From the outside, Abby’s life looks like a fairytale. Loving family, wealthy lifestyle, education at a prestigious university. The truth? She’s barely managing to survive. Few know the nightmare she lived before she was adopted. And no one knows the secret agony that still haunts her nightmares.With a degree from Berkeley, she could have gone anywhere, but she’s back in Colorado. Not for a fresh … but she’s back in Colorado. Not for a fresh start—fresh starts are only an illusion—but for Wes Ahern. Her protector, who throws around words like “therapy” and “talk to me.” Her brother in every way but blood. The one man she wishes could be so much more.
Maybe, just this once, she can stop running from her demons.
But does she dare let Wes see inside the darkest closets of her pain…or will love be the biggest mistake of her life?
An inspirational and emotional contemporary romance Begin with You is a heartbreaking tale of fresh starts and old wounds. This jarring and dark novel will leave readers at the edge of their seats. This is part one of a duet, thus containing a cliffhanger that leads into the next installment. It contains references to childhood trauma, rape, kidnapping, and PTSD.
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I didn’t know what to expect going into this one but I do know that Claudia’s stories are always awesome and full of all the feels. This one is that and more.
Abigail Lyons is brought to the Ahern household where they will foster her. A special bond is formed between her and Will Ahern who is the Ahern’s adopted son. They both have dark, abusive pasts although they haven’t totally confided their secrets to one another. Will seems to be the only one who can calm Abby’s anxieties and chase the nightmares away.
As the years pass, feelings of more than friendship develop but before that can happen secrets need to be revealed and threats from the past dealt with.
This story just twisted my heart and wrecked havoc on my emotions. The subject matter is tough and the atrocities that they both live through especially Abby are horrific. Claudia makes you feel every heart breaking moment and every glimpse of hope as well. And OMG! That cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read more. I highly recommend this story. The characters are great and the ride is phenomenal
Claudia Burgoa is one of the few authors I one click without reading the book blurb, this time I really wish I had. I have a hard time reading anything that involves abuse of children – and no it doesn’t matter what type of abuse I find all abuse of children to be repulsive but the sexual abuse of a minor is beyond anything that I can comprehend. The one thing I am thankful for is that while there is mention of various abuse of minors, not just one, we are not given the gory details of it all…and because of this I was not only able to complete this book but I am actually looking forward to reading Back to You which is the next book in the duet.
Abigail Lyons is finally taken from her home and put into foster care after the death of her stepsister, what no one knows is the horrors that went on in the house before that night. But the saving grace of it all is the family she is sent to live with Will and Linda have taken in several children over the years and with the help of their son Sterling and adopted son Weston they hope to be what Abby needs to heal. Right from the very beginning Abby and Wes form a deep friendship, this one line sums them up perfectly…. “You’re my anchor, just like I’m your compass.”
Throughout the book we are moved through time with flashbacks and time progression, this book takes place over a six year period, from the time Wes and Abby meet to the crazy cliffhanger we are left with, but the flashbacks have us going even further back in time. Both Abby and Wes have had trouble childhoods, and hopefully in the next book they will find their way to heal themselves as well as one another.
I always recommend Claudia’s books and this one is no different but please be aware that It contains references to childhood trauma, rape, kidnapping, and PTSD. This is not a very dark read but I wouldn’t consider it a light contemporary read either there is also a hint of suspense so if that sounds like something you may enjoy I say grab it and give it a chance…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Happy Reading!!!
Begin With You is a raw and emotional story that will capture your heart and hold it hostage. It addresses situations that are unfortunately happening in real life and it broke my heart and made me feel as I was reading about it.
Abby has a fantastic life now but her past has haunted her since she was very young. With a loving family and her the world at her fingertips, she has to figure out a way to push the past away but we all know it isn’t that easy. Her biggest rock in her life is Wes. They are best friends and when he becomes grounded in Colorado, she heads back home in fear of losing him. Which in turns brings back her past full force. Now Wes has to figure out how to help. It isn’t pretty, it’s hauntingly beautiful.
Wes. My dear Wes. He’s got to be one of the most calm, patient and loving man I’ve read in a long time. Burgoa has this ability to create her characters with so much passion and detail that you can’t help but be drawn to them. The character development in all her stories is always so amazing.
