Official Review: Start Again by J. Saman

Please use this subforum to discuss romance or erotic books.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
AA1495
Posts: 1210
Joined: 17 Aug 2016, 14:45
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 19636">Out of the Box Awakening</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 122
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aa1495.html
Latest Review: YiaYia’s Kitchen by Brianna Koucos Midgley

Official Review: Start Again by J. Saman

Post by AA1495 »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Start Again" by J. Saman.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Review: Start Again by J. Saman

Start Again by J. Saman is the first book in the Start Again series and belongs to the romance genre. A secondary character of this book features as the protagonist of the next book.

Kate wants to leave the city. She needs to get away, to leave all her memories behind. However, she does not know where she wants to go, or what she wants to do. She comes up with a plan of going from city to city, in search of a place which feels right. After ridiculing Kate’s idea, her mother proposes an idea of her own – to drive her friend’s son across the country, to Seattle. An argument later, Kate has two choices – either to drive her mother’s friend’s son to Seattle or to talk to her mother constantly (over the phone) while she goes on her own trip. She chooses the former.

Ryan needs to go to Seattle in a month, and he does not fly. He plans on renting a car, but when the option of driving along with Kate comes up, he takes the offer. After all, Kate (or Katie, as he remembers her) has been his dream woman since he was ten. When they meet, he proposes to make the trip a little more enjoyable by stopping at a few cities along the way. That’s when the adventure begins.

Without giving away any spoilers, I have to say that the book is much more dramatic and complicated than it seems. Both Kate and Ryan have issues of their own. In fact, the book begins with a scene where Kate is devastated. Two years later, she is still trying to move on. She tries to convince herself that she can get into a relationship, but feels guilty every time something happens between Ryan and her. In addition to this, Ryan’s fear of aircrafts, his ex-girlfriend, his alcoholic parents and creepy strangers come into the picture. If you are looking for a quick and sweet romance story, this book is not for you.

Kate and Ryan’s characters are well developed and described. Kate was adventurous, sensible, practical and funny. There were times when she seemed weak, when she chose the easy way out, but in all instances, her choices and actions were understandable. On the other hand, Ryan was the perfect travel companion. He understood and respected Kate’s choices, was loyal and loved spoiling her. The story is told from both the characters’ perspectives, which allowed me to understand their feelings and connect with them.

I loved the author’s writing style. While the plot was predictable at times, the writing style made the book very interesting to read. The events and surroundings were well described. There were many secondary characters, but the author handled them well and each character was relevant to the plot. Further, after reading a few chapters, I had many questions in mind and I liked how each question was addressed by the end of the book. However, I thought that some scenes were irrelevant to the plot and made the pace of the book a little slow. I would have enjoyed the book much more if the author had skipped a few scenes in the first half of the book.

I came across a few grammatical and editing errors such as “She has on more makeup” and “under neither” (instead of “underneath”). However, these did not interrupt my flow of reading. Overall, despite the errors, the book seemed well edited and formatted.

I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed reading the book and wanted to finish it in one reading. The characters are likable and well developed. Further, the author’s writing style is what I liked best about the book. However, a few scenes seemed irrelevant to the plot and made the pace of the book a little slow. The book has some mature content. I would recommend it to adults who like romance books and do not mind the slow pace.

******
Start Again
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like AA1495's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11682
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Currently Reading: Believarexic
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

I don't read many romance books, but this seems interesting. I like that is more complicated than the typical romance, however I don't like books that are slow pace. Thanks for the review though.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
AA1495
Posts: 1210
Joined: 17 Aug 2016, 14:45
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 19636">Out of the Box Awakening</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 122
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aa1495.html
Latest Review: YiaYia’s Kitchen by Brianna Koucos Midgley

Post by AA1495 »

kandscreeley wrote:I don't read many romance books, but this seems interesting. I like that is more complicated than the typical romance, however I don't like books that are slow pace. Thanks for the review though.
I agree with your point on the slow pace. Thank You for the comments!
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Post by bookowlie »

Great review! I don't know if I would like the slow pace, but the plot sounds interesting. Too bad about the errors - "under neither" made me laugh. :)
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
Jessica Samuelsen
Posts: 49
Joined: 09 Mar 2017, 19:19
Bookshelf Size: 11
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jessica-samuelsen.html
Latest Review: "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by Jessica Samuelsen »

Great Review! I don't like when there are unnecessary scenes. It makes sense that they slowed the plot down.
Latest Review: "Raquel Says (Something Entirely Unexpected)" by Mois benarroch
User avatar
Kelebogile Mbangi
Posts: 913
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:20
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 123
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kelebogile-mbangi.html
Latest Review: At Day's End, I'll Always Be Me by Jerry A. Greenberg

Post by Kelebogile Mbangi »

I'd probably skip those few scenes whilst reading, I'm guilty of doing this all the time! Overall though it sounds like a sweet book. Thanks for the review.
"And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!" - Dr. Seuss
User avatar
shish_by_design
Posts: 327
Joined: 07 Mar 2017, 02:44
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 66">Strong Heart</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 54
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shish-by-design.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by shish_by_design »

Start Again has officially made it to my bookshelves. Thanks for an awesome review
User avatar
Dolor
Posts: 2333
Joined: 07 Nov 2017, 14:41
Favorite Author: Craig R. Key
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 12473
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dolor.html
Latest Review: The Center of Gravity by Patricia Brandon
Reading Device: 1400697484
fav_author_id: 115430

Post by Dolor »

I would surely love to read and re-read the intimate scenes in a slow pace. :D ^_^ GEEEZ...

I love the way you review the book.
User avatar
Whitney Marchelle
Posts: 254
Joined: 10 Oct 2017, 12:16
Currently Reading: Clan and Conscience (Clan beginnings Book 6)
Bookshelf Size: 46
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-whitney-marchelle.html
Latest Review: Superhighway by Alex Fayman

Post by Whitney Marchelle »

Great review. I enjoy romance, and I like a slow pace when I'm trying to really get into a book. So thanks for that heads up!
User avatar
Whitney Marchelle
Posts: 254
Joined: 10 Oct 2017, 12:16
Currently Reading: Clan and Conscience (Clan beginnings Book 6)
Bookshelf Size: 46
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-whitney-marchelle.html
Latest Review: Superhighway by Alex Fayman

Post by Whitney Marchelle »

Awesome review. I'm always intrigued by people who have crushes for years. Seems like a good story.
User avatar
kemp1kor
Posts: 296
Joined: 04 Feb 2018, 19:07
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 155
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kemp1kor.html
Latest Review: Temptation Trials Revolution by B. Truly
Reading Device: B00GNKRFEA

Post by kemp1kor »

Sounds like an interesting read. I like a romance with some complications, and I’m curious about Ryan’s issues. I’ll add this one to my list and see if I get to it. Thanks for the review!
User avatar
Bewa
Posts: 38
Joined: 25 May 2017, 04:14
Favorite Book: Fifty Shades Darker
Currently Reading: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades Trilogy #1)
Bookshelf Size: 25
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bewa.html
Latest Review: Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren

Post by Bewa »

The author brought out the characters of Kate and Ryan so well. I loved the review too, it doesn't give a lot of spoilers, just enough to get someone interested in the book. Well done.
User avatar
qsusan
Posts: 182
Joined: 13 Jun 2017, 02:19
Favorite Book: Reaper Man
Currently Reading: Gone Girl
Bookshelf Size: 68
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-qsusan.html
Latest Review: The God Debate - Dawkins in Denial by Terry Higham

Post by qsusan »

If well written, I am always ready to appreciate a story. Stories with slow paces have their own unique charm which is why the pace of the book won't be a turn-off for me.
User avatar
Nanig83006
Posts: 130
Joined: 14 Feb 2018, 06:51
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 44
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nanig83006.html
Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner

Post by Nanig83006 »

I like romance and I enjoy it most when there's a good story to it. There's depth to the Kate and Ryan and, based on your review, they don't fall in insta-love (aside from Ryan's childhood crush on Kate) and hook up almost immediately. Thanks for the review.
Eileen R
In It Together VIP
Posts: 321
Joined: 27 Nov 2017, 03:12
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Currently Reading: Toni the Superhero
Bookshelf Size: 45
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-eileen-r.html
Latest Review: Manifesto for a Cancer Patient by Colleen Huber, NMD

Post by Eileen R »

I love reading romance books and from your review this one is very intriguing. I will definitely add it to my shelf
Post Reply

Return to “Romance and Erotic Books”