Before You

by J.L. Skye

Rule One: No Sex!
Rule Two: Don't catch feelings!

Jordan Rossi is the notoriously happy, carefree playboy on campus. But things aren't always as they seem. Behind that sexy smirk, Jordan is carrying some serious emotional damage - enough to have him failing some of his classes. Enter: Veronica Myers.

After catching her boyfriend cheating, Veronica "Ronnie" Myers has given up on men, instead turning her attention to her studies. No. More. Drama. There's only one issue: her ex isn't giving up so easily.

Jordan needs help with school, Ronnie needs help with her ex. When the two of them are forced to work together, a plan starts to hatch. The two find themselves caught up in a ridiculous fake dating scheme, but what happens when it starts to feel... real?

This is a standalone book in the Blue Haven University series, however there are references to events that occur in Wild Hearts.

Genres: Fake Dating

302 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2023

Reviews

[Sherry Bice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is a dual POV between notoriously happy, carefree, playboy Jordan and Ronnie who has recently given up on men as she just caught her ex cheating on her.
An unlikely pair has been brought together by their teacher to work on a project and end up fake-dating, I think we know how this will end.

I'm finding that I'm a big fan of surf romance and I've got @jlskye_author to thank for that. The fact that this book was Aussie based and sat so close to home was so special and I just loved it!

Before You is available on Kindle Unlimited and comes highly recommended by me!! ☺️

Thanks to Jennah for sending an ARC, I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series, Sparks Fly! Ivys story will be an interesting one for sure!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the psycho ex fake dating trope and this one did not disappoint! Jordan is your typical playboy that falls hard and fast once he finds the right girl…Ronnie is such a beautiful soul and I could relate to her so much 💖

This book was also really well written and much spicer than I expected which I’m not complaining about 🥵🌶️

My heart broke for Ivy in this book and the little sneak peak at the end of the book makes me so excited to read the next in the series 😍

[Beth (bethsbookshelfx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating : ☆☆☆☆

———

“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘣 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭.”

———

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :

- 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
- 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙮
- 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨
- 𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜
- 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩
- 𝙃𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 & 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙
- 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
- 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 : 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣
- 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜
- 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 : 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡
- 𝘿𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙊𝙑

✔️Available On KU

———

I loved this one!

This was my first kindle read this year and a great one to start off with!

I really enjoyed book one ‘Wild Hearts’ when I read it back in May. I was really excited to get into Jordan’s story cause I he really intrigued me in the first book.

Jordan and Ronnie’s story was really cute and interesting.

I really enjoy the found family aspects of these books, they are such a great set of friends.

I’m really excited to read Ivy’s book and then to jump into Harley’s book!

[theappleisledreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan and Ronnie's story is fantastic!

Well known campus playboy trying to distract himself from a traumatic event, but it's causing him to flunk his classes + academic, quiet girl with a psycho stalker ex, paired up with the playboy to help him study and pick up his grades = an amazing, tension filled study date that accidently leads to a hilarious fake dating situation!

Again, the way in which JL Skye managed to write about such dark and traumatic situations in such an entertaining, yet tasteful and respectful manner is simply perfection! This poor group of friends really do go through a heck of a rough time in this series, but it is handled so well!

Definitely recommend this one as well!

Tropes: fake dating, opposites attract, banter to love, dealing with loss/grief, found family, training montage, dual pov, damsel in distress, cute nicknames

Triggers: abusive ex, alcohol, bodily fluids, cancer (MMC's mother), cheating, confinement, control, death, death of a loved one, drowning, drugs, emotional abuse, family conflict, hospitalisation, hostage situation, infidelity, injury, kidnapping, medical problems, mental health issues, non consent, nudity, pain, panic attacks, physical assault, sexual abuse, sexual assault, stalking, substance abuse, threats, verbal abuse, violence

[Annabelle Taylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!! I need the third book asap! It’s a beautiful story. I absolutely loved Jordan’s growth! Ronnie makes my heart swell. I adore her.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Ronnie and Jordan, I was hooked from their first banter filled meet up. Fake dating, he falls first, what's better??

[Allie Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

I absolutely loved the first book in the blue haven series, wren and Brady and their story was beautiful but the story of before you was just next level!

Fake dating
Small beach/surf town
University Age
Playboy


Would advice to check trigger warnings..

I didn’t have any triggers and this story was amazing, their connection, the kindness and love that forms in this story is just beautiful!

