knallen's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet, fluffy, fun contemporary romance. The world was a fun one to step into and the characters were well written. The families are what really made this book for me. I adored Finley's family so much and was so glad to see it featured in the story as much as it was. Nice, not super serious read.
thewrappedupreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.0
This book is the kind of book that you can read without having to think too much about it. That being said, I did really enjoy it, and I had a hard time putting it down once I started.
clairebinkley's review against another edition
5.0
The book begins with 2 models -- Finley and Eddie.
Both living in NYC and experiencing the brutal model industry
Finley is tired of being told that she is cute or sweet. She wants Edgier.
Eddie needs an income so he starts modeling.
Their paths continue to to cross and then they eventually fall more in love.
Now, it isn't as simple as that but as they face various troubles, they learnt to face them and grow together.
Both living in NYC and experiencing the brutal model industry
Finley is tired of being told that she is cute or sweet. She wants Edgier.
Eddie needs an income so he starts modeling.
Their paths continue to to cross and then they eventually fall more in love.
Now, it isn't as simple as that but as they face various troubles, they learnt to face them and grow together.
cocktailsandbooks1's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin’s Press).
She’s also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, and many more to come!
Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children. She’s a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Director with the YMCA.
She’s a lover of books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres.
Outside of her reading and writing credibility’s, Julie Cross is a committed–but not talented–long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as a ponytail and gym shoe addict.
Mark Perini is a New York City based author debuting his first YA novel, Halfway Perfect. Additionally, Mark is a featured author in the NA anthology, Fifty First Times.
Mark began his career as an international fashion model when he was 18 years old, while simultaneously obtaining a business degree from Seton Hall University. He has a passion for traveling the world, and he’s made a blood pact with friends to see all seven ancient wonders of the world before he’s thirty. Four down three to go.
There was so much about YOU BEFORE ANYONE ELSE that I loved. The characters, the storyline and even the backdrop for this story were perfect. But what I loved most about this book were Finley and Eddie. Their unmistakable draw to each other. The uncanny way they knew when the other needed them, even when they were trying to stay away. It was remarkable that two people so young could know exactly what they wanted from the other...even when they didn't know what they wanted from themselves.
Finley and Eddie find themselves, at the tender age of 18, trying to breakaway. Eddie from his controlling family, desperate to have something that is his. And Finley, desperate to make money to re-open the one place that always brought her happiness...her parents' dance studio. They both turn to modeling and suddenly are running in the same circles, living in the same building and finding themselves drawn to each other.
Both these characters have pieces of them that are broken, but Eddie is by far the wrose off of the two of them. Modeling for him is a way to runaway from his family and the nightmare that has been his life for several months. Typecast as a "bad boy" by the modeling agencies, Eddie is anything but. He's thoughtful, sweet and determined to do the right thing no matter what the cost. When Eddie's full story is revealed, it's hard to not admire a kid who was so willing to stand up for what he wanted, even if that meant leaving the comforts he had known before behind.
Finley was instantly likable and as we got to know her, we understand why she carried the burdens that she did. But as she carried those burdens, she also forgot what it was that she loved before her world fell apart. It took Eddie's belief in her, his gentle pushing and a good friend with a camera to show Finley that she could follow her dream and still achieve the goal she set out for herself.
This was such a great story and it's one I know I'll be telling people to read. The book is charming and sticks with you well after you turned to the last page.
Be a #ModelCitizen and Enter to Win!
BUY NOW
Julie Cross and Mark Perini, along with Tasty Book Tours, are celebrating those who have taken the steps in Breaking the Mold on society’s expectations, like Finley, the heroine from YOU BEFORE ANYONE ELSE! We are looking for anyone who would like to share their story and be entered to win a 2017 Erin Condren Life Planner!
Head over to fb.me/TastyBookTours and leave a comment with your story. Feel free to share picture of your journey and use #breakingthemold at the end of your comment!
Entries must be in by 11:59pm, Aug 15th, 2016. No purchase necessary to enter. If under 12 years old, you must have approval by a guardian to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin’s Press).
She’s also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, and many more to come!
Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children. She’s a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Director with the YMCA.
She’s a lover of books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres.
Outside of her reading and writing credibility’s, Julie Cross is a committed–but not talented–long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as a ponytail and gym shoe addict.
Mark Perini is a New York City based author debuting his first YA novel, Halfway Perfect. Additionally, Mark is a featured author in the NA anthology, Fifty First Times.
Mark began his career as an international fashion model when he was 18 years old, while simultaneously obtaining a business degree from Seton Hall University. He has a passion for traveling the world, and he’s made a blood pact with friends to see all seven ancient wonders of the world before he’s thirty. Four down three to go.
Don't miss the companion novel
HALFWAY PERFECT
kiaramedina's review against another edition
2.0
*I read this as an ARC as part of #ARCAugust (2017) and my arc catch-up challenge. I DNFed at 25%. I had previously read 15% before leaving it aside. As always, this is my honest opinion. All reviews at: www.theterriblebookblogger.wordpress.com
I gave this book two shots.
Overall, I just wasn’t interested in the story. I didn’t care much for the characters, didn’t really get the feel and mood the story was attempting.
I didn’t care for Fin or Eddie, and I cared even less when they were together. I have a feeling the story was going to try to pull a long trying to stay apart before ultimately getting together story line and I didn’t have the patience for it.
There was just too much that I didn’t enjoy for me to get any actual enjoyment from it.
I gave this book two shots.
Overall, I just wasn’t interested in the story. I didn’t care much for the characters, didn’t really get the feel and mood the story was attempting.
I didn’t care for Fin or Eddie, and I cared even less when they were together. I have a feeling the story was going to try to pull a long trying to stay apart before ultimately getting together story line and I didn’t have the patience for it.
There was just too much that I didn’t enjoy for me to get any actual enjoyment from it.
zainabsheikh's review against another edition
3.0
**I was provided with an eArc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
The book started off really good but then it became a torture and I was really close to dnf-ing it.
No, I don't hate this book but this book is dragged.. a lot. It's 400 pages long and I think that the authors (It's written by two authors) could wind up the story in 200 or maximum 300 pages. I got bored of reading this book and that's one of the reasons why it took me 3-4 days to finish it.
I don't like Finley's character. She's too perfect and flawless for me to like her. Quoting the NetGalley synopsis She's "The supportive friend, the reliable daughter, the doting big-sister" I know the reasons but it's way too much. I mean, she's a too-sweet and too-kind friend who never gets angry or mad and it's way too unrealistic. I have been reading books for a long time and I like reading about characters that have flaws and are fighting their inner demons and I know she wants to open her mother's studio (no, it's not a spoiler) but other than that, there's nothing. She feels like a blank character and I couldn't connect with her.
The good thing about this book is the character development. This book has a really good character development. I'm not lying when I say that I started to like Finley at the end of the book. Her character developed a lot and I'm really glad that it did! And Eddie's character felt real. He kept struggling with himself and he kept fighting his family for what he felt was right for him.
The writing was okay. I have already said that the authors could wind up the book in 200 pages and it kinda felt like the book was dragged. I took a lot of break from this book and thankfully when I went back to it, it didn't feel that bad. I'm satisfied with how the book ended.
I would also like to mention that this book is neither a YA or NA but it's somewhere in between.
I would only recommend you this book if you're really into romantic novels. I'm not into romance books much and that's why I didn't like/enjoy this book a lot.
The book started off really good but then it became a torture and I was really close to dnf-ing it.
No, I don't hate this book but this book is dragged.. a lot. It's 400 pages long and I think that the authors (It's written by two authors) could wind up the story in 200 or maximum 300 pages. I got bored of reading this book and that's one of the reasons why it took me 3-4 days to finish it.
