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A Girl Before Now

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A DARK PAST…

To journalist Annabella Lochlin, Clove County seems like the perfect place for a fresh start. With its sprawling forests, crisp air, and quiet streets. And it’s a two-hour drive away from Detective Michael Dempsey, her ex, a part of a dark past she desperately needs to leave behind. But that’s the thing about fresh starts; the past has a way of crashing into the present.

A DEAD GIRL…

When Anna finds a body, her path collides with Joseph Miller, a devastatingly handsome and charming officer, and Anna can feel her defences slowly dropping. After all, a new life is something she’s seeking. But can she really trust him?
The police rule the woman’s death an accident. But to Anna that doesn’t seem right. Unable to let it go, she begins to unravel the truth behind the girl’s mysterious death.
The closer she gets, the closer she gets to grave danger.

AND A DEADLY OBSESSION…

Seductively dark, funny, and tragic, A Girl Before Now, is a gripping story that will have you hanging on until the last page.

544 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2022

650 people are currently reading
1624 people want to read

About the author

Andy Lee Barnes

9 books98 followers
Andy Barnes lives Tasmania with her husband, Nick, and their two girls, Pirri and Inika. When she isn't glued to the keyboard, a steaming cup of coffee and a choc chip cookie by her side, then you can usually find her running her children around, from one thing to another, or outside enjoying nature with the families labradors, Tilly, Caddie and Pepper.

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5 stars
310 (42%)
4 stars
226 (30%)
3 stars
137 (18%)
2 stars
38 (5%)
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20 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for Theophanea.
61 reviews
December 7, 2023
Rating: 2/5 stars
Version: KU

If you came here from tiktok thanks to a booktuber's fancy cliffhanger post that involved the mc's family, you need to know, first off, that it's towards the last third of the book and doesn't have a prominence in the story beyond the scene it's in. That's how I got here and I feel just a bit cheated (not the author's fault).

Plot: The plot was decent. To me, it was one of the only decent things that I could consider giving the book based on what I read and my own opinions. I will give the author plenty of kudos. Without giving spoilers, I was absolutely certain, up until the turning point, that my hunch was correct and I was, in fact, NOT correct. I actually didn't foresee the actual villain in the story until I was right up in the conflict.

That's about where my praise ends, though. Unfortunately, the plot felt like an unfinished knitting project, where you have most of it done, but there are frayed edges and knots and unfinished cast-ons. Too much emphasis was put in places it didn't need it and lacked in places it DID. I was left feeling off-footed most of the time and frustrated when something happened that, in reality, would have had someone killed or at least in prison. It was hard to get into the book when there were glaring plot issues like that.

Characters: The only one I liked was the dog and the one police officer, Polden. The rest of them were run-of-the-mill and didn't inspire any sort of attachment in me, even when they were going through emotional things that should have seen me getting attached to them. The MC was the most frustrating of them all, though I recognize that, at least, some of that frustration was by design given her issues. Other than that, she was rude, she was mediocre and she did so many illegal things I wanted to reach through the book to slap her. If she existed in real life, there would be no wonder people left her behind. Not because of her mental issues, or her addiction, but because she was so selfish that she put herself in constant danger and NEVER listened to anyone. That, alone, would drive everyone bonkers.

The 2 love interests were your "insert typical white man here" and they felt like they lacked the personality to me, which was disappointing, especially in Michael's case. Of both of them, I should have liked and wanted to know most about him, and I just didn't care. I cared more about random background characters than I did the central players.


Topics:

This book discusses some heavy things as is warned at the beginning of the book. However, some of those are not addressed in a way I feel they properly should have been to make the book better. The topic of mental health was NEVER addressed or concluded healthily. It was glossed over and you just assume she either didn't get help for it, or it just magically got taken care of. The topic of her addiction as well, which was a pivotal part of the book, was also never correctly addressed. It made it feel like all of these problems magically went away with the conclusion of the conflict and I was disappointed when there was no solid conclusion to them.

The most MAJOR topic itself wasn't even hinted at until it slapped you in the face in a particular scene and by that point, you're already 3/4 of the way done with the book. I really, truly feel like that particular topic should have been given more lead-up and more attention than it was. Its impact fell flat because of that.


It wasn't the most terrible book I've read, and I really wanted to like it, but the author fell flat in places they needed to rise and it tainted my overall thoughts on the book.

Profile Image for Joe Ettle.
Author 4 books8 followers
February 9, 2022
I was able to get an advanced reader copy of this book and I really liked it.

