I Stand Before You

Judge Me Not #1

by S.R. Grey, Amber Bray (Narrator)

A story of love, a story of hope. How can you move forward when you're anchored to the past?

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner was the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights---Chase indulged in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase's actions finally caught up to him and landed him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That's why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced.

But their love is soon tested. Chase's wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it's a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. First in a series.

***warning: contains explicit sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity***

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Young Adult, Friends To Lovers

Audible Audio

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

S.R. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the new Breakaway hockey series and the popular Boys of Winter hockey books and Men of Fall football novels. Other New Adult and Romantic Suspense works of hers include the Judge Me Not books, the Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas.

When not writing Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams. Sometimes all at the same time!

Represented by Amanda Wooden at SBR Media
amanda@sbrmedia.com

Website: http://srgrey.com/

Reviews

[.Lili. · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT'S LIVE!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Before-Yo...

and...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-sta...



When I first saw this book I was excited that this book had everything I like:

Tattooed bad boy-


Heroine with a tragic past-


Warning that it contains graphic sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity-


But what I got was so much more. This is the story of Chase and Kay. Two people who were broken by events from their past. Chase who lost his way following the tragic death of his father.

He drowned himself in a world of drugs.

That would ultimately cost him his freedom.

Kay was broken following a devastating accident.

She has been left alone by those she loves most.


When the two stumble upon each other on a rainy day. They both begin to see that maybe they can be whole, that maybe they can begin anew.

"This is what we are, two broken people who when connected are made whole, made right. I feel this everywhere, my body, my heart, my soul."



Why did I love this book so much? Well, there are many books in this genre that have similar blurbs but many of them fail. Many fall under the cookie cutter insta love/insta lust shelf. Of course Chase and Kay are istanstly attracted to one another, but S.R. Grey really took care to develop their friendship and we were with them on their journey to get to know each other and fall in love. This story will make you feel every emotion. I felt that the dialogue and character growth were exceptionally written. My final thoughts-



ARC Provided by the author for an honest review.

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!It's my first book from S.R. Grey and I love her writting!!! It's an amazing book!!I totally connected with the characters!!!This is a book full of passion,intense, happy and sad immotions!

"When you're thirteen you think you can have it all. Life hasn't roughed you up so very much ...yet"

When Chase was young, he had a wonderful life. He used to live with his family and he was ready to follow his father’s steps… But some times life is playing games, and we cannot follow our dreams…

"Things are never bad when love is abundant.I thought it would stay that way forever, I did a home filled with love a happy family, just a good and easy life."

Something truly tragic happened, that caused Chase’s father death.From this moment Chase couldn’t remain the same person. Now he lives with his grandmother in a very small place at Ohio.

And his only desire is to leave far away...Things are going worse when he started doing drugs... One day the police arrest him and he is going to jail. Now he is alone and he has none on his side....

4 years later he is out from jail...

Now he is working for the church doing maintenance and fixing things, and he continues his passion…to design. But there are many temptations for him around…

KAY

Kay lost her sister and blamed herself for her lost. She is now working for the church. She knows everything for Chase’s past and she is very cautious with him. .

But day by day, she is changing her view and the connection between them become stronger..

Two broken people who when connected, are made whole, made right…

"You're good for me Chase.You help me in ways I can't explain.You make me want to live, to embrace life even when I was barely surviving before I met you."

They have to face problems...Can they manage to be together in the end???

I will tell this again!!!An amazing book!!!

The thing I love most in this book is that we start see two people who is damaged..

they managed to find each other and to learn how to live again!!

EVERYONE MUST READ THIS BOOK!!

[Georgia ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Forgiveness and Redemption Stars

As I stand before you, judge me not.



We all make mistakes. Stupid decisions, rash actions, fate, anger and despair rule our lives. There are some defining moments, when everything takes a wrong turn but not all is lost. The really strong people can't forget but they always forgive and they start but setting themselves free of the blame and the guilt, but never of the memories. The past made us what we are today and love will pave the way to happiness, if and when we allow our hearts to beat again.



Chase Gartner, once had it all. Family, wealth happiness. A loving father, money and a brother that looked up to him. When he lost them, young and full of himself he tried to forget in drugs and alcohol. And when he started getting drawn deeper, he ended up in jail, an artist trying to find himself all over again. A new man emerged and now he struggles to let go of his past, reconnect with his family and resist a woman that might be too good for the likes of him...



Kay Stanton, knows heartbreak and how it is to live in darkness. She has faced loss and unable to deal and move on, she has withdrawn into herself. Feeling unworthy of forgiveness and love but irresistibly drawn to the dirty-mouthed bad boy that make her soul sing. Together they will take a leap of faith, they will become each other's second chance, fallen angel, confidant and companion. Together, not perfect but beautiful and unique. Forever.

This love is full circle. It will only end when last breaths are taken.



In the end, stronger together they will face their demons and families and.... that's what we are all dying to find out!!!!!

An emotional, beautiful read about two broken souls seeking redemption, feeling unworthy and undeserving of love. A book about the power of love and our inner strength that never fails. S.R. Grey weaves a complex story firmly on the "grey" side, where right and wrong, good and bad blur, and uniqueness is born. I think this is her best book, yet, even though I am a huge fan of her "Harbour Falls Mystery Series". She writes distinctive characters that stay true to themselves, sexy scenes and interesting back stories that rear their ugly head when you least expect it.

I loved this book and I really NEED the next!



Revised to post full review at 07/09/2013
Continue reading for my pre-read rant... :)

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal.



Sweet.. Mother... Holy... CAN'T WAIT!!



*ARC courtesy of the author, the wonderful S.R. Grey, who I have the honor to call friend ♥, in exchange for an honest review*

THANK YOU SUSIE!!

[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
3.5 STARS
Genre: New Adult Romance
FULL REVIEW POSTED 9-9-13





'I am breathless, but not from running. What I like, what turns me on, is that I’ve just been pursued. Pursued and caught, by this gorgeous, sexy guy who I may tease and call my boy, but there’s never been any doubt in my mind that he is most definitely all man.'
-Kay



Chase Gartner had his life turned upside down after losing his father. You see..everything was already changing for his family and then BAM things go from bad to severely worst. Just when Chase feels like he reached rock bottom. The next change comes and he lands back in his childhood hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio residing with his grandmother.

Just plain old reckless
Chase lives his life fast with no boundaries. For him it's all about sex, parties, and fights which are fueled by his drugs and alcohol use. That is when the earth opens up an swallows him whole...His reckless life style teaches him a lesson called consequence when Chase finds himself in prison...




Do you believe in second chances?

‘Perfect, I’ll be in black and white, just like Father Maridale. The sinner and the saint, matched.’ -Chase

Four years past and Chase is now free. The local minister is the only one willing to give him a second chance. Father Maridale gives Chase a job at the church doing maintenance work during the week.