I really liked Begin With You and I hope everyone picks it up and gives it a try. Don’t let the angst scare you. Its the one thing that ties this story together. It’s necessary. It’s complicated. It’s beautiful.
So…what are you waiting for? Click this baby now!
This is the first book in a duet – it is a dark, emotional, at times disturbing read that really had me turning those pages. Its compelling and intriguing, beautiful in its own rights but certainly not an easy read at times. Be warned this does end on a cliffhanger, I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see how this plays out!!
Abbey arrives at the Aherns as their latest foster child, traumatized and abused, unable to talk, in a bad way. Wes is the eldest son and was the first to be fostered, he becomes the only person she can communicate with, as he becomes he protector and her best friend, spending night after night sleeping on her bedroom floor holding her hand and counting with her until she falls asleep. As she grows up she flees the household home and town where her nightmares are routed, still sharing her daily routines with Wes over the phone until he asks her to return to take her place in the family business.
But his feelings for Abbey have far outgrown that of a sibling, but knowing how traumatised she was tries to keep his feeling at bay. As Abbey returns to her hometown so do her nightmares and she starts to yet again fray at the seems and begins to unravel, barely keeping herself together, as a sense of foreboding and being watched starts.
A real gripping and heartbreaking story that will have you on the edge of your seat. There are still lots of puzzles left to uncover and unravel in the final part of the duet.
When Abby is given a chance to start over at age 17, she doesn’t realize that she’s finally going to be safe. Her new family takes her in and gives her all the love and security she should have had her entire life. And she bonds with Wes, her foster parents’ adopted son. Wes becomes her best friend, her protector, her rock. As she grows, she comes to love Wes and wish he could be more than her best friend and pseudo brother. But for a damaged person such as herself, she knows there will be no romantic love that she craves. Because her secrets are the kind that when revealed, push everyone away. So she carries her secrets inside, deep inside, until they manifest in a form of PTSD, to the point that no one, not even her rock can help her.
Begin with You isn’t so much a romance. It’s a psychological thriller, maybe even a romantic suspense, but there’s nothing romantic about it. It’s in that gray area between truly dark and the light where most contemporary romance lies. There are so many secrets and darkness oozing beneath the surface of Abby’s tormented mind. I felt so badly for her as she lived her life trying to cope with her secrets, trying to just find some peace from those secrets. And then at the end, when that crazy cliffhanger happened, ARGH! I wanted to smack someone. But I know the conclusion is coming soon, thank God!
Begin with You is the first book the Chaotic Love by the amazing Claudia Burgoa. This story captivated me from the beginning. Ms. Burgoa always manages to write such a beautiful story about difficult topics that many avoid. I fell in love with Wes and Abby’s perfectly flawed characters. Begin with You is a raw and emotional story that left me wanting and needing more.
I cannot wait for the conclusion to their story!
High angst, emotional story
Begin With You is a bit of angst level: high-alert. It is a story with super highs and colossal lows. It is like one of those rides that where you don’t know if you are going forward or spinning back at any given time.
“Abby, stop fantasizing. Love isn’t possible for someone like you.”
Abby is struggling to even function and survive with a past that has left her highly scarred. I sometimes couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap some sense into her or hug her but as each part of her background is revealed, my heart began to hurt for all she had to endure.
“You only have this life. It’s not a rehearsal, it’s happening as we speak.”
There was so much emotional back and forth that at times I felt whiplashed, but I was always needing to turn the next page and wanting more and more. And after that ending, luckily it’s not a long wait for book two!
-4 Stars!-
-Diane-
I received an ARC of this book from the author. This is my honest opinion and review.
Wes has been looking out for Abby since she moved into his adoptive parents’ house at the age of 17. He is ready to finally admit his feelings to her, but he wishes that she would open up about her past.
Abby feels trapped when she moves back to Denver. All the memories from her past are rushing back and she is reliving the nightmares. She only came back because she didn’t want to lose Wes, but she can’t stay.
I don’t like cliffhangers, but I was fine with this one. You know how most of them drive you crazy since you aren’t sure what will happen. This one gives you an idea of what might happen in the follow-up. I’m ready to read the second book and enjoyed this one.
