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Before You Found Me
Is it ever alright to kidnap a child? With breath-taking suspense, Before You Found Me emotionally explores the fine line between right and wrong in an enduring story of found family and tender love amidst harsh circumstances.
Rowan McNamara doesn't open the door to her new life—she's thrown through it. Following an explosive argument with her abusive fiancé, Rowan runs. With no family except for her estranged sister, Celia, Rowan takes refuge in an idyllic New England town.
There, she meets Gabriel, the eleven-year-old son of her neighbor, Lee. Lee is welcoming, friendly, and a little too helpful. But Gabriel is a mystery: withdrawn, often bruised, and only willing to speak to Rowan through his basement window. When she discovers that Lee has kept Gabriel imprisoned for the past three years, Rowan is desperate to save him. Fueled by outrage and empathy, she abducts Gabriel and flees to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma, determined to raise him as her own.
Together they battle nightmares, curious stares, and Celia's constant disapproval. But when Lee begins haunting more than their dreams, Rowan and Gabriel realize they stopped pretending to be a family a long time ago. Their bond is just as strong as blood, and they're willing to do anything to protect one another.
Rowan McNamara doesn't open the door to her new life—she's thrown through it. Following an explosive argument with her abusive fiancé, Rowan runs. With no family except for her estranged sister, Celia, Rowan takes refuge in an idyllic New England town.
There, she meets Gabriel, the eleven-year-old son of her neighbor, Lee. Lee is welcoming, friendly, and a little too helpful. But Gabriel is a mystery: withdrawn, often bruised, and only willing to speak to Rowan through his basement window. When she discovers that Lee has kept Gabriel imprisoned for the past three years, Rowan is desperate to save him. Fueled by outrage and empathy, she abducts Gabriel and flees to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma, determined to raise him as her own.
Together they battle nightmares, curious stares, and Celia's constant disapproval. But when Lee begins haunting more than their dreams, Rowan and Gabriel realize they stopped pretending to be a family a long time ago. Their bond is just as strong as blood, and they're willing to do anything to protect one another.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
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8195 people want to read
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September 10, 2023
In a Nutshell: Decent enough, but I was expecting it to be more impactful. Some triggering content, but nothing on page except for the aftermath. Good for women’s fiction readers.
Story Synopsis:
On paper, the book has plenty to recommend it. As the story of the bond between two abuse survivors and their journey towards safety, the book covers rock-solid themes such as coming-of-age, found family, blood relationships, domestic abuse (parental and partner), foster care, and morality in grey situations. Had the book focussed on these with a more literary approach, it would have been a sureshot winner for me. But it swayed more towards a commercial style and ended up diluting the overall impact.
The initial chunk of the book had me invested on every word. From the time Rowan escaped Ethan to how she landed up in her friend’s house, interacted with Lee and Gabriel, discovered the truth about Gabriel’s situation, and escaped with him, this entire section was written in an intense and impactful way, letting me see the trauma of both the victims first-hand without having any abuse directly on page. That is to say, the beating scenes aren’t written directly, but the aftermath was depicted through severe injuries. Even this was traumatic and not for the sensitive of heart.
Once Rowan and Gabriel settled into the Oklahoma home and two more characters – Rowan’s sister Celia and a local named Dell – were added to the regular cast, things went downhill for me.
🚩 The plot, which was anyway highly reliant on coincidences, became too exaggerated, with several issues glossed over. While drama was necessary in this storyline, the book seemed to use drama in all the wrong places. Plot points which were relatively minor were overdramatic, and the actual dramatic confrontation that ought to have been the highlight of the finale, turned out to be a damp squib.
🚩 Both Rowan and Gabriel had escaped intense physical abuse, but there were barely any remnants of the trauma they have left behind. Both of them almost instantaneously settled into their new routine, without ever visiting a therapist.
🚩 Celia was depicted as a typical dogmatic negative character whose only role is to be against Rowan, but the fact is that Celia was very helpful to the two victims, and many of her suggestions were pragmatic. She was unfairly utilised by both Rowan and the plot, and it didn’t seem fair to have her character depicted in grey shades.
🚩 I found it tough to connect to Rowan from the Oklahoma scenes onwards because she acted as if she was the only one who knew what was right for Gabriel. Her decisions were more impulsive than rational, and she seemed to view things only in terms of how they impacted her or Gabriel, and that too with a short-term focus.
🚩 Foreshadowing doesn't work well in this book. While I like foreshadowing as a writing device, in this book, it felt more shoved into the story.
🚩 There are several time jumps in between, with months and years passing by within a blink.
🚩 There are three romantic pairings in the book, and all of them seem abrupt. While the main “relationship” was atypical in its progression (by virtue of being somewhat one-sided) and I did like how it ultimately panned out, I still found it forced into the plotline. The other two pairings weren’t even needed, tbh.
🚩
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 37 min, is narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker. Her narration was okay for me. I wasn’t a fan of her character voices, especially the voice she used for Gabriel that made him sound like a middle-aged man than an eleven-year-old.
All in all, this book works better as a women's fiction than as a suspense drama about abuse survivors living under a past threat. It needs a lot of suspension of disbelief, something that I always struggle with.
Still recommended, as long as you keep the above in mind and adjust your expectations accordingly.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Before You Found Me”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
After an argument with her abusive fiancé Ethan, twenty-two-year-old Rowan runs away. Having no family escape for her estranged sister Celia, Rowan takes shelter in an old friend’s empty house in a small New England town. Here she meets eleven-year-old Gabriel, the son of her new neighbour Lee. While Lee is friendly and welcoming, Gabriel is more of a mystery, appearing to Rowan only from the basement of his house, often withdrawn and bruised.
When Rowan discovers that Gabriel has been imprisoned in the basement by his own father for almost three years, she makes a daring plan: she will abduct Gabriel and flee to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma. Will their bond be enough to protect them?
The story comes to us in a limited third-person narration.
On paper, the book has plenty to recommend it. As the story of the bond between two abuse survivors and their journey towards safety, the book covers rock-solid themes such as coming-of-age, found family, blood relationships, domestic abuse (parental and partner), foster care, and morality in grey situations. Had the book focussed on these with a more literary approach, it would have been a sureshot winner for me. But it swayed more towards a commercial style and ended up diluting the overall impact.
The initial chunk of the book had me invested on every word. From the time Rowan escaped Ethan to how she landed up in her friend’s house, interacted with Lee and Gabriel, discovered the truth about Gabriel’s situation, and escaped with him, this entire section was written in an intense and impactful way, letting me see the trauma of both the victims first-hand without having any abuse directly on page. That is to say, the beating scenes aren’t written directly, but the aftermath was depicted through severe injuries. Even this was traumatic and not for the sensitive of heart.
Once Rowan and Gabriel settled into the Oklahoma home and two more characters – Rowan’s sister Celia and a local named Dell – were added to the regular cast, things went downhill for me.
🚩 The plot, which was anyway highly reliant on coincidences, became too exaggerated, with several issues glossed over. While drama was necessary in this storyline, the book seemed to use drama in all the wrong places. Plot points which were relatively minor were overdramatic, and the actual dramatic confrontation that ought to have been the highlight of the finale, turned out to be a damp squib.
🚩 Both Rowan and Gabriel had escaped intense physical abuse, but there were barely any remnants of the trauma they have left behind. Both of them almost instantaneously settled into their new routine, without ever visiting a therapist.
🚩 Celia was depicted as a typical dogmatic negative character whose only role is to be against Rowan, but the fact is that Celia was very helpful to the two victims, and many of her suggestions were pragmatic. She was unfairly utilised by both Rowan and the plot, and it didn’t seem fair to have her character depicted in grey shades.
🚩 I found it tough to connect to Rowan from the Oklahoma scenes onwards because she acted as if she was the only one who knew what was right for Gabriel. Her decisions were more impulsive than rational, and she seemed to view things only in terms of how they impacted her or Gabriel, and that too with a short-term focus.
🚩 Foreshadowing doesn't work well in this book. While I like foreshadowing as a writing device, in this book, it felt more shoved into the story.
🚩 There are several time jumps in between, with months and years passing by within a blink.
