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Before & After You & Me
For fans of Sarah Dessen and Jennifer Niven comes a breathtakingly original contemporary YA novel about love, grief, art, and the tiny choices that change our lives.
Emma blames herself when a freak accident at a pool party leaves Hunter, the town’s rising track star and her former boyfriend, paralyzed from the waist down. As she struggles with anxiety, loneliness and regret, she begins to obsessively paint portraits of legs and feet—Hunter’s legs and feet—and for the first time receives critical acclaim and notice for her artwork.
But what started as therapeutic for Emma ends up deepening her guilt. Does creating meaningful art require retreating inward toward self-expression, or striving outward toward recognition—or can it somehow be both?
Searching for one whole, authentic identity, Emma grapples with love, ambition, grief, homecoming, and—ultimately—redemption.
Emma blames herself when a freak accident at a pool party leaves Hunter, the town’s rising track star and her former boyfriend, paralyzed from the waist down. As she struggles with anxiety, loneliness and regret, she begins to obsessively paint portraits of legs and feet—Hunter’s legs and feet—and for the first time receives critical acclaim and notice for her artwork.
But what started as therapeutic for Emma ends up deepening her guilt. Does creating meaningful art require retreating inward toward self-expression, or striving outward toward recognition—or can it somehow be both?
Searching for one whole, authentic identity, Emma grapples with love, ambition, grief, homecoming, and—ultimately—redemption.
Unknown Binding
First published May 7, 2024
6 people are currently reading
1207 people want to read
About the author
Dallas Woodburn
18 books169 followersDallas Woodburn's debut YA novel, The Best Week That Never Happened, was a #1 New Release on Amazon, a Featured Bestseller on Apple Books, a “Must Read” on Reedsy Discovery, and the Grand Prize Winner of the Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction. Her short story collection How to Make Paper When the World is Ending (Koehler Books) was a Grand Prize Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. Dallas is also the author of the YA novels Before & After You & Me (Owl Hollow Press) and Thanks, Carissa, For Ruining My Life (Immortal Works); the nonfiction books 1,001 Ways to be Kind (Familius) and Your Book Matters (Breakthrough Books); and the short story collection Woman, Running Late, in a Dress, winner of the Cypress & Pine Short Fiction Award.
A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing and San Francisco Writers Grotto Fellow, Dallas's writing has been honored with the international Glass Woman Prize, second place in the American Fiction Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations. She is editor of the series Dancing With The Pen: a collection of today's best youth writing. She is also a book coach, founder of the Thriving Authors Summit, and host of the Thriving Authors Podcast, where she interviews authors about their creative lives. Connect with her at www.dallaswoodburn.com.
A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing and San Francisco Writers Grotto Fellow, Dallas's writing has been honored with the international Glass Woman Prize, second place in the American Fiction Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations. She is editor of the series Dancing With The Pen: a collection of today's best youth writing. She is also a book coach, founder of the Thriving Authors Summit, and host of the Thriving Authors Podcast, where she interviews authors about their creative lives. Connect with her at www.dallaswoodburn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 8, 2024
It was her fault. She destroyed her ex-boyfriends life. Why couldn’t she have told him another time? Why did she not look after him? Why did she encourage everyone to jump. That jump paralyzed him from the waist down.
Emma goes to one of the most prestigious art schools in The Us and she has the talent to succeed but she can’t show anyone her best work, she’s too ashamed of it. What right does she have to paint and benefit from someone else’s tragedy?
How do you forgive yourself when you’ve destroyed someone else’s life? Does she deserve to be happy? Maybe tragic things happen without reason? Just a wrong moment in time.
This book is not about Hunter, the guy that got paralyzed. This is about Emma, her guilt, pain and struggles as a teen trying to fit in. It’s about art, love, finding your authentic self and about redemption.
- First pov, single pov
- Character driven
- Well written
- YA
- Happy ending
Every second chapter: after the accident. Every other second chapter: before the accident. The before chapters goes backward in time, the further into the story you get, the further back into their history you get. The last before is when they first meet.
I had trouble getting into the story but I’m glad I kept going. I don’t know whether my problem was because of the constant time jumps or because the story just didn’t catch my interest right away. Maybe a bit of both. The constant time jumps didn’t bother me as much as they usually do, I think the author made the right decision in laying out the chapters that way. I really enjoyed theafterchapters. The before chapters were not necessarily too many, just too long. I didn’t feel like we needed such a detailed show of Emma’s past with her ex. I just barely finished those chapters without skimming. It was interesting seeing some of their past together but I think the chapters could have been cut down quite a few pages.
Emma is a teenager and she acts as such. Her character was realistic and well done.
She makes mistakes and doubts herself but tries her best to appease everyone else and herself. I liked her despite her ”flaws”, she showed great character development. Possibly a bit rushed, from beliving she was guilty of destroying someone’s life to just accept that she wasn’t.
I would have liked too see a bit more of Hunter’s recovery and I don’t think his before - after development was all that believable. He went from immature to extremely muture way too fast. We only get too see him once in the after chapters and all of a sudden he was so mature.
Arc review 3.5 stars
Emma goes to one of the most prestigious art schools in The Us and she has the talent to succeed but she can’t show anyone her best work, she’s too ashamed of it. What right does she have to paint and benefit from someone else’s tragedy?
How do you forgive yourself when you’ve destroyed someone else’s life? Does she deserve to be happy? Maybe tragic things happen without reason? Just a wrong moment in time.
This book is not about Hunter, the guy that got paralyzed. This is about Emma, her guilt, pain and struggles as a teen trying to fit in. It’s about art, love, finding your authentic self and about redemption.
- First pov, single pov
- Character driven
- Well written
- YA
- Happy ending
Every second chapter: after the accident. Every other second chapter: before the accident. The before chapters goes backward in time, the further into the story you get, the further back into their history you get. The last before is when they first meet.
I had trouble getting into the story but I’m glad I kept going. I don’t know whether my problem was because of the constant time jumps or because the story just didn’t catch my interest right away. Maybe a bit of both. The constant time jumps didn’t bother me as much as they usually do, I think the author made the right decision in laying out the chapters that way. I really enjoyed theafterchapters. The before chapters were not necessarily too many, just too long. I didn’t feel like we needed such a detailed show of Emma’s past with her ex. I just barely finished those chapters without skimming. It was interesting seeing some of their past together but I think the chapters could have been cut down quite a few pages.
Emma is a teenager and she acts as such. Her character was realistic and well done.