His bad boy reputation precedes him; most of the people in Harmony Creek steer clear of Chase. This includes Kay Stanton.

Absolutely nothing has been easy for Kay theses past few years. She is practically estranged from her parents due to a horrible mistake made one night. The pain left over from this tragic night still haunts Kay.

When these two broken souls meet they connect with one another and friendship slowly turns in to something more.
Something precious.
LOVE.

‘Chase and I are in this for the long haul. I’ve stood before him and he’s stood before me. And this is what it’s all come down to: Chase Gartner is my future, my forever. And I, I am his.’ -Kay




My Thoughts
S.R. Grey does a good job at introducing readers to these two badly scarred characters. I felt that the story line carries a very realistic tone to it as these two face real problems. For Chase it was his addiction.

What I loved? Somehow the unlikely pair end up being just what the other needs. Almost fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle. I am very anxious to see how all this drama with Will(Chase's younger brother) and his girlfriend Cassie plays out.

Why 3.5 stars you ask? Here is why, I felt that the story dragged in certain parts. And I also thought that there was a build up to something big happening there with Chase..Yet in the end I felt it fell a little short. But that’s just me; this does not take away from the beautiful love story being told with Chase and Kay.


My Ratings
Characters- Sweet and lovable
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Two broken souls connecting and finding love
Steam Factor- Low/On a Slow Simmer
Overall- I liked it! Check it out!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Spectacular Stars!

It's Live On Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Before-Yo...

and

Barnes&Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-sta...


Yep, I loved this one...by the time I was finished with the prologue I was hooked. We've got a tattooed, sexy, damaged bad boy and the sweet beautiful girl that tries to save him but with issues of her own. Yes, its a formula we are all familiar with.. but S.R. Grey still managed to make this formula her own. I was completely wrapped up in this story until the very last page...

First, we've got sexy bad boy Chase Gardner..20 years old and living with his grandmother due to a mother that can't handle him any longer and doesn't really want to. He's a hard partier and a true man ho. Screwing around, snorting, popping, drinking, living it up making one bad decision after another until he makes one mistake to many. At one time in his life he had goals and dreams to follow in is fathers footsteps but all that has changed. Now he's landed himself in prison for 4 long years.

It takes one hundred and forty-three steps to walk down a long, noisy corridor to reach cell block seventy-two. And when they turn the key, you hear one life— the only one you’ve ever known up until now— ending.

Chase...



Then we have sweet, kind, and beautiful Kay Stanton...living in the same small town Chase was living before he was sent away to prison. She's on her own. Her family turned their backs on her after one very tragic event that tore their family apart. She harbors deep unrelenting guilt for one accident that can't be undone...

I hate how time has a way of blurring the memories, easing the guilt. I deserve to suffer. My grief anchors me to my guilt. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Probably both, a never-ending circle.

Kay...



It's summer time and Kay's off for the summer but needs some money so she can get out of her hell hole of an apartment so she takes a summer job at the local Church helping out in the office. Chase is out of prison and is now the owner of his Grams house and land since she passed away. He's got money now but is working around the Church doing restoration. This is the setting they meet and the chemistry is there from the moment they see each other. Kay is very aware of who he is and is apprehensive of him..but he manages to convince her he's a changed man. So they strike up a friendship. A friendship that grows strong and they become very important to each other.

Now, don't let the Church back drop fool you because these two certainly don't let the location stop them from getting to each other. It's a small town and a small Church and the setting totally worked for this story.

Friendship eventually turns to something much hotter. The attraction has been there from the beginning but Chase wants to keep Kay at a physical distance thinking he's still to tainted for her

“I’m no good for you,” he says, pained, as if uttering the words hurts him. “You could do so much better than me, baby.”

But he can only keep his hands to himself for so long before....

He stops resisting...

His wide shoulders shift and his muscles bunch as he cups my ass and lifts me up to his mouth. When his tongue touches me, my head falls back. So much for watching, I can barely think now. Chase licks and sucks and does things with his tongue that send me over the edge in no time. I scream out his name, but he gives me no reprieve. He continues his dizzying assault with his mouth until another climax builds and builds.



But Chase has demons and they are constantly tempting him to go back to the man he was. He doesn't know if he can help himself much less help Kay confront her own demons. Kay has complete faith in him but it just may not be enough....


Holy hell were these two HOT!! The build up was sweet and intense. The character development of both Chase and Kay was so good and I felt completely connected to both of them... especially Chase. Chase is the perfect tortured hero that needs saving. Although Kay has her own guilt and sadness festering inside she still believes in Chase and will do anything for him. But will he let her?

Beautiful story! I've always loved the friends to lovers story but this one was a little different in that they didn't have a long history together. But their connection was immediate. Loved it!

OK, now for the ending. This is NOT a cliffhanger ending but their story is not over by a long shot. Chase still has his old demons trying to suck him back into his past..then throw in some family problems and we've got more story to come. I personally cannot wait. I loved Chase and Kay and look forward to what Ms. Grey has in store for them. Give this book a shot and I think you will to :)





ARC provided by S.R. Grey for an honest review

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

"As I stand before you, judge me not."

My Chase and Kay:


Chase is a young man living wild life and hanging with a bad crowd. Drugs, alcohol, women, fights - Chase is your ultimate bad boy. One thing leads to another, until he ends up in prison. Now, 4 years later, Chase is out and free. Will he be able to piece his life together or will his sins catch up with him for good?



Kay lives with a huge guilt, blaming herself for her little sister's death. She is sad and lonely, waiting for a man who will knock her of her feet. Can super hot Chase be this person or will prejudice keep her away from him?



Do not expect crazy action and twists, but definitely be prepared for intense and beautifully written romance story. In I Stand Before You, S.R. Grey shows that not all fragile looking is innocent and not all sinners are evil. Author teaches us not to judge until we know the whole story.

I loved writing style in this book! It grabbed me, sucked me in and did not release me until I finished it. Characters bared their souls, uncovered their deepest thoughts, let me live in their heads. Simply said, S.R. Grey's writing style affects me big time!

What made this book a winner for me? Chase Gartner! He is not ideal, far from it, but I loved him nonetheless. He is complicated man full of contradictions. He had som much anger in himself, so much lost hope. If you like broken characters, you are going to love Chase! I do!

No matter if you like NA genre or not, I highly recommend this book for those who love to read about complex characters and beautiful intense romance! Plus no cliffhanger!

*ARC provided by author as an exchange for honest review*

MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing

[Jess-i-ca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Disappointingly average stars

This might be a case of its not you its me but I didn't care for this one....Writing in general was okay but the content of this story didn't do anything for me...




