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Before I Loved You
What if everyone you’ve ever loved has always let you go?
Living most of my life alone, I’ve learned to rely on one person.
And one person only.
Me.
But after one night in a bar,
seeking a distraction from a tall, dark, and handsome stranger,
I ended up with more than I bargained for.
Two vivid pink lines on a white plastic stick.
And after finally finding the nameless man who has invaded my dreams for weeks,
I feel ready for this new chapter of my life to begin.
Until the monster from my nightmares appears with a vengeance,
keeping me from the one person in the world
who would never let me go.
Living most of my life alone, I’ve learned to rely on one person.
And one person only.
Me.
But after one night in a bar,
seeking a distraction from a tall, dark, and handsome stranger,
I ended up with more than I bargained for.
Two vivid pink lines on a white plastic stick.
And after finally finding the nameless man who has invaded my dreams for weeks,
I feel ready for this new chapter of my life to begin.
Until the monster from my nightmares appears with a vengeance,
keeping me from the one person in the world
who would never let me go.
381 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2024
75 people are currently reading
6499 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Elizabeth
6 books250 followersAshley Elizabeth is an author of steamy contemporary romance. Her books will always tell a love story with just the right amount of spice, and most importantly, end with a happily ever after. When she’s not reading a romance novel or overthinking everything, you can find her at Starbucks, keeping them in business, or watching Jurassic Park for the thousandth time with her fur baby, Bailey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
June 3, 2024
The emotions that this book puts you through is an absolute roller coaster! It grips you by the heart from the very first page and just doesn’t let you go! It’s a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, resilience, and found family.
Sarah’s journey from isolation to unexpected motherhood is very moving and totally relatable. Ashley portrays Sarah as a woman who has learned to rely solely on herself, only to have her world turned upside down by Paul adds an amazing aspect to the story! She also gives us some amazing plot twists when the monster from Sarah’s past comes creeping back into her life to ruin it! It’s adds the perfect layer of suspense to this beautiful love story.
This book not only explores the complexities of relationships but also delves into the strength and courage it takes to face one’s fears and fight for what truly matters.
I absolutely loved the accidental pregnancy trope along with the found family. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good heart gripping, cry worthy, love story!
Sarah’s journey from isolation to unexpected motherhood is very moving and totally relatable. Ashley portrays Sarah as a woman who has learned to rely solely on herself, only to have her world turned upside down by Paul adds an amazing aspect to the story! She also gives us some amazing plot twists when the monster from Sarah’s past comes creeping back into her life to ruin it! It’s adds the perfect layer of suspense to this beautiful love story.
This book not only explores the complexities of relationships but also delves into the strength and courage it takes to face one’s fears and fight for what truly matters.
I absolutely loved the accidental pregnancy trope along with the found family. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good heart gripping, cry worthy, love story!
May 28, 2024
I loved this book, it has depth and complex characters. While I thought I knew where the story was headed, I was surprised and glad I continued to read on. Sarah has always been alone, and yet when things start to go right, another twist disrupts her forward momentum. Paul comes from a different world, yet the two are right together. Paul brings color to her world. I usually get a review written within a day or two of finishing as book, but I let this one simmer. The dark light contrast was there, but I really did not see it until days later.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
May 27, 2024
Now I am not a fan of the whole pregnancy trope thing, typically I do avoid it but Ashley Elizabeth managed to make me enjoy it somehow.
This was my first time reading this author but it definitely won’t be the last. I enjoyed the plot and the story.
My only gripe is how wishy washy I felt Sarah was in the beginning but honestly watching her develop and learning why she is the way she is makes it more bearable.
Overall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This was my first time reading this author but it definitely won’t be the last. I enjoyed the plot and the story.
My only gripe is how wishy washy I felt Sarah was in the beginning but honestly watching her develop and learning why she is the way she is makes it more bearable.
Overall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
May 17, 2024
I think I'm becoming an accidental pregnancy trope fan!
Paul and Sarah were both looking for a distraction. That distraction was a one-night stand. Pure anonymity. No names. No personal information. Just one night of pure pleasure. But what Sarah didn’t expect is to turn up pregnant by a nameless man that she can’t stop thinking about. Lucky for her, her tall, dark and handsome stranger is no longer nameless and she’s ready to start a new chapter of her life with Paul until a dark secret becomes her worst nightmare.
📚 Book Tropes:
🏀 One-Night Stand
🎨 Accidental Pregnancy
🏀 Basketball Player MMC/Sports Romance
🎨 Opposites Attract/Different Worlds
🏀 Touch Her and Die
🎨 Found Family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Spice: 🌶🌶
💭 My Thoughts: I know many do not like the accidental pregnancy trope but it’s really growing on me. And this book? Ugh so good! Sarah and Paul come from two VERY DIFFERENT worlds but their two different worlds actually have overlapped and it made me ball like a damn baby!
What I didn’t expect? The dark topics that was in this book. Sarah is being blackmailed but one of Paul’s teammates. And to see all of her struggles made me cry. This girl really has had a lot of traumatic things happen to her in her life. And then for Paul to come in and bring color back into her life 🥹 seriously so beautiful!
Now Paul… if you find yourself pregnant by a stranger from a one-night stand… he’s the man you hope it would be with. This man over and over again showed Sarah he will never leave. And the things he did for her… SWOON!
So if you are looking to dip your toes into the accidental pregnancy trope, I highly suggest Before I Loved You!
Thank you to Ashley Elizabeth and Greys Promo for allowing me to read Before I Loved You as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review!
Paul and Sarah were both looking for a distraction. That distraction was a one-night stand. Pure anonymity. No names. No personal information. Just one night of pure pleasure. But what Sarah didn’t expect is to turn up pregnant by a nameless man that she can’t stop thinking about. Lucky for her, her tall, dark and handsome stranger is no longer nameless and she’s ready to start a new chapter of her life with Paul until a dark secret becomes her worst nightmare.
📚 Book Tropes:
🏀 One-Night Stand
🎨 Accidental Pregnancy
🏀 Basketball Player MMC/Sports Romance
🎨 Opposites Attract/Different Worlds
🏀 Touch Her and Die
🎨 Found Family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Spice: 🌶🌶
💭 My Thoughts: I know many do not like the accidental pregnancy trope but it’s really growing on me. And this book? Ugh so good! Sarah and Paul come from two VERY DIFFERENT worlds but their two different worlds actually have overlapped and it made me ball like a damn baby!
What I didn’t expect? The dark topics that was in this book. Sarah is being blackmailed but one of Paul’s teammates. And to see all of her struggles made me cry. This girl really has had a lot of traumatic things happen to her in her life. And then for Paul to come in and bring color back into her life 🥹 seriously so beautiful!
Now Paul… if you find yourself pregnant by a stranger from a one-night stand… he’s the man you hope it would be with. This man over and over again showed Sarah he will never leave. And the things he did for her… SWOON!
So if you are looking to dip your toes into the accidental pregnancy trope, I highly suggest Before I Loved You!
Thank you to Ashley Elizabeth and Greys Promo for allowing me to read Before I Loved You as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review!
September 17, 2024
Keeping this short and sweet! I loved this romance. Secret and accidental pregnancy ♥️ This was miscommunication done so well and I loved the angst. Our MMC was EVERYTHING. I may have cried
May 19, 2024
THIS BOOOOOOK! I am SO SAD ITS OVER!
I can’t even say what scenes were my favorite because, well this review would be full of spoilers BUT !!!! Apart from that, I can’t even choose which are my favorites! There’s too many! It took me longer than usual to finish this book and it’s only because I’ve been so busy — but I thought of this book 24/7!!! Praying I had a fast forward button so I could skip to the end of the day and pick Paul & Sarah’s story up and continue reading!! This book was everything and more.
“”Thank you for bringing color back into my life.””
