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Beautifully Broken #3
Before We Fall
Sometimes, one dark moment is all it takes to turn your world black...
For 24-year old Dominic Kinkaide, that moment took place on the night of his high school graduation. One dark incident changed him forever. He's a hardened actor now, famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured in his own. He doesn't care about much of anything, except for losing himself in the roles that he plays.
23-year old Jacey Vincent doesn't realize how much her father's indifference has affected her. She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but rather it's an absence of moments. She's like a bird with a broken wing-strong yet fragile, as she tries to float through life, finding acceptance in the arms of random guys, one after the other... to fill the void that her father left in her.
Until she meets Dominic.
After jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, his secret and her issues create a dark and damaged energy that will soon turn their attraction to each other into an explosive storm.
Even though when the clouds have cleared and the dust has settled, both of them are almost obliterated... they've learned a priceless lesson.
Sometimes, before we fall... we fly.
For 24-year old Dominic Kinkaide, that moment took place on the night of his high school graduation. One dark incident changed him forever. He's a hardened actor now, famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured in his own. He doesn't care about much of anything, except for losing himself in the roles that he plays.
23-year old Jacey Vincent doesn't realize how much her father's indifference has affected her. She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but rather it's an absence of moments. She's like a bird with a broken wing-strong yet fragile, as she tries to float through life, finding acceptance in the arms of random guys, one after the other... to fill the void that her father left in her.
Until she meets Dominic.
After jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, his secret and her issues create a dark and damaged energy that will soon turn their attraction to each other into an explosive storm.
Even though when the clouds have cleared and the dust has settled, both of them are almost obliterated... they've learned a priceless lesson.
Sometimes, before we fall... we fly.
336 pages, ebook
First published December 3, 2013
About the author
Courtney Cole
56 books4,448 followersCourtney Cole is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist who loves to eat your emotions for breakfast.
She believes in the power of blonde hair dye and red lipstick, and that a well-timed smile can save the world.
Learn more about Courtney and her books at www.courtneycolecreates.com
Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/courtneyc...
She believes in the power of blonde hair dye and red lipstick, and that a well-timed smile can save the world.
Learn more about Courtney and her books at www.courtneycolecreates.com
Find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/courtneyc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 606 reviews
November 28, 2013
Dominic is trouble. And I don't need any more trouble in my life. I'm turning over a new leaf and I'm making good choices. Dominic Kinkaide is a bad, bad choice.
I know that whenever I pick up a book by Courtney Cole I am in for one dark and angsty emotional roller coaster ride. Book 2 in the series, If You Leave continues to be one of my favorite books this year. That being said, I was hesitant to pick this one since I wanted to throttle Jacey in that book. I'm not even exaggerating. I hated her. I was pretty sure that there would need to be a miracle for me to develop any semblance of like toward her. So why was I still anticipating this book? Because I couldn't wait to see what kind of magic Courtney had in store to endear us to Jacey as the heroine.
So did I like it? Did Courtney Cole manage to do the impossible and actually get me to like Jacey?
For those that have read this series before, you know exactly what you are in for. Though I felt that Dom was possibly the darkest and most intense of the previous two books.
For those that have never read this series, Beautifully Broken is a light, easy, and fluffy read with perfect heroes and sweet heroines...
HA!
Had you going there for a second though, didn't I?
No, there is nothing light, fluffy, or easy about this book. This is a story about 2 flawed people that start of on a rocky relationship that will either put them back together again or shatter them once and for all.
To say that Dominic was fucked up would probably be one hell of an understatement. You know the second you meet him that this is a man that is hiding some very dark demons beneath his sexy as sin exterior.
Dom learned early in life that the only thing that's guaranteed in life is betrayal and pain. So he doesn't let anyone in. He wears a facade that's so well constructed even he has trouble recalling who he once was.
My problem is that I'm stuck in limbo... I don't want to remember and I don't want to forget. If I remember, it hurts like hell. But if I forget, it might happen again.
He hides beneath meaningless hookups, nameless women, his work, and alcohol. In short? He's a jaded asshole. But can you really blame the guy? He's a famous actor that women pretty much throw themselves at.
Jacey struggles with demons of her own. After a stupid lack in judgement causes a devastating outcome she is determined to turn her life around and be a better, more responsible person. But then she crosses paths with Dominic fucking Kinkaide. She can't help but feel attracted to the sexy movie star.
But before long the undeniable attraction between them leads to something much more. But can Jacey break through the impenetrable emotional armor that Dom hides behind, without getting broken in the process?
But Dom knows that the secrets he has he will never be able to get over. They've broken him, and they can only hurt anyone that gets close enough to even attempt to reach them.
There was the intricate back and forth dance of 'I want you' but 'I can't', followed by 'I want you' but 'I shouldn't'. Which after a little while left me feeling a little bit like
It got to be a bit much, even for an angst whore like me. I wanted Jacey to be a little more harder at times and say no to Dom and not give in as easily as she seemed to. But then little by little we began getting more intimate glimpses of the man that Dom tries so hard to keep hidden.
"Everything."
I thought that I was heading toward a 3.5 star read in the first half of the book. But then BAM! At 75 percent all hell starts to break loose and I was glued to my kindle wanting to find out what happens. I was an emotional and ugly crying mess. Of all the things I thought that Dominic was living with, I didn't see that one coming. But then as if that wasn't enough, Courtney Cole went and threw in a mother of all twists...
IT.WAS.GUT.WRENCHING.
The last 25% brought the book up to a 4 star book for me. It was THAT good.
Dominic and Jacey relationship was filled with many bumps. It was emotional, it was devastating, it was also steamy as hell.
I was a little taken aback by a certain event in the epilogue, though. I'm not sure why, but it just seemed a little out of place in this series for me. I can't say it was either bad or good, just weird...I guess?
If you like angtsy, steamy, and emotional NA romance books, definitely give this series a shot. Although each book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the entire series in order.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
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August 11, 2016
2 stars. DNF at 30% but I skimmed to the epilogue. I have a heart made of steel.
For what it’s worth, I tried. I tried really, really hard. But after starting and stopping this book four times I think it’s reality telling me that this book and I need to break up.
IMO, I think the allure wears off for each consecutive installment in this series. The first one about Pax and Mila I could not have loved more. Pax was THE definition of ‘beautifully broken’ and Mila a true sweetheart, someone untouched by the filth in her world, and has a pure and good heart. The second one about Gabe and Maddy I enjoyed, though not as much as Pax and Mila’s story.
This third book hmmm. First I’m going to be daring and venture out to say that it does NOT fit under the ‘beautifully broken’ series title. Why? Because it should be renamed as ‘angsty trainwreck.’ It was one disaster after another, and as the reader, the only thing I could do was continue reading until it got to a point where I couldn’t go on.
In this book’s defense, I’d like to bring up certain biases that already lowered my expectations. First, I really could give two shits about Jacey. She was a pathetic creature in book 2, and only served to piss me and other readers off with her immature actions that cost others their lives. Second, I do not care for ‘Hollywood’ type romances. I mean a hero who’s an actor. For some strange and illogical reason on my part, I didn’t see that Dominic is an actor so I blindly jumped into this one. Why do I not like actors as heroes?
1. They’re arrogant douche-nuggets
2. They think they know it all
3. They adopt the ‘No one knows the real me’ attitude <---give others a chance to know you first before you say that
So because of those biases, I struggled to connect with these characters. For the first 20% of the book Jacey is a crybaby. At the littlest things, she bursts into tears, and always calls on Brand to save her. And some of her actions were completely selfish. She was not a likeable heroine from the beginning, but later, she slowly started to mature and I started to connect with her character. Unfortunately, by that time, my dislike for Dominic got to the point where a DNF was warranted from me.
If I had to rate Jacey’s character, she gets a 3, just because her character started to evolve
Now for Dom. Please. See if you can find a pattern here.
“Girls like her…they can sense the slightest bit of interest and they latch on like piranhas. I’ve seen it a hundred times before.”
“Fuck that…….I got your charges dropped because I felt like it.”
“She should be paying attention to her boyfriend, not me. But like every other woman out there, she’s attracted to me because of who I am.”
“I do roll my eyes now. I can’t help it. Jesus. These girls are always the fucking same.”
What they all have in common is this: Dom’s arrogant, quick to judge (thought Brand was Jacey’s boyfriend), and thinks he knows everything there is about women. This book brought out an extreme feminist side I didn’t even know I had. I was beyond pissed and offended by some of the things Dom thought and said, and if you know me, it must be really bad because I’m a dark romance gal.
Another thing. I never once felt why Dom and Jacey connected with each other. Well, besides lust. Cole didn’t convince me. I had nothing to work with. The setting, the plot, the characters all fell below ground zero for me. The secondary characters were no better (besides Brand, who’s an absolute sweetie and too good for the likes of Jacey). Particularly Sin, Dom's brother. He is exactly his name, a bundle of sin and disgrace in my eyes. Later as I skimmed through the pages, I saw that he played a pivotal role in All Sin does is fuck and fucks some more. Gotta love those fucks. Like I said, a complete and utter disgrace.
If I had to rate Dom, he’d get half a star.
Now comes the real interesting part. I’m not one for cheesy endings and epilogues, and this one had both. That was a cheese fest. And the epilogue? WTF was that.
The scene that killed it for me was when Granted I took it out of context, but if you read it up to that point, the scene is highly inappropriate and made me think of Dom as a predator. Let’s think of it this way:
It’s okay for this gorgeous actor to suddenly reach out and finger your pussy because, well, he’s so handsome and it’s entirely acceptable that you get wet when he touches you because he looks like this:
But replace it with this face and he does the same thing:
Feeling wet now? I don’t think so. Really changes your perspective on things doesn’t it?
Like I said, this book brought out a feminist side I didn’t even know I had and the characters themselves were enough to give me a migraine. Truly sorry that I didn’t enjoy it, but then, not really. Cole took a risk while writing a story about these two, and I applaud her effort, but in my eyes she failed to convince me of anything.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advanced copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
For what it’s worth, I tried. I tried really, really hard. But after starting and stopping this book four times I think it’s reality telling me that this book and I need to break up.
IMO, I think the allure wears off for each consecutive installment in this series. The first one about Pax and Mila I could not have loved more. Pax was THE definition of ‘beautifully broken’ and Mila a true sweetheart, someone untouched by the filth in her world, and has a pure and good heart. The second one about Gabe and Maddy I enjoyed, though not as much as Pax and Mila’s story.
This third book hmmm. First I’m going to be daring and venture out to say that it does NOT fit under the ‘beautifully broken’ series title. Why? Because it should be renamed as ‘angsty trainwreck.’ It was one disaster after another, and as the reader, the only thing I could do was continue reading until it got to a point where I couldn’t go on.