So the book starts off with tattooed bad boy, Chase (aka My Boy) who is a druggie. He has had a bad life and looks to drugs to fill that void. He gets caught up in the drug world and goes to prison for four years (**SIDENOTE** I started reading this and was like OH NO! Not another years repeat! It does say four years quite a bit but didn't get on my nerves in this book) Ok back to the story..... Chase gets out of prison and returns to Harmony Creek to move on with his life and stay clean and take over the farm his grandmother left him.



Then you have Kay (aka My Sweet Girl). Kay's parents hate her due to the death of her 6 year old sister which they blame on Kay. She is all alone in the world and blames herself for her sister's death. Her parents have had absolutely nothing to do with her since her sister's death



They meet up and have insta-lust. They see each other on a daily basis since they are both working at the church...They start calling each other my boy and my sweet girl over and over and over....They just automatically start staking ownership....



Missy is Kay's only friend and has a history with Chase and Chase doesn't want Kay to know they fooled around b/c it didn't mean anything. Kay doesn't want Chase to know what actually happened the night her sister died. But of COURSE! You know this is going to happen and they will each find out and then what happens, DRAMA!!




Ok so now I'll just skip to the things that got on my nerves while reading

1. With regard to Chase and drugs... He goes out and falls off the wagon and then she rewards him but letting him fuck her and then enjoys wasted sex! WTF



2. With regard to Kay and her mom.... They argue for a minute and then bam everything is hunky dory and all is right in the world again? HELLO! She cut you off for 4 years b/c your sister died and now she's fine b/c she found out you didn't leave the door unlocked but it was Doug? NO NO NO....

3. With regard to Missy They didn't have sex so he didn't lie....She never said anything to you either so how did he totally get the blame? Also Missy is a hoebag so what did you expect, she was doing two guys at once...

4. With regard to Sarah's death You are scared that Chase will leave you when he finds out that your boyfriend was trying to have unwanted sex with you when your sister died?? I mean really? He's been in jail for 4 years....He's not a cookie cutter great guy...He's got a tattoo that says judge me not and you think he's going to judge you for that?

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stand before you. Judge me not.

I Stand Before You was exactly what I thought it would be. Full of angst, mistakes, terrible pasts and love. Fantastic concept with great twist plus perfect writing made me devoured it! What's not to adore in sensual story of second chances, dealing with demons of past and finding your place in world? This exceptional novel will bring you to new world of passion and love that has no borders and is realistic enough to make you feel you are a part of this story.



Chase's life is not even close to perfect or normal, after death of his father, when Chase was only seventeen, he's become only a shell of who he was before. Sent by her mother to live with his grandma in Harmony Creek, Chase feels he’s not needed. Now when he's twenty, he spends his time with bad crowd, slowly destroying himself with drugs, alcohol and mindless sex. Toe after toe he's crossing the border between good and bad as well as becoming addicted to drugs.

One night when he's out with his friend, they decide to make another irreversible step. They will deal ecstasty. But before Chase can do his first transaction, he is caught by the police and has to spend four years in prison. Every day there was a struggle and fight for his own sanity. He saw things no one was supposed to see.

When his sentence ends, Chase goes back to Harmony Creek to go back to normal life without drugs, alcohol and sex. But living in small town when everyone is judgemental and doesn't want to give him a chance to show he's changed, Chase has hard time with socializing. The only people who showed him they believe him and wanted to give him second chance is Father Maridale and first grade teacher Kay Stanton.

Kay is full of grief and guilt. Almost four years ago her little sister died because of her. Cast away by her mother, she's lonely and doesn't have anyone to lean on. She finished college and started working as a teacher in small school with hope her life could be less empty. But when summer comes and she doesn't have companionship of children she's slowly dying inside.

Thanks to Father Maridale she gets second job as a secretary in church where she meets Chase. The man who can heal her. They start creating amazing friendship with hope of being less lonely. But when they start spending more and more time together and confess their's secrets to each other, their relationship changes.



I Stand before you is a novel about two people that made terrible mistakes in the past. Now they have to life with consequences and paralyzing guilt. I loved how easily and effortless S.R Grey captured Chase and Kay's personalities and made them realistic, but yet likeable.

The best thing in this book are characters, because Chase and Kay made this novel beautiful and touching. No matter how bad their decisions were and how many mistakes they made you can help loving both of them.

Their complex personalities and stunning writing made Grey one of my favorite storytellers. She has not only wrote about Kay and Chase action but also went deeper and showed how their minds work.


Every decision and new step was explained in a way that made you realize what kind of people they really are. Chase is not your typical bad boy character from New Adult novels. He's definitely unique and beautiful. He doesn't decide to be better person for a girl he's in love with. He made this decision before he met Kay, because he needed it for himself. And no matter how many slips he made along the way he still gets up every time and tries harder.

Kay is another complex character. My heart ached for her. Her loss and guilt were so entwined together it was hard for her to let go and understand everything that happened. Her love for her baby sister was heartwarming yet still my heart swell with pain every time she was mentioned.





Together Chase and Kay were fantastic. If I make the list of the best book couples in 2013 they will be there in top five. I adored how they could be teasing each other and having fun together, sharing passionate nights and confessing their's deeper secrets. This was a great portrait how relationship should work.

I Stand Before You is touching, emotional and compelling, well written story about living your life the best you can, letting go of the pass as well as a heartbreaking novel about loss, love, and slowly giving yourself a chance in moving on. I loved it and I can’t wait for more in this series. For those of you that are curious there is not relationship cliffhanger, it ends in perfect moment that’s a great opening for another book.


* ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review *

[✝✝ Ⓓaisy ❣ ✝✝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is who I am becoming : Chase Gartner, burgeoning drug addict"



You name it, he has does it.... Chase Gartner is really a very very bad boy.... women, drugs, drinking and fighting!

"I have no idea what my future holds nowadays, but I know it's been tainted by my past"

Chase is back after serving few years in prison. Once back, he stays away from his past and moves on. And that's when he meets Kay, a girl is disowned by her family and surviving her nightmares on her own by teaching at a church school.



When they run into at church, what happens? They became closer. Both of them have their own pasts and they both are struggling. As they grow closer, their feelings develop for each other.

"How can you say that, sweet girl? Being with me will never be easy. I meant it when I said I'm broken. You make me feel more whole than I ever have in the past, but there will always be something missing. I'll always be trouble, Kay"

"Then be my trouble"



These two are steamy! You have your emotions going up and down when you read their pasts and when you read their future, you will be smiling -- sizzling hot!





" It is real. It feels amazing, Chase. You feel amazing"

I so need Book 2 now....... I didn't like that left hanging like that!!!!!!!

So, sit back and enjoy Chase and Kay!

[Sarah]

Ooh.....

tattooed bad boys, meaningless sex, a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy, graphic sexual situations, drug use, some violence, and profanity.....