🚩 There are three romantic pairings in the book, and all of them seem abrupt. While the main “relationship” was atypical in its progression (by virtue of being somewhat one-sided) and I did like how it ultimately panned out, I still found it forced into the plotline. The other two pairings weren’t even needed, tbh.
🚩
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 37 min, is narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker. Her narration was okay for me. I wasn’t a fan of her character voices, especially the voice she used for Gabriel that made him sound like a middle-aged man than an eleven-year-old.
All in all, this book works better as a women's fiction than as a suspense drama about abuse survivors living under a past threat. It needs a lot of suspension of disbelief, something that I always struggle with.
Still recommended, as long as you keep the above in mind and adjust your expectations accordingly.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Before You Found Me”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 1, 2023
4.5⭐️
Battered and bruised twenty-two-year-old Rowan McNamara is fleeing an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Ethan, whose recent act of domestic violence resulted in Rowan’s hospitalization. Rowan is pressing charges this time and is on her way to her inherited family home in Oklahoma to distance herself from Ethan. Rowan is an orphan who grew up in foster care after losing her parents when she was a child. She has an older sister, Celia, with whom she is somewhat estranged. En route to her family home, Rowan spends some time in her old friend Laine’s home in the New England town of Ellisburg where she meets eleven-year-old Gabriel Emerson son of Laine’s neighbor Lee who keeps him locked in a basement. Gabriel is the victim of child abuse and hasn’t stepped out of his house in three years ever since the death of his mother in an accident, for which Lee blames his son.
Rowan decides to escape with Gabriel and manages to take him and run, after a particularly vicious episode that leaves Gabriel seriously injured. The narrative follows Rowan and Gabriel as they settle down into a new life in Rowan’s home in Oklahoma, navigate the trauma they have each experienced, face the constant fear of being found by their abusers, and attempt to create a new life for themselves surrounded by people who care about them and are willing to lend a helping hand when their newfound sense of security is threatened by Lee.
This is my second time reading Brooke Beyfuss’ work. As in her first novel After We Were Stolen, the Author’s Note before the beginning of the story discusses possible triggers. I also found the Interview with the Author at the end of the book, where she discusses her writing process, the research involved and her motivation to write this story very interesting. Though Before You Found Me by Brooke Beyfuss deals with heavy topics such as domestic abuse, child abuse, and trauma, the author, rather than craft a dark and disturbing narrative centered around abuse (few descriptions are upsetting), focusses on the path to healing, trust, second chances, sacrifice and found family. Rowan acts on an impulse borne out of her own experiences of abuse and her knowledge of the foster care system, well aware of the legal implications of her actions. We might question some of her choices but it is evident that her heart is in the right place. My heart broke for Gabriel and I thought the author depicted his pain and confusion, feelings of insecurity, attachment to Rowan and innocence with much sensitivity. I also like how the author chose to explore the strained relationship between Rowan and Celia and how they gradually begin to understand one another. The author does an incredible job of portraying complex emotions without making the narrative too heavy. Rowan’s and Gabriel’s journey is a difficult one - beginning with trauma – both physical and emotional, fear and moments of despair but also shows the role love, empathy and kindness play in the path to healing. Overall, this is a heart-wrenching story that will stay with you.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on August 1, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Battered and bruised twenty-two-year-old Rowan McNamara is fleeing an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Ethan, whose recent act of domestic violence resulted in Rowan’s hospitalization. Rowan is pressing charges this time and is on her way to her inherited family home in Oklahoma to distance herself from Ethan. Rowan is an orphan who grew up in foster care after losing her parents when she was a child. She has an older sister, Celia, with whom she is somewhat estranged. En route to her family home, Rowan spends some time in her old friend Laine’s home in the New England town of Ellisburg where she meets eleven-year-old Gabriel Emerson son of Laine’s neighbor Lee who keeps him locked in a basement. Gabriel is the victim of child abuse and hasn’t stepped out of his house in three years ever since the death of his mother in an accident, for which Lee blames his son.
Rowan decides to escape with Gabriel and manages to take him and run, after a particularly vicious episode that leaves Gabriel seriously injured. The narrative follows Rowan and Gabriel as they settle down into a new life in Rowan’s home in Oklahoma, navigate the trauma they have each experienced, face the constant fear of being found by their abusers, and attempt to create a new life for themselves surrounded by people who care about them and are willing to lend a helping hand when their newfound sense of security is threatened by Lee.
This is my second time reading Brooke Beyfuss’ work. As in her first novel After We Were Stolen, the Author’s Note before the beginning of the story discusses possible triggers. I also found the Interview with the Author at the end of the book, where she discusses her writing process, the research involved and her motivation to write this story very interesting. Though Before You Found Me by Brooke Beyfuss deals with heavy topics such as domestic abuse, child abuse, and trauma, the author, rather than craft a dark and disturbing narrative centered around abuse (few descriptions are upsetting), focusses on the path to healing, trust, second chances, sacrifice and found family. Rowan acts on an impulse borne out of her own experiences of abuse and her knowledge of the foster care system, well aware of the legal implications of her actions. We might question some of her choices but it is evident that her heart is in the right place. My heart broke for Gabriel and I thought the author depicted his pain and confusion, feelings of insecurity, attachment to Rowan and innocence with much sensitivity. I also like how the author chose to explore the strained relationship between Rowan and Celia and how they gradually begin to understand one another. The author does an incredible job of portraying complex emotions without making the narrative too heavy. Rowan’s and Gabriel’s journey is a difficult one - beginning with trauma – both physical and emotional, fear and moments of despair but also shows the role love, empathy and kindness play in the path to healing. Overall, this is a heart-wrenching story that will stay with you.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on August 1, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 21, 2023
Rowan, twenty-two, has left her abusive fiancé after having nearly died at his hands. Her best friend in Massachusetts is allowing her to stay in her rental house as she is flying to Japan to visit her parents. This will give Rowan the time she needs before moving to Oklahoma where her deceased parents have left her and her older sister their home. Hopefully it will be far enough away that Ethan can no longer find her.
One day, as she's puttering around the yard, she see's a face in the basement window of the neighboring house. A child. When she approaches they disappear. The next day she tries again and here she begins a friendship with 11 year old Gabriel. Rowan can see something of herself in this little boy. The fearful glances and darting eyes. The bruising on his face and body. Gabriel finally admits that his father locked him the basement three years ago and he has never left since. His father blames him for the death of his wife and Gabriel's mother.
Rowan can not believe that this sweet little boy is being held captive and abused so she hatches a plan to abduct Gabriel when she leaves for Oklahoma. Will they succeed in their plan to escape? You'll have to read this to find out.
That's all I'm willing to say. Brook Beyfuss took me on an emotional roller-coaster ride and my chin was quivering nearly the entire time I was reading this book. Oh, how my heart hurt for these two. As the story rolls along we are introduced to other characters and all of them were wonderful. Celia, Rowan's straight laced sister, worked well against Rowan's more impulsive nature, showing us how truly different they are to one another. Watching their journey was almost as rewarding as watching Gabriel's. I truly came to love this family. While this story is dark and disturbing Beyfuss infuses glimpses of hope, love, and even laughter. Is this the most realistic story? No, not really, but I didn't care in the least bit. I was far too invested with these characters and their outcome that all rational thought no longer mattered to me. According to other reviewers her debut was just as great, some claimed even better than this, so you know I'll be getting my hands on that one soon. Simply outstanding! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for my complimentary copy.
One day, as she's puttering around the yard, she see's a face in the basement window of the neighboring house. A child. When she approaches they disappear. The next day she tries again and here she begins a friendship with 11 year old Gabriel. Rowan can see something of herself in this little boy. The fearful glances and darting eyes. The bruising on his face and body. Gabriel finally admits that his father locked him the basement three years ago and he has never left since. His father blames him for the death of his wife and Gabriel's mother.
Rowan can not believe that this sweet little boy is being held captive and abused so she hatches a plan to abduct Gabriel when she leaves for Oklahoma. Will they succeed in their plan to escape? You'll have to read this to find out.
That's all I'm willing to say. Brook Beyfuss took me on an emotional roller-coaster ride and my chin was quivering nearly the entire time I was reading this book. Oh, how my heart hurt for these two. As the story rolls along we are introduced to other characters and all of them were wonderful. Celia, Rowan's straight laced sister, worked well against Rowan's more impulsive nature, showing us how truly different they are to one another. Watching their journey was almost as rewarding as watching Gabriel's. I truly came to love this family. While this story is dark and disturbing Beyfuss infuses glimpses of hope, love, and even laughter. Is this the most realistic story? No, not really, but I didn't care in the least bit. I was far too invested with these characters and their outcome that all rational thought no longer mattered to me. According to other reviewers her debut was just as great, some claimed even better than this, so you know I'll be getting my hands on that one soon. Simply outstanding! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for my complimentary copy.
August 7, 2023
4.5* "How far would you go to save a child who isn't even yours?"
This is a dark, disturbing story about the abuse cycle and how sometimes the ones you find as family are not blood related. Defining family is more about the ones who protect and love you. Rowan has suffered more than her share of abuse. Her boyfriend brutally injured her. When she moved to her friend's house in New England, she was able to escape Ethan. She meets an 11 year old boy, Gabriel, from his basement window. He has been locked away for three years since his mother died of an accident. His father blames him for her death and abuses him.
Rowan abducts him and moves him to Oklahoma for shelter and safety against her sister Celia's wishes. She makes a personal sacrifice to keep him safe knowing it's wrong, but right all in the same breath. They suffer so much from the traumatic abuse they have endured, but find healing, love and the true meaning of family. There is so much to take in as you try to fathom what some people go through.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a dark, disturbing story about the abuse cycle and how sometimes the ones you find as family are not blood related. Defining family is more about the ones who protect and love you. Rowan has suffered more than her share of abuse. Her boyfriend brutally injured her. When she moved to her friend's house in New England, she was able to escape Ethan. She meets an 11 year old boy, Gabriel, from his basement window. He has been locked away for three years since his mother died of an accident. His father blames him for her death and abuses him.
Rowan abducts him and moves him to Oklahoma for shelter and safety against her sister Celia's wishes. She makes a personal sacrifice to keep him safe knowing it's wrong, but right all in the same breath. They suffer so much from the traumatic abuse they have endured, but find healing, love and the true meaning of family. There is so much to take in as you try to fathom what some people go through.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2023
Rowan McNamara is recovering from severe injuries inflicted by her fiance and flees to a friend's home in Massachusetts. Although they haven't seen each other in years, the friend (Laine) agrees to let Rowan use the home temporarily while she's out of the country. Rowan befriends Gabriel, a young boy who is being kept locked up in the basement next door, and agrees not to go to the police for fear of retribution. When it comes time for Rowan to move on she takes Gabriel with her and flees to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma.
This book is well written and I was really immersed in it. Rowan is a well-defined character but some of her responses and actions irked me. She could be downright nasty and hurtful at times and doesn't hesitate to stand up for Gabriel no matter what. Their relationship is a little weird and bordered on obsessive if you ask me. They could probably both benefit from some counselling but this story doesn't go there. In her Author's Notes, the author makes mention of the fact that she read a lot about emotional incest while she was writing the book which helps to explain why I felt uncomfortable at times. As another reviewer mentioned, there were jumps in conversations and in the timeline that interfered slightly in my enjoyment of the book and hopefully the published version differentiates somehow that we're in another conversation or that we've travelled forward many months. Again, the author explains that the book was originally 2-1/2 times longer than it ended up so that could account for the jumps. In spite of these minor quibbles I recommend the book but be sure to read the author's trigger warnings at the beginning. Love that cover! 4.5 stars rounded down.
I hope to get my hands on a copy of After We Were Stolen by this author and will also be on the watch for whatever comes next.
My thanks to GR friends L.A. and Jonann whose reviews put this book on my radar. I was so intrigued I grabbed it as Read Now from Netgalley on the very day it was being archived. Whew!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley for making it possible for me to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: August 1, 2023
This book is well written and I was really immersed in it. Rowan is a well-defined character but some of her responses and actions irked me. She could be downright nasty and hurtful at times and doesn't hesitate to stand up for Gabriel no matter what. Their relationship is a little weird and bordered on obsessive if you ask me. They could probably both benefit from some counselling but this story doesn't go there. In her Author's Notes, the author makes mention of the fact that she read a lot about emotional incest while she was writing the book which helps to explain why I felt uncomfortable at times. As another reviewer mentioned, there were jumps in conversations and in the timeline that interfered slightly in my enjoyment of the book and hopefully the published version differentiates somehow that we're in another conversation or that we've travelled forward many months. Again, the author explains that the book was originally 2-1/2 times longer than it ended up so that could account for the jumps. In spite of these minor quibbles I recommend the book but be sure to read the author's trigger warnings at the beginning. Love that cover! 4.5 stars rounded down.
I hope to get my hands on a copy of After We Were Stolen by this author and will also be on the watch for whatever comes next.
My thanks to GR friends L.A. and Jonann whose reviews put this book on my radar. I was so intrigued I grabbed it as Read Now from Netgalley on the very day it was being archived. Whew!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley for making it possible for me to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: August 1, 2023
July 13, 2023
Uncomfortable and brutal in many ways but tempered with deep understanding and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I almost had some anxiety when it came to opening this cover. It’s a heavy topic. I’m not gonna beat around the bush and tell you that it’s light and flowery because it’s not.
However, it’s not as dark as I thought it would be. The author did an amazing job telling this critical story, and she tried to keep it as light as possible.
Abuse of any kind is usually swept under the rug. We want to pretend that it doesn’t exist. But it does exist in both adults and in children. Before You Found Me was written with a huge amount of compassion and love, and I can feel the author has a passion for getting the story out to the masses.
With that said, there are some very tough sections where you are reading descriptions that are seriously intense. It is heartbreaking and disgusting to see that humans can have such evil traits in them.
But as I said, before, Beyfuss does try to lighten the story with love, a depth of emotion and resilience, bravery, and tenderness. It’s an amazing story once you see past some of the more brutal images she lays out.
Anyone going through any type of abuse is a warrior! They’re so brave and I think this author is very brave for bringing the story to light.
Definitely trigger warnings on this, but if you are able to look past some of the intense moments, and look at the compassion and the humanity she brings through the character development, you’ll be blown away by the story.
Uncomfortable and brutal in many ways but tempered with deep understanding and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/before-you-f...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I almost had some anxiety when it came to opening this cover. It’s a heavy topic. I’m not gonna beat around the bush and tell you that it’s light and flowery because it’s not.
However, it’s not as dark as I thought it would be. The author did an amazing job telling this critical story, and she tried to keep it as light as possible.
Abuse of any kind is usually swept under the rug. We want to pretend that it doesn’t exist. But it does exist in both adults and in children. Before You Found Me was written with a huge amount of compassion and love, and I can feel the author has a passion for getting the story out to the masses.
With that said, there are some very tough sections where you are reading descriptions that are seriously intense. It is heartbreaking and disgusting to see that humans can have such evil traits in them.
But as I said, before, Beyfuss does try to lighten the story with love, a depth of emotion and resilience, bravery, and tenderness. It’s an amazing story once you see past some of the more brutal images she lays out.
Anyone going through any type of abuse is a warrior! They’re so brave and I think this author is very brave for bringing the story to light.
Definitely trigger warnings on this, but if you are able to look past some of the intense moments, and look at the compassion and the humanity she brings through the character development, you’ll be blown away by the story.
Uncomfortable and brutal in many ways but tempered with deep understanding and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/before-you-f...
March 17, 2024
4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars.
I came across Before You Found Me on a fellow bookstagrammers page and was immediately drawn to the cover and title. After reading their review, I knew this was a book I had to read, and I'm so glad to have discovered it.
Rowan has left her abusive fiance after he nearly kills her. With nowhere to go, she stays at an old friends until she can move back to her family home. Rowan senses being watched by someone and is shocked to discover an eleven year old boy called Gabriel watching her from his basement window. The pair strike up a friendship and Gabriel confides in Rowan about the abuse he's been subjected to by his father. Rowan knows she needs to do something and takes Gabriel and runs after he's brutally beaten by his father.
The pair don't just develop a friendship but also a strong family bond and safe haven within each other. I loved the strength of Rowan and how she'd do anything to keep Gabriel safe and also loved Celia and the development of her and Rowans sisterly bond after Gabriel brings them both together. This is a beautifully told story that's handled really sensitively and well and was heartbreaking and from the heart. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the addition of Dell to the story - I couldn't warm to him at all and felt it threw the story off a little.