In this book’s defense, I’d like to bring up certain biases that already lowered my expectations. First, I really could give two shits about Jacey. She was a pathetic creature in book 2, and only served to piss me and other readers off with her immature actions that cost others their lives. Second, I do not care for ‘Hollywood’ type romances. I mean a hero who’s an actor. For some strange and illogical reason on my part, I didn’t see that Dominic is an actor so I blindly jumped into this one. Why do I not like actors as heroes?
1. They’re arrogant douche-nuggets
2. They think they know it all
3. They adopt the ‘No one knows the real me’ attitude <---give others a chance to know you first before you say that
So because of those biases, I struggled to connect with these characters. For the first 20% of the book Jacey is a crybaby. At the littlest things, she bursts into tears, and always calls on Brand to save her. And some of her actions were completely selfish. She was not a likeable heroine from the beginning, but later, she slowly started to mature and I started to connect with her character. Unfortunately, by that time, my dislike for Dominic got to the point where a DNF was warranted from me.
If I had to rate Jacey’s character, she gets a 3, just because her character started to evolve
Now for Dom. Please. See if you can find a pattern here.
“Girls like her…they can sense the slightest bit of interest and they latch on like piranhas. I’ve seen it a hundred times before.”
“Fuck that…….I got your charges dropped because I felt like it.”
“She should be paying attention to her boyfriend, not me. But like every other woman out there, she’s attracted to me because of who I am.”
“I do roll my eyes now. I can’t help it. Jesus. These girls are always the fucking same.”
What they all have in common is this: Dom’s arrogant, quick to judge (thought Brand was Jacey’s boyfriend), and thinks he knows everything there is about women. This book brought out an extreme feminist side I didn’t even know I had. I was beyond pissed and offended by some of the things Dom thought and said, and if you know me, it must be really bad because I’m a dark romance gal.
Another thing. I never once felt why Dom and Jacey connected with each other. Well, besides lust. Cole didn’t convince me. I had nothing to work with. The setting, the plot, the characters all fell below ground zero for me. The secondary characters were no better (besides Brand, who’s an absolute sweetie and too good for the likes of Jacey). Particularly Sin, Dom's brother. He is exactly his name, a bundle of sin and disgrace in my eyes. Later as I skimmed through the pages, I saw that he played a pivotal role in All Sin does is fuck and fucks some more. Gotta love those fucks. Like I said, a complete and utter disgrace.
If I had to rate Dom, he’d get half a star.
Now comes the real interesting part. I’m not one for cheesy endings and epilogues, and this one had both. That was a cheese fest. And the epilogue? WTF was that.
The scene that killed it for me was when Granted I took it out of context, but if you read it up to that point, the scene is highly inappropriate and made me think of Dom as a predator. Let’s think of it this way:
It’s okay for this gorgeous actor to suddenly reach out and finger your pussy because, well, he’s so handsome and it’s entirely acceptable that you get wet when he touches you because he looks like this:
But replace it with this face and he does the same thing:
Feeling wet now? I don’t think so. Really changes your perspective on things doesn’t it?
Like I said, this book brought out a feminist side I didn’t even know I had and the characters themselves were enough to give me a migraine. Truly sorry that I didn’t enjoy it, but then, not really. Cole took a risk while writing a story about these two, and I applaud her effort, but in my eyes she failed to convince me of anything.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advanced copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
July 4, 2019
The second book raised the bar so high, but this was just as good as the previous one.
I adored Dominic, he was really messed up, but I liked the story. Dom and Jacey are my favorite couple in this series.
I adored Dominic, he was really messed up, but I liked the story. Dom and Jacey are my favorite couple in this series.
August 22, 2019
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I liked this one even though it wasn't the kind of book that I would normally pick up. I did have some issues with the book but nothing too overwhelming. I have had a review copy of this book for over five years but put off picking it up during that time largely due to the fact that this is the third installment in the Beautifully Broken series and I worried that it wouldn't work well as a stand-alone. I had no reason to worry since this book told its own story and read just fine without any knowledge of the rest of the series.
This was a pretty dark romance. The romance was a lot more erotic than I usually read. I am not opposed to either of those things but this book did take me out of my comfort zone just a bit. One thing that I really don't enjoy in a romance is seeing one of the main characters engaging in sexual acts with someone else. I really do prefer stories to focus on the two main characters and their relationship with each other. I do have to admit that some of the acts in this book left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth because I felt like one party was destined to be hurt.
Dominic and Jacey are the focus of this story and they both have dealt with some terrible things in their past. Dominic is a famous actor who refuses to get close to each other but doesn't hesitate to get physical with others when he feels the need. Jacey seems to always pick the wrong guy but she is trying to start over when she meets Dominic.
Dominic and Jacey are forced into a situation that requires them to spend time together. They do have a lot of chemistry together. Their problem is letting each other in and trying to trust each other. As things about their past were revealed, I did understand why they acted as they did. I actually found myself liking this book more and more as the story progressed and I think that was largely due to the fact that I started to understand the characters, although their behavior did also change.
I decided to listen to the audiobook version of this book and I thought both narrators did an acceptable job. I did prefer the female narrator over the male simply because of some of the voices that were used. I did think that they both did a good job overall and I am glad that I decided to listen to the book.
I would recommend this book to readers who like a darker, more erotic romance. I found this book to be a good way to mix up my reading just a bit and try something a little different. I would definitely read more of Courtney Cole's work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
This is not the kind of book that I normally pick up but I did like it. This was a darker romance between two characters dealing with some pretty big issues. I liked this book more as it progressed but had some issues with some of the earlier sections. I listened to the audiobook and I thought that the narrators did a good job. I preferred the female narrator's overall performance. Some of the female voices that the male narrator used could have been better.
I liked this one even though it wasn't the kind of book that I would normally pick up. I did have some issues with the book but nothing too overwhelming. I have had a review copy of this book for over five years but put off picking it up during that time largely due to the fact that this is the third installment in the Beautifully Broken series and I worried that it wouldn't work well as a stand-alone. I had no reason to worry since this book told its own story and read just fine without any knowledge of the rest of the series.
This was a pretty dark romance. The romance was a lot more erotic than I usually read. I am not opposed to either of those things but this book did take me out of my comfort zone just a bit. One thing that I really don't enjoy in a romance is seeing one of the main characters engaging in sexual acts with someone else. I really do prefer stories to focus on the two main characters and their relationship with each other. I do have to admit that some of the acts in this book left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth because I felt like one party was destined to be hurt.
Dominic and Jacey are the focus of this story and they both have dealt with some terrible things in their past. Dominic is a famous actor who refuses to get close to each other but doesn't hesitate to get physical with others when he feels the need. Jacey seems to always pick the wrong guy but she is trying to start over when she meets Dominic.
Dominic and Jacey are forced into a situation that requires them to spend time together. They do have a lot of chemistry together. Their problem is letting each other in and trying to trust each other. As things about their past were revealed, I did understand why they acted as they did. I actually found myself liking this book more and more as the story progressed and I think that was largely due to the fact that I started to understand the characters, although their behavior did also change.
I decided to listen to the audiobook version of this book and I thought both narrators did an acceptable job. I did prefer the female narrator over the male simply because of some of the voices that were used. I did think that they both did a good job overall and I am glad that I decided to listen to the book.
I would recommend this book to readers who like a darker, more erotic romance. I found this book to be a good way to mix up my reading just a bit and try something a little different. I would definitely read more of Courtney Cole's work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
This is not the kind of book that I normally pick up but I did like it. This was a darker romance between two characters dealing with some pretty big issues. I liked this book more as it progressed but had some issues with some of the earlier sections. I listened to the audiobook and I thought that the narrators did a good job. I preferred the female narrator's overall performance. Some of the female voices that the male narrator used could have been better.
December 6, 2013
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Courtney Cole has done it again. Before We Fall is another amazing installment of the Beautifully Broken Series. This story is darker than the previous two and just as addicting. The author possesses the awesome ability to shed light on darkness, to heal what is broken. One of my favorite aspects of Ms. Cole’s Beautifully Broken stories is her ability to make me admire the strength and fortitude of her incredible heroine’s. She writes fascinating love stories about two characters that are essentially lost but start to find their way when they meet their counterpart.
Dominic and Jacey’s story is a prime example of Ms. Cole’s story-telling. Both characters are head strong and stubborn. Dominic is completely broken, a shell of his former self. He’s beautiful, arrogant, and crass; the ultimate bad boy who’s not really a bad boy. Dominic is shaped by a very unfortunate sequence of mysterious events in his past and he has completely shut himself off to others. The darkness inside of him eats him alive every day. However, he’s playful, funny, and romantic when he’s in the right mood. Thanks to the exceptional writing, I found myself being drawn to him as much as Jacey. Dominic’s enigmatic presence coupled with his banter and protectiveness make him practically irresistible. I felt every ounce of pain for him; when he finally opens himself to vulnerability I crumbled right along with Jacey. His story is powerfully tragic.
Jacey is another incredibly strong heroine. She’s a savior for Dominic and she does it innately. Jacey didn’t set out to save Dominic, it just happened. She feels something deep for him almost immediately, even before she admits it out loud. She constantly refers to the darkness in his eyes and from the very first time she looked inside them I could feel the connection. Jacey fights her own demons and she is far from perfect however she accepts herself as is. She’s carefree and light. She’s funny and quick witted. She makes you want feel as light as she acts. It was easy to see how Dominic is drawn to her. I think the reason Courtney Cole writes a great heroine is because her heroines have all befallen great tragedies in their lives yet they have picked themselves up, made some mistakes, and just keep going. Their all strong without even realizing their strength or the impact that strength makes on others.
This is a series to read. Before We Fall makes you feel both dark and light; makes you see the light at the end of the tunnel. The characters are honest and real and their development is consuming, you’ll feel and be rooting for Dominic and Jacey. Honestly, you’ll be rooting for Dominic because of Jacey. The plot is gritty, real, and grabs hold of you making you part of their world. The writing is seamless and addicting. Yes, Courtney Cole has definitely done it again. Before We Fall could be read as a standalone however I believe you would be selling yourself really short. The stories and events that led up to this amazing story are so worth the read. They made Jacey’s story that much more consuming. I’m so glad I have read these books and can’t wait to read them again. I highly recommend you read them too. Bravo.
Courtney Cole has done it again. Before We Fall is another amazing installment of the Beautifully Broken Series. This story is darker than the previous two and just as addicting. The author possesses the awesome ability to shed light on darkness, to heal what is broken. One of my favorite aspects of Ms. Cole’s Beautifully Broken stories is her ability to make me admire the strength and fortitude of her incredible heroine’s. She writes fascinating love stories about two characters that are essentially lost but start to find their way when they meet their counterpart.
