When I was eighteen, I ran away. I cut myself off from everyone and everything.
I'm twenty-four and find myself back in my hometown. Familiar places and faces I thought I'd forgotten.
I'd expected the men I'd left behind to have moved one, but they didn't.
They waited for me...
Can I forgive them for what happened when we were young? Can we overcome the obstacles along the way?
I know one thing for certain... I am not the same girl who ran away. Knox, Aidan, and Phenix better be ready. I'm not going to stand on the sidelines like a good little girl. I'm prepared to get my hands dirty if I need too, though I may not know how dirty till it's too late.
Umm excuse me?! A cliffhanger!!! You can’t do that to me I need to know what happens next please!!! Poor poor Meadow!!! But hands down going on top ten why choose!!!! It’s got spice, drama and everything twisted!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book. The cliffhanger got me and now I have to wait for more, but when I started, I just kept going until I finished the book! I love second chance romances, and then you throw in mafia aspects, and I'm usually hooked! There's also spice, but it's placed appropriately, which sometimes doesn't happen in books. Overall, I really liked this book!
I can not recommend this book enough! It is an absolute must read! Beautifully written, amazing character building, fantastic story line. I literally could not put this book down. Mafia, second chance romance and why choose with morally grey men who would burn the world down for her!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So this was the debut book and I am sitting here typing up this review and I cannot stop thinking about these characters. Everything just sticks with you. Truly enjoyed the story line. Really loved the guys. My favorite is Knox. Aidan. Well…Aidan is a different story. What I did not like was the way she just forgives him. But maybe I’m just a petty B and want to see him work for it. Maybe there’s more to it in book 2?
Aside from that,I really enjoyed this story, really enjoyed the characters and I’m looking forward to book 2!
No stop why did it end on a cliffhanger, I need to know what happened. How are they gonna cope with everything, what took then 3 months. I need book 2 like right now. Also the book was a really good and quick read, very fast paced which I liked and am excited for book 2 now.
Mafia/Gang Why Choose Second Chance Multi POV Cliffhanger Ending
Debut book by Justine Elizabeth, and I have to say it was a fast-paced quick read that I was really intrigued by and felt like I needed to know everything about the characters.
Meadow is definitely growing into her own, and the time lapse while she eas gone shows that they are all very different people than they all once knew. Getting to learn who they are all now was so much fun. Meadow had me invested!! Seeing her taking on a new lifestyle, the gang life, can she handle it? I had to know. Everything she's been through, everything they all go through together. The plot was well done, the spice-gods- the spice, WHY CHOOSE (say less), and this does contain MM scenes that I loved reading. Incredibly well done for a debut indie author, and while this does end in a cliffhanger (which i don't usually care for), I found myself not hating it. I felt this one was done perfectly because I couldn't wait to dive into book 2.
I will definitely be following Justines future and can't wait to see what world she creates next.
This book does contain dark subjects, and trigger warnings should be considered before reading as your mental health matters.
Meadow ran from her life and her hometown but now she's back. Its been a few years since she left, she's older and she's stronger.
A day at the beach with her bestie turns her new life on its head...she runs into the reason she left town in the first place...or should I say reasons!!
Knox, Phoenix and Aiden were Meadows best friends. They've known each other since they were little. They were the cause of her running away and they are a package deal.
Can they win her back? Does she want them back?
This is a why choose story with a Mafia feel. It contains a few trigger warnings but I thoroughly enjoyed it...and it finished on a cliffhanger that has left me desperate for more!!
The steamy scenes in this book are enough to leave your thighs clenching and wanting more!! It was delicious....
I really enjoyed but what the heck a cliffhanger how how long do we have to wait for the second one 😂 my favorite man is the surfer but why choose lol poor meadow....
This was very hard to read and I hate saying that. It seemed very fast and contradictory. If it read more believable, I’d get it but this really needed a lot of work.
Meadow was in love with Knox, Aidan and Phoenix, until she walked away from them, shattering her and their hearts in the process. What broke her even more was her leaving and cutting herself off from everyone and everything.
Years later she returned home to her hometown. She thought they had forgotten her, that the men she left behind moved on, but they didn’t, and now that they’re back in her life, they’re not letting her go.
Time has changed them all, who they were all then, are not what they are all now. Knox and Phoenix are happy to have her back, however Aidan is quite reserved. As much as Meadow endeavours to ignore them, they insert themselves back into her life, they let her walk away before, and now they will do everything in their power to keep her in their lives.
To rebuild trust they tell Meadow everything about the business that they own and the work that they do. The danger of it all scares her, but they reassure her that they have a good handle on everything. It’s then that she realises that she doesn’t want to be apart from them every again and pretty much lays out what she wants and her expectations, which they agree to, and so they begin training her.
However, Aidan keeps her at arms length, and Meadow decides she’s had enough. What was meant to be a surprise blows up in both her and Aidan’s faces, causing a rift within their family. Aidan comes clean about his mistake, laying out his truths, but the damage is done and Knox asks him to leave.
Knox and Phoenix give Meadow the time she needs to come to terms with what has happened, just as Aidan discovers that she is staying at the same hotel as him. All Meadow wanted to do was please Aidan and he betrayed her trust. When they come face to face they have a heart to heart, does Aidan then learn the truth about the real reason she left all those years ago.
As they return home, the tension is rife, Aidan knows what he did was wrong, but understands why Knox and Phoenix are siding with Meadow, he knows that he burned his bridges and ruined his chances with Meadow, but he will do everything he can to prove himself and show her that he is worthy of her love.
Just as everything is getting back on track, Knox’s father Michael proposes a marriage arrangement with an associate to strengthen there ties, Knox shuts down his father then proceeds to tell him that he has a boyfriend, Aidan and will not give him and his woman Meadow up, this does not go down well with his father.
Only Knox’s father pushes back moving the wedding up, putting them all on high alert, but moreover Meadow has a stalker, one who is tracking her every moves, the guys become agitated, adamant that she has round the clock guards, there worst fears are realised when Meadow is kidnapped, and what they are not prepared for is the price that Meadow pays, because if that cliffhanger is anything to go by, it is absolutely heartbreaking.
I would be remiss in saying that those sexy scenes were hot, steamy, spicy, deliciously dark, sinfully wicked, dirty and depraved. Because when it comes to Knox, Phoenix and Aidan they are dominant, controlling and possessive yet totally gone for their girl, because when it comes to her they are all about her pleasure and owning every delicious sound that comes from her by there expertly skilled fingers and hands.
Recommend both the author and the book. Now onto book two - Surviving the Darkness
I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.
This had the potential to be really good, the storyline and plot are great ideas, although I think she needs her google looked at if she thinks it's in any way unique as she claims. But the execution is poor. The writing is terrible, it's like she can't be bothered to write the background stuff so she just tries to write the meaty stuff with no substance. She has literally zero concept of show not tell it's all just tell. The dialogue is out of this world cringey clichéd and clunky. The inconsistencies are ridiculous. Was she away for 4 or 5 or 6 years because she claims all 3. She changes eye colour from blue to green in the same paragraph. A lunch morphs into a dinner. Etc It also feels like she just throws out every trope of a dark romance and sees what fits. The last chapter is literally a copy and paste of the prologue until the last few paragraphs. Again we get the whole tell not show. She tells us that he starts raping her and it becomes a daily thing. Literally just one or two sentences to explain months of trauma. Then the huys are rescuing her and bam the book ends. Even though there's no indication that it wasn't a standalone.
"Before the Storm" - 5 ⭐️ (would be more if I it made sense) This book was really, really good-like, sit-there-stunned, can't-move, rethinking-my-life good. And THAT CLIFFHANGER?! I'm practically vibrating with impatience for the next one. Meadow, the fierce FMC, takes zero crap and holds her own, but also... poor Meadow (IYKYK). And the MMCs? Oh, they're on a burn-the-world-down-for-her level of devotion. This is easily one of my top recs for why-choose mafia romance-it's dark, intense, and completely addictive. A note on the audiobook: The first half was a little tricky because there wasn't much character distinction in the voices, BUT after the shipyard scene (whew talk about someone's messed up), it completely turned around and had me hooked. Huge thanks to the author Justine for gifting me the audiobook-experiencing it this way made it feel like a movie in my head! If you love gang/mafia why choose romance, this one is a MUST. Even if those aren’t your first choices for a book, STILL READ IT!
The ending definitely has me excited for the next book. It was a cliffhanger that I definitely didn’t see coming. I enjoyed this book and some of the drama/dynamics between the characters. Some of the bigger time lapses were a bit confusing for me though.
I like Meadow but I did feel she was a bit naive in how she thought she could handle the gang lifestyle. I am interested to see how she will be in book two with everything that happened towards the end of book one. I really liked Aidan, Knox, and Phoenix. They have not had an easy life but they are involved in a gang so that’s to be expected. This harem does include MM.
This book is a good read but I’m excited to see what comes next!
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it's a DEBUT book?! Could not have been better!! Lol Loved all the characters and the storyline. It did kind of jump at times, without a whole lot of warning, but I was able to keep up. I loved that Aidan was able to finally explain his side and why he was feeling and acting the way he was towards Meadow. I think her taking on the mafia/thug life so nonchalantly was slightly naive but I am excited to see how things work out going forward! Their love for each other is what some dream of! Loved that.
I am hoping that Skylar gets her own book... And we're able to read about her and Jace!!!