I came across Before You Found Me on a fellow bookstagrammers page and was immediately drawn to the cover and title. After reading their review, I knew this was a book I had to read, and I'm so glad to have discovered it.
Rowan has left her abusive fiance after he nearly kills her. With nowhere to go, she stays at an old friends until she can move back to her family home. Rowan senses being watched by someone and is shocked to discover an eleven year old boy called Gabriel watching her from his basement window. The pair strike up a friendship and Gabriel confides in Rowan about the abuse he's been subjected to by his father. Rowan knows she needs to do something and takes Gabriel and runs after he's brutally beaten by his father.
The pair don't just develop a friendship but also a strong family bond and safe haven within each other. I loved the strength of Rowan and how she'd do anything to keep Gabriel safe and also loved Celia and the development of her and Rowans sisterly bond after Gabriel brings them both together. This is a beautifully told story that's handled really sensitively and well and was heartbreaking and from the heart. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the addition of Dell to the story - I couldn't warm to him at all and felt it threw the story off a little.
August 1, 2023
Before You Found Me
By Brooke Beyfuss
Pub Date: 01 Aug 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 5/5
🌻📚 Happy Publication Day Brooke Beyfuss! 📚🌻
Before You Found Me is Brooke Beyfuss' second release and I love It. It is an absolute thrill to read and I highly recommend it to all adult readers. This book was just as captivating and enthralling as her first book After We Were Stolen, proving Brooke Beyfuss is a master storyteller. With her vivid descriptions, Beyfuss transports readers directly into the world of her books. This allows them to experience her characters' emotions on an intimate level.
Synopsis:
As a result of being brutally injured by her fiance and hospitalized with debilitating injuries, Rowan is desperate to escape her oppressive past. Rowan finds solace and protection in a trusted friend's warm home.
In the neighboring house's basement window, Rowan meets Gabriel, a young boy who chats with her. Upon discovering he has also been abused, Rowan realizes that she is the only one who can help him.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Rowan embarks on a mission to rescue the boy and protect him from his abuser. She knows that the stakes are high and the risks even greater, but she is determined to do whatever it takes to save him.
It has been a pleasure to read Before You Found Me thanks to Brooke Beyfuss, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark. @Bookmarked mailed me a physical copy of this novel shortly after I received the ARC on NetGalley. I am so proud to own this book and will add it to my collection forever.
You can purchase Before You Found Me in paperback and ebook formats.
QOTD: What does happiness mean to you? How do you handle frustration?
#BeforeYouFoundMe #BrookeBeyfuss #SourcebooksLandmark #gifted @bookmarked
#netgalleyapprovals #Netgalleyapproval @advancedreaderscopy #tbrbooks #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
By Brooke Beyfuss
Pub Date: 01 Aug 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 5/5
🌻📚 Happy Publication Day Brooke Beyfuss! 📚🌻
Before You Found Me is Brooke Beyfuss' second release and I love It. It is an absolute thrill to read and I highly recommend it to all adult readers. This book was just as captivating and enthralling as her first book After We Were Stolen, proving Brooke Beyfuss is a master storyteller. With her vivid descriptions, Beyfuss transports readers directly into the world of her books. This allows them to experience her characters' emotions on an intimate level.
Synopsis:
As a result of being brutally injured by her fiance and hospitalized with debilitating injuries, Rowan is desperate to escape her oppressive past. Rowan finds solace and protection in a trusted friend's warm home.
In the neighboring house's basement window, Rowan meets Gabriel, a young boy who chats with her. Upon discovering he has also been abused, Rowan realizes that she is the only one who can help him.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Rowan embarks on a mission to rescue the boy and protect him from his abuser. She knows that the stakes are high and the risks even greater, but she is determined to do whatever it takes to save him.
It has been a pleasure to read Before You Found Me thanks to Brooke Beyfuss, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark. @Bookmarked mailed me a physical copy of this novel shortly after I received the ARC on NetGalley. I am so proud to own this book and will add it to my collection forever.
You can purchase Before You Found Me in paperback and ebook formats.
QOTD: What does happiness mean to you? How do you handle frustration?
#BeforeYouFoundMe #BrookeBeyfuss #SourcebooksLandmark #gifted @bookmarked
#netgalleyapprovals #Netgalleyapproval @advancedreaderscopy #tbrbooks #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
July 16, 2023
To start off: this book has a lot of disturbing things happen near the beginning. There is heavy domestic violence and child abuse (not sexual). But that only sets the stage for the story, it is mentioned a few times throughout, but the story is about the relationship between Gabriel, an 11 year old boy and Rowan, the young woman who “saves” him.
This story shows that FAMILY is not who you share a bloodline with but rather it’s who you share love, trust, faith and bonds with. The road that Rowan and Gabriel travel is not all rainbows and unicorns. It has lots of detours, hills and valleys and even a tornado.
This is both character driven and plot driven. Besides Rowan and Gabriel, there is an interesting relationship between Rowan and her sister, which evolves. And there are interesting secondary characters, all well developed.
It is a book that drew me in quickly in the beginning. The narrative is relatively simple and easy to follow. The reader is kept wondering what will happen but it is not really suspenseful. Hard to explain. It is a compelling read and a page turner. It's heart wrenching at times. The journey of Rowan and Gabriel is unique and well told. And, a satisfying ending.
I loved the interview with the author at the end. She explained her writing process and how the story developed. The interview wrapped everything up nicely.
I think this book would appeal to those who liked Catherine Ryan Hyde's Just a Regular Boy. Similar but different. Both are heartwarming and heart wrenching.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
This story shows that FAMILY is not who you share a bloodline with but rather it’s who you share love, trust, faith and bonds with. The road that Rowan and Gabriel travel is not all rainbows and unicorns. It has lots of detours, hills and valleys and even a tornado.
This is both character driven and plot driven. Besides Rowan and Gabriel, there is an interesting relationship between Rowan and her sister, which evolves. And there are interesting secondary characters, all well developed.
It is a book that drew me in quickly in the beginning. The narrative is relatively simple and easy to follow. The reader is kept wondering what will happen but it is not really suspenseful. Hard to explain. It is a compelling read and a page turner. It's heart wrenching at times. The journey of Rowan and Gabriel is unique and well told. And, a satisfying ending.
I loved the interview with the author at the end. She explained her writing process and how the story developed. The interview wrapped everything up nicely.
I think this book would appeal to those who liked Catherine Ryan Hyde's Just a Regular Boy. Similar but different. Both are heartwarming and heart wrenching.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
January 4, 2024
Before You Found Me was emotional and moving. The mental and physical abuse Gabriel faces as a child at the hands of his biological father is brutal and the safe haven Rowan (an abuse victim herself) tries to provide him is a stark contrast to that. The only thing I didn't like was Rowan and Dell's romantic storyline which began and ended abruptly and I particularly didn't like how Rowan handled the whole situation. Some may feel that the resolution to the danger Rowan and Gabriel's face from her fiancé and his father respectively was anticlimactic but I felt the quicker both these men were 'out of sight and out of mind' the better.
I received both an e-Arc and ALC of the book and ended up reading/listening to both simultaneously. The audiobook was narrated extremely well by Jeremy Carlisle Parker .
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Sourcebooks Landmark/ Highbridge Audio and the author Brooke Beyfuss for providing the ARC/ALC.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
I received both an e-Arc and ALC of the book and ended up reading/listening to both simultaneously. The audiobook was narrated extremely well by Jeremy Carlisle Parker .
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Sourcebooks Landmark/ Highbridge Audio and the author Brooke Beyfuss for providing the ARC/ALC.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
August 19, 2023
Author Brooke Beyfuss's sophomore novel BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is the highly emotional follow-up to her astounding debut AFTER WE WERE STOLEN and destined to be just as popular with readers. A heartfelt domestic suspense novel, this story is brilliantly crafted and delivered. While the story is dark and heavy, a message of light and hope shines through.
