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Vanessa Chase writes emotional and uplifting romance stories. Full of good vibes and sweetness, her characters always have a happily ever after. The Place We Begin is her debut novel.

Vanessa has been a life-long romance reader for one simple reason: she wants to believe in the joy and good in life. And now she’s a romance author for the same reason. She wants to believe that happiness, joy, and great big love are possible for us all despite messy circumstances and very real human experiences. And so Vanessa writes stories that explore this.

A reader at heart, Vanessa studied English Literature at The University of British Columbia where she was swept up in the angst of American Modernist Literature, in particular Nightwood by Djuana Barnes. These days she still chasing the high of reading her first book with heart-breaking angst concluding with hope.

Vanessa lives on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) + W̱SÁNEĆ nations on Vancouver Island with her husband and daughter. When she’s not writing or reading, Vanessa is probably baking, crafting, or riding her cargo bike around town pretending she lives in Amsterdam.

APPROVED PHOTOS

You are free to use these photos digitally without permission, but I ask that you send a link to where they are being used to authorvanessachase@gmail.com

Vanessa Chase Headshot

Vanessa Chase Headshot

Cover of The Place We Begin

  • ★★★★★

    “One of the reasons I picked this up was because I’m trying to read more Canadian authors, and it felt extra special diving into a story set right here in British Columbia. Living on Vancouver Island, reading about places so close to home genuinely made the whole experience feel warmer and more intimate—like the book understood me a little.”

  • ★★★★★

    “That final chapter completely broke me open — it was raw, emotional, and written with such tenderness that I actually had to sit with my feelings for a bit after finishing. Vanessa Chase captured something so beautiful about love, timing, and the courage it takes to finally let someone in.”

  • ★★★★★

    “One of my favorite things about this book is how it approaches conflict. Instead of falling into miscommunication or unnecessary drama, Vanessa shows how love can be patient and healing. It honestly felt like reading a warm therapy session, in the best way possible.”

About The Place We Begin

The Place We Begin is a new adult, friends-to-lovers romance with a heroine you’ll want to hug, amazing found family, and a hero who's obsessed with his girl. The story explores love at a time of uncertainty and change in young adults’ lives: the final year of university. Praised by readers for its realistic depictions, relatable characters and a green-flag hero, The Place We Begin is a fresh take on new adult romance.

The Synopsis

Remi has a plan for everything… except one for what to do after she kisses her best friend, Eli.

Remi

My friends are my everything. When I met Miranda, Noah, and Eli in my first year of university, I found the family I had always dreamed of.

But I’m not taking anything for granted. Everything good in my life could disappear if I don’t work hard to hold on to it. All I need is for my friends to have the best year ever and stay in Vancouver after we graduate.

But after almost four years of making good decisions and always doing the right things, one impulsive kiss with Eli has me questioning everything.

Eli

From her five-year plans to her color-coded study notes, Remi couldn’t be more adorable if she tried.

Timing has never been on my side, but I’m not going to let her forget about the best kiss of my life. I’m ready to show her this is just the start of amazing things to come for us, even if everything is about to change.

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