Dominic and Jacey’s story is a prime example of Ms. Cole’s story-telling. Both characters are head strong and stubborn. Dominic is completely broken, a shell of his former self. He’s beautiful, arrogant, and crass; the ultimate bad boy who’s not really a bad boy. Dominic is shaped by a very unfortunate sequence of mysterious events in his past and he has completely shut himself off to others. The darkness inside of him eats him alive every day. However, he’s playful, funny, and romantic when he’s in the right mood. Thanks to the exceptional writing, I found myself being drawn to him as much as Jacey. Dominic’s enigmatic presence coupled with his banter and protectiveness make him practically irresistible. I felt every ounce of pain for him; when he finally opens himself to vulnerability I crumbled right along with Jacey. His story is powerfully tragic.
Jacey is another incredibly strong heroine. She’s a savior for Dominic and she does it innately. Jacey didn’t set out to save Dominic, it just happened. She feels something deep for him almost immediately, even before she admits it out loud. She constantly refers to the darkness in his eyes and from the very first time she looked inside them I could feel the connection. Jacey fights her own demons and she is far from perfect however she accepts herself as is. She’s carefree and light. She’s funny and quick witted. She makes you want feel as light as she acts. It was easy to see how Dominic is drawn to her. I think the reason Courtney Cole writes a great heroine is because her heroines have all befallen great tragedies in their lives yet they have picked themselves up, made some mistakes, and just keep going. Their all strong without even realizing their strength or the impact that strength makes on others.
This is a series to read. Before We Fall makes you feel both dark and light; makes you see the light at the end of the tunnel. The characters are honest and real and their development is consuming, you’ll feel and be rooting for Dominic and Jacey. Honestly, you’ll be rooting for Dominic because of Jacey. The plot is gritty, real, and grabs hold of you making you part of their world. The writing is seamless and addicting. Yes, Courtney Cole has definitely done it again. Before We Fall could be read as a standalone however I believe you would be selling yourself really short. The stories and events that led up to this amazing story are so worth the read. They made Jacey’s story that much more consuming. I’m so glad I have read these books and can’t wait to read them again. I highly recommend you read them too. Bravo.
Want to read
August 7, 2013Based on the blurb at the end of If You Leave, this is Jacey's story. I really want to see her and Brand to get together but it looks like that won't happen. :(
December 2, 2013
3.75 angsty stars!
First, I have to admit I had difficulty reading and rating this book. I felt that there were parts that I loved and there were parts that I didn't particularly care for.
Second, I haven't read any of the other books from this series. I realized that the characters have been introduced in the previous books. Apart from that I absolutely have no idea about these characters, whether or not they were hideous or acted like an ass during the first two books. So I came into this without any idea at all.
What made this a difficult read for me wasn't because of the writing. I thought it was superb. I really enjoyed the prose and the dialogue between the characters. It was the angst and Dom. I honestly had a hard time forgiving the guy for being an ass throughout most of the book.
I get that there are things that happened in his past that made him into this guilt-ridden and bitter individual. And his story was heartbreaking, by the way, but I was seriously tempted to smash my Kindle against the wall for the things he said and did.
Jacey, I actually liked. She was assertive without being pushy. And while I didn't like her leading Brand on, I did appreciate the fact that she owned up to leading him on and ending their "relationship."
I also liked the fact that when Dom and Jacey first met, it wasn't insta-love or lust on both sides. That worked really well for me. To me it was more realistic especially since Dom is supposed to be an actor and Jacey is a waitress.
So those things, I liked. Now onto the parts that I wasn't too crazy about. The Sin factor. Sin is Dom's brother and he was part of the reason why Dom became a broken man. But neither Sin nor Dom knew about Sin's role until the end of the book when it was finally revealed. I can't say anymore without giving any spoilers but it was just, "Huh?" And then after years of hating the wrong guy, Dom found out the truth and it was like, "Okay, fine." That was a little anticlimactic for me.
Second, the epilogue was a little weird. Okay. A lot weird. I felt like I was suddenly reading a paranormal book. I liked the idea behind it but the way it was done or presented didn't work for me.
Apart from those issues, I really enjoyed reading this book. This book would be perfect for people who love tortured heroes and angst. Lots and lots of angst. Anyone who is up for those elements should try this one. As for moi, I'm definitely looking up more titles from Courtney Cole. I am in love with her writing style.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First, I have to admit I had difficulty reading and rating this book. I felt that there were parts that I loved and there were parts that I didn't particularly care for.
Second, I haven't read any of the other books from this series. I realized that the characters have been introduced in the previous books. Apart from that I absolutely have no idea about these characters, whether or not they were hideous or acted like an ass during the first two books. So I came into this without any idea at all.
What made this a difficult read for me wasn't because of the writing. I thought it was superb. I really enjoyed the prose and the dialogue between the characters. It was the angst and Dom. I honestly had a hard time forgiving the guy for being an ass throughout most of the book.
I get that there are things that happened in his past that made him into this guilt-ridden and bitter individual. And his story was heartbreaking, by the way, but I was seriously tempted to smash my Kindle against the wall for the things he said and did.
Jacey, I actually liked. She was assertive without being pushy. And while I didn't like her leading Brand on, I did appreciate the fact that she owned up to leading him on and ending their "relationship."
I also liked the fact that when Dom and Jacey first met, it wasn't insta-love or lust on both sides. That worked really well for me. To me it was more realistic especially since Dom is supposed to be an actor and Jacey is a waitress.
So those things, I liked. Now onto the parts that I wasn't too crazy about. The Sin factor. Sin is Dom's brother and he was part of the reason why Dom became a broken man. But neither Sin nor Dom knew about Sin's role until the end of the book when it was finally revealed. I can't say anymore without giving any spoilers but it was just, "Huh?" And then after years of hating the wrong guy, Dom found out the truth and it was like, "Okay, fine." That was a little anticlimactic for me.
Second, the epilogue was a little weird. Okay. A lot weird. I felt like I was suddenly reading a paranormal book. I liked the idea behind it but the way it was done or presented didn't work for me.
Apart from those issues, I really enjoyed reading this book. This book would be perfect for people who love tortured heroes and angst. Lots and lots of angst. Anyone who is up for those elements should try this one. As for moi, I'm definitely looking up more titles from Courtney Cole. I am in love with her writing style.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2013
I'm going to be honest and say going in I knew I was probably going to hate Dom and skim the book. Early reviews were claiming he was an epic ass and even at 25% in I thought the same. Then you start to get little glimpses of his life and what made him this way. I loved Jacey. She never held back on what she wanted to say and do. She knew she had to fix Dom and never gave up on her love for him and his issues. The book was hot, heartbreaking, then sweet. I think I experienced every emotion there was to have in this book. I loved the way it played out.
I never should have doubted you Courtney Cole!! I'm really sad to see this series end.
* Was provided an ARC for my honest review. *
I never should have doubted you Courtney Cole!! I'm really sad to see this series end.
* Was provided an ARC for my honest review. *
August 31, 2017
pre-read: After reading If You Stay, I can definitely say that Courtney Cole is in my "I'd read her grocery shopping list tbh" list of authors. I'm excited for the second book in this series, and when I found out that we'll be getting a third book, I AM ECSTATIC.
post-read:
Whoa. WHOA.
I think this is a book that you would either love or hate. If you're easily put off with kinky sex and the dirty stuff then this book is definitely not for you.
Now, if you think Pax is an asshole, just wait until you meet Dominic Kinkaide. He's the definition of asshole. He's a rude, unapologetic pervert who gets off on kinky shit. I hate him at first sight (or at first read, whatever, lol) but somehow he's intriguing enough for me to stay and get to know him better. Courtney Cole can write grief like nobody's business, I'll give you that. All the while I was reading I kept trying to guess what Dominic's big secret was, and it was nothing like what I expected when the big revelation came. So bonus point for surprise factor!
Tbh, I was kind of put off when I found out that this book is also Jacey's, because I really don't like her in If You Leave. But she's back in my good graces now, lol. I'm really glad I didn't give this book a pass.
Great read! I cannot put it down. Now, can we have Brand's book please, Courtney?
post-read:
Whoa. WHOA.
I think this is a book that you would either love or hate. If you're easily put off with kinky sex and the dirty stuff then this book is definitely not for you.
Now, if you think Pax is an asshole, just wait until you meet Dominic Kinkaide. He's the definition of asshole. He's a rude, unapologetic pervert who gets off on kinky shit. I hate him at first sight (or at first read, whatever, lol) but somehow he's intriguing enough for me to stay and get to know him better. Courtney Cole can write grief like nobody's business, I'll give you that. All the while I was reading I kept trying to guess what Dominic's big secret was, and it was nothing like what I expected when the big revelation came. So bonus point for surprise factor!
Tbh, I was kind of put off when I found out that this book is also Jacey's, because I really don't like her in If You Leave. But she's back in my good graces now, lol. I'm really glad I didn't give this book a pass.
Great read! I cannot put it down. Now, can we have Brand's book please, Courtney?
March 2, 2015
ARC provided on behalf of Forever (Grand Central Publishing) from NetGalley.
4.5 “And the award for most screwed up Hero goes to...” Stars
Jacey has always fallen for the wrong guys, but after a tragic event occurs, she is finally trying to change that. Desperate to be loved, Jacey tends to look in all the wrong places. Sure she has a few friends that love her and brother that has always stepped up into the role of protector, she has always wanted the kind of love that is unconditional, the kind she never got from the men in her life or her parents.
Dominic Kinkaide has lost all faith in humanity and himself. For six years he has lived a broken life. He’s famous, rich and sexy as hell; but he isn’t much more. A perversion to kink, punishing himself with pain and detachment, Dominic isn’t looking for a woman to fix him or to save him. There is no salvation, no forgiveness for his sins.
When Jacey finds herself working as a sexy waitress at Sin Kinkaide’s party she is in for quite the surprise she stumbles upon Dominic Kinkaide. When a strange turn of events lands them both having to spend ninety days doing community service (together) their attraction grows as does the desire for Jacey to uncover his darkest secrets.
Dominic doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t love and he sure as hell doesn’t talk about his feelings. But there is something about Jacey that he can’t deny. But that attraction isn’t enough to break through to him and to get him to finally face what has kept him detached for the last six years.
Jacey wants the man, not the actor. She knows he won’t ever love her, but she can’t deny the attraction. Can she carry on a physical relationship with a man that is everything she should avoid, without being shattered? Will Dominic’s time with Jacey show him that there are still people worth something in the world, that decent people still exist? One thing is for sure, these two are a disaster waiting to happen.
This was a much darker romance from Courtney Cole, but still such a fantastic addition to the Beautifully Broken Series. The build up to the eventual exposure of his past seemed to go on forever, oddly it never felt too slow. I found that I was more intrigued with each page, trying to figure out what happened in his past to make him so jaded. The only downside to the slow build, is that once it is all revealed, the conclusion wrapped up pretty quickly. In turn that made the end of this feel far more rushed than it could have if the reveal had occurred just slightly sooner.
Jacey, hmm.... I wanted to not like Jacey, not completely sure why. I think it was a combination of her in the prior book and the fact that she was fully aware of her issues, but still made the wrong choices. I am okay with a heroine with issues in general, but I am not a big fan of the daddy issues. However, Jacey ended up being very likable.
Dominic was the perfect asshole. Dark, broken and all sorts of crazy-hot-broken. He was very cocky, which started to get to be a bit much at times. I think had we not had the dual POVs, I might not have liked him at all. But we got to see the inner struggle during the cold moments, which ultimately made him a bit more lovable.
This was one of those stories that had that balance of emotions that kept you teetering on the edge. I found myself with that tightness in my chest several times as each layer was peeled back, as Dominic’s past comes out and Jacey struggles with wanting more from a man that he can give.
Courtney Cole has done a fantastic job with this series and I hope that we will soon be reading about Brand getting his HEA. Another great addition to this series that shook it up a bit, veering slightly off from the way Mila & Madison’s stories were told; but remaining true to the intention of the series.
4.5 “And the award for most screwed up Hero goes to...” Stars
Jacey has always fallen for the wrong guys, but after a tragic event occurs, she is finally trying to change that. Desperate to be loved, Jacey tends to look in all the wrong places. Sure she has a few friends that love her and brother that has always stepped up into the role of protector, she has always wanted the kind of love that is unconditional, the kind she never got from the men in her life or her parents.
Dominic Kinkaide has lost all faith in humanity and himself. For six years he has lived a broken life. He’s famous, rich and sexy as hell; but he isn’t much more. A perversion to kink, punishing himself with pain and detachment, Dominic isn’t looking for a woman to fix him or to save him. There is no salvation, no forgiveness for his sins.
When Jacey finds herself working as a sexy waitress at Sin Kinkaide’s party she is in for quite the surprise she stumbles upon Dominic Kinkaide. When a strange turn of events lands them both having to spend ninety days doing community service (together) their attraction grows as does the desire for Jacey to uncover his darkest secrets.
Dominic doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t love and he sure as hell doesn’t talk about his feelings. But there is something about Jacey that he can’t deny. But that attraction isn’t enough to break through to him and to get him to finally face what has kept him detached for the last six years.
Jacey wants the man, not the actor. She knows he won’t ever love her, but she can’t deny the attraction. Can she carry on a physical relationship with a man that is everything she should avoid, without being shattered? Will Dominic’s time with Jacey show him that there are still people worth something in the world, that decent people still exist? One thing is for sure, these two are a disaster waiting to happen.
This was a much darker romance from Courtney Cole, but still such a fantastic addition to the Beautifully Broken Series. The build up to the eventual exposure of his past seemed to go on forever, oddly it never felt too slow. I found that I was more intrigued with each page, trying to figure out what happened in his past to make him so jaded. The only downside to the slow build, is that once it is all revealed, the conclusion wrapped up pretty quickly. In turn that made the end of this feel far more rushed than it could have if the reveal had occurred just slightly sooner.
Jacey, hmm.... I wanted to not like Jacey, not completely sure why. I think it was a combination of her in the prior book and the fact that she was fully aware of her issues, but still made the wrong choices. I am okay with a heroine with issues in general, but I am not a big fan of the daddy issues. However, Jacey ended up being very likable.
Dominic was the perfect asshole. Dark, broken and all sorts of crazy-hot-broken. He was very cocky, which started to get to be a bit much at times. I think had we not had the dual POVs, I might not have liked him at all. But we got to see the inner struggle during the cold moments, which ultimately made him a bit more lovable.
This was one of those stories that had that balance of emotions that kept you teetering on the edge. I found myself with that tightness in my chest several times as each layer was peeled back, as Dominic’s past comes out and Jacey struggles with wanting more from a man that he can give.
Courtney Cole has done a fantastic job with this series and I hope that we will soon be reading about Brand getting his HEA. Another great addition to this series that shook it up a bit, veering slightly off from the way Mila & Madison’s stories were told; but remaining true to the intention of the series.
November 16, 2013
Before we fall - we fly.
A sweet story.
This quote really made me think. I have been here. I totally understand it.
"People are people. And everyone needs other people. And everyone gets hurt in life and everyone gets used. We have to get over it and move on."
I liked this book. The writing was great. I didn't connect to this story as well as I did to the others in this series.
A sweet story.
This quote really made me think. I have been here. I totally understand it.
"People are people. And everyone needs other people. And everyone gets hurt in life and everyone gets used. We have to get over it and move on."
I liked this book. The writing was great. I didn't connect to this story as well as I did to the others in this series.
January 31, 2014
In the last installment of this series I hated Jacey. She was just a side character, Maddy's best friend, but I didn't like her at all. I actually put off reading this book because it was Jacey's story and I wasn't interested in going through that torture again. I have to give Courtney Cole credit. I think she did a wonderful job of redeeming Jacey. Even though she wasn't my favorite Dominic made her look like a saint.
This was me when I first read what Dom liked .....
Dom was damaged by his last relationship and until the very last chapter it's really a mystery what Emma did to make him the way he was. Up until that point I didn't like Dom at all. He was a complete asshole and a pervert to top that. After reading what turned him into what he was I did find some sympathy for him.
Jacey always makes stupid decisions. She always falls for the wrong guy and she's determined not to fall for Dom because she knows he is exactly the kind of guy she needs to steer clear of.
If you have ever read any of the books in this series then you know Courtney Cole has a real knack for writing damaged characters especially the males. Dom reminds me a lot of Pax but they are also different in the way they self destruct. The story-lines are usually somewhat dark. These are not fluffy romance novels. They deal with gritty, dark issues. I was never bored while reading this book. The only thing I didn't like was how Dom treated Jacey. Cole's writing is fantastic and it keeps you interested. I had to keep reading to see what was going to happen to Dom and Jacey.
This was me when I found out what actually happened between Emma and Dom.....
If you haven't started Courtney Cole's Beautifully Broken series you don't know what you are missing. It's dark and gritty but always has a romance involved. This is a must read series for romance lovers.
December 13, 2013
“Don’t love me… Or I’ll break you. I won’t want to, but it will happen.”
Familiar authors rarely surprise me anymore, as I can usually foresee the bounds of their comfort zones, but I am gladly proven wrong from time to time and, let me tell you, this was definitely one of those occasions where I simply did not know what hit me. Never in a million years did I expect this author to so boldly delve into the taboo world of dark sexual fantasies by giving us a character that I wanted to kiss and punch all at the same time. This book was a thrilling ride from beginning to end I hope to see much more of such ‘boldness’ from someone I now call one of my favourite authors.
“I get off on watching other people’s pleasure. Or I get off when pain is involved. Or I get off when something is far, far over the line of normal. I don’t get off by my own participation.’
Dominic Kinkaide is a bad boy by name and an ever kinkier one by nature. World famous actor, adored by legions of women everywhere, he appears to have everything he could ever want, but no one really knows the real Dominic. He lives a scandal-free public life, whereas his deviant personal life where pleasure and pain are sinfully entwined together remains a fiercely protected secret, only known to those closest to him. His every sexual proclivity is driven by the darkness of his past that has trapped his soul into an endless loop of self-hatred and distrust of the world around him.
“I love watching pain. It distracts me from my own.”
When Dom meets Jacey, a young waitress at one of his brother’s infamous house parties, he is drawn to her girl-next-door type of beauty and intrigued by her wild streak, but he quickly dismisses her as just another groupie who would do anything to sleep with a famous actor. Life, however, seems intent on keeping their paths crossed and after a series of unexpected events, Dom and Jacey find themselves facing ninety days of community service to be served together at a local youth club. As they spend more and more time together, their attraction grows, but for very different reasons.
“I’m giving someone a chance, for the first time in a long time, to prove to me that she’s not like everyone else.”
Jacey has always been a wild child, known for her reckless and irresponsible ways. The tragic culmination of her latest relationship fiasco having finally set her in the right direction, determined to learn to stand on her own, make something of her life and stop picking flawed men who only use and abuse her. Dom appears to be like every man she has ever dated, emotionally detached and unpredictable, but Jacey’s heart senses also a very vulnerable and broken part in him that she cannot help but want to fix. She is attracted to his good looks, but even more to his inner turmoil and self-deprecating ways which bring out the carer in her and make her desperate to save him. She sees the pain he hides and sees her own brokenness through his eyes.
“It’s like he saw me… He saw that there’s something so fundamentally wrong with me that my own parents don’t want anything to do with me. That I’m flawed.”
When they agree on a friends-with-benefits arrangement to satisfy the growing attraction between them, all they expect is a no-strings-attached affair of mutual convenience, where they get to ‘scratch an itch’ and fulfil each other’s fantasies. But, from the very beginning, the pace of their relationship is driven by Dom, creating an imbalance between them that triggers the emotional remnants of every bad relationship Jacey has ever been in. As she quickly finds her voice and forces Dom to start opening up to her, she opens a Pandora’s box she never expected to find. Old memories re-emerge, past tragedies come back to life and Jacey finds herself facing more of Dom’s emotional baggage than she ever bargained for. And a man who believes himself to be unfixable.
“… I’m just a shell, completely empty inside.”
This is a beautiful story of emotional recovery, of two weary souls finding each other, unexpectedly falling for one another and exorcising each other’s demons simply by letting themselves be loved and loving in return. Regardless of how broken these two people are or how unworthy of love they believe themselves to be, we are given another heart-wrenching tale filled with hope and promise, where taking a chance on happiness outweighs any possible downfalls. If you love a flawlessly written, meticulously interwoven story that will make your heart race and clench at the same time, I urge you to meet this bad boy and the girl whose love saved him from himself.
“I’m very, very capable of hurting you… but not if you don’t let me.”
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July 23, 2016
Holy sh*t! That epilogue creeped me the hell out! That's so not funny! Seriously, I was not expecting that! I was about to give this a 4, but I changed my mind. Oh my god! I'm still trying to recover here. I might be overreacting, but I was really caught off guard... Okay, I'll try to calm down now... *breathe in, breathe out*
So even though my rating went down, I have to say that it's a special 3-star because I did like it. The writing style of the author had improved a lot. There's so much more conviction in her writing now than her previous books. The story revolved basically with the heroine trying to let the hero open up and heal. I couldn't put this down simply because I am dying to know what the hell happened in his past. Another cliché? No. There's so much mystery involved here that I was drawn from the get go.
The hero, Dominic, was a very interesting character. There were so many contradicting things in him. Oh, I was intrigued with his kind of lifestyle , how much he tried to be distant and closed off, but at the same time, his way of thinking was definitely something else...
When things came out in the open, my mouth was hanging open, goosebumps on my skin, tears falling... I was so shocked! Wow! That did not disappoint at all. The frustration of waiting and waiting was worth it. Yes, it's one helluva f*cked up past indeed...
So why 3-stars? The issues were resolved really fast. I could get past that, to be honest, but what I couldn't handle was the connection of Dom and Jacey suddenly being gone. It's all about the angst and how Jacey was trying to heal/save him. At some point, I thought she's becoming a therapist. Nothing wrong with that, but too much psychoanalysis and voicing everything in front of him... Oh boy, did I just enter another lecture class again? It’s all becoming technical that it hindered the smooth flow of the story. Some were also forgotten like ...
And going back to that epilogue... Man, that's just downright creepy. Totally unacceptable! It made me question everything that I've read from the start. Emma, no matter how unfortunate her eventual demise, was the antagonist in the story. She's the one who f*cked everything up. Sorry, but that's so true. And for her to be perceived as someone more than she should be, it's just unfair for others. Add that to the fact that; perhaps she's the one intervening with fate? No way! This should be considered paranormal, oh my god!
Soooo all in all... I really don't know... Perhaps, it's an "I-don't-know-but-I-still-kinda-like-it" book for meLOL!, but could still be amazing for some...
So even though my rating went down, I have to say that it's a special 3-star because I did like it. The writing style of the author had improved a lot. There's so much more conviction in her writing now than her previous books. The story revolved basically with the heroine trying to let the hero open up and heal. I couldn't put this down simply because I am dying to know what the hell happened in his past. Another cliché? No. There's so much mystery involved here that I was drawn from the get go.
The hero, Dominic, was a very interesting character. There were so many contradicting things in him. Oh, I was intrigued with his kind of lifestyle , how much he tried to be distant and closed off, but at the same time, his way of thinking was definitely something else...
When things came out in the open, my mouth was hanging open, goosebumps on my skin, tears falling... I was so shocked! Wow! That did not disappoint at all. The frustration of waiting and waiting was worth it. Yes, it's one helluva f*cked up past indeed...
So why 3-stars? The issues were resolved really fast. I could get past that, to be honest, but what I couldn't handle was the connection of Dom and Jacey suddenly being gone. It's all about the angst and how Jacey was trying to heal/save him. At some point, I thought she's becoming a therapist. Nothing wrong with that, but too much psychoanalysis and voicing everything in front of him... Oh boy, did I just enter another lecture class again? It’s all becoming technical that it hindered the smooth flow of the story. Some were also forgotten like ...
And going back to that epilogue... Man, that's just downright creepy. Totally unacceptable! It made me question everything that I've read from the start. Emma, no matter how unfortunate her eventual demise, was the antagonist in the story. She's the one who f*cked everything up. Sorry, but that's so true. And for her to be perceived as someone more than she should be, it's just unfair for others. Add that to the fact that; perhaps she's the one intervening with fate? No way! This should be considered paranormal, oh my god!
Soooo all in all... I really don't know... Perhaps, it's an "I-don't-know-but-I-still-kinda-like-it" book for me
![Profile Image for [~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ .](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1388500902i/22427047._UY200_CR8,0,200,200_.jpg)
December 11, 2013
3 stars
Don't you hate it when you read about a famous guy and the heroine is clueless as to who he is? Not the case here! Dominic is a famous actor and Jacey has her own past issues.
I loved Dominic at first, a loveable jerk but then his overconfidence was a buzzkill.
Jacey for the majority was alright, cried quite a bit, constantly wanting to talk, I didn't like how she treated Brand and one thing she did (or try to do) didn't sit right with me.
This book started off really well but the big reveal dragged on and the ending was strange! But if you like a broken jerk of a hero, sexual tension and a bit darkish NA this would be the book to pick up.
ARC provided by the Author. Thank you x
Quotes subject to change
Don't you hate it when you read about a famous guy and the heroine is clueless as to who he is? Not the case here! Dominic is a famous actor and Jacey has her own past issues.
I loved Dominic at first, a loveable jerk but then his overconfidence was a buzzkill.
But like every other woman out there, she’s attracted to me because of who I am
Jacey for the majority was alright, cried quite a bit, constantly wanting to talk, I didn't like how she treated Brand and one thing she did (or try to do) didn't sit right with me.
This book started off really well but the big reveal dragged on and the ending was strange! But if you like a broken jerk of a hero, sexual tension and a bit darkish NA this would be the book to pick up.
ARC provided by the Author. Thank you x
Quotes subject to change
December 13, 2013
I loved the story.
Yep that pretty much sums it all up.
I loved the character developments, the plot, the twist and the amazing reveal in the epilogue. I should have seen that last one coming. I wondered about it throughout the story and if I had taken a pause, I probably would have, but I didn't and so it was a wonderful link that I really liked.
Yep that pretty much sums it all up.
I loved the character developments, the plot, the twist and the amazing reveal in the epilogue. I should have seen that last one coming. I wondered about it throughout the story and if I had taken a pause, I probably would have, but I didn't and so it was a wonderful link that I really liked.
November 27, 2013
I AM SPEECHLESS!
Oh Courtney, Courtney, Courtney. Where do I start??
YOU ARE FUCKING AWESOME!!! And this book just blew me away. You get better and better with every book you write – how is that possible?!?!
Before We Fall is the 3rd book the Beautifully Broken Series and each book is written superbly well. However, this book just tops them all!!
Dominic and Jacey’s story is not for the faint of heart. Dominic and Jacey are both head strong and stubborn people. Dominic hides his past and he’s a shell of what he used to be. He uses other things as outlets and to deal with his issues. He has everything anyone could want and he knows that. However, there’s a part of him that is never satisfied. He has a very dark side that most people would probably walk away from, but not Jacey.
“Forbidden things are what lift my dick. Dark things, bad things.”
“I’m jaded as fuck.”
Jacey has a very haunting pass, but she does not run from it. She has dealt with it and continues to move forward. She has had her share of bad boys and knows to stay clear of them. She knows who Dominic is but when they both get into trouble one night, she finds herself stuck spending more time with him than she had anticipated. Jacey doesn’t let Dominic get to her and she definitely holds her ground with him. Jacey is a very strong heroine and along the way she ends up being Dominic’s savior without trying to.
“I say consume instead of kiss, because that’s what he does. He consumes me.”
“He will decimate you, I tell myself.”
Before We Fall is a MUST READ!!! This whole series is!! Courtney has a way with her writing that just sucks you in and makes everything else disappear. Her characters are real, raw and so easy to get wrapped up in. The story just flows perfectly and is written flawlessly. You will feel an abundance of emotions while reading this. It will be impossible to not get addicted to these characters and their story. I want to write so much more, but I do not want to give anything away!!! This story is amazing!
Before We Fall can be read as a standalone, however I feel that you will be screwing yourself out of alot by doing so. Jacey’s past is revealed more in depth in the previoius 2 books, so it would be would well worth it to read the other two books. You won’t be let down – trust me. You’ll be thanking me.
BUY THIS ASAP!!!!
***VISIT WWW.LOVENBOOKS.COM FOR MORE REVIEWS***
Oh Courtney, Courtney, Courtney. Where do I start??
YOU ARE FUCKING AWESOME!!! And this book just blew me away. You get better and better with every book you write – how is that possible?!?!
Before We Fall is the 3rd book the Beautifully Broken Series and each book is written superbly well. However, this book just tops them all!!
Dominic and Jacey’s story is not for the faint of heart. Dominic and Jacey are both head strong and stubborn people. Dominic hides his past and he’s a shell of what he used to be. He uses other things as outlets and to deal with his issues. He has everything anyone could want and he knows that. However, there’s a part of him that is never satisfied. He has a very dark side that most people would probably walk away from, but not Jacey.
“Forbidden things are what lift my dick. Dark things, bad things.”
“I’m jaded as fuck.”
Jacey has a very haunting pass, but she does not run from it. She has dealt with it and continues to move forward. She has had her share of bad boys and knows to stay clear of them. She knows who Dominic is but when they both get into trouble one night, she finds herself stuck spending more time with him than she had anticipated. Jacey doesn’t let Dominic get to her and she definitely holds her ground with him. Jacey is a very strong heroine and along the way she ends up being Dominic’s savior without trying to.
“I say consume instead of kiss, because that’s what he does. He consumes me.”
“He will decimate you, I tell myself.”
Before We Fall is a MUST READ!!! This whole series is!! Courtney has a way with her writing that just sucks you in and makes everything else disappear. Her characters are real, raw and so easy to get wrapped up in. The story just flows perfectly and is written flawlessly. You will feel an abundance of emotions while reading this. It will be impossible to not get addicted to these characters and their story. I want to write so much more, but I do not want to give anything away!!! This story is amazing!
Before We Fall can be read as a standalone, however I feel that you will be screwing yourself out of alot by doing so. Jacey’s past is revealed more in depth in the previoius 2 books, so it would be would well worth it to read the other two books. You won’t be let down – trust me. You’ll be thanking me.
BUY THIS ASAP!!!!
***VISIT WWW.LOVENBOOKS.COM FOR MORE REVIEWS***
December 4, 2013
WOW.... This book was so different from the others in this series... I mean we had Pax and he had issues but Dominic he puts them all to shame... You will not believe this story as it unfolds. The tangled mess of hurt, betrayal, anger, love, passion and all out craziness will keep you reading until it's done, and then have you wanting even more...
Dominic comes off as a jerk but you can see the pain behind everything that he does and says, and deep down you know he's really not that guy. With a past like his who could blame him for putting on the persona that he does... Honestly how you get over something like that is beyond me. I didn't know how I would like the guy when the book started but when he saves a girl from undoubtedly the worst scenario you can imagine I knew right then an there that he was genuinely a good guy.
Jacey has an equally disturbing past, but she didn't bottle it all up and hold it in. She got the help she needed to get past the awful things that had happened to her and though her behaviors could quickly become self-destructive she made a concious effort to try to be a better person and make better decisions. Though... When Dominic enters the picture, he threatened to ruin all the hard work she'd put into doing the right thing...
