X-Book

Just the Beginning

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now €{{ price }} Send as a gift

Listen to a sample

What to expect

‘Her best yet - romantic, real and compelling’ Phillipa Ashley

Welcome to Halfmoon Quay, the picture-perfect village clinging to the edge of the Cornish coast ⛵️🧡🌊

Everyone knows Rick Penrose is the person in the village to turn to for help. Friendly and reliable, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, he’ll do anything for anyone. When his teenage crush Anya moves back to the quay for a fresh start, he has the perfect solution. She needs a job and his great uncle needs help to run his hotel. It’s a win-win.

Following the death of her husband, Anya Stokes discovered everything about her life was a lie. Without her beautiful home and the luxuries she took for granted, Anya and her daughter, Freya, have no choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon Quay.

As she begins to turn her life around, Anya realises the perfect man might have been right under her nose all the time. But there’s a fine line between helping and taking over and Rick doesn’t always know where it is. Then Anya discovers he’s been keeping things from her and it’s like the past is repeating itself…

Head to the glorious Cornish coast with bestseller Sarah Bennett for this unashamedly heartwarming and uplifting read. Perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Phillipa Ashley.

Readers love Sarah Bennett:

‘Full of wonderful characters and the usual Sarah Bennett magic!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a brilliant book, I just wanted to read it for forever.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A heartwarming story of love, second chances and mending of family relationships.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Just read it. Pure magic escapement. Loved it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Sarah Bennett never disappoints’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Be still my beating heart!! Sarah, where on Earth have you been all my life?? Why on Earth am I only now discovering your stunning books!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE LOVED this absolutely gorgeous book.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Sarah Bennett:

'Exploring the world of Half Moon Quay is a delight. The cast of characters bursts into life and is immediately fascinating; a beautiful coastal setting, complicated relationships, sizzling passions and intriguing undercurrents make this a story to savour.' Celia Anderson

'This is a masterclass in family tangles and the ways in which they can be resolved. I’m so delighted Just the Beginning is the first of new series because I can’t wait to return to Halfmoon Quay and discover what happens next.' Alexandra Walsh

'A perfect read to cosy up with at this time of year. Complex family relationships are explored with love and sensitivity and in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Full of friends and family and the meaning of love in all its different forms' Katie Ginger

‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton

'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne

About xigxag and the x-book®

Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.

Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.