Reviews

Before I Let You Go, by Kelly Rimmer

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booklvrkat's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of those stories that has happened in real life. You know deep in your soul that it has. Understanding the depth of Annie's addiction is beyond me, and the heartache that Lexi feels just from getting a phone call from her? WRENCHING.<---big, bold, and underlined WRENCHING. I refuse to give away the story, but make sure you have several boxes of tissue, maybe a stiff drink, and someone to hug you when you are done with this read. This is one of my Top 10 reads of the year.

alexa_mcternan's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eblouin79's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.5

tee_dot's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kristy_k's review against another edition

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4.0

Before I Go is a poignant novel about family and unexpected changes. The story begins with Annie reaching out to her sister Lexie right before the birth of her (drug addicted) baby. Lexie agrees to kinship care while Annie deals with the legal ramifications of doing drugs while pregnant (and also agreeing to rehab).

The present situation is told from Lexie’s POV while Annie’s chapters delve into the past. Their dad died when they were young and their mom remarried a man name Robert who brings them to a religious community which strongly resembles a cult. Through Annie’s “journal” entries we learn of the suppression, control, and abuse they (Annie especially) suffered at the hand of Robert and others.

As Lexie adjusts to taking care of an infant, Annie struggles in rehab. They have a very codependent relationship that was interesting (and often times frustrating) to read about.

I have to say I grew irritated with the way Lexie treated Sam, her fiancé. He was so kind and supportive of her family situation and yet she just kept pushing him away and being defensive. At one point Sam tells her “sometimes, I think you don’t know me at all,” and honestly, many times it felt that way.

The ending is bittersweet yet fitting. Rimmer created an emotional, moving novel that tugs at your heartstrings.

mrs_george's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a well-written, complex novel that resonated with me in so many ways. I’m not a crier (my sister calls me The Ice Queen) but this really tugged on my emotions. I lost an uncle to addiction and although I knew addiction was a disease, I still blamed him for being selfish. Reading this really helped me to see drug addiction in a new way and, although it’s emotionally hard, I’m able to mourn my uncle in a way that I never was able to before.