I liked this book. It isn’t a happy book, but it has a great story and you know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The characters are well written and interesting. I liked how Wes tried to help Abby and how he was slowly learning from his mistakes.
Give this one a read.
Heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping and devastatingly beautiful – Claudia Burgoa delivers a brutally honest, but broken love story.
Begin with You will tear you apart while healing your heart. An emotional page-turner about second chances and finding your inner-strength. Love doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be right.
This is another definite win for this author. This book is filled with a bit of angst and a lot of growth between Wes & Abby. Abby’s emotional state requires a gentleness that this author understood and wrote so wonderfully.
My heart broke for Abby and all she’s been through. At one point, she says she lived in a cross between Kiss the Girls and Silence of the Lambs. That should tell you the horrors she experienced. But Abby hid her fears and anxieties very well and it was hard to tell she was screaming for help on the inside.
Wes was that definite knight on the white horse kind of hero. He was so patient with Abby and stuck by her through everything. Even though he went through his own horrors and was a foster child too, his new life began by age 5 and he was able to overcome most of the bad times. But he’s a swoony hero for sure.
Foster kids, abuse, mental illness, anxiety, love, devotion and suspense put this book in the 5-star read category for me. The cliff-hanger ending left me sitting on the edge of my seat begging for more. But I know the next one is out soon.
Favorite Quotes:
Some people don’t have what it takes to be human, and she was one of them.
Because sex is like bungee jumping. If you overthink it, you’ll never do it.
My Review:
I don’t know what it is about Claudia Burgoa but despite my complete and total loathing of conflict and angst, I cannot resist her disquieting stories. She definitely has the word voodoo – and lots of it. Begin With You had me ensorcelled, captivated, and held hostage with compelling characters and a heart-squeezing and intriguing tale. But how vile, I’m am stamping my little foot while blue steam is blasting from every cranial orifice as this foreboding, dark, and twisted saga ended with a heinous cliffhanger and broke me. Once I’ve calmed down it’s off to the store to pick up supplies for a fetish doll and extra sharp pins to employ while impatiently awaiting the second half of this addictive duet.
4 ‘Brace yourself for the ride’ Stars!
Begin with you is the first half of the Chaotic Love duet.
This story gripped me from the prologue. Told from both the main characters POV’s and sprinkled with flashbacks.
This is a very emotional story of Abby Lyon and Weston Ahern.
Abby has a very dark past and Weston is always there for her. Try as he may to get her to open up, she can’t bring herself to relive the pain of her past.
The author did a great job plotting out this story and building up the romance in a realistic way.
Abby and Wes have the sweetest relationship and I loved seeing it develop throughout the years.
That ending tough! Holy cliffhanger, y’all!!! It’ll definitely have you gasping and waiting for the next one. I can’t wait to learn what becomes of our characters in the next installment.
Begin With You is the first book in the Chaotic Love Duet by Claudia Burgoa. The story is told in flashbacks of Abby’s life at different ages. We learn quite a bit about Abby but there are still questions left that are to be answered and the more we learn about Abby, there are some secrets that Abby is desperately trying to keep hidden as she does not want her tormentors to come back after her. Wes was a foster child at age 5 to the Ahern’s who adopt him. When Abby comes to them Wes is drawn to her and will do anything to protect her. As the years pass, Abby and Wes become BFFs and they would do anything for one another. Wes comes to realize that he is deeply in love with Abby but because he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, he doesn’t tell her but his feelings continue to grow and get stronger/deeper. Finally Wes shows Abby that he sees her as more than just his best friend and then we get to see a romance develop between them. Wes knows there are parts to Abby that she never lets anyone see but he hopes one day she will trust him enough to show him all sides to herself. He is afraid that whatever haunts Abby, can take her from him and he desperately wants Abby to open up so that he can save her, even from herself. There are many twists and turns to this story, the emotions are deep and I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to know everything. The book ends on a cliffhanger and the next book I am sure all will come out in epic fashion. I found this story amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking and full of FEELS. This is a story that will leave an imprint long after you have finished reading.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me.”
Begin with You is the first book in the Chaotic Love Duet. This story is pulls you in from beginning to end. It has all the emotions, flows at a good pace, abit of suspense, and it goes from past and present but I had no trouble following it. Best friends Wes and Abby were well developed and likeable. They were just what the other needed. I really can’t wait to get the second book to read, after that cliffhanger. I need to know what’s gonna happen next.