Very enjoyable book with lots of good descriptions and enough intrigue that kept me wanting more while I read. What starts as a simple enough scenario, a dead body found with no indications of foul play, takes the main character on a twisting path through a myriad of harrowing situations. Anna, the main character, is struggling to get her life back on track and is thrust into trying to solve the case even when no one wants to listen to her. The twist at the end, where it is revealed who is behind the murders packs an excellent punch. Plenty of red herrings and suspects are thrown at the reader to keep them sufficiently off track, but still engaged.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy crime thrillers, Mare of Easttown, and strong female characters. There may be some triggering scenes throughout and this is definitely meant for adults
Profile Image for Melanie Christine.
15 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2023
It starts off kind of slow, and it’s a VERY wordy book in the sense everything the MFC sees around her is detailed to the extreme. Purple prose to the point it really stood out to me at first. Just a TON of high point vocab words that are describing the mundane around the MFC. That made it difficult for me to read at first because I was getting a bit tired of so many superfluous words, just a very different writing style compared to what I’ve read. But I quickly got sucked in! The plot is quite good and was totally new for me! It kept me guessing the whole time and I had a hunch of what was going to happen but didn’t guess it until the chapter it happened in! Loved the mystery because I really couldn’t pin down who I thought it was. So many potential characters but the ending was a surprise to me!

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BUT I did find it odd how she struggles with drinking the whole entire book, called an alcoholic by several and everyone close to her was concerned about her drinking, and then she just… gets over it within a few chapters with little struggle, aside from 2 short instances she says it takes all of her willpower to not open a bottle. But other than that thought she’s just fine? Once she faces her grief and her ex throws out all her wine she just never really struggles again?
14 reviews
May 14, 2025
what. in the everloving fuck. was that. I dnf'd. now what you need to know about me is i RARELY if ever dnf (let me tell you ive read some REALLYYYY bad books)

1st issue: THE FUCKING DOG DIES NOPE

2nd issue: the main character is soooo unbelievably fucking stupid and annoying BECAUSE OF HER THE DOG DIES

3rd issue: both mmc's (oh yh love triangle btw 🤮) are unbelievably i dont even know what (to add i didnt even get to the part where everyone cheats on everyone cause THE DOG DIES)

4th issue: the the fact that like i dont even know the full extent of the fmc's trauma cause i stopped reading there but shes just rly STUPID alsooo in another book i would've maybe supported her going crazy but... she was so annoying i just couldnt ALSO she wouldnt fucking admit to having a problemmmm (i dont think she ever does)

THE ONLY GOOD THING: the plot. maybe. somewhat? i dont even know cause like yh it was interesting and yh maybe i would have continued reading but ummm no. BECAUSE THE FUCKING DOG DIES
Profile Image for Noelle.
98 reviews5 followers
May 25, 2025
A girl before now

Then she became a woman. A really good story, good characters, A lot of banter and humor. And trauma and sadness. Spicy when it needs to be. Its romance. At its best. It was the first novel I read fro Andy Lee Barnes and though I am not a fan of the genre .... I may read a few more.
Profile Image for Violet.
28 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2024
Long… but never once knew the killer 😝
So either real good or I’m just crazy oblivious
Profile Image for Chloe.
5 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2022
1000% recommend!

Over all review, this book had my brain churning and my stomach flipping. The twists and turns leave you on the edge of your seat and I could not put this book down. I’m usually a very slow ready and this book.. wow.. it was literal MAGIC! The author, Andy Lee Barns, is absolutely exceptional and such a kind soul. She deserves all the recognition in the world and I recommend this book to EVERYONE!!
Profile Image for Nichola.
184 reviews
April 17, 2024
Anna frustrated the f**k out of me, obviously we come to understand quite a ways into the book why she’s an alcoholic but good god I was so annoyed by every decision that she made. I kinda got creep vibes from Miller to begin with but I grew to really like him
Profile Image for Patricia Ellingson.
2 reviews
April 27, 2022
tantalizing

I hated for this book that end. Will there be a sequel. Looking forward to it if it comes out
455 reviews28 followers
May 4, 2022
Interesting read, she found herself and that was good!
Profile Image for Laura.
177 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2025
I cried so much in this book.

The beginning of the book is definitely a bit slow in terms of things happening. The first like five chapters have so much description and prose that the story barely moves and as we continue every time we meet someone new or move to a new location it takes a fair amount of paragraphs before we get back to the story.

Also at the beginning there is some inconsistencies in time and plot.

And then at the end I felt some loose ends that needed more information. Not the be all end all to leave open but enough that had me looking at the book trying to figure it out.

In saying that I read books not to see the issues but how the story takes me in.
And this story had me in a tight hold. The emotion is so real though out that I had to stop reading multiple times just to cry.

When I picked up the story I hadn’t expected such hard topics being discussed like I knew it was a murder book and what came with that but this hit topics that I don’t normally find in the ones I read.