The spicy scenes are everything you could ever imagine!!! I can’t wait for you all to experience the whipped cream scene. 🫣 And the dirty talk is *chefs kiss* but the pillow talk is even better. Every time Paul says something sweet to Sarah, I’m smiling and blushing as if he’s saying it to me. Paul will have you swooning over him within the first few chapters, he’s completely stolen my heart — between him being a giant teddy bear (looooove the nickname, TB) a romantic nerd, and his charm and humor. This book will have you feeling all of the emotions, hitting all the boxes on your check list.
“”Because of one night, I gained so much more than I could have ever imagined.””
Everything about Before I Loved You, was absolutely perfection, all the way down to the writing. The characters, the scenes, the plot. Not a single flaw. I felt as though I could really connect with the characters, especially Sarah.
Even though this book has some dark moments, and will leave you shaking with anxiety — all together, it was such a cute read. Thanks to this book, I can honestly say I’ve found a new favorite trope! Accidental pregnancy. I don’t think a book has ever stolen my heart from the very first few chapters before. I promise you, after finishing Before I Loved You, you will have a new book boyfriend who puts all the others to shame. I can’t wait for Before I Loved You to be released so everyone can experience the heartwarming story that is Paul & Sarah.
I can’t even say what scenes were my favorite because, well this review would be full of spoilers BUT !!!! Apart from that, I can’t even choose which are my favorites! There’s too many! It took me longer than usual to finish this book and it’s only because I’ve been so busy — but I thought of this book 24/7!!! Praying I had a fast forward button so I could skip to the end of the day and pick Paul & Sarah’s story up and continue reading!! This book was everything and more.
“”Thank you for bringing color back into my life.””
The spicy scenes are everything you could ever imagine!!! I can’t wait for you all to experience the whipped cream scene. 🫣 And the dirty talk is *chefs kiss* but the pillow talk is even better. Every time Paul says something sweet to Sarah, I’m smiling and blushing as if he’s saying it to me. Paul will have you swooning over him within the first few chapters, he’s completely stolen my heart — between him being a giant teddy bear (looooove the nickname, TB) a romantic nerd, and his charm and humor. This book will have you feeling all of the emotions, hitting all the boxes on your check list.
“”Because of one night, I gained so much more than I could have ever imagined.””
Everything about Before I Loved You, was absolutely perfection, all the way down to the writing. The characters, the scenes, the plot. Not a single flaw. I felt as though I could really connect with the characters, especially Sarah.
Even though this book has some dark moments, and will leave you shaking with anxiety — all together, it was such a cute read. Thanks to this book, I can honestly say I’ve found a new favorite trope! Accidental pregnancy. I don’t think a book has ever stolen my heart from the very first few chapters before. I promise you, after finishing Before I Loved You, you will have a new book boyfriend who puts all the others to shame. I can’t wait for Before I Loved You to be released so everyone can experience the heartwarming story that is Paul & Sarah.
August 4, 2025
“ I never want to hear the words ‘I’m nobody’ coming out of your mouth when you’re everything to me. Understood?”
Book 3 in the before series by Ashley Elizabeth I think is my favorite. While all 3 were really good, Paul and Sarah were my favorite couple.
This book had me on the edge of my seat! So many emotions! Happiness, Extreme Anger (lol), sad.. I even cried multiple times in one chapter. And in a few others.
Paul is …. Too friggen tier ! Near the top of book boyfriends! You get to know him in the previous books, the tall basketball player with zero game in the girl department lol
He has a nickname TB.. and it couldn’t be more accurate. ( Teddy Bear )
Sarah is a young determined and independent FMC. She had a rough life and always had to take care of herself. Her resilience and determination to be a strong woman was remarkable.
I absolutely LOVE the found family trope which you will find in this book. It always just warms my heart 🥹
Some hard topics discussed throughout this book. Check triggers if you have any.
Paul and Sarah .. uhh 🙌
I’m truly sad this series is over 😫
Book 3 in the before series by Ashley Elizabeth I think is my favorite. While all 3 were really good, Paul and Sarah were my favorite couple.
This book had me on the edge of my seat! So many emotions! Happiness, Extreme Anger (lol), sad.. I even cried multiple times in one chapter. And in a few others.
Paul is …. Too friggen tier ! Near the top of book boyfriends! You get to know him in the previous books, the tall basketball player with zero game in the girl department lol
He has a nickname TB.. and it couldn’t be more accurate. ( Teddy Bear )
Sarah is a young determined and independent FMC. She had a rough life and always had to take care of herself. Her resilience and determination to be a strong woman was remarkable.
I absolutely LOVE the found family trope which you will find in this book. It always just warms my heart 🥹
Some hard topics discussed throughout this book. Check triggers if you have any.
Paul and Sarah .. uhh 🙌
I’m truly sad this series is over 😫
May 16, 2024
Guys, this book was EVERYTHING. 😭
I'm sad it's over. But gosh what a beautiful story with some intense moments that had me holding my breath.
And look, yes there's a huge pregnancy trope, but honestly I freaking LOVED it !
Don't let that one trope scare you away from this book.
Paul is exactly what Natalie has nicknamed him, a huge teddy bear.
He's the guy with all the green flags, but mess with his family or friends or especially Sarah, and he turns into a ferocious bear.
Aww Sarah, I absolutely love her character. 🥹
She's got a heartbreaking story and you understand exactly why she does what she does and how she protects herself from any possible heartbreak. Friends included.
The little twist that's revealed about her past and how she came by the teddy bear she got as a child really freaking got me. I cried. I actually cried several times throughout this book. I also laughed...freaking Paul, his personality is just the best.
And the spice. 🥵 the spice in this one is the most out of the 3 books.
Paul makes sure his girl is taken care of, in many ways.
I could go on and on about this book, but I'm not one for spoilers.
Just add this to your tbr.
You won't regret it.
Thank you Ashley & those at Grey's promotions for the arc !
I'm definitely adding this one to my shelf to go with the other 2 books.
I'm sad it's over. But gosh what a beautiful story with some intense moments that had me holding my breath.
And look, yes there's a huge pregnancy trope, but honestly I freaking LOVED it !
Don't let that one trope scare you away from this book.
Paul is exactly what Natalie has nicknamed him, a huge teddy bear.
He's the guy with all the green flags, but mess with his family or friends or especially Sarah, and he turns into a ferocious bear.
Aww Sarah, I absolutely love her character. 🥹
She's got a heartbreaking story and you understand exactly why she does what she does and how she protects herself from any possible heartbreak. Friends included.
The little twist that's revealed about her past and how she came by the teddy bear she got as a child really freaking got me. I cried. I actually cried several times throughout this book. I also laughed...freaking Paul, his personality is just the best.
And the spice. 🥵 the spice in this one is the most out of the 3 books.
Paul makes sure his girl is taken care of, in many ways.
I could go on and on about this book, but I'm not one for spoilers.
Just add this to your tbr.
You won't regret it.
Thank you Ashley & those at Grey's promotions for the arc !
I'm definitely adding this one to my shelf to go with the other 2 books.
May 19, 2024
She did it again! I've been addicted to Ashley's stories ever since her first books. She has a way of writing a story that just grips you and makes you relate to what the characters are going through. I think I have a new favorite couple. Move over Nate, Paul has one on you. Oh my the way he is just so thoughtful and swoony and he is an absolute dream. And Sarah, beautiful Sarah, so strong and resilient. One thing I loved about this particular story was how Sarah and Paul's life story was intertwined and it made everything just bittersweet and beautiful. I know accidental pregnancy is not a trope that is always well liked but I thought it was very well written in this case. The story doesn't only focus on that part and we get a lot more than just that trope. The characters growth was great to see and I loved how the story's timeline overlapped with other characters story arcs. Overall this was once again a beautiful story with great mental health representation, a strong found family vibe and an emotional rollercoaster.
May 28, 2024
4.5/5 stars ⭐️
I still haven't quite processed that this little college comfort series of mine is over; it feels like just the other day I was gushing to about how much I loved Natalie and Nathan's second chance of love!