This book will make you experience a rollercoaster of emotions like nothing you’ve ever felt before. This book is but wrenching and makes your heart hurt at times. Claudia amazes me with her talent for writing such wonderful books.
OMG…this book. Begin With You is the first book in the Chaotic Love Duet and I loved it. Claudia is one of my must read authors as her stories will always evoke a range of emotion from you and this story was no exception. Claudia know how to grab your attention and she does that so well in this novel.
This page-turner will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. It was sad and angsty and while reading, you know there is more to come. It was also a sweet, touching slow burn romance and as you go through the pages you will fall in love with these characters and will be rooting for them in no time. The characters were complex, flawed individual who were all well-developed.
The plot was gripping and will suck you in right from the start. The story is told though flashbacks and at different ages. This novel will have you hooked and at the edge of your seat until the very end and it will leave you wanting more. OMG….what a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for book 2.
Begin with You was a fantastic read and I would highly recommend it.
I loved this book the story between Wes and Abby was good
kept you reading and wanting to know more
It ends on a cliff hanger but thats okay so worth it can’t wait for book 2
Thank you for giving my the chance to read
This book has all the emotions in it. Abby had a rough life and ended up in foster care. Wes was an adopted family member of the foster house Abby went to. Wes doesn’t know what happened to Abby just that he likes he and wants to help her. Abby can hide how she feels but once she is back in the same town she grew up in will she be able to heal or will the ghosts of her past come back and haunt her? Cant wait for the next book to find out what will happen with Abby and Wes.
Begin With You is book one of the Chaotic Love Duet. Once again Claudia Burgoa has outdone herself and she never ceases to amaze me with her talent. My mind, heart and soul is an absolute mess after reading Begin With You. Begin With You is a raw and twisted dark romance book that will keep you in suspense from beginning to end.
Abby Lyons is one of the most tortured and realistic heroines I’ve ever read. Ms. Burgoa is very descriptive about the abuse and horrors that Abby suffered as a child at the hands of her mother, step-father and step-brother. My heart broke over and over again and the tears would not stop. After tragedy strikes, Abby was placed with Ahern family who welcomed her with open arms and gave her the love and support she so desperately needed and deserved. This is also where she meets her foster brother, Wes Ahern.
Wes truly is a white knight, a savior and the calm to Abby’s emotional storm. He would do anything for her. He and Abby have a common past as his drug addict biological mother neglected and abandoned him. They become best friends and over the years both develop deep and unrequited love for each other. Their relationship is beautiful and complicated. As one could imagine, Abby has severe emotional and mental issues. Wes is unaware of the extent of Abby’s past and is extremely reluctant to discuss it with him. Therefore, she finds its very difficult to move forward with Wes even though she’s madly in love with him and wants to be with him. I loved them so hard and I was rooting for them to be together.
Unfortunately, Abby’s past comes back to haunt her with a vengeance. The suspense nearly killed me and my heart was pounding so fast I thought it was going to burst out of my chest.
Begin With You plot’s is phenomenal, it’s a definite page-turner and a five plus star read. I’m SO anxious to read Back To You.
Begin with You by Claudia Burgoa is an emotional and heartfelt story that will leave you drained and wanting more. This is a duet, so be prepared! I only recently found Claudia and already know her stories are gripping and angst-driven, all which I love as a reader, so this was no different.
Wes and Abby meet when Wes’s family takes Abby in as a foster child. They become fast friends, as Wes gives Abby something she desperately needs. They remain friends through the years, even as she travels. But now she is back home and close to Wes again. Wes could not be happier, as he loves Abby, but is prepared to be her friend and support, if that is what she wants and needs. But Abby’s demons still haunt her. We are given glimpses and flashbacks surrounding her childhood, all whiles she tries to keep them hidden.
Slowly, Wes begins to show Abby what they could have and hopes she could learn to trust in him. To say I devoured this book is an understatement. This book consumed me. I want to share so much, but at the same time, you just need to experience this story. It is heartbreaking at times, but also heartfelt to see these two come together. A must-read for sure! I cannot wait to get my hands on book two!
4.5 stars! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!