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Before You #1
Before You
Aubrey Keaton has never had a supportive family. Luckily, she has Camden…
Her childhood friend. Her savior. Her boyfriend.
Even after Camden leaves their hometown to chase his dream to be a musician, Aubrey can’t imagine her life without Camden and his family.
Before starting a job search for her own dream job, Aubrey decides to visit Camden in California for a month. But when she arrives, something unexpected happens…she meets Jax Carmichael, the lead singer in Camden’s band.
Jax Carmichael doesn’t have time for a relationship…much less love.
Even if Aubrey is irresistible, she’s a complication he doesn’t want or need. He has spent the last few years building Chasing Ruin, and the band is on the verge of being signed. Pursuing Aubrey could destroy his band, and he’s worked too hard to be successful without his family’s money, or connections, to let that happen.
Aubrey feels an attraction to Jax like something she’s never experienced before.
Confused, she tries to resist, but when her relationship with Cam begins to unravel, she realizes that Jax might just be the one thing she needs.
Her childhood friend. Her savior. Her boyfriend.
Even after Camden leaves their hometown to chase his dream to be a musician, Aubrey can’t imagine her life without Camden and his family.
Before starting a job search for her own dream job, Aubrey decides to visit Camden in California for a month. But when she arrives, something unexpected happens…she meets Jax Carmichael, the lead singer in Camden’s band.
Jax Carmichael doesn’t have time for a relationship…much less love.
Even if Aubrey is irresistible, she’s a complication he doesn’t want or need. He has spent the last few years building Chasing Ruin, and the band is on the verge of being signed. Pursuing Aubrey could destroy his band, and he’s worked too hard to be successful without his family’s money, or connections, to let that happen.
Aubrey feels an attraction to Jax like something she’s never experienced before.
Confused, she tries to resist, but when her relationship with Cam begins to unravel, she realizes that Jax might just be the one thing she needs.
346 pages, Nook
First published February 1, 2014
71 people are currently reading
1167 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Cardiff
26 books373 followersAfter spending years practicing law and a million other things, Lisa decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer and she must confess that inventing characters is so much more fun than writing contracts and legal briefs. A native of Colorado, she lives with her husband and three children in Denver. When she isn’t managing the chaos of raising three children and owning her own business, she can be found reading or writing a book.
You can read more about Lisa and her upcoming work at www.lisacardiff.com.
You can read more about Lisa and her upcoming work at www.lisacardiff.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 26, 2014
NA fluff with rock band and an aggravating love triangle, where the heroine is ridiculously clueless.
So, of course I didn't like it.
So, of course I didn't like it.
May 16, 2014
5 Amazing Stars
Before You by Lisa Cardiff
OMG!!! I F’N LOVED this book. I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. This book is freaking amazing!!!! Add this to your TBR list. You won't be disappointed...I am absolutely in love with this story. I loved it from beginning to end. Before You is the first book in the Before You series and I so can’t wait for the next book in the series. I read that Lisa hopes to have the next book available in the summer. Did I mention that I CAN’T WAIT!!! Yeah, that is just how much I loved it.
Before You had me sucked into the book with the first page and I could not put this book down. I read it from beginning to end in one day. I had this downloaded on my tablet and on my phone so that I could read it wherever I was. When I say that I could not put it down, I mean it. If you are looking for a book to suck you into the story this is the one.
When an Author gives you a love triangle and you are rooting for the cheating couple, that my friend is doing something…
I loved Aubrey/Bre and could really understand her story. She is just a typical girl who finds herself in a situation that I could actually see happening in real life. I wanted to shake her sometimes, but I understood her view through her eyes.
Cam, where do I start with Cam???? I liked him at first, I really did, and then I just wanted to smack the hell out of him. He is one of those guys that wants his cake and eat it too. (Um, sorry dude, but we have to kick you to the curb.)
OHHH!!! Jax, mmmm, What can I say?!?! Jax became my new book boyfriend. Total Hotness!!! I loved everything about Jax, he can teach me how to play a guitar anytime. If you know what I mean…lol…MMMMM, Jax, Jax, Jax, I could read about you all day!!!
I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I know that I have already stated that, but I am really addicted to this story. There is NO Cliffhangers in this story, but I would love to see more of Aubrey and Jax’s HEA! This has got to be in my top 5 list of favorite books and I have a long list of favorites. I will be reading this again and again. I am sure you will too. I really don’t see me getting over Jax anytime soon…I know, I have got it BAD for my new book boyfriend.
Lisa Cardiff, your writing has done a real number on me. I just don’t know how I can move on from this story. I laughed and I cried through this story and I felt every characters emotions and views. At some points in the book, I found my heart beating so fast, just feeling the emotions. (what is wrong with me??) I already know that every book that I pick up, I will be looking for my Jax. (sigh.) I am hoping that there will be more to come in Aubrey and Jax’s story. Hint! Hint! Thanks for this wonderful read. You are seriously talented!!! Thanks for the ARC!!!
Before You by Lisa Cardiff
OMG!!! I F’N LOVED this book. I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. This book is freaking amazing!!!! Add this to your TBR list. You won't be disappointed...I am absolutely in love with this story. I loved it from beginning to end. Before You is the first book in the Before You series and I so can’t wait for the next book in the series. I read that Lisa hopes to have the next book available in the summer. Did I mention that I CAN’T WAIT!!! Yeah, that is just how much I loved it.
Before You had me sucked into the book with the first page and I could not put this book down. I read it from beginning to end in one day. I had this downloaded on my tablet and on my phone so that I could read it wherever I was. When I say that I could not put it down, I mean it. If you are looking for a book to suck you into the story this is the one.
When an Author gives you a love triangle and you are rooting for the cheating couple, that my friend is doing something…
I loved Aubrey/Bre and could really understand her story. She is just a typical girl who finds herself in a situation that I could actually see happening in real life. I wanted to shake her sometimes, but I understood her view through her eyes.
Cam, where do I start with Cam???? I liked him at first, I really did, and then I just wanted to smack the hell out of him. He is one of those guys that wants his cake and eat it too. (Um, sorry dude, but we have to kick you to the curb.)
OHHH!!! Jax, mmmm, What can I say?!?! Jax became my new book boyfriend. Total Hotness!!! I loved everything about Jax, he can teach me how to play a guitar anytime. If you know what I mean…lol…MMMMM, Jax, Jax, Jax, I could read about you all day!!!
I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I know that I have already stated that, but I am really addicted to this story. There is NO Cliffhangers in this story, but I would love to see more of Aubrey and Jax’s HEA! This has got to be in my top 5 list of favorite books and I have a long list of favorites. I will be reading this again and again. I am sure you will too. I really don’t see me getting over Jax anytime soon…I know, I have got it BAD for my new book boyfriend.
Lisa Cardiff, your writing has done a real number on me. I just don’t know how I can move on from this story. I laughed and I cried through this story and I felt every characters emotions and views. At some points in the book, I found my heart beating so fast, just feeling the emotions. (what is wrong with me??) I already know that every book that I pick up, I will be looking for my Jax. (sigh.) I am hoping that there will be more to come in Aubrey and Jax’s story. Hint! Hint! Thanks for this wonderful read. You are seriously talented!!! Thanks for the ARC!!!
March 19, 2014
I loved Jax, I hated Cam, and I didn't care for Bre. Cam was such a player and jerk, Bre was naive and didn't see anything. Jax was always there for her and there were so many times when I wanted to reach into the book and slap her! Perfect, hot guy right in front of you that would drop everything for you and you keep dismissing him! So frustrating! But in the end they got their HEA and everything fell into place exactly how it should have been. Then again, if it just fell into place in the first place, it would have been a really short read! So in essence, it was a good book that had your feelings all over the place, in which that's what a good book should be like.
May 15, 2014
I found this book fun and enjoyable to read. So not your usual love story or even love triangle. At times you want to hit Aubrey upside the head for being too trusting and wearing Rose colored glasses. Other times you’re wanting to beat the heck out of Camden for being a jerk.
Aubrey Keaton “Bre” is a naive young lady whose life has not been kind or fair. Her mother is an artist and a self proclaimed “free spirit who lives in the moment” doing what feels right to “her”. She never tells Bre who her father is and really has no time for her daughter. Bre’s mother moves them back to Colorado to her mother’s and promptly leaves her.
Her grandmother, even though she loves Bre, has her moments where Bre knows she would rather be doing other things besides being the primary caretaker to her.
On Aubrey’s 10th birthday she meets Camden, the boy who lives next door. Soon Camden becomes her best friend, her rock. His family becomes her extended family. In high school they start dating, all the way through college, it’s just assumed that they will marry.
Camden is a small town, Colorado boy with big dreams of a music career. After college he moves to LA, leaving Aubrey to finish out her Masters in Fine Arts. In LA Camden falls in with the band “Chasing Ruin”, when they lose their guitarist. He soon takes over the business end of the band. He works hard to set up gigs and to get the band signed to a record label. In the process he loses himself to the life style. He becomes a total jerk always bailing on Bre and putting her on the back burner.
Jax Charmichael is the lead singer of “Chasing Ruin”, and Camden’s friend. Jax is the son of a famous father in the entertainment industry. His father gave him an ultimatum to work for him or be cut off. Jax loves music and walks away.
After struggling for years the band is now on the verge of being signed, thanks in part to Camden. Jax sees Aubrey for the first time when she comes to LA and the bar where they are playing at. Not knowing who she is, Jax is taken by her fresh and honest ways, so unlike the women he’s been around. The more Jax gets to know Bre, the more he wants her. The fact that Camden is always canceling plans with Bre and asking Jax to cover for him, isn’t helping matters. The sparks are there between them.
Not one to give spoilers I will say this is a great start to a series of books! Way to go Lisa!
Aubrey Keaton “Bre” is a naive young lady whose life has not been kind or fair. Her mother is an artist and a self proclaimed “free spirit who lives in the moment” doing what feels right to “her”. She never tells Bre who her father is and really has no time for her daughter. Bre’s mother moves them back to Colorado to her mother’s and promptly leaves her.
Her grandmother, even though she loves Bre, has her moments where Bre knows she would rather be doing other things besides being the primary caretaker to her.
On Aubrey’s 10th birthday she meets Camden, the boy who lives next door. Soon Camden becomes her best friend, her rock. His family becomes her extended family. In high school they start dating, all the way through college, it’s just assumed that they will marry.
Camden is a small town, Colorado boy with big dreams of a music career. After college he moves to LA, leaving Aubrey to finish out her Masters in Fine Arts. In LA Camden falls in with the band “Chasing Ruin”, when they lose their guitarist. He soon takes over the business end of the band. He works hard to set up gigs and to get the band signed to a record label. In the process he loses himself to the life style. He becomes a total jerk always bailing on Bre and putting her on the back burner.
Jax Charmichael is the lead singer of “Chasing Ruin”, and Camden’s friend. Jax is the son of a famous father in the entertainment industry. His father gave him an ultimatum to work for him or be cut off. Jax loves music and walks away.
After struggling for years the band is now on the verge of being signed, thanks in part to Camden. Jax sees Aubrey for the first time when she comes to LA and the bar where they are playing at. Not knowing who she is, Jax is taken by her fresh and honest ways, so unlike the women he’s been around. The more Jax gets to know Bre, the more he wants her. The fact that Camden is always canceling plans with Bre and asking Jax to cover for him, isn’t helping matters. The sparks are there between them.
Not one to give spoilers I will say this is a great start to a series of books! Way to go Lisa!
May 9, 2014
This was a really good book. At first I wasn't sure, it started out similar to another book but then it completely changed and it was its own book. Aubrey Keaton grew up with a mother that was only concerned with her own happiness and "free spirit". The woman only cared about her art, her man of the week, and having a good time. When Aubrey was 10 years old, her mother and her moved in with her grandmother. Her grandmother was there for Aubrey but sometimes she wasn't happy with having to raise her granddaughter. She meets her next door neighbor Camden and becomes close with him and his parents. Camden always protected her and was there for her. They went from best friends to a relationship with plans to marry one day. But Camden moves to LA from Colorado to make it in the music business. He's a guitarist and he meets up with a band that lost their guitarist. Camden isn't the same anymore - he's only concerned with his music career and getting a record label to sign them. Aubrey just finished her Masters in Fine Arts. She is a good artist but she doesn't want to be anything like her mother and wants to work at an art gallery. But first she takes a month off to go stay and spend some time with Camden in LA. Things aren't the same between them but Aubrey is so worried about being like her mother or losing Camden and his parents in her life that she's blind to so many things. Jax notices Aubrey right away when she walks into the bar they are about to play in. She also notices him and feels attraction for him but she is there to see her boyfriend Camden. Jax grew up in LA and his father is in the movie industry. He didn't want to join the family business and wants to make it on his own. His father gave him an ultimatum and he decided to go on his own. Jax is trying with his band to get a record label to sign them and for them to make some records. He doesn't know if he really believes in love considering he saw his parents go from being in love to a loveless marriage where they don't even interact. He doesn't want that and he doesn't have time for a relationship.
This is a really great book and so worth reading.
This is a really great book and so worth reading.
May 12, 2014
I really enjoyed the story over-all it was really great story line, the over all writing was wonderfully written, well enough to draw you in and not let go at all. I was hooked right from the start no doubt about it. This is a really well written story with lot's of characters to love and hate at the same time. This was a really great love story.
MUST READ!!!
***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review, see more of my review @ http://jmhoward2007.blogspot.com on 5-12-14***
MUST READ!!!