She makes mistakes and doubts herself but tries her best to appease everyone else and herself. I liked her despite her ”flaws”, she showed great character development. Possibly a bit rushed, from beliving she was guilty of destroying someone’s life to just accept that she wasn’t.
I would have liked too see a bit more of Hunter’s recovery and I don’t think his before - after development was all that believable. He went from immature to extremely muture way too fast. We only get too see him once in the after chapters and all of a sudden he was so mature.
Arc review 3.5 stars
May 2, 2024
An unforgettable, coming of age YA that delves deep into the subject of first loves, first losses and the changes we all face on the road to self discovery.
Told through alternating chapters (and a timeline that moves between the past and the present) We follow art student, Emma as she overcomes her grief and shame surrounding the breakup with her ex, Hunter and the accident that Emma blames on her decision to leave him.
Exploring her life after the accident, and also delving into the nuances of her relationship with Hunter in the months that preceded it; I loved the unique opportunity we are given to walk in Emma’s footsteps and connect with her complex emotions, and challenges she experiences.
I do think Emma’s demeanour could be very withdrawn and insecure at times, but watching her transformation as she slowly works through her inner conflict and finally rediscover her sense of self—beyond just being someone’s girlfriend, was utterly satisfying.
Though quite emotional at times, Dallas Woodburn has woven an introspective yet realistic portrayal of the growing pains we all experience as teens on the confusing (and often terrifying) precipice of adulthood.
Overall, a really poignant yet engaging read that fans of Contemporary YA and coming of age stories are sure to enjoy.
Also, thanks to the author for providing an e-arc.
Told through alternating chapters (and a timeline that moves between the past and the present) We follow art student, Emma as she overcomes her grief and shame surrounding the breakup with her ex, Hunter and the accident that Emma blames on her decision to leave him.
Exploring her life after the accident, and also delving into the nuances of her relationship with Hunter in the months that preceded it; I loved the unique opportunity we are given to walk in Emma’s footsteps and connect with her complex emotions, and challenges she experiences.
I do think Emma’s demeanour could be very withdrawn and insecure at times, but watching her transformation as she slowly works through her inner conflict and finally rediscover her sense of self—beyond just being someone’s girlfriend, was utterly satisfying.
Though quite emotional at times, Dallas Woodburn has woven an introspective yet realistic portrayal of the growing pains we all experience as teens on the confusing (and often terrifying) precipice of adulthood.
Overall, a really poignant yet engaging read that fans of Contemporary YA and coming of age stories are sure to enjoy.
Also, thanks to the author for providing an e-arc.
February 10, 2024
4 1/2
Initially, Before & After You & Me reminded me of a much-loved book from years ago, The Dive from Clausen’s Pier by Ann Packer in which a young woman’s high school sweetheart is left paralyzed from diving off a pier into shallow water. While the circumstances are similar, Dallas Woodburn’s involves a younger woman, a junior in high school, who is discovering herself and her dreams in art when the accident occurs. Emma had broken up with Hunter earlier, realizing that being away at a prestigious arts boarding school had changed her and their relationship. Of course, she blames herself for causing the accident by breaking up with him, not watching how much he drank at the party where the accident happened, by changing. Back at school, she has a breakthrough, in private. Her safe artwork is on show, but her hidden artwork embodies her passion and how haunted she is by circumstances as she paints aspects of Hunter’s no longer useable legs. But does she have a right to create art from tragedy? This is a question she struggles to deal with as well as her overwhelming feelings of guilt in Dallas Woodburn’s excellent Before & After You & Me.
Before & After You & Me has believable characters in a believable situation. That said, I did think that Emma’s ex-, Hunter, didn’t seem as angsty as he could have been regarding his injury. He was dealing with it in a more mature way than I would have thought a teenager who had his life before him as well as an athletic career would have, especially so soon after the accident.
Woodburn’s structuring of the novel–starting at a midpoint and then having chapters that deal with current Emma while the alternating chapters work back in time from the accident to Emma and Hunter’s first meeting–was initially off-putting to me. However, the more I read, the more I appreciated what she was doing. But the going back in time also left me with mixed feelings regarding Emma and Hunter’s relationships and it’s meaning to the novel, and I wondered if raising mixed feelings was intended. Or if mixed feelings was just my reaction.
Writing, characterization, plot, and budding romance were all well done as well as the theme of friendships and communication.
Recommended for any reader who enjoys well-written YA.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery for a copy of the novel.
Initially, Before & After You & Me reminded me of a much-loved book from years ago, The Dive from Clausen’s Pier by Ann Packer in which a young woman’s high school sweetheart is left paralyzed from diving off a pier into shallow water. While the circumstances are similar, Dallas Woodburn’s involves a younger woman, a junior in high school, who is discovering herself and her dreams in art when the accident occurs. Emma had broken up with Hunter earlier, realizing that being away at a prestigious arts boarding school had changed her and their relationship. Of course, she blames herself for causing the accident by breaking up with him, not watching how much he drank at the party where the accident happened, by changing. Back at school, she has a breakthrough, in private. Her safe artwork is on show, but her hidden artwork embodies her passion and how haunted she is by circumstances as she paints aspects of Hunter’s no longer useable legs. But does she have a right to create art from tragedy? This is a question she struggles to deal with as well as her overwhelming feelings of guilt in Dallas Woodburn’s excellent Before & After You & Me.
Before & After You & Me has believable characters in a believable situation. That said, I did think that Emma’s ex-, Hunter, didn’t seem as angsty as he could have been regarding his injury. He was dealing with it in a more mature way than I would have thought a teenager who had his life before him as well as an athletic career would have, especially so soon after the accident.
Woodburn’s structuring of the novel–starting at a midpoint and then having chapters that deal with current Emma while the alternating chapters work back in time from the accident to Emma and Hunter’s first meeting–was initially off-putting to me. However, the more I read, the more I appreciated what she was doing. But the going back in time also left me with mixed feelings regarding Emma and Hunter’s relationships and it’s meaning to the novel, and I wondered if raising mixed feelings was intended. Or if mixed feelings was just my reaction.
Writing, characterization, plot, and budding romance were all well done as well as the theme of friendships and communication.
Recommended for any reader who enjoys well-written YA.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery for a copy of the novel.
May 10, 2024
"𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐀 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤."
Happy book birthday to this beautiful gem by Dallas Woodurn!!! I’d like to start sharing my thought by saying that this book brought back all the nostalgic and wonderful feeling of enjoying an Owl Hollow Press masterpiece.
It got a 100% heartfelt plot, a gut-wrenching twist, and unforgettable character development throughout the whole book and I’d be lying if I said this didn’t leave a bittersweet impression on me.
𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞 was told in alternating timelines so it was quite an experience to live vicariously through the main characters, Emma, Hunter, and Kevin, as their parallel universes seemed to be in sync even though they were in their own time zone.
What impressed me most was how easily it was for me to dive right into Emma’s self-exploratory journey as to some extent, I felt like reliving that “treading water” phase back in high school and college because of all the uncertainty in the future and THAT scared me.
Thankfully, the story was so beyond beautifully-woven that as painful and heartbreaking as Hunter’s tragic accident was, it made me wonder if the tragedy was a blessing in disguise instead. This book was undoubtedly a thought-provoking one and I appreciated how effortlessly Dallas had conveyed the message to all of us.
Enough said, please go snag yourself a copy! This book was more of a YA Romance & Coming-of-Age read, which would get you to ponder on the beauty of life. Hopefully after savoring it, you’d be able to take a deep, full breath and begin to speak.
***Thanks to the author for generously providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
January 30, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Owl Hollow Press via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A beautifully, intelligently crafted story, with genuine, relatable, lovable characters, “Before & After You & Me”, by Dallas Woodburn, is about loss, pain, guilt, young love and friendship and art.
The young heroine, Emma, is such a compelling character. I felt her struggles were realistic and believable and loved watching her gain confidence throughout the narrative.
Emma is unassuming, humble, insecure; and how this contrasts with her talent, bravery and heart is amazing.
I loved how slowly and gradually we, readers, are shown the several layers of the story, the tragedy, and the characters.
The way the story and the love interests turn out was really awesome, showing the idiosyncrasies and changes of young love.
It was also very interesting how the author handled the creative/artistic process.
A beautifully, intelligently crafted story, with genuine, relatable, lovable characters, “Before & After You & Me”, by Dallas Woodburn, is about loss, pain, guilt, young love and friendship and art.
The young heroine, Emma, is such a compelling character. I felt her struggles were realistic and believable and loved watching her gain confidence throughout the narrative.
Emma is unassuming, humble, insecure; and how this contrasts with her talent, bravery and heart is amazing.
I loved how slowly and gradually we, readers, are shown the several layers of the story, the tragedy, and the characters.
The way the story and the love interests turn out was really awesome, showing the idiosyncrasies and changes of young love.
It was also very interesting how the author handled the creative/artistic process.
January 15, 2026
So awful. I had no idea this was a YA book when I entered the giveaway. This whole book was nothing but angst and a confusing timeline.
May 22, 2024
This is a great YA novel, that does all the right things, a YA novel should... with a refreshing twist. Emma and Hunter are high school sweethearts, but things change, when Emma gets a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school far away, and she goes there to follow her art dream, while Hunter stays behind, pursuing his ambitions as a runner on the school varsity team. An earth shattering accident breaks Emmas and Hunters lives into before and after, but the way Emma and Hunter then move in different directions started long before that.
I love the way the novel deals with the big issues like life and death, friendships, breaking away from your parents and finding your ground. I love the idea of The Accident as the one event that changes your life forever, but also the slow growing up and how that means to some extent growing apart. The technical detail of two timelines, one moving backward, took me a bit of time to get into, but after a while I loved that too. I love the fact that there are reliable adults who act as supportive and role models. I loved the way everything tied together in the end with no loose ends.
This is a strong novel, written in a simple, yet powerful language. The characters stand clear to me, and I got swept away into Emmas life with all her ups and downs of anguish, despair, sorrow, hope and joy.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing an ARC copy of "Before & After You & Me" in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this; my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
I love the way the novel deals with the big issues like life and death, friendships, breaking away from your parents and finding your ground. I love the idea of The Accident as the one event that changes your life forever, but also the slow growing up and how that means to some extent growing apart. The technical detail of two timelines, one moving backward, took me a bit of time to get into, but after a while I loved that too. I love the fact that there are reliable adults who act as supportive and role models. I loved the way everything tied together in the end with no loose ends.
This is a strong novel, written in a simple, yet powerful language. The characters stand clear to me, and I got swept away into Emmas life with all her ups and downs of anguish, despair, sorrow, hope and joy.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing an ARC copy of "Before & After You & Me" in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this; my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
April 22, 2024
“Do you ever feel like you’re wasting so much energy trying to hold onto something that isn’t working anymore?”
Thank you to Dallas Woodburn and Owl Hollow Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a great YA novel that deals with guilt and relationships so well. Following the accident that begins this story, Emma is caught is an endless cycle of guilt and shame, and she has a tough time trying to make sense of everything. We get incredible insights into her relationship with Hunter months before she goes away to an art school hundreds a of miles away from home, which really helps put the whole story into perspective.
What I really loved in this book was the resolution. Emma and Hunter’s relationship is portrayed just how a high school relationship is and feels realistic. But after the accident, Emma really struggles and when she finally has this beautiful conversation about what happened, Hunter assures her it’s not her fault. It’s such a great moment and lets Emma move on.
It’s a great YA novel that deals with heavier topics in a way that I think is great for adolescent readers. It balances the heavier topics with moments of levity, really bringing it all together beautifully.
Thank you to Dallas Woodburn and Owl Hollow Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a great YA novel that deals with guilt and relationships so well. Following the accident that begins this story, Emma is caught is an endless cycle of guilt and shame, and she has a tough time trying to make sense of everything. We get incredible insights into her relationship with Hunter months before she goes away to an art school hundreds a of miles away from home, which really helps put the whole story into perspective.
What I really loved in this book was the resolution. Emma and Hunter’s relationship is portrayed just how a high school relationship is and feels realistic. But after the accident, Emma really struggles and when she finally has this beautiful conversation about what happened, Hunter assures her it’s not her fault. It’s such a great moment and lets Emma move on.
It’s a great YA novel that deals with heavier topics in a way that I think is great for adolescent readers. It balances the heavier topics with moments of levity, really bringing it all together beautifully.
April 25, 2024
Although I had some difficulty getting into the novel, I'm happy I continued. I'm not sure if the frequent time jumps contributed to my issue. The frequent time leaps weren't as distracting to me as they normally are, and I believe the author chose well in structuring the chapters.
Emma had a realistic character. I wish we had seen a little bit more of Hunter's recovery. Written from the perspective of the main character, Emma, this was a beautifully written story. We accompany Emma as she works through her guilt and emotions, transferring her experiences onto her paintings. This was a really touching young adult book.
**Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for the ARC of Before & After You & Me.**
Emma had a realistic character. I wish we had seen a little bit more of Hunter's recovery. Written from the perspective of the main character, Emma, this was a beautifully written story. We accompany Emma as she works through her guilt and emotions, transferring her experiences onto her paintings. This was a really touching young adult book.
**Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for the ARC of Before & After You & Me.**
March 23, 2024
Writing my review now, even though I am only in the middle of chapter 4 (about 11%) since I am going to temporarily DNF it. Will edit to add further thoughts after finishing the book, as well as adjust the star rating.
I am struggling with this story. Going into it, I knew I was going to get two different timelines, which in itself is not a problem for me. My issue has been with the storytelling in each timeline.
Right at the start, we are introduced to many characters, most of which don’t have any depth at this point. It feels like it’s just name dropping without further development. While this takes place, there is mention to many different moments as backstory, ranging from the main character’s own thoughts to some episodes she witnessed in other people’s lives.
Due to everything I mentioned so far, it becomes hard to follow the storyline. Everything being told at once makes it hard for the reader to organise the information for themselves and start creating bonds with the characters. Even though I was living all these emotion-filled moments, I couldn’t connect to the people experiencing them at all.
It could stem from little writing experience from the author (which is fine, we all have to start somewhere and improve from there), or even not having outlined the story well enough prior to writing. I see a lot of potential in the story itself, based on what I’ve read so far, though it currently suffers from poor execution.
Since its a young adult book, I would recommend it to people within that age range, and anyone who enjoys reading the genre. If you were a fan of The Fault in Our Stars, If I Stay and Five Feet Apart, plus have the ability to sort through many character names and plot lines without getting lost, this is a book you’ll love!
I am struggling with this story. Going into it, I knew I was going to get two different timelines, which in itself is not a problem for me. My issue has been with the storytelling in each timeline.
Right at the start, we are introduced to many characters, most of which don’t have any depth at this point. It feels like it’s just name dropping without further development. While this takes place, there is mention to many different moments as backstory, ranging from the main character’s own thoughts to some episodes she witnessed in other people’s lives.
Due to everything I mentioned so far, it becomes hard to follow the storyline. Everything being told at once makes it hard for the reader to organise the information for themselves and start creating bonds with the characters. Even though I was living all these emotion-filled moments, I couldn’t connect to the people experiencing them at all.
It could stem from little writing experience from the author (which is fine, we all have to start somewhere and improve from there), or even not having outlined the story well enough prior to writing. I see a lot of potential in the story itself, based on what I’ve read so far, though it currently suffers from poor execution.
Since its a young adult book, I would recommend it to people within that age range, and anyone who enjoys reading the genre. If you were a fan of The Fault in Our Stars, If I Stay and Five Feet Apart, plus have the ability to sort through many character names and plot lines without getting lost, this is a book you’ll love!
March 18, 2024
Rating: (5/5)
Thank you Owl Hollow Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I highlighted so many quotes from this book, but I think this one perfectly perfectly describes the entire story:
“Maybe growing up means that no matter where you go, you’re always missing someone.”
‘Before and After You and Me’ is an emotionally haunting but beautiful story about self-discovery, outgrowing hometowns, friendships, relationships, and the intense emotions that come with it.
The story follows Emma, a gifted teenage artist who leaves her hometown to attend a prestigious arts school across the country. As she navigates the unfamiliar corridors of her new school, her heart is torn between her new life and the one she left behind.
Emma's relationships with her family, friends, and her boyfriend, Hunter, begin to fray as she struggles to maintain ties with her past while trying to fit into her new life.
The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn when a tragic accident leaves Hunter paralyzed. Overwhelmed with guilt and regret, Emma spirals with self-doubt, questioning every decision she's ever made and how those choices led her to that point.
‘Before and After You and Me’ is a touching story that explores the challenges of young love, the difficult choices we make to pursue our dreams, and the transformative power of art.
I haven’t read many young adult books, but this one is definitely in my top 5. I read this in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. This story is both inspiring and tragic, and I couldn’t help but feel so sad about the whole situation. Hunter was such a sweet and loving person and a great boyfriend to Emma. I wish that didn’t happen to him, but I understand that it was crucial to the story.
I also loved that I got to see the whole story from Emma’s perspective, it was incredibly inspiring to see how she managed to keep going even when she felt like she didn’t fully belong anywhere, and how she ultimately let go of all the guilt that came with Hunter’s accident.
Thank you Owl Hollow Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I highlighted so many quotes from this book, but I think this one perfectly perfectly describes the entire story:
“Maybe growing up means that no matter where you go, you’re always missing someone.”
‘Before and After You and Me’ is an emotionally haunting but beautiful story about self-discovery, outgrowing hometowns, friendships, relationships, and the intense emotions that come with it.
The story follows Emma, a gifted teenage artist who leaves her hometown to attend a prestigious arts school across the country. As she navigates the unfamiliar corridors of her new school, her heart is torn between her new life and the one she left behind.
Emma's relationships with her family, friends, and her boyfriend, Hunter, begin to fray as she struggles to maintain ties with her past while trying to fit into her new life.
The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn when a tragic accident leaves Hunter paralyzed. Overwhelmed with guilt and regret, Emma spirals with self-doubt, questioning every decision she's ever made and how those choices led her to that point.
‘Before and After You and Me’ is a touching story that explores the challenges of young love, the difficult choices we make to pursue our dreams, and the transformative power of art.
I haven’t read many young adult books, but this one is definitely in my top 5. I read this in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. This story is both inspiring and tragic, and I couldn’t help but feel so sad about the whole situation. Hunter was such a sweet and loving person and a great boyfriend to Emma. I wish that didn’t happen to him, but I understand that it was crucial to the story.
I also loved that I got to see the whole story from Emma’s perspective, it was incredibly inspiring to see how she managed to keep going even when she felt like she didn’t fully belong anywhere, and how she ultimately let go of all the guilt that came with Hunter’s accident.
January 17, 2024
Dallas Woodburn's BEFORE & AFTER YOU AND ME is a beautifully-crafted coming-of-age novel that examines grief, guilt, love, friendship, and identity in its many forms. Emma leaves behind her life in California—her family, her boyfriend, and her best friend—to attend a prestigious arts high school in Indiana. While she initially feels homesick, she's begun to thrive at Wabash Academy; she enjoys her studies and the new group of friends she's made. While home for break, a freak accident leaves Emma's (recently) ex-boyfriend paralyzed, dashing his dreams of track star fame. Emma feels intense guilt over the breakup and the accident, and these feelings follow her back to school. There, she tells no one of the events that happened at home, and she begins secretly painting canvas after canvas of legs and feet. The paintings are the first of her work to garner acclaim, and Emma grapples with new ideas on art and responsibility while dealing with her own heartache. Like Emma's paintings, each chapter is layered with beauty and pain. Woodburn's prose is heartfelt and true. The format of "Before" and "After" chapters works so well, and the chapters are organized in such a way that as a reader I truly felt something gorgeous unfolding before me. Sure, Emma's story could've been told chronologically... but readers would miss out on the collage of emotions and poignant moments that build on one another to create a spectacular work of art.
Thank you to the author for sharing an early ARC with me for review!
Thank you to the author for sharing an early ARC with me for review!
May 6, 2024
A book that forms a pit straight to your heart from the very beginning,
Thank you net galley for giving me this beauty to fill my day in exchange for an honest review
First of all, WOW
This book was conveyed in the most enticing way,
it takes you through a journey of doubt, guilt, growth, courage, friendship, love and most of all acceptance
I don't think my review could express my love for this one but it's a solid 5/5 stars from my side
Synopsis
It's a story of Emma, a California girl with artistic talent who gets an opportunity to study at Wabash academy,
a thousand miles away from home,
a thousand miles away from friends and
a thousand miles away from her boyfriend, Hunter
Life changes and doubts creep in but all is good until she goes home for Winter break
The plot really starts when an unfortunate accident happens to Hunter and Emma carries intense blame for it
The story is beautifully written from Emma's POV with short chapters that go back and forth between before and after the accident which makes the story more raw, real and allows you to grasp all the emotions it entails
it's a journey that captures the emotions of guilt but it's also a path to friendship, love, life, self discovery and most of self acceptance
it's my first 5 star of the year so of course, I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone i see but if you are a fan of deeply emotional books then this is definitely for you.
Hope you'll enjoy this one as much as i did and i can't wait to read more from Dallas Woodburn
Thank you net galley for giving me this beauty to fill my day in exchange for an honest review
First of all, WOW
This book was conveyed in the most enticing way,
it takes you through a journey of doubt, guilt, growth, courage, friendship, love and most of all acceptance
I don't think my review could express my love for this one but it's a solid 5/5 stars from my side
Synopsis
It's a story of Emma, a California girl with artistic talent who gets an opportunity to study at Wabash academy,
a thousand miles away from home,
a thousand miles away from friends and
a thousand miles away from her boyfriend, Hunter
Life changes and doubts creep in but all is good until she goes home for Winter break
The plot really starts when an unfortunate accident happens to Hunter and Emma carries intense blame for it
The story is beautifully written from Emma's POV with short chapters that go back and forth between before and after the accident which makes the story more raw, real and allows you to grasp all the emotions it entails
it's a journey that captures the emotions of guilt but it's also a path to friendship, love, life, self discovery and most of self acceptance
it's my first 5 star of the year so of course, I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone i see but if you are a fan of deeply emotional books then this is definitely for you.
Hope you'll enjoy this one as much as i did and i can't wait to read more from Dallas Woodburn
January 21, 2024
I was excited to read this book as soon as I saw the table of contents and realized that it had a very unusual format: this book started with a life-altering event, and then took turns describing scenes before and after, going further into the past and future with each chapter, like ripples expanding outward from a pebble thrown in the water.
This is a classic YA novel in that it deals with the real, and often messy, emotions of teens on the brink of adulthood. I appreciate that as you learn more about Emma and Hunter's relationship, it's not as picture-perfect as you might have first thought. And, despite the plot of the book revolving around The Accident, the focus is on Emma and her character progression, not a book about Hunter's recovery.
There is an underlying question of serendipity vs random, unfortunate events. Are there lucky accidents which lead to a better outcome? Or are there just painful events, and somehow we persevere through them? The question is raised and debated by several of the characters a couple of times in the book, and it is never definitively answered, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions and have space for their own philosophical musings.
This was a well-crafted, well-written story. It's very introspective and character-driven and - in a way - comforting to read.
This is a classic YA novel in that it deals with the real, and often messy, emotions of teens on the brink of adulthood. I appreciate that as you learn more about Emma and Hunter's relationship, it's not as picture-perfect as you might have first thought. And, despite the plot of the book revolving around The Accident, the focus is on Emma and her character progression, not a book about Hunter's recovery.
There is an underlying question of serendipity vs random, unfortunate events. Are there lucky accidents which lead to a better outcome? Or are there just painful events, and somehow we persevere through them? The question is raised and debated by several of the characters a couple of times in the book, and it is never definitively answered, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions and have space for their own philosophical musings.
This was a well-crafted, well-written story. It's very introspective and character-driven and - in a way - comforting to read.
March 6, 2024
This book made my semi-broken tear ducts work a little bit. The story is really sweet - Emma has gone from her hometown in California to art school in a smaller town in Indiana, and her life is turned totally upside down when she goes home for Christmas break, breaks up with her high school boyfriend and hours later he is paralyzed from the waist down in a freak accident. Once she goes back to school, she begins to paint "The Hunter Series" in secret, a series of paintings of legs and feet - the legs and feet of her ex-boyfriend, the champion runner who will never run again.
This story had a back and forth structure that I really enjoyed, plus I loved the whole "moving away for school" aspect. That can be done quite trope=like, but I felt this was very well done. I do wish we had a few more scenes with Hunter post-accident, but I understood why we couldn't have. Otherwise, I believe it's a really beautiful story about growing up, redemption and forgiveness, both of yourself and others.
This story had a back and forth structure that I really enjoyed, plus I loved the whole "moving away for school" aspect. That can be done quite trope=like, but I felt this was very well done. I do wish we had a few more scenes with Hunter post-accident, but I understood why we couldn't have. Otherwise, I believe it's a really beautiful story about growing up, redemption and forgiveness, both of yourself and others.
February 8, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for this gifted e-arc in exchange for a review.
So this is my first Netgalley read of the year and it's getting off to a great start. I really enjoyed the lightheartedness of this book but also strong themes of staying true to yourself and always be honest about your feelings.
I do feel the protagonist was a bit too "in her head" and overthinking about everything like all of us like to do. I loved how artistic she was , made me wish I could paint but I can't even draw so it was nice to read about their artistic process. I also liked the whole before and after's to show us how she got to where she is and i like that she healed herself in the end.
