A review by thefatpaperback
From the Start by Katie Duggan

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

“But I’d do it all again if it meant that it would lead to where it did. If it would lead to us.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

On April 3, 2023, I was in Katie’s DMs talking about nerdy book boyfriends, our anticipation for BETTER HATE THAN NEVER by Chloe Liese, and our love of childhood enemies to lovers. Katie said it was a trope she wanted to write and before we knew it, she was abandoning her WIP to plan, outline, and write this book I adore so very much. 

I say all this so you know I’m biased. I’ve been with FROM THE START from its very start. But I truly believe y’all are going to fall in love with this story too. It offers readers a chance to feel so many different emotions—amusement, vulnerability, grief—and most of all, hope.

When Nic Quinn runs into her childhood enemy, Josh Henry, on a late night train headed back to the city, she’s pissed. When she accidentally and unknowingly crashes his birthday party after a tinder date gone wrong, she’s furious. When she hears his guests talking about the Good Time they’ve had with Josh in the past…she’s curious. And that ounce of intrigue grows until she’s asking him to help her find out what she likes from a partner. Josh agrees, but he can’t figure out why. Between teaching and caring for his grandmother, Josh doesn’t have the time—and certainly not the patience—to spend with Nic. What unfolds is a story of self-discovery, forgiveness, and a love that heals. 

🌼 Childhood Enemies to Lovers 
🌼 Grumpy/Sunshine 
🌼 Intimacy/Seduction Lessons
🌼 Fat MMC Rep
🌼 Queer Rep 
🌼 Autistic FMC Rep 
🌼 Quinn Family Shenanigans 

⚠️ CW: death of family members, autistic meltdowns, fatphobia, PTSD, cancer, bullying, ableism, and religious trauma.

FROM THE START releases in 1 week! Pre-order now on Kindle Unlimited 🫶

Katie, thank you for letting me be such a vital part of Nic and Josh’s story. Your friendship and your care for stories like theirs means the world to me.

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