Well then I think I just found my perfect book......roll on release day because my lady bits are already tingling I'm so excited.....

[Farah · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know sometimes you read a blurb on a book and on everyone's reviews, they seem to say good things but when you read it you wonder if you are actually reading the same book???

Yeah this was one of those for me. It doesn't mean the book is bad- if I can elaborate, I'd say I'm having one of those "it's not you,it's me moments :D"



This is about a boy called Chase who was on the wrong path for a while and used drugs and got busted eventually leading to prison for 4 years.

Now his back a 'changed' man who is worthy of redemption...
Everyone thinks his sooo bad but its not like he murdered someone???

He meets Kay- a girl equally as 'broken' who lost her sister in an accident and still carries around the burden of her death 4years later...

Kay and Chase become friends fast and before we know it they calling each other. They can heal each other.

The cheesy names started getting to me.



--->My Girl (but she's not)

----->my guy (but his not)


------> sweet girl

-------> my baby girl

It was so corny I couldn't get into it at all.

I made it to 54% before I got completely bored of it...
So for now its a DNF



Maybe ill get back to it some day...?

[JoJo - JJJ (Jo Anna) Janesko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it!! A huge thank you goes out to my friend Susie for the Arc. Best wishes for huge success on an awesome book.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by author for an honest review.A BIG thanks to you Susie!

4.5 Don't Judge Me Stars

PAIN.
GRIEF.
BAD CHOICES.
CONSEQUENCES.
REDEMPTION.
SECOND CHANCES.
2 SOULS.
Will they be enough to save each other?
LOVE.
Will they be able to bury their demons and lay them to rest?
TRUST.
JUDGE. ME. NOT.

Wow. This story was so different from anything I've read by S.R. Grey so far. It was raw and attention grabbing. The title of this book truly speaks for it's self through out this book.

Chase's life changes so drastically from a good, loving, happy home in a good upstanding neighborhood to a nightmare. He starts acting out and ends up on a bad path in life that lands him in prison. His mother also seems to go down hill with her life. His life choices alienate him from his little brother too. Now Chase works as the fix it guy for the local church. His grandma, who attended this church faithfully, was probably the reason the Father asked him to help out around the church and local school.

Kay is battling a secret that tore a sister from her life and how her mother views her. She is now a teacher and the summer fill in receptionist for the local church.

Kay and the whole town know about Chase and his poor choices in life and where it landed him. They whisper about him and stare at him and wonder when he will mess up again. The town also looks at Kay and all that they see is sympathy for her and the event that happened to her and her family. Chase wonders if the town can give him a second chance and Kay wonders what they would think if they really knew the truth about that horrible night that has her feeling so guilty.

Chase and Kay finally meet up face-to-face and it takes off from there. Or more likely, Kay comes crashing in to Chase's life. He really hopes that she can give him a second chance as he's been thinking about her for awhile now and wanting to know her. He thinks he can be that up standing guy he wants to be if he can have her. She's worth it to him. Of course life isn't easy for him and he does have his faults and she does have her secrets. Chase also has a secret that could possibly break them apart if she ever found out. Kay thinks the same thing about her own secret.

Can these two find it in their hearts to let go of their past demons? Can they let it go and move on? Can they make each other happy? Are they worth a second chance? Or will their past come back to haunt them and will it push them away from each other? Can they stand before each other and not judge the other? Will love prevail over all their mistakes? More importantly, can they forgive themselves, love themselves and find that happiness they seek after?

Content: language, sexual situations, alcohol and drug use.

[~Tina~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of S.R Grey's Harbour Falls mystery books, so I couldn't wait to read her newest release, I Stand Before You.
I admit, I don't read very many Adult/NA contemporary, but this was a beautiful, powerful and passionate emotional journey about mistakes, forgiveness and finding a love worth living for.

We start our story with Chase Gartner. He had a good life. His dad ran his own successful company, he has a great mom and the best little brother. He also had a promising future with the pictures he'd sketch and wanted to grow up to be an architect one day. But everything came tumbling down when his father lost his business, losing everything they own and so much more. Life as he knew it will never be the same. His mother spends most days at the casino, gambling her life away and Chase turned to drugs, sex and violence for escape. That is, till it went a little to far and he got caught with enough drugs to land him in prison.
Four years later, Chase is a free man and despite being tempted to turn back to his wicked ways, he's determined to live a different life. A clean life. A better life with better choices. His grandma left him the farm in Harmony Creek and working at the church and school as a maintenance man, Chase is well on his way to a second chance.
Kay Stanton will never forgive herself and neither will her family. Blamed and abandoned, Kay is a lost and broken after the lost of her six year old sister, Sarah. Her family will never forgive her and Kay must live with the secret of that horrible night for the rest of her life. When Kay and Chase meet it's the start of an easy and natural friendship but inevitably grows into something much stronger. But can their love heal the past? Or will the same mistakes creep into their future.

If I had to pick one word for Kay and Chase, it would be undeniable. Here we have two desperate souls that have been living with guilt, torment and haunted by all the mistakes they've made, but together, they have a chance to be the person they can be proud of and are stronger because of it. I've always been a fan of the they way Grey can write. Her mystery books are clever and unpredictable, but I think she took it one step further with this book. The emotional moments with Kay and Chase, together and apart were incredibly moving and irresistible. They have such a sad story filled with struggle and remorse. Grey captures that overwhelming desire to want something so desperately and then finally believing you deserve it come the end.

Chase got a bum deal growing up. He lost everything and when you don't know how to cope, some turn to the only escape that's available. Sadly, fighting, sex and drugs are the last thing that a young teen should be getting into. Lesson learned but not ever forgotten, I admire Chase for owing up to his mistakes, not changing who he is, but changing what he does with his life. He's crude, but sexy. Intense but playful, strong but vulnerable. He's human, complex and wonderfully flawed.
Kay is a fragile little thing. What happened to her sister broke my heart and I hate what her parents did to her. But through it all, Kay remains good and it shows when she gave Chase an honest chance.The friendship between the two was warm and sweet and made my heart happy, but I think the romance between the two was even better. Tender, sexy, seductive and amazingly steamy.
Another character that I liked was Will, and while we only got bits of him in Chase's memory, I fell in love with that little boy and just as afraid for him as Chase is and look forward to hearing his story in the next book;Never Doubt Me

All in all, I really loved this one. Kay and Chase are two broken messes but slowly and together they pick up the pieces of the past and learn to move on. It's not perfect and it's not easy, but one should never underestimate the power of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Everyone loses their way at one point of their lives, but it's what you do with the rest of it that really matters. S.R Grey captures heart and soul characters that will pull on your heart strings and make you believe in second chances. Beautifully and touching.
Wonderfully done!

[Jessica's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I Stand Before You by S.R. Grey is a very emotional, yet sexy book about two people with troubled past find one another fall in love. It is book one in the series, though it doesn’t leave you off on a cliff hanger, it does leave the story hanging and leaving you wanting the second book, like NOW!

The book is told in dual points of view between Chase and Kay alternating between chapters. We are first introduced to Chase and his story. He came from an upper class family who lost their money when Chase was a teenager. His father committed suicide leaving his mother, younger brother, and him alone and completely broke living in their van in Las Vegas. Chase’s mother is not exactly going to win the mother of the year award and Chase turns to drugs and sex. He eventually ends up in prison for drug possession and the intent to sell. After four years, Chase is now living in his grandmother’s farm house in Ohio and trying to start over clean.

Next we are introduced to Kay. She is a school teacher who lost her younger sister in a terrible accident. Her mother blames her and has not talked to her in four years taking away the rest of her family. Kay also blames herself and lives a life she thinks she deserves alone in a rundown apartment because she is so disgusted with herself. The two blame themselves for their past and do not let people in.

Chase and Kay both are working for a church, Kay as a teacher and Chase as the grounds keeper. When they meet it is instant chemistry. Chase does not want to cross the line with Kay thinking he isn’t good enough while Kay has fallen hard for Chase. They become friends, talk, go out to eat and movies together but do not cross the line over from friendship. In fact, not until after the 50% point they share their romantic feelings for one another. I honestly was getting a little bored with the storyline until that point and was glad they finally shared their feelings. Let me tell you… there is the hottest, sexiest, non-sex scene EVER in the history of books. It is still very NC-17 ladies, do not worry but this particular scene was hot! The scenes of Chase & Kay actually having sex are just as steamy but this non-sex scene forced me to put down my kindle and walk away before it over heated. Wowzers!

The author really let us know these characters very well with their description and story; I completely understood where they came from and went through as well as their connection to each other. Even though they come from different past and problems they share one thing… they blame themselves for their pain, they also made each other whole again and help each other heal. Their romance is really beautiful and realistic; it was by far one of the best romances I have read this year. I love how real it all felt.

The story was a bit predictable, especially Kay’s secret… to me it wasn’t much of a secret especially since her mom knew. I was hoping it was something bigger. I also wish there was some type of confrontation between her and her ex boyfriend since he was back in town at the end.

S.R. Grey has a gift for writing. I love the romance between Chase and Kay, I just wasn't crazy in love over the actual story like I was with the romance. I really hope it continues with Chase and not just his brother Will and his story line that we were introduced to at the end of Stand Before You; I hope Chase is still the leading man. He still has so much of his story to tell and he did not find the closure he needed…..yet.

I give Stand Before you 3.5 Stars.


ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: I Stand Before You
Series: Judge Me Not #1
Author: S.R. Grey
Release Date: September, 2013
Rating:5 stars
Cliffhanger:No
HEA: HFN





I loved this book! This is one of those times I feel like smacking myself for waiting so long to try it out. This book was released back in September of last year and as it happens sometimes, it got lost in my growing mountain of to-be-read books. What I loved most about this book is how real it is. The characters, the challenges and tragedies they faced, and the struggle to overcome and heal from the past. It’s an eye-opening look into how life can take us in the most unexpected directions. Even those who seem to have everything going for them can suddenly be faced with bad luck and tragic events that will take them on a path they never expected to walk.

Although Chase made lots of bad choices through the despair in his life, you still understood him. His human imperfections and his struggle to not let his past define him. He wants more than anything to be a better man and do the right thing. Chase is not your typical NA bad boy, labeled “bad” simply for his ability to sleep with the most amount of women and never have a relationship. Chase IS the definition of bad. Or he was. Growing up, he had the ideal family life. Two parents deeply in love, living in an affluent neighborhood, and a little brother who idolized him and loved him. His father was a successful business owner and they were well taken care of. But after losing the business, a chain reaction started that would change his safe and happy world.

Bankruptsy.
Suicide.
Gambling.
Hopelessness and Hunger.
Anger and Helplessness.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
Prison.
Lost.

His life went on a downward spiral that was really heartbreaking to see. His days of sitting at his father’s grave asking “Why?” never produced any answers and he started seeking numbness through drugs- which led him to four years in prison. This is a guy who started out with so much hope for his future and through the consequences of his actions, now was looked at as no good. A criminal who did lots of bad things and got caught. Someone not to be trusted. The whole while reading this though, I never thought badly of him. The author had the ability to show us the good person underneath the bad choices. I still cared about him and wanted him to be strong and succeed at turning his life around.

Kay I loved as well. She is a young woman who's whole life is controlled by guilt and sadness at the perceived contribution to her little sister's death. Everyone in town looks at her as the sweet girl who tragically lost her sister and can't move on. Nobody knows the guilt she harbors or how she feels unworthy of happiness because of the past. Unlike Chase, she didn't didn't seek escape through numbness, but she has no friends or social life, nothing except a run down apartment in the worst part of town. Her mother abandoned her after her sister died and it caused her to blame herself even more. She didn't have a whole lot to look forward to-until Chase. They literally run into each other at the Church where they both work. They're seemingly two people who are complete opposites, but their lives have so many similar events that connect them.

I absolutely adored seeing these two cautiously and carefully grow a relationship together. He's this ex-con who had a past of violence and she's a sweet and quiet beautiful girl and you just see how they genuinely "get" each other. They're honest, they share their pasts, their feelings and their likes and dislikes. He treats her like she's special and she accepts him and doesn't judge him. They grow from strangers, to friends, to best friends, to quietly hoping for more. I was dying for them to admit their feelings. The comfort and happiness they gave each other was so beautiful. They gave each other hope when they thought all hope was lost.



When they finally admitted their feelings, I was ecstatic and giddy, every moment they were able to show their affection and tenderness toward each other. There was no rushing into anything and that's one of the things I loved. They had a strong foundation and it made you believe in every bit of their emotions. I loved how Chase always tried to make everything special for Kay and how he would clearly do anything for her. Their first time together was so sweet and romantic-it just illustrated how well he knew her and listened to paid attention when they talked.



Despite the perfect fit they have, their past is still causing conflict and there are many unresolved things threatening their perfect bubble. Kay hasn't told him her dark secret that she's only told to one person before and she's scared he won't understand. He still battles temptations of sinking back into drugs and fighting when life gets rough-but he has to do it-for Kay. He wants to be able to deserve her and be a man that his brother can look up to again. His brother seems to be struggling himself, and he doesn't know how to help him.

These two have a lot of healing to do and a lot of self-discovery is needed in order to accept themselves. I loved reading their journey and the fact that there wasn't a cliffhanger or a negative ending. It was left open for the continuation of their story in the next book and I was so happy to be able to jump right into it. I loved this story with these two very human and real characters trying to find happiness together. It was the perfect package. They were imperfectly perfect together.



