O.E. Boroni

326 Pages

Waves Corporation, April 28th 2015

e-ARC

Twilight meets Eleanor and Park in this contemporary romance story about a love that insists on forever.

When Lenora Baker and Nathan Roqué run into each other in their boarding school courtyard, they have no idea that they are about to begin a journey that will take them the rest of their lives to recover from. Both scarred from parents who were once in love but ended up destroying each other, they are sworn off the possibility that there can truly exist a love that will never end.

But when with each other they find a passion so strong that it heals as powerfully as it burns, a love that will run out is no longer an option for them. Together, they discover just how far they are willing to go to preserve what they know they will only find once in their lifetime.

This is the start of their journey, and here you will come to realize, that falling in love is only the first part of the story...

Thank you to the author for sent me an EPUB copy of The Beginning of Never. I was very happy when received the email. It was the first time I got an advanced readers copy. It made me felt so special and important ;p Beside that, I was intrigued to read the book. The cover is in my favorite color and the synopsis on Goodreads is very interesting. Now, let’s review it :D

“Having to be strong and act hard when I knew I was anything but was exhausting, and I wanted more than anything to let go, even if it was just for a little bit.”

Lenora ‘Nora’ Baker sent to a broarding school by his father due to her anger behavior toward her mother’s death. Three years later, Nora still cannot manage the feeling. It causes her to have bad grades in several classes and has not good relationship with other students. In her mother’s death anniversary, she accidently beats Alex ‘Nathan’ Roqué with a lunch tray for ruining her lunch. Instead give a fight back; he brings her a new meal. After that Nathan always present when Nora fight her bad mood. They then have a close yet weird relationship. They spend time a lot to study or go to secret place that Nathan discovers. Just like Nora’s parents, Nathan’s parents have a tragic ending.

Nathan’s status as the most handsome and popular senior gives Nora a hard time. She is being bully by other seniors. To solve that, Nora spreads fake information that she and Nathan are far relatives. However, Nora is not so happy with that lie. She is always looking forward to spend time with him and does not like when Nathan being so kind to other girls. But Nathan tends to gives her confusing reaction. One time he is very care, next time he is super cold. 

“Each time I thought of him, something warm would heat up the pit of my stomach and excitement would flutter in my chest. I didn't yet know what to make of any of it but one thing was for sure; I didn't like it.”

The Beginning of Never successfully delivered a beautiful yet realistic story about young love. It is easy to fall in love, but to stay in love is very difficult. In one moment, you could be so happy. One moment later, it could be all gone. Nobody can control or figure how to do with it, moreover for someone who falls for the first time. I really liked how the main characters act based on that. Nora’s anger problem and Nathan’s hot and cold treatment made sense in the end. For such a young age, they already think love as serious matter, not only for explore new things or have fun experiences. It was sad to think that their parents’ kind of responsible for that. If they had a happy family, would they act and think like that? Beside that idea, I found the setting very interesting. The boarding house with all the names gave me a Hogwarts vibe hahaha. Then Nora and Nathan’s escape to the stream were super fun. But my favorite parts are food fight that randomly happened and their first kiss. I lost myself when Nora and Nathan lost themselves in that kiss. It was so romantic and sweet.

Though it well written, the beginning part is kind of slow for me. I could not guess what is exactly the conflict between Nora and Nathan or with other characters. So many names, it was hard to remember what and who they are. Kate, one of character that I considered as important, was ‘disappeared’ in several chapters. It was odd, especially to think that she is the only person that close to Nora. Her position replaced by Elisa. Elisa and Nora then became friends. Their friendship is nicer that what Nora had with Kate. Why this not happened sooner? And I did not like how the story ended just .. like .. that. There are still several questions left unanswered. Right after finished the book, I actually gave it a 3.5 stars. But the more I thought about the story; the more obvious the message behind Nora and Nathan’s relationship. I was so touched by that and decided to change it to 4 stars.

At last, I did not read or find a story like The Beginning of Never often. At first I not enjoyed it, but in the end everything came together and I really liked it. I am looking forward for the sequel, The Way of Never. I am excited to see how Nora and Nathan’s relationship go and hope it answer my questions. Recommended! :D