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Before
When the confident, determined Alex Brody joins the successful band Be4, sparks fly between her and her bandmates, none more so than with Tally Mullins. But as their success continues and Tally learns more about Alex, her dislike turns to admiration. Soon Tally finds out that there’s far more to Alex than she first thought.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2016
2 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
K.E. Payne
9 books52 followersKE Payne was born in Bath, the English city, not the tub, and after leaving school she worked for the British government for fifteen years, which probably sounds a lot more exciting than it really was.
Fed up with spending her days moving paperwork around her desk and making models of the Taj Mahal out of paperclips, she packed it all in to go to university in Bristol and graduated as a mature student in 2006 with a degree in linguistics and history.
After graduating, she worked at a university in the Midlands for a while, again moving all that paperwork around, before finally leaving to embark on her dream career as a writer.
She moved to the idyllic English countryside in 2007 where she now lives and works happily surrounded by dogs and guinea pigs.
Fed up with spending her days moving paperwork around her desk and making models of the Taj Mahal out of paperclips, she packed it all in to go to university in Bristol and graduated as a mature student in 2006 with a degree in linguistics and history.
After graduating, she worked at a university in the Midlands for a while, again moving all that paperwork around, before finally leaving to embark on her dream career as a writer.
She moved to the idyllic English countryside in 2007 where she now lives and works happily surrounded by dogs and guinea pigs.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 26, 2016
I have mixed feeling about this book. I think Payne writes young adult romances quite well. And while I know some people don't care for first person, I enjoy reading a book from the first person perspective. So I had some high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, this book didn't quite meet my expectations.
The beginning started out well for me. I was engaged and feeling for the main character Tally. Alex was introduced, and I didn't know if I wanted to hate her or give her a chance. As the book continues, we start seeing sparks and chemistry between Tal and Alex. It's well written and I'm enjoying it. Then, about half way through, the book changes and there is just too much angst. I like some angst in my books, don't get me wrong, but this was just too much. Too much back and forth, back and forth. I got to the point that I started to think, do I really care what happens?!
The ending of the book was sweet and bumped it back up a little for me. But I was still left feeling torn when I finished reading.
As I am really down the middle of this book, I can't exactly recommend it. But I do believe people who enjoy a sweet, YA romance, with a lot of angst, will like this more than I did.
An ARC was given to me from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
The beginning started out well for me. I was engaged and feeling for the main character Tally. Alex was introduced, and I didn't know if I wanted to hate her or give her a chance. As the book continues, we start seeing sparks and chemistry between Tal and Alex. It's well written and I'm enjoying it. Then, about half way through, the book changes and there is just too much angst. I like some angst in my books, don't get me wrong, but this was just too much. Too much back and forth, back and forth. I got to the point that I started to think, do I really care what happens?!
The ending of the book was sweet and bumped it back up a little for me. But I was still left feeling torn when I finished reading.
As I am really down the middle of this book, I can't exactly recommend it. But I do believe people who enjoy a sweet, YA romance, with a lot of angst, will like this more than I did.
An ARC was given to me from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
August 29, 2016
***Book received by Netgalley and Bold Strokes in exchange for an honest review***
I liked this book. It is very well written. This is a very slow paced romance of two individuals that despite being young, talented and successfull, are still very insecure about themselves, about their feelings and about their future, which seems understandable given their young age.
I've felt that the characters' development, the obstacles faced by them, and their angst were totally justified within the story, specially if we bear in mind that these are teenagers.
However I also felt that secondary characters were poorly developed, and that the ending was also a bit too fast, easy and cheesy for my taste.
Although this is a well written YA adult story, too me it lacked something. It probably has to do with the unsatisfying ending, but probably also with the lack of depth and/or layers. It was a bit too simple.
I liked this book. It is very well written. This is a very slow paced romance of two individuals that despite being young, talented and successfull, are still very insecure about themselves, about their feelings and about their future, which seems understandable given their young age.
I've felt that the characters' development, the obstacles faced by them, and their angst were totally justified within the story, specially if we bear in mind that these are teenagers.
