Before I Fall

Jessica Scott

Stay focused. Get a job. Save her father’s life.

Beth Lamont knows far too much about the harsh realities of life her gilded classmates have only read about in class. She’ll do whatever it takes to take care of her father, even if that means tutoring a guy like Noah – a guy who represents everything she hates about the war, soldiers and what the Army has done to her family.

Noah Warren doesn’t know how to be a student. All he knows is war. But he’s going to college now to fulfill a promise and he doesn’t break his promises. Except he doesn’t count on his tutor being drop dead gorgeous and distracting as hell. One look at Beth threatens to unravel the careful lies Noah has constructed around him.

A simple arrangement turns into something neither of them can deny. And a war that neither of them can forget could destroy them both.

4 Stars

As I started reading Before I Fall, I thought this was going to be another one of those New Adult books. Boy was I wrong. Before I Fall is one of those too close to real life romance that I have read in a very long time.

Beth is a struggling student.  Classes are the easy part for her. It’s make sure she has money for rent, trying to keep the lights on and taking care of a parent who is in pain constantly and an addict. A girl that had to grow up to fast.  Beth is saint, survivor and a damn smart woman.  I related to her all too well.

Noah carries mental and physical scars from war. Trying to live life as a college student is more than a challenge for him.  Somedays it hard to tell if the anxiety is worse than the pain. The thing I loved about Noah is, one he knows his issues. Two, he wants to change himself and not rely on pharmaceutical means to get through a day. And three, he’s  sweet, caring and willing. That’s a good man.

Where do I begin. Before I Fall is an emotional ride to say the least. This book is going to make you think. This is not a story where the hero comes in and makes it all better.  Many social issues play a big part in this book. Addiction, poverty, health care and PTSD, just to name a few. Just like in real life when everything is in utter chaos there will be these moments and people you meet that make you stop and pause in life.  A breath of fresh air. That’s Noah and Beth!  They struggle everyday and keep going! The characters will pull you in and their stories will get your heart.

Ms. Scott gave me an unexpected thought provoking read.
A complementary copy of this book was provided for an honest review.