Rowan McNamara flees a physical and mentally abusive relationship with her boyfriend after his latest assault lands her in the hospital. While determined to press charges this time, she escapes to a friend's vacant home in a small New England town for safe harbor until she can make her way to her estranged sister's home in Oklahoma. Orphaned at an early age, Rowan was separated from her sister and grew up in the foster system leaving her no one else to turn to for help. While recovering at her friend's house, Rowan meets next door neighbor Lee who appears friendly albeit wary. Not long after, she meets Lee's eleven-year-old, battered and bruised son Gabriel - an obvious victim of child abuse who's been locked in their basement ever since his mother's death three years prior. Rowan and Gabriel communicate through a basement window when his father is not home forming a friendship based on mutual need. When Rowan finds Gabriel bloody and in extreme pain from yet another brutal beating, she's outraged and quickly forms a plan to disappear with Gabriel to Oklahoma. The story that ensues follows Rowan and Gabriel as they begin settling into a new life while learning to live, love and trust again. With one eye on a brighter future and another on the danger they know is coming from their past, they deal with the repercussions of their trauma while living with the ever-present fear of being hunted down by their abusers. It's soon crystal clear their battle for freedom has only just begun.
BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is an intense, gut-wrenching and heartfelt story about two wounded souls, both victims of traumatic abuse, who become survivors and allies in a fight for the future they richly deserve. Beyfuss has a gift for creating characters that speak directly to readers' hearts by earning their empathy and respect - the kind of characters that linger long after the final page has been read. While this story isn't always easy to read, it delivers a powerful message about the ability of humans to survive and flourish in the aftermath of pain, confusion and fear that comes from being horribly betrayed by someone in a position of power and trust. The author sets an escalating pace that rises as the danger and threat of being tracked down escalates. I enjoyed the secondary story of the broken, strained relationship between Rowan and her sister as they work to mend burned bridges between them, eventually coming to an understanding. The importance and meaning of family, whether chosen or by blood, is emphasized as are the implications and long-term effects of domestic violence and child abuse on survivors as the author explores these themes with grace and respect. As one might imagine, BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is a dark, disturbing read; however, through it all the author focuses on the light at the end of the tunnel - the hope, love and kindness that comes with healing and daring to trust again.
BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is a beautifully rendered, highly engaging and compelling story about the bond formed between two survivors of abuse who are charged with learning and accepting the true meaning of compassion, love and family as they reveal just how far they'll go to protect those they love. While this book is dark, the author does a fantastic job of balancing the darkness with the light that comes with hope. Fans of domestic suspense novels and stories that tug at the heartstrings are going to enjoy this story.
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Rowan McNamara flees a physical and mentally abusive relationship with her boyfriend after his latest assault lands her in the hospital. While determined to press charges this time, she escapes to a friend's vacant home in a small New England town for safe harbor until she can make her way to her estranged sister's home in Oklahoma. Orphaned at an early age, Rowan was separated from her sister and grew up in the foster system leaving her no one else to turn to for help. While recovering at her friend's house, Rowan meets next door neighbor Lee who appears friendly albeit wary. Not long after, she meets Lee's eleven-year-old, battered and bruised son Gabriel - an obvious victim of child abuse who's been locked in their basement ever since his mother's death three years prior. Rowan and Gabriel communicate through a basement window when his father is not home forming a friendship based on mutual need. When Rowan finds Gabriel bloody and in extreme pain from yet another brutal beating, she's outraged and quickly forms a plan to disappear with Gabriel to Oklahoma. The story that ensues follows Rowan and Gabriel as they begin settling into a new life while learning to live, love and trust again. With one eye on a brighter future and another on the danger they know is coming from their past, they deal with the repercussions of their trauma while living with the ever-present fear of being hunted down by their abusers. It's soon crystal clear their battle for freedom has only just begun.
BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is an intense, gut-wrenching and heartfelt story about two wounded souls, both victims of traumatic abuse, who become survivors and allies in a fight for the future they richly deserve. Beyfuss has a gift for creating characters that speak directly to readers' hearts by earning their empathy and respect - the kind of characters that linger long after the final page has been read. While this story isn't always easy to read, it delivers a powerful message about the ability of humans to survive and flourish in the aftermath of pain, confusion and fear that comes from being horribly betrayed by someone in a position of power and trust. The author sets an escalating pace that rises as the danger and threat of being tracked down escalates. I enjoyed the secondary story of the broken, strained relationship between Rowan and her sister as they work to mend burned bridges between them, eventually coming to an understanding. The importance and meaning of family, whether chosen or by blood, is emphasized as are the implications and long-term effects of domestic violence and child abuse on survivors as the author explores these themes with grace and respect. As one might imagine, BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is a dark, disturbing read; however, through it all the author focuses on the light at the end of the tunnel - the hope, love and kindness that comes with healing and daring to trust again.
BEFORE YOU FOUND ME is a beautifully rendered, highly engaging and compelling story about the bond formed between two survivors of abuse who are charged with learning and accepting the true meaning of compassion, love and family as they reveal just how far they'll go to protect those they love. While this book is dark, the author does a fantastic job of balancing the darkness with the light that comes with hope. Fans of domestic suspense novels and stories that tug at the heartstrings are going to enjoy this story.
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of this title. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
September 27, 2023
4.25. I loved this book and rooted for every single person in it - most of all the young boy who lives in the basement and is not allowed to go outside. The woman who sees him and decides that it not okay. The emotions and love in this book are well written.
January 4, 2023
My biggest regret is that I read this book in the first few days of January, and no other 2023 book will live up to it.
The writing style of Brooke Beyfuss is raw, real, and unmatched by anyone else I have ever read.
The book starts with a very well written author's note about the trigger warnings. It deeply explores the concepts of both domestic abuse, and child abuse. At times, it is incredibly graphic and gut wrenching. As a criminal law attorney, I can say that these topics were thoroughly researched, and portrayed with heartbreaking accuracy. As heavy as these topics are, the book is really about love, strength, healing, and what it means to be family.
Twenty-two-year-old Rowen escapes a 2 yearlong abusive relationship, which culminates in a brutal assault that lands her in the hospital with a blood transfusion and lifelong scars covering most of her body. It starts with the system failing Rowen. As with most abuse victims, she had kept the previous assaults to herself. This meant that her abuser had no criminal record and was only sentenced to serve 3 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation. Rowen hides out in an empty home in New England, belonging to a friend. This is where she meets Gabriel, the 11-year-old boy next door, who had been kept locked away in the basement, and beaten by his father every day for the past 3 years. No one else knew of Gabriel's existence. Being a child victim of the foster care system herself, Rowen does not want to call the police, and subject Gabriel to that life. After a particularly brutal attack from his father, which almost killed Gabriel, Rowen does the only thing that makes sense to her. She kidnaps Gabriel. The two flee to Rowen's family home in Oklahoma in an attempt to start a new life.
The book is about the trauma, coping, and healing of both Rowen and Gabriel, as they attempt to navigate a new and confusing life, deal with the repercussions of their actions, and figure out exactly what they are to one another. It portrays the fear they live in every single day. Initially, they live in perpetual fear of being caught by the police, by Rowen's abuser, and by Gabriel's father. As the story progresses, so do the main characters, and you get a stunningly accurate inside look at the strength and healing of two survivors who discover what it really means to be family.
This book will be released in August, and I highly recommend it, so long as you are comfortable with such sensitive topic.
The writing style of Brooke Beyfuss is raw, real, and unmatched by anyone else I have ever read.
The book starts with a very well written author's note about the trigger warnings. It deeply explores the concepts of both domestic abuse, and child abuse. At times, it is incredibly graphic and gut wrenching. As a criminal law attorney, I can say that these topics were thoroughly researched, and portrayed with heartbreaking accuracy. As heavy as these topics are, the book is really about love, strength, healing, and what it means to be family.
Twenty-two-year-old Rowen escapes a 2 yearlong abusive relationship, which culminates in a brutal assault that lands her in the hospital with a blood transfusion and lifelong scars covering most of her body. It starts with the system failing Rowen. As with most abuse victims, she had kept the previous assaults to herself. This meant that her abuser had no criminal record and was only sentenced to serve 3 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation. Rowen hides out in an empty home in New England, belonging to a friend. This is where she meets Gabriel, the 11-year-old boy next door, who had been kept locked away in the basement, and beaten by his father every day for the past 3 years. No one else knew of Gabriel's existence. Being a child victim of the foster care system herself, Rowen does not want to call the police, and subject Gabriel to that life. After a particularly brutal attack from his father, which almost killed Gabriel, Rowen does the only thing that makes sense to her. She kidnaps Gabriel. The two flee to Rowen's family home in Oklahoma in an attempt to start a new life.
The book is about the trauma, coping, and healing of both Rowen and Gabriel, as they attempt to navigate a new and confusing life, deal with the repercussions of their actions, and figure out exactly what they are to one another. It portrays the fear they live in every single day. Initially, they live in perpetual fear of being caught by the police, by Rowen's abuser, and by Gabriel's father. As the story progresses, so do the main characters, and you get a stunningly accurate inside look at the strength and healing of two survivors who discover what it really means to be family.
This book will be released in August, and I highly recommend it, so long as you are comfortable with such sensitive topic.
February 6, 2023
4.5 stars that I'm rounding up to 5 because wow, just wow. There is a so much to unwrap in these pages. It is a story of sacrifice, pain, healing, doing the right thing even if it seems crazy, the true meaning of what makes a family, and souls recognizing souls. Rowan is finally leaving a horribly abusive relationship. She crosses paths with a young boy, also being abused, and does what she feels she needs to do. This is their journey and a beautiful glimpse of hope. This left my heart full!!
June 17, 2024
2.5 stars Is it morally right to kidnap a child if you know they are being severely abused? Rowan faces this dilemma after escaping her own abusive relationship and then accidentally meeting an eleven year old boy Gabriel being held captive in his father’s basement. Rowan learns that he has been locked up for years and physically abused since the death of his mother. Rowan knows what it’s like to grow up in foster care and doesn’t want this boy to have to endure that either. Instead, she takes matters into her own hands by helping the boy escape and kidnapping him to start anew with her.
The premise for this plot was intriguing and I was instantly curious to know how their plight would turn out. I was drawn into their unusual and somewhat risky circumstances. However, despite what could’ve been an heart wrenching emotional journey, this story was surprisingly benign. It focused on difficult and potentially triggering subject matter but yet was strangely one note. Rowan’s character lacked depth and her struggles felt as though they had been painted with a broad brush stroke. “Nothing to see here, everything is fine…”
This book read like a Hallmark movie so I think readers looking for a glossed over account of the impact of domestic violence, kidnapping and child abuse will enjoy this much more than I did. There was no grittiness and the descriptions were on the PG side.
As for the MC, I wish she had been more deeply developed with warts and all. I wanted the author to really go there. I wanted more struggle, more emotional pain, a bitter sweet ending. However, this book was more about controlled flaws and a tidy ending.
The audio performance wasn’t my favourite. I find the excessive use of character dramatization to be grating and to lose its impact over time. People don’t typically speak with exclamation points so I find that when overused it has the opposite effect of making the character emotionally one note rather than dynamic.
There are higher reviews from others who connected with this story better than I did. I would encourage readers to check those out too as this was an instance in which although this book didn’t work for me, it may be perfectly written for someone else. Thank you to Highbridge Audio and Netgalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The premise for this plot was intriguing and I was instantly curious to know how their plight would turn out. I was drawn into their unusual and somewhat risky circumstances. However, despite what could’ve been an heart wrenching emotional journey, this story was surprisingly benign. It focused on difficult and potentially triggering subject matter but yet was strangely one note. Rowan’s character lacked depth and her struggles felt as though they had been painted with a broad brush stroke. “Nothing to see here, everything is fine…”
This book read like a Hallmark movie so I think readers looking for a glossed over account of the impact of domestic violence, kidnapping and child abuse will enjoy this much more than I did. There was no grittiness and the descriptions were on the PG side.
As for the MC, I wish she had been more deeply developed with warts and all. I wanted the author to really go there. I wanted more struggle, more emotional pain, a bitter sweet ending. However, this book was more about controlled flaws and a tidy ending.
The audio performance wasn’t my favourite. I find the excessive use of character dramatization to be grating and to lose its impact over time. People don’t typically speak with exclamation points so I find that when overused it has the opposite effect of making the character emotionally one note rather than dynamic.
There are higher reviews from others who connected with this story better than I did. I would encourage readers to check those out too as this was an instance in which although this book didn’t work for me, it may be perfectly written for someone else. Thank you to Highbridge Audio and Netgalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2023
3.75⭐
- contemporary fiction
- w/light suspense & romance
- found family vibes
- abuse
- life’s little (and/or big) catastrophes
This was supposed to be an emotional, hard-hitting type of story…but it never quite got all the way there for me…it was close, though.
One narrator for each POV is not my fav but Jeremy Carlisle Parker gave a decent performance and I would be happy to listen to a book narrated by her in the future.
- contemporary fiction
- w/light suspense & romance
- found family vibes
- abuse
- life’s little (and/or big) catastrophes
This was supposed to be an emotional, hard-hitting type of story…but it never quite got all the way there for me…it was close, though.
One narrator for each POV is not my fav but Jeremy Carlisle Parker gave a decent performance and I would be happy to listen to a book narrated by her in the future.
June 29, 2023
Ok I absolutely fell in love with Brooke Beyfuss when I read After We Were Stolen so I was BEYOND excited to read this. She has such a wonderful way of bringing characters to life and making you feel like you know them.
This story hit me right in the heart and made a home there. While I wish we could've had a little more meat to Rowan and Gabe's history and been shown more of them overcoming and growing through their past and present instead of being told, I still loved this. I enjoyed seeing relationships evolve and just fell in love with Rowan, Gave and Celia. No matter how I tried I could not like Dell lol.
Let's talk about setting. I might be biased but I love that so much of this took place in Oklahoma! As someone who has experienced them, the tornado scenes felt real, and the landscapes and seasons did too. We love an author who does their research!
While this story started in a dark, sad place, it evolved into something so beautiful and heartwarming. Pick it up August 1st!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted e-ARC!
This story hit me right in the heart and made a home there. While I wish we could've had a little more meat to Rowan and Gabe's history and been shown more of them overcoming and growing through their past and present instead of being told, I still loved this. I enjoyed seeing relationships evolve and just fell in love with Rowan, Gave and Celia. No matter how I tried I could not like Dell lol.
Let's talk about setting. I might be biased but I love that so much of this took place in Oklahoma! As someone who has experienced them, the tornado scenes felt real, and the landscapes and seasons did too. We love an author who does their research!
While this story started in a dark, sad place, it evolved into something so beautiful and heartwarming. Pick it up August 1st!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted e-ARC!
August 5, 2023
While both Rowan and Gabriel started off both being devastatingly broken by their abusers, we see how helping others can sometimes be the only way we can help ourselves. When Rowan decides to take Gabriel with her, she is being the advocate for him that she didn’t have!
Together they learn how to start fresh, accept help and fight their demons together. This is a story of new beginning, love and family.
April 25, 2024
This book was an emotional power house. It is about the power of love and finding that unconditional acceptance. This is a story about this woman who has been through foster-care and in a DV relationship how she finds this young child and how they save and love each other. I do not want to give spoilers away but I think everyone should read this book. Its beautifully written and it will stay with you long after have finished the book.
July 10, 2023
4.5 stars. Powerful, emotional read. Uncomfortable subject, but filled with survival, trust, and love...
July 31, 2023
After another argument with her abusive boyfriend leaves here in the hospital, Rowan runs the first chance she gets. Holed up in a friend’s home, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the neighbor’s son. Gabriel is small, quiet and never comes outside. Soon after talking to him, Rowan is horrified to learn his father beats him and keeps him locked in the basement. When it comes time for Rowan to move on, she can’t bear to leave Gabriel behind. She abducts him herself, fuelded by anger and empathy for the little boy. As they begin their new life together, they battle the constant fear of being caught, people not understanding their situation and the trauma of having both been abused. But they never give up hope.
Sometimes you just need a story that will leave you feeling good after you’ve finished it and that’s exactly what this one was. Filled with complex characters and a lot of heart, Brooke Beyfuss writes with such preciscion to detail that it’s impossible to not feel like you are in Rowan and Gabriel’s world. My heart hurt for them, cheered for them and hoped against hope that they would get their happily ever after.
