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sakeenah's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
0live_tr33's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Abandonment, and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Drug abuse
labwa_0712's review against another edition
1.0
If I said this book was a disappointment, it’d mean I had expectations from it which I didn’t. So yeah, I wasn’t really expecting to like it. I know that JEA is a talented author and I’ve read some good books by her but all the recent ones were shit.
I’m not a big fan of books where the wife dies, they befriend another woman and the soon to be dead wife tries to set her up with her husband. That makes no sense to me. Why do you think your husband will focus on another woman while you’re dying? Zach was a loving and doting husband. Because of that, ‘Em developed feelings for him because he was the first glimpse of love and kindness from a man. Her father bolted before she was born and her mother dated all jerks. So it’s understandable. But no way I can see Zach reciprocating her feelings.
The part where they got married was fine. It was a marriage of convenience. But there was no connection between them. No feel good moments what would make me root for this couple. Yeah they understood each other but they bonded in grief. Zach should have had the time to mourn. Instead he got entangled in Em and her issues.
Speaking of which, after Em started applying for jobs, she got them and how her life is perfect while she travels the world. Could she not do this before? Before she used to live out of her car and now $100 ties are cheap to her. Most of the book she spent traveling so there less no time to establish a connection between them. It was said so many times but never showed.
There’s nothing appealing about Zack except he’s a good man and husband. Ok. That’s not enough for me to like a character when I’m reading a book. That’s just bare minimum. Other than that, he seemed like a flat character. He was confused about his feelings for Em and he just called her his wife whenever it suited him. Sometimes they’d have sex, laugh, smile together and suddenly he’s like my wife is dead. Yeah I get that. He should have time to mourn his dead wife, not starting another relationship right away just because his dead wife hoped for him. Also Em was young but she was out of her right when she created that scene at Aaron’s wedding. Also why is everyone so much nice in this book? That’s not possible. Susie loved Em, Zach married her to help her, his family loved her, Leah the influencer lady instantly became best friend with her even her boyfriend who she broke up with was nice to her. Not one bad character which is impossible.
Anyways, I just didn’t like this book.
I’m not a big fan of books where the wife dies, they befriend another woman and the soon to be dead wife tries to set her up with her husband. That makes no sense to me. Why do you think your husband will focus on another woman while you’re dying? Zach was a loving and doting husband. Because of that, ‘Em developed feelings for him because he was the first glimpse of love and kindness from a man. Her father bolted before she was born and her mother dated all jerks. So it’s understandable. But no way I can see Zach reciprocating her feelings.
The part where they got married was fine. It was a marriage of convenience. But there was no connection between them. No feel good moments what would make me root for this couple. Yeah they understood each other but they bonded in grief. Zach should have had the time to mourn. Instead he got entangled in Em and her issues.
Speaking of which, after Em started applying for jobs, she got them and how her life is perfect while she travels the world. Could she not do this before? Before she used to live out of her car and now $100 ties are cheap to her. Most of the book she spent traveling so there less no time to establish a connection between them. It was said so many times but never showed.
There’s nothing appealing about Zack except he’s a good man and husband. Ok. That’s not enough for me to like a character when I’m reading a book. That’s just bare minimum. Other than that, he seemed like a flat character. He was confused about his feelings for Em and he just called her his wife whenever it suited him. Sometimes they’d have sex, laugh, smile together and suddenly he’s like my wife is dead. Yeah I get that. He should have time to mourn his dead wife, not starting another relationship right away just because his dead wife hoped for him. Also Em was young but she was out of her right when she created that scene at Aaron’s wedding. Also why is everyone so much nice in this book? That’s not possible. Susie loved Em, Zach married her to help her, his family loved her, Leah the influencer lady instantly became best friend with her even her boyfriend who she broke up with was nice to her. Not one bad character which is impossible.
Anyways, I just didn’t like this book.
readfrenzy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars!
Before Us proves once again that Jewel E. Ann is Queen of the Feels. Evidently, one romance wasn’t enough for her. Instead, there are two completely different but equally breathtaking love stories that entranced me with their tenderness.
Zach and Suzanne have an enduring love that would make anyone jealous. Zach was a romantic and doting husband even before his wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. We’re talking Swoon City. Her impending death makes him even more attentive. I enjoyed the tight bond that Emersyn and Suzanne form. Despite her illness, Suzanne is fun, loving, and selfless in her desire for Zach to find happiness after her death. Zach’s grief is palpable, and the grieving process is handled with care.
Even though Emersyn is living out of her car, dealing with a chronic medical condition, and drowning in debt, she remains optimistic. I love that she continues to dream big. I was worried that Zach’s decision to marry her would feel too contrived. However, the way it is incorporated into the plot seems genuine, especially given Zach’s caregiving nature.
For the longest time, the romantic feelings that Emersyn develops appear to be one-sided. Even though I understood the reason, I wasn’t fond of Zach sending Emersyn mixed messages by calling her his wife in a possessive and affectionate sense and then encouraging her to date others in the next moment. It’s confusing for Emersyn. However, I loved how supportive he is of her, both physically and emotionally. You’ve heard of slow burn romances? Well, this story has a wonderful slow burn friendship between Zach and Emersyn. Their eventual romance is achingly touching.
The book made me wonder about the existence of soul mates and whether or not it’s possible to love two people equally. I felt every single emotion known to man in this gorgeous story. I couldn’t put it down.
Recommended for fans of:
Photography
Travel
Widower/widow love stories
Damsels in distress
Before Us proves once again that Jewel E. Ann is Queen of the Feels. Evidently, one romance wasn’t enough for her. Instead, there are two completely different but equally breathtaking love stories that entranced me with their tenderness.
Zach and Suzanne have an enduring love that would make anyone jealous. Zach was a romantic and doting husband even before his wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. We’re talking Swoon City. Her impending death makes him even more attentive. I enjoyed the tight bond that Emersyn and Suzanne form. Despite her illness, Suzanne is fun, loving, and selfless in her desire for Zach to find happiness after her death. Zach’s grief is palpable, and the grieving process is handled with care.
Even though Emersyn is living out of her car, dealing with a chronic medical condition, and drowning in debt, she remains optimistic. I love that she continues to dream big. I was worried that Zach’s decision to marry her would feel too contrived. However, the way it is incorporated into the plot seems genuine, especially given Zach’s caregiving nature.
For the longest time, the romantic feelings that Emersyn develops appear to be one-sided. Even though I understood the reason, I wasn’t fond of Zach sending Emersyn mixed messages by calling her his wife in a possessive and affectionate sense and then encouraging her to date others in the next moment. It’s confusing for Emersyn. However, I loved how supportive he is of her, both physically and emotionally. You’ve heard of slow burn romances? Well, this story has a wonderful slow burn friendship between Zach and Emersyn. Their eventual romance is achingly touching.
The book made me wonder about the existence of soul mates and whether or not it’s possible to love two people equally. I felt every single emotion known to man in this gorgeous story. I couldn’t put it down.
Recommended for fans of:
Photography
Travel
Widower/widow love stories
Damsels in distress
*I received an early copy. This does not affect my opinions.*
fejiro_da's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mrsmarplesreads's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jackiemcee's review against another edition
4.0
Rating this 4 stars because of my darn sentiments. Whenever I read a book with the Big C trope in it, I can't move on after that love story. I'm married and that vow of "til death do us part" is sacred; I can move on, I can let go, but I don't think I can ever replace. I'm elated for Zach and Emersyn but in my heart I know Zach and Suzanne will always be superior and that thought makes me sad for Em. I know it's a different kind of love, not more than the other but for me it feels like no one can really replace your one true love no matter how many soulmates you meet.
“Ask me to stay. Skip my flights. Crawl into bed with you and forget about the world.”
“Ask me to stay,” she whispers. “Quit my job. Crawl into bed with you and forget about the world.”
“Ask me to stay. Skip my flights. Crawl into bed with you and forget about the world.”
“Ask me to stay,” she whispers. “Quit my job. Crawl into bed with you and forget about the world.”