A review by bchristian541
Before I Knew by Jamie Beck

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Colby's life is filled with tragedy. She lost her best friend and neighbor, Joe, to a tragedy, a tragedy that his family blames her husband, Mark for. Bi-polar Mark succumbs to his disease and Colby is struck with another tragic loss. Between losing the two people she loved the most, Joe's father not even looking at her anymore, a toxic stepmother, and a somewhat narcissistic mother, Colby's life is looking bleak. That is, until her brother, Hunter, and their dad help her to open up a restaurant called A CertainTea. Hunter, unknowingly to Colby, hires Joe's older brother Alec to be the lead chef. Alec has been reeling ever since the loss of his little brother, the loss of his restaurant, and Mark's death. Both deaths he partly blames himself for. Before I Knew follows Colby and Alec's journey to heal. Do they manage to find peace? Does Alec ever come clean about some secrets he's been hiding? Does Colby share the love for him like he does for her? Find out in Before I Knew.