From USA Today bestselling author Marni Mann comes Before You, a new contemporary romance and a devastating examination of the things we find, the things we make, and the things we lose. It was supposed to be a typical work trip. New York to San Francisco, window seat, exit row. Maybe a mimosa.Then, seat 14B sat down. When our eyes met, the flight became anything but routine.I could pinpoint … became anything but routine.
I could pinpoint the moments in my life where everything changed forever.
Meeting Jared on that flight was first.
Falling in love with him was second.
Discovering the secrets he kept was third.
Putting my broken self back together and forgetting what I learned would be difficult. Forgiving Jared would be impossible.
He said, before me, nothing mattered. But after him, nothing would ever be the same.
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Words are not enough to describe this story!! It’s an emotional roller coaster ride that you will not want to end! It’s gritty, raw and real. At first you will love Marni, then you will curse her, you will cry and scream and wonder how you will make it out of this story intact. Your heart won’t be able to take the emotions and your mind won’t be able to wrap around the truth. It’s freaking amazing!!! Must read book!!
Wow !!!
This book was amazing like alway this author really knows how to make me an emotional mess. This story is beautiful but heart breaking all at once. Again there is a twist but it’s what this author does better. I luv how she makes me fall in luv with every character. Once I started this book I knew it was goin to be one of my favourites. I luv her writing and how she has me hooked into the story. I can just never get enough.
The characters in this book were so good they were all strong characters but had weaknesses in parts. My heart broke for them all I just wanted to hug them. It’s hard to do this reviews without spoiling it so I’m not really goin to go into the story much. But you won’t be disappointed when you do read this book and you have to read it.
Jared and Billie are great characters and there story isn’t smooth at all. I don’t think them getting on the same flight and sitting next to each other could change there lives so much but God does it. It really is a bumpy ride they go on. Together they are great there both very successful people and have worked hard to get them. There also very beautiful and strong people. But life hasnt and does plan to go easy for them but when destiny and a strong connection does they are perfect together.
I highly recommend this book everything was perfect. Like I said I luvd everything about it. The twist and turns this author can do are wow and these ones in this book were just wow to. I really did enjoy this book I can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks to.
What a intense, beautifully written story! Marni writes with so much heart, passion, angst and emotion. Her beautiful, unique way of writing grips you right from the start and will give you all the FEELS.
Before You tells the story of two different couples. One from the past, and one in the present. Billie and Jared (present) and Honey and Andrew (past).
There were times when I couldn’t quite imagine how it would all weave together but then it does and it is so, so heartbreaking, intense and will leave you stunned and completely invested in the outcome of these characters.
There is so much more I could say but I won’t because I do not want to spoil a thing, and I highly recommend going into this one blind. It will have a bigger impact that way 🙂 5++ stars!
**ARC received in exchange of an honest review
Beautiful, inspirational and motivational. Just few words that come to my mind when I try to describe this story. I don’t know how Marni does this – evoke the feeling of utter hopelessness in the reader during the climax of the story. It happened with When Ashes Fall and I’ve experienced it again with Before You. This is definitely of the books that made me cry the most – ever! I cried for the characters and for all they stood for. The book is super intense thanks to the dual point of view and we actually get to read two story lines about four characters. It pulled me in from the beginning and I practically annihilated each and every word.
The main characters – Billie and Jared – I love them so! Billie was such a strong character and following her journey towards happy end was mind-blowing. Jared, older and quite intense, was so lovable from the beginning. Together, they were explosive, their chemistry of charts. I wish we could get more of them.
I don’t want to spoil it but let me just say the story line is about demons, about escaping the shadow of their fears, about redemption. I used the word before and I’ll use it again – M I N D B L O W I N G!
5 stars!
Before You is a stand-alone romance novel by Marni Mann told in multiple POVs. Once again, Marni has blown me away. Her writing is impeccable. Her words will grab you until the very end and leave you wanting more. Just when you think you’ve figured it out…WRONG…plot twist and it’s better than you could’ve imagined. This story is one you don’t want to say too much without spoilers. I suggest you go into this blind. You will not be disappointed. It’s AMAZING!!! One of my top reads this year!
Wow what a beautiful and captivating story! it’s my second time reading this author and it will not be my last!
Loved every page!
This book was everything. I’m just at a loss at how to put it into words to review it. This is my second Marni Mann book and I’m so glad I discovered her. She’s an amazing author who pulls you in immediately. This book was simply amazing. Two stories become one…and you’ll never see the tie in till it happens. You’ll fall in love with Billie and Jared. There’s no way you can’t. Their story is beautifully written and fate driven. This is an emotional read with lots of feels. To be honest, I just need more stars. I think that would be the clearest way to rate this book.
Before You blew my mind, literally!
Marni Mann is one of my all time favorite authors. Once I started reading her books I knew, just knew that I would want to read them all because she never ceases to surprise me with her authentic and unique writing. I am utterly baffled by how well crafted Before You was.
I am still reeling and trying to get myself together after finishing this gritty, emotional and down right astonishing novel.
Four people that will be connected someway, somehow. I loved the whole back and forth between the then and the now and how it all came together in the end. Never in a million years did I see this coming and I was surprised to see this story unravel the way it did.
Anything that will have my mind working overtime is what I call a damn good book.
Then again, Marni Mann is one heck of a writer and I LOVE HER WRITING!!
Goodness me, what a gripping story. This is the first novel I’ve read by Mann and I have to say that the originality of the plot is nothing less than impressive. The writing technique is an interesting one and extremely well done. Even though Before You is narrated from a dual perspective in first-person, the third-person point of view in chapter breaks never confused me. It actually felt like I was reading a book inside a book, one flowing before the other which simply added to the angst. Why then did the author choose this style? I think by doing this, her modus operandi was to keep her readers guessing. If this was the case, its effectiveness worked to a tee. So, when both met in the middle and oh boy, the wait was excruciating, the outcome literally knocked me for six. I can honestly say I had no idea what was around the corner and that for me deserves praise. The cover and title couldn’t have been more fitting either…and you’ll see why. A book buddy of mine who’s a diehard fan of this author asked me what I thought of the story and as I didn’t want to let on, all I said was the cover holds the key.
“Where did you come from, Jared ?”
The curveball thrown into the story would cause a domino effect, reaching its climax at the very end! But before getting there, the reader is taken on a poignant journey overflowing with every imaginable emotion. A vivid description of what takes place isn’t for the faint-hearted. And it was of no surprise to me that it took Billie so long to get over. But through all the post-shock and trauma she has to bear, the mysterious Jared is there for her. The big question is why he singled her out when other people had been affected. Billie has a sweet soul. In her mid-20s, her vlogger business is booming, her love for cooking is shared with the world and demand for her opinion of the best chef’s delicacies keeps her busy. But things change and all Jared wants is for her to get back on her feet. But is this the only reason for his interest in her? You will see!
“Remember, Billie … go back to your life. I promise, it’ll help.”
I’m a glutton for the age-gap romance subgenre and Jared was everything I’d hoped for and more. Debonaire, considerate and gorgeous, him holding back on Billie I found perplexing in the sense that he wanted Billie more than any another woman he’d set eyes on, but couldn’t have her. Or could he? I never thought he was deceitful, it was just a matter of him just trying to do the right thing which seemed impossible. He’d been hurting for too long and knew that when the bomb eventually dropped, the woman he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with would be devastated. Gosh, when it all came out, I was crushed! It’s all tied up in the title; however, you’ve got to work out whose life it was before. His, hers or both.
‘Billie Paige was exactly what I wanted in a woman—intelligent, independent, and gorgeous. She just wasn’t a woman I could be with.’
Now for the other story! Andrew and Honey are the perfect couple who’d had their ups and downs but always looked for a solution together. Their love was so profound, their life so beautiful, it felt as if they were sharing their most personal thoughts with me. That being said, a happening made me incredibly sad. Yeah, it’s not a bad idea to have a stash of tissues nearby ‘cause if you’re like me and love a good cry, you’ll need them.
“You never have to worry. That’s why I’m here.”
Seeing as I love being in the kitchen, the food references were a welcome reprieve, easing the feeling of hopelessness that I had most of the time. And of course, Billie and Jared’s chemistry was also a pleasant distraction.
“You were looking at me like you were about to devour me … the same way you’re staring at me right now.”
Overcoming grief, learning how to forgive and faith in love are the ingredients Mann has used to make Before You such a magnificent read. Her fluid writing is phenomenal, her characters beyond exquisite and the dialogue is perfectly realistic. This is one story I will never forget. Bravo!
