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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
I can't really get too much into the story because giving details would clue in those who have yet to read the book to what secrets Caynan is keeping from Hadley. What I will say, though, is that J. Nathan has given readers yet another story that has at least one main character dealing with complicated circumstances and how different their life becomes after allowing the other main character to get close enough to them. Caynan and Hadley's love is tried and tested. There's time for contemplation and a need to seek absolution, even when it doesn't come easily. Caynan realizes his life before Hadley is very different from his life after Hadley. The question becomes, is he prepared to live a life without her and would she ever be willing to have a life with him again? I loved Before Hadley and happily give it 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
I can't really get too much into the story because giving details would clue in those who have yet to read the book to what secrets Caynan is keeping from Hadley. What I will say, though, is that J. Nathan has given readers yet another story that has at least one main character dealing with complicated circumstances and how different their life becomes after allowing the other main character to get close enough to them. Caynan and Hadley's love is tried and tested. There's time for contemplation and a need to seek absolution, even when it doesn't come easily. Caynan realizes his life before Hadley is very different from his life after Hadley. The question becomes, is he prepared to live a life without her and would she ever be willing to have a life with him again? I loved Before Hadley and happily give it 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars. ♥
beyondevak's review against another edition
5.0
5 super, fantastic, wonderful stars!!! My heart melted on this one. Truly, it was a gut puncher.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA, A
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Re-read: Yes!
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA, A
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Re-read: Yes!
Source: NetGalley
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
4.0
I went into Before Hadley with extremely high expectations having absolutely loved and five starred Since Drew. The story was enjoyable it just wasn't the blow-me-out-of-the-water book I was expecting it to be. It just seemed to lack the magic I felt with Drew.
Typically I'm not a fan of books with high school aged characters, I was expecting them to be older when I saw this was a new adult book. Eventually the book does fast forward a few years and we get the two main characters as college age.
The dialogue was great, I loved the banter, but I just can't quite put my finger on what was missing. The fact that I was easily distracted and this story just didn't seem to hold my attention is what compels me to rate Before Hadley as a 3.5 star book. It could've totally just been me, but it didn't work.
~ Lia, 3.5 Stars
Typically I'm not a fan of books with high school aged characters, I was expecting them to be older when I saw this was a new adult book. Eventually the book does fast forward a few years and we get the two main characters as college age.
The dialogue was great, I loved the banter, but I just can't quite put my finger on what was missing. The fact that I was easily distracted and this story just didn't seem to hold my attention is what compels me to rate Before Hadley as a 3.5 star book. It could've totally just been me, but it didn't work.
~ Lia, 3.5 Stars
akristinab's review against another edition
4.0
Not gunna lie, the beginning was a little slow for me. But the last half defiantly made up for it. There's a reason why J. Nathan has already become one of my favorite authors and that's because she doesn't disappoint. This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotion with some surprises I never saw coming. For sure a book I'd shove in my fiends faces demanding they read so we can gush over it haha :)
violetsbookjar's review against another edition
4.0
Great book.
Loved the character development the most with this story.
Kept me reading and I couldn't put the book down.
Didn't expect it to be the way it was... which was awesome. Kept me guessing half the time.
:)
Loved the character development the most with this story.
Kept me reading and I couldn't put the book down.
Didn't expect it to be the way it was... which was awesome. Kept me guessing half the time.
:)
shaunnah511's review against another edition
3.0
Like all of J Nathan's books, this was a unique story with an interesting plot, however there were some elements that were off-putting to me.
While the two main characters (Hadley and Caynan) were quite unique and interesting, there wasn't a single side character who had any personality. Everyone surrounding our MC's was a cardboard cutout, particularly the "slutty girls". This book spends a lot of time making sure you know Hadley isn't "one of those girls", but never really introduces us to any other girls, so what girls exactly is she not like? I little too much slut-shaming happening here for my liking.
The plot had one of my major reading pet peeves (why does that seem to be happening so much lately?!) but, it was actually handled quite well in my opinion. However, the ending was quite rushed and I felt like they didn't really have enough of a chance to resolve their feelings.
I do however, want to thank the author for not making "the other man" and "the other woman" villains. They are just people that the MCs cannot be with, because they clearly have feelings for each other. A spoiler note for those annoyed by OW and OM even being present:
Overall I enjoy J Nathan's writing, and will continue to read the books she puts out, but it definitely isn't my favourite.
While the two main characters (Hadley and Caynan) were quite unique and interesting, there wasn't a single side character who had any personality. Everyone surrounding our MC's was a cardboard cutout, particularly the "slutty girls". This book spends a lot of time making sure you know Hadley isn't "one of those girls", but never really introduces us to any other girls, so what girls exactly is she not like? I little too much slut-shaming happening here for my liking.
The plot had one of my major reading pet peeves (why does that seem to be happening so much lately?!) but, it was actually handled quite well in my opinion. However, the ending was quite rushed and I felt like they didn't really have enough of a chance to resolve their feelings.
I do however, want to thank the author for not making "the other man" and "the other woman" villains. They are just people that the MCs cannot be with, because they clearly have feelings for each other. A spoiler note for those annoyed by OW and OM even being present:
Spoiler
Hadley gets intimate with another man, while the MCs are broken up, although they don't make it as far as actual sex.Overall I enjoy J Nathan's writing, and will continue to read the books she puts out, but it definitely isn't my favourite.
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
I liked this book but didn't love it. Caynan was not very likable for the first half of the book but I really liked him in the second half. I liked Hadley in the first half of the book but not as much in the second part. I wanted a little more chemistry between these two- I didn't really feel the love connection between them (especially during the 2nd part of their story.) I did find the story interesting and I love a reformed bad boy. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
I liked this book but didn't love it. Caynan was not very likable for the first half of the book but I really liked him in the second half. I liked Hadley in the first half of the book but not as much in the second part. I wanted a little more chemistry between these two- I didn't really feel the love connection between them (especially during the 2nd part of their story.) I did find the story interesting and I love a reformed bad boy. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
xoxotawnydee's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 kisses!
I just finished reading a book that was classified as a romance but unfortunately just didn't cut it. It was forced and the characters were always fighting. The romance was pretty much non-existent. Thank goodness Before Hadley was different. Before Hadley is a great story for anyone looking for a good New Adult book with a slightly different plot than the typical ones. It has the typical swoon and angst [which let's face it, is what I'm looking for when I'm reading these books]. It is funny and witty and the characters are extremely well developed. It pays more attention to the romance between the characters than the main characters' separate lives, through there are plenty of scenes that give you a glimpse into each of their lives without the other so you don't feel like their relationship is being shoved down your throat.
Caynan is the new kid, hailing from "rainy London" and who has girls swarming him from the minute he shows up. But nothing is as it seems. He's grown up with only his father and unfortunately the two don't have the best relationship. No spoilers, but for a good part of the book all I wanted to do was shake the shit out of him. I do like that the author didn't make him the typical lead with dark hair and blue eyes. It ended up making him more memorable.
Hadley was also more memorable than the typical lead because while she was described similarly to the leads from multiple New Adult books, she was also described as being fairly popular with the guys [something that most authors tend to shy away from]. She only hangs out with a small group but it is hinted that she's had her fair share of boyfriends. Obviously she's not as much of a loner as she appears. She's also an artist, a fact that plays a big part in her decision to give Caynan a chance. She's strong too, not shying away from what needs to be done, and I was so proud of her.
The two of them together are the most adorable couple, which is partly why I wanted to shake Caynan so bad, between his cocky attitude and her feisty sarcasm they were a great match. And, spoiler alert, they get their happy ending, which is really all that matters in the end.
** I received this book in exchange for honest review on NetGalley **
I just finished reading a book that was classified as a romance but unfortunately just didn't cut it. It was forced and the characters were always fighting. The romance was pretty much non-existent. Thank goodness Before Hadley was different. Before Hadley is a great story for anyone looking for a good New Adult book with a slightly different plot than the typical ones. It has the typical swoon and angst [which let's face it, is what I'm looking for when I'm reading these books]. It is funny and witty and the characters are extremely well developed. It pays more attention to the romance between the characters than the main characters' separate lives, through there are plenty of scenes that give you a glimpse into each of their lives without the other so you don't feel like their relationship is being shoved down your throat.
Caynan is the new kid, hailing from "rainy London" and who has girls swarming him from the minute he shows up. But nothing is as it seems. He's grown up with only his father and unfortunately the two don't have the best relationship. No spoilers, but for a good part of the book all I wanted to do was shake the shit out of him. I do like that the author didn't make him the typical lead with dark hair and blue eyes. It ended up making him more memorable.
Hadley was also more memorable than the typical lead because while she was described similarly to the leads from multiple New Adult books, she was also described as being fairly popular with the guys [something that most authors tend to shy away from]. She only hangs out with a small group but it is hinted that she's had her fair share of boyfriends. Obviously she's not as much of a loner as she appears. She's also an artist, a fact that plays a big part in her decision to give Caynan a chance. She's strong too, not shying away from what needs to be done, and I was so proud of her.
The two of them together are the most adorable couple, which is partly why I wanted to shake Caynan so bad, between his cocky attitude and her feisty sarcasm they were a great match. And, spoiler alert, they get their happy ending, which is really all that matters in the end.
** I received this book in exchange for honest review on NetGalley **
beegutzz's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow for me but definitely a good book and pretty dang cute.
mlatrece's review against another edition
4.0
Who doesn't love the good girl bad boy love story? I couldn't put this book down. I loved how the story is broken into two parts with dual point of view from Hadley and Cayman.
What I loved most about this story is that it really teaches you about forgiveness and self-worth.
“I need to be someone’s everything, too…. Just because I made mistakes in the past, doesn’t mean I don’t deserve a future with someone who wants me for me. I deserve to be wanted, too.” -- Cayman
This story made me cried at times; but I would recommend this book to any fan of New Adult novels. I look forward to more novels by J. Nathan.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved most about this story is that it really teaches you about forgiveness and self-worth.
“I need to be someone’s everything, too…. Just because I made mistakes in the past, doesn’t mean I don’t deserve a future with someone who wants me for me. I deserve to be wanted, too.” -- Cayman
This story made me cried at times; but I would recommend this book to any fan of New Adult novels. I look forward to more novels by J. Nathan.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.