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[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I gave this book a chance. The beginning moved a bit slow, but I understand why it did. It was building the characters up, which I do love.
So, after saying that, the story was amazing! I loved how bad boy Chase was sweet but had that rough side. Perfect mix of both. I loved their first everything, and how even when he messed up, she was always forgiving. I could go on and on, but I am going to say, just read the book! I am so glad I did!
Can't wait for book 2!!!

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a few issues with this book that prevented me from enjoying this book as much as I expected to.

1. Telling instead of showing
I wasn't a fan of the writing style. There was just so much telling instead of showing. It was like listening to someone talk about this experience they had, without me really experiencing what the characters were experiencing. (Does that make sense?) Because of that, I never fully connected with the story or the characters.

2. The annoying "my girl" and "my boy"
Bleh! I'm OK with a little possessiveness when it comes to couples, but in this book I found it annoying. Chase and Kay would address each other as "my girl" and "my boy" on every damn page and it got so frustrating.
It was all "My girl did this" and "My boy did that" in nearly every page and seriously, I couldn't stand it. At one point I kept picturing those pelicans in Finding Nemo :


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3. Frustrating pet names
Now, I admit this is more of a personal preference, but overusing terms of endearments frustrate me. Chase was constantly calling Kay as "my baby girl" or "my sweet girl" and it just didn't click with me because I wouldn't expect someone who has just spent 4 years in prison to be so cheesy.

4. The dual POV
I personally adore dual POV when it comes to NA books, but I must be able to differentiate between the two voices. There were times when I couldn't figure out if I was reading Chase's POV or Kay's POV because of how similar they both sounded.

There were some positive points to this book such as the friendship that budded between Chase and Kay, but in the end, this wasn't an exceptional read nor did it offer anything new and refreshing in the NA genre. I'm getting tired of the overused plot-lines of the two characters with troubled pasts falling in love and think it's high time we get something new in the genre!

In the end, this was a sorely disappointing read.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am always all about the broken becoming whole, two damaged people joining together to create something beautiful and better than they ever were apart.

Hence, why I read a whole lot in the this genre. I can't help it, like a moth to a flame I am completely drawn in.

I don't know if I have ever met two more broken and mixed up people as I have in Kay and Chase. So incredibly sad and heartbreaking but not in your typical sad and heartbreaking way. To be honest while I did feel for their horrible situations (more Kay's than Chase's), I never did make as great of a connection with either one of them as I had hoped that I would but that was okay, their story was interesting enough that I could look past my lack of connecting and read on.

I kept hoping that I would fall in love with Chase, that I would see something in him that would make me love him but sadly that never happened. While I liked Kay, again I never fell in love with her either.

At times it seemed like we were given too much detail about the every day and not enough detail about their past. The writing did get progressively better as the story went on and the author seemed to get into the groove of the storyline and I was able to warm up to it and the to Kay and Chase.

This is a book that is definitely for a mature audience, it is riddled with bad language, drugs and sexual situations so it isn't a read that will be for a younger audience or for everyone.

I do think that if you like this genre and you like stories about broken people finding solace and hope with one another I think this is one you should try, it just maybe wasn't for me.

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - I tried - I really tried....maybe if I put it away for a bit and then come back to it...I may feel different, but for now I just can't do it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had promise. I really liked the characters and the story development. What bothered me was the internal dialogue. This is a dual point of view book and both characters used repeatedly the phrases "my boy" and "my girl". For some reason this bothered me. To others it may be no biggie. But for me, that threw a star down the drain for this one.



Kay is a good girl. She does the right thing. She is a college graduate and she is struggling to get by. She has been cast out by her family for a mistake she made one night long ago. She has not been able to forgive herself or even think about moving forward.


Chase has bad boy down to a "t". He is a tattooed ex-convict who is returning home to his roots to gain some much needed perspective on life. He inherited his grandmother's farm house and a job from the local church.His Grandmother believed in him when no one else did. He is determined to put his life together again, but when he comes home, his old vices are waiting for him and tempting him to give in again.


Chase finds himself tempted right away. He knows he has to get his life together now. He has a mother who is counting on him to be a father figure to his baby brother who Chase feels responsible for.



Kay has her own demons to face. She pays her penance weekly but gets no resolution. Until one day she runs into bad boy Chase.


Could her redemption come in the form of a beautifully damaged young man?


As they spend time together, Kay learns that Chase is hiding something. He is holding back, but so is she.


Chase may be destined to self-destruct, but Kay is not going to give up on him so easily.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“Kay is a sandcastle on the beach, and I'm a fucking hurricane. I'd not only wash her away, I'd fucking destroy her.”

“It’s at that exact second I realize—in a rush, like a wave crashing all around me—I have fallen in love. I am head over heels in love with Chase Gartner.”


I wanted to love this book. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad book, I just didn't love it. The internal dialogue was a bit sappy at times. I liked the characters, they had depth and I was able to connect to their story. So this one gets 3 stars from me. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it, it was just OK. The ending was a bit anticlimactic.

So if you are looking for a good girl falls for bad boy with lots of angst and sappy dialogue, you will probably enjoy this one. It has an average of 3.8 stars on GoodReads, so there are some folk out there who really liked it. I just wasn't one of them.

[CeCe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Let me start by saying I really liked this story. I loved the whole bad boy who made a fateful mistake and tried to find his way back.
Chase was leading a very destructive lifestyle and one mistake has him in jail at the age of 20.

After 4 years in prison, he comes back to his hometown to rebuild his life. He is given a second chance by a priest at his grandmother’s parish where he gets a job as a handyman. There he meets a girl, Kay.

"Baby, if you allow me, I am going to be so f****g good to you."

Kay is sweet and understanding. Sometimes, I thought she was too understanding. However, after reading the book, I think Chase did need someone who was understanding and forgiving so that he would be able to be open up.

"Sweet girl."
"Trusting girl."

Chase struggled with his demons. Even though he never wants to go to prison again or lead that life he had once, it is hard for him. He thinks he is broken, but Kay makes him see otherwise.

"Chase was like some kind of beautiful fallen angel, but one with a far from holy reputation."

My only problem with this book was that there was so too much information. I felt like we were given every single thought the characters had about every situation. There was too much information. We did not even get to see Chase and Kay meet until 22% into the book because so much was given about this couple’s individuals’ pasts. Some of it could have been illuminated or spread out.

However, I want to say that I REALLY LIKED the story. I loved that there was no insta-love. This couple started as friends and that friendship grew into love. Even though there was an instant attraction, they did not have sex after the first date. You felt the feelings they had for each other when they finally opened up about their attraction.

“I love your trouble, I love your kindness. I love all your good, and all your bad…I love you.”

I will definitely be reading more books by S.R. Grey.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

[Shaz X · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Stand Before You Review at Sharon's Book Nook!