Cliffhanger at the end of a debut book! I hate cliffhangers however this book is amazing with the mafia vibe and spice. I love that there's a Skylar in the book that's my daughter's name! it made me want to keep reading however Shes not much in the book I hope she is in the 2nd book more. This book does do harem and its MM it's the first MM book I read and I would say it hit! Also, its sucks to read about the boys being in a gang and not having the best life but that's expected to be honest. I can't wait for the 2nd book to come out so I can know what happens next!
Before the Storm by Justine Elizabeth is a why choose romance. This is the debut novel for Justine Elizabeth. This is an interesting why choose story where Meadow splits town and then returns a few years later. She rekindles her romance with Knox, Aiden and Phenix. There is action, romance and some spice. The ending though oh my. It leaves you craving more! I can not wait for the next book to see what happens next.
This was pretty good. Meadow, Phoenix, Aidan and Knox have a pretty tight bond and I really liked that. Together or apart they made great banter. There are some parts that the story jumps around but otherwise it was good. I definitely wasn’t expecting the end and so need to know what happens next!
I loved this book the characters, the drama, the spice, the dynamics, everything. I’m normally bit a big fan of second chance romances but this was not your typical one.
I can’t wait for the next book the cliffhanger ending made it that way, but so did the whole book. I need more details why did it take so long? How will she recover? How will they all carry on?
Meadow has returned back to her hometown after being gone for years. She left due to a misunderstanding with her three men and now they're ready for her to be back in their lives. This book has everything, drama, spice, a great plot and so much more. Meadow is a lucky girl. I loved all of the characters and highly recommend reading this!
I enjoyed the story!! I did listen on audible and though the narration was ok, the reading caused some cringe moments with just inflection, etc. I think it could have used a little more information in areas but the story was good and in a relationship with 3 hot guys!! Yes please!! I will definitely read the next book. I need to know what happens next!! OMG! Justine, thank you for this book!
This is a story that a reverse harem with one female, name Meadow. Then something happens the bad. It ends on a cliffhanger. The ending is brokenness, pain, and loyalty from meadow for the guys she love. Second book is Surviving The Darkness...
The multiple POV kinda thru me off but the prologue is what got me hooked so I had to find out what happens! Meadow is such a boss! She stands her ground!
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. There's action, romance, and so much spice—seriously, it's packed. It has everything: a "why choose" dynamic, Mafia elements, and a second-chance romance that pulls you in.
I really liked the FMC, Meadow, and the MMCs—Phoenix, Aiden, and Knox. It’s a true "why choose" story, and each character brings something different to the table.
And that ending? What a cliffhanger! I’m already looking forward to book two.
I gave it 4 stars because I’m personally not a fan of MM spicy scenes, but aside from that, I really enjoyed the book.
When I wrote this review on the initial book, the characters stayed with me. The story stays in your mind long after finishing it. I enjoyed the plot and loved the characters, especially Knox. However, Aidan's quick forgiveness from Meadows didn't sit well with me. I must mention that this genre, with its inclusion of same-sex relationships, is not my usual choice of read. Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed this story, its characters, and I'm excitedly looking forward to the sequel!
Justine Elizabeth’s debut novel Before the Storm was tremendous! I mean, seriously! That was a debut? D. A. M. N. Lady! That was 🔥. This was a truly stunning why choose novel! Meadow left town years ago and now, six years later, she’s back! The guys she left behind are still here waiting on her. But none of them are not the same people they used to be and there are some definite growing pains!
Fantastic story, with spellbinding characters! A little dark, but not pitch black. Great spice, mafia vibes, the guys are gang leaders. Everything about this book drew me in from page 1 and I lost so much sleep over this! Knox, Aiden and Phenix are magnificent MMCs and the MM action is HOT! I am a total sucker for MM in the harem!! Meadow is an incredible FMC, she left to get away and get stronger, and that is exactly what she did!!!
Mind the cliff, this one is rough, I am in desperate need of book 2 ASAP! I need to know what happens! I need to know!!! I need to know!!!!
The story was great and starts out strong. It’s the first of a series so of course ends on a cliffhanger. Meadow’s relationship with the boys is fantastic. Each one has their own strengths and vulnerabilities that they bring to the relationship as a whole. We don’t see a lot of Skylar so I hope the next book will have more of her since she’s Meadow’s BFF. I NEED to know what happens next so I’ll definitely be watching for it! I wasn’t sure how I’d like the MM action but I feel like it was well done and not cringy. Fantastic first book!
What can I say this book was so good. Meadow went through so much and she can back and ready to start again. The 3 guys are to die for. Aidan and Phoenix are my favorite, I couldn't decide who I liked more. Phoenix wears his heart and feeling on his sleeve and always there to make everyone happy.
The way this book ending tore me up! I can not wait for the 2nd book. I did not expect that to happen. I don't typically like when books end like this, but this one is the exception! I could not put it down and read it so fast.