These two get into some trouble, and as much as Dominic tries to push her away, the more she tries to push her way in. The dynamic between the two of them was fantastic even from the very beginning. Jacey has been through enough bad boys in her life that she takes no crap from them! She's sassy and super combative and it's hilarious at times! Until she's faced with the hard an honest truths about Dominic... I wanted to hold both of them they really did have some horrible pasts and Jacey was one strong girl to stand by him through it all and make sure that he knew deep down that he deserved better even if that better didn't include her...
What a haunting tale this was, I was truly effected by this one. I cried and laughed. I found myself wanting to fight the demons for both of them... Courtney has a gift for telling a story and making you feel every emotion along the road. I loved every angst filled minute of this one... I'm not sure 5 stars is even enough for it honestly! I think this was the best of the series to date!
Dominic comes off as a jerk but you can see the pain behind everything that he does and says, and deep down you know he's really not that guy. With a past like his who could blame him for putting on the persona that he does... Honestly how you get over something like that is beyond me. I didn't know how I would like the guy when the book started but when he saves a girl from undoubtedly the worst scenario you can imagine I knew right then an there that he was genuinely a good guy.
Jacey has an equally disturbing past, but she didn't bottle it all up and hold it in. She got the help she needed to get past the awful things that had happened to her and though her behaviors could quickly become self-destructive she made a concious effort to try to be a better person and make better decisions. Though... When Dominic enters the picture, he threatened to ruin all the hard work she'd put into doing the right thing...
These two get into some trouble, and as much as Dominic tries to push her away, the more she tries to push her way in. The dynamic between the two of them was fantastic even from the very beginning. Jacey has been through enough bad boys in her life that she takes no crap from them! She's sassy and super combative and it's hilarious at times! Until she's faced with the hard an honest truths about Dominic... I wanted to hold both of them they really did have some horrible pasts and Jacey was one strong girl to stand by him through it all and make sure that he knew deep down that he deserved better even if that better didn't include her...
What a haunting tale this was, I was truly effected by this one. I cried and laughed. I found myself wanting to fight the demons for both of them... Courtney has a gift for telling a story and making you feel every emotion along the road. I loved every angst filled minute of this one... I'm not sure 5 stars is even enough for it honestly! I think this was the best of the series to date!
November 20, 2013
This series just keeps getting better
Before We Fall is the third book in Cole's Beautifully Broken Series and it is high praise when I say I feel this one was the best as I so enjoyed the other books. This book deals with Jacey, the sister to Gabe and good friend of Madison from the second book. Jacey meets Dominick, the Hollywood hearthrob that few know anything about since he keeps himself hidden away from others as best he can due to something devastating in his past.
I thought Cole did a great job in her last book describing the event which breaks our hero. She does just as good a job in this book. Often times when reading we get to the point in the book where we learn what the horrible secret is, and I find myself wondering, "really, is that all that happened?" Well not in this series, Cole shocks me everytime and I find myself breaking with the character. Along the same lines, I have always felt that Cole knows how to write chemistry between her Hero and Heroine. She knocks it out of the park on this one. Let me just say, our Hero's name fits him well.
Jacey really comes through in this book as a strong heroine. She herself has a past she is working on, but despite this, her tough yet good-hearted nature gets her through. I love her relationship with Brand, her family friend, and how she handles it, and I loved the healing that takes place in the book.
I will finish my review by saying that I love books with Prologues and often feel like I am missing out if an Epilogue is not written. With that being said, I do not have the words to properly express how much I enjoyed the Prologue/Epilogue. Chills..tears..yep I LOVED it!!!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Before We Fall is the third book in Cole's Beautifully Broken Series and it is high praise when I say I feel this one was the best as I so enjoyed the other books. This book deals with Jacey, the sister to Gabe and good friend of Madison from the second book. Jacey meets Dominick, the Hollywood hearthrob that few know anything about since he keeps himself hidden away from others as best he can due to something devastating in his past.
I thought Cole did a great job in her last book describing the event which breaks our hero. She does just as good a job in this book. Often times when reading we get to the point in the book where we learn what the horrible secret is, and I find myself wondering, "really, is that all that happened?" Well not in this series, Cole shocks me everytime and I find myself breaking with the character. Along the same lines, I have always felt that Cole knows how to write chemistry between her Hero and Heroine. She knocks it out of the park on this one. Let me just say, our Hero's name fits him well.
Jacey really comes through in this book as a strong heroine. She herself has a past she is working on, but despite this, her tough yet good-hearted nature gets her through. I love her relationship with Brand, her family friend, and how she handles it, and I loved the healing that takes place in the book.
I will finish my review by saying that I love books with Prologues and often feel like I am missing out if an Epilogue is not written. With that being said, I do not have the words to properly express how much I enjoyed the Prologue/Epilogue. Chills..tears..yep I LOVED it!!!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 11, 2013was hoping for jacey and brand
October 28, 2020
Das Ende ist immer noch seltsam aber ansonsten gefällt mir die Geschichte wirklich gut...
April 10, 2017
Holy Freaking CRAP!!!!!!
Wow. I'm done. I'm gutted.
I can't even begin to go through all the emotions that I went through while reading this. So much happened, so many hoops to jump through, but that epilogue!?!?! Wow, amazing! I freaking loved it. I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this one as much as If You Leave, but I did. I absolutely LOVED IT. Did I mention that I loved it?!?! Damn you Giffen!!! You get me!
#spp
Wow. I'm done. I'm gutted.
I can't even begin to go through all the emotions that I went through while reading this. So much happened, so many hoops to jump through, but that epilogue!?!?! Wow, amazing! I freaking loved it. I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this one as much as If You Leave, but I did. I absolutely LOVED IT. Did I mention that I loved it?!?! Damn you Giffen!!! You get me!
#spp
December 4, 2013
Before We Fall was dark, gripping, and emotional. The sparks flew between Jacey and Dominic, but their journey to happily ever after was anything but easy. Their story definitely tugged at my heart.
Dominic Kincaid. What a great character name. He's a very famous actor, but I often found myself forgetting that fact, because he has real life problems. He's dark, tormented and honestly, isn't very easy to like. He's kept himself closed off for so long that it's hard for him to allow people in. His past is the cause of his disposition and we learn the reasons why gradually throughout the book. For me, there were plenty of times that I wanted to smack him around, but I had a feeling the reasons for his "attitude" were going to be pretty heavy. And they were. Don't get me wrong, there are moments where Dom's true heart shines through and that's how Jacey fell in love with him. She saw through him and saw the kind of person he truly was. I ended up loving him, but I like those bad boys that redeem themselves.
While I feel that this was Dom's story, I felt like Jacey stood out strongly to me too. I'll be honest and say that Jacey hasn't always been my favorite in this series. She's made mistakes repeatedly, which can be forgiving, but I just felt like she never learned from her mistakes. BUT, in this book...she shined. I felt truly proud of her growth. She's matured and she's taken ownership of the mistakes in her past. I knew about her family issues going into this book, but I felt like I really got a sense of how this affected Jacey and her view on relationships. And again...she's grown a lot. I loved that she was the foundation of her relationship with Dom. She was the strong one. She pulled him out and made him realize that he was able to love again.
While I'm on the subject of Jacey, I feel the need to bring up Brand. I have loved Brand since I first met him. And...I also wanted him to end up with Jacey before I read this book! Boy, how my thoughts changed once I got into this one. I appreciated how Brand was there for Jacey, but I didn't want to see him hurt. I'm really hoping that he finds happiness and I can't wait for his book! (someday ;))
If you follow my reviews you know that I have a soft spot for Rockers. Well, Dom's brother's are in a band and live the typical Rock lifestyle. I point this out because Dom's brother's, Sin and Duncan, are in the book. They have a close knit family. And...I also need books for both brother's. Sin may not seem that appealing in this book, but I have a feeling I'll fall in love with him.
Overall, I loved Dom and Jacey's story. It definitely had a different feel than the other books in the series, but I think that's as it should be. Everyone has their own story. Cole has a way of bringing real life issues into her stories, but what I appreciate about it is that these issues are resolved and the characters do grow. I'm a fan of this series and always recommend it. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you do.
Quotes:
~"Dominic," I whisper, not sure of what to say. He looks up at me rakishly, the breeze tousling his hair, and he's utterly beautiful.
"Don't love me," he says simply. "Or I'll break you. I won't want to, but it will happen."-Loc 2497
~"You don't know what you can offer me?" she asks slowly, her brown eyes pained as she stares at me. "How about...yourself? Offer me yourself and I'll stay. But I want all of you. I want a real relationship. I want you and your problems and the truth and the ugliness. I need to know all of it. Can you do that?"-Loc 3541
Dominic Kincaid. What a great character name. He's a very famous actor, but I often found myself forgetting that fact, because he has real life problems. He's dark, tormented and honestly, isn't very easy to like. He's kept himself closed off for so long that it's hard for him to allow people in. His past is the cause of his disposition and we learn the reasons why gradually throughout the book. For me, there were plenty of times that I wanted to smack him around, but I had a feeling the reasons for his "attitude" were going to be pretty heavy. And they were. Don't get me wrong, there are moments where Dom's true heart shines through and that's how Jacey fell in love with him. She saw through him and saw the kind of person he truly was. I ended up loving him, but I like those bad boys that redeem themselves.
While I feel that this was Dom's story, I felt like Jacey stood out strongly to me too. I'll be honest and say that Jacey hasn't always been my favorite in this series. She's made mistakes repeatedly, which can be forgiving, but I just felt like she never learned from her mistakes. BUT, in this book...she shined. I felt truly proud of her growth. She's matured and she's taken ownership of the mistakes in her past. I knew about her family issues going into this book, but I felt like I really got a sense of how this affected Jacey and her view on relationships. And again...she's grown a lot. I loved that she was the foundation of her relationship with Dom. She was the strong one. She pulled him out and made him realize that he was able to love again.
While I'm on the subject of Jacey, I feel the need to bring up Brand. I have loved Brand since I first met him. And...I also wanted him to end up with Jacey before I read this book! Boy, how my thoughts changed once I got into this one. I appreciated how Brand was there for Jacey, but I didn't want to see him hurt. I'm really hoping that he finds happiness and I can't wait for his book! (someday ;))
If you follow my reviews you know that I have a soft spot for Rockers. Well, Dom's brother's are in a band and live the typical Rock lifestyle. I point this out because Dom's brother's, Sin and Duncan, are in the book. They have a close knit family. And...I also need books for both brother's. Sin may not seem that appealing in this book, but I have a feeling I'll fall in love with him.