*Copy of book provided by author in return for an honest review.*

I Stand Before You is a beautifully romantic love story between two broken people who are trying to move away from their pasts into a brighter future.

This story is well written and is a captivating read. It also feels very realistic and even if you have not experienced the same things as these characters you still find yourself relating to them in some way. The emotions expressed in this book are love, loss, lust, guilt, grief and hope. You feel all of these along with the characters due to its dual point of view between Chase and Kay.

The characters are adorable and you hope that they achieve their happy ever after. Kay, who is 23 lost her younger sister tragically four years prior. She has been disowned by her mother, is trying to survive on her teachers wage, and is living in an unsafe neighbourhood as that's all she can afford. She feels guilty every day that she is to blame for her sister's death. Chase is 24 has been in prison for the last 4 years and has now been released. He is trying to make a fresh start and move on from his jaded past and mend his broken relationship with his younger brother. Kay and Chase meet at their church and both work there over the summer. They share many lunches and their relationship blossoms. They give each other love and hope which they both desperately need.

I Stand Before You is a fantastic read and while the ending is not a cliffhanger in regards to Kay and Chase's relationship, it has left a great opening for the second book in this Judge Me Not series. Book two is due out in 2014 and is called Never Doubt Me.

If you're a fan of S.R. Grey's work like me or you want to read a romantic story that has a very realistic feel to it, then you will not be disappointed.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a time when you want to engage your emotions and have them stretched and tied a little. This book came to me just when I wanted to be moved, to delve into a story that would make me want to stay up late. This narrative is compelling. The characters are memorable. S.R. Grey writes feelings with great authenticity, enough for it to resonate in your bones - I felt Kay and Chase's shame, temptation, desire and redemption. It's about two people who are learning to open up in order to trust, one slow piece at a time. I appreciate the fact that the story is layered and there are moments of desperateness where I was holding my breath or shaking my head or yelling at my Kindle.

My one critique about the story is that there are a few passages that get bogged down in too much detail. They go a little long or are wordy and do not impact the storyline. I thought it slowed the pace a bit. But truly, it is a small distraction to the pleasure of the book.

IN A NUTSHELL:
A touching and emotionally satisfying read, I look forward to reading more of Ms. Grey's work.

Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei)]

Just got my copy today!!!!!!!!!!!! Gonna read this one soon :)
<3 <3 <3

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Chase, oh, Chase! This man broke me open in so many different ways. My heart shattered for him with each turn of the page, but it also sighed with love, excitement, and happiness as life finally offered him a reason to fully live.

"It takes one hundred and forty three steps to walk down a long, noisy corridor to reach cell block seventy-two.
And when they turn the key, you hear one life--the only one you've ever known up until now--ending."

I Stand Before You is an inspiring and intricate story featuring two crippled and confused individuals. This romantic adventure centers on the tribulation of addiction, sorrow, remorse, unworthiness, hope, redemption, and forgiveness. Chase and Kay's journey is imperfection(blended with a mix of perfection) at its best. Nothing about their lives or relationship is black and white every action, reaction, reward, and repercussion lies within the grey areas.

"Tate tells me the road to Kyle's house is the road to salvation. Salvation, my ass. I'd be more inclined to say Tate and I are traveling a path to hell. We're in the express lane to damnation, and one step closer to burning every time we travel down that fu***** dirt road."

Chase is a destructive tatted bad boy who fell into the underbelly of addiction. He recklessly lived his life with a lack of boundaries and consequences, until one fateful day when life handed out a hard warning.

Kay is just as broken, she blames herself for the loss of the one person who meant the world to her.

Chase turned to drugs, while Kay turned to a solitary life and religion.

"But now I know. I've been there, done that.
And here's exactly how it goes...
The path is dark, black and twisting, the unknown.
But it's also alluring. It beckons your soul.
It calls to you, whispering seductively.
It's good at convincing, so you take one tentative step.
You hold your breath and wait and wait for the world to fall apart.
But nothing happens.
In fact, it feels kind of good to say, "Fu**it. Who Cares?" Scream it, the path whispers. So you do.
And then you push further...you take another step...then another.
Still cool, baby, see? And don't you feel good?
Sure you do. You feel fu***** invincible.
So what the hell, what's one more? Make that a few more.
And then...
The fu***** bottom falls out.
And, sh**, you're tumbling down hills, crashing into boulders, searching for something--anything--to grab on to.
But you're on your own, baby. It was all one big lie.
And you fall
Down, down low, until you wake up.
And when you do you're battered and bloodied at the bottom, surrounded by rubble from the destruction you wrought.
Your life-- that sh**'s completely ruined."

The characters of I Stand Before You are the embodiment of flawed and shredded. A clear cut case of sinner and saint, or is it? One thought that constantly found its self-running through my mind was the old adage never judge a book by its cover. I felt this totally applied to both the main characters, but especially the hero. There were so many layers built around Chase, each time one was unraveled I felt even more enamored with his character. His past left me with a feeling of despair, but his redemption towards finding his self-worth left me feeling hopeful.

My favorite factor regarding I Stand Before You is the realistic foundation within it. The characters and their real life issues such as addiction, death, overcoming weakness, and forgiving one's self allowed for a more authentic connection. In addition, Susie's depth and development of these two broken souls is simply stunning in its execution.

"The love I share with Chase is good and bad. It's real life, from sunset picnics on rooftops, from baguettes and brie, from making love under the Eiffel Tower...all the way to secrets kept to secrets revealed, to red balloons lost, magic found, tripping and falling, and picking each other back up. Because when Chase and I fall we will always be there to catch one another, like that day in the parking lot--the beginning."

Chase and Kay are both refreshing in the sense that their love isn't instantaneous; the demons they struggle with on a daily basis keep them genuine in the progression of their emotions and bond. Although they were immediately attracted to one another, it built slowly starting with friendship and from there their love gained a deeper foundation. I really adored the fun flirty moments, as well as those tough raw moments when secrets and pasts were slowly unraveling and revealed.

I am absolutely crazy for Chase! I love that I have a new book boyfriend to drool and obsess over especially one who holds so much depth, courage, and character. To say, I am looking forward to Never Doubt Me, is an understatement, if it was up to me, I would have it in my hands now! By nature, I am a very impatient person, so I will definitely not be waiting patiently for this one, forewarning Susie; I will likely hound you until I have more Chase Gartner in my greedy little hands.

"I never would have thought it before, but as time goes on, I see more of me in my girl. She's not all sweet and shy, not all the time. maybe we aren't so very different after all. There's good and bad in both of us, and that's what binds us together, for better or worse."

I Stand before You is a hauntingly beautiful journey of how the past shapes the future and guides them into the person he or she will become, while the consequences and lessons learned can be harsh and heart breaking. Susie wrote a captivating tale of reality, staying true to some very hard and uncomfortable subjects and the aftermath that follows.

