Before Hadley

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Before Hadley

Before Hadley

by: J. Nathan
My Rating: four-half-stars



Published by: J. Nathan on March 14th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, College Life, HEA, Cliffhanger Free

ISBN: 2940157659448

ASIN: B01AVHZ0GU
Pages: 247
Disclosure: I was invited by the publisher to read this title in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I received no monetary compensation, and all comments are subjective and mine alone.
Content Warning: sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence make this title appropriate for readers 18 and over.



Synopsis

What's worse than a cocky new guy at school? A cocky new guy with a killer body and the attention of every female at school. Hadley can tell the minute she lays eyes on Caynan that he's someone to avoid. He may have looks and charm, but he's also got heartbreak written all over his pretty face.

Unfortunately for Hadley, Caynan has his sights set on her. She's the one girl who doesn't want him. The one girl who's turned off by his charm. The one girl who challenges him like no other. And, though she couldn't possibly know the truth about him, she seems to be the one girl who really sees him.

But with Caynan, things aren't at all what they seem. His secrets have secrets and everything out of his mouth straddles the line between truth and fiction. He knows better than to get involved with anyone, especially with his time limited in the new town, but he just can't seem to get Hadley out of his mind. Too bad for him, secrets never remain secrets for long.






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Before Hadley is one of three back-to-back books from J. Nathan. My understanding is that the books are companions to each other, and each can be read as a standalone. This is the first I’ve read of the three. Before Hadley is about two very different high-schooler seniors, and, as the book progresses, Hadley goes to college and Caynan… well, read the book.  No spoilers here. One is the daughter of a cop; the other, the son of a criminal. They, obviously, come from two completely different worlds. 

 

We were from completely different worlds. My life was one big lie. Hers held so many possibilities.      (Caynan)

 

First, what I really liked about the book. The plot. It had so much potential. I loved the idea. Although, the good girl/bad boy angle really tends to get old after awhile–I mean, really, there is something to be said about a good guy–but Before Hadley managed to make the plot seem original.

 

There was no future for us. And Hadley was the type of girl who deserved an amazing future. Hell, she was the type of girl I’d see a future with if I actually had one of my own.  (Caynan)

 

The characters were mostly well-developed. I had issues with Hadley throughout the book, but especially near the end. Caynan was charming, a flirt, and a thief, but I still found something… missing in the character. I can’t quite put my finger on it, though. Secondary characters could have been punched up a lot.

 

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What saved the book for me was the mystery involved. I really didn’t expect it. It kept things moving at a good pace.  And there were a lot of sweet and sexy moments between the two main characters. I enjoyed the slow burn they had for each other. 

 

We were from completely different worlds. My life was one big lie. Hers held so many possibilities. (Caynan)

 

Bottom line: a story about love and second chances that gives a swoony HEA. Worth the read.

 

“You silly girl. You. You’re my dream.”  (Caynan)

 

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About J. Nathan

J. Nathan is the author of the new adult novels Before Hadley, Until Alex, and Since Drew. When she’s not writing, she’s a total romance junkie! Add an alpha male who’s unlikable in the beginning…even better. Happy endings are a must. Love triangles and negative people are the bane of her existence. Her family, friends, guys in backwards hats, and watermelon margaritas are the light.

Michelle
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      1. meradethhouston

        I so don’t understand the whole appeal of the bad boy. Seriously. Like, I don’t want to deal with an a-hole. I’d much rather have someone stable and kind. Who knows, maybe I’m just weird, but I’ve never understood it. Still, it can sometimes make for a fun read, so long as I’m not rolling my eyes at the female’s reasoning for picking the bad boy 😉

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