A review by xanthe87
Before I Fall by Joelle Lynne

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Wow, this book definitely starts with an emotional punch, and not in a good way. Evan is there when his little boy is born but also when his partner dies. It's equally the worst and best day of his life, made no easier by the woman's mother who blames Evan. Having been abandoned by his parents for going against their strict religious views he finds himself alone and struggling with a newborn baby but his aunt's ex-husband, Simon, steps up just in time to support him through the wake and hushed abuse from the mother. 
Simon is full of guilt for leaving Evan in a small town surrounded by intensely religious people with no support apart from him girlfriend. Now he's back hoping to help as much as possible before returning back home to New York. What he isn't expecting is the attraction he feels towards the younger man and how his heart is pulled towards the small family. It's a slow burn romance as Evan learns to live with his grief and being a new father whilst both men deal with the harassment and bullying from the mother. I was slightly surprised with how quickly Evan went from 0-60 but with how intense everything gets for him, Simon is an amazing source of support, care and love, and I really like just how fired he gets up in defence of the young man. Remi is a lovely little boy who brings joy to both men and their neighbour, Maggie, is a lot of fun, especially with the few things that she initially gets wrong. 
A recommended read but please read the content warnings considering the death of a character just before the story starts, the intense religious views and how they are used to harass the MC's regarding their 'lifestyle'.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
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