Reviews

Before Hadley by J. Nathan

sbauer16's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the first book I've read by this author so I didn't know what to expect. The blurb and cover definitely intrigued me. This book was NOTHING like I thought it was going to be. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I'm keeping this short. I really liked that this book was so different than I expected. This book had a refreshing quality about it. This book was split up into two different parts. I wished the second one was just a little bit longer though.

I'll definitely read more from this author in the future.

This book was told in first person through the hero and heroine's POV.

christinaerickson33's review

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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

3.5

jadeshea's review against another edition

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3.0

NetGalley ARC

Before Hadley begins with us learning a little bit about Hadley and a lot about Caynan. He's the new guy at school who gets every girl and seems to be an all around playboy. Hadley knows that it's bad news getting with him, so she does the only thing she can think of stay away from him. But Caynan is not easily put off by her, and the more he learns about her the more he realizes he has to have her. However, he's hiding a lot of things that could bring them both down in the end.

This book starts out pretty interesting, but then I got a little bit bored with it. I liked the over all story line, but was annoyed with the relationship between Hadley and Caynan. And Caynan and his father. That just irritated me a whole lot.

Other than that it was a very interesting read and I liked it!

christinaerickson33's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

myblissfulbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Sit back and read as Hadley and Caynan's ruin each other and yet save each other as well. One night changes both their lives. For Hadley it changes her perspective on everything. For Caynan it frees him, in ways he never expected and yet enprisions him.

Hadley is a typical teenage girl. Beautiful, intelligent, friendly, confident, and very self assured. She is not looking for a boyfriend when Caynan bursts into her life at a party. Caynan is a new student from Britian. He's a baseball player, very charismatic, and bound and determined to win over Hadley. Caynan is also keeping some very big secrets.

Unsure of the when, why, or how Hadley finds herself falling for Caynan. He is not what his public persona tends to lead most people to believe. There is just something about Hadley that draws him in. For Hadley, Caynan is does the same. Pulling her in like a moth to a flame. And just like that moth Hadley gets burned when Caynan's secrets come to light.

Three years pass, Hadley has moved on with her life (or so it may seem) when once again Caynan blasts back into her life. This time with an apology, one that he has been writing to her every week for the last three years. Letters that Hadley has refused to read, yet never gotten rid of.

Sometimes in life you find someone who you love and that loves you but secrets, pasts, or life itself pulls you away from. Before Hadley is that story. You can't help but root for Caynan and Hadley. You want them to end up together, even after all that occurs to them and between them. You want the HEA even with all the hurt that has happened.

I wanted to see Hadley's wall crumble. Hell I wanted to leap into the story and fix it myself! J. Nathan has done a great job of bringing complex characters to life. Watching them evolve and grow, fall and get up, fight for what they wanted was truly enjoyable.

Hadley's attitude and the banter between her and Caynan grabs you and pulls you in.


Side Note:
Yanno, sometimes writing reviews is really hard. I don't want to share everything with you, especially huge spoilers. Usually I can find a way to get around doing just that but this story makes it almost impossible.

rithika789's review against another edition

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5.0

<3

beth5677's review against another edition

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4.0

****I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Net-galley in exchange for an honest review. ****
Hadley is a girl in a small town somewhere in Georgia. She can’t wait to graduate and off to college to study art. She has everything all planned out. Caynan is the new boy in town, who Hadley had completely labeled as a player. Caynon had never met a girl who could resist him or one he’s wanted so badly and Hadley has done both. As Caynan and Hadley interact a relationship begins to form. A relationship that can ruin everything for Caynan. Caynan has spent most of his life move from one town to another keeping everyone at arm’s length until he meets Hadley.
I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I first thought I would. At the start I thought it was going to be YA contemporary romance. At times it felt like a Nicholas Sparks novel, but better. It made me cry, tore my heart at one point and made me cheer at the end. If you are a fan of Sparks or John Green I think you should give this book a try.

katekat's review against another edition

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5.0

J. Nathan is an author I quite enjoy. I find her writing style and her characters to be appealing. I like her storylines and I quickly find myself invested in the lives of the characters who inhabit her books. She is definitely an author I recommend.

bubblestar64's review against another edition

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5.0

♡♡♡

nbiblioholic's review against another edition

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4.0

This is my first book from this author and it was a great introduction to her work. Before Hadley follows the typical new adult romance trope with a twist.

We are introduced to Hadley. She's the daughter of a socialite and a police detective. Her father being a cop intimidates most people from interacting with her. Along comes Caynan and he has no problem pushing all of her buttons, finding his way in despite her father's career and the walls she's erected to deter people from getting too close. The twist of this story is that Caynan is not who he seems.

I don't want to give away anymore of the plot. I'm just going to say that this was an enjoyable read and I didn't find much fault in it. My only real complaint is regarding the end.
The story jumps from Hadley telling Connor she could forgive him to him visiting his dad in prison and forgiving him to two years later and Connor and Hadley are stronger than ever. I wanted to see some of the work that went into building their strong relationship. The work that went into gaining Hadley's trust.


Enjoy! xo