However I also felt that secondary characters were poorly developed, and that the ending was also a bit too fast, easy and cheesy for my taste.
Although this is a well written YA adult story, too me it lacked something. It probably has to do with the unsatisfying ending, but probably also with the lack of depth and/or layers. It was a bit too simple.
September 1, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book, but I'm at two minds when it comes to the overall impression I got from it. While the plot is well organized, and the writing style Mrs. Payne has is of great value, I think that the cast of "somewhat well executed" characters, and the angsty behavior the main character showcased in the second half of the book, diminished the opinion I had when I began reading. The romance part of the story was incredibly well written, very realistically. And maybe the angst is also realistic, but it was too much in this case, it could've been done better.
June 19, 2017
Alex joins the band Be4 when a member has to leave. Things don't go well at first between the new bandmates. So it takes effort for them to gel as a group. Tally has a lot on her mind during this time. She's dealing with her best friend leaving so suddenly and also some other things she has to work through.
I enjoyed the book especially the parts the showed Tally and Alex's love of songwriting and playing their guitars. I also like when they started to grow closer and become friends once they got over the initial animosity toward each other. One thing I didn't enjoy was all the angst. There was so much drama.
Overall it was a good book that I would recommend to YA lovers.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via netgalley for an honest review
I enjoyed the book especially the parts the showed Tally and Alex's love of songwriting and playing their guitars. I also like when they started to grow closer and become friends once they got over the initial animosity toward each other. One thing I didn't enjoy was all the angst. There was so much drama.
Overall it was a good book that I would recommend to YA lovers.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via netgalley for an honest review
October 13, 2016
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I liked this book a lot, my only problem with it was the angst that seemed to be displayed on every page. I understood where the author was coming from, especially as the characters were only seventeen. If I were younger I probably would have given this five stars; it had a great storyline, and the characters were amazing. I did wish we knew more about the other two members of the band; because I didn't know a lot about them I felt annoyed when they were in a scene. This was a great book, and for a certain population, this will be absolutely amazing.
September 8, 2016
Nice enjoyable YA read about the trials and tribulations of living in the limelight and discovering who you are. It's somewhere between 3 and a half and 4 stars for me.
When girlband Be4 find themselves needing a fourth member they are paired with Alex Brody who has had her own issues in her quest for success. As the blurb says sparks fly between the girls and Alex but none more so than Tally.
Tally and her friends and struggling with the idea that their band is changing and are also slightly put off by the confident Alex. I enjoyed this read, I liked most of the main characters. If you like a bit of angst in your books then this one has it, there's actually quite a lot of it, but then again
they are teenagers so what do we expect. The relationship was sweet and well written and it was easy to root for the main characters.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
When girlband Be4 find themselves needing a fourth member they are paired with Alex Brody who has had her own issues in her quest for success. As the blurb says sparks fly between the girls and Alex but none more so than Tally.
Tally and her friends and struggling with the idea that their band is changing and are also slightly put off by the confident Alex. I enjoyed this read, I liked most of the main characters. If you like a bit of angst in your books then this one has it, there's actually quite a lot of it, but then again
they are teenagers so what do we expect. The relationship was sweet and well written and it was easy to root for the main characters.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
September 22, 2016
*The copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a nice enough YA genre read... I thought of it as well written, but the plot didn't do much to me. Actually, I quite enjoyed it up to the half, and then it starts kind of "wandering", so my rate dropped to 3 stars. Had it not been the constant back-forth thing, it could've been a good 4 stars.
This is a nice enough YA genre read... I thought of it as well written, but the plot didn't do much to me. Actually, I quite enjoyed it up to the half, and then it starts kind of "wandering", so my rate dropped to 3 stars. Had it not been the constant back-forth thing, it could've been a good 4 stars.
September 20, 2018
Great young adult story. Felt it dragged a bit in the middle. Good characters, but too much attraction then push away, attraction then push away. I guess that is kind of how young angst is, but it slowed down the plot for me.
