Back To Before

by Blair Bryan, Ninya

A New Hope: A New Nightmare

Nothing is as it seems in New Hope, Indiana—the land of curly-haired designer dogs, bunco nights, and impeccably manicured lawns. Where the good kids from good families live. Except... it has a dark side.

Wanting the good life for her sons, Holly Simon stretched to afford a home in picture-perfect suburbia. Her dream is destroyed the night her son is found unresponsive but alive after an overdose on prescription drugs in the neighborhood park.

Forced to navigate the terrifying gauntlet of addiction and treatment, she uncovers a maze of secrets and lies that rocks her to her core. Can she find a way through before her heart shatters again? How far will she have to go to save her son?

Back to Before explores one mother’s roller coaster ride of hope and heartache and her herculean effort to rebuild and heal herself and those she loves most.

Genres: Ebooks

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2021

About the author

Under the pen names of Ninya and Blair Bryan, this creative powerhouse channels her passion into crafting stories that entertain and immerse readers of paranormal women's fiction, travel memoir, and contemporary women's fiction.

A risk-taker by nature, Blair Bryan fearlessly embarked on her author journey at the age of 44, bringing to life captivating tales that will leave you on the edge of your seat. She's a magnet for wild experiences, breathtaking locations, and fascinating individuals, seamlessly weaving their essence into her women's fiction novels. From unexpected encounters to daring escapades, she draws inspiration from the tapestry of her own life, ensuring an endless supply of captivating storylines that will leave you hungry for more.

If you love a good dirty joke, a cup of coffee so strong you can chew it, and have killed more cats with your curiosity than you can count, she might be your soulmate.

Visit her online www.tealbutterflypress.com
Join her exclusive facebook reader group: www.facebook.com/groups/tealbutterfly...

Reviews

[j ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 ⭐️)

this book is SUCH a tearjerker. it’s a beautiful story that goes through ups and the lowest downs for a small family, and it was written so well.
chance’s struggle with addiction was so real and painful, and the way it affected his family was heartbreaking. i think blair bryan did an amazing job portraying that, and it holds a really important message everyone should read. 🫶🏻

[Bramble Talonshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it strange and unsettling that Blair Bryan writes fictional characters who have lived and breathed in my actual life.

Back to Before is a fictional account of the all too real devastation that addiction wreaks on a family. It follows a teenage addict in the early days of the discovery of their addiction (via overdose) and the fallout that follows in its wake. Rather than focusing solely on the WHAT of the addict's actions, we live the story through the heart and mind of his mother. The terror, the guilt, the shame, the weight of societal judgment, the lack of support structure, and the immeasurable value of true friendship.

Blair Bryan doesn't make false promises, offer magic fixes, or (regrettably) provide new insights into the minds of our loved ones struggling with addiction.

What she does instead is walk with us part way down a deeply painful road. To some, the story will be achingly familiar, and yet, those who know this road may feel less alone.

To others, the road will be foreign and frightening. Hopefully, it will provide a glimpse into the battles others face, and help you to be a Stacey rather than an Anna.

It should remind us all that the people society seems willing to throw away are ultimately someone's lost child.

Finally, after walking us down this painful road, Blair Bryan reminds us that only emotional honesty, hope, and love can mend a broken heart.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could accurately put into words all my feelings about this book. But I'm not nearly the writer Blair Bryan is. Her attention to fine details will have you feeling like your right there in her shoes. Back To Before is a beautifully written story about teenage addiction. If is a roller coaster ride that you just can't put down. Unfortunately this is a situation we are seeing more and more in our society. Whether you have personally dealt with addiction on your family or other sorts of struggles as a parent, the revelations the main character comes to in the final paragraphs will speak to anyone. I can't wait for Blair Bryan's next book to be released!

[Gina Finical · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real life story

As someone who works in a dual treatment outpatient facility, I can say that this sounds like a story that many of our families could write from experience. Having a teen that's chemically dependant is a struggle. This book speaks to those issues from the side of the parent. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is trying to help someone they love beat an addiction.

[Sandy]

Great storyline!

I highly recommend this book - there is so much for anyone and everyone to take away! The characters were real, down to earth, family next door people who will win your heart.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written but terrifying how this could happen to anyone

[Vicki Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single mother raising two boys!

Oldest son got into drugs and went to rehab!Younger son, idolized his older brother and mother didn't want him to follow in brothers footsteps, as far as drugs went!
Although divorced, they had shared custody!
Oldest son ran from home, slept in car parked at night in school parking lot! Drug transactions accused and he was arrested!
Father smoked like a chimney, drank booze and let his son do likewise in his garage! Even how to take drugs and not be able to tell!
Mother went back to court after having a loud discussion and father relinquish ed his custody! Everybody kept telling mom that her son needed new people, new places and new things, so they moved 1,000 miles away and got to start over! And they all loved it!(Just outside Yellowstone National Park)!
Good story and I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Rosetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this enlightening book. I have not lived through the things Holly did with her sons and her exhusband, but it was very moving. This book was so amazing it brought me to tears several times in her struggles with Chance and facing his addictions. She still blamed herself for everything when she was doing her best as a single parent. Holly did not have any help from the boys' dad plus he contributed to Chance continuing his downward spiral and to get arrested. I loved her friend Stacy being there for her and not lecturing her, just being the friend she needed. I look forward to reading the next book from this great author.

[Jessie hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more than just a good book.

This book is a very good book in and of itself. But it also has real life problems and can reinforce principles to raise awareness in parents of kids. If you’ve been there, wrestling with addiction, I’m sure the trials discussed in this saga will be totally relatable. While my review is somewhat clinical, do not discount this book’s ability to grab you from the first page. Highly recommend!

[Lena Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the 'trying' teenage years, mom Holly, does her best to keep her sons on track. The hard to navigate the teenage years, her Chance takes it too far in one devastating event. Through good times and bad, Holly, Chance, and her younger son Dillon do their best to bring their family together, better than before. Definitely a great read for anyone, but especially for parents with children entering adolescence. A true story of the strength of a Mom and her family.

[Barbara G. Graybill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of hope

Loved this book and it’s perspective on addiction and family relationships. So much of her experience mirrored my own: disbelief, denial, trying to fix it and failing. A book of great insight.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as a Free Friday read on my Nook. Well, got so into it and finished same day. I have now purchased the next one, Better Than Before. Look forward to starting it tomorrow. Great read and look forward to more books.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 6 star. Single mom moves to a rich area to be a teacher at a charter school. She has 2 sons, 10 and 15. But the 15 year old got into drugs and what an awful year they had.

[Michele Plaisance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really hit home. It was like she was telling our story , word for word, dealing with a child with addiction.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ebook was downloaded to my Nook library when it was offered as a #FreeFriday selection from Barnes and Noble.
i find it thought-provoking and still entertaining.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I listened to the audio book and it was awesome. This is a must read for all parents of teenagers.