Tuesday, March 24, 2015

[Book Discussion]: "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




Today we're talking about Jessica Scott's newest release, BEFORE I FALL. Enjoy!


Kame: Okay this is something different for Jessica Scott.  We have read and loved her other books, but they all have active duty military – and well most of the characters are older. Noah and Beth are college age, and Noah has separated from the Army.  First impressions?

I for one picked up the book because Jessica wrote it.  I have been very vocal on not reading many books with characters of this age – but I gotta say never once did I think about their age


TBQ: I picked it up for the same reason – it’s from Jessica. No matter the genre or story, I trust that she’ll provide a great read for us, and I was not disappointed! 


Pat: Of course I will read anything Jessica's writes, but I also wanted to see what her story would be like using a whole different premise. I have to say I liked it, and I'm looking forward to more. I agree TBQ, I never thought about their age. 



Kame: I do not teach on an ivy league caliber campus, however I could definitely see a few students I know in Noah. I think Jessica nailed it as to how Noah must feel being a little older than his fellow students and being exposed to more things than they have. I think that is why this worked for me as a NA, because I don’t really consider either of them new adults – Noah and Beth have been in situations far beyond their young years, they have lived more life than many do that are twice their age.


TBQ: Agreed; these two may have been young, but they were not immature.


Pat: Noah had so many people he felt he would let down if he didn't do well. A lot of responsibility for a young man suffering from PTSD, and trying to acclimate to being back in the US. Your right Kame and TBQ, their maturity and responsibilities made them adults.


Kame: The first character we meet is Beth. I liked her. You have to be a good student to be a TA. Actually I would love to as her for help with stats as I passed the class but could never help anyone.  I thought her relationship with her Dad was very touching. Beth feels she owes her father so much and she has been taking care of him for so long.  


TBQ: *nods* Beth’s relationship with her father was so well done. I connected with her character quite a bit because of that.


Pat: Reading Beth's responsibilities and all she has to do to keep them above water, all I could think was that there had to be someone to help them!  What made it even more difficult was knowing Jessica was writing this with the knowledge of the system she has.


Kame: Noah he was rather mysterious wasn't he, he was revealed in little bits. There was something about him that I had an instant connection with. He was vulnerable wasn’t he, but at the same time he was very protective of Beth.


TBQ: I liked that Jessica revealed Noah’s character in pieces like that; honestly if it had all been laid out at once, it would have made for a very different story, I feel. 


Kame: What made this different from Jessica’s other books.


Pat: I wanted to give Noah a hug from the first moment we met him!  He felt so out of place, older and didn't even know how to dress!  He wanted to be like the others, but it's hard to leave a life like Iraq, and return to what most people think is normal.

          
Kame: Friends play a big part in this book. Abby is a dear friend to Beth. I got the feeling that the guys Noah spent time with were newer friends. Sometimes I think circumstances can bring people closer and I think that is Noah with the guys. Do you have a favorite friend moment in the book? 


Mine is Beth’s “talk” with Josh.


TBQ: Friendships definitely played a big part. The other difference is the focus of how being home from deployment affects Noah, as well as Beth’s father (and by extension Beth). As always, Jessica handled it extremely well, and accurately, of course.

No fair, you stole my favorite moment! :P


Pat: I have a friend moment that is sort of comic relief. Abby and Beth are talking at work, and Beth tells her Noah is picking her up from work. They have a hilarious condom/protection discussion.


Kame: That is a good scene too!

I will say I am so looking forward to the next book.  I wasn’t sure what I would think of a NA book by Jessica, but as I have said I adore her writing. 


TBQ: Yes! It’s not just the story that was told, but Jessica’s writing style and voice, as well as her ability to share real emotions and issues in her books. 

Since many of Jessica’s current fans might not be reading NA, what would you say to convince them to read Before I Fall?


Pat: After thinking about it, Beth is a junior and Noah is a few years older than his fellow students, so, to me that crosses a little over the line of NA. But true Jessica Scott fans won't need any convincing. Her books are a must read.



Kame: It is only NA in the sense that the characters are in their twenties. It still has the raw emotion and deep characters we love in Jessica Scott books. Get it – you won’t regret it!







I hope our discussion -- and Kame and Pat's double review HERE -- convinced you to pick up this book. As Kame said, you won't regret it! :) 



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,

Photobucket

*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!

1 comment :

Sophia Rose said...

I'm like you gals in that if its a Jessica Scott book then I want to read it. She had two come out and I only had time for one so I picked the adult one. Glad this one was good too. ;)