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kaitsbooked's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
From the Start is the first book in Katie Duggan’s Quiblings series and it was one of the sweetest romances I’ve ever read! See author’s note at the beginning of the book for content warnings.
I absolutely love enemies to lovers and this was very well done. The reason Nic and Josh didn’t like each other felt real and believable. I’ve said this before, but enemies to lovers definitely makes for spicier books.
Speaking of spice, this book is VERY spicy. I don’t actively seek out the teach me trope, but I also wouldn’t say I go out of my way to avoid it either. It was very well written here. Nic and Josh have some of the best bedroom communication I’ve ever read and the syllabus just felt so true to Josh’s character.
Nic grew so much over the course of this story. Grumpy/sunshine is probably my favorite trope right now and this particular book stood out because she was the grumpy one. I love that Nic gained so much confidence and learned to advocate for herself.
And Josh? He’s such a sweetheart. He took the time to really get to know Nic and her sensory needs, making sure she never felt overwhelmed. He fell so hard for her and I love it when the hero is an absolute softie for their partner.
Easy five stars and I cannot wait to read more Quiblings books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
wildatheart1339's review
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Fatphobia, Car accident, and Death of parent
aromanticreadsromance's review
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
love that there's no redemption arc for a homophobic relative!!!
full rtc
full rtc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Ableism
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
mcrosby11's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
This book had a slow start, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. The characters are endearing, lovable, and relatable, making it a delightful one-sitting read. I'm eagerly anticipating more from this author, as the emotional rollercoaster and the slow burn kept me hooked. The first kiss even gave me butterflies, and I couldn't help but audibly squeal. It's a heartfelt story that strikes the perfect balance between cheesy and genuinely touching.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Terminal illness, Death, Alcohol, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Ableism, Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
thefatpaperback's review
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Fatphobia
sarahsbookstacks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t believe this is a debut! I loved every bit of Nic and Josh’s story. This book is such a gift.
For the folks like me that love queer and neurodivergent romcoms a la Chloe Liese and Mazey Eddings, this is for us!!!!
For the folks like me that love queer and neurodivergent romcoms a la Chloe Liese and Mazey Eddings, this is for us!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Fatphobia
turnthepages_nl's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was healing and kind. Sweet and spicy. I loveeee the communication but also the banter.
I was scared this would be a Bergman Brothers wannabe situation. But Katie really found their own voice and made her own story. Yes, it also surrounds a family with chaotic siblings and has lots of disability representation. But it really stands on it's own and that makes me so happy! I got to read an eARC early and absolutely fell in love with Nic & Josh.
This was the first book I read with spicy lessons. And I was scared it would be 'too spicy' for my taste. But honestly I loved it. Because it wasn't just physical sex. It was emotional vulnerability. And it was beautiful. And the conversations about consent, protection, preferences, wants and needs?!! Ughhhhhhh AMAZING!
Nic is Autistic, Josh has PTSD. And both were handled with such care. I may not have autism, but I recognized a lot in Nic, because ADHD has a lot of similarities. And the way Josh was there for her when she got overwhelmed or had a shutdown/meltdown. It made me cry. I wish more people acted like Josh. Absolute husband material tbh. Not just boyfriend, he is Husband material!!! (Give me someone to calm my nervous system the way Josh calmes Nic by laying on her like a big weighted blanket, PLEASE! as long as it is with consent ofcource)
And they were both queer. And there were other queer characters. My Bisexual heart was so so happy. Nic is Bi, Josh doesn't label himself. They had conversations about both aesthetically/physically feeling attraction to a person and truly my Bi heart burst with joy. These conversations are so healing and wholesome. Being able to talk about these things with no shame or fear and with someone who gets it, it's amazing. No biphobic comments, just joy about the other person being able to appreciate someones looks and sharing in that joy with them. No cheating remarks. Just joy and love.
I don't know if anything I just said made sense. But this book means so so much to me. It healed a piece of me I didn't know needed healing. It was so wholesome. Filled with love and respect and joy and communication. Ofcourse mixed in with some lovely tropes like grumpy (her)/sunshine (him), enemies to lovers, sex lessons, found family and a big chaotic loving family. It has amazing disability representation, Bisexual and Queer rep and both MCs are fat.
I fell in love with Katies writing, loved their characters even more and cannot wait to read her next book, coming summer 2024!!!
I was scared this would be a Bergman Brothers wannabe situation. But Katie really found their own voice and made her own story. Yes, it also surrounds a family with chaotic siblings and has lots of disability representation. But it really stands on it's own and that makes me so happy! I got to read an eARC early and absolutely fell in love with Nic & Josh.
This was the first book I read with spicy lessons. And I was scared it would be 'too spicy' for my taste. But honestly I loved it. Because it wasn't just physical sex. It was emotional vulnerability. And it was beautiful. And the conversations about consent, protection, preferences, wants and needs?!! Ughhhhhhh AMAZING!
Nic is Autistic, Josh has PTSD. And both were handled with such care. I may not have autism, but I recognized a lot in Nic, because ADHD has a lot of similarities. And the way Josh was there for her when she got overwhelmed or had a shutdown/meltdown. It made me cry. I wish more people acted like Josh. Absolute husband material tbh. Not just boyfriend, he is Husband material!!! (Give me someone to calm my nervous system the way Josh calmes Nic by laying on her like a big weighted blanket, PLEASE! as long as it is with consent ofcource)
And they were both queer. And there were other queer characters. My Bisexual heart was so so happy. Nic is Bi, Josh doesn't label himself. They had conversations about both aesthetically/physically feeling attraction to a person and truly my Bi heart burst with joy. These conversations are so healing and wholesome. Being able to talk about these things with no shame or fear and with someone who gets it, it's amazing. No biphobic comments, just joy about the other person being able to appreciate someones looks and sharing in that joy with them. No cheating remarks. Just joy and love.
I don't know if anything I just said made sense. But this book means so so much to me. It healed a piece of me I didn't know needed healing. It was so wholesome. Filled with love and respect and joy and communication. Ofcourse mixed in with some lovely tropes like grumpy (her)/sunshine (him), enemies to lovers, sex lessons, found family and a big chaotic loving family. It has amazing disability representation, Bisexual and Queer rep and both MCs are fat.
I fell in love with Katies writing, loved their characters even more and cannot wait to read her next book, coming summer 2024!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Ableism, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Transphobia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Bullying, Alcohol, and Fatphobia
Uncle/father of a sidecharacrer is homophobic/transphobic.
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