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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I really did enjoy this book (and I predicted that huge plot twist in the beginning)…but Lonan? *facepalm* my only complaint. he gave me huge F Boy energy and the whole tit-for-tat thing towards the end was so annoying and immature. I wanted to DNF (because of Lonan) but I was already at 93% so I just stuck it out. I wish I would’ve seen more/better groveling and Birdie forgave him too easily.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Writing this review on the heels of having read the whole series, I can say that if you enjoyed this book: read the rest as this was by far the weakest book in a series that just kept getting better (and hotter).
This is St. James' first book and I think it shows a little especially in the pacing. Some of the issues I had:
-Birdie's kidnapping/finding her family story line was great but could have had a lot more punch - I know it is supposed to be romance and don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that aspect, but I feel like it lost things a little toward the middle where it was just kind of used as more of an excuse for her behavior rather than seeing her work through things.
-The diary entries were a great touch but seemed a little jarring, I feel like there was a better way to incorporate them into the story as a whole.
Also just a heads up that this is definitely a book about a hockey-playing main character versus than a hockey romance. Overall I thought it was a good start to the series; I'm glad I read this first because I think if I'd found/read one of the later books and read this one, I would have been disappointed but as it was I was happily sliding into the second book as soon as the first one was done.
This is St. James' first book and I think it shows a little especially in the pacing. Some of the issues I had:
-Birdie's kidnapping/finding her family story line was great but could have had a lot more punch - I know it is supposed to be romance and don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that aspect, but I feel like it lost things a little toward the middle where it was just kind of used as more of an excuse for her behavior rather than seeing her work through things.
-The diary entries were a great touch but seemed a little jarring, I feel like there was a better way to incorporate them into the story as a whole.
Also just a heads up that this is definitely a book about a hockey-playing main character versus than a hockey romance. Overall I thought it was a good start to the series; I'm glad I read this first because I think if I'd found/read one of the later books and read this one, I would have been disappointed but as it was I was happily sliding into the second book as soon as the first one was done.
I have so much to say about this but like…. Hello?
From the beginning of the story to the end I feel like I had one of THOSE looks on my face.
If any man ever tried to manipulate me like Lanon (tf kind of name is that) I would never speak to them again lol
He was a red flag for me and I just couldn’t get over it.
Might read the rest of these but that’s kind of a stretch for me.
From the beginning of the story to the end I feel like I had one of THOSE looks on my face.
If any man ever tried to manipulate me like Lanon (tf kind of name is that) I would never speak to them again lol
He was a red flag for me and I just couldn’t get over it.
Might read the rest of these but that’s kind of a stretch for me.
Great read
Was a great read the characters were all amazing the story was well written. The only thing I wish was dived into more was Lonan's past as well as more of the journal entries.
Was a great read the characters were all amazing the story was well written. The only thing I wish was dived into more was Lonan's past as well as more of the journal entries.
Okay hear me out — I was hooked and even messaged like three people saying how phenomenal this book was and I was at 13%…. and then some major plot holes happened aka spoiler alert ‼️
Okay, first of all, you are gonna tell me that this woman finds out she has a bio family, goes to the USA (she lives in Vancouver) to find them, and after 20+ years everything is kosher? She legit found out through a DNA site their info and flies there with no plan and follows her mom in a grocery store and goes “mom” which leads them both to have a cry/sob reunion and then go home. How does that make sense? How are they just like “oh yeah, mom I need advice”???? So on the one hand she has trust issues (one of the reasons for third act breakup) while also being all lovey dovey and like she has no trauma about the separation nor does it show much how she is rebuilding her relationship with her family (aside from like two moments).
Also, let’s talk about the fact that the reason she was separated from her family was because she was ABDUCTED and that is lowkey pushed under the rug??? It is only brought up really through the journal entries of the abductor and how she basically had killed her own daughter but this is not really talked about or discussed??? I would have expected this to be more of a driving point in the story but it sounded like they were dealing with someone that stole their car and not their daughter and made her believe she was given up 20+ years ago.
I had such high hopes, so so so high, I was so ready for a suspense/ mystery romance but I was just dissapointed. I almost wanted to ask them to stop fücking so much and talk about the trauma and events that led them to this moment.
I just don’t understand how you are abducted at 6 separated for 22+ years and suddenly everything is sunshine and rainbows, just what.
Okay, first of all, you are gonna tell me that this woman finds out she has a bio family, goes to the USA (she lives in Vancouver) to find them, and after 20+ years everything is kosher? She legit found out through a DNA site their info and flies there with no plan and follows her mom in a grocery store and goes “mom” which leads them both to have a cry/sob reunion and then go home. How does that make sense? How are they just like “oh yeah, mom I need advice”???? So on the one hand she has trust issues (one of the reasons for third act breakup) while also being all lovey dovey and like she has no trauma about the separation nor does it show much how she is rebuilding her relationship with her family (aside from like two moments).
Also, let’s talk about the fact that the reason she was separated from her family was because she was ABDUCTED and that is lowkey pushed under the rug??? It is only brought up really through the journal entries of the abductor and how she basically had killed her own daughter but this is not really talked about or discussed??? I would have expected this to be more of a driving point in the story but it sounded like they were dealing with someone that stole their car and not their daughter and made her believe she was given up 20+ years ago.
I had such high hopes, so so so high, I was so ready for a suspense/ mystery romance but I was just dissapointed. I almost wanted to ask them to stop fücking so much and talk about the trauma and events that led them to this moment.
I just don’t understand how you are abducted at 6 separated for 22+ years and suddenly everything is sunshine and rainbows, just what.
Fantastic!
This book was a fantastic start to the series! I honestly was DNFing books left and right this week, yet a few pages into this one and I knew I would stay up all night just to finish it. I did indeed read it in one sitting and absolutely can't wait to read the next!
This book was a fantastic start to the series! I honestly was DNFing books left and right this week, yet a few pages into this one and I knew I would stay up all night just to finish it. I did indeed read it in one sitting and absolutely can't wait to read the next!
❤️Birdie & Lonan❤️
4⭐️
4🔥
📖Before We Came by Sloane St. James
🎨
**
➡️ Hockey Romance
➡️2nd Chance
➡️Chef
➡️Childhood Friends/Crush
➡️Kidnapping
➡️Brothers best friend
➡️”Good Girl”
➡️Mental Health Rep from Trauma
➡️HEA
**
I am so happy that I decided to read this again. It was better this 2nd time around. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so this made me so happy!
Birdie’s story is heartbreaking and different than anything else I’ve read. The revelations of the truth that happened throughout the story were wild.
Lonan was perfect for her in & out of the bedroom 😉 He gave her space when she needed it but never gave up on her. The progression of their relationship was really sweet (& sexy)
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense