What if your life was charmed and everything in it was perfect…
Before.
This is the story of my past. Of what things were...
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reviews
Dec 17, 2011
Heidi
rated it: 
Before
Two lives one light, one dark; One hiding in shadows, haunted by horror and the monster. The other, alive, happy and hopeful. Sam is desperate to escape the evil clutches of the monster, even if it means rescinding his chance to be near Heven. He is a dark moth drawn by an unrelenting desire to seek Heven's glow one last time. Heven, his beckoning ray, is a beautiful girl standing on the brink of teenage bliss; a cheer captain crowning, a handsome boyfriend prospect, friends More...
Two lives one light, one dark; One hiding in shadows, haunted by horror and the monster. The other, alive, happy and hopeful. Sam is desperate to escape the evil clutches of the monster, even if it means rescinding his chance to be near Heven. He is a dark moth drawn by an unrelenting desire to seek Heven's glow one last time. Heven, his beckoning ray, is a beautiful girl standing on the brink of teenage bliss; a cheer captain crowning, a handsome boyfriend prospect, friends More...
11 comments
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(16 people liked it)
Nov 18, 2011
Elisandra
rated it:
This is a bittersweet sensation,, great start,, tottal cliffhanging end,, me crying out NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,,, as I read the last page and hiding my face in my hands,,
yep,, that's a recepie for hooking me up to a book LoL
Reviewed on 11/14/11
The Plot - Since this is a prequel, there’s not much going on here. Is just a taste of what to come. Mysterious guy likes pretty and oblivious girl. Something bad happens More...
yep,, that's a recepie for hooking me up to a book LoL
Reviewed on 11/14/11
The Plot - Since this is a prequel, there’s not much going on here. Is just a taste of what to come. Mysterious guy likes pretty and oblivious girl. Something bad happens More...
20 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Nov 02, 2011
Sandra "Jeanz"
rated it:
Right first of all yes I am friends with Cambria on Goodreads but I want to take this opportunity to say that my review will be as honest as if I had picked up the book at a local bookstore.
Now onto the book review...
Hmmm very mysterious, it certainly makes you want the next book NOW!
It is well written very descriptive, so much you feel the atmosphere and can see the surroundings etc.Its definitely got me thinking what is Sam? I think I might have an idea but am I being too ob More...
Now onto the book review...
Hmmm very mysterious, it certainly makes you want the next book NOW!
It is well written very descriptive, so much you feel the atmosphere and can see the surroundings etc.Its definitely got me thinking what is Sam? I think I might have an idea but am I being too ob More...
Nov 09, 2011
Chelesbells
rated it:
We have an old, southern saying that goes something like this: “If that don’t light your fire, your wood’s wet”. That is exactly what kept running through my mind after reading Before Heven and Hell 0.5, the exciting prequel to Masquerade Heven and Hell 1…because if that didn’t make you excited for a book, well, my friend, you are completely unexcitable. The fact that the author was able to draw me in with only 19 pages is an extraordinary talent. The story is spicy and sweet - with Heven
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15 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Nov 18, 2011
Shane
rated it: 
Before I begin my review of Before I think it is important to let everyone know that Before I read this book I was unsure of what really happened Before. Now I do and I have a feeling that before I wrote those words you didn’t want to know what happened Before but now you do. I cannot blame you because Before I read Before I didn’t really know if I wanted to know what happened before. Now that I know what happened Before because I have read Before I am glad that I know what happened Before. To k
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9 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Nov 02, 2011
Nora
rated it:
Possessing the looks of an angel and high school popularity topped off by becoming the new head cheerleader, Heven has it all—or does she? In Cambria Hebert’s perfectly spun prequel to her debut novel, “Masquerade,” nothing lasts forever, especially the idyllic world Heven exists in. On the other hand, Sam is a mysterious teenager captivated heart and soul by the bewitching Heven, who can only imagine a perfect world, and if that world is to be perfect, it must include Heven. “Before” is a quick
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12 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Oct 31, 2011
OCD Kay {K-Books}
rated it: 
Before Review on K-Books
Cambria kindly sent me the prequel of her debut novel for review before her novel comes out in December.
Heven is the perfect girl with the perfect life. She has just been asked out by the guy she's liked for a while and she has just been appointed head cheerleader. Everything is looking up.
Sam is a mysterious guy stuck in a mysterious world Heven knows nothing about. She doesn't know him but he knows her but he can't be a part of her world as More...
Cambria kindly sent me the prequel of her debut novel for review before her novel comes out in December.
Heven is the perfect girl with the perfect life. She has just been asked out by the guy she's liked for a while and she has just been appointed head cheerleader. Everything is looking up.
Sam is a mysterious guy stuck in a mysterious world Heven knows nothing about. She doesn't know him but he knows her but he can't be a part of her world as More...
3 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Oct 28, 2011
Jenn aka Texas Long Hair
rated it:
Before serves as a prequel to Cambria Hebert’s debut novel Masquerade.
Heven is your normal teenage girl entering her Senior year of high school, her biggest worries are that of if her crush likes her, what to wear to school and if she will be made the head cheerleader.
You know, the stuff majority of girls think about or even dream about when they are little.
Heven has it all in this story, she is beautiful and popular and it seems like everything is going her way.
But the que More...
Heven is your normal teenage girl entering her Senior year of high school, her biggest worries are that of if her crush likes her, what to wear to school and if she will be made the head cheerleader.
You know, the stuff majority of girls think about or even dream about when they are little.
Heven has it all in this story, she is beautiful and popular and it seems like everything is going her way.
But the que More...
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(9 people liked it)
Nov 30, 2011
Giselle
rated it:
I don't usually read short stories because they're, well… too short. I never have time to get into it so I don't bother. When I do read them, it's most likely after the main course - so yes, I cheated and read Masquerade first. *blasphemy*.
Before is a short prequel to the upcoming full length novel Masquerade. When we meet Heven in Masquerade, the attack that gave her horrible scars on her face has already come and gone. So in Before, we get a glimpse of how glamorous her life was w More...
Before is a short prequel to the upcoming full length novel Masquerade. When we meet Heven in Masquerade, the attack that gave her horrible scars on her face has already come and gone. So in Before, we get a glimpse of how glamorous her life was w More...
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(4 people liked it)
Nov 12, 2011
Misty
rated it:
So, I know this is a short story and I know it's just a teaser for the full length novel 'Masquerade' but personally I still don't think it had enough to it. I would've liked just a little bit of the history to really draw me in.
We meet Sam, who is so drawn to Heven he's pretty much stalking her even though he's resigned to never actually speaking to her because he knows he can't be with her. He thinks she's the perfect girl but I don't really know why he does since he doesn't More...
We meet Sam, who is so drawn to Heven he's pretty much stalking her even though he's resigned to never actually speaking to her because he knows he can't be with her. He thinks she's the perfect girl but I don't really know why he does since he doesn't More...
Nov 17, 2011
Natshane
rated it:
It took me 19 pages to fall in love with this book, imagine what a hundred more would do? I could never ever imagined how 19 pages could have worked me up so much, I was screaming CLIFFHANGER like a maniac in the end, no kidding.
I love how the story was written, 19 pages to introduce us to Mr.Harbouring-Dark-Secrets-And-Crushing-On-A-Girl Sam, and bubbly-I-don't-see-it-coming Heven (I just can't get over the fact that I am crushing on a guy who I've known only for 19 pages, that mus More...
I love how the story was written, 19 pages to introduce us to Mr.Harbouring-Dark-Secrets-And-Crushing-On-A-Girl Sam, and bubbly-I-don't-see-it-coming Heven (I just can't get over the fact that I am crushing on a guy who I've known only for 19 pages, that mus More...
2 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Nov 26, 2011
Anagha
rated it:
Originally posted on my blog: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/ Drop by for more reviews, giveaways, etc
"I got caught watching the one person I was supposed to not care about"...
Review: Told from alternating points of view of Sam and Heven, this prequel to Masquerade grabs you from the very beginning. I usually make notes while reading, but I hardly knew when it began and when it had ended!
As for characters, I love Sam, who seems to be the unrequited love type (g More...
"I got caught watching the one person I was supposed to not care about"...
Review: Told from alternating points of view of Sam and Heven, this prequel to Masquerade grabs you from the very beginning. I usually make notes while reading, but I hardly knew when it began and when it had ended!
As for characters, I love Sam, who seems to be the unrequited love type (g More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Nov 09, 2011
Mlpmom
rated it:
Heaven and Hell. Light and Dark. Goodness and Evil. Sadness and Happiness. Hope and Despair. Sam and Heven.
Cambria Hebert has created a fresh new look into monsters and darkness and a young man that is struggling to overcome what he is and what he wants and what he is drawn to in this great new series that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
This prequel may be short but it will grab a hold of you and refuse to let go until you get more.