***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review, see more of my review @ http://jmhoward2007.blogspot.com on 5-12-14***
September 10, 2016
I’m so frustrated with you lady! Make up your dang mind or just…think. You know, if a guy keep ditching you to some anonymous gig, be suspicious. Don’t let him treat you like a rug, you deserve better than that. Ugh, I’m so frustrated, poor Jax. I feel you man.
2.5
2.5
August 14, 2014
what is a drum player?
August 21, 2014
Enjoyed this one. Cam was a douche, Bre was kinda clueless and flaky, and the cheating got a bit much, but Jax redeemed it.
August 23, 2014
Liked the book. But totally irritated by Cam even though i was Ok with him in the end.
January 5, 2018
Horrible book. Could the main characters be any more clueless or wishy washy. Nobody in their right mind would want to date such an idiot as Bre. I couldn't even finish the book
June 12, 2019
First there's cheating. Then the heroine was so whiny and unbelievably naive the book was not able to come back from that.
November 16, 2017
What a Great Love Story
The characters come to life on the pages of this conflicting love story. As all rock star romances being and staying together is hard for both lovers to realize what is important in life and this author brought to life. I highly recommended this book to all that believe true love does overcome any obstacles life throws their way. Cuddos to the author she is only must read list.
The characters come to life on the pages of this conflicting love story. As all rock star romances being and staying together is hard for both lovers to realize what is important in life and this author brought to life. I highly recommended this book to all that believe true love does overcome any obstacles life throws their way. Cuddos to the author she is only must read list.
June 9, 2024
I really like this story as a whole. There were points throughout the book that I was frustrated with the female lead character because she seemed naïve and kind of clueless at times. However, she eventually opened her eyes and saw the truth and ended up with her happily ever after with the man of dreams.
May 18, 2017
I just couldn't finish this one!
I tried, but at 60% I was so bored it was either flinging myself out the window or putting the book down.
I personally didn't connect with any of the characters, or like them very much... and I feel like that was my greatest downfall in reading this. If I don't like the characters, its so hard to enjoy the book. I also don't think that the rock star love triangle genre agrees with me. I UNDERSTAND how you COULD love this book, like so many other people have---so sorry to disappoint.
There wasn't really anything specially wrong with the book, it was just B O R I N G and it was full of fluff. Fluff here. Fluff there. Fluff everywhere
2/5 stars
I tried, but at 60% I was so bored it was either flinging myself out the window or putting the book down.
I personally didn't connect with any of the characters, or like them very much... and I feel like that was my greatest downfall in reading this. If I don't like the characters, its so hard to enjoy the book. I also don't think that the rock star love triangle genre agrees with me. I UNDERSTAND how you COULD love this book, like so many other people have---so sorry to disappoint.
There wasn't really anything specially wrong with the book, it was just B O R I N G and it was full of fluff. Fluff here. Fluff there. Fluff everywhere
2/5 stars
May 27, 2017
Amazing
I loved it! This book made me laugh and then it broke my heart but I'm glad it was all put back together again! I might read the next one but this one was amazing!
I loved it! This book made me laugh and then it broke my heart but I'm glad it was all put back together again! I might read the next one but this one was amazing!
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Let me start off by saying that Before You by Lisa Cardiff had almost every single box checked for me before I ever started this book. Hot Cover-Check. Rockstar-Check. New Adult Genre-Check. Love triangle with plenty of angst-Check. But when it came to the actual story here, I had some issues with this one. This one should have been an absolute home run for me, but unfortunately it just wasn't able to fulfill all my expectations and fell short.
Aubrey and Camden have been best friends since they were ten, and have been dating for the last six years. They have been forced to have a long distance relationship while Camden is in LA trying to get his bad off the ground and Aubrey finished school to pursue a career in art back in Colorado. When Aubrey finished her masters degree she agreed to spend a month in LA with Camden and couldn't be more excited to finally spend some time with him. Upon arriving in LA, Aubrey meets the lead singer of the band and instantly feels attracted to him. As Aubrey is continually ignored by Cam and is left by herself more and more, she strikes up a friendship with Jax. As the distance between Cam and Aubrey gets wider, the feelings between Aubrey and Jax continue to grow. Aubrey isn't willing to let her relationship with Cam go easily though after he and his family have been there for her for so long despite how he has been treating her. Aubrey also isn't willing to let it go when Jax is known to never stick with any girl for long or do anything serious. But when Aubrey finds out that Cam has been keeping secrets from her, she can't help but wonder if it is time to move on. Could Jax be the right one for her, and is he willing to risk everything including the future of the band to be with her?
I absolutely loved Jax and hated Cam. They were so different and honestly I just couldn't figure out how Jax was friends with Cam after everything and why he continued to allow things to continue the way they were. Jax was sweet and sexy and really caring and thoughtful. He was known to be a player, but honestly he was honest with the girls and he was less of a player than Cam was. You could tell what a great guy Jax was and that despite his feelings for Aubrey, he really did try to stay away from her as anything other than a friend. He was always there for her and he was so supportive of her in everything that she did. I loved seeing him get to know Aubrey and it was great to see him just spending time with her and also teaching her new things. I could not stand Cam. He was selfish and cowardly and absolutely disgusting. He was the exact kind of guy that thinks he can have his cake and eat it too, and he did not even think that he was doing anything wrong. He would justify everything and make excuses, and then would be an absolute jerk when Aubrey would be upset that he had blown her off again. I just hated him all around, and honestly I have no idea how he would even redeem himself after this story. Aubrey was hard to like at times. She was weak and oblivious. She didn't see anything going on right under her nose, and if that wasn't bad enough she also wouldn't break up with Cam even for what she did know was going on. He treated her horribly and that was without her even knowing about him cheating on her repeatedly. I just didn't understand why she was willing to continue in such a horrible relationship when she had such a great guy right in front of her. I did have times that I liked her and it was nice to see her stand up for herself eventually. She just had such great chemistry with Jax, and they were building such a strong connection that it drove me nuts waiting for her to realize it.
Overall, I think that this story had a lot of promise and it had good moments. I wish that things would have happened sooner though, and I was waiting for Aubrey to wake up. She and Jax were so great together and I felt like it took too long to get there. At that point I hated Cam, was starting to really dislike Aubrey and felt like Jax should have moved on. I really loved Jax though, and I am glad that he got his HEA. He definitely deserved it and I really was happy for him. I think that this book had a lot of back and forth that could have been resolved much earlier. It would have been nice to see more of Jax and Aubrey together rather than so much of her hot and cold relationship with Cam. Cam didn't deserve to be her friend let alone her boyfriend. I think if you are looking for a NA read with a sexy and sweet rockstar, you might give this one a shot. I honestly don't know that Cam can redeem himself after this story, but I am interested to see him try. I will read the next book in this series though, Redeeming You, to see if he can turn his life around and be the guy that once was so great with Aubrey.
**Review Copy Provided by Author**
Let me start off by saying that Before You by Lisa Cardiff had almost every single box checked for me before I ever started this book. Hot Cover-Check. Rockstar-Check. New Adult Genre-Check. Love triangle with plenty of angst-Check. But when it came to the actual story here, I had some issues with this one. This one should have been an absolute home run for me, but unfortunately it just wasn't able to fulfill all my expectations and fell short.
Aubrey and Camden have been best friends since they were ten, and have been dating for the last six years. They have been forced to have a long distance relationship while Camden is in LA trying to get his bad off the ground and Aubrey finished school to pursue a career in art back in Colorado. When Aubrey finished her masters degree she agreed to spend a month in LA with Camden and couldn't be more excited to finally spend some time with him. Upon arriving in LA, Aubrey meets the lead singer of the band and instantly feels attracted to him. As Aubrey is continually ignored by Cam and is left by herself more and more, she strikes up a friendship with Jax. As the distance between Cam and Aubrey gets wider, the feelings between Aubrey and Jax continue to grow. Aubrey isn't willing to let her relationship with Cam go easily though after he and his family have been there for her for so long despite how he has been treating her. Aubrey also isn't willing to let it go when Jax is known to never stick with any girl for long or do anything serious. But when Aubrey finds out that Cam has been keeping secrets from her, she can't help but wonder if it is time to move on. Could Jax be the right one for her, and is he willing to risk everything including the future of the band to be with her?
I absolutely loved Jax and hated Cam. They were so different and honestly I just couldn't figure out how Jax was friends with Cam after everything and why he continued to allow things to continue the way they were. Jax was sweet and sexy and really caring and thoughtful. He was known to be a player, but honestly he was honest with the girls and he was less of a player than Cam was. You could tell what a great guy Jax was and that despite his feelings for Aubrey, he really did try to stay away from her as anything other than a friend. He was always there for her and he was so supportive of her in everything that she did. I loved seeing him get to know Aubrey and it was great to see him just spending time with her and also teaching her new things. I could not stand Cam. He was selfish and cowardly and absolutely disgusting. He was the exact kind of guy that thinks he can have his cake and eat it too, and he did not even think that he was doing anything wrong. He would justify everything and make excuses, and then would be an absolute jerk when Aubrey would be upset that he had blown her off again. I just hated him all around, and honestly I have no idea how he would even redeem himself after this story. Aubrey was hard to like at times. She was weak and oblivious. She didn't see anything going on right under her nose, and if that wasn't bad enough she also wouldn't break up with Cam even for what she did know was going on. He treated her horribly and that was without her even knowing about him cheating on her repeatedly. I just didn't understand why she was willing to continue in such a horrible relationship when she had such a great guy right in front of her. I did have times that I liked her and it was nice to see her stand up for herself eventually. She just had such great chemistry with Jax, and they were building such a strong connection that it drove me nuts waiting for her to realize it.
Overall, I think that this story had a lot of promise and it had good moments. I wish that things would have happened sooner though, and I was waiting for Aubrey to wake up. She and Jax were so great together and I felt like it took too long to get there. At that point I hated Cam, was starting to really dislike Aubrey and felt like Jax should have moved on. I really loved Jax though, and I am glad that he got his HEA. He definitely deserved it and I really was happy for him. I think that this book had a lot of back and forth that could have been resolved much earlier. It would have been nice to see more of Jax and Aubrey together rather than so much of her hot and cold relationship with Cam. Cam didn't deserve to be her friend let alone her boyfriend. I think if you are looking for a NA read with a sexy and sweet rockstar, you might give this one a shot. I honestly don't know that Cam can redeem himself after this story, but I am interested to see him try. I will read the next book in this series though, Redeeming You, to see if he can turn his life around and be the guy that once was so great with Aubrey.
**Review Copy Provided by Author**
May 19, 2014
** JOSIE'S 4 STAR REVIEW **
Aubrey Keaton never experienced stability and a family while she was growing up with her mother. After being sent to live with her grandmother at 10 years old, her life changed. Camden lived next door to her grandmother and from the minute they met, they were inseparable. Meeting Camden and living with her grandmother was the best thing to happen to her. Over the years their friendship eventually turned it a relationship and plans to marry.
Camden becomes the guitarist for a local band, and he is no longer the same Camden Aubrey knew. Camden focuses on his music career, getting signed by a record label and the benefits of the groupies. Camden decides to move to LA to follow his dream of hitting big in the music industry. Aubrey and Camden agreed that she will follow him to LA for a month once she gets her Masters in Fine Arts degree. While visiting Camden for a month, things aren’t the same but Aubrey does not want to be like her mother or lose the only family she has known so she ignores the obvious signs. On her first night in LA she meets Jax and notices she feels something she has not felt with Camden. But Camden is her world and the man she is going to marry.
As soon as Jax sees Aubrey in the bar, Aubrey catches his attention until Camden introduces her as his girlfriend. Jax is different. Even though he grew up in LA and his father is rich and in the movie business, he was never interested in it. He just wanted to be in a band. Jax is also trying to focus on his career and make it big but when Camden keeps throwing Aubrey onto to him so he could have his fun. Jax, well damn, Jax is the ultimate package. He is handsome, rich, caring and drops everything for his friends. Aubrey has him spinning and he wants her like nothing he has thought possible. It was emotional and angsty watching him deal and come to terms with his feelings for Aubrey. As a reader you can see the immediate connection between Jax and Aubrey. You know they belong together but how long can Jax keep seeing Aubrey go back to Camden, when all he wants is forever with her?
I was so frustrated with Aubrey because she really did not see the truth and even when she did she was too afraid to let go. She has her life planned out and is only engrossed on the future she feels she is meant to have. The more she was away from Camden, the more she grew in strength. The more time she spent with Jax the more she began to see what life could really be like if she closed the door to her past.
It was very emotionally draining watching things unfold. Camden…I was not sure how I felt about him because he was arrogant and never truly thought about Aubrey. There was no denying Jax’s feelings for Aubrey but watching him fight it, fight for her and for them will tear you up.. Neither Jax nor Aubrey want to hurt anyone but can they just walk away from what they feel? Will Aubrey finally let go of Cam and see the truth?
“Listen Bre, I now it’s complicated and uncomfortable, but there has never been another time in my life when being with someone felt so right or so good that I didn’t care about the consequences.”
"I am still afraid. That you won’t want me when you have me or that you’ll realize that I’m nothing special and you can find someone better. I’m just a girl from a small town. You’ll need someone who can be that special person for you.”
“Don’t you get it? You are that special person for me. Every time I came to visit you or spend time with you, it wasn’t for Cam. It was an excuse to be with you, to have you in my life. You could never hold me back. Having you by my side would be an honor and don’t ever tell yourself otherwise. I wanted you from the moment I saw you.”
I am hoping to see more in this series. From what we read about the secondary characters, it feels like we might get more books in the future.
** I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
Aubrey Keaton never experienced stability and a family while she was growing up with her mother. After being sent to live with her grandmother at 10 years old, her life changed. Camden lived next door to her grandmother and from the minute they met, they were inseparable. Meeting Camden and living with her grandmother was the best thing to happen to her. Over the years their friendship eventually turned it a relationship and plans to marry.
Camden becomes the guitarist for a local band, and he is no longer the same Camden Aubrey knew. Camden focuses on his music career, getting signed by a record label and the benefits of the groupies. Camden decides to move to LA to follow his dream of hitting big in the music industry. Aubrey and Camden agreed that she will follow him to LA for a month once she gets her Masters in Fine Arts degree. While visiting Camden for a month, things aren’t the same but Aubrey does not want to be like her mother or lose the only family she has known so she ignores the obvious signs. On her first night in LA she meets Jax and notices she feels something she has not felt with Camden. But Camden is her world and the man she is going to marry.
As soon as Jax sees Aubrey in the bar, Aubrey catches his attention until Camden introduces her as his girlfriend. Jax is different. Even though he grew up in LA and his father is rich and in the movie business, he was never interested in it. He just wanted to be in a band. Jax is also trying to focus on his career and make it big but when Camden keeps throwing Aubrey onto to him so he could have his fun. Jax, well damn, Jax is the ultimate package. He is handsome, rich, caring and drops everything for his friends. Aubrey has him spinning and he wants her like nothing he has thought possible. It was emotional and angsty watching him deal and come to terms with his feelings for Aubrey. As a reader you can see the immediate connection between Jax and Aubrey. You know they belong together but how long can Jax keep seeing Aubrey go back to Camden, when all he wants is forever with her?
I was so frustrated with Aubrey because she really did not see the truth and even when she did she was too afraid to let go. She has her life planned out and is only engrossed on the future she feels she is meant to have. The more she was away from Camden, the more she grew in strength. The more time she spent with Jax the more she began to see what life could really be like if she closed the door to her past.
It was very emotionally draining watching things unfold. Camden…I was not sure how I felt about him because he was arrogant and never truly thought about Aubrey. There was no denying Jax’s feelings for Aubrey but watching him fight it, fight for her and for them will tear you up.. Neither Jax nor Aubrey want to hurt anyone but can they just walk away from what they feel? Will Aubrey finally let go of Cam and see the truth?
“Listen Bre, I now it’s complicated and uncomfortable, but there has never been another time in my life when being with someone felt so right or so good that I didn’t care about the consequences.”
"I am still afraid. That you won’t want me when you have me or that you’ll realize that I’m nothing special and you can find someone better. I’m just a girl from a small town. You’ll need someone who can be that special person for you.”
“Don’t you get it? You are that special person for me. Every time I came to visit you or spend time with you, it wasn’t for Cam. It was an excuse to be with you, to have you in my life. You could never hold me back. Having you by my side would be an honor and don’t ever tell yourself otherwise. I wanted you from the moment I saw you.”
I am hoping to see more in this series. From what we read about the secondary characters, it feels like we might get more books in the future.
** I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
May 17, 2014
"... I only want to love you. Today. Tomorrow, and every day after that." Jax
Before You was enjoyable! Who doesn't love a sexy rocker! It was told in a third person narrative and it took a bit of getting used to because most books that I read these days are written in the 1st person. The two main characters are Jax and Aubrey (Bre).
From the moment Jax saw her across the bar, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. When he begins to talk to her, he is even more intrigued and more determined to make her his next conquest, but he soon finds out that she is Cam's, his band mate, long time girlfriend. And Cam has worked too hard to get the band where they are, so close to being signed with a record label, that putting a girl between them is just not an option.
... she was undeniably beautiful and not in the obnoxious, overly surgically enhanced way. Her skin glowed, her almond shaped amber eyes tilted upwards with an impish glint, and her smile fascinated him. He had never seen anyone whose entire face lit up like that. From the minute he first glimpsed that smile all he could think was that he wanted to be the person who put that smile there every day. - Jax
Bre is visiting her high school sweetheart and childhood best friend Cam in LA for a month. Cam in in LA trying to get his music career off the ground by being a part of Jax's band. She see's Jax performing and she can't take her eyes off of him.
Jax either started pulling her toward him or she started leaning toward him, she wasn’t sure which. The way his thumb delicately stroked her wrist scattered her alcohol-soaked wits, and it took her a few seconds to remember to breathe. Bre stared at his mouth; completely fascinated by the sensual curve of his lips and she just barely resisted the urge to wet her own lips in anticipation. With his mouth only inches from hers, he whispered, “You can’t look at me like that, Bre. I’m trying to be good. I know you’re Cam’s girl and the band’s important to me, but there’s only so much I can resist, and when you look at me like that I want to ignore all the reasons why kissing you is a really bad idea.”
The more you read the more you see that Cam is a complete asshat. He treats Bre terribly and takes her for granted at every turn. Although Jax and Cam are friends, he cannot resist the pull of Bre. He tries to keep his distance from her but when Cam can't bother to be with Bre when she needs him most, he sends Jax in his place never thinking that Bre would ever think of leaving him.
Oh how I love a good love triangle! But the third person narrative makes it harder to get emotionally involved, but it did make my heart quiver a bit at times. I wanted to punch Cam in the nuts for being such an arse. And I wanted to shake Bre for letting him neglect her the way he did. He doesn't, and didn't deserve her.
Theoretically, she knew there were plenty things about Cam she loved, his wavy blond hair, his love of music, his blue eyes that sparkled when he was excited, his smell, so familiar she equated it to security, but the list was admittedly becoming more superficial the longer they dated. In fact, she couldn’t remember what she liked about the two of them together, as a couple. When she reflected on their relationship, the best memories of the two of them were as kids or their senior year in high school. Since then, everything felt almost forced, held together by the fragile threads of a shared history.
Once you get used to the writing style, this is a really enjoyable book and I will be looking forward to reading more form this author.
Before You was enjoyable! Who doesn't love a sexy rocker! It was told in a third person narrative and it took a bit of getting used to because most books that I read these days are written in the 1st person. The two main characters are Jax and Aubrey (Bre).
From the moment Jax saw her across the bar, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. When he begins to talk to her, he is even more intrigued and more determined to make her his next conquest, but he soon finds out that she is Cam's, his band mate, long time girlfriend. And Cam has worked too hard to get the band where they are, so close to being signed with a record label, that putting a girl between them is just not an option.
... she was undeniably beautiful and not in the obnoxious, overly surgically enhanced way. Her skin glowed, her almond shaped amber eyes tilted upwards with an impish glint, and her smile fascinated him. He had never seen anyone whose entire face lit up like that. From the minute he first glimpsed that smile all he could think was that he wanted to be the person who put that smile there every day. - Jax
Bre is visiting her high school sweetheart and childhood best friend Cam in LA for a month. Cam in in LA trying to get his music career off the ground by being a part of Jax's band. She see's Jax performing and she can't take her eyes off of him.
