Author Jamie Beck returns with an engrossing series about family, friendship, and starting over. In this first Cabot novel, a legacy of secrets tests old friends seeking a second chance at life and love.
On the second anniversary of her husband’s suicide, Colby Cabot-Baxter is ready to let go of her grief and the mistakes made during her turbulent marriage. Her fresh start comes in the form of A … in the form of A CertainTea, the restaurant she’s set to open along Lake Sandy, Oregon, with help from her family. But when her executive chef quits just weeks before the grand opening, Colby is pressured to hire old family friend Alec Morgan. His award-winning reputation could generate buzz, but their friendship has withered since her husband’s reckless dare cost Alec’s brother his life.
Distracted by guilty secrets concerning the tragedy that changed his and Colby’s lives, Alec self-destructed and lost his famed restaurant. With his career in tatters, he’s determined to use this opportunity to redeem his reputation and to help the woman he’s loved from afar find happiness again.
But secrets have a way of coming out. When Alec’s do, they might destroy the new life he and Colby have rebuilt together.
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This was both my first Jamie Beck book, and the first in her series to read. I love Jamie’s style – part Women’s Fiction, part Romance. Her characters have depth and I come to care about them. If you’re tired of the same old, same old romance, give Jamie a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Jamie Beck has a knack for realistic tragedies. Maybe that is a strange thing to have a knack for, but you can tell that she researched and thought through all the hardships her characters faced. None of the pain or conflict feels gratuitous. The resolutions feel genuine and individual. This book is the first in a new series, and this new ensemble of characters is a lovely and complex collection. The central characters are Alec and Colby. Colby is opening a restaurant in the wake of her husband’s suicide, her depression and subsequent career change, and a desire to strengthen family bonds. Alec is a chef who’s life spiraled out of control when his brother died in a tragic accident, Colby’s husband committed suicide, and he assumed a measure of guilt for both deaths. So when Colby needed a chef, Alec is suggested for his skill despite the long and painful history between them. One thing this book did well was make me hungry, so don’t read in reach of the chips! lol! This was a lovely introduction to this family and this community!
Heartwarmingly good
A heartwarming, heartwrenching story. Keep your tissues handy. Though it’s a very happy ending the road to get there is a doozy.
Before I Knew (The Cabots, book 1) by Jamie Beck
August 2017
I received this digital ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Colby Cabot-Baxter has endured more than her share of emotional duress over the years but nothing compares to what she experienced the 2 years before she decided to open a CertainTea. She grew up in Lake Sandy, Oregon with her brother, Hunter and neighbors, Joe and Alec Morgan. They grew up together and eventually went their own ways.
Colby married Mark Baxter a gregarious man who refused to treat his bipolar disorder. Keeping the secret of Mark’s health and impulsive behavior took its toll on Colby over the years. It was two years ago that changed their lives forever. One day Mark dared Joe to jump off a cliff above Punch Bowl Falls in Columbia River Gorge. Just weeks after the fatal dare, the consequential guilt prompted mentally unstable Mark to jump off the ninth floor balcony while Colby watched him plummet to his death.
The trauma from both deaths ripped the two families apart with the resentment, guilt and blame that escalated afterward. Trying to move on from the past eventually forces the two families to confront the pain from the past. When Hunter hires Alec to be the chef at Colby’s A CertainTea it was anyone’s guess how this would work out. Will Colby and Alec be able to work with each other everyday?
How do their families move on after such tremendous loss? Can they relinquish the anger and grief which has weighed them down for years?
I enjoyed this novel for its unique storyline whose characters are flawed in ways that are relatable. Mental illness is often unspoken or acknowledged which can have devastating consequences especially if not treated. The issues are delicately weaved throughout the story which gives it authenticity.
Jamie Beck, has an astonishing story about how you can’t hide from your past and through forgiveness happiness will find you.
I enjoyed this book immensely and I was immediately swept up in the lives of Colby and Alec. They both have a lot of baggage and secrets that impede both their working relationship and their friendship. I was never sure how everything was going to turn out.
This is a story with some great characters and the author writes the story in a way that kept me interested in their lives. This is only book #1 in this wonderful series and I’m really going to have to read more so I can find out how everyone is doing.
3.5 stars
There is no doubt that Colby and Alec have chemistry. I don’t quite understand why barely anyone else seems to see it, although I guess many of them could be picking their truths. Many times, in books, when a couple has known each other most of their lives it’s the woman who always pined for the man. I liked that, in this story, Alec had always had a thing for Colby instead of vice versa.
It seems like there are a lot of issues for this couple to get past before they even decide to become a couple. But truly, the issues are with themselves more than any issues with each other or people in their lives. While they addressed the outside issues, Alec’s dad’s hatred of Colby, Colby being Alec’s boss, etc., neither of them truly addressed their internal struggles. Choosing, instead, to make the other happy no matter what. Well…actually Alec chose to make Colby happy no matter what. Often putting his own feelings on the back burner to cede to her. While Colby didn’t want to rock the boat with Alec, she didn’t necessarily dig deep into what he wanted so she could do more for him. Which made it hard to sympathize with her sometimes. However, I did feel she redeemed herself by the end…with a little help from her brother.
There are a lot of serious issues addressed in this story so it’s not all fun and rainbows. The bright spots in this book generally come from that chemistry I mentioned before. I can’t help but enjoy a story that fills me with butterflies, even if it’s tearing my heart out at the same time.
I loved how Alec’s mom always showed him her unconditional love. I wish things could be different for him and his family. Maybe someday they will be. But it’s obvious his mom always has his back. On the flip-side, it was troubling to me the way Colby’s parents treat her. It’s not terrible and abusive, but they definitely take her for granted and take advantage of her generous and kind nature. Her siblings aren’t much better, but I felt that as she started speaking up for herself more they were realizing how much she truly does for them.
Although I wasn’t crazy about their attitudes toward Colby, I actually really love her brother and half-sister. I think Hunter’s story is going to be different than a lot of other romance stories out there since he’s already married to the love of his life. I can’t wait to read how the author keeps them together.
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/before-i-knew-the-cabots/
Great start to a new series
This is a well told story’s tragedy, grief and secrets. Colby Cabot was a widow at 29 when her husband committed suicide by jumping off their 9th floor balcony in front of her. He had been despondent over the death of Joe, Colby’s childhood friend, who he dared to jump off a cliff that ended in his death. Two years have passed and she is opening a restaurant to move on with her life. Alec was Joe’s brother, he is a world renown chef, who lost his restaurant while grieving for his brother. He has been asked to work as the chef at Colby’s restaurant. Both of them have secrets that keep them from moving forward. This is the setup for their romance. Great characters, great plot. I am not afraid to say I shed a few tears (darn allergies). Great angsty book.
I loved, loved, loved Before I Knew by the amazing Jamie Beck, book one in her new Cabots series. Ms. Beck truly knows how to create a wonderful story between two people with secrets and feelings of guilt. Colby Cabot knew the Morgans, next door, all of her life. So when her brother asked her to give their friend Alex a job as head chef for her new restaurant, she knew she had no choice. As the sparks fly, Colby and Alex need to share their secrets, with each other, before they the love between them can grow. I have to share my favorite quote from this story; “And some wise women have convinced me that it’s never too late for love.” This really sums up this awesome story with all of its twists and turns, before allowing many of its characters to find peace with the life they were dealt.
I really loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. Beck is a wonderful story teller, drawing me in and not letting go until I read the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This first book in the Cabots series was heartbreakingly wonderful.
Two years ago, a stupid dare leads to a lot of tragedy for two families. Colby lost her friend and her husband and Alec lost his brother.
Fast forward to the present and Colby is attempting to move on from the demons of the past two years and open a happy place for people to come, A CertainTea. Also looking for a fresh start is Alec after losing his restaurant and his award-winning reputation. With all of the hurt between them, can they work together and find success?
There was a ton of angst and drama in the book but I loved every second of it. Sometimes I just need a book that going to absolutely gut me and that is what I got with Before I Knew. I enjoyed how realistic this story is. I’m loving this new series so far and I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Cabots.