The book was well written but my editing brain couldn't switch off so i did find a few grammatical errors so I hope it went through a final edit but other than that, it was really good and I'm glad she found her way in the end.
So this is my first Netgalley read of the year and it's getting off to a great start. I really enjoyed the lightheartedness of this book but also strong themes of staying true to yourself and always be honest about your feelings.
I do feel the protagonist was a bit too "in her head" and overthinking about everything like all of us like to do. I loved how artistic she was , made me wish I could paint but I can't even draw so it was nice to read about their artistic process. I also liked the whole before and after's to show us how she got to where she is and i like that she healed herself in the end.
The book was well written but my editing brain couldn't switch off so i did find a few grammatical errors so I hope it went through a final edit but other than that, it was really good and I'm glad she found her way in the end.
February 18, 2024
I was awarded this as an arc reader via NetGalley. Myself being a mood reader I had a hard time getting into this story, I kept pushing on and I’m glad I did. This is a story of a girl named Emma who is an artist moves from California to Indiana to an art school who struggles with herself to keep a relationship going or end it. The story is a lot of back and forth before and after…. I don’t want to give away the details in the end she forgives herself for her struggles and finds happiness. It is a great story one we all should read as a reminder to give ourselves grace as we can not change things that are written in the stars but learn to accept them.
March 9, 2024
This was a beautifully written story written from main character, Emma’s point of view. This book is told through alternating chapters between before and after an unfortunate accident. We follow Emma as she processes her emotions and guilt and as she channels her feelings into her paintings. This was a wonderful heartfelt young adult story that I recommend picking up when it comes out on May 7.
Read this if you like:
📖 Dual Timelines
📖 Single, First Person POV
📖 YA Contemporary Reads
Read this if you like:
📖 Dual Timelines
📖 Single, First Person POV
📖 YA Contemporary Reads
May 15, 2024
“Our wavery reflections are visible in the calm, still waters of Robbie Zwick’s pool. Right here, right now, my two selves–Before and After–begin to slowly, tentatively, knit back together.”
Before Wabash Academy, high school sophomore Emma Mason was content: content in her close friendship with Céline, her place on the track team with her loving boyfriend, Hunter, and her art class with bubbly and supportive Mrs. Muna. After transferring to Wabash for her junior year, however, Emma is doubtful and burdened by growing pains, contemplating her relationship with Hunter while on the plane ride back to Buenaventura, California for winter break. Emma is determined to prolong the breakup until the end of the holidays, but her plans fall through as soon as the plane touches down, just as her once-lovesick feelings for Hunter take off and fly away. Emma couldn’t help but set Hunter free, but the night following the break-up ends in sirens as Hunter dives into the shallow end of the pool, paralyzing him from the waist down and robbing him of the ability to run ever again. Burdened by guilt and stuck in a toxic loop of self-blame, Emma returns to Wabash a shell of a person, hiding behind secret paintings of Hunter’s legs and feet as she navigates friendships and relationships that may never be the same.
Like Emma Mason painting a glorious canvas in the Alumni Garden shed, Dallas Woodburn beautifully articulates this novel and lets the words delicately bloom on each page. The summary on the back cover of Before & After You & Me leaves much to be discovered, blindly leading the reader into a world of drama, depression, and discovery that was completely unexpected, but welcomed all the same. The chapters are arranged in a braided narrative, simultaneously piecing the story together like a jigsaw puzzle of before and after Emma attends Wabash Academy for the Arts, before and after The Accident. This type of storytelling was new to me, but I must admit that it added an extra layer of intrigue as both narratives intertwined and filled in gaps left by the other. Reading Before & After You & Me felt like reading a beautiful poem; Woodburn has a way of expressing color, emotions, and experiences on blank pages with only her words as her medium. The similes and symbolism throughout the novel mirror the brush strokes on Emma’s canvases, which made me appreciate the growth of each character, especially Emma, as she learns to embrace the changes in her life rather than villainize them. When I started reading Before & After You & Me, I had no idea of the depth and emotions and self-discovery I was about to explore, but, looking back, I wish I could read it for the first time again.
Before & After You & Me releases on May 7th, 2024.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Dallas Woodburn and Owl Hollow Press, LLC for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Before Wabash Academy, high school sophomore Emma Mason was content: content in her close friendship with Céline, her place on the track team with her loving boyfriend, Hunter, and her art class with bubbly and supportive Mrs. Muna. After transferring to Wabash for her junior year, however, Emma is doubtful and burdened by growing pains, contemplating her relationship with Hunter while on the plane ride back to Buenaventura, California for winter break. Emma is determined to prolong the breakup until the end of the holidays, but her plans fall through as soon as the plane touches down, just as her once-lovesick feelings for Hunter take off and fly away. Emma couldn’t help but set Hunter free, but the night following the break-up ends in sirens as Hunter dives into the shallow end of the pool, paralyzing him from the waist down and robbing him of the ability to run ever again. Burdened by guilt and stuck in a toxic loop of self-blame, Emma returns to Wabash a shell of a person, hiding behind secret paintings of Hunter’s legs and feet as she navigates friendships and relationships that may never be the same.
Like Emma Mason painting a glorious canvas in the Alumni Garden shed, Dallas Woodburn beautifully articulates this novel and lets the words delicately bloom on each page. The summary on the back cover of Before & After You & Me leaves much to be discovered, blindly leading the reader into a world of drama, depression, and discovery that was completely unexpected, but welcomed all the same. The chapters are arranged in a braided narrative, simultaneously piecing the story together like a jigsaw puzzle of before and after Emma attends Wabash Academy for the Arts, before and after The Accident. This type of storytelling was new to me, but I must admit that it added an extra layer of intrigue as both narratives intertwined and filled in gaps left by the other. Reading Before & After You & Me felt like reading a beautiful poem; Woodburn has a way of expressing color, emotions, and experiences on blank pages with only her words as her medium. The similes and symbolism throughout the novel mirror the brush strokes on Emma’s canvases, which made me appreciate the growth of each character, especially Emma, as she learns to embrace the changes in her life rather than villainize them. When I started reading Before & After You & Me, I had no idea of the depth and emotions and self-discovery I was about to explore, but, looking back, I wish I could read it for the first time again.
Before & After You & Me releases on May 7th, 2024.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Dallas Woodburn and Owl Hollow Press, LLC for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
May 9, 2024
Emma left her family and friends to attend a private arts-focused boarding school for her last two years of high school, and it’s been an adjustment. An adjustment during which she’s grown apart from her high school boyfriend, Hunter, an outcome she was desperate to avoid.
Emma breaks up with Hunter when she returns for Winter Break, and when they both find themselves at a party that evening, Emma gets uncomfortable and, in a moment of panic, suggests everyone at the party go skinny dipping. In a freak accident, Hunter dives into the shallow end and winds up paralyzed. And Emma knows: it’s all her fault. She broke up with him that day, and he only dived into the pool at her suggestion.
From there, the novel goes in two directions: backwards, to show us the unraveling of Emma and Hunter’s relationship and forwards, to show us Emma’s struggle to deal with her guilt, which manifests in an obsession with painting Hunter’s legs and feet.
As time goes on, Emma begins to heal, reconciling her past and present in a way she hasn’t been able to since she moved and embracing her new life, aided by the support of Kevin, whom she meets in her painting class.
We love romance novels that have some depth to them: sure, they tell a good love story or two, but there’s also something else going on, and Woodburn’s novel delivers. It’s a novel about finding yourself, healing, letting go of the past, and embracing change, and we think it will appeal to many young romantics.
The novel does include profanity, teen drinking, and a brief but not particularly descriptive sex scene. We wouldn’t feel uncomfortable recommending it in the classroom, but we’d probably save it for older students.
Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Emma breaks up with Hunter when she returns for Winter Break, and when they both find themselves at a party that evening, Emma gets uncomfortable and, in a moment of panic, suggests everyone at the party go skinny dipping. In a freak accident, Hunter dives into the shallow end and winds up paralyzed. And Emma knows: it’s all her fault. She broke up with him that day, and he only dived into the pool at her suggestion.
From there, the novel goes in two directions: backwards, to show us the unraveling of Emma and Hunter’s relationship and forwards, to show us Emma’s struggle to deal with her guilt, which manifests in an obsession with painting Hunter’s legs and feet.
As time goes on, Emma begins to heal, reconciling her past and present in a way she hasn’t been able to since she moved and embracing her new life, aided by the support of Kevin, whom she meets in her painting class.
We love romance novels that have some depth to them: sure, they tell a good love story or two, but there’s also something else going on, and Woodburn’s novel delivers. It’s a novel about finding yourself, healing, letting go of the past, and embracing change, and we think it will appeal to many young romantics.
The novel does include profanity, teen drinking, and a brief but not particularly descriptive sex scene. We wouldn’t feel uncomfortable recommending it in the classroom, but we’d probably save it for older students.
Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2024
This was a beautifully written story written from main character, Emma’s point of view. This book is told through alternating chapters between before and after an unfortunate accident. We follow Emma as she processes her emotions and guilt and as she channels her feelings into her paintings. 🖼️✨
We begin at a certain point in time where a major event happens and then the chapters split off and alternate between “before” and “after.” “Before” works backward from the event and “after” progresses forward. It was so well done it just made sense. 🙌
Emma is a high school junior who has won a scholarship to a premiere boarding school for art students but that means she has to leave her family, friends, and boyfriend in California to go to school in Indiana. She struggles with homesickness and being herself while feeling like she’s losing her boyfriend and best friend back home. While home on winter break tragedy strikes. Emma tells no one in Indiana about The Accident and struggles to cope. As her relationships crumble and she struggles with her art Emma must learn to open herself to others and stop blaming herself. ❤️🩹
My favorite quote 💬:
• All of those rainbows and roses are bullshit.
Serendipity is merely a nice idea we use to feel better about our screw-ups and disappointments. Nothing happens for a reason. Life is meaningless. It's one big chaotic mess."
This was a wonderful heartfelt young adult story that I recommend! I highly recommend for teenagers girls! 👧🫶
We begin at a certain point in time where a major event happens and then the chapters split off and alternate between “before” and “after.” “Before” works backward from the event and “after” progresses forward. It was so well done it just made sense. 🙌
Emma is a high school junior who has won a scholarship to a premiere boarding school for art students but that means she has to leave her family, friends, and boyfriend in California to go to school in Indiana. She struggles with homesickness and being herself while feeling like she’s losing her boyfriend and best friend back home. While home on winter break tragedy strikes. Emma tells no one in Indiana about The Accident and struggles to cope. As her relationships crumble and she struggles with her art Emma must learn to open herself to others and stop blaming herself. ❤️🩹
My favorite quote 💬:
• All of those rainbows and roses are bullshit.
Serendipity is merely a nice idea we use to feel better about our screw-ups and disappointments. Nothing happens for a reason. Life is meaningless. It's one big chaotic mess."
This was a wonderful heartfelt young adult story that I recommend! I highly recommend for teenagers girls! 👧🫶
May 6, 2024
This was a beautiful and quick YA coming-of-age story about love, friendship, loss, and self discovery. And wow what an emotional rollercoaster this was! It was so raw and real, and in a way relatable.
This story follows art student, Emma, as she is overcome with grief, shame, and a sense of loneliness after breaking up with her ex, Hunter, and the accident that flips their world upside down.
I don’t typically like alternating timelines but the author kept me engaged in the story with the past and present timelines. And the past timeline definitely helped me get more of a background on some of the characters and helped me understand them better in the present.
I loved seeing the insight into Emma’s mind and how her emotions were shown through her paintings. I enjoyed reading how she works through her inner conflicts and self doubt. I think sometimes it’s all about the people you surround yourself with that gives you the strength to overcome such hardships and go into the path of self forgiveness. Emma did just that. The author wrote Emma’s journey in such a unique and captivating way.
Overall, this is a wonderful and moving read! It was beautifully written and it’s perfect for young adults. I also really enjoyed the sweet friendships in this from old to new ones, it was really touching to read. I definitely recommend checking it out!
Thank you to the author, Dallas Woodburn, for the eArc! 💜
This story follows art student, Emma, as she is overcome with grief, shame, and a sense of loneliness after breaking up with her ex, Hunter, and the accident that flips their world upside down.
I don’t typically like alternating timelines but the author kept me engaged in the story with the past and present timelines. And the past timeline definitely helped me get more of a background on some of the characters and helped me understand them better in the present.
I loved seeing the insight into Emma’s mind and how her emotions were shown through her paintings. I enjoyed reading how she works through her inner conflicts and self doubt. I think sometimes it’s all about the people you surround yourself with that gives you the strength to overcome such hardships and go into the path of self forgiveness. Emma did just that. The author wrote Emma’s journey in such a unique and captivating way.
Overall, this is a wonderful and moving read! It was beautifully written and it’s perfect for young adults. I also really enjoyed the sweet friendships in this from old to new ones, it was really touching to read. I definitely recommend checking it out!