P.S.I don't normally add so many lengthy quotes in my reviews, but I just couldn't help myself. There are so many moving and deep lines in this book, so many favorites I had such a hard time choosing. The words and thoughts between Chase and Kay was spell bounding. I seriously devoured every word on each page! I wasn't sure what to show you, but I hope that you'll love the quotes I chose as much as I did.

Thank you, S.R. Grey, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC of I Stand Before You in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Cafebiblioart · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, this is the best book I’ve read this fall. I loved it right from the first page. Lately, I haven;t found any book that I enjoyed as much as this one. Books are more and more similar each day and it takes a lot of effort and dedication to make them stand out. This book is fantastic without a shadow of a doubt.

The plot is really, really interesting. I loved the prologue very much as it gives as an insight in Chase’s life. The prologue is not that long, but it makes us understand better how and when Chase changed and what determined him to be the way he was. It is an invaluable addition to the book. The book is also complex with a great number of characters which are not necessarily pointless as we can see the main characters interact with them and it aids us discover new things about them by observing their social interactions.

The world described in this book is the world all of us live in. The story is a bit sad (still a HEA, don’t worry), but it is important to see how people live and go on despite everything that has happened to them.

Kay is definitely one of my favorite characters I’ve ‘met”this year. I fell so sorry for her because she did not deserve what happened to her. I cannot believe that some parents can be so cruel and blind. I loved that despite everything she managed to survive, I admire her for living where she was living. I don’t think I could do it and I really hope that I do not have to find out (worrying about living arrangement for next year right now…). I am really glad that she gave Chase a chance. They are very different and come from two different worlds, but at the end of the day they are perfect for one another.

Chase is definitely troubled by his past. The fact that he resembles his father so much doesn’t help him at all, if anything it makes things a lot harder. I know that I;ve said this before, but I cannot understand some parents. i mean seriously? How can you call yourself a parent and throw you child out. I liked him before he changed because underneath it all it was clear that he was still a good person, but I have to admit that i like him better after he changed. Meeting Kay was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Kay and Chase’s relationship it’s easy. They are in perfect sync. You rarely see people so in sync with each other. They quickly became friends and then lovers, but I did not get the feeling that they were rushing into anything. It seemed logical. It was meant to be.

Overall, the book is amazing and you’d have to be a fool to skip it.

PS: I received this book in exchange of an honest review.

[Gillian (Tattooed Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and more at www.tattooedbookreview.com!

“As I stand before you, judge me not.”

I Stand Before You is a brilliant combination of darkness and light, love and friendship, utter despair and blinding hope. A story of a relationship that on the surface seems unlikely, where it quickly becomes obvious that these two people were made for each other.

This story of friendship turned love is told from both Chase’s and Kay’s points of view, and the author executes this flawlessly. Both main characters possess a unique voice, illustrating how different they are, and also how much they are the same. Chase and Kay are each broken in their own way. As their relationship moves from easy friendship laced with underlying chemistry to an intense romance, they begin to heal. Their clear love and acceptance of one another is something neither have ever really experienced, and it’s salve on old wounds.

One of my favorite things about this book is the way the author combines hardness and softness, darkness and light. Chase is the ultimate hard-ass bad, boy: good-looking, sexy as hell, with a checkered past, and tons of ink, but there’s a softness when it comes to Kay. And Kay, the beautiful, soft girly-girl has had to develop a hard-shell just to survive what life has thrown her way. This hard/soft combination is evident throughout the book. The story itself is perfectly balanced. Just when I thought it might become sticky sweet, there’s just enough turmoil to balance it out. Kay’s kind voice is balanced with Chace’s much rougher tone, and beautifully romantic lovemaking is balanced with down and dirty fucking. Both sides of the story are equally satisfying.

This is a story of overcoming past demons and learning to live again. It’s a book filled with friendship and laughter, drugs and violence, healing, redemption, sinners, saints, death, and a love that could change everything. I was completely engaged in these two character’s intense emotions, their struggles and triumphs, and rooting for them all the way. This part of Kay and Chase’s narrative is complete in its own right, but there are new conflicts on the horizon, and I can’t wait to follow them in to the next chapter of their lives.

“If Chase’s wings are broken, then mine are shattered. Maybe that’s why we work so well together, why we have from the very beginning. Some things are meant to be, and Chase and I have been destined from day one. We are two broken people who, when put together, become whole.”

*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[GraceMyBookSnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 – 5 Stars

I was smitten with Chase and Kay!

How many times have you wanted someone to just be there for you when you fall? How many times have you wanted someone to just get you and not judge you? In S.R. Grey's I Stand Before You, both Chase and Kay have endured tragic events in their pasts, but it's not until they meet and start to lean on each other for support when each begin to heal their broken souls.

The first thing that caught my attention was the prologue. It's gritty and just reels you right in! You get a good idea how Chase becomes a tattooed, bad boy. The story is written in both Chase and Kay's POV. When you meet Kay, it is at a sad moment. I felt her pain when she reflected on her past. She blames herself for what happened in her life and can't quite move on. A true friendship is formed when their paths cross.

One of the things that I loved about this story is that S.R. Grey takes the time to nurture Chase and Kay's friendship. They tease and laugh. They're playful and so adorable with each other! When they start sharing more and more about their pasts, I could sense that they have great chemistry. I could feel the butterflies fluttering when their friendship turns into something more. When things finally get rolling, they can't get enough of each other...rawr!!! It's “crazy-good!”

The heart of this story includes temptation, redemption and forgiveness. It's about giving someone who has fallen another chance. At the end Kay is consistent with who she is and who she wants to be moving forward. When she finally reveals her secret, I can understand why she was afraid to tell someone. For Chase, well he's pretty darn lucky to have someone as supportive as Kay in his life when things turn ugly.

This is the third title I've read from S.R. Grey, and I loved it! Yes, some parts are raw and violent, but overall, the writing and romance in I Stand Before You has a timeless and classic feel to it, which I simply adored. This book ends with an HEA even if there's a little cliffhanger at the end. If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers stories, if you're a fan of bad boys trying to be good, or stories of redemption and forgiveness, then you may want to give I Stand Before You a try. I know I was completely smitten with Chase and Kay, terms of endearment and all!

Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2) is expected to be published Spring 2014.

* A complimentary copy was provided for an honest review *

[*♡Carol♡* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Because I have to wait for the next book booooo!!

As I stand before you, judge me not

What a Beautiful sweet Story About Two lonely broken people finding strenght in eachother
I Love Love Chase he was everything I love in a Book Boyfriend
I liked that H/h started as friends and we got to really feel their chemistry I coudnt stop smiling at how cute they were together
This book is really about Second Chances and finding Strengh in Eachother
cannot wait to read the second book!