Scan barcode
kate9807's review
5.0
5 Stars!!
This book was sent to me to give an honest review. And I LOVED it! You know a book is going to be great when you are instantly captivated by the first page. So let me tell you I was 100% captivated!
The prologue started out with a particularly dark traumatic scene that involved child abuse. I have never read a book that had "graphic" child abuse in it so as you can imagine I was completely shocked :o
Even though it was more dark than what I am use to reading, it was completely necessary and explained the main character's trust and OCD like issues as an adult. These issues not only impact her sense of security but instill an obsessive psychological need to separate herself from everyone in her life in order to protect them from her childhood abuser (her father who is getting released from prison).
However, throughout the book Gwen develops such a sweet friendship with this girl named Heather, who has issues of her own and proves that she will accept Gwen no matter what.
And then Gwen meets this amazingly hot boxer/club owner named Colt. Their intimacy is immediate and so passionate!! Gwen knows Colt makes her feel safe but she is very insistent on not having anything other than friends with benefits with him. I cannot wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book! I hope she reveals her past to him...I'm dying to know what his reaction will be!
Overall this book was a very enjoyable read. I recommend it to readers who love dark suspenseful yet smutty reads!
This book was sent to me to give an honest review. And I LOVED it! You know a book is going to be great when you are instantly captivated by the first page. So let me tell you I was 100% captivated!
The prologue started out with a particularly dark traumatic scene that involved child abuse. I have never read a book that had "graphic" child abuse in it so as you can imagine I was completely shocked :o
Even though it was more dark than what I am use to reading, it was completely necessary and explained the main character's trust and OCD like issues as an adult. These issues not only impact her sense of security but instill an obsessive psychological need to separate herself from everyone in her life in order to protect them from her childhood abuser (her father who is getting released from prison).
However, throughout the book Gwen develops such a sweet friendship with this girl named Heather, who has issues of her own and proves that she will accept Gwen no matter what.
And then Gwen meets this amazingly hot boxer/club owner named Colt. Their intimacy is immediate and so passionate!! Gwen knows Colt makes her feel safe but she is very insistent on not having anything other than friends with benefits with him. I cannot wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book! I hope she reveals her past to him...I'm dying to know what his reaction will be!
Overall this book was a very enjoyable read. I recommend it to readers who love dark suspenseful yet smutty reads!
brittanyreads07's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This book starts off with a bang! I loved how it instantly grabbed my attention and drew me in with the emotional angst. The book flashes forward 10 years later in part 2. I was expecting to find about more about what happened in part 1 but we only got a few mentions about it. I did however enjoy the Romance part that came instead. Although I did questioned the way Gwen reacted to a few things, I enjoyed her character also. I give the author a round of applause for Colts character. I loved everything about him. He was written to perfection. The book ends on a cliffy but it's not too bad. Alone Before You was a pretty good book for a first time author. It was suspenseful and romantic. The steamy scenes were written really well and with great description. Overeall, I enjoyed this book and rate it 3.5 stars.
This book starts off with a bang! I loved how it instantly grabbed my attention and drew me in with the emotional angst. The book flashes forward 10 years later in part 2. I was expecting to find about more about what happened in part 1 but we only got a few mentions about it. I did however enjoy the Romance part that came instead. Although I did questioned the way Gwen reacted to a few things, I enjoyed her character also. I give the author a round of applause for Colts character. I loved everything about him. He was written to perfection. The book ends on a cliffy but it's not too bad. Alone Before You was a pretty good book for a first time author. It was suspenseful and romantic. The steamy scenes were written really well and with great description. Overeall, I enjoyed this book and rate it 3.5 stars.
morganbrown2900's review
5.0
5/5 Stars
I stayed up all night because I could not put this book down it was that amazing. I can't wait to read the second book in the series "Forsaken Before You".
I really loved "Alone Before You"! This book was really well-written. Gwen had a horrible childhood but she did not let it break her completely she made a life for self and does really well as an erotic illustrator. Gwen never stays in one place too long she moves constantly trying to out run her past. But when she moves Beaforde a small town it changes everything. Gwen meets Colt and she starts to feel something for him she has never felt before and that scares her. Colt is a total Alpha Male. I can't wait to see were their relationship goes to in "Forsaken before You'.
I stayed up all night because I could not put this book down it was that amazing. I can't wait to read the second book in the series "Forsaken Before You".
I really loved "Alone Before You"! This book was really well-written. Gwen had a horrible childhood but she did not let it break her completely she made a life for self and does really well as an erotic illustrator. Gwen never stays in one place too long she moves constantly trying to out run her past. But when she moves Beaforde a small town it changes everything. Gwen meets Colt and she starts to feel something for him she has never felt before and that scares her. Colt is a total Alpha Male. I can't wait to see were their relationship goes to in "Forsaken before You'.
cassidyreads's review
4.0
I was given an ARC copy of this book by Claire, in exchange for an honest review. First I would just like to say, thank you so much Claire, for allowing me to read and review this book! I would like to give this book a 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book of three books in the Before You series. It took me about a day to read. It was a very fast and easy read for me(specially because I am on winter break from college and have all the time in the world to read lol). I really like Gwen's character, she has a passed that she is running away from, and characters like that always get me wanted to read more. I especially loved the fact, that even though it's only the first book in the series, I still got to see the the character evolve and grow. I also really liked Heather's character, she is the seems like the type of girl anyone should try and be friends with. She is nice and caring for Gwen, a girl she just met and hardly knows. I would like to see a little more of Gabe in future books, I did't really get much about him in this book, hopefully he becomes a bigger part in the future books. Now on to Colton aka Colt. From the first time Gwen saw Colt while she was walking on campus, he already seemed hot. Gwen and Colt's sexual attraction was very hot and juicy to read. I really like them together, even if they aren't together, together. I would like to see their characters come closer in the next two books, obviously. I would also like to see more about Gwen's past in the next few books. Even though there were little snippets here and there through out this book, I would like to see more, specially if she opens up more to Heather and Colt. Can't wait to see what's in store for Gwen in the next two books in the Before You series.
bookishlifeofgem's review
4.0
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
The prologue of this book is great, really draws you into the drama. It really had me feeling for Gwen. The rest of the book though kinda moves at a slower pace and there were some parts that didn't appeal to me.
Was still a great read though, loved at the end how the relationship between Gwen and Colt was developing and even though I usually hate cliffhangers it did have the desired effect of making me want more.
The prologue of this book is great, really draws you into the drama. It really had me feeling for Gwen. The rest of the book though kinda moves at a slower pace and there were some parts that didn't appeal to me.
Was still a great read though, loved at the end how the relationship between Gwen and Colt was developing and even though I usually hate cliffhangers it did have the desired effect of making me want more.
beckiebookworm1974's review
4.0
🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS
I enjoyed Alone before you By Claire Scott immensely.
From the opening scene which was so dramatic, I was transfixed with this book.
I would describe this novel to be of the New Adult genre and also just to add that this was my first experience with this particular author.
So Alone before you is the first book in a trilogy and this sets the stage for the whole upcoming saga.
So as I said earlier, as soon as this starts we are thrown right into the fray of what is Gwen Taylor's tragic upbringing.
Initially, We are given a brief snippet into her existence before then fast-forwarding into the present, where Gwen is now basically on the run, trying unsuccessfully to escape her past.
sick of moving and wanting to lay down some roots Gwen decides to settle in Beauforde, a small mountain town in Colorado as she decides she wants to attend school to do an art degree.
here she meets Colton Underwood an amateur boxer and local businessman who instantly upon running into Gwen sets her in his crosshairs.
Gwen is quite happy to oblige but only in a booty call scenario only as she doesn't do relationships.
I get the impression that Colton doesn't usually either but he's so drawn to and intrigued by Gwen he's quite willing to make an exception just this once.
It's quite apparent that Gwen is uncomfortable around people mostly due to her tragic past and her current unwillingness to mingle as she feels so unworthy of anyone's attention.
Her past really has done a massive number on her in this instance.
We also get introduced to some extremely interesting secondary characters here, I'm so adoring the friend Heather, she seems such a real sweetie and exactly what Gwen needs at this time in her life, and also being Gwen's first ever friend well that's just epic.
The sex scenes here are hot and sweaty and every time Colton opened his mouth and called Gwen babe I got bloody tingles, all the way down to my toes.
I'm also so loving the suspense angle in regards to Gwen's dad can't wait to see where this is going.
So, in conclusion, though I don't read many NA novels I really did enjoy this one and would be happy to recommend this.
If you're looking for a solid hot suspensful read then give this a try.
I was gifted a copy of "Alone By You" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
leanner's review
5.0
My first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Cliff hanger alert, I could kill this author but I see there are more books already released.
Gwen's had a dreadful childhood and in her mid 20s in still finding her way. Will her secrets and her past catch up with her?
I was invested in the lives of these characters and couldn't put the book down.
I highly recommend this book but be prepared, it's a trilogy.
Gwen's had a dreadful childhood and in her mid 20s in still finding her way. Will her secrets and her past catch up with her?
I was invested in the lives of these characters and couldn't put the book down.
I highly recommend this book but be prepared, it's a trilogy.
mells_view's review against another edition
3.0
Gwen’s story starts off as a nail biter. I don’t want to say what exactly goes down, but it’s emotional and heavy enough that it could be considered a trigger for some people. (If you’d like to know the trigger you can DM and I will explain if you’re worried. Just don’t want to ruin for anyone who doesn’t have triggers.) When I read the first part of the story I figured that this book would be heavy, and that I would need tissues. That wasn’t really the case.
We flash forward to Gwen in the future and though she has some lasting fears and anxiety from her past, she is living a pretty decent life. She’s just enrolled in art school, and is living life in a small town where the women are beautiful and the men are hunky. I believe she even questions if there is something in the water. She meets a new friend who she is reluctant to befriend, but she’s sort of forced by the girl. She also meets a man who she is very attracted to, but tries to avoid. There are sexy bits, and bits that pull from her past, but all in all the second part reads like a contemporary erotic romance.