August 22, 2016
** I was given a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.**
'Before' in a nutshell is the story of Tally. And Tally is one of the 4 members of this teenager pop group called Be4. When the book starts we are at a crucial moment of the band history, where there has been some big changes caused by an unfortunately event with one of the member of the band and at the same time, the group seems to be on the verge of finally breaking out.
Let me say this: it's not a bad book. It's well-written and the concept of the story is great. Or could have been great. I was sold on the concept, but the delivery was compromised in my opinion. Allow me to elaborate:
The book is told in a first-person narrative and we get to hang around with Tally for the duration of the story. Now, while I'm a huge, huge fan of novels written in first-person, this type of narrative only work on romances if the main character has enough of a strong voice and personality to make the process interesting. And unfortunately I don't think that's the case with Tally here. The first-person narrative format renders all impressions subjective, and if somehow the person delivering those perspectives to you isn't a charismatic or at least an intriguing character, it becomes boring quite fast.
Nor do I think the world around her where the story unfolds is interesting enough. I guess I would think that the world of a 17 year-old on the brink of becoming a rock-star would maybe be a bit more crowded and chaotic that what is described in this book, in fact her routine seems almost ascetic, and therefore very tedious and unexceptional. I guess what I am saying is that it felt like I was reading a book about Hannah Montana as played by Miles Cyrus. And while Disney might approve of the choice, I'd much prefer to read a book about Miles Cyrus after she stopped pretending she was Hannah Montana.
Also the supporting characters are mostly too bland. Aside form Alex, who happens to be the romantic love interest of the protagonist, the rest of the characters truly seemed to lack complexity and do very little to help in the progress of the plot. Which is a pity, specially in the case of Robyn and Brooke, the 2 other member of the Be4. They played negligible parts and instead of being an intrinsic part of the plot, they just seemed to ended up as placeholders for 'insert generic member of teen band here'.
And here is my final thought: one of the major reasons why I couldn't really enjoy the story was it because of how angsty it was. Unnecessary angsty. Unjustifiably angsty. Don't get me wrong, angst is good. I love angst in my books. Just not the 'Twilight' kind of angst. Freaking Stephenie Meyer scarred me for life with that crap. Point being, while I was following up with Tally's journey, I could not, for the life of me, empathize (nor even sympathize) with her situation and 'problems'.
'Before' in a nutshell is the story of Tally. And Tally is one of the 4 members of this teenager pop group called Be4. When the book starts we are at a crucial moment of the band history, where there has been some big changes caused by an unfortunately event with one of the member of the band and at the same time, the group seems to be on the verge of finally breaking out.
Let me say this: it's not a bad book. It's well-written and the concept of the story is great. Or could have been great. I was sold on the concept, but the delivery was compromised in my opinion. Allow me to elaborate:
The book is told in a first-person narrative and we get to hang around with Tally for the duration of the story. Now, while I'm a huge, huge fan of novels written in first-person, this type of narrative only work on romances if the main character has enough of a strong voice and personality to make the process interesting. And unfortunately I don't think that's the case with Tally here. The first-person narrative format renders all impressions subjective, and if somehow the person delivering those perspectives to you isn't a charismatic or at least an intriguing character, it becomes boring quite fast.
Nor do I think the world around her where the story unfolds is interesting enough. I guess I would think that the world of a 17 year-old on the brink of becoming a rock-star would maybe be a bit more crowded and chaotic that what is described in this book, in fact her routine seems almost ascetic, and therefore very tedious and unexceptional. I guess what I am saying is that it felt like I was reading a book about Hannah Montana as played by Miles Cyrus. And while Disney might approve of the choice, I'd much prefer to read a book about Miles Cyrus after she stopped pretending she was Hannah Montana.
Also the supporting characters are mostly too bland. Aside form Alex, who happens to be the romantic love interest of the protagonist, the rest of the characters truly seemed to lack complexity and do very little to help in the progress of the plot. Which is a pity, specially in the case of Robyn and Brooke, the 2 other member of the Be4. They played negligible parts and instead of being an intrinsic part of the plot, they just seemed to ended up as placeholders for 'insert generic member of teen band here'.
And here is my final thought: one of the major reasons why I couldn't really enjoy the story was it because of how angsty it was. Unnecessary angsty. Unjustifiably angsty. Don't get me wrong, angst is good. I love angst in my books. Just not the 'Twilight' kind of angst. Freaking Stephenie Meyer scarred me for life with that crap. Point being, while I was following up with Tally's journey, I could not, for the life of me, empathize (nor even sympathize) with her situation and 'problems'.
August 30, 2016
*ARC provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes for an honest review*
I have read other books by this author and when I started reading this one it reminded me of her book, The Road to Her, which didn't bode well for me because that was one of her books that I found painful to read and I don't think I actually managed to finish it because of the drawn out angst in it. The more I read the happier I became because I noticed that the author had chosen to go a different way with this story and I wasnt going to be stuck reading about two teenagers who wanted to be with each other but couldn't be and so they spent half of the book cursing each other and crying over each other.
That doesn't mean that there wasn't a case of unrequited love, because there was it was just not as over the top. My real problem with this book is that I never got a real feel for the characters, normally I can start to visualise what each character would look like and what their mannerism would be but sight his book I felt like there was a lack of character personalisation. There were so many time when Talley would say something about herself and I would be completely stumped because I couldn't figure out how she went from pop diva to the girl who hates shopping and prefers wearing jeans and sneakers.
I don't think that the secondary characters were developed enough, they seemed to just be there for conveniently inconvenient conversations, or at least that seemed to be Robyns role when she was getting drunk and hanging on her boyfriend, I dont really know what Brooke was there for.
The story isn't a complete loss, which is why I have given it 3stars, it is still a sweet YA story and although I can't really recommend it as a book that enjoyed I think those who are looking for some light reading in the teen genre will enjoy it.
I have read other books by this author and when I started reading this one it reminded me of her book, The Road to Her, which didn't bode well for me because that was one of her books that I found painful to read and I don't think I actually managed to finish it because of the drawn out angst in it. The more I read the happier I became because I noticed that the author had chosen to go a different way with this story and I wasnt going to be stuck reading about two teenagers who wanted to be with each other but couldn't be and so they spent half of the book cursing each other and crying over each other.
That doesn't mean that there wasn't a case of unrequited love, because there was it was just not as over the top. My real problem with this book is that I never got a real feel for the characters, normally I can start to visualise what each character would look like and what their mannerism would be but sight his book I felt like there was a lack of character personalisation. There were so many time when Talley would say something about herself and I would be completely stumped because I couldn't figure out how she went from pop diva to the girl who hates shopping and prefers wearing jeans and sneakers.
I don't think that the secondary characters were developed enough, they seemed to just be there for conveniently inconvenient conversations, or at least that seemed to be Robyns role when she was getting drunk and hanging on her boyfriend, I dont really know what Brooke was there for.
The story isn't a complete loss, which is why I have given it 3stars, it is still a sweet YA story and although I can't really recommend it as a book that enjoyed I think those who are looking for some light reading in the teen genre will enjoy it.
September 7, 2016
I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley
3.5 stars
When Tally's best friend leaves the band Be4 and is soon replaced by rising star Alex Brody, Tally is less than pleased. However when Tally starts to grow closer to Alex and sparks start to fly, she soon starts to admire Alex and starts to long for her company.
I thought Before was a delightful f/f romance. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Tally, and I loved how they worked well together writing their music. I enjoyed the music aspect as well. While I thought the ending was great, the middle was a little bogged down and was a little slow-paced, but I did enjoy the development of their relationship.
Before would have got a higher rating if our main character, Tally, was more developed. I'd have loved to have seen more of her past relationship with Nicole, but we only got really little glimpses into their relationship which was strange especially as Nicole was the core of most of Tally's guilt and fears to commitment. Alex was a good character, she was reserved but outspoken and I liked that. Tally herself was unlikeable at times - she could be a little self centered and couldn't see situations from other's point of view, and her back-and-forth attitude was irritating sometimes but other than that she was a decent character and her character growth throughout the book was good.