[Lauren Nesic · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it! Would recommend, almost perfect and likely would reread.

Jordan Rossi, known as the campus playboy, hides emotional scars behind his carefree facade, impacting his academic performance. Veronica "Ronnie" Myers, disillusioned by her cheating ex-boyfriend, focuses on her studies, swearing off men. However, her ex is persistent. A chance encounter brings Jordan and Ronnie together, leading to a plan: Jordan seeks academic help, and Ronnie seeks protection from her ex. As they embark on a fake dating scheme, the lines between pretense and reality blur, raising the question of what happens when the fake starts feeling genuine.

Both Jordan and Ronnie captured my heart, and the way the story unfolded was truly remarkable. The beach town is always a joy to be back there because it jumps off the page truely feels so real.

Tropes: fake dating, tutoring
Triggers: stalker, kidnapping

Blue Haven University
1. Wild Hearts - ⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Before You - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Sparks Fly - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4. Chasing Shadows - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

[Izzie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and finished it in only a day and a half! i just could not put it down! i adored both jordan and ronnie, and thought that the way the book was written, and the way it all came together was so amazing. you can read this book as a stand alone, but i would recommend reading the first book too, as that one is amazing aswell. i love the whole beach town vibes, and the big found family aspect of it too. overall i have given this book 5 stars, and would absolutely recommend it!

[Witchetty Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all, BECAUSE 'BEFORE YOU' I NEVER WANTED A SURFER ROMANCE SO BADLY. Fake dating, like what could go wrong. A known playboy Jordan Rossie with emotional damage meets an introvert who just caught her psycho ex(ASSHAT) cheating. They are both studying medicine and seem to be polar opposites. They are forced together and of course why not add fake dating to the mix, like what could possibly go wrong. There's two rules, no feelings and no sex. As I said what could potentially go wrong. You have Jordan who has never had a girlfriend and Ronnie thinks he is a pile of poop under her shoe, so of course he wants to prove her wrong. Ronnie with her cute little freckles is a smut reader and girl, me too, we stand with you.

Not going to lie, Ronnie is us, we are Ronnie, we love her. And Jordan, YOU SUPRISE US throughout the book. He talks cutely in Italian to her and calls her pretty girl and good girl(swooooon).

As much as I'd love to sit here and tell you more, I think its best you READ it.

Its an easy read, easy to follow with the right sprinkling of spice. Please keep in mind there are some DARKER themes.

I recommend this book with my mic volume turned up to 100. Also I highly listening to the Spotify playlist J.L. Skye made with the book, it suits perfectly.

PLEASE ALSO READ TRIGGER WARNINGS.

*Fake Dating
*Found Family
* He falls First
*Surfer Romance

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review. WHICH IS I HONESTLY LOVED IT!!

[reader_dreamer_4life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep!!! Still loving this world from J.L. Skye.......
Before You... is Jordan and Ronnie's fake dating to love opposites attract story and it was the sweetest.

Faking dating with two rules....... no feelings and no sex.....what could go wrong?
Let's be honest, they may have been thrown together for a college school project but the minute they decided to throw fake dating into the mix..... we all know where that was going and I freakin loved watching it. In particular seeing Jordan Rossie (known playboy) fall first.
O.M.G this young man absolutely stole my heart with his sweet words (even those in Italian! oh my) and the things he did for Ronnie, like taking her to a book shop and telling her to pick one.
I mean..... Swwwwoooooonnnnnnn
And.....
The nickname 'freckles' almost straight away gets me every time!!!!!!

Before You may be an easy read but it's also an emotional read that has a little steam, some humour, a little angst and a sprinkling of suspense and action.

I definitely recommend this book and series!
With so many intriguing side characters and possible storylines I can't wait for future books.
Remember to check those trigger warnings!

[alisha jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this series endure a lot, and this book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster packed with unexpected twists and turns, including some surprising surprises.

There’s heartbreak, a fake dating scenario, a close-knit group of friends, family drama, surfers, a wild ex, and several chapters that kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next. I think I've given you plenty of reasons to jump into this story... so please do!

The books explore some heavier themes, so I recommend checking for any potential triggers beforehand.

JL Skye's writing flows seamlessly and is truly engaging. I found it difficult to put this book down, and it stayed on my mind until I could read it again.

I loved the chemistry between Jordan and Ronnie from the very beginning. I felt like I learned so much more about Jordan than I did from my initial impressions in Wild Hearts. The spice in this book was absolutely incredible! So steamy! 🥵

"Would it be against the rules if I kissed you right now?"

[Phylicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I approve of these books you’re reading, pretty girl,”

This is, 100% your look Ronnie baby!

4.5⭐️ This book eclipses the first imo. I’m in love with Ronnie and Jordan! Fake, fabulous, perfection!
I wanna learn how to surf. I wanna learn how to ride J’s “my little pony” and I’m also enrolling in premed.
Ronnie and I need to share book recommendations because I know she’s got the goods on that spicy stuff too.

This read was super sweet and super cheeky. I loved them both so much. It’s really nice to hear more of the story of this world, how it unfolds and all the characters in it. I got lost in Blue Haven and I don’t want to end. I’m very excited that the next one’s not too far away.

It’s official, I loved everything about this read.
Quick easy chapters. Fast paced plot.
Love this crew and the Blue Haven world.

[Leisha 💗📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I absolutely LOVED this book! J.L. Skye can do no wrong in my eyes at all!

This is the second book in the Blue Havens University series and this one had it all, even suspense! It has your beach town vibes, found family, and some good spice!

Jordan is a typical playboy, never had a girlfriend before but turns into such a teddy bear around Ronnie!
Ronnie is such a sweetheart, just kind a pure I loved her so much!
They both share some previous trauma in their lives and both have heartbreaking stories but are both such strong characters!

The way this book is written, you can feel every emotion they go through.. the writing flows so well and the story is so captivating!
I cannot wait for book 3 which is Ivy's story!! 

[Nikki - Nikki's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ronnie catches her boyfriend cheating she ditches him and focuses on her schooling.
One day one of her teachers asks her to pair up with a well campus known play boy Jordan to help get his grades up in a joint assignment.
Next thing Ronnoe is needing help to get her crazy obsessive Ex off her back and a plan for them to start fake dating is born.
This is all good and well until it starts feeling very real.

Tropes in this book are small town romance, fake dating, cinnamon roll and one of my favs, found family.

I really enjoyed this book and it's my fav so far in the series. I love the found family and Jordan Rossi was perfection.
The spice was great in this book also there was defiently some emotional chapters.

Please check your content warnings before reading this book as some people may be triggered by some of the themes.

[Terri All Spice Archive · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster for all the characters. Jordan growing and moving through his grief and with Ronnie getting over her hurt. I truly enjoyed this book. I read it in just over a day and it would have been a day but sleep. JL Skye's writing is so easy to read and its captivating. It was so hard to put this down and it was on my mind until I could pick it up again. I was so happy tonsee these two grow together and Ronnie teach Jordan how to love, especially after losing is mum and his dad and brother moving, and of course the other issues with Lachy. His friendship with Jem is so sweet. I truly love this series and I can't wait to read about Ivy.

[Alexcis Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you thought Wild Hearts was incredible, strap yourself in because Before You is a ride!
Going into a surfer romance book, the last thing you would think it would include would be dark themes and that’s what I love about this series. I loved the chemistry that Jordan and Ronnie had from the get go. I felt like I learnt so much more about Jordan and the first impressions I got of him from Wild Hearts.
The spice in this book was SO GOOD! Steamy as hell 🥵
Also my girl Ronnie in the beat up Justin Bieber shirt. A girl after my own heart because me too 😂😂

Another 5/5 read!

[Annette AKA PickledBudgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you is an emotionally charged small surf town romance following the lives of Blue Haven University students Jordan and Veronica (Ronnie).
After the loss of his mother Jordan struggles with his studies so he is paired up with Ronnie for an assignment that counts for a large portion of his grades.
This book will have you reaching for tissues as well as your boxing gloves, you will be laughing, crying and gripping the edge of your seat.
I can't wait to start reading Sparks fly and see what is in store for Ivy.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before You hit all the right marks.
To start with, we get the fake dating trope and golden retriever MMC which I always love.
It hits some heavy themes and I was genuinely freaked out when the plot plotted, but it is all written with such respect and care.
Pacing is perfect, we aren't rushing through anything but I also didn't feel like it was lagging at any point, which made it really hard to put this book down!
I highly recommend giving this a read, warm fuzzies all the way through and I immediately downloaded the rest of the series.