TW: abuse, childhood trauma
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly!
Sometimes you just need a story that will leave you feeling good after you’ve finished it and that’s exactly what this one was. Filled with complex characters and a lot of heart, Brooke Beyfuss writes with such preciscion to detail that it’s impossible to not feel like you are in Rowan and Gabriel’s world. My heart hurt for them, cheered for them and hoped against hope that they would get their happily ever after.
TW: abuse, childhood trauma
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly!
January 6, 2023
*possible spoilies. So read at your own risk. Kthanksbye*
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair an honest review. Brooke is an undeniably talented writer. Her first book, After We Were Stolen, was beautiful, heartbreaking, and uplifting all in one. So, when she said that she was releasing her next book, I was beyond excited to tackle it. The first part of Before You Found Me was beautifully written. There were certain paragraphs that made me physically recoil from the kindle and clutch my imaginary pearls as if I was in the room with the characters watching it unfold in real time. I was invested. I wanted them to get out and be happy. I couldn't wait to sit with them as they processed their heavy trauma and faced the emotions that came with it.
The gripping and descriptive way in which the first chunk of this book was written confirms that Brooke is a talented writer that needs to keep putting her work out, but to my disappointment, the rest of the story didn't do it for me. I feel as if there are pieces of the story missing. Crucial pieces that showed how the two of them managed to survive as much as they did and were still able to function like normal people without a drop of therapy to help them cope. They both went through SO much, but never took the time to really process any of it. Just shoved it down until the next traumatic moment fell on top of it.
I was a little thrown off by how the points of view would switch seemingly in the middle of the page, but I was able to overlook that after a while. Some of the dialogue could have been a bit stronger and more descript. There were a few times, in the middle of the book mostly, that it took a second to realize more than one person was talking. The way things ended with the father bugged me as well, because it was hard to believe that after everything he had put Gabriel through, he would just concede so easily.
Overall, the book was written well in some spots. I do feel as if certain aspects could have been a little stronger. I'm still a fan and I still believe Brooke has a raw talent that should absolutely be shared with the world, but this book wasn't the best example of that talent
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair an honest review. Brooke is an undeniably talented writer. Her first book, After We Were Stolen, was beautiful, heartbreaking, and uplifting all in one. So, when she said that she was releasing her next book, I was beyond excited to tackle it. The first part of Before You Found Me was beautifully written. There were certain paragraphs that made me physically recoil from the kindle and clutch my imaginary pearls as if I was in the room with the characters watching it unfold in real time. I was invested. I wanted them to get out and be happy. I couldn't wait to sit with them as they processed their heavy trauma and faced the emotions that came with it.
The gripping and descriptive way in which the first chunk of this book was written confirms that Brooke is a talented writer that needs to keep putting her work out, but to my disappointment, the rest of the story didn't do it for me. I feel as if there are pieces of the story missing. Crucial pieces that showed how the two of them managed to survive as much as they did and were still able to function like normal people without a drop of therapy to help them cope. They both went through SO much, but never took the time to really process any of it. Just shoved it down until the next traumatic moment fell on top of it.
I was a little thrown off by how the points of view would switch seemingly in the middle of the page, but I was able to overlook that after a while. Some of the dialogue could have been a bit stronger and more descript. There were a few times, in the middle of the book mostly, that it took a second to realize more than one person was talking. The way things ended with the father bugged me as well, because it was hard to believe that after everything he had put Gabriel through, he would just concede so easily.
Overall, the book was written well in some spots. I do feel as if certain aspects could have been a little stronger. I'm still a fan and I still believe Brooke has a raw talent that should absolutely be shared with the world, but this book wasn't the best example of that talent
August 7, 2023
I received a digital ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The author includes a note to the reader at the beginning of the novel going over possible difficult content and trigger warnings. Make sure to look at that before reading the novel.
I appreciated the family aspects of this novel. It showed that found family can mean just as much, if not more, than family that is related by blood. Parts of this novel were difficult to read, and seemed far-fetched. However, I loved how everything came together. Brooke Beyfuss has become one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is raw, and honest. I will read anything she writes.
The author includes a note to the reader at the beginning of the novel going over possible difficult content and trigger warnings. Make sure to look at that before reading the novel.
I appreciated the family aspects of this novel. It showed that found family can mean just as much, if not more, than family that is related by blood. Parts of this novel were difficult to read, and seemed far-fetched. However, I loved how everything came together. Brooke Beyfuss has become one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is raw, and honest. I will read anything she writes.
August 20, 2023
I just finished Before you found me by Brooke Beyfuss and here are my thoughts!!
Rowan McNarama is a survivor. She survived her fiance trying to kill her. She survived without her parents growing up. She decides it's time to go home but on the way, she stops at a friend's house.
There is something odd with the man next door. He doesn’t seem to be a bad guy, overly helpful but something is not sitting well with Rowan.
Then she discovers what it is that isn’t right, Gabriel is 11 smothered in bruises and only ever in the basement. His father doesn’t even acknowledge he has a son. Rowan can’t let it go and soon she discovers that Gabriel has been living in the basement for 3 years. No school, not allowed out of the house and beaten on a regular basis. Having been through abuse herself, Rowan breaks Gabriel out and they go on the run together to her childhood home deciding to raise him as her own.
Together they help each other through their darkest days and they become a family, a bond so strong no one can separate them.
This book was so amazing. I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and I was getting serious picoult vibes from this book. I loved how amazing Rowen was to Gabriel. It literally takes an abuse survivor to be able to truly understand what it is like to live with nightmares.
Rowen is only at Laines home for a short time and yet Gabriel never showed himself to Laine but yet he did to Rowen so even right there Gabriel must have sensed he was safe to do so with Rowen. It was beautifully poetic.
I don’t normally trigger warnings in the books I read but there is some pretty triggering abuse of a woman and a child so please be mindful if these are triggers for you.
I loved the way the book was set out. When Rowen returns to her childhood home she doesn’t remember to raise a child that is not hers. Literary gold in my book! It was pretty steady with its pace but I think it was paced the way it should have been for a domestic fiction.
The writing was quite beautiful and I felt deeply connected with all the characters. Even Rowen’s estranged sister grew on me and it just shows you that family comes in all shapes.
5 stars. I definitely sobbed a little reading this book but it was massively inspiring and reminded me that we can overcome anything when we have people we live standing by our sides.
Thank you @sourcebooks for my gifted copy
August 3, 2023
When the going gets tough, Rowan McNamara gets tougher. A foster child who survived the system, she’s seen her fair share of heartache. When the story opens, Rowan is starting over again, fleeing an abusive relationship. So she hides out in her old friends house as she figures out her next course of action.
It’s there that she meets the suspiciously helpful Lee and his young son, Gabriel. Only Rowan quickly realizes she never sees the two of them together. Knowing how to look for the signs, Rowan presses until Gabriel reveals the unthinkable- his father has kept him in the basement after his mother passed tragically a few years prior. Her passing is also something Gabriel’s father has never come to terms with and is still punishing his son for.
Knowing she has to move on, but unable to leave Gabriel in his current situation, Rowan devises a plan. Together the two will leave and start over, far away from the men who hurt them so much. But as they navigate their new day to day in a faraway place, they see many of their old hardships have been replaced with new ones. The difference this time though is they have each other to hold onto.
Before You Found Me is a moving story about the family you make. With references to abuse, both physical and verbal, it’s not an easy read, but a powerful one if don’t find the story to be triggering. It’s my first book by author @brookebeyfuss, so I was shocked to see she’s not only from home state, but that we know at least one person in common. This reminded me how connections sometimes can come from the most unlikely places, just like the underlying message of this brilliant novel.
It’s there that she meets the suspiciously helpful Lee and his young son, Gabriel. Only Rowan quickly realizes she never sees the two of them together. Knowing how to look for the signs, Rowan presses until Gabriel reveals the unthinkable- his father has kept him in the basement after his mother passed tragically a few years prior. Her passing is also something Gabriel’s father has never come to terms with and is still punishing his son for.
Knowing she has to move on, but unable to leave Gabriel in his current situation, Rowan devises a plan. Together the two will leave and start over, far away from the men who hurt them so much. But as they navigate their new day to day in a faraway place, they see many of their old hardships have been replaced with new ones. The difference this time though is they have each other to hold onto.