I don't like Finley's character. She's too perfect and flawless for me to like her. Quoting the NetGalley synopsis She's "The supportive friend, the reliable daughter, the doting big-sister" I know the reasons but it's way too much. I mean, she's a too-sweet and too-kind friend who never gets angry or mad and it's way too unrealistic. I have been reading books for a long time and I like reading about characters that have flaws and are fighting their inner demons and I know she wants to open her mother's studio (no, it's not a spoiler) but other than that, there's nothing. She feels like a blank character and I couldn't connect with her.
The good thing about this book is the character development. This book has a really good character development. I'm not lying when I say that I started to like Finley at the end of the book. Her character developed a lot and I'm really glad that it did! And Eddie's character felt real. He kept struggling with himself and he kept fighting his family for what he felt was right for him.
The writing was okay. I have already said that the authors could wind up the book in 200 pages and it kinda felt like the book was dragged. I took a lot of break from this book and thankfully when I went back to it, it didn't feel that bad. I'm satisfied with how the book ended.
I would also like to mention that this book is neither a YA or NA but it's somewhere in between.
I would only recommend you this book if you're really into romantic novels. I'm not into romance books much and that's why I didn't like/enjoy this book a lot.
thereallilycooper's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not normally a fan of these types of books with teen pregnancies and such - too much drama - but this book did a good job at sucking me in and turning the story into a heartfelt moment.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
3.0
I want to thank Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
I really loved the first installment in this series. It was so different. I know nothing of the modeling world, so it opened my eyes to so much. I figured this one would go in a similar direction as the first but I was surprised to see that it actually did not. What I loved most about this book is that the two main characters are really just ordinary people trying to make some money so they can pursue their dreams. It's not just about modeling and if they can make it, it's about how they can make fast money to use where they need it most. And interesting take on this industry for sure.
The book is written in dual POV: first person from Finley and third from Eddie. This was an interesting choice by the authors. I'm not sure why they chose to do it this way. I often see this done because one of the characters needs to be fleshed out from an outside perspective and being inside their head this can't happen. But I didn't feel that was necessarily needed in this book. At the same time, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book or from how I connected with the characters, which is obviously important to the story line.
Finely is a good girl. She's labeled that way in the industry, as well. And she's itching to break out into some kind of rebel. Even her father tells her to go for it. But it's hard for her to alter her normal persona and try to become something she really isn't. She's fairly innocent and while she attempts to change that, it's hard for her because that's really not the direction she seems to want to go. She cares about her loved ones and is loyal.
Then there's Eddie. He's hiding a secret. I was pretty sure I knew what it was from the start. And I knew I wasn't going to be particularly happy about it when it was finally revealed. Of course I was right. But I did like Eddie. He had a head on his shoulders and, despite his messed up family life from which he was running, he was trying his hardest to make his past mistakes right. He was sweet and caring, as well. But I still wasn't thrilled with the scenario.
Of course the complicated story line really had me wondering what would happen. These kids are young but thrown into situations where they grow up so fast. There is a ton of character development throughout the story, which made it very enjoyable. I like to see characters who really take shape and form and grow and change. I find that to be so important and it certainly makes a story much less stagnant.
Overall, I enjoyed the story line. I wasn't sure if I would like the ending, and I do think that it ended a bit too neatly for what it was, but who's to say things don't happen this way in real life? I know I can't since I've not been in such a situation before.
If you're looking for a romantic read that touches on some deep topics, this is the book for you. Light in areas and heavy in others, it will leave you thinking about what might be and what could have been.
I really loved the first installment in this series. It was so different. I know nothing of the modeling world, so it opened my eyes to so much. I figured this one would go in a similar direction as the first but I was surprised to see that it actually did not. What I loved most about this book is that the two main characters are really just ordinary people trying to make some money so they can pursue their dreams. It's not just about modeling and if they can make it, it's about how they can make fast money to use where they need it most. And interesting take on this industry for sure.
