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Begin Again

A Novel

by Helly Acton

Narrator Emma Sidi

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Length 10 hours

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“Begin Again by Helly Acton is the perfect read for fans of Rebecca Serle. The book starts with Frankie on a first date where she's not having the best time, and through a series of unfortunate events, she ends up bashing her head and dying a little. What follows is her getting to see how her life would be different if she had made a different choice at five key points in her life, and then choose a life to go back to. It is such a wonderful, fun examination of all the what-ifs we carry around and how they ultimately impact us. Like Serle's work, it deals with serious issues without ever feeling heavy, and manages to do it without ever feeling flippant. I had such a great time in the reading. I listened to this one as an audiobook, and the narrator is wonderful.”
— Anna • Katy Budget Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I adore this concept. Although it’s extremely similar to Midnight Library, Begin Again has superior character development and is significantly less depressing.”
— Ashley • Whale’s Tale Books & Gifts

Bookseller recommendation

“Fun 'what if' story that reminds us we always have choices, no matter what comes before! Begin Again has a great main character and voices and a fun story about a woman and her choices. Extra audio at the end from the writer was insightful and an interesting bonus.”
— Kira • Merritt Bookstore

Summary
About the author

Have you ever wanted to change the past and discover the result of choices not taken? Now, in this brilliantly fun novel of what-ifs, missed chances, and new beginnings, Frankie McKenzie discovers what starting over might bring…

Despite living firmly in her comfort zone, Frankie McKenzie feels unsettled. She can’t help feeling something’s missing. Is it a home to call her own? Travel? A more rewarding job? A relationship? Before she can work it out, she dies in a freak kebab-related accident after what she sees as yet another dud of a first date.

But life isn’t over for Frankie. Instead, she is miraculously offered a second chance: Frankie can revisit key moments from her past to see if different choices will lead her to the fulfilling life she’s always dreamt of.

And there are so many opportunities! Should she decide to languidly lounge by warm Mexican waters with sexy Raphael? Or say yes to the proposal of earnestly reliable university-sweetheart Toby? Perhaps a worry-free gilded cage with Callum is the solution! Or what about that high-powered media career she thought that she wanted?

Soon, Frankie will see what her life would have been if only she’d caught that one-way flight, accepted the marriage proposal, or attended the intimidating job interview. Will she finally find her Mr. Right? Or discover she already had? Which way should she turn? And over and over she asks herself the question…

What would she change if she could begin again?

Fiction Romance Humor

Helly Acton is a copywriter from London with past lives in Zimbabwe, the Middle East, and Australia. She studied Law at King’s College London before following a more creative path into advertising. At 26, she took a career break to travel in Africa and Asia, before landing in Sydney. Six years and one life-affirming breakup later, she returned home and threw herself into online dating in the city.

Helly currently lives in Berkshire with her husband, Chris, their little boys, Arlo and Jack, and their little dog, Milo. Sometimes, she gets their names mixed up. Helly’s previously titles, The Shelf and The Couple were both published by Bonnier Books in the UK, and she was nominated for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021 for her debut, The Shelf.