My sweet, soft boy Paul. He wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and love so deeply! I'm not sure who out of the three (Nathan, Jason and now Paul) I adore more! Paul and Sarah were so, so precious, and perfect for each other. I absolutely loved Ashley's take on the accidental pregnancy trope and the found family that came with it, because Sarah has been on her own for as long as she can remember. Now, she finds herself pregnant, and trying to make it through her last year of college, while trying to escape from a dark secret that still haunts her.
Even before Paul found out that Sarah was pregnant, he couldn't help but want to be there for Sarah. He isn't nicknamed TB (teddy bear) for nothing because he is the sweetest caretaker ever, and when he found out that Sarah was carrying his child, he didn't hesitate to remind Sarah that she now had a family, after not being a part of one for so long.
Sarah has been on her own, since the loss of her parents and her release is through her art, but it's always been a monochrome outlook, until she meets Paul and colour starts to seep back into her grey days.
I love, loved, seeing the gang back together again, and it was nice to see it being told from another perspective, as Paul and Sarah's book took place at the same time Natalie and Nathan's did, and overlapped Jasons and Vanessa's.
Their epilogue has my entire heart! 💚
Tropes
🏀 Accidental pregnancy
🏀 College romance
🏀 Found Family
🏀 Strangers to lovers
🏀 Sports romance
I still haven't quite processed that this little college comfort series of mine is over; it feels like just the other day I was gushing to about how much I loved Natalie and Nathan's second chance of love!
My sweet, soft boy Paul. He wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and love so deeply! I'm not sure who out of the three (Nathan, Jason and now Paul) I adore more! Paul and Sarah were so, so precious, and perfect for each other. I absolutely loved Ashley's take on the accidental pregnancy trope and the found family that came with it, because Sarah has been on her own for as long as she can remember. Now, she finds herself pregnant, and trying to make it through her last year of college, while trying to escape from a dark secret that still haunts her.
Even before Paul found out that Sarah was pregnant, he couldn't help but want to be there for Sarah. He isn't nicknamed TB (teddy bear) for nothing because he is the sweetest caretaker ever, and when he found out that Sarah was carrying his child, he didn't hesitate to remind Sarah that she now had a family, after not being a part of one for so long.
Sarah has been on her own, since the loss of her parents and her release is through her art, but it's always been a monochrome outlook, until she meets Paul and colour starts to seep back into her grey days.
I love, loved, seeing the gang back together again, and it was nice to see it being told from another perspective, as Paul and Sarah's book took place at the same time Natalie and Nathan's did, and overlapped Jasons and Vanessa's.
Their epilogue has my entire heart! 💚
Tropes
🏀 Accidental pregnancy
🏀 College romance
🏀 Found Family
🏀 Strangers to lovers
🏀 Sports romance
May 26, 2024
Thank you, Ashley, for my ARC copy!
I have loved following along on Ashley's Indie author journey! From 1st reading Before I Saw You up until now, I've happily devoured this whole series. I love that we still get to catch up with our favorite characters from the first two books while finally getting Sarah and Paul's much anticipated story.
Like each book before in the series, there are secrets being held, trauma suppressed, and risks being taken. Our FMC Sarah is strong and fierce. After some recent events that have her life feeling turned upside down, she opts for a night of complete freedom and anonymity. That's when she meets Paul - Mr. tall, dark and handsome. Both of them are students at Linrey University, but they've never met before, and that's exactly what Sarah is looking for - One night. No strings. No names shared. Just the pure chemistry that seems to extend between her and the mystery man she meets at the bar.
But one night of fun turned into two little pink lines that were totally unexpected. Now Sarah is left dealing with the trauma from her past, an unexpected pregnancy, and discovering that the man from her one night stand is very good friends with some of her own... So what's a girl to do?
Determined to tell Paul she's having a baby and he's the father, Sarah musters up the courage to attend one of Paul's on campus basketball games. However, she's intercepted by a ghost from her past who threatens not only her own life, but that of Paul as well.
Can she end all of the threats and blackmail once and for all? Or will she lose the one person who has made roots in her lonely heart? Guess you'll just have to read to find out!
I love the suspense and secretive aspects Ashely adds to her plots! They definitely make for a more intriguing high stakes romance. On top of that, we all always get our HEA, but as per Ashley's usual writing style, she has to make us sweat a little first lol.
Congrats, Ashley, on your THIRD NOVEL. Feels just like yesterday I met you at my local B&N in the small town of Maumee, Ohio. So proud of you and excited for you!
This book deals with some potentially triggering topics. Your mental health matters so please read with caution.
Read if you like:
- accidental pregnancy
- college romance
- artist FMC/basketball player MMC
- opposites attract
- found family
- spice
- HEA
I have loved following along on Ashley's Indie author journey! From 1st reading Before I Saw You up until now, I've happily devoured this whole series. I love that we still get to catch up with our favorite characters from the first two books while finally getting Sarah and Paul's much anticipated story.
Like each book before in the series, there are secrets being held, trauma suppressed, and risks being taken. Our FMC Sarah is strong and fierce. After some recent events that have her life feeling turned upside down, she opts for a night of complete freedom and anonymity. That's when she meets Paul - Mr. tall, dark and handsome. Both of them are students at Linrey University, but they've never met before, and that's exactly what Sarah is looking for - One night. No strings. No names shared. Just the pure chemistry that seems to extend between her and the mystery man she meets at the bar.
But one night of fun turned into two little pink lines that were totally unexpected. Now Sarah is left dealing with the trauma from her past, an unexpected pregnancy, and discovering that the man from her one night stand is very good friends with some of her own... So what's a girl to do?
Determined to tell Paul she's having a baby and he's the father, Sarah musters up the courage to attend one of Paul's on campus basketball games. However, she's intercepted by a ghost from her past who threatens not only her own life, but that of Paul as well.
Can she end all of the threats and blackmail once and for all? Or will she lose the one person who has made roots in her lonely heart? Guess you'll just have to read to find out!
I love the suspense and secretive aspects Ashely adds to her plots! They definitely make for a more intriguing high stakes romance. On top of that, we all always get our HEA, but as per Ashley's usual writing style, she has to make us sweat a little first lol.
Congrats, Ashley, on your THIRD NOVEL. Feels just like yesterday I met you at my local B&N in the small town of Maumee, Ohio. So proud of you and excited for you!
This book deals with some potentially triggering topics. Your mental health matters so please read with caution.
Read if you like:
- accidental pregnancy
- college romance
- artist FMC/basketball player MMC
- opposites attract
- found family
- spice
- HEA
June 4, 2024
5 ⭐️/3.5 🌶️
This book literally has all of my emotions in a chokehold. I laughed so much. The banter and personalities of the two characters was everything. I also cried at the most tender moment in the FMC's life and it was so precious how everything came full circle. I am not a fan of the pregnancy trope at all..but this book...was perfection with this trope. It gave me One Tree Hill "Naley" vibes with their love for each other. The MMC was such a teddy bear and it was just so fitting with the FMC and the love of her teddy bear. The symbolism between this is uncanny. This was a book that I went into blind and was not sure what to expect and I am not disappointed. I loved how the FMC saw the world in black and white and how the MMC helped her see the world in color.
Characters/CharacterFlaws:
Paul Weston - Star basketball player for Linrey University who lives in his famous father's shadow and is destined to be better than him; constantly feels alone because all people want him for is the fame and money.
Sarah - orphan with Disney princess green eyes who has survived on her own since leaving foster care; She feels very abandoned because everyone who comes into her life always leaves; very independent but also very poor; artist who is playing it safe as a financial analyst to survive and pay the bills; being blackmailed by basketball player at Linrey University.
Theme:
accidental pregnancy
blackmail
love at first sight
make me forget
Genre:
Fiction
romance
romantic suspense
contemporary
"Paul strides out looking...well, fuck me; he looks like sex on a stick."
I peek down at myself, extending my arms wide,"I look like a marshmallow."
He shrugs. "But a sexy marshmallow."
"Let's make art," she says breathlessly.
"You're too tall to be one of his elves.:
He chuckles. "Santa doesn't discriminate."
"Without laughter we only have silence."
This book literally has all of my emotions in a chokehold. I laughed so much. The banter and personalities of the two characters was everything. I also cried at the most tender moment in the FMC's life and it was so precious how everything came full circle. I am not a fan of the pregnancy trope at all..but this book...was perfection with this trope. It gave me One Tree Hill "Naley" vibes with their love for each other. The MMC was such a teddy bear and it was just so fitting with the FMC and the love of her teddy bear. The symbolism between this is uncanny. This was a book that I went into blind and was not sure what to expect and I am not disappointed. I loved how the FMC saw the world in black and white and how the MMC helped her see the world in color.
Characters/CharacterFlaws:
Paul Weston - Star basketball player for Linrey University who lives in his famous father's shadow and is destined to be better than him; constantly feels alone because all people want him for is the fame and money.
Sarah - orphan with Disney princess green eyes who has survived on her own since leaving foster care; She feels very abandoned because everyone who comes into her life always leaves; very independent but also very poor; artist who is playing it safe as a financial analyst to survive and pay the bills; being blackmailed by basketball player at Linrey University.
Theme:
accidental pregnancy
blackmail
love at first sight
make me forget
Genre:
Fiction
romance
romantic suspense
contemporary
"Paul strides out looking...well, fuck me; he looks like sex on a stick."
I peek down at myself, extending my arms wide,"I look like a marshmallow."
He shrugs. "But a sexy marshmallow."
"Let's make art," she says breathlessly.
"You're too tall to be one of his elves.:
He chuckles. "Santa doesn't discriminate."
"Without laughter we only have silence."
January 1, 2025
3/5⭐️
I have so many thoughts. There will be brief spoilers, so read at your own risk.
This book could have been soooo much better. There were so many things going on. Unexpected pregnancy, blackmail, and both Paul and Sarah finding themselves with their careers.
1. I think the pregnancy could have been taken out if the plot was focused on the blackmail. If the author wanted to keep both, this needs to be revised. It was not balanced at all.
2. This also could’ve been so much better if this wasn’t in a college setting. As I was reading the situations, this could’ve been better if this was post-grad or a few years after college. I think it would’ve rounded out the characters more and made them more mature. Sometimes I found Paul and Sarah to be a little immature in their dialogue.
3. The dialogue needs to be edited and revised ASAP. It didn’t build the story at all, if anything it made it worse.
4. The mom just being like “I knew she was pregnant!” I was like “what the heck???” I am so happy she accepted it, but I was waiting for her to be at least somewhat surprised and she literally wasn’t.
5. Greyson??? He sounded like a whiny baby. Again, the dialogue didn’t help build his anger and resentment towards Paul. It made him sound weak and stupid in regard to the plot.
I want to reach out to this author so badly and offer to help make changes because I was reading it and I just KNOW this would be a 5/5 with these changes!!!
I have so many thoughts. There will be brief spoilers, so read at your own risk.
This book could have been soooo much better. There were so many things going on. Unexpected pregnancy, blackmail, and both Paul and Sarah finding themselves with their careers.
1. I think the pregnancy could have been taken out if the plot was focused on the blackmail. If the author wanted to keep both, this needs to be revised. It was not balanced at all.
2. This also could’ve been so much better if this wasn’t in a college setting. As I was reading the situations, this could’ve been better if this was post-grad or a few years after college. I think it would’ve rounded out the characters more and made them more mature. Sometimes I found Paul and Sarah to be a little immature in their dialogue.
3. The dialogue needs to be edited and revised ASAP. It didn’t build the story at all, if anything it made it worse.
4. The mom just being like “I knew she was pregnant!” I was like “what the heck???” I am so happy she accepted it, but I was waiting for her to be at least somewhat surprised and she literally wasn’t.
5. Greyson??? He sounded like a whiny baby. Again, the dialogue didn’t help build his anger and resentment towards Paul. It made him sound weak and stupid in regard to the plot.
I want to reach out to this author so badly and offer to help make changes because I was reading it and I just KNOW this would be a 5/5 with these changes!!!
May 20, 2024
Sarah has been alone most of her life, but when a one night stand leads to a positive pregnancy test that’s all about to change. As Sarah tries to figure out how she’s going to handle this unexpected change of events, by a twist of fate she runs into the nameless man from that night that she can’t stop thinking about. Just as things seem to be falling into place, the monster of a man who has been haunting her pops back up. Will Sarah be able to make a new life with this baby and the guy she’s been waiting for or will her past catch up with her?
I am a fan of college sports romances so this one intrigued me from the beginning. It has a bit of a darker feel than most college sports romances I’ve read, but I think it was really well done. I really liked Sarah and Paul and how their past and present all tie together in some way. I am not a huge fan of the accidental pregnancy trope, but I like how this one was handled and how the story played out. It’s never going to be my favorite trope, but I do like how this one was done. If you are a fan of college romances with an accidental pregnancy trope and a sweet male lead, this book is worth the read.
I am a fan of college sports romances so this one intrigued me from the beginning. It has a bit of a darker feel than most college sports romances I’ve read, but I think it was really well done. I really liked Sarah and Paul and how their past and present all tie together in some way. I am not a huge fan of the accidental pregnancy trope, but I like how this one was handled and how the story played out. It’s never going to be my favorite trope, but I do like how this one was done. If you are a fan of college romances with an accidental pregnancy trope and a sweet male lead, this book is worth the read.
May 18, 2024
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tropes:
🩵one night stand
🏀strangers to lovers
🩵found family
🏀sports romance
🩵touch her n die vibes
🏀dual pov
Paul and Sarah's story was absolutely a joy to read. Paul and Sarah were both looking for a night of fun to distract them from reality. No personal information was exchanged, not even their names. But what happens afterwards when Sarah sees those two lines?! But when they find each other again sparks fly
I love how Paul took care of Sarah. He was the sweetest cinnamon roll ever, and this is well before he knew about the baby. if you find yourself pregnant make sure it’s by a man like Paul…swoon worthy ... This man did everything he could to show Sarah he wasn’t leaving, that he loved her and the baby.
The were some ddark topics that was in this book so fo read with caution if you’re easily triggered. It does contain some stuff that could be triggering for some.
I absolutely love the found family trope and this book does it well. . Paul's family was so great to Sarah, and the way the brothers relationship was, with banter was good. But what found family aspect I really enjoyed was how Sarah and Paul’s story wove together.
Thank you to Greys promo for allowing me to read in advance
Tropes:
🩵one night stand
🏀strangers to lovers
🩵found family
🏀sports romance
🩵touch her n die vibes
🏀dual pov
Paul and Sarah's story was absolutely a joy to read. Paul and Sarah were both looking for a night of fun to distract them from reality. No personal information was exchanged, not even their names. But what happens afterwards when Sarah sees those two lines?! But when they find each other again sparks fly
I love how Paul took care of Sarah. He was the sweetest cinnamon roll ever, and this is well before he knew about the baby. if you find yourself pregnant make sure it’s by a man like Paul…swoon worthy ... This man did everything he could to show Sarah he wasn’t leaving, that he loved her and the baby.
The were some ddark topics that was in this book so fo read with caution if you’re easily triggered. It does contain some stuff that could be triggering for some.
I absolutely love the found family trope and this book does it well. . Paul's family was so great to Sarah, and the way the brothers relationship was, with banter was good. But what found family aspect I really enjoyed was how Sarah and Paul’s story wove together.
Thank you to Greys promo for allowing me to read in advance
June 5, 2024
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for an ARC of Before I Loved You by Ashley Elizabeth. This book kept me on my toes throughout the entire story. When I expected one thing to happen, the exact opposite did. This book was an amazing story about Paul, the son of a former NBA star who plays college basketball, and Sarah, an independent college student who has spent most of her life living alone.
Sarah’s character development was the first thing that had me falling in love with this story. She has only herself to rely on, and the fact that she has to jump right into motherhood was a huge transition and it was amazing to read about how much she changed throughout her pregnancy journey.
Paul, the teddy bear basketball player, was so easy for me to love. His determination for his career and sarah were so admirable that it was difficult not to love him.
The story had so many plot twists that I really never knew what was going to happen next. I recommend this story to people who like:
🩵 one night stand
🖤 found family
🩵 sports romance
🖤 accidental pregnancy
🩵 touch her and die
let me know if you’ve read this book! i can’t get it out of my head and NEED someone to chat about it with
Sarah’s character development was the first thing that had me falling in love with this story. She has only herself to rely on, and the fact that she has to jump right into motherhood was a huge transition and it was amazing to read about how much she changed throughout her pregnancy journey.
Paul, the teddy bear basketball player, was so easy for me to love. His determination for his career and sarah were so admirable that it was difficult not to love him.
The story had so many plot twists that I really never knew what was going to happen next. I recommend this story to people who like:
🩵 one night stand
🖤 found family
🩵 sports romance
🖤 accidental pregnancy
🩵 touch her and die
let me know if you’ve read this book! i can’t get it out of my head and NEED someone to chat about it with
May 23, 2024
This book 🥹 I loved this so much, I devoured it in a day.
Paul and Sarah's story was absolute perfection! I just knew when I met Paul in the earlier books that I'd love him. He's just a big teddy bear 🥹 I love how he took care of Sarah, even before knowing she was pregnant. That first date 🤭😍 so beautiful and thoughtful.
Sarah, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. She's been through so much in her life and finding Paul was exactly what she needed. Paul's family was so sweet and welcoming!
And the ending 🥹 perfection
There's so much I loved about this book, I can't say much as it'll give it away but I highly recommend this whole series 😍
Paul and Sarah's story was absolute perfection! I just knew when I met Paul in the earlier books that I'd love him. He's just a big teddy bear 🥹 I love how he took care of Sarah, even before knowing she was pregnant. That first date 🤭😍 so beautiful and thoughtful.
Sarah, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. She's been through so much in her life and finding Paul was exactly what she needed. Paul's family was so sweet and welcoming!
And the ending 🥹 perfection
There's so much I loved about this book, I can't say much as it'll give it away but I highly recommend this whole series 😍
May 19, 2024
ashley did it again 🥹💔
gosh dang i freaking loved sarah and paul’s story
this was beautifully written and handled tough topics (losing parents, panic attacks, trauma) really well (as per usu)
i could not put this down.. literally finished it in one sitting - aka did not go to sleep and i am a ok with that
the tension, the longing, the building of trust = chefs kiss
easily one of my favs
if you have not already, you need ashley’s books in your life if like mmcs who are golden retrievers but touch my girl and you will 💀 who are obsessed with their girls and will do literally anything for them - plus they all have a filthy mouth 🔥
gosh dang i freaking loved sarah and paul’s story
this was beautifully written and handled tough topics (losing parents, panic attacks, trauma) really well (as per usu)
i could not put this down.. literally finished it in one sitting - aka did not go to sleep and i am a ok with that
the tension, the longing, the building of trust = chefs kiss
easily one of my favs
if you have not already, you need ashley’s books in your life if like mmcs who are golden retrievers but touch my girl and you will 💀 who are obsessed with their girls and will do literally anything for them - plus they all have a filthy mouth 🔥
May 19, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
The pregnancy trope has so many haters, but I am not one of them! I think Ashley really nailed the trope in this story, and watching Paul and Sarah connect was truly so much fun. Paul was such an amazing MMC and was so caring throughout the whole story. I did enjoy the darker aspect of this story as well, and I felt like it gave it a good balance between drama and super sweet lovey dovey content. There was also an aspect of found family in this story which I loved as well! Overall just a great easy read. Thanks so much to Ashley and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC!
4⭐️
The pregnancy trope has so many haters, but I am not one of them! I think Ashley really nailed the trope in this story, and watching Paul and Sarah connect was truly so much fun. Paul was such an amazing MMC and was so caring throughout the whole story. I did enjoy the darker aspect of this story as well, and I felt like it gave it a good balance between drama and super sweet lovey dovey content. There was also an aspect of found family in this story which I loved as well! Overall just a great easy read. Thanks so much to Ashley and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC!
4⭐️
May 28, 2024
Don't Believe It
Another case of Rich Poor Girl.
We want to make a poor girls existence culminate into one problem because thats the life of a privilege girl, where they make their own problems, one at a time.
But the Complex life of a poor girl has very physical and real impacts. I don't believe she wouldn't have taken two quick pills if she genuinely was this loner.
"We used a condom." And continued the pregnancy on purpose.
And I do not believe he gets away with abandoning her to the point shes broken in front of her friends, gets away with fucking fofcing a love bomb of baby furniture.
Such a simplistic view of actual abandonment issues.
Patriarchial Parable
Another case of Rich Poor Girl.
We want to make a poor girls existence culminate into one problem because thats the life of a privilege girl, where they make their own problems, one at a time.
But the Complex life of a poor girl has very physical and real impacts. I don't believe she wouldn't have taken two quick pills if she genuinely was this loner.
"We used a condom." And continued the pregnancy on purpose.
And I do not believe he gets away with abandoning her to the point shes broken in front of her friends, gets away with fucking fofcing a love bomb of baby furniture.
Such a simplistic view of actual abandonment issues.
Patriarchial Parable
June 6, 2024
PAUL. Mr. Paul Weston. Just ruined all the mens for me. All. Of. The. Mens.
I am so mad at my brain for being in a slump the last month and that it caused me to have to wait to read this book.
Character series for me sometimes fall flat. Usually because my favorite side characters don’t get the justice they deserve when it comes to their story. But man, did Ashley surpass my expectations.
Is accidental pregnancy a trope of mine I like? Like most, not particularly, but honestly this time it didn’t bother me and it wasn’t overly focused on the pregnancy per se. It was more on the MCs past, present and future.
So all in all. My favorite. Loved it. Most definitely one of my top reads of 2024.
I am so mad at my brain for being in a slump the last month and that it caused me to have to wait to read this book.
Character series for me sometimes fall flat. Usually because my favorite side characters don’t get the justice they deserve when it comes to their story. But man, did Ashley surpass my expectations.
Is accidental pregnancy a trope of mine I like? Like most, not particularly, but honestly this time it didn’t bother me and it wasn’t overly focused on the pregnancy per se. It was more on the MCs past, present and future.
So all in all. My favorite. Loved it. Most definitely one of my top reads of 2024.
May 29, 2024
This was a great novel! Sarah decides to go back to school after navigating life on her own for over a decade. She goes into a bar one night and is amazed and instantly attracted to a man whom she asks to spend one night with. A few weeks later she has a complete surprise when she finds out she’s expecting.
I absolutely loved the found family, and surprise pregnancy. I loved the touch her and die vibe that the main MMC gives off too! Definitely recommend to those who are fans of those tropes!
I absolutely loved the found family, and surprise pregnancy. I loved the touch her and die vibe that the main MMC gives off too! Definitely recommend to those who are fans of those tropes!
September 26, 2024
Gosh I absolutely loved this book. I loved both Characters and Paul is such a sweet teddy bear cinnamon roll especially for Sarah. It’s an emotional journey for sure but their love is truly beautiful. It is an accidental pregnancy, but I felt it was done exceptionally well I laughed I cried and I swooned this is definitely a top read for sure.
December 31, 2025
This is only the second book that has ever made me cry. I love an accidental pregnancy comfort read, and this one was truly top tier. I absolutely loved it.
Everything slotted together so well. While there were some predictable moments, they were written in unexpected and refreshing ways.
Highly recommend 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Everything slotted together so well. While there were some predictable moments, they were written in unexpected and refreshing ways.
Highly recommend 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
May 28, 2024
What a beautiful story! Sarah has had a rough life. She lost her parents, grew up in foster care and never really had friends. Looking for a distraction on her birthday, she meets Paul. They have one night, no names, total distraction. Both are unable to forget their night together. Sarah realizes a few weeks later that she's pregnant. They were both looking for each other and unsuccessful. By chance, they run into each other thanks to a mutual friend. They reconnect because their connection is too strong. Of course, there's drama with a teammate of Paul's and it causes Sarah to keep the pregnancy and herself from Paul. Paul proves to be an amazing MMC. Greyson is 100% a garbage human and got what he deserved. Both characters became what they needed for each other, which was perfect. I haven't read the other books in this series, but I sure as anything want to now. Overall a wonderful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
Sarah gets an internship at the financial district at LH United, she’s hoping to work her way up to be a financial analyst but she would have loved to be able to be a full time artist.
The book starts with Sarah and Paul having a one night stand but she didn’t even let them exchange names. But then 5 weeks later when she has 2 pink lines she realizes she doesn’t know the name of the father of her child. She goes back to the bar to try to find him. And he was the best sex of her life. And she’s about to give up. When she goes over to Natalie’s new apartment and there he is. With his back turned. He was right there all along. Paul hadn’t been able to quit thinking about his one night stand either. He had kept going back to the bar looking for her too and even told Nate he was hung up on a girl. And then there she was in Natalie’s apartment and she lived right there. He finds her when she’s drawing a sunset. And he asks why she doesn’t use color and she tells him it can be overwhelming. He asks her to come to his basketball game and she agrees and puts her number in his phone and he texts her that he missed her beautiful eyes. Hes over at Nate and Natalie’s which we knew about this night from Jason and Vanessa’s book because this is the night Jason carried Vanessa to her room and ripped her poster off the wall. Paul went to Sarah’s door and was debating giving her his jersey and then there she was in the hallway. So he gave it to her. She went to his game and was finding herself possessive of him when she heard girls talking about him. But the flaw of watching Paul play was also having to watch Greyson play and stare at her. At this point all we know about Grayson is she considers him a monster. She had gotten her internship she really wanted and met her new boss only to find out he’s Greyson father and Greyson will be her boss. She wants him to stay away from her and calls him a monster. After Paul’s game he asks her to wait for him so they can go out for dinner and she plans to tell him that she’s pregnant. But Greyson comes out first and we find out he has a sex tape of Sarah. And had been deciding when to use it. And realizes now is a good time. If she doesn’t stay away from Paul, he’ll release it and make it look like Paul did and take away Paul’s chances in the nba. Greyson is butt hurt because Paul was given co captian position of the team when Greyson was already the captain. So this is his way to get back at Paul. All Sarah knows to do is run. How is she supposed to tell Paul she’s pregnant now. He tries calling and texting her but she won’t respond to him. Paul is over at Natalie’s when she says poor Sarah and how Sarah was supposed to go out with them but doesn’t feel good. So Paul goes and gets her soup and other sick essentials and shows up at her house. She smells the soup and throws up and ends up asking him to stay and he holds her through the night. He had asked her why she left after his game and she lied and told him she doesn’t do serious relationships. He shows up to her work with more goodies and Grayson sees him and tells her this is her last warning. Sarah and Paul and their friends went out to the bar and he withheld an orgasm from her since she wouldn’t tell him what she’s keeping from him. He has to take her home and she has a panic attack and he ends up calming her down and then fuckinf her against a tree. She wakes up in the morning in his bed and freaks out when she sees his computer camera asking if he filmed her and she leaves. he gets drunk and calls her. She asks Nate for help and goes to get him. she ends up having to throw a girl off of him and rips out her extensions. Her and Nate get him home and he asks her to stay with him. She agrees. She comes up in the morning and tells him she went downstairs to give him space and he asks her to snuggle and then takes a part his computer to make her feel better. He asks if he can take her on a date and she agrees to 1. When it’s time for their date she’s scared and thinks she should cancel but then he’s there and he looks so good. He takes her out to a nice dinner and she has to fake drink her wine and then he takes her back to an art room. They hit water balloons full of paint and create art. They end up having a paint fight that turns into them having sex with paint and creating art. Paul brought color back into her life. She started painting with color after this and tells her art teacher she plans on entering some into the gallery. She realizes her art reminds her of her moms. Paul finds out she’s not going anywhere for thanksgiving and has her come to his families. We know Paul’s dad died when he was young, he was hit by a drunk driver. When she sees his giant house, she’s nervous. But his family his incredible. They are huggers and make her feel so welcome. Paul finds her in the basement and had brought her a pie from his mom. They end up having a pretty sexy scene with some whipped cream. She stops by one of his games and the gate guy shows her a private viewing area. Paul tells her he knows she was there and they need to quit denying what’s going on between them. She over hears that glen helps people with their test scores. So she gets graysons phone so glen could delete the video. But realizes she has to tell glen what she wants him to delete. He tells Paul. Paul shows up to talk to Sarah and sees all the baby furniture she had been trying to assemble and realizes that she’s pregnant. He gets upset and leaves. He goes home to his mom. He doesn’t tell her the truth just tells her Sarah hid a secret. His mom tells him to give her a chance and listen to why she hid what she did that she really likes her. He realizes how things look to Sarah. He abandoned her like everyone else. She had confessed to him that her mom died of cancer on her 8th birthday and her dad drove off a bridge on her 9th. And then she was in foster care and was never adopted. So she has no family. He waits til she’s at work and he goes into her house. He pays all the bills, assembles all the baby furniture. She comes home to him in the nursery finishing up. He tells her he’s sorry that he left that he needed time to think. And she tells him she wants to tell him everything now. So she tells him about what happened with Grayson. When I tell you this book made me cry so damn much. Her talking about what Greyson did to her is so damn sad. That she was too drunk to give consent and he basically forced her into it and then videoed it against her knowledge and is now using it as blackmail to keep her away from Paul and she was so scared to ruin Paul’s life and career. Paul tells her that his brother Raymond specializes in this and will help them. She hates that his brother has to know about this. He tells her he has to deal with this all the time and to know it’s not her fault and she didn’t realize how much she needed to hear that. Ray said if Paul could put this chip into Greysons computer it would make it a lot easier to wipe it clean. So during one of their games he breaks into greysons room and puts the chip in. Ray finds folders of women’s videos but Sarah didn’t want to turn this in. So it’s not their place. She doesn’t want to relive it. Paul asked to see it and only watched a minute and was sick. After it was cleared he went downstairs and beat Greyson to a pulp until he was pulled off of him. The coach said he’s sure he had a good reason but will need to be out for the next 3 games. So he gets to go home and surprise Sarah. Who had came home and wanted an O badly but couldn’t seem to give herself one without Paul. And then he was there with flowers and gave her an o and told her why he was home. She felt bad but he tells her he’d do anything for her and their baby. They agreed to tell his mom first so they go to visit and find out she already knew. She figured it out and she’s so happy for them. Sarah was worried how they’d react or think she’s a gold digger. When they leave she sees a house and tells Paul how she’d love to live in a house like that and describes all the things she’d change to make it hers. We find out Sarah got her sacred teddy bear at the first children’s home she was at. And we found out Paul’s family goes every year and gets the gifts. Because Paul’s dad had been adopted. Wouldn’t it have been insane if the man who gave her that teddy bear she cherishes so much was Paul’s dad. I have chills. We got the throwback of Sarah getting the bear and I know it had to be Paul’s dad. Tears were literally rolling down my face. All she asked for Christmas was a hug so they got her the teddy bear and then he gave her a hug🥺😭Paul comes and finds her and when he sees the picture he tells her it was his dad. She let his dad. He was the first person she let touch her after her parents died 😭this was literally so cute but so sad. They find out the gender of their baby and it’s a girl and he says I was hoping for a girl so we could name her Lily after your moms favorite flower 😭😭like why is Paul so damn sweet. Can we also talk about the fact her prized possession was that teddy bear from his dad but Natalie had nicknamed Paul TB for teddy bear. Or how he had gotten that bear dry cleaned for her and fixed up to be good as new. Sarah worries about how Greyson hasn’t done anything to strike back but Paul shrugs it off. We get to see through Sarah and Paul’s pov the night that Vanessa got pushed down the stairs and Paul was so scared envisioning that being Sarah. He had dismantled all his technology in his room so Sarah would feel safe when she comes to visit him 🥺they tell their friends about the baby. She’s at one of his games when he notices she hasn’t been in her seat for a while and he feels like something is wrong. He calls a time out and goes running into the locker room where he finds Greyson holding a gun to Sarah’s head and she’s duct taped. He says he wants to take everything from Paul like what Paul did to him. He’s pissed that Paul came and became a co captain and now Boston scouts are looking at Paul and not Greyson and he doesn’t feel like Paul deserves it so he’s gonna kill Sarah. Paul jumps in front of the bullet. Sarah thinks she’s gonna lose him, he’s bleeding so much. 5 days later Paul wakes up in the hospital. The bullet was 1 cm from his heart. It never went into descriptive detail but I think Greyson died. They said about a second shot going through his neck but only Greysons prints were on the gun. Paul has a road of recovery ahead of him but Sarah and Lily are safe. Over a year later. Her and Lily are at one of Paul’s games and he tells her he has a surprise later. And then he tells her his mom is taking Lily. They have lived in his mom’s basement for the last year but she is reluctant to leave behind her baby.When they leave his moms he blind folds her. They aren’t in the car for long when they stop and he walks her outside. Takes off the blind fold and it’s a beautiful house. She realizes it’s the house she had shown him that day and he made all the changes she had brought up. He painted it the colors, made the rock sidewalk, planted lilies, it was perfect: inside the house she sees he is who bought all of her art work from the gallery because he told her it’s the story of them. And behind the house he made her an art studio facing the lake and then he proposes and she says yes without a doubt and then hears their friends cheer. Vanessa and Jason and Natalie and Nate were waiting outside the cabin. Sarah found a family in her friends and Paul’s family. She lost her family as a child but 12 years later she found a family, an amazing one. This book was a roller coaster ride. I cried so much. The awful things that happened to Sarah. Losing her parents. Paul losing his dad. Paul’s dad actually meeting Sarah when she was young. Paul taking the bullet for Sarah. The proposal. It was all so perfect: absolutely loved this book and series. The title before I loved you. There was a big quote where he had talked about how he loved her from the first time he saw her. Because she had been worried he was only doing this because he has her child.
The book starts with Sarah and Paul having a one night stand but she didn’t even let them exchange names. But then 5 weeks later when she has 2 pink lines she realizes she doesn’t know the name of the father of her child. She goes back to the bar to try to find him. And he was the best sex of her life. And she’s about to give up. When she goes over to Natalie’s new apartment and there he is. With his back turned. He was right there all along. Paul hadn’t been able to quit thinking about his one night stand either. He had kept going back to the bar looking for her too and even told Nate he was hung up on a girl. And then there she was in Natalie’s apartment and she lived right there. He finds her when she’s drawing a sunset. And he asks why she doesn’t use color and she tells him it can be overwhelming. He asks her to come to his basketball game and she agrees and puts her number in his phone and he texts her that he missed her beautiful eyes. Hes over at Nate and Natalie’s which we knew about this night from Jason and Vanessa’s book because this is the night Jason carried Vanessa to her room and ripped her poster off the wall. Paul went to Sarah’s door and was debating giving her his jersey and then there she was in the hallway. So he gave it to her. She went to his game and was finding herself possessive of him when she heard girls talking about him. But the flaw of watching Paul play was also having to watch Greyson play and stare at her. At this point all we know about Grayson is she considers him a monster. She had gotten her internship she really wanted and met her new boss only to find out he’s Greyson father and Greyson will be her boss. She wants him to stay away from her and calls him a monster. After Paul’s game he asks her to wait for him so they can go out for dinner and she plans to tell him that she’s pregnant. But Greyson comes out first and we find out he has a sex tape of Sarah. And had been deciding when to use it. And realizes now is a good time. If she doesn’t stay away from Paul, he’ll release it and make it look like Paul did and take away Paul’s chances in the nba. Greyson is butt hurt because Paul was given co captian position of the team when Greyson was already the captain. So this is his way to get back at Paul. All Sarah knows to do is run. How is she supposed to tell Paul she’s pregnant now. He tries calling and texting her but she won’t respond to him. Paul is over at Natalie’s when she says poor Sarah and how Sarah was supposed to go out with them but doesn’t feel good. So Paul goes and gets her soup and other sick essentials and shows up at her house. She smells the soup and throws up and ends up asking him to stay and he holds her through the night. He had asked her why she left after his game and she lied and told him she doesn’t do serious relationships. He shows up to her work with more goodies and Grayson sees him and tells her this is her last warning. Sarah and Paul and their friends went out to the bar and he withheld an orgasm from her since she wouldn’t tell him what she’s keeping from him. He has to take her home and she has a panic attack and he ends up calming her down and then fuckinf her against a tree. She wakes up in the morning in his bed and freaks out when she sees his computer camera asking if he filmed her and she leaves. he gets drunk and calls her. She asks Nate for help and goes to get him. she ends up having to throw a girl off of him and rips out her extensions. Her and Nate get him home and he asks her to stay with him. She agrees. She comes up in the morning and tells him she went downstairs to give him space and he asks her to snuggle and then takes a part his computer to make her feel better. He asks if he can take her on a date and she agrees to 1. When it’s time for their date she’s scared and thinks she should cancel but then he’s there and he looks so good. He takes her out to a nice dinner and she has to fake drink her wine and then he takes her back to an art room. They hit water balloons full of paint and create art. They end up having a paint fight that turns into them having sex with paint and creating art. Paul brought color back into her life. She started painting with color after this and tells her art teacher she plans on entering some into the gallery. She realizes her art reminds her of her moms. Paul finds out she’s not going anywhere for thanksgiving and has her come to his families. We know Paul’s dad died when he was young, he was hit by a drunk driver. When she sees his giant house, she’s nervous. But his family his incredible. They are huggers and make her feel so welcome. Paul finds her in the basement and had brought her a pie from his mom. They end up having a pretty sexy scene with some whipped cream. She stops by one of his games and the gate guy shows her a private viewing area. Paul tells her he knows she was there and they need to quit denying what’s going on between them. She over hears that glen helps people with their test scores. So she gets graysons phone so glen could delete the video. But realizes she has to tell glen what she wants him to delete. He tells Paul. Paul shows up to talk to Sarah and sees all the baby furniture she had been trying to assemble and realizes that she’s pregnant. He gets upset and leaves. He goes home to his mom. He doesn’t tell her the truth just tells her Sarah hid a secret. His mom tells him to give her a chance and listen to why she hid what she did that she really likes her. He realizes how things look to Sarah. He abandoned her like everyone else. She had confessed to him that her mom died of cancer on her 8th birthday and her dad drove off a bridge on her 9th. And then she was in foster care and was never adopted. So she has no family. He waits til she’s at work and he goes into her house. He pays all the bills, assembles all the baby furniture. She comes home to him in the nursery finishing up. He tells her he’s sorry that he left that he needed time to think. And she tells him she wants to tell him everything now. So she tells him about what happened with Grayson. When I tell you this book made me cry so damn much. Her talking about what Greyson did to her is so damn sad. That she was too drunk to give consent and he basically forced her into it and then videoed it against her knowledge and is now using it as blackmail to keep her away from Paul and she was so scared to ruin Paul’s life and career. Paul tells her that his brother Raymond