Before was a decent f/f romance with a good theme of self-discovery.
3.5 stars
When Tally's best friend leaves the band Be4 and is soon replaced by rising star Alex Brody, Tally is less than pleased. However when Tally starts to grow closer to Alex and sparks start to fly, she soon starts to admire Alex and starts to long for her company.
I thought Before was a delightful f/f romance. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Tally, and I loved how they worked well together writing their music. I enjoyed the music aspect as well. While I thought the ending was great, the middle was a little bogged down and was a little slow-paced, but I did enjoy the development of their relationship.
Before would have got a higher rating if our main character, Tally, was more developed. I'd have loved to have seen more of her past relationship with Nicole, but we only got really little glimpses into their relationship which was strange especially as Nicole was the core of most of Tally's guilt and fears to commitment. Alex was a good character, she was reserved but outspoken and I liked that. Tally herself was unlikeable at times - she could be a little self centered and couldn't see situations from other's point of view, and her back-and-forth attitude was irritating sometimes but other than that she was a decent character and her character growth throughout the book was good.
Before was a decent f/f romance with a good theme of self-discovery.
October 1, 2016
KE Payne writes good YA Romances, and this is a hugely important genre, giving a voice and a place to go to young women exploring the world and themselves.
Her plots are interesting and feel like something that would attract her target audience and Before certainly fits that bill, following the life and love of a teenage girl band from Brighton as one member leaves and another joins from a reality signing show.
The plot worked and the story flowed for the first half of the novel. But, and it’s a big but, in the second half there was so much angst it became hard work to read. Maybe that reflects teenage love, especially when blaming oneself for your girlfriend’s emotional collapse, but the second half was painful.
The setting of the band was interesting and provided an exciting backdrop of playing at a festival and doing TV shows to promote their single.. but in between their lives were mundane to the point of boredom. Similarly the MC’s were likable, but the rest of the band and the other characters were underdeveloped to the point where I cant remember a single characteristic, and while our main protagonist worked in the plot, her life and character made her a rather week voice for the first person POV.
I feel like I have ripped this book to pieces, and I didn’t mean to. Perhaps after the first half I was simply disappointed.. the characters didn’t develop and the whole felt flat. I wanted to like it more than I did, maybe I'm just to old...
Her plots are interesting and feel like something that would attract her target audience and Before certainly fits that bill, following the life and love of a teenage girl band from Brighton as one member leaves and another joins from a reality signing show.
The plot worked and the story flowed for the first half of the novel. But, and it’s a big but, in the second half there was so much angst it became hard work to read. Maybe that reflects teenage love, especially when blaming oneself for your girlfriend’s emotional collapse, but the second half was painful.
The setting of the band was interesting and provided an exciting backdrop of playing at a festival and doing TV shows to promote their single.. but in between their lives were mundane to the point of boredom. Similarly the MC’s were likable, but the rest of the band and the other characters were underdeveloped to the point where I cant remember a single characteristic, and while our main protagonist worked in the plot, her life and character made her a rather week voice for the first person POV.
I feel like I have ripped this book to pieces, and I didn’t mean to. Perhaps after the first half I was simply disappointed.. the characters didn’t develop and the whole felt flat. I wanted to like it more than I did, maybe I'm just to old...
October 15, 2016
Like other reviewers have said, I'm of two minds when it comes to this book. On one hand I loved it for the slow building of the romance and the way everything was unsure and rocky, as it often is in life when you first meet someone. On the other, it got to the point where the main character was obsessing over something in the later half of the book that didn't seem justified. Or maybe the situation was deserving of the angst it rendered, but the context wasn't set and built upon to make it feel like the angst was worth it.
I wanted to learn more about Alex, why she is the way she is and why she's worth pursuing as a love interest. It felt like the author had the skeleton of good characters, plot etc but forgot to put the meat on the bones.
It was a quick read, but I found myself skipping over dialogue and description after too many instances of the main character saying one thing in a paragraph then continuing to contradict what was said in the next. It felt extremely inconsistent and could have done with another draft or another edit (especially to learn what the word 'immense' means and when to correctly use it, as an example).