[Melody Madness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before You hit all the right marks.
To start with, we get the fake dating trope and golden retriever MMC which I always love.
It hits some heavy themes and I was genuinely freaked out when the plot plotted, but it is all written with such respect and care.
Pacing is perfect, we aren't rushing through anything but I also didn't feel like it was lagging at any point, which made it really hard to put this book down!
I highly recommend giving this a read, warm fuzzies all the way through and I immediately downloaded the rest of the series.

[Jessica Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book!

I love Ronnie and Jordan’s story it’s heartfelt, and spicy! I love their chemistry! Ronnie is smart, brave and knows her worth. Jordan is cheeky, fun and caring.

This book had a great representation of grief and how people handle different types of grief differently.

Do check the trigger warnings before reading!

Honestly a perfect summer read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Definitely recommend! 😍🥵🌊

[Axli · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again! 😍

This time we get to follow the story of Jordan and Ronnie and their fake dating love battle.

Be prepared for your heart to be broken. It will be shattered.. but I promise you it will be put back together again!

Traumatic themes (genuinely written), and a sprinkling of spice makes for a perfect read that will have you unable to put this book down!

[A.K. Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good fake dating story!

Before You is the second book in the Blue Haven series and it is a great follow up. Love the ongoing beach scenery.

One thing you can count on with Skye's work is depth of the characters and this is no exception. Everyone has a story and Skye shows that so clearly her in work.

Yet another piece of this wondeful series!

[Sarah L Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the BHU series.
Fake dating! Both characters dealing with Death in the family.
Jordan fun loving, and a bit misunderstood. I really enjoyed the character build with Jordan and getting to know the soft hearted boy he turned into be

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
I am in love with Jordan. Can a guy be anymore genuine?
The story was perfect! The feelings were so real and you could feel them.
Ronnie deserves the love. 😍
Recommend!

[Krystal R Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐ 3 🌶️

Picking up where we left off in BHU #1 we now follow playboy Jordan Rossi. Things haven't always been straightforward or easy for him so he keeps things simple where he can, like when it comes to the ladies. His only young, there's no need for a serious relationship so surely he can keep the rules of a fake relationship.
Ronnie has been cheated on and now her ex is begging to have her back, to the point he won't leave her alone so when she's assigned to study with Jordan he offers to be her fake boyfriend to keep her ex away.
The rules are simple 1. No Sex, 2. Don't Catch Feelings.

JL Skye has kept up the great writing in this book, it flows on so well from BHU#1 that you almost feel like you haven't even started another book if not for the shift in POV. We have romance, suspense, action, spice that will make the bookish girls squeel and the most adorable pet names all set on the beautiful Australian coast.

As seems to be the trend here, I once again highly recommend this book even if you are to read it as a standalone it would be a wonderful read but the series so far has been a pleasure.
Quite a few more triggers in this book than the prior one so make sure to read up on them first.

[Bree Hawkless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronnie and Jordan…. Eeekkk I love these two.
Ronnie the book nerd and Jordan the player fake dating. Yes please!!! I loved this story so much and dammnnnn Jordan is good
Highly recommend

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

JL Skye has done it again with this series. I’m enjoying Blue Haven

It goes to show how being a fake boyfriend has something to think about.

[Staceyinkindleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys… guys… GUYS!!! This book was everything I needed, I loved every moment of it.

There was heartbreak, fake dating, close friends group, family drama, surfers, psycho ex - and a few chapters that I was on the edge of my seat needing to know what the hell was going to happen. I mean I think I’ve given you enough reasons to read it 😂

Thank you to for sending me the second book in your Blue Haven series, I love all the Aussie references, the towns, the slang, LOVE IT.

I’m not going into the story very much because you just have to read it. There are books that make you fall in love with reading all over again, and this was one of those books for me.

[Just_Read_Instead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty girl, you better hold on tight, because OMG.

Jordan is the playboy of our BHU crew, a hottie with no strings attached. He's there for a good time, not a long time.

Until he loses someone he loves, his brother bails, and he meets the one girl who he can't walk away from - and unlucky for him, because she is not interested in a relationship with him. Unless, of course, its the fake variety to stop her ex from stalking her...

These characters go THROUGH IT in this series, and this book is a rollercoaster of ups and downs and I'm pretty sure we went sideways a few times too.

There are some darker subjects discussed in these books and I recommend checking triggers, but honestly its just a fabulous read. Who knew surfers at uni could be SO DAMN GOOD