Before & After by Nazarea Andrews…Blog Tour Stop & Review

My Review:

Consider my reluctance about New Adult romance cured. Before & After by Nazarea Andrews made me a believer. Was there over-the-top angst like I feared? Yes. Did I care? Not one little bit. Did it feature characters in their college years who this *cough*late 40s*cough* reviewer was afraid wouldn’t appeal to her? Yes, but I totally loved them. Read on and see why.

Riker (Rike if you’re in his very small, very intimate inner circle) is your typical bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a sexy beard and tattoos that hides a painful past. Yet, he’s also far from typical. Sure he’s in a band, but he writes amazing songs that make your heart grow three sizes. And the author includes the songs in the book. Which I loved that she did that! Oh, and he writes poetry that makes you smile and wish they were for you. The author includes these poems throughout the book, before each “After” chapter. Which I loved that she did that!

Before & After is told in alternating points of view. “Before” is told through Rike and “After” is told through our heroine, Peyton. Perhaps you’re gleaning on to the fact that something big happens? It does. An ill-timed accident lands Peyton and her best friend, Lindsay, in the hospital with life-altering injuries. Lindsay is coupled with Rike’s best friend–brother, more like, in all ways but biology–and bandmate, Scot. They’re all best friends together and share practically everything. When Peyton wakes up she doesn’t remember anything about her and Riker. Nothing. Not the all-consuming love they share, the crazy hot sex, the songs—NONE OF IT. She doesn’t remember Lindsay or Scot. She doesn’t remember the accident. Everything but her difficult childhood and right up until she met Rike. *heart breaks*

Andrews deftly brings the reader along the journey that Peyton and Rike begin to regain what they’d lost. As I said, the story is told in alternating points of view, but it’s also done with alternating before (the accident) and after (the accident) chapters. It’s a very clever and interesting way to piece them back together and slowly reveal all the things Peyton forgot. There were a few things I would have like fleshed out more, such as Peyton’s parents. We’re supposed to believe that they’re bad for her, but I don’t think the author fully made that case. There’s also a very interesting dynamic between two couples that wasn’t as developed as I’d liked, and unless Lindsay and Scot are getting their own book (Yes, please!), they were a bit of a cliffhanger.

The sex scenes were H-O-T – Hot! I mean they were scorching. Rike is really, really, REALLY into Peyton. Consumed with her, but not in a controlling, stalkerish way. He can be bossy in bed (*swoon*) but he’s not an alpha-hole. When Peyton needs space he gives it to her. He knows when to push and when not to. He’ll be your next book boyfriend.

Four Loves