Overall, I loved Dom and Jacey's story. It definitely had a different feel than the other books in the series, but I think that's as it should be. Everyone has their own story. Cole has a way of bringing real life issues into her stories, but what I appreciate about it is that these issues are resolved and the characters do grow. I'm a fan of this series and always recommend it. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you do.
Quotes:
~"Dominic," I whisper, not sure of what to say. He looks up at me rakishly, the breeze tousling his hair, and he's utterly beautiful.
"Don't love me," he says simply. "Or I'll break you. I won't want to, but it will happen."-Loc 2497
~"You don't know what you can offer me?" she asks slowly, her brown eyes pained as she stares at me. "How about...yourself? Offer me yourself and I'll stay. But I want all of you. I want a real relationship. I want you and your problems and the truth and the ugliness. I need to know all of it. Can you do that?"-Loc 3541
August 30, 2016
Before We Fall, the third book in Courtney Cole’s Beautifully Broken series, is an absolutely beautiful and phenomenal read. I fell in love with this series while reading book #1, If You Stay, and this new installment continues to prove that this is one of the best series in the New Adult genre.
Dominic & Jacey’s story is one of loss, grief, guilt, unexpected love and triumph. Dominic is a famous actor who is closed off to the world and everyone around him. He is trapped by the demons of an extremely traumatic event; his anger, grief and guilt consuming him. He convinces himself that he is evil and deserving of nothing more than pain & suffering for the sins he believes that he committed.
Jacey is a girl who just wants to be loved. In the past she has been reckless with her decisions and choices in life. She is always looking for the love that her childhood did not provide. She is desperate to have it, but continuously looks in the wrong places for it. When tragedy strikes, she is overcome with the tremendous guilt that she believes her decisions and choices caused.
The transformation of Dominic and Jacey within the pages of Before We Fall, is just breathtaking. Jacey becomes the protector, instead of the protected. Her love is fierce, her strength is beauty, and her determination to change is awe-inspiring. Dominic slowly opens himself up again. He allows light to shine into the darkness that has become his world. He begins to trust, to cope, to accept and finally, to heal. Through their love, and acceptance, they both find peace and happiness with themselves, and with each other. Their road is definitely not an easy one, but they are stronger for having traveled on it.
Dominic and Jacey’s chemistry, attraction, pain, despair and overwhelming need were palpable. Ms. Cole does an amazing job of bringing their heart-wrenching story to life while immersing the reader inside of it. From the sweet prologue to the chill inducing epilogue, I loved every single second of their journey. Ms. Cole’s voice gets more powerful with each new installment in this series, and it’s definitely one that you will want to hear. While each book can be read as a standalone, I think the series is best served by reading in order. Trust me when I say you won’t regret it!
ARC provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
Dominic & Jacey’s story is one of loss, grief, guilt, unexpected love and triumph. Dominic is a famous actor who is closed off to the world and everyone around him. He is trapped by the demons of an extremely traumatic event; his anger, grief and guilt consuming him. He convinces himself that he is evil and deserving of nothing more than pain & suffering for the sins he believes that he committed.
Jacey is a girl who just wants to be loved. In the past she has been reckless with her decisions and choices in life. She is always looking for the love that her childhood did not provide. She is desperate to have it, but continuously looks in the wrong places for it. When tragedy strikes, she is overcome with the tremendous guilt that she believes her decisions and choices caused.
The transformation of Dominic and Jacey within the pages of Before We Fall, is just breathtaking. Jacey becomes the protector, instead of the protected. Her love is fierce, her strength is beauty, and her determination to change is awe-inspiring. Dominic slowly opens himself up again. He allows light to shine into the darkness that has become his world. He begins to trust, to cope, to accept and finally, to heal. Through their love, and acceptance, they both find peace and happiness with themselves, and with each other. Their road is definitely not an easy one, but they are stronger for having traveled on it.
Dominic and Jacey’s chemistry, attraction, pain, despair and overwhelming need were palpable. Ms. Cole does an amazing job of bringing their heart-wrenching story to life while immersing the reader inside of it. From the sweet prologue to the chill inducing epilogue, I loved every single second of their journey. Ms. Cole’s voice gets more powerful with each new installment in this series, and it’s definitely one that you will want to hear. While each book can be read as a standalone, I think the series is best served by reading in order. Trust me when I say you won’t regret it!
ARC provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review
December 12, 2013
I have been a fan of Courtney Cole since I read her first book in the Beautifully Broken Series, If You Stay. With each successive book, Courtney’s writing has gotten better and better, the characters more compelling and I have to say that Before We Fall is my favorite to date. Courtney has a masterful way of knowing how to start a book with her epic prologues that grab your attention and suck you right in. Before We Fall did not disappoint.
Dominic Kinkaide is not your average actor vying for the spotlight. Dominic is a loner – he likes the dark, the forbidden and the pain because is elicits a response from him; it makes him feel. Dominic doesn’t allow himself to get close to anyone so he doesn’t get attached or hurt. He suffers from a tragic past that has made him the man he is today – filled with such hate and anger deep within him.
We met Jacey Vincent in previous books – I love her strong willed care free persona. But like Dominic, she also has a past that has shaped the woman she is today – someone looking for acceptance with every guy she dates as well as a terrible judge in character.
Both characters having flaws but despite this, when they are thrown to work together, they have an undeniable and sizzling attraction that you can feel emitting from the book. Dominic tries to act detached with anything sexual and I am SO nervous and afraid that he will hurt Jacey who has been in these types of situations before. But Jacey being the kind hearted person she is, can’t help but want to save him from his past. Will she be able to break down Dominic’s walls that he built around himself? Will Dominic continue to push her away knowing what he knows about himself, always hurting those around him? Will the secrets of Dominic’s past destroy any kind of happiness that this broken man deserves?
I enjoyed the intensity, sexiness and dominance of Dominic. When we learn his secrets, I cry for his pain hoping beyond hope that he will allow Jacey into his heart to help him heal. Jacey gives this to him and more with her strength and determination. Watching Dominic try and open up was simply beautiful. I enjoyed this journey I took with these characters – the epilogue put a smile on my face and the healing warmed my heart.
Job well done!
Dominic Kinkaide is not your average actor vying for the spotlight. Dominic is a loner – he likes the dark, the forbidden and the pain because is elicits a response from him; it makes him feel. Dominic doesn’t allow himself to get close to anyone so he doesn’t get attached or hurt. He suffers from a tragic past that has made him the man he is today – filled with such hate and anger deep within him.
We met Jacey Vincent in previous books – I love her strong willed care free persona. But like Dominic, she also has a past that has shaped the woman she is today – someone looking for acceptance with every guy she dates as well as a terrible judge in character.
Both characters having flaws but despite this, when they are thrown to work together, they have an undeniable and sizzling attraction that you can feel emitting from the book. Dominic tries to act detached with anything sexual and I am SO nervous and afraid that he will hurt Jacey who has been in these types of situations before. But Jacey being the kind hearted person she is, can’t help but want to save him from his past. Will she be able to break down Dominic’s walls that he built around himself? Will Dominic continue to push her away knowing what he knows about himself, always hurting those around him? Will the secrets of Dominic’s past destroy any kind of happiness that this broken man deserves?
I enjoyed the intensity, sexiness and dominance of Dominic. When we learn his secrets, I cry for his pain hoping beyond hope that he will allow Jacey into his heart to help him heal. Jacey gives this to him and more with her strength and determination. Watching Dominic try and open up was simply beautiful. I enjoyed this journey I took with these characters – the epilogue put a smile on my face and the healing warmed my heart.
Job well done!
August 30, 2016
Let’s start out by saying that this is a my favorite book out of the series! I didn’t think anyone could beat Pax, but I’m pretty sure Dominic Kinkaide just became the Hero in this series!
Dominic is a movie star. His life looks glamorous on the outside, but on the inside he lives with dark secrets that haunt him. An unfortunate tragedy from his past makes him broken, jaded, stubborn and a bad boy. And Dominic has a dirty, dirty side!
Jacey is the strong, nurturing heroine in the book. At first, I thought she was going to be a flaky character, but it turns out she is just trying to find herself in life and looks for the good in others.
Dominic and Jacey get thrown together in a situation and they both unexpectedly find strength in each other, but it’s not easy. There is an instant physical attraction between the two, but their stubbornness and dark secrets take you on an angst-filled ride throughout the book. Dominic was hot and cold throughout the book with Jacey. I loved their banter and their romps were off the chart H-O-T! But eventually the secrets (and a big twist I didn’t see coming!) come out and it’s just heartbreaking and you feel for all characters.
What I love most about this series, is that all the characters in the Beautifully Broken series aren’t perfect. The author knows how to write broken characters that you just can’t help root for them in the very beginning! Before We Fall is a great read that is filled with heartbreak, angst, surprises and lots of steam.
Dominic is a movie star. His life looks glamorous on the outside, but on the inside he lives with dark secrets that haunt him. An unfortunate tragedy from his past makes him broken, jaded, stubborn and a bad boy. And Dominic has a dirty, dirty side!
Jacey is the strong, nurturing heroine in the book. At first, I thought she was going to be a flaky character, but it turns out she is just trying to find herself in life and looks for the good in others.
Dominic and Jacey get thrown together in a situation and they both unexpectedly find strength in each other, but it’s not easy. There is an instant physical attraction between the two, but their stubbornness and dark secrets take you on an angst-filled ride throughout the book. Dominic was hot and cold throughout the book with Jacey. I loved their banter and their romps were off the chart H-O-T! But eventually the secrets (and a big twist I didn’t see coming!) come out and it’s just heartbreaking and you feel for all characters.
What I love most about this series, is that all the characters in the Beautifully Broken series aren’t perfect. The author knows how to write broken characters that you just can’t help root for them in the very beginning! Before We Fall is a great read that is filled with heartbreak, angst, surprises and lots of steam.
November 27, 2014
whoa, talk about some serious angst! I love it...dark broken characters, hidden secrets, taboo behaviors and a bit of Romance in there. I happy that for a 3rd book in a series that this continues to develop and never stalls!
Dominic Kincaide is a broken damaged soul. He is wealthy and famous but no one.truly knows who he is. Jacey Vincent is a sassy fireball whose job puts.her in direct contact with Dom and fate puts them together...literally.
Both characters have trust issues. Jacey is trying to be independent and she needs.to prove that she can make good choices. Dominic is not a good choice, but something about him calls to her. He has never let anyone in...he stays in the shadows..he participates in the dark/painful all in hopes to not.feel his past, but the more time he spends with Jacey he can't help but want her.
I liked the connection between the two. I especially liked Dom's darkness. My only gripe is.I wanted to tape Jacey's mouth shut a time or two! honestly she was so messed up in book 2 and she suddenly got all wise and philosophical? I don't know about that! oh well...I still am.a bit shocked that she and Brand were not the spotlight of this book..he really needs his own tale!
overall, great heat, great emotion, likeable.characters and lots of angst...my fave!
Dominic Kincaide is a broken damaged soul. He is wealthy and famous but no one.truly knows who he is. Jacey Vincent is a sassy fireball whose job puts.her in direct contact with Dom and fate puts them together...literally.
Both characters have trust issues. Jacey is trying to be independent and she needs.to prove that she can make good choices. Dominic is not a good choice, but something about him calls to her. He has never let anyone in...he stays in the shadows..he participates in the dark/painful all in hopes to not.feel his past, but the more time he spends with Jacey he can't help but want her.
I liked the connection between the two. I especially liked Dom's darkness. My only gripe is.I wanted to tape Jacey's mouth shut a time or two! honestly she was so messed up in book 2 and she suddenly got all wise and philosophical? I don't know about that! oh well...I still am.a bit shocked that she and Brand were not the spotlight of this book..he really needs his own tale!
overall, great heat, great emotion, likeable.characters and lots of angst...my fave!
December 11, 2013
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
Before We Fall is ultimately about two broken people, each running from their pasts until they run into each other.
Dominic Kinkaide is a Hollywood actor, successful, rich, sexy and damaged. He’s closed himself off, only playing games, never giving anything…until he meets Jacey Vincent. But Dominic has a dark side…
But because familiar and normal don’t stir my blood. I’ve seen pretty much everything once and have done it twice. Normal doesn’t do it for me anymore.
Forbidden things are what lift my dick. Dark things, bad things.
Jacey Vincent is trying to pull herself together. She’s made some mistake, has shit taste in men, and is trying to convince herself that she’s worth something more. She has a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time…which has resulted in tragedy in the past and leads her to Dominic.
It’s like he saw me. He saw that someone died because of me. He saw that there’s something so fundamentally wrong with me that my own parents don’t want anything to do with me. That I’m flawed.
From the beginning of the story we know that Dominic was severely damaged by an event that happened in his past involving his childhood girlfriend, Emma. It’s isn’t until almost the end of the book that we learn the exact details of what happened. Throughout the story I had my ideas of what may have happened but when the truth finally comes out, it’s truly heartbreaking.
I do have to admit this book hit on one of my major pet peeves: women who let men shit all over them and go back for more. Urggh! Dominic basically tells Jacey in a dozen different ways that he is messed up, that he has nothing to offer, that he’s not interested in a relationship, that he’ll do nothing but hurt her…and Jacey just can’t resist. Sigh. Roll my eyes. Hate it. I truly believe if a man tells you you’re nothing to him…you are actually NOTHING TO HIM. For me, that was the major drawback of the book.
"Are you my friend?" he asks suddenly, turning toward me.
I can't explain why, but the expression on his face hurts my heart. It's open. For the first time since I've known him, his face is completely open to me. I know that he doesn't do this often... he doesn't show his vulnerability.
"Yes," I answer slowly. "I'm your friend."
He nods, and I honestly don't know what's going on here. "And you like me more and more each day?"
I nod in confusion.
"Dominic," I whisper, not sure of what to say. He looks up at me rakishly, the breeze tousling his hair, and he's utterly beautiful.
"Don't love me," he says simply. "Or I'll break you. I won't want to, but it will happen."
Of course Jacey doesn't take the warning to heart.
I will say that as the story develops and their relationship evolves I enjoyed the chemistry between them. Sure there is alot of back and forth, hot and cold but I didn't find it angsty. And maybe Dominic had some major hang ups but I still found him extremely sexy. All his "yes" and "no" questions...totally worked for me.
“Are you feeling warm yet?”
I watch his lips as he speaks the words, husky and low. His lips are full yet manly, and suddenly I ache to lean over and press mine to his, to touch them in any way that I can.
But I don’t.
Because I’m not a girl who gets used. Not anymore.
“No, not at all.”
But Dominic takes that as a challenge. He’s not used to hearing the word no and he’s not about to start now. I see that in his dark eyes a scant moment before he dips his head and consumes my mouth.
I say consume instead of kiss, because that’s what he does.
He consumes me.
His lips are fiery and hot and he kisses me with a fierceness that touches a secret part of me, moist, hot, firm, sexy. I want to inhale him, to suck him down. I vaguely feel his hands on my back, his warmth, emanating through my clothes, his hardness pushing into my softness.
I’m breathless when he pulls away.
“What about now?”
Before we Fall is the third book in the Beautifully Broken series by Courtney Cole and the only book in the series I have read so far. While the books do have characters that are tied together, I think it worked just fine as a stand-alone novel. The book was very well written and I felt like the story flowed very well and had good pacing. I do want to go back and read the earlier books in the series when I have some time. I'm also very interested to see if Brandt is featured in a future book. I think he definitely deserves a happily ever after, perhaps there is a damsel in distress he can rescue...guess we'll have to wait and see.
Overall a solid four star book for me and a series I would definitely read more of.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2016
Zum Buchinhalt
Nach außen hin führt Dominic ein beneidenswertes Leben: Dem gefeierten Jungschauspieler liegt die Frauenwelt zu Füßen. Doch innerlich ist er gelähmt, tiefe Gefühle lässt er nicht zu. Das ändert sich, als er Jacey kennenlernt, deren Kraft ihn schwer beeindruckt. Aber auch sie hat Narben auf der Seele. Werden die beiden einander heilen können?
Meine Meinung
Die Beautifully Broken Reihe von Courtney Cole lese ich mittlerweile fast so gerne wie die Reihe(n) von J. Lynn und Jessica Sorensen. Das liegt vor allem daran, dass ich die Charaktere nach „If you Stay“ und „If you leave“ sehr liebgewonnen habe und ich gerne wissen möchte wie es für sie weitergeht. In „Before We Fall“ steht Jacey, Gabes kleine Schwester, die wir bereits im Vorgängerband kennenlernen durften, im Mittelpunkt. Damals hat sie als Kellnerin im Restaurant ihrer besten Freundin Maddy gearbeitet. Heute kellnert sie zwar immer noch, dafür jedoch auf Partys, die hauptsächlich von den Reichen und Schönen besucht werden. Auf einer dieser Partys lernt sie Dominic Kinkaide, einen erfolgreichen Schauspieler, kennen. Allerdings verläuft diese Begegnung alles andere als gut und zieht weitreichende Konsequenzen nach sich, die dafür sorgen, dass die beiden mehr Zeit miteinander verbringen als es ihnen zunächst lieb ist.
Der Einstieg in die Geschichte ist mir mehr als leicht gefallen. Courtney Coles einfacher Schreibstil und ihr lockerer Erzählstil/ton lassen die Sätze nur so an einen vorbeifliegen. Wie bereits in den beiden Vorgängern dürfen wir die Handlung sowohl aus der Perspektive von Jacey als auch Dominic erleben und bekommen somit einen Einblick in ihre Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt. Allerdings muss ich sagen, dass ich mit den beiden erst im Verlauf des Buches, als beide schon eine gewisse Entwicklung/Veränderung durchgemacht hatten, warm geworden bin. Jacey kam mir zu Anfang etwas naiv und leichtfüßig vor. Sie scheint ein Händchen dafür zu haben sich in Schwierigkeiten zu bringen, aus denen ihr dann entweder ihr Bruder oder Brand helfen müssen. Dominic hingegen hat auf mich sehr arrogant gewirkt und sein Verhalten hat mir stellenweise überhaupt nicht gefallen.
Wenn man jedoch zwischen den Zeilen liest, sieht man die beiden mit der Zeit mit anderen Augen. Jacey hatte es bisher nicht leicht in ihrem Leben und ja sie hat in ihrer Vergangenheit einige dumme Entscheidungen getroffen, die ihr, ihrer Familie und ihren Freunden großen Kummer bereitet haben, aber sie bereut diese Entscheidungen inzwischen zutiefst und ist darum bemüht sich zu ändern, um ihr Leben endlich allein in den Griff zu bekommen. Und obwohl sie sich weiterhin etwas egoistisch verhält, habe ich sie letztendlich doch in mein Herz geschlossen.
Dominic ist im Grunde gar kein schlechter Typ. Er mimt zwar nach außen den unnahbaren Hollywood Star und kommt dadurch überheblich und arrogant herüber, aber das ist alles nur ein Schutzmechanismus, den er sich über die Jahre zugelegt hat. In seiner Vergangenheit ist er durch etwas zutiefst verletzt worden und seitdem tut er alles damit sich das niemals wiederholt. Er lässt niemanden wirklich ans sich heran und hält sogar seine Familie auf Distanz. Zusätzlich zu seinem Schmerz, quälen ihn riesige Schuldgefühle, die er zu verdrängen versucht, in dem er sich verbietet überhaupt irgendetwas zu fühlen.
Bevor sich Gefühle zwischen den beiden entwickeln, liegen sich Jacey und Dominic eigentlich ständig in den Haaren, was teilweise sehr amüsant war. Je besser sie sich kennenlernen, desto mehr wächst die Anziehungskraft zueinander, sodass sie sich irgendwann nicht mehr dagegen wehren können. Trotzdem bleibt es ein ständiges Auf und Ab zwischen den beiden. Denn bevor sie an eine gemeinsame Zukunft denken können, muss vor allem Dominic muss erst einmal lernen sich Jacey zu öffnen. Dafür muss er sich seiner Vergangenheit stellen und sie aufarbeiten. In diesem Zusammenhang haben sich einige Überraschungen und Wendungen ergeben. Es wurden Wahrheiten aufgedeckt, mit denen weder ich noch Dominic gerechnet hätten. Er tat mir echt leid und ich habe mir Sorgen gemacht, ob er das alles gut verkraften wird.
Darüber hinaus fiebert man natürlich mit ihm und Jacey mit, da man hofft, dass es für die beiden ein Happy End geben wird. Das Ende hat mir insgesamt gut gefallen, wenn ich die Abschlussszene auch etwas seltsam und unpassend fand.
Mein Fazit
Mit „Before We Fall“ ist Courtney Cole eine schöne Fortsetzung gelungen, die mich bis zum Schluss an die Seiten fesseln konnte und mich mit den beiden Protagonisten mitfiebern ließ. Dominic und Jacey sind authentische und vielschichtige Charaktere, mit denen man jedoch erst nach und nach richtig warm wird. Denn je mehr man von ihnen und ihrer Vergangenheit erfährt, desto besser kann man ihr Verhalten verstehen. Darüber hinaus machen beide im Laufe des Buches eine tolle Entwicklung durch, wodurch vor allem Dominic einiges an Sympathie gewinnt.
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