleges in North Carolina's Research Triangle area, where many students pursue both arts and sciences.