The book is written in dual POV: first person from Finley and third from Eddie. This was an interesting choice by the authors. I'm not sure why they chose to do it this way. I often see this done because one of the characters needs to be fleshed out from an outside perspective and being inside their head this can't happen. But I didn't feel that was necessarily needed in this book. At the same time, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book or from how I connected with the characters, which is obviously important to the story line.
Finely is a good girl. She's labeled that way in the industry, as well. And she's itching to break out into some kind of rebel. Even her father tells her to go for it. But it's hard for her to alter her normal persona and try to become something she really isn't. She's fairly innocent and while she attempts to change that, it's hard for her because that's really not the direction she seems to want to go. She cares about her loved ones and is loyal.
Then there's Eddie. He's hiding a secret. I was pretty sure I knew what it was from the start. And I knew I wasn't going to be particularly happy about it when it was finally revealed. Of course I was right. But I did like Eddie. He had a head on his shoulders and, despite his messed up family life from which he was running, he was trying his hardest to make his past mistakes right. He was sweet and caring, as well. But I still wasn't thrilled with the scenario.
Of course the complicated story line really had me wondering what would happen. These kids are young but thrown into situations where they grow up so fast. There is a ton of character development throughout the story, which made it very enjoyable. I like to see characters who really take shape and form and grow and change. I find that to be so important and it certainly makes a story much less stagnant.
Overall, I enjoyed the story line. I wasn't sure if I would like the ending, and I do think that it ended a bit too neatly for what it was, but who's to say things don't happen this way in real life? I know I can't since I've not been in such a situation before.
If you're looking for a romantic read that touches on some deep topics, this is the book for you. Light in areas and heavy in others, it will leave you thinking about what might be and what could have been.
raoionna's review against another edition
3.0
Solid Julie Cross but hard times for hot people is hard to find relevant to my life.
dani_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. I thought it would be superficial fun, but You Before Anyone Else was incredibly deep and thought-provoking, while still maintaining a balance of fun and, well, sexiness.
The story surrounds Eddie and Fin, two 18-year-old models in NYC. Fin is trying to ditch her good girl image, while Eddie is just trying to ditch his life. After meeting at a party, Fin takes Eddie back to her place to experience what a one night stand is like. And here's where I thought it would be a simple love story where she pushes him away to maintain that idea, but he's all cocky and charming and works his way into her life through sheer sexual chemistry. NOPE. While she does try to stay away from them, their connection is so much deeper, and while there is definitely sexual chemistry, the relationship itself is a much more organic slow burn that had me pining and not just fanning my face. Also, I don't want to ruin anything, but PLOT TWISTS ABOUND.
I'm going to start with my only negative before I get to the good bits. I think the one thing I was a little disappointed with was the book's identity crisis. At the time of reading this, I have just kicked off New Adult August, and the first week has been all about defining New Adult. Personally, I would You Before Anyone Else in the NA range, as it deals with two characters who have left high school and are discovering who they want to be and what they want to do now that they're out in the real world. They're 18, they've moved out, they have jobs. That's NA to me, but the book has been shoehorned into YA for marketability. Not only does that frustrate me because it holds NA back from being recognised as a legitimate category, but it also means...fade to black.
Which brings me to the chemistry. YES WOW ALL THE AMAZE. These two were so adorable and sweet and funny and sexy and supportive and PERFECT. It killed me that we got all the teasing and tearing off of each other's clothing, and then it skipped ahead to the after. UGH. Also, hey, that whole scene where Eddie describes the body parts he loves? Swoon. ALSO CONSENT AND FEMALE EMPOWERMENT AND NO SLUT-SHAMING!!!!!!!!
Backing up, can I just say how much I love these characters as people? Eddie was thoughtful and charming, but also so clearly young and scared. My heart swelled for him over and over. Fin was crazy relatable. She liked to knit and watch movie marathons, thereby making her my kind of girl. She also struggled with wanting to be close to her family while also maybe just possibly pursuing a passion that had been put on hold after a tragedy.
And it doesn't end with Fin and Eddie. I loved the other characters as well, from Fin's cool, supportive dad to RJ to Eve. Even Summer surprised me. They could all be real people that I know.
Finally, I want to dedicate a paragraph to something I've already touched on here and there: growing up and figuring out what's best for you. This book brought up a lot of serious issues and dilemmas that I won't detail for risk of spoiling, but it did it in such a way as to show that there are always choices but not alway one right choice. What's best for one person won't necessarily be what another person wants, and that's OK. What matters is that you figure out what you want, not what your parents want or your friends want or those random strangers who think they have the right to tell you what to do want. You Before Anyone Else lives up to its name, telling the reader to examine their dreams and needs before trying to fit into other people's expectations. And boy does that mean so much to me right now.
All in all, I loved this book so much, and I think you should definitely put it on your TBR as an incredible YA/NA crossover contemporary.
I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. I thought it would be superficial fun, but You Before Anyone Else was incredibly deep and thought-provoking, while still maintaining a balance of fun and, well, sexiness.
The story surrounds Eddie and Fin, two 18-year-old models in NYC. Fin is trying to ditch her good girl image, while Eddie is just trying to ditch his life. After meeting at a party, Fin takes Eddie back to her place to experience what a one night stand is like. And here's where I thought it would be a simple love story where she pushes him away to maintain that idea, but he's all cocky and charming and works his way into her life through sheer sexual chemistry. NOPE. While she does try to stay away from them, their connection is so much deeper, and while there is definitely sexual chemistry, the relationship itself is a much more organic slow burn that had me pining and not just fanning my face. Also, I don't want to ruin anything, but PLOT TWISTS ABOUND.
I'm going to start with my only negative before I get to the good bits. I think the one thing I was a little disappointed with was the book's identity crisis. At the time of reading this, I have just kicked off New Adult August, and the first week has been all about defining New Adult. Personally, I would You Before Anyone Else in the NA range, as it deals with two characters who have left high school and are discovering who they want to be and what they want to do now that they're out in the real world. They're 18, they've moved out, they have jobs. That's NA to me, but the book has been shoehorned into YA for marketability. Not only does that frustrate me because it holds NA back from being recognised as a legitimate category, but it also means...fade to black.
Which brings me to the chemistry. YES WOW ALL THE AMAZE. These two were so adorable and sweet and funny and sexy and supportive and PERFECT. It killed me that we got all the teasing and tearing off of each other's clothing, and then it skipped ahead to the after. UGH. Also, hey, that whole scene where Eddie describes the body parts he loves? Swoon. ALSO CONSENT AND FEMALE EMPOWERMENT AND NO SLUT-SHAMING!!!!!!!!
Backing up, can I just say how much I love these characters as people? Eddie was thoughtful and charming, but also so clearly young and scared. My heart swelled for him over and over. Fin was crazy relatable. She liked to knit and watch movie marathons, thereby making her my kind of girl. She also struggled with wanting to be close to her family while also maybe just possibly pursuing a passion that had been put on hold after a tragedy.
And it doesn't end with Fin and Eddie. I loved the other characters as well, from Fin's cool, supportive dad to RJ to Eve. Even Summer surprised me. They could all be real people that I know.
Finally, I want to dedicate a paragraph to something I've already touched on here and there: growing up and figuring out what's best for you. This book brought up a lot of serious issues and dilemmas that I won't detail for risk of spoiling, but it did it in such a way as to show that there are always choices but not alway one right choice. What's best for one person won't necessarily be what another person wants, and that's OK. What matters is that you figure out what you want, not what your parents want or your friends want or those random strangers who think they have the right to tell you what to do want. You Before Anyone Else lives up to its name, telling the reader to examine their dreams and needs before trying to fit into other people's expectations. And boy does that mean so much to me right now.
All in all, I loved this book so much, and I think you should definitely put it on your TBR as an incredible YA/NA crossover contemporary.
See this review in its natural environment, Dani Reviews Things.