Before You Say I Do

It’s been a while since I picked up a book after just reading the blurb and seeing the cover, without recommendations, but I may have done a little book shopping the other day and this was one of those books I just couldn’t resist. It’s also been a while too since I read an author I am not familiar with and so I was really excited to dive in. It’s always fun to pick up a book and read the first page and see how the words connect with you. When I began reading ‘Before you say I Do’ I immediately fell in love with the way Clare writes and couldn’t wait to read on.

Read on I did, I read this book in a matter of four hours, give or take. I couldn’t put it down. I loved both Abby and Jordan straight away. They both made me laugh and their personalities were endearing, warm, kick ass, sweet and super cool all at the same time. My heart went out to Abby the entire way through the story as she was trying to navigate her feelings without wanting to hurt anyone. You could just feel the emotion and the conflict pouring from the page, I really wanted to give her a hug. She was both the girl I wanted to be and wanted to have as a best friend. I could relate to her getting to that point in her life where she wanted to go after her dreams and make a change. It was so lovely to me that Jordan helped her see that and that she had someone there to support, encourage and motivate her. It made me smile that Jordan simply got her and she felt like she could be herself around her. You truly got that sense of her letting go around Jordan and being who she wanted to be. I loved Abby’s journey and how she evolved throughout the course of the story and grew in confidence and who she was.
Jordan was awesome. I absolutely adored her. To me she just kicked butt and inspired me with her confidence in her work, how she could hold her own, her style and her humour. Again, I very much wanted to be her or be her best friend. She also had those vulnerable moments that hit me and drew me to her where I could understand how she felt and what she was going through when it came to relationships and not quite knowing how to be the first to go after what you want. Both Abby and Jordan learned lessons throughout the book and faced certain challenges and you really get a sense of them growing and dealing with their fears and stepping out of their comfort zones. There are many moments that I believe many of us will be able to relate to.

I absolutely loved the adventures that the girls went on from Abby introducing Jordan to her world of golf, to their moments together wedding dress shopping, meeting family and friends, and of course the hen do, their banter was so much fun and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved them together so much, you truly feel that connection and like they belong together. I will say though that the one thing that got me about the book, and that I do wish had been different, was their first kiss and the plane. I don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to spoil it and give it away but I do wish Jordan would have stuck to her guns till the end because she was so good hearted and Abby was so kind, that I really didn’t want them to go behind Abby’s finance’s back and hurt him. I loved that Marcus was such a sweet guy that I truly didn’t want him to suffer. I know he wasn’t right for Abby and that he controlled a lot of things but his heart was often in the right place and he came across lovely, so I struggled with that bit.

However, ultimately, this book is gorgeous, romantic and you won’t want to stop turning the pages. I was hooked. It’s a beautiful romance about finding your person and going after what you want in life and I adored it.