Review of 'Start At The End' by Emma Grey
Review of 'Start At The End' by Emma Grey
Release date: March 31st, 2026
Publisher: Atlantic Books (Allen & Unwin)
REVIEW
What an affecting, intelligent, heart-wrenching and insightful novel! Emma Grey blew me away with this sliding door scenario. Start at the End is such a compelling, complex, emotionally charged story about love, loss, grief, what-ifs, theft, fear and survivor’s guilt. But it is also about the exhilarating joy of music composition, second chances, restoration and hope. When dealing with grief, some persons go down a very dark and distressing road. Reactions can be severe to a loved-one’s sudden death. Some turn to alcohol, self-harm and other destructive patterns. We see this in a few of the characters of Start at the End.
This story also shines a light on a couple’s timeless love. We see colour in the joy of their happiest moments but when they are torn apart, sadness bleeds out in many shades of grey. These two sides provide a believable contrast. Just as in life, the beautiful and ugly are often side by side. And we see love in this novel in all its messiness and complexity. Nothing is simple or straightforward and there’s lots of indecision and second guessing. Can we trust our feelings? Can we let ourselves go into the arms of fate? What a rollercoaster ride Emma Grey has taken us on in the realm of possibilities and emotions! Yes, I agree with the theme— we are never too old to start again. No matter what life throws at us, we can restart no matter the age or circumstance. We can choose to pick ourselves up out of the ashes and live again or stay smouldering in the loss.
Although difficult topics of alcoholism, self-harm and unrelenting grief are ever present in this novel, encouragement and help from others is there, too. The message to push through all the pain and self-doubt with fierce determination is clear. They learn they must ride the wave that comes their way, so as not to drown in a sea of despair. I could understand the struggles these characters encountered and appreciate the measures they took to work out solutions while exhibiting cleverness, humour and courage.
Who doesn’t know about the ‘98 movie Sliding Doors? The concept was developed by Dr. John Gottman who explores ‘how a seemingly inconsequential moment or choice can fundamentally alter the trajectory of a person’s life or a relationship.’ Emma uses this plot design to give us different ideas, possibilities and perspectives: where one act, decision or choice can change a person’s life and lead to very different outcomes.
There are endless perceptive and genius lines all through this novel. I had so many tags sticking out of this book! But one truth about writing, whether in music, literature, scripts, etc. is this: ‘Characters always drive the story. The strong ones can survive any plot twist we throw at them.’ For those of us who write – we are nodding our heads and even leaping in the air. But this line not only represents the creative person but also the couple in this story who’ve had every plot twist thrown at them imaginable. Yet they survive and even heal. And again those outside the story, flesh and blood human beings, can be survivors, too, after going through horrible things like death and grief.
What did I think of the characters? The main leads Audrey and Fraser are two brilliant, star crossed souls. Parker is a gem, too, and adds so much to Audrey’s life. Her talent is amazing and Audrey gets to nurture her for a while. Parker’s mother also deserves some admiration for her part in the story. Josh, is a weak and disappointing human. Beau’s creative and personal endeavours add some contrast and Rach is a strong and steady support for both Audrey and Fraser. I enjoyed seeing the direction she goes in, in one of the possible paths. Rach is the one who helps Fraser pick up the pieces. As he says: ‘She helped me with everything, starting at the end, at sunset…’ Yes, the title of the novel is tucked inside this line. A phrase that reflects reverse engineering. Beginning with the end in mind. This is visionary thinking when we realise every ending is a new beginning. (Something most of us experience at one time or another in our lives!) This is the cyclical nature of life. And a major theme in the novel.
There are so many great scenes and conversations in Start at the End, it is hard to select a favourite. But there is one scene of Audrey with Beau, I really appreciated. And I have to mention it because I am a musician and songwriter and relate to the creative musical aspects of the novel. Music often reflects mood, changes and events and it certainly does in Start at the End. One passage that shows a turning point for Audrey is when she is playing Fraser’s piece and suddenly a change in her happens that becomes evident in the direction she plays... a part of the music where she has been on repeat in a minor key shifts…she moves out of grief, out of sorrow (from the minor key) into a major key that is a bright new melody. The impossible is suddenly possible. Happiness springs forth…out of the ashes. Harmony begins. See quote below:
“—the ‘repeat’ sign that sent me back over the same minor-key section over and over again…
But it won’t now; the music pulls me from the old reprise through this unexpected bridge into a major key and a bright new melody that shouldn’t work does.”
I cannot say more as Start at the End is not easy to discuss without seriously giving away valuable plot points— so I will just shout, I loved it! It was excellently written, powerfully moving and seriously a top fiction story for 2026. Memorable and mesmerising. Get this book and devour it. But beware your heart will take a thrashing! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Atlantic Books Australia and Allen & Unwin for my review paperback copy.