The story ends in a cliffhanger, and I will probably read be next book to see what happens. I’m hoping there is more suspense or action, because I was expecting something in part two based off the first part, and we really only got small mentions and then a normal erotic contemporary. Which there is nothing wrong with, just not what I was expecting after that emotional lead in.
All in all this is a good read. If you enjoy contemporary erotic romance with a heavy side plot and quick romance, that are explored over a series and not finished in one book, then I’d definitely read Alone Before You!
We flash forward to Gwen in the future and though she has some lasting fears and anxiety from her past, she is living a pretty decent life. She’s just enrolled in art school, and is living life in a small town where the women are beautiful and the men are hunky. I believe she even questions if there is something in the water. She meets a new friend who she is reluctant to befriend, but she’s sort of forced by the girl. She also meets a man who she is very attracted to, but tries to avoid. There are sexy bits, and bits that pull from her past, but all in all the second part reads like a contemporary erotic romance.
The story ends in a cliffhanger, and I will probably read be next book to see what happens. I’m hoping there is more suspense or action, because I was expecting something in part two based off the first part, and we really only got small mentions and then a normal erotic contemporary. Which there is nothing wrong with, just not what I was expecting after that emotional lead in.
All in all this is a good read. If you enjoy contemporary erotic romance with a heavy side plot and quick romance, that are explored over a series and not finished in one book, then I’d definitely read Alone Before You!
cassidyreads's review against another edition
4.0
I was given an ARC copy of this book by Claire, in exchange for an honest review. First I would just like to say, thank you so much Claire, for allowing me to read and review this book! I would like to give this book a 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book of three books in the Before You series. It took me about a day to read. It was a very fast and easy read for me(specially because I am on winter break from college and have all the time in the world to read lol). I really like Gwen's character, she has a passed that she is running away from, and characters like that always get me wanted to read more. I especially loved the fact, that even though it's only the first book in the series, I still got to see the the character evolve and grow. I also really liked Heather's character, she is the seems like the type of girl anyone should try and be friends with. She is nice and caring for Gwen, a girl she just met and hardly knows. I would like to see a little more of Gabe in future books, I did't really get much about him in this book, hopefully he becomes a bigger part in the future books. Now on to Colton aka Colt. From the first time Gwen saw Colt while she was walking on campus, he already seemed hot. Gwen and Colt's sexual attraction was very hot and juicy to read. I really like them together, even if they aren't together, together. I would like to see their characters come closer in the next two books, obviously. I would also like to see more about Gwen's past in the next few books. Even though there were little snippets here and there through out this book, I would like to see more, specially if she opens up more to Heather and Colt. Can't wait to see what's in store for Gwen in the next two books in the Before You series.
nbiblioholic's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 "Me Before You" stars
You know an author’s talented when you can hate the narrator but still enjoy the heck out of the story. I couldn’t stand Gwen Taylor. Aside from my sympathy for the past abuse she endured, my patience didn’t run high for her. She was inconsiderate, rude, and her reactions were too exaggerated. I get that she had an abusive past. Shoot, so did I. Granted, that scene in the beginning wasn’t something I could relate to, but I was lost as to why she took the precautions she did when there wasn’t any existence of a threat. Well, not right away anyway. The perpetrator was in prison and she was free to live her life. But she didn’t. In fact, she was so against living a ‘normal’ life and so steeped in her unrealistic guilt, that she was completely unrelatable to me. However, I loved this story. I enjoyed the premise of the plot, the side characters were entertaining, and I found myself increasingly interested in watching how things would unfold for Gwen. I think the major contribution to my interest was Colt. Even though nothing gave me any true insight into his character, he came across as sweet but dominant, warm and understanding, and sexy as all hell. I would have greatly appreciated his perspective on things because there were many instances in which the story seemed one-dimensional. It could be because I didn’t feel the connection to anyone. I’m hoping the next book, Forsaken Before You, will change my mind ;)
Release Date: June 1, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Heroine - 1st person
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Before You series
You know an author’s talented when you can hate the narrator but still enjoy the heck out of the story. I couldn’t stand Gwen Taylor. Aside from my sympathy for the past abuse she endured, my patience didn’t run high for her. She was inconsiderate, rude, and her reactions were too exaggerated. I get that she had an abusive past. Shoot, so did I. Granted, that scene in the beginning wasn’t something I could relate to, but I was lost as to why she took the precautions she did when there wasn’t any existence of a threat. Well, not right away anyway. The perpetrator was in prison and she was free to live her life. But she didn’t. In fact, she was so against living a ‘normal’ life and so steeped in her unrealistic guilt, that she was completely unrelatable to me. However, I loved this story. I enjoyed the premise of the plot, the side characters were entertaining, and I found myself increasingly interested in watching how things would unfold for Gwen. I think the major contribution to my interest was Colt. Even though nothing gave me any true insight into his character, he came across as sweet but dominant, warm and understanding, and sexy as all hell. I would have greatly appreciated his perspective on things because there were many instances in which the story seemed one-dimensional. It could be because I didn’t feel the connection to anyone. I’m hoping the next book, Forsaken Before You, will change my mind ;)
Release Date: June 1, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Heroine - 1st person
Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Before You series
More...