Tuesday, March 24, 2015

[Double Review]: "Before I Fall"

Before I Fall by Jessica Scott
Publisher: Jessica Scott (March 3, 2015)
Series: Fall, 1
Genre: NA Contemporary

Stay focused. Get a job. Save her father's life.

Beth Lamont knows far too much about the harsh realities of life her gilded classmates have only read about in class. She'll do whatever it takes to take care of her father, even if that means tutoring a guy like Noah - a guy who represents everything she hates about the war, soldiers and what the Army has done to her family. 

Noah Warren doesn't know how to be a student. All he knows is war. But he's going to college now to fulfill a promise and he doesn't break his promises. Except he doesn't count on his tutor being drop dead gorgeous and distracting as hell. One look at Beth threatens to unravel the careful lies Noah has constructed around him.

A simple arrangement turns into something neither of them can deny. And a war that neither of them can forget could destroy them both. 



Where to Buy*:
More Info:

Reviews of  Scott's Previous Novels:

Because of You, #1 (Kame)
Because of You, #1 (TBQ)
Anything For You, #1.5 (TBQ)
Until There Was You, #2 (TBQ)
I'll Be Home for Christmas, #2.5 (TBQKame and Pat) ✦ Discussion
Back To You, #3 (TBQ, Kame and Pat) ✦ Discussion
All for You, #4 (TBQ, Kame and Pat) ✦ Discussion
It's Always Been You (#5) -- TBQ, Kame, and Pat
All I Want for Christmas Is You (#5.5) -- Pat


Kame's Review:

Beth just has to keep one step ahead of the VA and the bills while keeping up with her studies so she can find a great job. She needs to help her father find relief from the pain, keep food in the cupboards and the electricity on, it is the least she can do for all he has done for her. The private tutoring job her Stats professor has lined up will surely help, until she meets Noah.   She doesn’t have time for guys in her life, can’t remember the last time she went on a date, and besides he’s a Vet, and she doesn’t date Vets.


First off I want Beth to come and explain Stats to me. I think Jessica Scott was brilliant to make Beth a Stats whiz. It is the one business subject so many people find mystifying. It is the perfect choice to show her true intelligence, because if a professor gives your name out as a tutor it is a sign you know your stuff (I am a Prof. and I am VERY picky about tutors I recommend). The fact that Beth has been taking care of her dad for so long just further shows you her strength.  Beth not only had a plan but she continually had three back up plans if needed. She could think on her feet as shown by her ability to keep the members happy at the country club. Through her relationship with Noah we can see how close to the end of her rope she really is. Noah, I really do have a soft spot in my heart for veterans. In my book loving heart Noah has taken up residence right near Jessica Scott’s character of Shane. I was cheering for him since the first time he graced the page. I have no doubt in my mind that Noah would defend his country, his family, his friends or his woman with his last breath; but put in a completely foreign setting as a college campus he shows a vulnerability that is just touching.




There are so many things competing for her. Her dad. Her work. School. I'm selfish enough to want my own time, my own space. More than a few hours a week of tutoring.

She's not there yet. Patience. I need a plan. I need to find a way to become part of the space in her life.

Because she is more than fire in my arms.

She's life. And I crave her more than breathing.




Beth and Noah are meant for each other and I wonder if the professor sort of saw it ahead of time.  I love that they both had something that each other needed. At first it was as basic as Stats knowledge and extra cash to pay bills. But soon their hearts realized they were the one to help them in their time of need.


As with all Jessica Scott books there aren’t any wasted scenes, everything has a purpose, which makes it a page turner and I read this book with hardly moving off the couch. I was sad to see it end, but satisfied that with a second book with Abby and Josh as the central characters we will probably get at least one glimpse at Noah and Beth.


This book left me thinking for days – I will never hear Jack Johnson’s song Flake again without thinking of Noah.  This is a great book – go get it.


5 STARS! 




Pat's Review:


I don't typically read New Adult stories, but I enjoy Jessica Scott's writing very much, so I read this novel and found I couldn't put it down.  The characters of Beth Lamont and Noah Warren are young and in college. Noah is a former soldier, recently back in the U.S. He is starting college which feels like another foreign country. He doesn't even know what he should wear!  He is determined to do well to thank the people who made it possible for him to be here, even hiring him a tutor for statistics.  He suffers from panic attacks, severe pain from a shoulder injury and insomnia.  He has lots of medicines to keep him on the straight and narrow.  But nothing can stop his attraction to his tutor Beth.


Beth has never been anything but an adult. Her Dad is former Army and on partial disability from a back injury. She has been dealing with the VA for as long as she can remember, and it never gets easier. They constantly cancel appointments, refuse the full treatment he needs because he is only partially disabled, and he survives on drugs and alcohol. Prescription drugs when he can get them, alcohol when he can't. Beth deals with this, her part time job, college and tutoring a vet. Not her happy place.  She is stunned by  her reaction to Noah, she avoids soldiers at all costs. Not a huge fan of the military. But he is sweet, kind and wants to protect and help her. It is hard to think of Beth and Noah being so young. They have lead lives that some adults would have a hard time dealing with.


This is a beautiful story of families, falling in love, fighting inner demons and the hard truths that Veterans face coming home.  The strength these two characters show is amazing.   This story is another Five Star read for me.  It is a must read as far as I'm concerned.


5 STARS!


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Kame and Pat each received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for their honest opinions.

*Note: The quote used belongs to Jessica Scott; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim it.

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Also, Kame, Pat, and I did a quick discussion of the book, so don't miss the fun! 

Have you read Jessica Scott yet? (I hope so! We rave about her books often enough on the blog . . . ) Do you have a favorite from her?

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on Mar 26th for a chance to WIN an ecopy of your own!



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

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