Faced with an unexpected choice, a simple nod is all it will take to change the course of Zara's life.
Bound to a life predetermined by the restrictive traditions of her community, Zara is offered a glimmer of hope by a complete stranger, a man selected for her. She can choose to walk away from the life she has been trained for.
Make new friends and lose her best friend. Explore new places and lose her home. Find herself and lose herself.
Will Zara nod and risk everything she knows to discover who she is meant to be?
**Disclaimer**
Although this book is BDSM theme it is not an erotic/a genre. No Sex scenes invovled, BHCM is categorized as a NA Contemporary Romance Genre.
Alexandria Sure is from Michigan and adores her supportive family, her two rescue pups, and her mighty Spartans. Her coffee obsession leads her to writing in local coffee shops where characters come alive between salted caramel lattes and large cups of "cold brew extra cream two Splenda," which are usually on the counter when she walks in because the baristas know her car. (Thanks, Biggby!)
When she is not writing, she spends a great deal of her time perfecting her craft. She is an active member of Capital City Writers Association and attends several writing conferences each year.
Sure's first novel, Before Him Comes Me, is an unconventional romance of self-discovery, described by readers as "the first BDSM book with no sex."
If this is Alexandria Sure's first attempt at writing a book, I can't wait to see how awesome her follow-ups will be! This book was great! I've been waiting a long time to read Zara's story and it was totally worth every second. The story was completely original, which I love love love! It's hard to find a new author who has a plot that's not already been tackled and written a hundred different ways, but Alexandria did it and she did it so well. The characters were unique, lovable and very easy to get wrapped up in. Long before the halfway mark, I knew I had a new book boyfriend I couldn't wait to learn more about. The secondary characters were also amazing, none of them falling through the cracks or making you wonder where they came from or where they went. I loved the direction Alexandria took with this story and these characters. I've walked away from this story wanting more and feeling completely content, which is my favorite way to walk away from any book. All in all, this is a very solid five star read, but I'd rate it higher if I could! Epic book that I very highly recommend! I can't wait to read more from Alexandria Sure!
Amazing start to a brilliant career. It's not often I come across raw talent that smacks you in the face and begs for attention. Alexandria caught my eye with a few teasers that were being circulated. I thought to myself "I'm going to keep an eye on this one." We all have our go to authors we one-click without thought of synopsis or genre, because we know whatever they write is gold. Alexandria Sure, has the tools, depth, imagination, characterization, and proper editing to become such an author. It was my pleasure to read this little gem, and boy am I glad I did. She gave a fresh and unique prose to a genre I adore. Success isn't measured inside the box, but outside of it (at least for me). This book is about choices, self discovery, and trust. This lifestyle is the most loving, nurturing, intimate form of human contact and play. Yet, there is no real sex in the book. Which means the author has to work hard to weave a cohesive story, and that she did. Her characters seduced me. The pages dominated me, and the storyline possessed me. Kudos on a job well done!
WOW!! Definitely not what I expected from a new author. Alexandria Sure freakin blew me away. I completely fell for the characters and and her book!! Def a new fave author for me. Before Him Comes Me was well written, well developed and you can tell the author did her research. This is one book you do not want to miss and let me just warn you now, once you start you wont be able to stop because it is that phenomenal.
I really loved Garrett's character as well as Zara's, but Garrett more so, I think I found a new book boyfriend in him. My heart really went out to Zara and the things she had experienced and the way life was handed to her, however Garrett made up for all that in more and made sure she got to experience what life was truly about. This is def a must read and highly recommended book. Alexandria def knows what she's doing and I cant wait to see what she wows us with next. Hopefully it's a sequel with Fredrick...hint, hint.
First let me say that this is not my normal reading genre, and that being said, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from Alexandria Sure in the future. Zara and Garrett's story was like a coming of age story to me. Zara is raised from birth to be submissive and her entire life is spent preparing her to take her place with her husband. Garrett was raised to be Dominant and has spent his life preparing for the day that he takes a submissive bride. What Zara never counted on was being betrothed to a man who actually wants her to experience life before she makes a life altering commitment to him. Will Garrett's generosity pay off and will Zara still want him, or will her adventures push them further apart. You will have to read it to find out.
This was a page turner that had me hooked from the start. Alexandria did a fantastic job on her debut novel. If I didn't know any better, I would have guessed that she was a seasoned author! I do not like to give spoilers in my reviews, as it defeats the author's hard work. You MUST read this. It is well worth it. The story between Zara and Garrett was well developed and beautifully written. It had me on the emotional roller coaster that I hate to love as am I reading. This is not a story of the extreme sexual side of the BDSM culture. This is a story about those that are born into it, raised in it, and trained for it. They are prepped to be Dominants or Submissives. I am looking forward to future from Alexandria and will be on the look out for book number two. Well done!!!!
Interesting read. This book was recommended to me by a friend. The opening pulled me right in, and in spite of the difficulty I had with the story being all in present tense, I kept reading. I was both fascinated and frustrated by the situation the female protagonist was in and repulsed by her parents--and father in particular. But I cared about her plight and was eager to see how she'd overcome the adversity.
Then, about a third of the way in, the story stalled for me and I have to admit it was a few weeks before I found myself picking up the story and giving it another go. I'm really glad I did because once the heroine began her journey outside the confines of the Community, the story took off. The secondary characters were fully developed and I especially liked her college friends. The hero, Garrett, was heroic in every sense of the word, as far removed from Zara's expectations of the man pre-destined to become her husband, although still a Dom. I really enjoyed the last two thirds of the book, although I'd admit I was surprised when it ended where it did. But then, this book surprised me all along. I'm unsure how I'd categorize it. It's about BDSM lifestyle, but there's no BDSM. In fact, it wasn't a physically erotic at all. (I'd have to classify it as a clean read.) Before Him Comes Me was about a young woman coming of age and evolving from victim to survivor, a woman who willingly and knowingly chose her life and mate. Now I understand why my reader friend recommended this story. I won't soon forget this unique romantic journey, and for that reason alone I could give it four wonderful stars. But I give it four stars also because of Sure's fresh voice that urged me out of my comfort zone as a reader (I'm more of a third-person past-tense kind of gal.) You might want to read the sample first before buying...and if you do buy it, be prepared for an emotionally intense journey to love.
I loved this story! It's amazing and different from any other BDSM books I have read and it was refreshing to read something different but the same in many ways! Zara and Garrets story is amazing! It gives you a different perspective then what you normally read! Zara is turning 18 and in doing so she is to complete the circle ceremony and gains a husband and a Dom! But when it comes time for everything to happen her life changes more then she could have ever dreamed of! But things happen and emotions run really high! Omg I couldn't get enough! Plz tell me there is more to come!
Alexandria Sure's first novel is an amazing read! Original story line that is beautifully written and the characters were well developed. This story drew me in from the first page and held me there until the very end. It will make you both laugh and cry. Well done Alexandria Sure!! Look forward to reading more from you in the future!!
I could not put this down: the characters; the whole concept was deeply intriguing, until 3/4 of the way through the book where sadly I was left wanting more from the relationship.
This is one of the most honest and beautifully written books I have read. The female and male characters are strong, honest, and show an understanding and love for each other that will make you laugh and cry.
The book is written as a combination of third person and first person, taking the reader on an amazing journey as an observer and participant. I don't think the depth and development of this story could have been achieved without this back and forth. This combination also exsentuates the strictness of "The Community", as if the story is being told from an observer within those confines.
I could not get in to this book. I don't think the proper dialogue helped. I kept imagining some Nigerian wedding arrangement between a child and an older man. Said older man arranged a way for the "young one" to escape her imprisonment with the hopes of her falling in love with him. I could not connect with any of the characters and just could not get through it. I really did enjoy the introduction and had high hopes, but once Garret was introduced, my attention span plummeted.
The Good: The story line moved at a smooth pace and was interesting. As someone with some experience with BDSM, I found the idea of the cult that the author writes about intriguing. It wasn't entirely a new idea, but still an interesting one. I also appreciated that the author used "hometown" locations that she's familiar with. Living not too far away from that area, I may check out one or two that she mentioned. That brings me to the characters. I appreciated the fact that they were well thought out and developed. It's easy to overlook secondary characters and Ms. Sure did a good job of making sure that didn't happen.
The Bad: The book is written entirely in present tense which can make it incredibly difficult to read. There's a reason that few authors go this route and more than once I had to take a break while reading because of this. On top of that and perhaps because of it, some of the scenes read more like a play by play than narrative. First this person does this, then that person does that. I'm not going to lie...though the book held me until the end, more than once I thought that the author set about to write the "anti-50 Shades of Grey" book and that she herself didn't have much experience within the BDSM lifestyle. If that was her goal, she was entirely successful. This book does show what is in essence the anti-Christian and it does it well. Since I know y'all are waiting for it...yes, the author did use an editor and yes, she needs to find one who pays a bit closer attention to details. Maybe I'm just too picky but I've read too many books with amazing attention to detail and grammar to believe that not paying attention is the norm.
The Summary: For a first book, the author does a very good job at telling what is a very interesting story. If you'd like to read how a teenage girl "bucks the system" and changes her life, there's a very good chance that you could really like this story. Would I recommend this book? I would, but with the caveat that it's written in present tense and that you need to pay attention when you're reading it. For now, it's going onto my shelf and I'm going to keep my eyes open to see if the author goes back and tells the stories of the 3 other ladies who "bucked the system". They were merely touched upon in this novel and I think they deserve their own telling.
This book is quite amazing. It has an Interesting concept. Even though it says BDSM and it is not as erotic novel, it has all there is to BDSM in the book (the concept of being submissive to someone, the concept of being dominant).
The idea of having a society where everybody is practicing BDSM was something quite a surprise for me. I am familiar with the concept of arranged marriage and have seen this dominant side of the society in my own society quite a lot. I would say that the ideas laid down in the book are quite authentic. The fact that the girls are given training on how to be a good bride as they are born, they are not supposed to have an opinion, they are not supposed to own anything of their own, or even have an identity. And those who do not obey these rules are end up being cast out in the society or get disowned by their own families.
Zara, who is a girl from such a society, wants to go to college make decisions of her own and be a doctor (I mean why not she has a right to do it even thought she does not know it). And then there is Garrett, who has been chosen as her DOM from the king council. He gives her a chance to walk away from the traditions and follow her dream. The way this story unravels is just amazing. How Zara copes with her new life is something I can relate to.
I really liked how the author managed to tie up all the ends in this book. The book had the exact pace to keep the reader engaged and had enough details.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I won this book in a GR giveaway...(I still can't believe I won) and I'm going to give my honest opinion of it. I loved the characters. I loved that it was a VERY different take on the dom/sub relationship. I loved how Garrett gave her an opportunity to explore what she wanted and not go through with the ceremony until she was ready. What I didn't love was some of the way the writing was. I felt that sometimes the thought process wasn't entirely there. I was in one scene and quickly put into another one without any way of knowing and had to re-read a part of it to have it make sense of where I was in the story.
The plot of this book is different from the many I have read. A love story of characters within the BDSM community. Though there were no true sexual scenes every look, every touch, every kiss that was shared between Garrett and Zara was intense and exciting. This story is about learning love, trust, patience and so much more. I do hope that Alexandria Sure will continue Garrett and Zara's journey. I feel as if she just exposed a beginning to a fantastic series!!!
Before Him Comes Me by Alexandria Sure is a heart tugging 5☆ read! This story is so well written. Filled with beautifully developed characters you can't help but love. The Chemistry and storyline flow deeply into a completely different view of the world of BDSM. There are no scenes or sexual content. This is an extremely moving story of courage,strength,pain,loss and of love in it's truest most beautiful forms. A must read! Can Not wait for more from this author!♡♡♡
I received the copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
This is the first book of Alexandria Sure that I have read. The storyline is original and characters are well developed. This story is about Zara, who has been trained whole her life as a submissive and is prepared to her place with her husband. On the other hand is Garrett, who is raised to be a dominant and is ready to take a submissive wife. They both meet at the ceremony and you will have to read the story to find out what happens.
Wow! For a first book, this was seriously fantastic! I loved it! I just couldn't put it down. I had a bunch of things I was supposed to do - but I read the whole book today instead. The story was really well written. I was hooked as soon as Garrett showed up! For the underlying theme of the book it was surprisingly "clean" and very enjoyable. It really pulled out the emotions. I teared-up a few times while reading it. I really hope Alexandria continues writing more books, because I'm a fan now and I'll definitely be reading them! Great job!!
This was a fresh take on a wonderful BDSM story. I was hooked from the beginning with the concept of the "community" and their traditions. Garrett breaking those traditions and allowing Zara the opportunity to discover herself before choosing him as her Dom was refreshing. This was a wonder journey through self discovery, love, loss, and family. Ms. Sure's first book was wonderful and I look forward to reading many more from her in the future.
This is a very well written book. It will make you think about some of the other lifestyles that some live. I tell the story of a girl named Zara who was brought up knowing that she would be given away to a Dom on her 18th birthday. But the Dom that was picked for her has other plans. Garrett offers Zara an out by going to college. Zara accepts this out. The story then follows Zara along as she discovers who she is. It is very though provoking.
Omg!!!!! Alexandria Sure thanks for leaving me hanging. I need the next book badly. I love how the book ended. Now I have to wait impatiently patient...
Y'all gotta check out Before him Comes Me by Alexandria Sure. This book had me laughing, crying and well let's say my emotions were everywhere. This book I have to give ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Zara and Garrett ❤️
Wow. Just Wow! An emotional roller coaster of a book from start to finish. This is not your typical BDSM style book. This is a book about all the emotional stuff from the lifestyle. Very different from the books I have read and I enjoyed every minute of it. Great job Alexandria!
I normally do not leave comments, but this was a great read. Held my attention and never saw some things coming. Now I want to know what happens with her brother. More?
What a refreshing look into a popular subject! I will admit that I was skeptical about how I would feel about Before Him Comes Me at first. I feel like stories that contain BDSM lifestyles are hit or miss for me. I am so beyond glad I gave this one a shot. It wasn’t anything like I expected. This story explores a lot of things I never considered. It opened my eyes. The plot of this story is unique on its own. Zara is faced with a choice. Continue to live the only life she has ever known or make a brave choice and face the consequences? No matter what choice she makes, it will change her whole life one way or another. Man this plot was gripping. When I started this book, I planned to just read a couple of chapters before I had to go back to the real world. I found myself addicted to the story quickly and devoured each chapter. Zara is such a special character for me. I loved her story so very much. Even if you don’t understand or live in a similar lifestyle as Zara, I think at some level, everyone can understand her journey. At one point or another, you have felt the pressure to become something or someone. Sometimes that pressure didn’t align with what you wanted and other times it did, but the pressure still affects you. I think that’s what we learned from Zara’s journey in this book. Our main guy in this book is amazing as well. At first, I didn’t want to like him. There were things about him that I personally wasn’t sure I could get behind. He grew on me though and now I can say I love him. There is heat in this book, even if its not the expected kind. Get those naughty thoughts out of your head. The heat in this book is more of a slow burn. I think every story begins with an attraction and the journey of building on that attraction is what makes the story. This author did an amazing job of getting me invested in this story. The writing style of this story was great. The pace was steady for the most part. The author utilized time jumps. I felt everything that was happening was organic to the story. I loved the characters. I also loved the setting as well. This story takes place mostly in Michigan, which is my home state, so I feel that made me feel much more invested in this story. Overall, I really enjoyed Before Him Comes Me. This book blew my mind. If you are unsure about it because of the title or maybe that the content might not be for you, I can tell you I felt the same way. I was hesitant, but this story is more than what it seems. This story really encompasses what I feel a true journey to discovering about life is about. I would recommend this to others. Ratings: Plot: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Heat: 5/5 Writing Style: 5/5 Overall: 5/5
Let me start by saying that this is the first book I have read from Alexandria. When I started reading this book I noticed that it is written in third person point of view. Don’t get me wrong, I think these types of books are great, but personally, I am not a big fan of them. I feel as though I cannot connect with the characters as well as a book written in first person point of view. But this book blew me away with how much I was able to connect with the characters. Alexandria wrote this book so beautifully that I could feel every emotion that Zara and Garret went through.