I still enjoyed reading it and I would recommend it, especially if you're into girl bands.
*I received an ARC from Net Gallery and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review
I wanted to learn more about Alex, why she is the way she is and why she's worth pursuing as a love interest. It felt like the author had the skeleton of good characters, plot etc but forgot to put the meat on the bones.
It was a quick read, but I found myself skipping over dialogue and description after too many instances of the main character saying one thing in a paragraph then continuing to contradict what was said in the next. It felt extremely inconsistent and could have done with another draft or another edit (especially to learn what the word 'immense' means and when to correctly use it, as an example).
I still enjoyed reading it and I would recommend it, especially if you're into girl bands.
*I received an ARC from Net Gallery and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review
August 22, 2016
To be young and in a girl band... oh what would it be like? This book follows a girl band in the beginning of their fame. Just when the band was getting a bit famous, one of the members is replaced with a new and very talented addition. Sparks fly, then sizzle out, only to spark back up again between Alex (new addition) and Tally. The book is very well written, and has made me add all the author's books to my reading list.
This is only the second book I have read by this author, and both have been fantastic. Payne has such a clear writing style, her dialogue is always written in such a way you never confuse who is talking. Many lesbian fiction books have serious issues with this. I love the characters in this book, Alex for me was by far my favorite in the book. I typically do not read books with young characters as I feel I have a disconnect with the writing. This was not the case for this book. The only issue I really had with the book was Tally having such issues with liking/not liking Alex. This push and pull method often leaves me irritated and ready for it to just be over. The book is well worth your time, and purchasing. ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.
This is only the second book I have read by this author, and both have been fantastic. Payne has such a clear writing style, her dialogue is always written in such a way you never confuse who is talking. Many lesbian fiction books have serious issues with this. I love the characters in this book, Alex for me was by far my favorite in the book. I typically do not read books with young characters as I feel I have a disconnect with the writing. This was not the case for this book. The only issue I really had with the book was Tally having such issues with liking/not liking Alex. This push and pull method often leaves me irritated and ready for it to just be over. The book is well worth your time, and purchasing. ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.
September 6, 2016
It would have been interesting to hear the type of music Be4 played. This read was fun and entertaining. The personality of the band members provided a comforting blanket for most of the band members. They appeared to enjoy spending time with each other as well as looking out for each other. Although one band member did not feel that way. I like the give and take between Tally and Alex. Both of them had issues, although one more than the other. There was enough angst to keep you guessing what would happen next. If you like to read about girl bands working hard to get their break, with a little relationship drama on the side, this is the read for you.
I received this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in return for a fair review.
I received this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in return for a fair review.
June 9, 2022
Meh, it was rather slow going on the story line and the characters felt whiney, flat and just non relatable for me.
August 28, 2016
Summary: A member of the girl group Be4, 17-year-old Tally is a rising star in the music world of London. After one its members falls in rehab, the band struggles to reestablish its sound and image. Enter Alex, a singer-songwriter from reality TV. Confident and talented, she immediately causes conflict among the group, with Tally her loudest critic. Tally is working through guilt and pain over ex-Be4 star Nicole's departure, and she doesn't want to accept Alex as her replacement. (Nicole, it's revealed, turned to drugs heartbroken over Tally.) Soon though, Tally begins to grow close to the new singer, and she fears she'll destroy Alex, too.
If you're looking for a lighthearted YA lesbian romance, Before offers a quick and engaging read. I was pleasantly surprised by K.E. Payne's narration. Unlike the often tedious snark of her protagonist in 365 Days , Tally is very readable. The relationship between Tally and Alex is drawn out slowly enough to build believable chemistry between them, although the minor characters could have done with more fleshing out. I found it hard to distinguish the various members of the band and crew, since none had clear personalities. Tally's backstory, too, could have done with more development: she has parents, but we know about them, except that they talk occasionally; she and Nicole used to be best friends, but I couldn't tell what drew them together. Payne is strongest in her portrayal of Tally and Alex's interactions, which serves as the driving force behind the story. Some readers may tire of the melodrama and angst as Tally struggles with her feelings for Alex, but it's not an unrealistic portrayal of a 17-year-old protagonist.
Note: I received an advance readers copy via NetGalley.
If you're looking for a lighthearted YA lesbian romance, Before offers a quick and engaging read. I was pleasantly surprised by K.E. Payne's narration. Unlike the often tedious snark of her protagonist in 365 Days , Tally is very readable. The relationship between Tally and Alex is drawn out slowly enough to build believable chemistry between them, although the minor characters could have done with more fleshing out. I found it hard to distinguish the various members of the band and crew, since none had clear personalities. Tally's backstory, too, could have done with more development: she has parents, but we know about them, except that they talk occasionally; she and Nicole used to be best friends, but I couldn't tell what drew them together. Payne is strongest in her portrayal of Tally and Alex's interactions, which serves as the driving force behind the story. Some readers may tire of the melodrama and angst as Tally struggles with her feelings for Alex, but it's not an unrealistic portrayal of a 17-year-old protagonist.
Note: I received an advance readers copy via NetGalley.
November 5, 2016
I wanted to like this book more than I did.
Reading the summary I was expecting a more exciting story, with great scenes about music and concert nights. You know, the crazy life of celebrities and how hard that must be for teenagers. I feel like a lot of this just wasn't there. Too much tell, don't show. We hear about how Tally misses her parents, but never see them. We hear about the band's formation and story, but never see it. We hear about how the other bandmates are, but we barely see anything about them. I couldn't know how their personalities even were.
Another thing bothered me is that the angst just lasted too long in the last pages. The story could've been better paced.
This book had a nice promise that didn't work for me, personally. The two protagonists had some nice chemistry but that isn't enough when your story is just kind of 'okay'. But if you are just looking for a bit of angsty/comfort romance maybe it'll work for you!
Reading the summary I was expecting a more exciting story, with great scenes about music and concert nights. You know, the crazy life of celebrities and how hard that must be for teenagers. I feel like a lot of this just wasn't there. Too much tell, don't show. We hear about how Tally misses her parents, but never see them. We hear about the band's formation and story, but never see it. We hear about how the other bandmates are, but we barely see anything about them. I couldn't know how their personalities even were.
Another thing bothered me is that the angst just lasted too long in the last pages. The story could've been better paced.
This book had a nice promise that didn't work for me, personally. The two protagonists had some nice chemistry but that isn't enough when your story is just kind of 'okay'. But if you are just looking for a bit of angsty/comfort romance maybe it'll work for you!
August 24, 2016
Actual rating: 2.5
The first half of Before devoted primarily to setting out the personalities of its two main characters, was breezy fun -- the relationship between Tally and Alex developed naturally, and their joy in one another was compelling and convincing. The second half of the book, however, faltered significantly as Payne worked to create conflict, a task which resulted in repetitive, cliched situations which often hinged upon a suddenly appearing (unconvincing) massive ego in Tally, and regular, similarly unconvincing forgiveness by Alex. The repetition that marred the conflicts that kept Alex and Tally apart also appeared elsewhere in second half of the story, both in Alex's narration and in the astonishing frequency of affectionate shoulder bumps between the Tally and her bandmates.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC!
The first half of Before devoted primarily to setting out the personalities of its two main characters, was breezy fun -- the relationship between Tally and Alex developed naturally, and their joy in one another was compelling and convincing. The second half of the book, however, faltered significantly as Payne worked to create conflict, a task which resulted in repetitive, cliched situations which often hinged upon a suddenly appearing (unconvincing) massive ego in Tally, and regular, similarly unconvincing forgiveness by Alex. The repetition that marred the conflicts that kept Alex and Tally apart also appeared elsewhere in second half of the story, both in Alex's narration and in the astonishing frequency of affectionate shoulder bumps between the Tally and her bandmates.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC!
July 29, 2017
***I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
While overall I did enjoy this book I feel like it was a little rushed. I can't quite put my finger on what aspect of the book made me feel this way. The romance itself wasn't super rushed, it grew and broke apart somewhat realistically but the whole timing of the book just felt rushed. I also feel like the secondary characters could get some more attention, it felt to me that as the romance grew between the main character and her girlfriend the rest of the band fell to the background. The beginning of this book emphasizes that they are all in this band together and have started it together and then as soon as someone new comes along it starts sounding like they're the stars and the other girls are just there backup.
While overall I did enjoy this book I feel like it was a little rushed. I can't quite put my finger on what aspect of the book made me feel this way. The romance itself wasn't super rushed, it grew and broke apart somewhat realistically but the whole timing of the book just felt rushed. I also feel like the secondary characters could get some more attention, it felt to me that as the romance grew between the main character and her girlfriend the rest of the band fell to the background. The beginning of this book emphasizes that they are all in this band together and have started it together and then as soon as someone new comes along it starts sounding like they're the stars and the other girls are just there backup.
August 25, 2016
This is my second book that I read from K.E. Payne and so far, I must say that I really love how she writes. Im really a big fan of first person POV and the fact that she writes like this is a big GO GO!
Before is a story of a group of teenagers becoming a rockstar. For me the book is well written and I love the story with angst and lots of emotion. I love how the connection with Tally and Alex grow in the story though there are times its quite frustrating. But in the end of the story I really enjoy reading it and how it turns out. For me its a great book and definitely recommend this if your into this genre. I cant wait to read more from the author.
* ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review. *
Before is a story of a group of teenagers becoming a rockstar. For me the book is well written and I love the story with angst and lots of emotion. I love how the connection with Tally and Alex grow in the story though there are times its quite frustrating. But in the end of the story I really enjoy reading it and how it turns out. For me its a great book and definitely recommend this if your into this genre. I cant wait to read more from the author.
* ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review. *
February 27, 2018
Ah spring break freedom to gobble up books. I should really be finishing Bakhtin...
I came to this book for the fame (my current reading micro trend) but I fell for the story. I loved Tally and Alex. Other reviewers commented on the angst of the story and it just felt real to me.
My only worry is that this is not an #OwnVoices book. That would cause me to lower my rating. It feels real to me, but as a cis het female, I don't have the lived experience to see otherwise.
UPDATE: Yes! The 4 stars stand! This is an #OwnVoices book!
I came to this book for the fame (my current reading micro trend) but I fell for the story. I loved Tally and Alex. Other reviewers commented on the angst of the story and it just felt real to me.
My only worry is that this is not an #OwnVoices book. That would cause me to lower my rating. It feels real to me, but as a cis het female, I don't have the lived experience to see otherwise.
UPDATE: Yes! The 4 stars stand! This is an #OwnVoices book!
January 14, 2019
Como a Tally, al principio a mí tampoco me agradó Alex, pero rápidamente cambié de opinión. Me pasó lo mismo con Tally, solo que al revés, cuando empezó la historia me agradó y después comenzó a desagradarme un poco, a sacarme de mis casillas y exasperarme. Entiendo sus miedos debido a lo que paso con Nicole, pero era realmente insoportable. Y ya que hablamos de Nicole, me pareció una chica detestable que lo único que hizo todo el tiempo fue hacerse la víctima y culpar a los demás de sus propias decisiones.
Una buena historia, lástima que el epilogo fue tan corto.
Una buena historia, lástima que el epilogo fue tan corto.
November 20, 2016
*Review copy received from publisher*
The pace was slow and writing repetitive. It came across as though the story was forced into a pre-conceived formula.
The pace was slow and writing repetitive. It came across as though the story was forced into a pre-conceived formula.
April 18, 2021
This book was so lovely! The writing is absolutely amazing and the storyline was so unique! Highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a thrilling romance!
February 19, 2018
Similar to Road To Her and here we got a clone of Elise. Alex. Not likable. I wonder why Payne even bother writing a not likeable love interest.
Avoid like plague. if you want to read badly Id suggest you google a free epub.
Avoid like plague. if you want to read badly Id suggest you google a free epub.
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