Hadley can tell the minute she lays eyes on Caynan, the cocky new guy at school, that he’s someone to avoid. He may have looks, charm, and the attention of every other girl in town, but he’s also got heartbreak written all over his pretty face. But what Hadley doesn’t know—what no one knows—is that with Caynan, things aren’t at all what they seem.His secrets have secrets and everything out of his … and everything out of his mouth straddles the line between truth and fiction.
Caynan knows better than to get involved with anyone, especially with his time limited in the new town, but he just can’t seem to get Hadley out of his mind. She’s the one girl who doesn’t want him. The one girl who’s turned off by his charm. The one girl who challenges him like no other. And, though she couldn’t possibly know the truth about him, she seems to be the one girl who really sees him.
Too bad for Caynan, secrets never remain secrets for long. And this one has the power to destroy more than just his life.
*New Adult/Mature YA Romance spanning the course of over three years.
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I found J. Nathan last year when I read Since Drew. Which was amazing, by the way and you need to read it or you’ll be cursed with reading bad books for a decade. This is a real thing. Believe me.
Before I gush over this book and the author for a few paragraphs, let’s have a moment of silence for this cover. For the love of everything holy, please let every single book from J. Nathan have a cover as amazing as this one. Amen.
I’m starting to see a trend with J. Nathan’s books and it’s not just the sexy beast on the cover. The characters are amazing and they are ones that will stick with you well into the next book that you’re reading. I just loved Hadley from the very first moment I met her. She’s so in control and wary of everything around her and when Caynan walks into the picture, she sure as hell wants to make sure he’s not the one to shatter that control. I really enjoyed watching their relationship do nothing. Is that a strange thing to say? I think it was just the pursuit that was entertaining to witness. Hadley puts up a fight and it just makes for an interesting back and forth between her and the tenacious Caynan.
There was quite a bit of intrigue that I hadn’t expected. And the turmoil that surrounded every page in this book was gripping. I had no idea what was going to happen next. Hell, I think that was one of the biggest pluses in this book. You never were truly sure what (or whom) was going to strike next. And that was just for part one!! You get to part two and all bets are off. I got to part two and it was time for me to play Bad Mom. Bad Mom doesn’t strike often but when she does, the kids get ice cream for dinner and Netflix gets turned on so that I can read (mostly) uninterrupted.
I’m afraid that I’ve given too much away already but I have so much more to say. Here’s the deal … if you enjoy an amazingly addictive romance novel, J. Nathan is for you. This book is for you. You need to read it. You’ll thank me later. So stop reading this and go get it. Pronto.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
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 imprisons 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 Britain. 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.
*reviewed on my blog 04-14-16
4.5*
Ahhh, this book! Equal parts funny, sweet, sexy, heartbreaking, and stomach-clenching. Add in a snarky, fiesty, sarcastic heroine, a troubled, cocky, arrogant hero and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an engaging New Adult novel.
Hadley and Caynan are 2 fantastic characters, I loved them as individuals and as a couple they made my heart smile. I adored Hadley. It’s always so refreshing to read a female character who’s not weak, who can give as good as she gets, who stands up for herself.
“You should know,” I warn him. “In a game of wits, I always win. You might as well admit defeat now.”
And Caynan, oh Caynan. He’s the bad boy from the broken home, the boy all the girls want, the boy with all the secrets, the boy you just can’t help but fall for. He’s not used to being denied and his pursuit of Hadley was so sweet, so swoon-worthy. And even though Hadley put up a good fight the girl really stood no chance!
“Do that again,” he implored. “What?” “Laugh like that.” My forehead creased. “Why?” “Because it’s one of the prettiest things I’ve ever heard.”
But just when you think things are going their way, Caynan’s secrets come to light and everything comes crashing down. Life is thrown into a turmoil for both Hadley and Caynan, and you have to wonder if these 2 will ever be able to get past the past, and get back the love they once shared.
Before Hadley is unexpected, it’s surprising, it’s engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.