Before You Found Me is a moving story about the family you make. With references to abuse, both physical and verbal, it’s not an easy read, but a powerful one if don’t find the story to be triggering. It’s my first book by author @brookebeyfuss, so I was shocked to see she’s not only from home state, but that we know at least one person in common. This reminded me how connections sometimes can come from the most unlikely places, just like the underlying message of this brilliant novel.
August 9, 2023
4.5⭐️
Before You Found Me is a beautiful and moving story about found family and healing from abuse and trauma.
Rowan has just fled her abusive fiancé and finds herself living next door to an overly friendly man named Lee and his son, Gabriel- the latter of whom she meets when he speaks to her through his basement window.
As things unfold, Rowan realizes that Gabriel didn’t just happen to be in the basement, he LIVES there- and in fact, has been secretly locked there for years by Lee, his abusive father. None of the neighbors even know Gabriel exists.
Rowan and Gabriel develop a bond and realize that contacting authorities isn’t a safe option, given how beloved the outwardly charming Lee is in the community. So, they flee together, to somewhere far away, hopefully safe at last from both their pasts.
It’s never quite that simple, and this book follows that long journey to safety, healing, and becoming a family. It’s an emotional read but in the end absolutely lovely watching them bloom after all their struggles.
Thank you Brooke Beyfuss, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Before You Found Me is a beautiful and moving story about found family and healing from abuse and trauma.
Rowan has just fled her abusive fiancé and finds herself living next door to an overly friendly man named Lee and his son, Gabriel- the latter of whom she meets when he speaks to her through his basement window.
As things unfold, Rowan realizes that Gabriel didn’t just happen to be in the basement, he LIVES there- and in fact, has been secretly locked there for years by Lee, his abusive father. None of the neighbors even know Gabriel exists.
Rowan and Gabriel develop a bond and realize that contacting authorities isn’t a safe option, given how beloved the outwardly charming Lee is in the community. So, they flee together, to somewhere far away, hopefully safe at last from both their pasts.
It’s never quite that simple, and this book follows that long journey to safety, healing, and becoming a family. It’s an emotional read but in the end absolutely lovely watching them bloom after all their struggles.
Thank you Brooke Beyfuss, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 10, 2023
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.
Brooke Beyfuss has written a powerful novel about families: biological and chosen. She includes a trigger warning due to depiction of domestic violence and child abuse.
Rowan McNamara escapes from her abusive fiance, Ethan, after he is convicted of domestic violence. She goes to her friend, Laine's home, and meets Lee, the next door neighbor. She also meets his eleven year old son, Gabriel who is locked in the basement.
She rescues Gabriel and takes him to her family home in Oklahoma. There they try to overcome the fear of their abusers finding them. Rowan's older sister, Celia, objects to the situation, adding conflict to their already strained relationship.
Brooke Beyfuss shows how two survivors grow and develop a support system. She keeps the suspense simmering and the reader turning the pages.
I found myself rooting for the characters, and stayed up far too late reading to see what happened next. The characters lingered with me after I finished.
I purchased a copy of the book to donate to the local library so that others can enjoy it also.
Brooke Beyfuss has written a powerful novel about families: biological and chosen. She includes a trigger warning due to depiction of domestic violence and child abuse.
Rowan McNamara escapes from her abusive fiance, Ethan, after he is convicted of domestic violence. She goes to her friend, Laine's home, and meets Lee, the next door neighbor. She also meets his eleven year old son, Gabriel who is locked in the basement.
She rescues Gabriel and takes him to her family home in Oklahoma. There they try to overcome the fear of their abusers finding them. Rowan's older sister, Celia, objects to the situation, adding conflict to their already strained relationship.
Brooke Beyfuss shows how two survivors grow and develop a support system. She keeps the suspense simmering and the reader turning the pages.
I found myself rooting for the characters, and stayed up far too late reading to see what happened next. The characters lingered with me after I finished.
I purchased a copy of the book to donate to the local library so that others can enjoy it also.
July 19, 2023
Before You Found Me by Brooke Beyfuss. Thanks to @sourcebookslandmark for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rowan is running from her abusive ex when she meets her eleven year old neighbor, Gabriel. When she realizes what Gabriel is going through, she takes off with him determined to raise him. Together they battle their past and trauma.
This is a painful and emotional story but definitely worth a read. Abuse (physical) plays a large narrative and the characters are growing and recovering from it. There are some graphic descriptions. I loved how the story is about found family and making a difference in each others lives. Despite the content and deep topic, it reads very easily; it felt like a young adult novel at times. Sometimes that is just what I need, especially with such a heavy topic.
“The fear just stays. You don’t always think about it, but it’s always there.”
Before You Found Me comes out 8/1.
Rowan is running from her abusive ex when she meets her eleven year old neighbor, Gabriel. When she realizes what Gabriel is going through, she takes off with him determined to raise him. Together they battle their past and trauma.
This is a painful and emotional story but definitely worth a read. Abuse (physical) plays a large narrative and the characters are growing and recovering from it. There are some graphic descriptions. I loved how the story is about found family and making a difference in each others lives. Despite the content and deep topic, it reads very easily; it felt like a young adult novel at times. Sometimes that is just what I need, especially with such a heavy topic.
“The fear just stays. You don’t always think about it, but it’s always there.”
Before You Found Me comes out 8/1.
August 21, 2023
How far would you go to save a child that's not yours? While escaping your own horrors at the age of 22...
I was a huge fan of Brooke's first book After We Were Stolen. I was thrilled when I saw this was released.
Rowan has just barely escaped her abusive boyfriend with her life and heads to her best friend's house to recuperate and hide. One night she meets Gabriel, a young abused boy locked in the neighbor's basement. Rowan slowly develops a plan to run from her life and take Gabe with her. Their lives are intertwined with fear, guilt, recovery, and eventually growth.
I really liked this story. The beginning of the story is frenetic and fast paced filled with drama and fear of what happens next. I thought the story would continue this pace but it evens out as they try to have a normal life. Occasionally the father or ex-fiance would pop in but it never created any real drama. Some of this wraps up too neatly for how the story starts, I expected more of a fight or a fiery climax to their journey.
Brooke does include a trigger warning but it also offers a bit of hope around the topics.
I was a huge fan of Brooke's first book After We Were Stolen. I was thrilled when I saw this was released.
Rowan has just barely escaped her abusive boyfriend with her life and heads to her best friend's house to recuperate and hide. One night she meets Gabriel, a young abused boy locked in the neighbor's basement. Rowan slowly develops a plan to run from her life and take Gabe with her. Their lives are intertwined with fear, guilt, recovery, and eventually growth.
I really liked this story. The beginning of the story is frenetic and fast paced filled with drama and fear of what happens next. I thought the story would continue this pace but it evens out as they try to have a normal life. Occasionally the father or ex-fiance would pop in but it never created any real drama. Some of this wraps up too neatly for how the story starts, I expected more of a fight or a fiery climax to their journey.
Brooke does include a trigger warning but it also offers a bit of hope around the topics.
January 25, 2025
Before You Found Me is a fast paced, emotionally gripping novel that explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the unexpected bonds that shape our lives. The story centers on Rowan, a woman fleeing her troubled past, and Gabriel, a young boy whose life has been marked by abuse. Their paths cross in a way that changes both of them forever.
The story portrays the complexities of healing and connection, painting a vivid picture of pain, hope, and redemption. The narrative is gripping, and the characters are deeply human, making it easy to root for them despite their flaws. The pacing kept me engaged, while the heartfelt moments linger just a bit longer.
The story is both challenging and uplifting. perfect for those who appreciate raw, emotional, and character-driven tales of survival and love.
It is an unforgettable read that will leave you both heartbroken and hopeful.
The story portrays the complexities of healing and connection, painting a vivid picture of pain, hope, and redemption. The narrative is gripping, and the characters are deeply human, making it easy to root for them despite their flaws. The pacing kept me engaged, while the heartfelt moments linger just a bit longer.
The story is both challenging and uplifting. perfect for those who appreciate raw, emotional, and character-driven tales of survival and love.
It is an unforgettable read that will leave you both heartbroken and hopeful.
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