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Before You: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Be with me. Stay with me. Just until I don’t need you anymore…’ When Willa Henderson flew to Chicago, she was just supposed to pack up her brother’s apartment and ship everything inside it back to LA. That included packing up his roommate's things up as well. It was a big ask, but Dave was her big brother, so Willa agreed. The last thing she was expecting was to run into said roommate - the intense German named, André Bauer, a photojournalist who was supposed to be in Afghanistan working for the next few weeks - on her first night there. She also wasn’t expecting him to throw her out on her a** without even trying to let her explain who she was and why she was there. Let’s just say it was…hate at first sight. From the moment they met, they didn’t like each other, and neither of them really had any interest in changing that fact. But one thing they did know, was that they were unequivocally attracted, and it didn’t take too long for them to collide. With both of them screwed up by their pasts, neither of them could handle a relationship if they tried - André is a self-confessed a**hole. Willa is a self-confessed commitment-phone and gets angry whenever she feels. Then there's Willa’s brother, who could very well kill André if he found out he’d slept with his sister. But, when desires go unchecked, there’s little that can change the outcome, and eventually Willa and André agreed to give in – just until they got each other out of their system. They expected it would take a week, maybe two. Then they could walk away without anyone getting hurt. Before each other, that arrangement might have worked out, but there was something there - an intensity they couldn't explain. As layers are peeled back and secrets are revealed, they find themselves in a state of need that neither was prepared for... Before You is a standalone contemporary romance with no cliffhanger and its own HEA.
- GenresContemporaryRomance
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2015
13 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Eve Cates
24 books146 followersEve Cates is a twenty-something author of contemporary romance. She loves all things naughty, demanding men and difficult situations (pass the popcorn please). Her first series, StepSister Devotion, will be told in four parts, releasing via Kindle Unlimited.
Eve has loved writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and penned a note to her imaginary friend 'Pok'. Accused of being a 'dreamer' as she grew, she's taken that notion and turned her daydreams into stories to delight and satisfy her readers.
When she isn't writing, you'll find her at home with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
Eve has loved writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and penned a note to her imaginary friend 'Pok'. Accused of being a 'dreamer' as she grew, she's taken that notion and turned her daydreams into stories to delight and satisfy her readers.
When she isn't writing, you'll find her at home with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 18, 2015
3-3.5 Solid Stars
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC before this book released and what a treat it was:) I truly adore Author Eve Cates and her books and this was a really great surprise.....a standalone, YAY!!!!! Sorry, sometimes I don't have the time to get bogged down in serials and/or cliffy's and trilogies and so for me personally, most of the time, I LOVE a standalone.
Now with all of that being said, this book was just ok for me! I guess for me I had some minor issues with Willa, hmmmm, I liked her but I didn't if that makes sense. OK, let me re-phrase or try to explain, I liked her overall character but she just "lacked" that extra umph for me. I didn't quite connect with her until the latter half of the book. The fist half, hmmmm, I had some issues with how she treated the newfound "relationship" or whatever she was trying to call it or rather what she was trying to deny, she got more on my nerves than anything:(
Now Andre, he was hot, he was mysterious, he was like watching a "panther" move about his prey, I loved it and although I really LOVED him, even his character was "lacking" something. For me this story was too insta-love for me considering all the factors and don't get me wrong, I wanted them together BUT wished that I had a bit more angst to it as well. I would have liked a bit more "drama" and I don't mean foolish drama for the sake of adding to a story but just a little bit more of "something", see that's what I mean, I felt like I was missing that "bam" in this story.
Congrats to Author Eve Cates on her new release. If you like a quick read, a storyline that moves pretty fast and is low on drama and angst, pick this up:)
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC before this book released and what a treat it was:) I truly adore Author Eve Cates and her books and this was a really great surprise.....a standalone, YAY!!!!! Sorry, sometimes I don't have the time to get bogged down in serials and/or cliffy's and trilogies and so for me personally, most of the time, I LOVE a standalone.
Now with all of that being said, this book was just ok for me! I guess for me I had some minor issues with Willa, hmmmm, I liked her but I didn't if that makes sense. OK, let me re-phrase or try to explain, I liked her overall character but she just "lacked" that extra umph for me. I didn't quite connect with her until the latter half of the book. The fist half, hmmmm, I had some issues with how she treated the newfound "relationship" or whatever she was trying to call it or rather what she was trying to deny, she got more on my nerves than anything:(
Now Andre, he was hot, he was mysterious, he was like watching a "panther" move about his prey, I loved it and although I really LOVED him, even his character was "lacking" something. For me this story was too insta-love for me considering all the factors and don't get me wrong, I wanted them together BUT wished that I had a bit more angst to it as well. I would have liked a bit more "drama" and I don't mean foolish drama for the sake of adding to a story but just a little bit more of "something", see that's what I mean, I felt like I was missing that "bam" in this story.
Congrats to Author Eve Cates on her new release. If you like a quick read, a storyline that moves pretty fast and is low on drama and angst, pick this up:)
December 11, 2015
Willa had experienced tragedy when she was young, but now years later she is in a good place in her life. Her brother asks for a favor and when carrying out his wishes she meets Andre who is less than pleased that she is in his place. Andre is an adventurer and photographer who had no idea that his roommate had a sister. There is some serious chemistry between them and they share some steamy moments together all along keeping their secret from her brother. This is a story about two people who went through so much and opened their hearts to each other. I enjoyed their story.
I give Before You 4 hearts!
I give Before You 4 hearts!
February 14, 2021
Two Broken People Who Find Each Other
I was drawn in from the first page when you're introduced to the very traumatic event that's happened to Willa when she was younger. It's something that's messed her up, and now causes her to keep her relationships at a distance out of fear of getting too close to anyone.
She meets her brother's roommate Andre, who's a one night only kind of guy. He's gorgeous, but he's moody, and they immediately start off on the wrong foot. But even with his brutish attitude, there's something that's pulling them together. They try to ignore it, but that doesn't last long. Neither of them do relationships, but their one night of passion isn't enough. There's something more between them they can't explain.
Eventually secrets of their pasts come out, and they realize why they were pulled to one another. They're both broken inside, and have scars from things in their life that no one else but each other could ever understand. Their two halves make each other feel whole. Something neither of them ever thought they'd feel. But unfortunately their happily ever after won't come easy.
You can't help but feel the chemistry between Andre and Willa, and you'll be pulling for these two very broken people to get their much deserved happily ever after with each other.
I was drawn in from the first page when you're introduced to the very traumatic event that's happened to Willa when she was younger. It's something that's messed her up, and now causes her to keep her relationships at a distance out of fear of getting too close to anyone.
She meets her brother's roommate Andre, who's a one night only kind of guy. He's gorgeous, but he's moody, and they immediately start off on the wrong foot. But even with his brutish attitude, there's something that's pulling them together. They try to ignore it, but that doesn't last long. Neither of them do relationships, but their one night of passion isn't enough. There's something more between them they can't explain.
Eventually secrets of their pasts come out, and they realize why they were pulled to one another. They're both broken inside, and have scars from things in their life that no one else but each other could ever understand. Their two halves make each other feel whole. Something neither of them ever thought they'd feel. But unfortunately their happily ever after won't come easy.
You can't help but feel the chemistry between Andre and Willa, and you'll be pulling for these two very broken people to get their much deserved happily ever after with each other.
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February 11, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/11/2021)! 🎁
July 29, 2016
After having read, and loved, the serials Eve Cates earlier have written, I was really excited to read her first stand alone.
I was pulled in right from the first page – the prologue - where we see how Willa´s parents was murdered in front of her eyes. My heart was beating so fast. I just NEEDED to read the rest.
Ten years later we follow her when she as a favor is packing, and moving, her brother´s stuff to her home, while he´s away. She´s not expecting anyone to be in the appartment, but suddenly a man is standing in front of her. And he´s not happy. Next thing she´s thrown outside, and she´s begging to be left in. Telling him that she has a reason for being there, and not to steal anything.
The misunderstanding is cleared, and the next few days they spend together packing the stuff. The whole time is this intense feeling growing between them. But none of them wanting to act on it (at first) because she´s the best friend´s sister, and he´s complicated, and she´s messed up.
I really loved Willa, and how it was her that was the most messed up, and pulling back all the time. And it was incredible sweet to see André, who normally wouldn´t mind the loose relationship, but in this case does, and is this sweet and understanding guy, who really does everything to help her the best way possible.
The reason for not a higher rating is because it´s a instalove story, and I have never really been a fan of those. And I didn´t like the way germans is portrayed in the story. I´m an european and love the germans for their kind professionalism and effectivity– maybe for an american (I don´t know) they seems to be brazen and bossy, but I don´t think of them like that. André was your typical moody up-and-down NA hero, so I´m sure he will live up to the expectations. It´s really a case of - Speak nice about the germans please.
I was pulled in right from the first page – the prologue - where we see how Willa´s parents was murdered in front of her eyes. My heart was beating so fast. I just NEEDED to read the rest.
Ten years later we follow her when she as a favor is packing, and moving, her brother´s stuff to her home, while he´s away. She´s not expecting anyone to be in the appartment, but suddenly a man is standing in front of her. And he´s not happy. Next thing she´s thrown outside, and she´s begging to be left in. Telling him that she has a reason for being there, and not to steal anything.
The misunderstanding is cleared, and the next few days they spend together packing the stuff. The whole time is this intense feeling growing between them. But none of them wanting to act on it (at first) because she´s the best friend´s sister, and he´s complicated, and she´s messed up.
I really loved Willa, and how it was her that was the most messed up, and pulling back all the time. And it was incredible sweet to see André, who normally wouldn´t mind the loose relationship, but in this case does, and is this sweet and understanding guy, who really does everything to help her the best way possible.
The reason for not a higher rating is because it´s a instalove story, and I have never really been a fan of those. And I didn´t like the way germans is portrayed in the story. I´m an european and love the germans for their kind professionalism and effectivity– maybe for an american (I don´t know) they seems to be brazen and bossy, but I don´t think of them like that. André was your typical moody up-and-down NA hero, so I´m sure he will live up to the expectations. It´s really a case of - Speak nice about the germans please.
December 11, 2015
Before You by Eve Cates was a great 5 star read.
Romance, Hot Alpha
Be with me.Stay with me. Just until I don't need you anymore...
In the Prologue we get a look at the tragic event that fourteen Willa witnesses. It is so heartbreaking. We jump ahead ten years to her brother Dave talking her into letting him and his roommate move in with her. She agrees to fly to Chicago to finish packing his things up for the movers because he is heading out of town.
I have to say that the first time she meets her brothers roommate Andre he is a real jerk to her and I felt so bad. The way he treated her was terrible. We find that Andre also has a tragic past that causes him to keep everyone at a distance.
As they get to know each other the attraction between Andre and Willa builds. They decide to have a sex only relationship. Can they stick to their agreement? Will they be able to help each other move on from their past tragedies?
I hoped that things could always be this way. It was the first time that I ever had hope for happiness.
Before you was a wonderful story about overcoming tragedy and finding love. I loved the characters, you could feel their connection. This is a stand alone romance that I highly recommend to all romance lovers. Eve Cates does a great job of pulling you in with her writing.
Thank you for a great read!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Romance, Hot Alpha
Be with me.Stay with me. Just until I don't need you anymore...
In the Prologue we get a look at the tragic event that fourteen Willa witnesses. It is so heartbreaking. We jump ahead ten years to her brother Dave talking her into letting him and his roommate move in with her. She agrees to fly to Chicago to finish packing his things up for the movers because he is heading out of town.
I have to say that the first time she meets her brothers roommate Andre he is a real jerk to her and I felt so bad. The way he treated her was terrible. We find that Andre also has a tragic past that causes him to keep everyone at a distance.
As they get to know each other the attraction between Andre and Willa builds. They decide to have a sex only relationship. Can they stick to their agreement? Will they be able to help each other move on from their past tragedies?
I hoped that things could always be this way. It was the first time that I ever had hope for happiness.
Before you was a wonderful story about overcoming tragedy and finding love. I loved the characters, you could feel their connection. This is a stand alone romance that I highly recommend to all romance lovers. Eve Cates does a great job of pulling you in with her writing.
Thank you for a great read!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
December 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this story and as a big Eve Cates fan I have to say this is one of my favs!
Willa has suffered a tragic past, witnessing her parent’s death as a child. As a result she’s a closed off person who doesn’t let anyone get to close. Her older brother, Dave, travels for work and isn’t around much so she’s been raised by her grandmother. Dave requests Willa’s help moving into his new apartment with his roommate Andre. From the moment Willa and Andre meet they bump heads, but there is also a level of attraction. They discover they’ve both suffered the loss of parents at a young age and neither of them are looking for anything more than a physical relationship so that is what they do. When their feelings start to get involved things start getting a little deeper than either of the two are prepared to handle making this a very interesting read.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this story. It had a ton of unexpected aspects, it is fast paced, and flowed well. I loved Andre’s character from the beginning, Willa’s character took a few chapters but by the end I loved them both!
**Read and reviewed for United Indie Book Blog**
Willa has suffered a tragic past, witnessing her parent’s death as a child. As a result she’s a closed off person who doesn’t let anyone get to close. Her older brother, Dave, travels for work and isn’t around much so she’s been raised by her grandmother. Dave requests Willa’s help moving into his new apartment with his roommate Andre. From the moment Willa and Andre meet they bump heads, but there is also a level of attraction. They discover they’ve both suffered the loss of parents at a young age and neither of them are looking for anything more than a physical relationship so that is what they do. When their feelings start to get involved things start getting a little deeper than either of the two are prepared to handle making this a very interesting read.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this story. It had a ton of unexpected aspects, it is fast paced, and flowed well. I loved Andre’s character from the beginning, Willa’s character took a few chapters but by the end I loved them both!
**Read and reviewed for United Indie Book Blog**
January 22, 2016
I really enjoyed this story and as a big Eve Cates fan I have to say this is one of my favs!
Willa has suffered a tragic past, witnessing her parent’s death as a child. As a result she’s a closed off person who doesn’t let anyone get to close. Her older brother, Dave, travels for work and isn’t around much so she’s been raised by her grandmother. Dave requests Willa’s help moving into his new apartment with his roommate Andre. From the moment Willa and Andre meet they bump heads, but there is also a level of attraction. They discover they’ve both suffered the loss of parents at a young age and neither of them are looking for anything more than a physical relationship so that is what they do. When their feelings start to get involved things start getting a little deeper than either of the two are prepared to handle making this a very interesting read.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this story. It had a ton of unexpected aspects, it is fast paced, and flowed well. I loved Andre’s character from the beginning, Willa’s character took a few chapters but by the end I loved them both!
review by Lee'Anne
Willa has suffered a tragic past, witnessing her parent’s death as a child. As a result she’s a closed off person who doesn’t let anyone get to close. Her older brother, Dave, travels for work and isn’t around much so she’s been raised by her grandmother. Dave requests Willa’s help moving into his new apartment with his roommate Andre. From the moment Willa and Andre meet they bump heads, but there is also a level of attraction. They discover they’ve both suffered the loss of parents at a young age and neither of them are looking for anything more than a physical relationship so that is what they do. When their feelings start to get involved things start getting a little deeper than either of the two are prepared to handle making this a very interesting read.
I really liked the mystery aspect of this story. It had a ton of unexpected aspects, it is fast paced, and flowed well. I loved Andre’s character from the beginning, Willa’s character took a few chapters but by the end I loved them both!
review by Lee'Anne
December 21, 2015
It's nice to have a story that incorporates many things: humor, romance, tragedy, action. This one does it well, where all the aspects gel nicely together without belaboring one point too much.
It's also nice to see a couple fall a little more slowly than those I've been reading lately. It seems quite unlikely that two people with such graphically tragic pasts would find each other like Andre and Willa do, but hey, it worked. It bonded them in a way. Andre understood her and accepted her PTSD-induced panic attacks where others would have walked away from her. He knew just what she needed, and they were perfect from there.
I would have liked it to be a little longer, a bit more with the details. But honestly, that's my only complaint.
It's also nice to see a couple fall a little more slowly than those I've been reading lately. It seems quite unlikely that two people with such graphically tragic pasts would find each other like Andre and Willa do, but hey, it worked. It bonded them in a way. Andre understood her and accepted her PTSD-induced panic attacks where others would have walked away from her. He knew just what she needed, and they were perfect from there.
I would have liked it to be a little longer, a bit more with the details. But honestly, that's my only complaint.
November 21, 2015
Willa was struck witha tragedy that she had witnessed when she was young. Now that she is older and living on her own she feels like she is happy with her life until her older absent minded at times forgetful brother calls and askedvher a huge favor forgetting a few details along the way.
Andre´ comes home early from an assignment to find a woman standing in the middleof his bedroom in his apartment. David never mentioned he had a sister that he liked to call Will. This is the start fo something that niether of them thought would happen. But what does happen. Can Andre´ keep his word to Dave. How will Willa and Andre handle each others past.
Andre´ comes home early from an assignment to find a woman standing in the middleof his bedroom in his apartment. David never mentioned he had a sister that he liked to call Will. This is the start fo something that niether of them thought would happen. But what does happen. Can Andre´ keep his word to Dave. How will Willa and Andre handle each others past.
December 12, 2015
Willa goes to Chicago to help pack up her brothers apartment because he got sent on assignment out of the country and so was his roommate, Andre. However, after arriving she is met with an angry Andre who literally kicks her out of the apartment.
I enjoyed this book, it is a stand-alone and no cliffhangers!! I enjoyed Willa and the dark mysterious Andre. It was an easy read with little drama. I didn't LOVE it, but I definitely enjoyed and liked it. I would definitely read other books by this author, this is the first one I have read by her.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book, it is a stand-alone and no cliffhangers!! I enjoyed Willa and the dark mysterious Andre. It was an easy read with little drama. I didn't LOVE it, but I definitely enjoyed and liked it. I would definitely read other books by this author, this is the first one I have read by her.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2015
What a beautiful story. A truly moving story about love, loss and adventure. The story is about André, the super sexy, adventure seeking photographer and Willa, the strong, yet traumatized editor. Willa suffered extreme tragedy when she was a young teen and keeps herself from loving and getting attached to men. André suffered his own heartache as well and has yet to find or give love to anyone. Can two people who went through so much bad, find happiness with each other? Or will their pasts be too much to overcome? Read this story, you won't be disappointed. I definitely recommend it!
Reviewed by Elizabeth
Reviewed by Elizabeth
December 1, 2015
This was a wonderful story of overcoming tragic pasts. Both Willa and Andre had experienced a tragic event as young teenagers which affected them in their adult lives and they were each content with their lot. Then they met and had a strong connection and the status quo changed for them, they opened up to each other and began to embrace what was happening and face their fears and demons. I loved both characters and felt their connection and I loved reading my way through their story. My only complaint was the grammatical errors, without them I'd have given it 5☆.
December 4, 2015
A beautiful read, loved it. Willa and Andre had faced a lot of tragedies in their lives and they so deserve to find love with each other. They were the connection each of them was missing to heal. I loved how Willa makes the rules and found it funny when Andre breaks them one by one. Willa breaking her own fundamental rule was great as I didn't want the storyline to drag between them. I enjoyed reading this book and as a standalone romance makes it even more appealing. I'll definitely recommend.
January 26, 2016
3.5 STARS
Willa has suffered an insurmountable tragedy. Now she lives a closed off existence.
Andre craves danger, he wants to be right in the heart of it. Feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
How will these two merge? One panics at the thought of a loved one being in danger and one craves it.
A sweet read of picking yourself up and putting the pieces back together, and realizing that sometime love provides all the adrenaline we need.
Willa has suffered an insurmountable tragedy. Now she lives a closed off existence.
Andre craves danger, he wants to be right in the heart of it. Feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
How will these two merge? One panics at the thought of a loved one being in danger and one craves it.
A sweet read of picking yourself up and putting the pieces back together, and realizing that sometime love provides all the adrenaline we need.
November 17, 2015
This is one of the best love stories I have read! Willa & Andre were two lost souls that came together and found true love. They both had traumatic childhoods that they could not speak about with anyone. I will not give away any spoilers. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Eve Cates for another amazing read!!!!! I loved it!
November 30, 2015
Willa and Andre's story is one of two people who suffered such loss that they chose not to love anymore. They both live their lives one to the extreme and one cautiously, until fate brings them together. As the explore their relationship they learn how they have not been living.
Eve Cates does it again. Now Willa's brother just need his own book.
Eve Cates does it again. Now Willa's brother just need his own book.
December 9, 2015
There wasn't anything particularly original out outstanding about this book. Despite that I really connected deeply with the story and characters on an emotional level. I almost devoured the entire book in one evening. This was a beautiful story about two damaged souls coming together to find love and healing. It had both good laughs and strong feels.
November 17, 2015
Love, love, love!!
The story of Willa and André is amazing! The story of their childhoods is heart crushing. And how they've mentally dealt with the trauma fracturing their life is hard to read. But their amazing connection give hope and love a whole new perspective.
The story of Willa and André is amazing! The story of their childhoods is heart crushing. And how they've mentally dealt with the trauma fracturing their life is hard to read. But their amazing connection give hope and love a whole new perspective.
November 20, 2015
I love everything Eve Cates!
I loved this story so much it gives me hope and sometimes that's all anyone ever needs...thanx Eve U should know I'm a life long fan! As long as u write I'll read ;)
I loved this story so much it gives me hope and sometimes that's all anyone ever needs...thanx Eve U should know I'm a life long fan! As long as u write I'll read ;)
December 1, 2015
This was a nice light entertaining read.
December 10, 2015
I want to go to their wedding and meet their children!!!
Such a good love story I wish it lasted through their wedding and I wanted to meet their children...... more please.
Such a good love story I wish it lasted through their wedding and I wanted to meet their children...... more please.
February 29, 2016
Loved it.
Really good, emotionally butchering story. Great love story. I would highly recommend this book to my friends. Loved it. .
Really good, emotionally butchering story. Great love story. I would highly recommend this book to my friends. Loved it. .
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews