Before You

With or Without You #0.5

by Mimi Flood

If you don’t want to fall in love, don’t date the eternal romantic…

Real estate agent Tyler Benedict is known for her sharp personality and stunning good looks. Her love life is nothing but one-night flings with bad boys and that’s just the way she likes it. Until she meets a way-too adorable nerd at a Halloween party and accepts his friend request.

IT Specialist Sebastian Murano loves video games almost as much as searching for his soul mate. Too bad life has sent him one failed relationship after the other. But when he bumps into the most beautiful person ever at a party one night, his romantic heart resuscitates.

Tyler and Sebastian couldn’t be more opposite. He’s a nerd, she’s not. He’s a gamer, she hates video games. He likes to organize, and she’s a mess.

But the only thing bigger than Sebastian’s heart is his determination to make Tyler happy. And the more time they spend together, the more Sebastian's sweet words and gentle touches unravel Tyler’s steadfast ways.

Will Sebastian win her heart, or will Tyler end up breaking his?

​ Author’s Warning: This steamy, opposites attract, happily ever after prequel is a slow-to-intense burn, complete with a charming lakeside cabin, amusing banter, clever ways to eat dessert, and all the emotions that will remind you to love yourself before you can be loved in return.

Genres: Romance

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2024

About the author

Author of The Long Weekend, The Way It Was, One Night with Frankie, Before You, With Reservations, Without Hesitations, Verses of Us, Roomies

Mimi Flood writes sizzling romances packed with heart, heat, and just the right amount of angst. A lifelong lover of movies, screenwriting, and happily-ever-afters, her stories will make you laugh, cry, and swoon (sometimes all at once).

Aside from writing, Mimi is also a bad-mom, an alright wife, a die-hard Supernatural and Friends fan, and an unapologetic apple pie connoisseur. Her debut novel, The Long Weekend—a contemporary small-town romance set in her beloved Quebec—was a 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize finalist.

Mimi currently calls Montreal home, where she’s probably plotting her next book over a cup of coffee or a glass of pinot grigio.

Dive into her worlds at mimiflood.ca or follow her adventures @mimifloodauthor.


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Reviews

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to the author who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of her book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review…

I have read books from this author before and absolutely loved them. So when i had the opportunity to read this one, I jumped at the chance and was definitely not disappointed.

Mimi has a wonderful way with words that made me feel as though i was in the middle of the story, experiencing everything that was happening.

Right from the get go I fell for both of the main characters, they were both totally opposite from each other and both totally lovable in their own way too.

Tyler Benedict was a feisty, independent, strong, no-nonsense, woman and it instantly made me wonder if this was just a front and she was hiding the real person deep down inside…

Sebastian Murano, oh my goodness, well, what can I say about Seb………he was a wonderful, huggable, kind and sensitive nerd, who wears his heart on his sleeve. He knows he is a nerd and doesn’t want to change a thing and totally uses it to his advantage,in the sweetest of ways…..

And only a few chapters in we are treated to some delicious forearm porn!!!

Before You was such a wonderful, emotional, friends-to-lovers, opposites attract and nicely spicy prequel and i absolutely loved everything about it…….

[Anna Lindgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the prologue I had been craving! The chemistry these two have is palpable and I devoured every second of it. My only complaint is I wish it were LONGER!

There are so many moments of building trust, connection and overcoming defenses. It was truly a beautiful love story. I felt Seb’s intentions were clear and consistent the entire time. And I felt her wounds were justified and realistic. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Can’t wait to read more.

[Hailey Brzoska · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️/5

As far as fast/short reads go, WHY WAS I SO EMOTIONAL OVER THIS ONE?! Mimi, how dare you rip up my heart.

I admit, in the beginning I wasn’t so sold about how I’d feel about this one. But the communication between Tyler and Sebastian was beautiful and so well done. Because of how deep and raw they’d be with each other I absolutely fell in love with them. And now I wish there was moooore.

There were a few scenes where I wanted to shake these two and tell them to just speak their minds. And other times I bawled over how real they’d be with their feelings. And one particular chapter made me ache in so much grief over their relationship. But then Mimi brought them back to life and the happy tears came again. So really I felt like I was on a rollercoaster, but in the best way.

Go add this prequel story to your TBR and then very quickly read the With Reservations duology after because I also shed tears in those two books. And I love having friends to cry with over fictional characters.

[Lila Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I read the With or Without You Duet, I'd been thinking about Tyler and Seb and FINALLY I have my hands on their HEA!!
It's not a smooth ride, but it is an achingly emotional and angsty one. Tyler's walls are so dang high but Seb is determined to smash them to pieces and boy does he. He's a soft boi and I love him, I need to go to the shop where they sell Seb's and buy tons of him!
Such a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster and as always, Mimi delivered on the sssssteam!
If you aren't reading this book (this whole series) then you aren't reading...LOVED IT!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Before You . I really enjoyed reading this romance . It's a delightful and unique story . Tyler has issue from her past and a wall built to protect herself but Sebastian is just the man to tear down that wall brick by brick . The relationship hits a few humorous bumps but it's so enjoyable . The two could not be more perfect for each other . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[Alibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I realized how bad I needed Sebastian and Tyler's story. Meeting them in "With Reservations" they were this almost sickly sweet couple and I was definitely curious of their beginnings. It was actually nice seeing they had angst and obstacles to overcome to get to their perfect HEA, and talk about total opposites who perfectly fit together. You get banter, laugh out loud moments, and emotion in this short, fast-paced prequel.

[Nichoel Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is precious, especially when one doesn't believe they deserve it. This book is one of true love found. Mimi Flood has written a store that is just that, but with a twist on the characters. Tyler and Sébastien are well put together a d the chemistry is to notch.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this fast-paced backstory of how Seb and Tyler first met and got together! Having read the series they are in as the best friend side characters, it was so fun getting to know them better and see where they started.

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great prequel to Tyler and Sebastian’s romance. The banter was great and the chemistry was amazing! It may be a slow burn but once the passion ignites between these two it is intense.

[Beckie Johnson Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll love it, they come together fast and hard. It just takes time for everything to fall I to place and get past the is it to fast. Thanks for a wonderful story, Mimi.

[Literaryadventuresofthetarabun · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Seb and Tyler in With Reservations; Before You brings us back to the beginning and I loved every second of it. Seb and Tyler are different in every aspect you could imagine which makes this book so captivating. I couldn't stop reading, the alternating POVs between the MCs made it such a quick read while leaving nothing to the imagination as the chemistry was undeniable and the banter was on point. It was refreshing to read Tyler's chapters as we learn more about him, he has to be my new favourite male character (in a romance).

Oh our girl Mimi knows how to write some spicy scenes; I will never look at a certain food without thinking about the scene (if you know, you know).

Before You is the perfect prequel to the duet; it's vulnerable, steamy, funny and adorable.