Jax either started pulling her toward him or she started leaning toward him, she wasn’t sure which. The way his thumb delicately stroked her wrist scattered her alcohol-soaked wits, and it took her a few seconds to remember to breathe. Bre stared at his mouth; completely fascinated by the sensual curve of his lips and she just barely resisted the urge to wet her own lips in anticipation. With his mouth only inches from hers, he whispered, “You can’t look at me like that, Bre. I’m trying to be good. I know you’re Cam’s girl and the band’s important to me, but there’s only so much I can resist, and when you look at me like that I want to ignore all the reasons why kissing you is a really bad idea.”
The more you read the more you see that Cam is a complete asshat. He treats Bre terribly and takes her for granted at every turn. Although Jax and Cam are friends, he cannot resist the pull of Bre. He tries to keep his distance from her but when Cam can't bother to be with Bre when she needs him most, he sends Jax in his place never thinking that Bre would ever think of leaving him.
Oh how I love a good love triangle! But the third person narrative makes it harder to get emotionally involved, but it did make my heart quiver a bit at times. I wanted to punch Cam in the nuts for being such an arse. And I wanted to shake Bre for letting him neglect her the way he did. He doesn't, and didn't deserve her.
Theoretically, she knew there were plenty things about Cam she loved, his wavy blond hair, his love of music, his blue eyes that sparkled when he was excited, his smell, so familiar she equated it to security, but the list was admittedly becoming more superficial the longer they dated. In fact, she couldn’t remember what she liked about the two of them together, as a couple. When she reflected on their relationship, the best memories of the two of them were as kids or their senior year in high school. Since then, everything felt almost forced, held together by the fragile threads of a shared history.
Once you get used to the writing style, this is a really enjoyable book and I will be looking forward to reading more form this author.
January 9, 2017
“Before You” by Lisa Cardiff
5 out of 5 stars
What would you do if the life you always pictured for yourself was really just a lie? What if the one person you thought you really knew became a complete stranger? What if the door opened for new opportunities that you never thought you wanted? Would you charge on through or shut the door and pretend you never regretted it?
Those are the questions that face Aubrey Keaton in “Before You” by Lisa Cardiff. The once idyllic life she thought she wanted is crumbling all around her and it is scaring the hell out of her! The road map she had for her life is useless and she’s so afraid to take the wrong path. Will she follow her head or take a leap of faith and go with her heart?
Aubrey wears blinders and she seems to like it that way. She’s so focused on the future she thinks she is destined to have that she can’t see the changes happening in front of her. Given her history, I could completely understand why she chose to cling to the things that had anchored her childhood. I felt her fear and doubt in embracing the unknown. I walked her journey with her and for me that makes for a great book. I was emotionally invested in Aubrey’s choices and rooting for her to find her version of happiness. Cardiff did an excellent job drawing me in and keeping me engaged in the story.
Jax is hot. He’s the ultimate bad boy thrown for a loop by a girl he never saw coming. He’s passionate about his music and that spills over onto all the things he loves. I loved watching him come to terms with his feelings and adjust to life from his new perspective. The spark between Jax and Aubrey is undeniable! They fit together like puzzle pieces and they had amazing verbal sparring going on!
The secondary cast all add to the different flavors in the story. They provide the many layers of back story and help the main characters come to terms with the possibility of a different future. This book is the lead in for what has the potential to be a great series. I am looking forward to seeing what the second book has to offer in the lives of this group!
Cardiff has written a book that flows well and is an easy read. It keeps you interested and I had a hard time putting it down…in fact I read the entire book in one sitting! Her characters are developed well, the story was well thought out, and the pacing was perfect. She’s an author I would love to read again and again! You won’t regret purchasing this one!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Shannon, My Secret Book Spot
5 out of 5 stars
What would you do if the life you always pictured for yourself was really just a lie? What if the one person you thought you really knew became a complete stranger? What if the door opened for new opportunities that you never thought you wanted? Would you charge on through or shut the door and pretend you never regretted it?
Those are the questions that face Aubrey Keaton in “Before You” by Lisa Cardiff. The once idyllic life she thought she wanted is crumbling all around her and it is scaring the hell out of her! The road map she had for her life is useless and she’s so afraid to take the wrong path. Will she follow her head or take a leap of faith and go with her heart?
Aubrey wears blinders and she seems to like it that way. She’s so focused on the future she thinks she is destined to have that she can’t see the changes happening in front of her. Given her history, I could completely understand why she chose to cling to the things that had anchored her childhood. I felt her fear and doubt in embracing the unknown. I walked her journey with her and for me that makes for a great book. I was emotionally invested in Aubrey’s choices and rooting for her to find her version of happiness. Cardiff did an excellent job drawing me in and keeping me engaged in the story.
Jax is hot. He’s the ultimate bad boy thrown for a loop by a girl he never saw coming. He’s passionate about his music and that spills over onto all the things he loves. I loved watching him come to terms with his feelings and adjust to life from his new perspective. The spark between Jax and Aubrey is undeniable! They fit together like puzzle pieces and they had amazing verbal sparring going on!
The secondary cast all add to the different flavors in the story. They provide the many layers of back story and help the main characters come to terms with the possibility of a different future. This book is the lead in for what has the potential to be a great series. I am looking forward to seeing what the second book has to offer in the lives of this group!
Cardiff has written a book that flows well and is an easy read. It keeps you interested and I had a hard time putting it down…in fact I read the entire book in one sitting! Her characters are developed well, the story was well thought out, and the pacing was perfect. She’s an author I would love to read again and again! You won’t regret purchasing this one!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Shannon, My Secret Book Spot
May 18, 2014
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review,
This was a difficult and frustrating read and at times I wanted to fling my kindle to the wall. However it is a new adult read which usually entail lots of angst and let me tell you there was plenty of that in this book.
The cover though was fabulous – so hot!
Aubrey Keaton has not had a good upbringing due to a difficult relationship with her mother but she has always had the support of her friend and now boyfriend, Camden and his family. However Camden is now chasing his dream in California with his new band on the brink of stardom and with Audrey searching for her own dream job, there have been long separations but she decides to take a month long visit with Cam. What she finds when she gets there is a totally different Camden who she hardly ever sees, to make matters worse she keeps being pushed into spending time with his band mate Jax who brings out feelings she doesn’t feel she should be having for him.
I really loved Jax and thought he was a great character – kind, considerate and hot! Cam on the other hand was a lying toad and a total douche who treated Aubrey (Bre) like a doormat. Bre however was even more annoying and constantly had me yelling in my head ‘WTF?’ All the signs of his cheating and disregard for her were blatantly obvious with a big neon sign pointing it out to her but our heroine did not take one iota of any notice. On the other hand she had this gorgeous hot singer declaring his feelings for her but she kept ignoring that and trying to make a go of it with Camden. Even when you thought she had finally seen the light she kept reverting back to being a flipping martyr! See what I mean about frustrating? There was a lot of going around in circles but eventually we got to the part where she sees the light and grows a pair!
For me it was a little immature (yes I know it’s NA but even so this was a bit highschool behaviour) and there wasn’t much about the band touched on. I love NA rock star reads but this was more about the frustrating love triangle.
Saying all that if you love a whole lot of angst and emotional trips in your NA read then this is one for you. There is a HEA but it took a whole lot to get there and my poor kindle was nearly squished. Overall an OK read and three stars.
This was a difficult and frustrating read and at times I wanted to fling my kindle to the wall. However it is a new adult read which usually entail lots of angst and let me tell you there was plenty of that in this book.
The cover though was fabulous – so hot!
Aubrey Keaton has not had a good upbringing due to a difficult relationship with her mother but she has always had the support of her friend and now boyfriend, Camden and his family. However Camden is now chasing his dream in California with his new band on the brink of stardom and with Audrey searching for her own dream job, there have been long separations but she decides to take a month long visit with Cam. What she finds when she gets there is a totally different Camden who she hardly ever sees, to make matters worse she keeps being pushed into spending time with his band mate Jax who brings out feelings she doesn’t feel she should be having for him.
I really loved Jax and thought he was a great character – kind, considerate and hot! Cam on the other hand was a lying toad and a total douche who treated Aubrey (Bre) like a doormat. Bre however was even more annoying and constantly had me yelling in my head ‘WTF?’ All the signs of his cheating and disregard for her were blatantly obvious with a big neon sign pointing it out to her but our heroine did not take one iota of any notice. On the other hand she had this gorgeous hot singer declaring his feelings for her but she kept ignoring that and trying to make a go of it with Camden. Even when you thought she had finally seen the light she kept reverting back to being a flipping martyr! See what I mean about frustrating? There was a lot of going around in circles but eventually we got to the part where she sees the light and grows a pair!
For me it was a little immature (yes I know it’s NA but even so this was a bit highschool behaviour) and there wasn’t much about the band touched on. I love NA rock star reads but this was more about the frustrating love triangle.
Saying all that if you love a whole lot of angst and emotional trips in your NA read then this is one for you. There is a HEA but it took a whole lot to get there and my poor kindle was nearly squished. Overall an OK read and three stars.
May 16, 2014
Before You was a great fun read full of angst and betrayal. I read this book in a matter of hours and felt everything from happiness to sadness to anger.
Aubrey and Camden are childhood sweethearts. Aubrey didn't have the greatest upbringing. Her dad is MIA and her mother has always been more focused on herself and her flavor of the week than she was about Aubrey. When Aubrey was 10 they moved in with her grandmother and that is when she met Camden. Camden and his parents have created a new "family" for her and are her source of comfort and support . Cam's parents were the parents she always wanted and Cam was her everything.
While Aubrey stays in Colorado to finish her masters degree Camden is living the good life in LA pursuing his dreams of a musical career in a band. But with the band came popularity and attention and groupies. Aubrey flies to California to spend a month with Camden but he is preoccupied with everything but Aubrey.
It is during her month long vacation that Aubrey becomes friend with Jax Carmichael, lead singer of the band that Camden is in. You can see where this is going, right? Angst galore!!!! I spent a good portion of this book wanting to smack Aubrey upside the head! She had that blindfold on tight! I mean, considering her situation growing up, and the relationship with Cam's parents, I understood her hesitancy to confront Cam but damn girl!! Stand up for yourself.
Jax was super hot. Right from the get-go. He is the tried and true definition of a bad boy. But the more we got to see him, the more we saw a softer, emotional side to him. I am a sucker for bad boys with player ways being completely caught off guard by a girl when they least expect it. Lisa Cardiff did a phenomenal job developing their relationship. Jax and Aubrey were perfect together! I will even go as far as saying that i was OK with Cam by the end of the book....meaning i didnt want to junk punch him and then poke his eyes out.
Before You was a fun, angst filled read that flows well. The secondary characters are just as wonderful as the main characters and I hope we will get to see more of this all star cast. 4 stars
Aubrey and Camden are childhood sweethearts. Aubrey didn't have the greatest upbringing. Her dad is MIA and her mother has always been more focused on herself and her flavor of the week than she was about Aubrey. When Aubrey was 10 they moved in with her grandmother and that is when she met Camden. Camden and his parents have created a new "family" for her and are her source of comfort and support . Cam's parents were the parents she always wanted and Cam was her everything.
While Aubrey stays in Colorado to finish her masters degree Camden is living the good life in LA pursuing his dreams of a musical career in a band. But with the band came popularity and attention and groupies. Aubrey flies to California to spend a month with Camden but he is preoccupied with everything but Aubrey.
It is during her month long vacation that Aubrey becomes friend with Jax Carmichael, lead singer of the band that Camden is in. You can see where this is going, right? Angst galore!!!! I spent a good portion of this book wanting to smack Aubrey upside the head! She had that blindfold on tight! I mean, considering her situation growing up, and the relationship with Cam's parents, I understood her hesitancy to confront Cam but damn girl!! Stand up for yourself.
Jax was super hot. Right from the get-go. He is the tried and true definition of a bad boy. But the more we got to see him, the more we saw a softer, emotional side to him. I am a sucker for bad boys with player ways being completely caught off guard by a girl when they least expect it. Lisa Cardiff did a phenomenal job developing their relationship. Jax and Aubrey were perfect together! I will even go as far as saying that i was OK with Cam by the end of the book....meaning i didnt want to junk punch him and then poke his eyes out.
Before You was a fun, angst filled read that flows well. The secondary characters are just as wonderful as the main characters and I hope we will get to see more of this all star cast. 4 stars
May 14, 2014
3.5 Stars for this book.
Jax Charmichael the lead singer in Chasing Ruin is in big trouble. He has fallen for one of his bandmates longtime girlfriend Aubrey Keaton. Aubrey has been with Camden since she was ten years old. Camden was Aubrey rock of strength when there was no one else around for her growing up. As time grew both Camden and Aubrey became a couple but probably for the wrong reasons.
Aubrey comes out to California to see her Camden and without knowing who Aubrey is at first Jax is smitten from her from across the bar that the band is playing one night. When Jax approaches Aubrey to start to talk to her a whole new light has shone upon Aubrey. Get where this story is going....
As Camden becomes more involved with the band's business future and some of the side hanky panky that Aubrey is unaware of Jax becomes her friend, problem is that Jax has never had to hold back when he has wanted a women and Aubrey is nothing like any other women he has ever experienced in his life. Camden in my opinion becomes a complete self center jerk while Jax does everything he can to help Aubrey and keep Camden's crap hidden from her. If anything there where times when I was pissed at how Aubrey's attitude with Jax just didn't sit well with me since he was always there for her every time Camden screwed her over.
I have to be honest here and say that I was reminded of another story much similar to this one that is one of my favorites but for the sake of both authors I will not get write anything negative about that.
It is a good story worth reading and yes Jax is very hot!
Jax Charmichael the lead singer in Chasing Ruin is in big trouble. He has fallen for one of his bandmates longtime girlfriend Aubrey Keaton. Aubrey has been with Camden since she was ten years old. Camden was Aubrey rock of strength when there was no one else around for her growing up. As time grew both Camden and Aubrey became a couple but probably for the wrong reasons.
Aubrey comes out to California to see her Camden and without knowing who Aubrey is at first Jax is smitten from her from across the bar that the band is playing one night. When Jax approaches Aubrey to start to talk to her a whole new light has shone upon Aubrey. Get where this story is going....
As Camden becomes more involved with the band's business future and some of the side hanky panky that Aubrey is unaware of Jax becomes her friend, problem is that Jax has never had to hold back when he has wanted a women and Aubrey is nothing like any other women he has ever experienced in his life. Camden in my opinion becomes a complete self center jerk while Jax does everything he can to help Aubrey and keep Camden's crap hidden from her. If anything there where times when I was pissed at how Aubrey's attitude with Jax just didn't sit well with me since he was always there for her every time Camden screwed her over.
I have to be honest here and say that I was reminded of another story much similar to this one that is one of my favorites but for the sake of both authors I will not get write anything negative about that.
It is a good story worth reading and yes Jax is very hot!
April 25, 2016
A good old fashioned love triangle
This book grabbed my attention. I like love triangles when they're done well, and for the most part, this one was enjoyable. I wished the emotions came through more clearly. It felt like the story and characters got close to pulling me in completely, and then the author pulled back and it became a telling vs showing situation. I didn't have the same problem as many reviewers mentioned regarding Bre turning a blind eye. Her failure to acknowledge the signs made sense to me. However, I thought her 180 treatment toward Jax at a poignant point in the story was bizarre and didn't work well at all. That moment didn't fit the story flow or her character, and I lost a good chunk of the empathy I needed to relate to her character. I did like the way the author resolved things with Cam, that took finesse, so kudos to Miss Cardiff there. My only other complaint were the editing errors. For me, if I'm not completely lost in the emotion of the story, those errors stand out more. So, while they weren't horrible, they occurred often enough that it bears mentioning. Overall, I enjoyed this, so I'd consider reading more from the series at least.
This book grabbed my attention. I like love triangles when they're done well, and for the most part, this one was enjoyable. I wished the emotions came through more clearly. It felt like the story and characters got close to pulling me in completely, and then the author pulled back and it became a telling vs showing situation. I didn't have the same problem as many reviewers mentioned regarding Bre turning a blind eye. Her failure to acknowledge the signs made sense to me. However, I thought her 180 treatment toward Jax at a poignant point in the story was bizarre and didn't work well at all. That moment didn't fit the story flow or her character, and I lost a good chunk of the empathy I needed to relate to her character. I did like the way the author resolved things with Cam, that took finesse, so kudos to Miss Cardiff there. My only other complaint were the editing errors. For me, if I'm not completely lost in the emotion of the story, those errors stand out more. So, while they weren't horrible, they occurred often enough that it bears mentioning. Overall, I enjoyed this, so I'd consider reading more from the series at least.
August 26, 2014
First time reading one of Ms. Cardiff's books and I loved it. Yes, there were parts that were frustrating but that's all in the story telling. If books can't bring out the reader's feelings they aren't doing a very good job writing. Bre had the biggest blinders on of anyone I've seen and Jax had to have the patience of a saint in order to wait for Bre. I'm not sure if I agree with Jax not telling Bre what Cam has been up to but again I don't want things to go as they would in a "perfect" story.
I can't wait to get to book #2 in this series. I can only hope it will be as good as the first one!! Looking forward to more rock romance in the future.
I can't wait to get to book #2 in this series. I can only hope it will be as good as the first one!! Looking forward to more rock romance in the future.
December 28, 2014
It was an OK book. But please, PLEASE! all the time that I was reading i got more and more frustrated with the lady character, sometimes I really wanted to punch her in the face. How could a person be sooo naive and stupid to not see her boyfriend cheating? I mean, it was right in her face. That doesn't happen in real life.
I didn't like Aubrey at all, she was tremendous weak. I had a hard time trying to connect with her.
And the way that they solve all the problems, it was like too fast. I mean, he cheated on you for like a year, and then you forgive him two days after and now are bbf's? Please, buy some personality and self pride my dear!
I was left with a bittersweet taste.
I didn't like Aubrey at all, she was tremendous weak. I had a hard time trying to connect with her.
And the way that they solve all the problems, it was like too fast. I mean, he cheated on you for like a year, and then you forgive him two days after and now are bbf's? Please, buy some personality and self pride my dear!
I was left with a bittersweet taste.
October 9, 2014
I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
Up until Aubrey was ten she didn't have much of a childhood. When she was ten her mother and herself moved in with her grandmother. Here she meets her new neighbor & new friend Camden. We also meet about the ever so hot bad boy Jax. I loved Aubrey but there were times in this book when she really annoyed me. Loved the secondary characters- hope we get to read more about them.
This is a really well written book with a great storyline. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Up until Aubrey was ten she didn't have much of a childhood. When she was ten her mother and herself moved in with her grandmother. Here she meets her new neighbor & new friend Camden. We also meet about the ever so hot bad boy Jax. I loved Aubrey but there were times in this book when she really annoyed me. Loved the secondary characters- hope we get to read more about them.
This is a really well written book with a great storyline. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 30, 2014
3.5 Stars!
Finish review soon: Dislike Cam for being a cheater, over and over. Also, dislike Bre for continuing to bury her head in the sand about it. She even admits that she knows all that he has been doing, but she repeatedly tells him "let's not talk about this now", etc. Had a very difficult time connecting to her as a character, and had a hard time believing that Jax, based on his description, would find such a weak female character to be so engaging and unforgettable. Jax made this story finish-able for me.
Finish review soon: Dislike Cam for being a cheater, over and over. Also, dislike Bre for continuing to bury her head in the sand about it. She even admits that she knows all that he has been doing, but she repeatedly tells him "let's not talk about this now", etc. Had a very difficult time connecting to her as a character, and had a hard time believing that Jax, based on his description, would find such a weak female character to be so engaging and unforgettable. Jax made this story finish-able for me.
October 22, 2014
When you've known a person for so long it's hard to cut strings without the risk of losing everything and that is exactly the position Bre finds herself in with Camden halfway through the book. Unfortunately Cam doesn't consider Bre his first priority.
When the new lead singer comes along he knows better than to mess around with Cam's girlfriend Aubrey, but from the moment he met Bre, he wanted her. Jax doesn't like how Cam takes Aubrey for granted. She's beautiful and anyone would be crazy not to want her.
So why are things so complicated?! Nobody likes to get hurt really?
When the new lead singer comes along he knows better than to mess around with Cam's girlfriend Aubrey, but from the moment he met Bre, he wanted her. Jax doesn't like how Cam takes Aubrey for granted. She's beautiful and anyone would be crazy not to want her.
So why are things so complicated?! Nobody likes to get hurt really?
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