Reviews

From the Start by Katie Duggan

ericas_bookshelf's review

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I got Chloe Liese vibes in the BEST way with this book. I’m not even kidding. Plus he reads historical romance AND gives her smutty lessons?? OH AND she’s kind of prickly?? This has all my favorite things haha. Katie also gives us excellent Queer, autistic, and fat rep, as well as wonderfully written smut scenes with accurate portrayal of kink! Seriously, so good. 

twist_85's review

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

rdeardurff's review

emotional funny inspiring relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I love this book so much. I couldn’t put it down. The writing is wholesome and real and so beautiful.

thatbethguy's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this. Once I got about 20% through the book, I was truly hooked and found myself itching to read this at any chance I had. The beginning had a few things that felt a little off to me - namely, Nic’s hatred of Josh seemed a little extreme (given the reason) and I didn’t love the scene with women openly discussing how good Josh is in bed while at his birthday party. Once I got into the main storyline, though, I loved it and ate it up. This is very spicy and very sweet. I would recommend it for folks who want a spicy rom com with autistic, queer, and fat representation. Do check trigger warnings, though, as there are some heavier topics that are explored in the book.

ma_ri_sol96's review

emotional informative reflective slow-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

3.75

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

mothreadsbookssometimes's review

4.5

4.5/5 stars
5/5 spice level

From the Start is a spicy romance about an autistic woman learning to enjoy intimacy with her former school rival. 
This was a super quick read; I had some long car rides, so I had plenty of time to get through it. The characters are hilariously sarcastic, which is my favorite (I love sassy characters with all my heart). 
There's no third-act breakup, and the characters talk through their feelings like adults. Zero unresolved miscommunications to be found. 
When the book says spicy, it means it. It is on the page, multiple times, and there are some very detailed conversations about it. 
I preordered Back to You (book 2) before I even started reading From the Start, and I am so glad I did.
I also read the bonus epilogue (3/5 stars), which was cute but I wasn't a big fan of it. From the Start wraps up perfectly well without it, but it was a cute epilogue.

CW: sexual content; grief; PTSD (parent death); side character death; autistic meltdowns; mentions of bullying, alcohol, and a brief coercion scene

bookishwithlex's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was such a phenomenal debut and I already am so excited for book two. I am a sucker for hate to lovers throw in a "Teach me" sex pact and I am pretty much guaranteed to love the book.  Both Nic and Josh have so much growth throughout the story, they're navigating so much but the way they show up for each other had me sobbing, we all deserve someone to love us the way these two love each other. There is so much amazing rep in this book and Katie does a really amazing job writing their journey. This book is so spicy I mean sex is a central plot point so be ready for some really top tier spice I promise you aren't ready for Josh's dirty mouth ! 

andreasbooknook's review

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

taylorw94's review

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0