Cambria Hebert is a v More...
Cambria Hebert has created a fresh new look into monsters and darkness and a young man that is struggling to overcome what he is and what he wants and what he is drawn to in this great new series that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
This prequel may be short but it will grab a hold of you and refuse to let go until you get more.
Cambria Hebert is a v More...
5 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Feb 15, 2012
Michelle
rated it: 
As a bare bones teaser, this fails. I have so little desire to read the actual books that I will avoid this author. Why? "Apparently" was used three times in one paragraph. The dialog is stilted and full of the "Hello, [insert name]" that adds nothing except word count. The heroine describes herself and her clothing head to foot often enough that I wonder if this should have been a comic instead. Add ridiculous levels of detail to the smallest things and you've no idea whethe
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Nov 08, 2011
Ottilie
rated it:
Before is a short story setting up for the debut Young Adult novel Masquerade by Cambria Hebert. The novelella is written in beautiful language that wraps around your mind placing you in this world. Cambria's words are descriptive so that the readers can imagine every scene as if they are there. The main characters Sam and Heven are eager for the readers to get to know them more in Masquerade as we get a peek into their lives in Before. Sam is part of a dark world that is looming over him, h
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2 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jan 23, 2012
Jackie
rated it:
After reading this short prequel to Masquerade we kinda get a feel for the main characters . Heven and Sam and Kimber . It whet my appetite for more. Heven is the most beautiful girl in school and is a cheerleader who doesn't like lying and cheating just to get her assignment done in time . Kimber is her friend and Sam , well I got the feeling he was Heven's stalker and is hiding something . I don't know if it's a good or bad thing yet. Heven , being made captain of the cheerleading squad spends
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Nov 09, 2011
Tricia
rated it:
Heven's life was perfect. She is beautiful, popular, and just got voted cheerleading captain - all things that any teenage girl would dream about.
Then her world falls apart.
Sam's life is dark. His only shining light is Heven, and the monster has forbid him to see her again. Even though he is anxious to escape the clutches of the monster, Sam can not forget about Heven. In his desire to see her 'one last time,' Sam inadvertently leads the monster right to her.
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Then her world falls apart.
Sam's life is dark. His only shining light is Heven, and the monster has forbid him to see her again. Even though he is anxious to escape the clutches of the monster, Sam can not forget about Heven. In his desire to see her 'one last time,' Sam inadvertently leads the monster right to her.
More...
Jan 02, 2012
LOL I have no idea how many stars to give this one -- it's SUCH a tease! You get sucked into this alternating story that flops between Sam, a guy who appears to be some kind of paid assistant to a killer of some sort (and a semi-stalker at that, too) and Heven, a popular head-cheerleader type girl who is being followed for some unknown reason by this guy Sam. You're reading along then, BAM, it ends and tells you to go buy a different book Masquerade (Heven & Hell) by Cambria Hebert.
O More...
O More...
Dec 12, 2011
Sapphyria
rated it:
Sam is under the control of a monster and watches Heven from afar, knowing she's the one person he should be staying away from.
Heven has just been named Captain of the cheerleading squad and been asked to an end-of-the-year party by Brice, Heven's crush.
As Heven leaves the library one evening, after completing one last homework assignment, Sam is caught by the monster watching her.
Will Heven ever be the same?
This is a very awesome teaser to Cambria Hebert's 2011 rel More...
Heven has just been named Captain of the cheerleading squad and been asked to an end-of-the-year party by Brice, Heven's crush.
As Heven leaves the library one evening, after completing one last homework assignment, Sam is caught by the monster watching her.
Will Heven ever be the same?
This is a very awesome teaser to Cambria Hebert's 2011 rel More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 17, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
Tease! That is what this delightful little Novella is. It's amazing, that in a short amount of time how invested I felt in these characters. Their story is very captivating and well written. I really really want to know what Sam's secret is? He is such a tortured soul, good, and mysterious. Heven is pretty, sweet, good and popular life is good to her then......??? I liked Kimber too, she is Heven's sassy best-friend. I completely enjoyed this prequel and am anxiously awaiting it's sequel Masqu
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2 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Dec 14, 2011
Katy
rated it:
“Before” tells us a bit about Sam and Heven, and their lives … before. Before “Masquerade” – this is the prequel, after all. Sam is trying to stop the monster from killing, and agrees to stay away from Heven. But he just can’t. Heven is blonde, beautiful, and was just named captain of the cheerleading squad for the next school year. It’s amazing how things can change in just one night …
This is a short prequel to Cambria’s novel “Masquerade” and as such it gives us a bit of backgro More...
This is a short prequel to Cambria’s novel “Masquerade” and as such it gives us a bit of backgro More...
Oct 28, 2011
Veronica
rated it:
Before is the prequel to Masquerade. It allows us a glimpse into the lives of Sam and Heven before...before both of their worlds changed.
The story made me impatient for the first book. I love Cambria Hebert's writing and Sam's point of view. There is a whole mystery surrounding him and even when we see through his eyes we don't get to know a lot, it's really nice.
This is a great story to get you pumped up for the real thing! So, I learn what happened before, now I can't wait More...
The story made me impatient for the first book. I love Cambria Hebert's writing and Sam's point of view. There is a whole mystery surrounding him and even when we see through his eyes we don't get to know a lot, it's really nice.
This is a great story to get you pumped up for the real thing! So, I learn what happened before, now I can't wait More...
9 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Jan 02, 2012
Amanda
rated it: 
This was an ok story. Nothing fabulous. Not impressed enough to consider purchasing the first book in the Heaven and Hell series. It had a feel of most teen novels, the not so great ones. The girl's name is actually Heven. Ugh. Very unoriginal. This was just a free short story introducing the characters for the series. The monster that Sam speaks of working for was a bit interesting just because they never mention what exactly the monster was. I'd like to know but I'm not dying to know.
Jan 05, 2012
Sheri
rated it:
Before is a short story, the prequel to Masquerade. In Before we are introduced to Heven and Sam. Heven has the perfect life, looks, friends, guys…everything a girl could want.
Sam is in some kind of trouble, but we do not get to know enough about him to understand what kind of trouble it is. What we do know is that he is in love with Heven…but he should have stayed away.
This book is the perfect teaser to make you want to read Masquerade to find out what happens:
More...
Sam is in some kind of trouble, but we do not get to know enough about him to understand what kind of trouble it is. What we do know is that he is in love with Heven…but he should have stayed away.
This book is the perfect teaser to make you want to read Masquerade to find out what happens:
More...
Jan 02, 2012
Kira
rated it:
It gets four stars. Only because it was far too short, and had quite a cliffhanger ending. It did what a teaser is meant to do though! I'll definitely be reading Masquerade. The alternating perspective between Sam and Heven is awesome. Both characters seem fascinating for different reasons. Can't wait to read more about Heven with her sweet, bubbly, innocence and Sam with his dangerous, mysterious, brooding. :)
Jan 01, 2012
Belinda
rated it:
I was thinking about reading a short ebook on my kindle for a change.... So I tried this free ebook, I liked Cambria Hebert's writing style and the ending of this very short ebook made me curious...sooo I just had to buy Masquerade to know what will happen with Sam and Heven. Very clever of Cambria Hebert to make a BEFORE story like this one for free ;-)
Nov 09, 2011
Becca
rated it:
BEFORE is the prequel to Cambria Hebert's Heven and Hell series. It's a quick introduction that contains just the right amount of mystery and tension. In short, this prequel does its job. I'm hooked, caught up with the lead characters and soooo ready to read Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1.) I have a feeling that is series you DO NOT want to miss. Don't take my word for it. Come meet SAM and HEVEN and see for yourself!
21 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Jan 18, 2012
Maghon
rated it:
ok, so you can't say too much about a short story prequel unless you wanna give away the whole thing, but now that I am reading Masquerade, this is an excellent prequel to let you in on a little peek into what's to come! and boy, oh, boy, is this one a good one!
Dec 18, 2011
Ronda
rated it:
Mysterious! This short story has warmed my curiosity up and I am looking forward to beginning the book Masquerade.
I like the chapter titles, the names of the characters, this looks like it is going to be a mysterious and possibly romantic journey.
I like the chapter titles, the names of the characters, this looks like it is going to be a mysterious and possibly romantic journey.
Jan 14, 2012
●☆●★Lιℓιαи Malik Styles Horan
rated it:
Good begining.Heven is pretty...How can I put this easy? ...Annoying!
Shes too prep-eyy...But over all,I really cant wait to read book one...I LOVE Sam!
Shes too prep-eyy...But over all,I really cant wait to read book one...I LOVE Sam!
