Where it all Began: A Small Town Love Story (Blue Moon Book 7)

I've read all the books in the Blue Moon series and I feel this one is by far the best of them. As we read Carter's, then Beckett's, and then Jax's books, we get an idea of the kind of man that John was from everything that is said about him and his writings. And in this book, John comes alive and he does not disappoint. The way the book caught up with John and Phoebe at different points in their life was great. So, thankyou Lucy Score, for taking an idea given by readers and running with it so well. For those of you who haven't read this series, while each one is a standalone book, and can be read in any order, I would recommend leaving this one for the last.

I read all books in Blue Moon series within a couple of weeks, except for this one. I know these characters are not real, but the way Lucy Score writes, they *feel* so real, and my insides tightened at the thought of seeing Phoebe and John’s story play out, knowing John’s fate. It has been a couple of months and I just really missed the stories of Blue Moon, so I returned, steeling myself as I began reading. What a treat to get to know Phoebe as a young woman, and to meet John in his own words and thoughts. I kept feeling pangs of grief, knowing he would die at the end, but then again, isn’t that the fate of all these characters, should they keep living in their fictional worlds? And the end was happy, after all, despite the loss of John, because the characters gained so much from his time with them. I found myself mourning by the end, and, seeing the book cover now and understanding what it means, crying for the love these people had, for anyone who’s loved as deeply and beautifully as they have and lost it. But I’d love ever really lost? That’s part of the hope that’s embedded into John and Phoebe’s story, the continuation of their love. It is hard to read, esp for any of us who have experienced profound loss. But, as with any of the books Lucy Score writes, there is also hope and so much love.

I did NOT want to read this book cause i had a feeling I'd be crying a whole lot. And that's exactly what happened. Such a beautiful love story. We all need a John in our lives

5sterne

**WARNING… as it says in the author’s blurb. DO NOT read this book unless you have read at least Books 1-4 of this amazing series. This is a prequel, so if you don’t read them it will have less of an impact and you won’t understand why this story is soooo good! In all honesty… don’t just stop at books 1-4… seriously… read them ALL because they are the most beautifully written feel good stories that give you all the feels.Ok… if you haven’t read books 1-4 there will be spoilers in this review from those books. So, you have been warned!Now, I usually don’t like prequel all that much because it can feel like the suspense and mystery is taken away because you already know what is going to happen in the long run. And admittedly, I started out feeling that way in the first few chapters but that soon dissipated when I really got into the book.What we already know… Phoebe Allen/Pierce/Milner is one heck of a mother. She has 3 stunning handsome sons with her first husband John. Family is her pride and joy and as it has grown throughout the series with addition of daughters-in-law and grandchildren her love has continued to grow. The one person she wishes was there to see it all, is her late husband John. Even though Phoebe has remarried her new love Franklin, bringing with him three daughters and now two more son-in-laws, John Pierce lives on in everyone’s memory.This is John’s story. The man we’ve heard so much about (particularly in Jax and Joey’s story), he’s now brought to life.What we’ve learnt of John is that he’s a very well respected pillar of the Blue Moon community. Despite his lone wolf persona at the beginning of the book, living alone on his farm, he’s never far from friends who will rally round when needed.His single-man world is turned on his head when a young grad student arrives on his doorstep… expecting a man named Allen, he’s surprised and a little annoyed when a beautiful woman lands on his doorstep. He’s not happy. He’s old school and not at all comfortable sharing his house with a single woman. And will she be able to pull her weight? He needed someone to help with building up his farm. Surely this young slip of a girl won’t be able to last two seconds of manual labour!How wrong he is on every level. Phoebe is more than able and willing. What John finds is that he ends up fighting his attraction more than fighting to get her out of his house.We already know that they end up together and have an amazing relationship and happy life that for John, ends too soon - but it is honestly so nice to read about how they came to be and what they go through.Now, I knew it was coming… but when John passes away… I sobbed! Full on sobbed. The following chapters are so fabulously written and shows how this amazing community mourns the loss of one of their own. And in true Blue Moon style is done with a huge party… not some sad solemn occasion, but a drink fuelled, buzzing celebration of an incredible mans life. It’s so touching and moving that I don’t think I stopped crying for about 5 chapters!John… I loved him before through his brilliant sons and Phoebes memories… but now I know more about him as a man and a father, I love him even more.Thank you Lucy for this amazing glimpse into the life of such a special man. I can see now why this community cherishes his memory so much and why the Pierce family are a pinnacle of this town.Incredible read… moving, uplifting and heartwarming.

This is by far my absolute favourite book in this series definitely recommend reading this book it really brings all the other books together