specializes in this and will help them. She hates that his brother has to know about this. He tells her he has to deal with this all the time and to know it’s not her fault and she didn’t realize how much she needed to hear that. Ray said if Paul could put this chip into Greysons computer it would make it a lot easier to wipe it clean. So during one of their games he breaks into greysons room and puts the chip in. Ray finds folders of women’s videos but Sarah didn’t want to turn this in. So it’s not their place. She doesn’t want to relive it. Paul asked to see it and only watched a minute and was sick. After it was cleared he went downstairs and beat Greyson to a pulp until he was pulled off of him. The coach said he’s sure he had a good reason but will need to be out for the next 3 games. So he gets to go home and surprise Sarah. Who had came home and wanted an O badly but couldn’t seem to give herself one without Paul. And then he was there with flowers and gave her an o and told her why he was home. She felt bad but he tells her he’d do anything for her and their baby. They agreed to tell his mom first so they go to visit and find out she already knew. She figured it out and she’s so happy for them. Sarah was worried how they’d react or think she’s a gold digger. When they leave she sees a house and tells Paul how she’d love to live in a house like that and describes all the things she’d change to make it hers. We find out Sarah got her sacred teddy bear at the first children’s home she was at. And we found out Paul’s family goes every year and gets the gifts. Because Paul’s dad had been adopted. Wouldn’t it have been insane if the man who gave her that teddy bear she cherishes so much was Paul’s dad. I have chills. We got the throwback of Sarah getting the bear and I know it had to be Paul’s dad. Tears were literally rolling down my face. All she asked for Christmas was a hug so they got her the teddy bear and then he gave her a hug🥺😭Paul comes and finds her and when he sees the picture he tells her it was his dad. She let his dad. He was the first person she let touch her after her parents died 😭this was literally so cute but so sad. They find out the gender of their baby and it’s a girl and he says I was hoping for a girl so we could name her Lily after your moms favorite flower 😭😭like why is Paul so damn sweet. Can we also talk about the fact her prized possession was that teddy bear from his dad but Natalie had nicknamed Paul TB for teddy bear. Or how he had gotten that bear dry cleaned for her and fixed up to be good as new. Sarah worries about how Greyson hasn’t done anything to strike back but Paul shrugs it off. We get to see through Sarah and Paul’s pov the night that Vanessa got pushed down the stairs and Paul was so scared envisioning that being Sarah. He had dismantled all his technology in his room so Sarah would feel safe when she comes to visit him 🥺they tell their friends about the baby. She’s at one of his games when he notices she hasn’t been in her seat for a while and he feels like something is wrong. He calls a time out and goes running into the locker room where he finds Greyson holding a gun to Sarah’s head and she’s duct taped. He says he wants to take everything from Paul like what Paul did to him. He’s pissed that Paul came and became a co captain and now Boston scouts are looking at Paul and not Greyson and he doesn’t feel like Paul deserves it so he’s gonna kill Sarah. Paul jumps in front of the bullet. Sarah thinks she’s gonna lose him, he’s bleeding so much. 5 days later Paul wakes up in the hospital. The bullet was 1 cm from his heart. It never went into descriptive detail but I think Greyson died. They said about a second shot going through his neck but only Greysons prints were on the gun. Paul has a road of recovery ahead of him but Sarah and Lily are safe. Over a year later. Her and Lily are at one of Paul’s games and he tells her he has a surprise later. And then he tells her his mom is taking Lily. They have lived in his mom’s basement for the last year but she is reluctant to leave behind her baby.When they leave his moms he blind folds her. They aren’t in the car for long when they stop and he walks her outside. Takes off the blind fold and it’s a beautiful house. She realizes it’s the house she had shown him that day and he made all the changes she had brought up. He painted it the colors, made the rock sidewalk, planted lilies, it was perfect: inside the house she sees he is who bought all of her art work from the gallery because he told her it’s the story of them. And behind the house he made her an art studio facing the lake and then he proposes and she says yes without a doubt and then hears their friends cheer. Vanessa and Jason and Natalie and Nate were waiting outside the cabin. Sarah found a family in her friends and Paul’s family. She lost her family as a child but 12 years later she found a family, an amazing one. This book was a roller coaster ride. I cried so much. The awful things that happened to Sarah. Losing her parents. Paul losing his dad. Paul’s dad actually meeting Sarah when she was young. Paul taking the bullet for Sarah. The proposal. It was all so perfect: absolutely loved this book and series. The title before I loved you. There was a big quote where he had talked about how he loved her from the first time he saw her. Because she had been worried he was only doing this because he has her child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2024
This book was so beautiful and amazing! I literally read it in less than a week!
I was so hooked with the storyline 🤌🏼
I was in all my feels reading this especially towards the end. I need a Paul in my life he really is a TB 🧸
Will be recommending this book to my friends ASAP cause I need to gossip 😂
I was so hooked with the storyline 🤌🏼
I was in all my feels reading this especially towards the end. I need a Paul in my life he really is a TB 🧸
Will be recommending this book to my friends ASAP cause I need to gossip 😂
May 26, 2024
I liked it, maybe even loved it.
I must say that I DO NOT LOVE tropes with a secret pregnancy or baby, one-night stand. And these kinds of tropes author is always trying to sell the readers that MCs had an instant connection from the start. And when the baby is do, they are married or so crazy in love, and they just can not wait for the second baby.
Well, the MCs had that instant connection, but what freak me a little is how young the MCs are. But TB just made this book so much better.
He does not do a one-night stands. He is a Star Wars fan, Harry freaking Potter fan, he can code, and he plays basketball on the professional level. Furthermore, he is a sweetheart. He loves his family, He even cries by watching a sad episode of Stranger Things.
#BookBoyfriend !!! Sarah is cute and sweet, love how she is so into art.
Do I need a little more love connection between the two of them-Yes
Do I think that there are some things that are no probable - yes?
Do I think that revenge is a little over the top, yes?
But all in all, It was an entertaining read. 3.5 stars
I must say that I DO NOT LOVE tropes with a secret pregnancy or baby, one-night stand. And these kinds of tropes author is always trying to sell the readers that MCs had an instant connection from the start. And when the baby is do, they are married or so crazy in love, and they just can not wait for the second baby.
Well, the MCs had that instant connection, but what freak me a little is how young the MCs are. But TB just made this book so much better.
He does not do a one-night stands. He is a Star Wars fan, Harry freaking Potter fan, he can code, and he plays basketball on the professional level. Furthermore, he is a sweetheart. He loves his family, He even cries by watching a sad episode of Stranger Things.
#BookBoyfriend !!! Sarah is cute and sweet, love how she is so into art.
Do I need a little more love connection between the two of them-Yes
Do I think that there are some things that are no probable - yes?
Do I think that revenge is a little over the top, yes?
But all in all, It was an entertaining read. 3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2024
This is a first read for me by this author and I very much enjoyed this story. Highly recommended
May 26, 2024
I’m so sad this series has come to an end! I love every book in this series, and Paul & Sarah’s story finished out the trilogy beautifully.
Surprise pregnancy is not one of my favorite tropes but Ashley wrote it so well! I love a good dual POV to see the story unfold from both characters eyes. Paul is just a big teddy bear who just wants to take care of his girl (with a side of a dirty mouth 😮💨). My heart went out to Sarah who hasn’t had anyone there for her in her life for a very long time. I could definitely relate to her feelings and just wanted to give her a big hug.
Read if you like;
Mental health rep
One night stand
Found family
Touch her & 💀
Accidental pregnancy
Don’t forgot to read trigger warnings!
Thank you Ashley for the honor of letting me read your book before it released 💚
Surprise pregnancy is not one of my favorite tropes but Ashley wrote it so well! I love a good dual POV to see the story unfold from both characters eyes. Paul is just a big teddy bear who just wants to take care of his girl (with a side of a dirty mouth 😮💨). My heart went out to Sarah who hasn’t had anyone there for her in her life for a very long time. I could definitely relate to her feelings and just wanted to give her a big hug.
Read if you like;
Mental health rep
One night stand
Found family
Touch her & 💀
Accidental pregnancy
Don’t forgot to read trigger warnings!
Thank you Ashley for the honor of letting me read your book before it released 💚
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