Tuesday, August 18, 2015

review || BEFORE YOU GO by Clare James


17608103
C.J. Books | November 25, 2013 | New Adult Romance
Impossible Love, book 1
★★★★★

SOURCE: BARCLAY PUBLICITY

Paralyzed by the past and terrified of the future, Tabitha Kelly is broken.

After a public sex scandal at her college, Tabby moves to a new city with a new school, convinced she can start over. But she soon realizes the changes are not enough. Tabby must take action to help her heal and move on from the past.

And though it sounds crazy, she believes a one-night stand is the best way to take back what’s hers. If she can choose where, when, and most importantly, who … maybe she can regain control. First, she needs a willing participant.

She finds more than that when she meets Noah Adler.

Unfortunately, she can’t go through with it. And when she tries to forget about the plan—and the guy—it becomes impossible.

Noah quickly weaves his way into her new life and her heart. But as he comes dangerously close to discovering her secret, Tabby’s at risk of losing it all.


{ review } .

I absolutely love books that have gripping prologues -- prologues that are semi-vague but have enough emotion and angst to get you right on the edge of your seat, only to leave you with a few questions.

And that is what Clare James manages to do with the opening scene of BEFORE YOU GO. No sooner than you're trying to figure out what exactly happened, you have Tabby in a bar, playing competitive BINGO, and trying to find a man to get over her fears with. A little alcohol is (obviously) involved. But right away, this stranger's smile and wit draws her to him. She reels him in, takes him home... and freezes.

I love that Noah was intrigued by Tabby and wanted to help her overcome her fears -- even if he wasn't privy to them. He, himself, had his own secrets but he wanted Tabby and he wanted to help her feel whole.

With New Adult stories, you can get a grab-bag -- some are hot, fast, and passionate, others are slow, sweet, and long-lasting (with equal parts passion). I like the slow, sweet ones. I like watching the characters feel one another out, learn their ins and outs, and find a way to co-exist with one another, and with both sets of less-than-favorable pasts. I wasn't on the up-and-up with New Adult until mid-2014, so I will use that as an excuse as to how this 2013 publication missed my radar. I absolutely enjoyed it and look forward to both Jules' story and the continuation of Noah and Tabby's!

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