Still I could be interested to pick up more from the author and will be recommending this book to others with a reminder for them to check the trope warnings
Profile Image for Proud_book_nerd  (Josie).
871 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2025
You have to look forward

I picked up this book because the synopsis stood out to me.

I enjoyed the story overall. I'm not a big fan of singular POV. But there were a couple chapters that were from Millers POV. It also felt the voice was British at times. I think the book could have been 100 pages shorter.

The story follows Anna, a freelance journalist who is recovering from a traumatic event. But finds herself in the middle of an on going investigation with working girls and her new community. Each new page went on the day to day of how she was processing everything. The development of her relationship with Miller while still being in love with Michael. Each move from the side characters and local police felt like a real world view. I didn't see the murder coming and who she ended up with in the end. But it was a good story overall.
Profile Image for Alex E..
529 reviews17 followers
November 27, 2023
This was brutal but I loved it. It is not an easy read.
I liked Anna and I think she was so lost in her grief. Her way of thinking towards the end regarding her relationship with Michael could not only be labeled as delusional but she was really struggling. And it got me really thinking about their intimate scenes. Yes it was cheating but God, it was such a gray area....

Poor Miller, I really liked his character and the fact he stayed true to his feelings.

The rhythm picks up towards the end and it was like watching a movie. It really is one of these books that can be turned easily to a movie..

Did I ever guess about the killer's identify? No, although in retrospective we got good hints.

It might have liked a shorter than the 500 pages book but I it was worth it.
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
66 reviews
January 10, 2025
Wow. I feel like I just got off a rollercoaster.

The book itself moves slowly, but it doesn't lack. It's not the kind of book you'll read in one sitting, there's too much going on. My head spun reading this. I was frustrated, angry, sad, hurt, ecstatic....an entire rainbow of major emotions.

More than just a story of a serial killer being caught and a good twist of who it is, it's a story of healing and redemption. Halfway through the book Anna is holding a gun to her head and is ready to die. Eventually she crawls out of the abyss and chooses to live. In between you mourn losses with her, grow frustrated at her, and celebrate with her.

I'm so grateful she ended up with Miller. He loved her when she couldn't love herself and held her up when she couldn't stand on her own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelly.
11 reviews
October 10, 2023
Loved this

I genuinely loved this book, you really feel the heartbreak, trauma, addiction loss that the fmc feels and deals with but it's done in a tasteful way that feels very real and not overly exaggerated for wow factor. I think my only complaint about this book is that I wish we had gotten more of the fmc and the mmc at the end when they got back together, it kinda felt like watching a movie and someone turning it off at the end and just explaining what you missed. With that being said I still loved the book and I highly recommend giving this book a read if you like mild smut/romance or a more plot forward type of book
Profile Image for ✨Rachael✨.
9 reviews
May 1, 2024
Compelling Read

This story took hold of my mind and had me in its clutches from start to finish. The plot was riveting and kept me guessing. In this story you will get your romance, self reflection and healing all mixed in with a compelling plot that will keep you in its clutches and have you guessing all the way to the very end. This story was woven in such a way that I felt the emotions bleeding through the words and could picture it as if I was watching a movie instead of reading such a gripping story. If you are in the fence at all about getting this book, don’t be. Definitely get this book, you wont regret it.
2 reviews
May 10, 2024
At first, I was a little annoyed by a misleading TikTok post…I enjoy smut, this book is NOT it😑 However, the book was pleasant and I finished it. There is good story and I enjoyed the banter between certain characters. The FMC ultimately ended up with who I wanted even though there were some plot twists. What really throws me is the grammar and punctuation. I had to set this book down for a day at a time because I would have to reread a sentence several times and would get frustrated due to the poor sentence.

Overall, good read and even though it wasn’t what I originally thought it was, it was a good pallet cleanser.
Profile Image for Cindy Rose.
6 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2025
I normally don’t do reviews and I’m not great at writing out my thoughts. But I really wish more people would pick this book up that enjoy not only some relationship storytelling along with a murder mystery. I know the lead character makes some really irritating choices in the beginning of the book But once you realize what brought her to those actions, you will understand. I don’t wanna give too much away, but it’s about a girl trying to move on after tragic events and losing the love of her life. We get to see her come back alive while a murder mystery is unfolding. You will love not only her first love but also the second love interest that’s introduced.
Profile Image for Pamela Henderson.
263 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2025
A new to me author, and I can say that I really enjoyed this book. I read everyday but found myself not wanting to pick up anything and felt like I was in a slump and this book pulled me out of it. It might not Be for everyone and thats ok, but I really enjoyed it. I don’t want to give spoilers so I will just say that this book had me wanting to stay up at all hours to see who the killer was and, what was gong to happen next. A great read that just might have you on the edge of your seat just to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Kricketland.
883 reviews29 followers
May 16, 2025
What to expect:
✔️ Suspense
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Grief
✔️ Loss
✔️ Hot Policemen

A Girl Before Now is my second read by Andy Lee Barns, and I believe this book is underrated and needs to be talked about more! I enjoyed this story immensely. Anna’s story is full of angst, grief, and love lost as it unfolds, along with the suspense of trying to solve a murder. I am on the fence between rating A Girl Before Now 4.5 or 5 stars. I loved this dark standalone read, not knowing where Anna’s story would end up. I am giving a rating of 4.5 / 5 stars.
Profile Image for Zuzihut.
352 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2023
This was my second book from the author and I must say, I’m obsessed with her writing!

She writes such a beautiful heartfelt stories with so much pain and angst that I have yet to find other authors with such a quality!

I love love triangles, with pain and heart ache!

This story kept me at the edge of my seat, I didn’t even realise the length of the book!

Love it! Read it! You won’t regret it!

And I loved the reference to the Bite book! Simply perfection!
Profile Image for I.
74 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2023
Good story of a loss,addiction and murder all in one. But I don’t think the writing style was for me. Too descriptive. Not fitting for this type of a book (imo).And how many times have the fmc’s legs turned to stone or the air left her lungs?! I just couldn’t. Also,some of the scenes were too far fetched(aka her attacking Brown with a gun in the night club and her getting away with it). Kept me intrigued though. Solid 2 stars.
Profile Image for J Bee.
14 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2024
Eye opening…

Spoiler alert:
The book was really great. I don’t read a lot of darker books, but this pulled me in and made me live another kind of life and feel their pain. I wasn’t shocked by the love triangle, but for some reason it really pissed me off. So much so I put the book down for a week, but I decided I needed to know. The ending was a surprise in who she ends up with and I haven’t quite worked out if I agree but definitely give this a go.
Profile Image for Becky Alsman.
91 reviews17 followers
February 9, 2024
This book is definitely not something I normally pick up and I got sucked in off of a TikTok, but I’m so glad I did. My heart broke for Anna and the book kept me on my toes and the edge of my seat at all times! And spoiler…I BAWLED my eyes out. Mac. 💔 IYKYK. I think I just would have liked to see more at the end with Anna and Miller and would love to know where Michael is. I feel like the book tended to drag on but the ending was cut short. All in all would definitely recommend.
6 reviews
May 1, 2024
wonderful roller coaster

The author did such a wonderful job of weaving a tale of love, loss and suspense. The only drawback were a number of poorly edited areas. Nothing to take away from the over-all effect of the story but definitely a distraction while reading sometimes.

If you are looking for a book with well rounded characters and need a good laugh and cry, this is a great choice.
Profile Image for Jasmine Orton.
220 reviews9 followers
June 16, 2024
I enjoyed how this story was written and the banter between characters. I liked the plot, some things were predictable and some were not. The story itself kept me reading and engaged. I did find it too long (like 500 pages) and after a while I started skimming because it was just so many details and I was losing interest. The grammatical errors were also starting to bother me because it was quite often. All in all, it wasn’t great but it wasn’t terrible.
278 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2024
This was exhausting and not in an exciting way. Anna was hard to connect to even with her issues. Maybe if i had known earlier in the book what happened to her I would have felt something when it was revealed. By the time it was I was already over the book, killing off dog was also a big trigger for me.
Maybe it was the writing style or maybe it was just Anna. But this was lacking. It had a good premise but I just couldn’t wait for it to finish to get it over with.
Profile Image for Shari2011.
288 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2025
loved it even though it was heartbreaking

This the first time reading this author this was such a good book I had so many emotions with this book for what she went through even what Michael went through it was heart breaking 💔 to hear but it was her journey I’m think in the End Miller helped made her see what she was doing and coached off the edge his friend ship is what made them stronger in the end
Profile Image for Samantha Watson.
112 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2023
Wow

This was a really good book. I saw some pages on tic tok and what got me to download it was that her ex husband was invited to a family event with his girlfriend. Reading the first 2 to 3 chapters were difficult because it didn't catch my eye but after reading more I got into it. Towards the end I felt her pain a little. But I'm glad Miller and her got a happy ending.
Profile Image for Hailey Henderson.
265 reviews
December 30, 2023
READ THIS BOOK!

This book had my on a rollercoaster! One sec I was laughing so hard, the next crying my eyes out, followed by staying up till 3am because the tension and suspense was too damn good! I LOVED this book and just wish I could give Anna a hug. Just a great, thrilling, beautifully written story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews

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