Probably more of a 2 1/2 stars. It's a perfectly fine coming of age book. The dog is friendly. The protagonist, Colby, is realistic and not always likable (to the point that I wanted to slap her for some of her actions). It's just not more than OK. And the ending is a bit too perfect.

It reminded me a bit of Boy Meets Boy, without the charming side characters, and the happy ending kind of blindsides you here, because everything else beforehand is so terrible. Colby's mother died, her father is hardly home 'cause of his job, her sort of girlfriend breaks up with her and then dumps her for a guy, and she's flunking Chemistry. All of this happens or is introduced within the first two chapters. DANG! Then, boring middle, and POOF! Happy ending. Also, cute three legged dog.

But, it's not a bad book. Just an OK one. The relationships are handled all right (even with Colby alienating everyone) It's a decent LGBTQA coming of age novel. Just not stupendous. ( )

Overall, I just love the feel of the book. I read it weeks ago, and its warmth has really stayed with me: Colby’s trailer all decorated for Christmas, the heavy sigh of the dog on the couch, the warmth of Robyn the vet’s kitchen. (Full review at http://www.parenthetical.net/2012/11/01/review-starting-from-here-by-lisa-jenn-b... ( )

I really enjoyed this, despite the dead mother (it had been a little while, and I was due). Highly recommended to anyone looking for a quick LGBTQ YA read, although be warned that Colby does wear out her welcome as she works through her grief. ( )

I really enjoyed this, despite the dead mother (it had been a little while, and I was due). Highly recommended to anyone looking for a quick LGBTQ YA read, although be warned that Colby does wear out her welcome as she works through her grief. ( )

I just finished the most tender story, Starting From Here, a debut novel by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. Not that it wasn’t topical. It was. I just enjoyed every reading moment.

Colby lost her mother to cancer a year and a half ago. When we meet her, her girlfriend, Rachel, is breaking up with her. Colby is devastated. Her father is a long haul trucker who is rarely around, so Colby is on her own.

Van, her best friend, wants to walk along the highway collecting cans…he’s a little short on cash. As they’re walking, a dog befriends them. When they walk away, the dog stays put but Colby decides they should take the dog with them. She runs towards it and, frightened, it runs into the road in front of an oncoming car. In a panic, Colby stays with the injured dog while Van runs to get Scarlett, Colby’s truck (great name, huh?) and they take the dog to the vet. In order to save the dog, its right hind leg needs to be amputated.

Starting From Here is the tender story of the recovery of the dog, Mo, and of Colby. Unlike most books, there are no characters you dislike, even Rachel, after breaking up with Colby is likeable. Readers can visualize everything and every act that Colby makes rings true…the continuing hurt after her mother’s death, her reaction to Rachel’s break up and her reluctance to let someone else into her life, the bond she forms with Mo.

Hey, I’ll give you that the end is too happily wrapped up. But, you know what? I needed just such an ending at just such a time. Not every book has to end on a sad note or prove a painful point.

If you just want a tender, enjoyable read, Starting From Here by Lisa Jenn Bigelow is where you should start. I’m already looking forward to her next book. Hey, Lisa, don’t make me wait too long. ( )