Thank you to the author, Dallas Woodburn, for the eArc! 💜
May 8, 2024
Before and after you and me, Dallas Woodburn
⭐️ 4
🌶️ 🚫
Tigger Warning:
Almost Drowning
What you can expect
YA
Single POV
Dual Timelines
First Love
Dena’s Thoughts:
YA is usually a hit or miss with me. Sometimes it can lean more towards the “young” side but this story was so beautifully done that even when it did sway that way it was genuinely because of the FMC’s age.
Being told from the FMC, Emma’s pov, the two timelines take place before and after an incident that traumatizes her greatly. As you work you work your way back through the past you walk through her relationship with her boyfriend starting with its ending. This ending is the catalyst for the present timeline as you follow Emma at her new private school with new friendships. Through both she grows and changes and as a person and that reflects how she sees those around her.
I really truly enjoyed this. I remember being this age and feeling most of these things. Making some of these mistakes. The growth and reflection of Emma was beautiful. I would happily read another work by this author.
⭐️ 4
🌶️ 🚫
Tigger Warning:
Almost Drowning
What you can expect
YA
Single POV
Dual Timelines
First Love
Dena’s Thoughts:
YA is usually a hit or miss with me. Sometimes it can lean more towards the “young” side but this story was so beautifully done that even when it did sway that way it was genuinely because of the FMC’s age.
Being told from the FMC, Emma’s pov, the two timelines take place before and after an incident that traumatizes her greatly. As you work you work your way back through the past you walk through her relationship with her boyfriend starting with its ending. This ending is the catalyst for the present timeline as you follow Emma at her new private school with new friendships. Through both she grows and changes and as a person and that reflects how she sees those around her.
I really truly enjoyed this. I remember being this age and feeling most of these things. Making some of these mistakes. The growth and reflection of Emma was beautiful. I would happily read another work by this author.
May 26, 2024
Whew
This book.
Its heavy.
There are so many emotions.
So many feelings. Such a journey. Full of mountains and valleys.
I've never read a book set up like this one either, each chapter getting durther away from the incident- one moving forward, one moving back.
Its not like what I normally read. So I won’t review it like I normally do. No notes because I couldn’t really formulate my thoughts. This book is 100% emotion based and I felt them all.
I think you should consider it.
cw: teen drinking, accident caused paralysis, language, lying, non graphic sex scene - basically says it happens in a very detached way, focuses on her emotions
This book.
Its heavy.
There are so many emotions.
So many feelings. Such a journey. Full of mountains and valleys.
I've never read a book set up like this one either, each chapter getting durther away from the incident- one moving forward, one moving back.
Its not like what I normally read. So I won’t review it like I normally do. No notes because I couldn’t really formulate my thoughts. This book is 100% emotion based and I felt them all.
I think you should consider it.
cw: teen drinking, accident caused paralysis, language, lying, non graphic sex scene - basically says it happens in a very detached way, focuses on her emotions
December 23, 2025
A stunningly original, heartfelt, and beautifully structured contemporary YA novel. Dallas Woodburn crafts a deeply moving story about Emma, an artist grappling with immense guilt after a pool party accident leaves her ex-boyfriend, Hunter, paralyzed. The unique narrative structure alternating between the present and a countdown to the accident masterfully builds emotional depth and nuance. Woodburn explores complex themes of art, guilt, ambition, and redemption with vibrant prose and minimal, refreshing angst. Emma's journey to find her authentic self is believable and compelling, making for a truly resonant and memorable read that stands out in the genre.
June 26, 2024
I know that this book is not specifically for me and other women around my age, but that didn't stop me from loving it! Dallas used an great writing style to create this book, where the every chapter flipped between the main character's BEFORE time and AFTER time of a profound and major change that most of the characters went through.
I found myself zipping through the book to find out what happened next and next and so on. It's sad we all had to wait for it to be published as I really could have used it when I was a teenager! However my main wish now, is only that it was longer!
I found myself zipping through the book to find out what happened next and next and so on. It's sad we all had to wait for it to be published as I really could have used it when I was a teenager! However my main wish now, is only that it was longer!
September 5, 2024
Thanks to Owl Hollow Press for giving me the chance to review this ARC.
I think this story has a specific audience and that would be a young adult directly connected to a tragic event (in this case, a pool accident where someone becomes paralyzed). This book seems long and daunting, chasing its own tail for most of the time.
Ultimately, it is a happy ending with forgiveness and understanding. It just takes a long time to get there.
There is a believability issue with Hunter taking so quickly to his wheelchair-bound life. I wasn't buying that but made for an uplifting ending.
I think this story has a specific audience and that would be a young adult directly connected to a tragic event (in this case, a pool accident where someone becomes paralyzed). This book seems long and daunting, chasing its own tail for most of the time.
Ultimately, it is a happy ending with forgiveness and understanding. It just takes a long time to get there.
There is a believability issue with Hunter taking so quickly to his wheelchair-bound life. I wasn't buying that but made for an uplifting ending.
April 16, 2025
Before & After You & Me is a beautiful coming of age story about Emma, after the tragic accident of her boyfriend Hunter, works through her guilt and pain through her painting and soul searching. She mourns their past and learns from her own strength and creative insights. It is a heartfelt story about young love, creative expression, and personal growth. The ending is satisfying and well-earned. This tender, emotional, and courageous story will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Bravo!
May 6, 2024
Before & After You & Me was a really great and quick read! This was a very powerful coming-of-age story with themes of guilt, regret, and coming of age. I felt like i could really connect with Emma and it was interesting to see how she processed her trauma and guilt. Although i’m usually not a fan of a split timeline, I.e. before and after, I thought it worked very well here and made the story even more impactful. This is a great book and perfect for teenagers and young adults !
May 9, 2024
2024 reads:113/124
sadly i couldn't finish this before it was published, but I'm glad I still ended up reading it!
solid 4 stars
it definitely wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I loved so many things about it. I actually really liked the fmc and I LOVED the book's format! It gave similar vibes to like the way I used to be and other books like that. I think it was because of how the time kept going before and after and we didn't know what the event exactly was until later.
but yeah, I actually recommend!
sadly i couldn't finish this before it was published, but I'm glad I still ended up reading it!
solid 4 stars
it definitely wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I loved so many things about it. I actually really liked the fmc and I LOVED the book's format! It gave similar vibes to like the way I used to be and other books like that. I think it was because of how the time kept going before and after and we didn't know what the event exactly was until later.
but yeah, I actually recommend!
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