4 people 2 stories that we feel in this book. This book is very unique which doesn’t surprise me cause Marni always makes you gasp and feel her stories no matter what she writes. This is very intense. This book made me read it straight through and not want to blink to miss anything. It’s raw and real and everything I love in a romance novel but more. Definitely in my top 2019 reads and one of my favorites of Marni’s 5/5 deserves 10 stars
Before You tells two stories of two different couples. All the way through the book I was trying to think how the two couples could possibly be linked or how it would all tie together, or even if it would tie together, and also I was trying to figure out where the prologue came into it. Like with The Assistant I feel like I should have been taking notes for any kind of clues. Marni Mann truly is brilliant at weaving a web into her stories. It wasn’t until I was into the last part of the book that I began putting things together.
This is such a clever story, there’s so many twists and I couldn’t figure out where it was leading me. I would absolutely love an extra epilogue set a year or two into the future. I really don’t want to say goodbye to the characters just yet, I would love a little more.
Five stars!
WOW! BIGGGGG WOW!
I’m still so dumbfounded by this plot, I can’t even explain it!
What a GREAT book! Seriously!
Emotional and utterly confusing are the main sensations. At least that’s how I felt reading Before you. I knew there must be something linking everything but it took me long to get it. And I was devastated when it happened. I hated and I loved it. I couldn’t even pick right from wrong. In the end I wanted more!
And guess what? This is one of those books you don’t want to know anything about it before you read it.
Trust me! Just pick it up, clear your day for it and enjoy!
This is my first time reading anything by this author. I don’t know why I haven’t Marni Mann sooner. This book will keep you on your toes wondering what is going to happen next.
Before You was a unique story packed full of emotions and a major page turner. While reading this book I was trying to figure out if I liked Jared or not. It took me a while to decide if I liked him or hated him, gladly by the end I liked him. Billie is a restaurant reviewer with a strong following. She loves her job.
I am not going to go into details this is a book you need to experience on your own. I highly recommend this book!
Once again Marni Mann has left me speechless. If I knew what I’d be getting myself into I would’ve tried to prepare, but then again there is no preparing for the immense feeling this story put me through.
I was hooked right from the prologue. This story captivated me and took my breath away. I felt every single emotion and then some. This emotional story had enough twists and turns that it had me guessing til the very end how everything would unfold. A true page turner I could not for the life of me put down.
Before You is heartbreakingly beautiful. A story of soulmates destined for each other. I loved this book, this story and especially the characters. Poignant and soul clenching, simply stunning. Marni’s flawless storytelling is just breathtaking—you become captor to her words that long after you finish reading, you don’t want to let go. This story burrowed itself inside my heart and I will forever cherish it.
Definitely recommend
Her books always pull at something in the reader! This author is more than just a romance writer. She brings life into her books and also breaks hearts along the way.
Before You is so beautiful and heartbreaking. These characters will pull emotions out of you with every page you turn.
4.5 stars
Billie Paige thought getting on Flight 88 was just like another day on her job. The long flight made bearable when a handsome stranger sat beside her. Little did she know that Jared Morgan would change her life in a way she could never imagine.
Before starting this book, I had very little idea what it’s about. But right from the prologue, the story captured my attention to the last page. I loved the different timelines and the short chapters because it consistently maximized the intrigue.
Billie was bright and outgoing, while Jared was compassionate and protective. I liked both of them and understood the choices they made and the actions they took.
Very few books could surprise me and this one did. I loved forming theories while reading and was heading in the right direction but the author cleverly threw me off and the move was perfectly executed.
Before You is a story of inner strength and finding closure. It would appeal to readers who enjoy an emotional romance.
This story is unlike anything you have ever read before. It starts with people in row 14 seats A & B, Flight 88 non-stop to San Franciso, California, from J.F. Kenndey, New York. This event changed everything, the met was suppose to have happened but everything after that was not. One of the best reads of 2019, and I hope you take the chance to meet Billie and Jared.
What a wild ride! Billie and Jared had me flipping pages, sucked into the story. I couldn’t put it down. Going through this story as Billie put herself together, I fell hard for both Billie and Jared. Jared is still a mystery to me, leaving me with a few questions. This will definitely be a book I read again.
At first I was a bit confused with Before You.
I realised that you actually get two stories in one. 4 povs and normally that would be mega confusing to me but this wasnt at all. It just worked well.
The storyline is incredible, the writing is incredible. Only my second book by this author and it was truly amazing. Something about Marni Mann, she has the incredible ability to write some truly heartfelt stories that suck you in and make you absolutely invested in the entire story. I even found myself gasping. Usually I’m good at guessing the twists in stories, I did not guess this one.