I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Before You Break by Christina Lee Series: Between Breaths #2
Published by Penguin InterMix on February 18, 2014
Pages: 226
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…
The star catcher of the college baseball team isn't supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there' s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them—something that makes him want to open up.
Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working the suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can' t ignore.
Soon Ella and Quinn' s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far.
*A companion novel to ALL OF YOU
At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.
“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.
“Sweet and salty—it’ s a must-have for movie watching.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ ll fall in love. You’ ll never watch a movie without them again.”
“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.
“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’ t want to be without them ever again.”
Quinn’ s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’ t forget.”
Speechless wasn’ t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’ t even move my lips to form any coherent words.
When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”
My thoughts…
Omigosh! I’ ve been waiting, waiting, waiting for this one!!! As soon as I read the synopsis at the end of book one I knew I had to read this book. I couldn’ t get my hands on this little gem fast enough. 😀 The storyline was unique. Ms Lee captured my attention from page one and didn’ t let go until the very end. As I write this I’ m still reeling from it.
(Please not that all the books in the series can be read as standalones. You do not have to read the first book before you read this one, but let me tell you… book one was amazing too. So you’ ll want to read it)
The hero: Quinn. *swoon* Let me just say he is amazing!!! I loved everything about him. I felt so bad for him and what he’ s went through. He carries a lot of guilt around. In doing so he doesn’ t think he deserves to be happy in life. I couldn’ t help, but sympathize with him. I wanted so badly for him to move past the guilt and start living life again.
The heroine: Ella. What a beautiful girl all around. I loved everything about her too. She seemed wiser than her years. She made for an amazing friend.
Together: I loved these two together. They’ ve both experienced loss in their short lives. Even though the circumstances of the losses they suffered were different they were able to connect with each other. Ella aka Gabriella (Gabby) was such a good listener for Quinn (Daniel.) She helped him see that he in fact was worthy of love. It was because of her that he thought maybe he did deserve to move on.
Smexy Times: Ok. Now there aren’ t a lot of smexy times in this book and I’ m okay with that. They storyline was so unique that I was drawn in and frankly sex really wasn’ t the main focus for me. Having said that… this book has what I say is the “best first kiss of all first kisses ever.” Yes, I know. That’ s saying a lot, but here’ s the deal. The tension between these two was so strong. It kept building and building and then finally when they come together for the first time I was like W-O-W! That was freaking hot. All first kisses should be that hot. Know what I’ m on saying? 🙂
Overall: I think this book was amazing!!! From the storyline, the characters, to the overall setting of this book I loved every word of it. As you can imagine, I will definitely be insisting that all my friends read this book. I loved, loved, loved it!!! I will be reading it again in the future. It’ s defiantly one I will be purchasing for my shelves.
PS: I am totally onboard with the excerpt above. I do the same exact thing. Milk Duds and Popcorn are awesome together. Try it!
All of You (Between Breaths, #1)
Goodreads | Amazon
Before You Break (Between Breaths, #2)
Goodreads | Amazon
~ UPCOMING ~
Whisper to Me (Between Breaths, #3)
Goodsreads | Amazon
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