Zara grew up in a BDSM community where she was taught to follow certain traditions. One of the traditions of the community was for a submissive (Zara) to be married off to a Dom (Garret) that was chosen for them. When the day came for Zara to marry Garret he gave the opportunity to choose a different life or to stay on the path that was chosen for her by the community. In the end, she decided to take the opportunity to have a different life, a life that would be hers. This opportunity was the beginning of her and Garrets relationship, but the end of her relationship with her family, friends, and community.
Zara’s new life gave her the chance to gain new experiences as well as be able to make her own decisions. One of the new experience Zara faced was her relationship with Garret. Zara saw that their relationship was different in many ways compared to her parents. The way Garret was patient and always there for her was something she wasn’t used to. Unlike the BDSM relationships that were formed by their community, Zara and Garret’s relationship was able to form naturally and grow into something strong, trusting, and everlasting.
To watch Zara and Garret’s relationship grow throughout the book was not only sweet but beautiful. I love this book so much that when I got done reading it, I felt heartbroken because I didn’t want their story to end. Before Him Comes Me is not like other BDSM books out there. (BTW, I love to read those books too). This book is about another side of BDSM, a softer side about true love and trust between a BDSM couple.
“ I will be by your side no matter which path you decide.”
Holy hotness! Even though this novel is Ms. Sure’s debut novel it is the final book of hers (to date) that I have read, and man did she not disappoint us. Ms. Sure is an amazingly talented author, with every word printed she’s brings us closer and closer to Zara and Garrett’s world. Zara and Garrett we’re both raised in a Community where Doms and Subs are the tradition in their lives, it’s what is expected. From the moment Zara was born she was intended to given to a Dom of her father’s choosing. Garrett wants a Sub but more importantly he wants a wife.
“ I-want a happy wife. I want a happy life. I want happy children. I want my children to have what I did.”
When Garrett walks into Zara’s life, he gives her the option to complete their circle or to attend college and determine who she is. With a single nod she walks away from the only life she knows and begins a new life. Her new life comes with hidden fears and anxiety so strong it nearly freezes her in place. With no family, no Dom, and no collar Zara feels helpless and alone. Is she strong enough to face this new life? Is she strong enough to find herself and be his Sub? As Zara finds herself, she discovers love along the way...Zara is completely surprised. After all, she was raised to be in all the clear lines of Doms and Subs...Love was never an option. Now that it is what will Zara’s ultimate choice be?
I am a big fan of Alexandria's work. This is my second book I've read. Although its different from what I have read its honestly wow. I dove in and kept going til the end. For information purposes there is no sexy times in this book. Its more about emotions than anything. It takes you on quite a ride! Zara's life is all planned out and she has to marry a certain man, Garrett and allow him to dominate her and know her place...be submissive. She's been trained for it all her life. Garrett is really a great guy and wants her to experience life before committing to him even if it means he might lose her. Man...I was in love with him myself. You just wouldnt expect he's THAT guy but he damn well is! Her family is a piece of work and man I just really felt for her. Although he wants her more than anything he is willing to risk losing her to give her what she needs. He wants her to choose him on her own not because it was planned. It was a ride and emotional and sweet. I loved it.