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Before You Leave: A Novel
Love brought them together… Will fate tear them apart?
After spending every waking minute digging himself out of poverty, Ethan Segal’s life is finally starting to look up. He’s young, about to land the job that will secure his future, and living with his girlfriend in one of the most desirable cities in the world. But when his father passes away after an arduous battle with cancer, Ethan’s life grinds to a halt. As solitude settles like dust over his once-coveted life, he longs for something, anything, to pull him out of his grief.
But everything changes when he meets Hilli, and as their eyes lock for the first time, he knows without a shred of doubt that she is his one and only. While they fall in love, Hilli leads Ethan on a dazzling journey of intimacy. From caravanning across Australian beaches to Mexican retreats that cleanse the soul, Ethan witnesses the marvels of life while confronting his own fears of loss and regret. He knows Hilli is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, but Ethan also knows there is something she is hiding, a secret, that makes him feel unease.
But, as it turns out, Hilli holds fears of her own, ones she is hesitant to share even with Ethan. Which is why she can never be what Ethan wants her to be. And it is why, eventually, she will have to leave.
Heartfelt, raw, and emotional, Before You Leave explores the powerful human drama of love and loss, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Nicholas Sparks.
After spending every waking minute digging himself out of poverty, Ethan Segal’s life is finally starting to look up. He’s young, about to land the job that will secure his future, and living with his girlfriend in one of the most desirable cities in the world. But when his father passes away after an arduous battle with cancer, Ethan’s life grinds to a halt. As solitude settles like dust over his once-coveted life, he longs for something, anything, to pull him out of his grief.
But everything changes when he meets Hilli, and as their eyes lock for the first time, he knows without a shred of doubt that she is his one and only. While they fall in love, Hilli leads Ethan on a dazzling journey of intimacy. From caravanning across Australian beaches to Mexican retreats that cleanse the soul, Ethan witnesses the marvels of life while confronting his own fears of loss and regret. He knows Hilli is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, but Ethan also knows there is something she is hiding, a secret, that makes him feel unease.
But, as it turns out, Hilli holds fears of her own, ones she is hesitant to share even with Ethan. Which is why she can never be what Ethan wants her to be. And it is why, eventually, she will have to leave.
Heartfelt, raw, and emotional, Before You Leave explores the powerful human drama of love and loss, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Nicholas Sparks.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
147 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 5, 2025
When Love and Loss Collide…
Ethan Segal’s meticulously constructed life—forged through relentless ambition—crumbles when his father’s death fractures his fragile stability. Newly adrift in a glittering city, his career ambitions and relationship fray under the weight of grief, until Hilli, a woman radiating both mystery and magnetism, upends his world. Their whirlwind romance catapults Ethan from sun-drenched Australian coastlines to tranquil Mexican vistas, each adventure peeling back layers of his guarded heart. Yet beneath Hilli’s intoxicating spontaneity lies an unsettling secret, one that gnaws at Ethan’s newfound joy even as he surrenders to love’s transformative pull.
Zur crafts a haunting exploration of vulnerability and connection, balancing radiant intimacy with undercurrents of impending loss. Ethan and Hilli’s relationship unfolds with aching authenticity, their dialogues sharp yet tender, their silences heavy with unspoken fears. As their journeys converge and diverge, the novel interrogates whether love can outlast buried truths—or if it’s destined to become another relic of memory. Poignant and immersive, Before You Leave lingers like a whispered confession, reminding us that the deepest bonds often bloom brightest before they break.
Perfect for readers seeking a thought-provoking yet uplifting emotional journey. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ethan Segal’s meticulously constructed life—forged through relentless ambition—crumbles when his father’s death fractures his fragile stability. Newly adrift in a glittering city, his career ambitions and relationship fray under the weight of grief, until Hilli, a woman radiating both mystery and magnetism, upends his world. Their whirlwind romance catapults Ethan from sun-drenched Australian coastlines to tranquil Mexican vistas, each adventure peeling back layers of his guarded heart. Yet beneath Hilli’s intoxicating spontaneity lies an unsettling secret, one that gnaws at Ethan’s newfound joy even as he surrenders to love’s transformative pull.
Zur crafts a haunting exploration of vulnerability and connection, balancing radiant intimacy with undercurrents of impending loss. Ethan and Hilli’s relationship unfolds with aching authenticity, their dialogues sharp yet tender, their silences heavy with unspoken fears. As their journeys converge and diverge, the novel interrogates whether love can outlast buried truths—or if it’s destined to become another relic of memory. Poignant and immersive, Before You Leave lingers like a whispered confession, reminding us that the deepest bonds often bloom brightest before they break.
Perfect for readers seeking a thought-provoking yet uplifting emotional journey. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
April 7, 2025
A debuting author with a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking tale. But it just wasn’t a book that I could attach myself to for long periods of time. It was a difficult read for me. I didn't connect with either of the main characters. I can’t say I truly enjoyed it and I struggled to finish.
There’s no doubt readers will travel from one end of the spectrum of emotions to the other. It’s quite the journey of life -- and very different.
April 9, 2025
A heart wrenching story of deep love and tragic loss. Emotional and thought provoking tribute. I hadn’t realized it was based upon a true story, and this makes all the more endearing and heartfelt. Beautiful!
June 23, 2025
very slow.
July 29, 2025
Good reading
I found it took a chapter or two to really get into the book, but enjoyed it after that moment 😊
I found it took a chapter or two to really get into the book, but enjoyed it after that moment 😊
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews