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Before Him
*** Warning ****
Please be aware this novella comes with a trigger warning - this book is intended for adults as it contains offensive language and graphic sexual situations and violence.
She’ll do what’s needed to move on;
Give him her trust
Her heart
Maybe even... her life.
When painfully shy Enola Elias is set up on a blind date 5 years after ‘that night’, she decides to step out of her comfort zone and go, despite her crippling anxiety.
Only she ends up further humiliated when she’s stood up, cementing her belief that men are nothing but a waste of time.
When charismatic Carey Cooper steps in to save her from further embarrassment, they share a mutual attraction and instant chemistry.
Enola wants her past to remain far away from her future. But as a private Investigator, Carey is used to unearthing buried secrets.
Someone from the past is watching, waiting, biding their time for a chance to strike again.
Please be aware this novella comes with a trigger warning - this book is intended for adults as it contains offensive language and graphic sexual situations and violence.
She’ll do what’s needed to move on;
Give him her trust
Her heart
Maybe even... her life.
When painfully shy Enola Elias is set up on a blind date 5 years after ‘that night’, she decides to step out of her comfort zone and go, despite her crippling anxiety.
Only she ends up further humiliated when she’s stood up, cementing her belief that men are nothing but a waste of time.
When charismatic Carey Cooper steps in to save her from further embarrassment, they share a mutual attraction and instant chemistry.
Enola wants her past to remain far away from her future. But as a private Investigator, Carey is used to unearthing buried secrets.
Someone from the past is watching, waiting, biding their time for a chance to strike again.
- GenresContemporary Romance
ebook
Published January 20, 2021
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 20, 2021
I received a copy for review purposes.
Enola is so strong and has been through so much. The way the author wrote the story it's like peeling back layers of an onion to get the story behind her insecurities and pain. Carey is just what she needed to start becoming herself again. He was her lifeline pulling her from the darkness.
The ending hit me like a mac truck and I wasn't okay. I need the next book ASAP because I need some closure.
Enola is so strong and has been through so much. The way the author wrote the story it's like peeling back layers of an onion to get the story behind her insecurities and pain. Carey is just what she needed to start becoming herself again. He was her lifeline pulling her from the darkness.
The ending hit me like a mac truck and I wasn't okay. I need the next book ASAP because I need some closure.
January 20, 2021
A very intense novella that has some triggers that you need to be aware of but awesome story I loved Enola and Carey and their broken pieces fit so good together.
I can not wait to read more from this author
I can not wait to read more from this author
September 16, 2021
Tissues required with this book…
3.5 out of 5 stars.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
January 26, 2021
I have to be honest and say that I hadn't heard of this author until I received an email from her about being on the release day blitz for this book! I wanted to sign up to review it because I was very intrigued by the synopsis, but I was maybe a little bit put off because I knew I would have to wait for the second book to conclude the characters story lol! After reading, I have to be honest and say that this book isn’t the best written book I’ve ever read, but the plot was intriguing and it did keep me reading on! I also have to say that I spotted quite a few consistent grammar/punctuation mistakes throughout the book, but I did read an ARC, so I was able to overlook them! This book only took me a few sittings in one day to read and I did enjoy the plot line and what happened in it! There was also a lot of romance in the plot, which allowed for a few steamy scenes! There was a bit of action and suspense in the plot, but I was hoping for slightly more! There was a big scene near the end, but I hope there’s going to be more in the next book! The characters were also great and did make the plot better! Enola was the main female character, and in this book I felt for her because she had been through a traumatic and disgusting relationship and situation and it still had a massive impact on her five years later! Enola tried her best in this book and she did come a long way, but her past caught up to her! I also found that Enola maybe overreacted a few times in this book, but this may have been down to what she had been through! Carey was the main male character and love interest of Enola! I like Carey in this book and he had a job that was different and cool! I also liked how Carey met Enola and he realised that she had issues going on and he respected that and gave her space! Carey also supported Enola and he was protective of her! I also felt like I wanted to know more about Carey and I really hope I do in the next book! This book was written from both Enola and Carey’s point of views, which I loved! I was hoping that it was going to be before I started reading and it helped me connect more with both characters and see their feelings for each other develop! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot as well as Enola and Carey didn't spend every moment together! The ending of this book was also left at the perfect place to lead into the next book and it was left at quite a cliff-hanger, which I wasn’t expecting! Even though I didn’t fall head over heels in love with this book, the ending has made me intrigued enough to want to read the next book and find out what’s going to happen next! I know that the next book releases in March, which isn’t that long of a wait! I’ll definitely be giving it a read once it does release! The cover for this book also suits it a lot! It would draw me to the book and make me check out the synopsis and give it a read! Big thank you to K.A. Duggan for an ARC of Before Him!
January 19, 2021
This one is a good read. Enola has had a really bad deal with her ex. She shy and doesn't put herself out there much. Carey is a nice guy. They meet after a failed blind date. I loved seeing him break down Enola's walls as she let him in. They have a great connection. Enola has a pass with her ex that comes back to cause trouble. The ending has me waiting for the next book. I reread the ending a few times and I'm hoping what I think happened didn't happen. I can't wait for the next one to come out.
January 24, 2021
Where do I start?
I can honestly say I didn't see that ending coming. Yes expected it to be intense but I am still sat here thinking this can't be it. I need book 2 in this series as I need answers.
Enola and Carey are a couple who need to be together. Both holding back on love due to past experiences. However, when it's meant to be it is meant to be. I want that kind of relationship!
There are dark themes and maybe some triggers for people. However, if you like suspense then this is a brilliant novella.
Bring on March for book 2
I can honestly say I didn't see that ending coming. Yes expected it to be intense but I am still sat here thinking this can't be it. I need book 2 in this series as I need answers.
Enola and Carey are a couple who need to be together. Both holding back on love due to past experiences. However, when it's meant to be it is meant to be. I want that kind of relationship!
There are dark themes and maybe some triggers for people. However, if you like suspense then this is a brilliant novella.
Bring on March for book 2
January 27, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author so I went in blind. The cover drew me in before I even got to the blurb. However, as much as the story kept me reading there was a few points that made me want to jump into the book and shake the characters. Enola was a skittish character, and quite rightly so, but she was frustrating. I think I would have preferred to see the relationship flourish more between Carey and Enola before it got to the end, because I just didn't connect with her and I'm usually a sucker for these types of storylines.
Carey was a stronger character, I did like him, he was everything you would expect from an alpha character. He was a sucker where Enola was concerned, but because of the fast pace I didn't really connect to their love story as much as I would have liked.
It's a fast paced story, a quick read, and ends on a little cliffhanger. Will Enola pull through her experience? Will she get her happy ending? Will the ex be caught? We'll need to read book 2 to find out.
Carey was a stronger character, I did like him, he was everything you would expect from an alpha character. He was a sucker where Enola was concerned, but because of the fast pace I didn't really connect to their love story as much as I would have liked.
It's a fast paced story, a quick read, and ends on a little cliffhanger. Will Enola pull through her experience? Will she get her happy ending? Will the ex be caught? We'll need to read book 2 to find out.
January 20, 2021
Some graphic details, be aware. That was kinda intense! I didn't see that coming!
I felt for Enola and that makes for great writing by the author. Carey was relatable to as well. Two broken souls for different reasons. Was it fate that brought them together or just a coincidence?
This author knows how to write a story that gives you everything you could want romance, angst, and suspense.
This was a good story that you could laugh and definitely cry with as you follow along with Enola and Carey.
ARC provided in return for honest review
I felt for Enola and that makes for great writing by the author. Carey was relatable to as well. Two broken souls for different reasons. Was it fate that brought them together or just a coincidence?
This author knows how to write a story that gives you everything you could want romance, angst, and suspense.
This was a good story that you could laugh and definitely cry with as you follow along with Enola and Carey.
ARC provided in return for honest review
January 23, 2021
Before Him by KA Duggan
‘“Do you believe in fate?”
“I used to.” She says.
“What makes you happy?”
“Reading, writing, going unnoticed.” She murmurs the last bit.
This stunning woman definitely has issues, which before would have made me run for the hills, now though I just want to know more. I feel strangely protective of her. What happened to make her like this? Why would a woman as stunningly beautiful as her, want to go unnoticed?’
I really wanted to like this story. All the elements were there but somehow it just didn’t come together the way I thought it would. Our heroine, Enola, was a little lacklustre for me. She has been through a tremendous amount of trauma, her personality certainly reflects this, she’s reserved, sweet, unsure and she is very likable but there was just something missing in her character and even now I’m not sure what that is.
Carey, as our hero, was just okay. I didn’t not not like him but neither was bowled over by him. There was no massive attraction to his personality, he too was very lovely, warm, patient and protective but once again I wasn’t wowed by him.
Their love story was a cute one, sexual tension was minimal but I did enjoy watching them get closer and falling in love with each other. There wasn’t any gratuitous sex scenes (although I have zero problems with those), it was just a fairly straightforward love story with a bit of drama in the shape of Enola’s dark and heartbreaking past.
Before Him was nicely written, sometimes the dialogue came across slightly juvenile but not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I liked it and I would definitely try reading another book by KA Duggan, this one just didn’t bowl me over as I had anticipated.
‘“Do you believe in fate?”
“I used to.” She says.
“What makes you happy?”
“Reading, writing, going unnoticed.” She murmurs the last bit.
This stunning woman definitely has issues, which before would have made me run for the hills, now though I just want to know more. I feel strangely protective of her. What happened to make her like this? Why would a woman as stunningly beautiful as her, want to go unnoticed?’
I really wanted to like this story. All the elements were there but somehow it just didn’t come together the way I thought it would. Our heroine, Enola, was a little lacklustre for me. She has been through a tremendous amount of trauma, her personality certainly reflects this, she’s reserved, sweet, unsure and she is very likable but there was just something missing in her character and even now I’m not sure what that is.
Carey, as our hero, was just okay. I didn’t not not like him but neither was bowled over by him. There was no massive attraction to his personality, he too was very lovely, warm, patient and protective but once again I wasn’t wowed by him.
Their love story was a cute one, sexual tension was minimal but I did enjoy watching them get closer and falling in love with each other. There wasn’t any gratuitous sex scenes (although I have zero problems with those), it was just a fairly straightforward love story with a bit of drama in the shape of Enola’s dark and heartbreaking past.
Before Him was nicely written, sometimes the dialogue came across slightly juvenile but not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I liked it and I would definitely try reading another book by KA Duggan, this one just didn’t bowl me over as I had anticipated.
January 25, 2021
The story itself was good, if not a little slow moving before moving too fast toward the end, the meet up and courting could have been prolonged especially since it ended on a cliff hanger leading to the next book being released in March of this year. It was a little bit odd reading a book set in England especially not knowing so before hand and no mention of it other then through the wording, such Mum instead of mom, boot instead of trunk etc. so knowledge of the location would be helpful.
By Carli
By Carli
January 21, 2021
Enola is a wonderful character, her past has made her wary of men with good reason. Carey is so good for her. Will she give him her trust...her heart? Can she risk it?
Her past ex is in prison. There is something going on though, incidents happening! Evil is waiting to strike.
It wasn't a long story but it had me hooked. I don't know this author but I liked her writing style, can pretty much hear a Brit accent in here.
The ending...really! I think my heart stopped.
Her past ex is in prison. There is something going on though, incidents happening! Evil is waiting to strike.
It wasn't a long story but it had me hooked. I don't know this author but I liked her writing style, can pretty much hear a Brit accent in here.
The ending...really! I think my heart stopped.
January 22, 2021
wow, just wow!
This is the best book I've read not just this month but this year.
I found myself drawn in to the story from the first page.
I love how you get the odd flash back which adds a subtle depth to the story.
Don't read if hormonal as I found myself sobbing at times.
Highly recommend this book.
This is the best book I've read not just this month but this year.
I found myself drawn in to the story from the first page.
I love how you get the odd flash back which adds a subtle depth to the story.
Don't read if hormonal as I found myself sobbing at times.
Highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews