Before I Fall: A Falling Novel

I was enthralled by the majority of the book, the incredible writing style of the author, the heart break of the characters, one taking care of her dad when the VA wouldn't give him the care he needed and the heroine's mounting debt, all while she's trying to get through a prestigious college. The hero was amazing and clearly Ms. Scott understands the military and what a solider experiences when he comes home from the war with PTSD. My problem with this book was while Jessica Scott is an accomplished, capable writer, once these two intelligent, career driven people get together (she tutors the hero in statistics), they start having sex, and I mean everywhere... at his home, which was a powerful love scene, then in the library, then ad nauseum, and the book lost the emotion, and all the empathy I felt for these hardworking, suffering characters. The author diluted the rest of the book by sex scene after sex scene, as well as this reader's belief in the story.

Loved it! Beth's father is a disabled veteran and she is his primary caregiver while going to college and supporting them both. Noah is a young man who fought in Afghanistan and was wounded, becoming hooked on pain medication. He is in college too and Beth is his tutor. I love everything Jessica Scott writes. As an Army officer I think she knows what she is writing about. This is the first of a new series and I can't wait to read the next ones as soon as they are published.

I read as an escape, to feel happy good thoughts, to wish. If you're the same, avoid this book. I'm giving it three stars because it isn't written poorly nor is it a "bad" book with an unrealistic plot or unlikeable characters. The opposite in fact. But the topic is too real, the ending doesn't do the "and they lived happily ever after" shtick, and is depressing. That's the last for me.

Seldom do I leave negative comments, however I found this book to be a platform for anti war/ anti military. I had a hard time connecting with the characters because every time the author would offer a glimpse into the main characters' past, there would be a reference to war and all its ills. There were some good points but at times there was an over kill of all the negativity of post war. The characters were the most depressing pair I've ever read. It truly sucked to be them...an addict and a girl who was handed the crappiest life ever. I guess that's why it was a case of insta love. Great cover, not so great story.

This beautiful story took me completely by surprise. Beth has the weight of the world on her shoulders. She's in school, works, takes care of her injured vet father and tutors. She's barely hanging on, trying to find help for her dad who can't get the help he needs through the VA. Noah returns to college after being injured in the war. He has secrets and demons and he struggles every day. The chemistry between these characters is pretty amazing from the beginning. What really surprised me about this book was the level of emotions I felt while reading this. My heart really broke for both Beth and Noah and the struggles they both were going through but at the same time, this was such a gorgeous love story. Beth and Noah are the type of couple you really root for. Noah is so damaged but he has such a good heart. He's a really good guy who suffered through something awful and is just trying to survive day to day (side note - he's also not a manwhore! YAY!.) Beth is selfless and you really just want to see her catch a break. Big props to the author in the writing of this book because I really did not want to put this down, it's fast-paced and engaging from the first page and I can't wait to read more by this author. I'm really looking forward to more books in this series! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance!

4.5 / Top Pick

In Before I Fall, the combination of angst and romance that seems to be a hallmark of new adult romances is wonderfully presented in this enthralling story. I am not a particular fan of the trend to tell stories in the first person, but this story is deftly told and gives a vivid look at some of the aftermath of war on both participants and family. It also shows some of the challenges of college life. The depiction of the gradually unfolding connection between two people who are almost at the end of their respective ropes, and the complications of their juggling personal and professional roles, draws one into the spell that is woven by a talented author who fortunately seems to have endless stories to tell. I look forward to discovering what else she has in store for her fans, both old and new.

Before I Fall by Jessica Scott is a new adult contemporary romance that starts the Falling series and centers around veteran Noah Warren, and his complex and attractive statistics tutor, Beth Lamont. The unwilling attraction they feel for each other is complicated by Noah's struggle with his wounds from war, both physical and emotional, and Beth's endless fight to get care for her father. The relationship must overcome many obstacles, but one in particular may be too much for either to get past.

Disclosure: Free review copy from the publisher/author for an honest review.
Review by: ELF

Jessica Scott delivers an unforgettable tale of strife, heartache, love and acceptance in her new adult contemporary romance, Before I Fall.

Beth Lamont despises anything that has to do with the war that broke her father and destroyed her family. When she is asked to tutor a young ex-soldier in her stats class though, she can't turn down the money that could go towards her father's medications. She never expected to fall so hard for Noah Warren, a man similarly damaged by the war. But that life is all Noah knows and college feels like foreign territory to him. Can two such flawed and weary souls find a love worth fighting for in each other? Or will their demons and the war they can't forget steal that from them as well?

Written with a depth of realism that only comes from experience, Before I Fall was a compelling read from beginning to end. Beth is a young women struggling to care for her father while juggling school and work. I couldn't help but ache for her character and the trials she endures. What would you do if you found yourself at sixteen being the caretaker of the family? Striving to keep up with not only the day-to-day bills but also a never ending amount of medical bills? Would you cut and run? Or would you stick it out no matter how overwhelming? There is one light at the end of the tunnel for Beth and that is finally obtaining her degree and finding a job with medical insurance so that her father can finally receive the care he needs. It's a sad fact of life that many of our veterans don't receive the medical care they need and deserve from the VA, and Scott brings that battle to the pages. This is not a light and fluffy story; it is at times dark, stirring and gritty.

Noah was an equally poignant hero. His struggles to acclimate himself to life outside of the war was difficult and you could feel the tension radiating from the pages. His scars run deep and are not all physical though, and as a reader you quickly see that avoidance is a well used coping mechanism for him. The chemistry between him and Beth is palpable from the start, and Noah's heart really shows when it comes to Beth. He wants nothing more then to lighten the load that Beth already shoulders but realizes that he could quickly burden it further. The build-up pulled me in farther and though the happily-ever-after was not what I was expecting, it was one that was real.

Before I Fall was a beautifully written story with well developed characters and plot that moved at a steady pace. The real world issues that the story is based around run deep but they are not overstated. These characters could have been anyone I know, or anyone I pass on the street. It made for an engaging and powerful story that is what fans have come to expect from this talented author. I look forward to more from the Falling series and Jessica Scott in general. She's a wonderful author with an affinity for contemporary military romances.

4.5 Stars

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5 stars

When it comes to reading military romances, I know that Jessica Scott will never steer me wrong. She is knowledgeable about her information and she knows soldiers, having been one herself. So when she tackles difficult issues such as PTSD, I know she knows what she's talking about. I have also been privy to many conversations about the Army, the war in Iraq, and the aftermath it has caused, so I appreciate her doing justice to the havoc it has wreaked on many lives in her books.

Beth and Noah's story is a beautiful and hopeful one. Both of them are struggling to keep afloat in their everyday lives, so meeting one another is a positive neither of them saw coming. I was afraid I wouldn't like Beth in the beginning because she's a bit prickly and is quick to judge Noah before really getting to know him. However, Beth is under ALOT of stress, so I can't say I blame her. She doesn't really have the time to tutor him with all her other obligations, but she also is pretty hard up for money, so she accepts. While she has preconceived notions about Noah, I did enjoy watching him shatter those and become someone she cares for.

Noah is a good guy who is not only struggling to understand statistics, but is also trying to keep the demons at bay from his time overseas. Being with Beth, he finds himself at peace and wonders if she will be the one to save him from himself. I love that Scott handles this realistically- the only person who can fix Noah is Noah. He can't depend on Beth to do that for him and wouldn't want her to. He knows keeping secrets from her is wrong, but can't bring himself to tell her the truth for fear of disgust and shame. My heart broke for him because once he finds out the whole truth about her dad, he doesn't even know how to broach the topic of what he's dealing with. He doesn't want to lie to her, but he can't lose her either.

It was hard to see these two struggle with their own truths because they are two people who deserve happiness. Beth is beyond frustrated with her father's condition and the run-around she gets with the VA. She finds comfort in Noah and the fact that he will fight his own anxiety and push through to help her when she most needs it. I liked their intimate moments together because they are so full of emotion and longing.

There are two side characters that stood out to me and they happen to be Noah and Beth's best friends, Josh and Abby. Josh is also a former soldier and I can tell his story will be intense also. He doesn't sugarcoat things for Beth and really tells her like it is when he confronts her toward the end of the book. Abby, is Beth's friend who has kind of taken her under her wing to help Beth 'play the game' in terms of the snobby, rich elite that surround them. We don't get much from Abby, but I am excited to read her story next.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. The ending is realistic and does an excellent job of displaying the hardships of loving someone with PTSD. I'm not sure why I didn't rate this one higher than 3.5 stars to be honest. Granted, this isn't a bad rating by any means, but overall, this book isn't one that blew me away like Scott's Back to You did. I am looking forward to Josh and Abby's story next, as I really do enjoy her military romances.

With all her other military romances Ms. Scott has crafted tales that vividly depict the lives of soldiers and those affected by the war back home. In her first New Adult romance those feelings are once again on display, only intensified as the characters are struggling to get through college too. Love and pain reside alongside the struggle to make something of yourself and readers easily get immersed in this maelstrom of emotions and the complex relationship between Beth and Noah.

Beth is barely hanging on as her father's injury from war has left him incapable of doing anything but live in a medicated haze. Her days revolve around fighting with the VA to get even a modicum of the help he needs, teaching, and waitressing to make ends meet. She's not making ends meet though and it's left her constantly on edge. She's lost in a haze of anger over not being able to help her father and fear over not succeeding and getting the career that will end their financial woes. It's left her little time to worry about herself or her own needs. It's not until she meets ex-soldier Noah, who represents all she despises, that her heart finally stands up and takes notice. Being with Noah is both scary and invigorating and as they spend more time together their connection morphs from friends to lovers in a subtle yet powerful way. She's keeping secrets though, secrets about how bad things really are, from not only Noah but herself that could destroy what they have. It all makes for a rocky yet immensely satisfying and maturely depicted relationship that had me enthralled from the moment they first met. Beth too was an amazing woman as she was strong-willed, wise beyond her years, and gave as good as she got. In fact, their witty banter added up to verbal foreplay for me, teeming with sexual tension. Beth wasn't used to being taken care of either, but I enjoyed seeing Noah's sweet and subtle caretaking which made their romance all the more rewarding.

Noah's struggling too, struggling to assimilate to the life of a college student. He desperately wants to succeed, to prove to someone important to him that he can make a future for himself and leave the war in the past. The war isn't completely in his past though as he suffers from PTSD and physical pains that he's masking behind medication. It's left him in a haze too that starts to clear when he sets eyes on Beth. She intrigues him, she's a mystery he longs to solve and is drawn to the mutual pain he sees reflected in her eyes. As he gets to know her, and all about her struggles, he wages a one-man war to make things better for her. As their connection deepens he can no longer ignore his own issues. To fully be the man she needs he'll have to tackle his own pain and in true hero form...he does it. He's not the kind of man to make excuses but deals with things head-on which is immensely appealing. Everything about Noah was appealing as he was sweet, subtly romantic, and wholeheartedly supportive. He saw behind Beth's facade as no one had before to find a woman deserving of happiness and then set out to give her a HEA.

This was a beautifully flowing story juggling numerous emotions that kept readers fully immersed in the action. The issues revolving around the VA are timely as are the complications of soldiers returning from war. These issues are vividly depicted and added to the story's overall impact. Beth and Noah are complex characters, fully fleshed-out with feelings and emotions easy to relate to. They acted in mature ways and I found myself impressed by that maturity as it's missing from many collegians. Their romance is sweet yet sensual and built slowly to make its culmination more rewarding. Surrounding this wonderful couple was an equally engaging cast of secondary characters. From Beth's friend to Noah's war buddies, who all have their own emotional issues to yet deal with, these secondary characters were a great support system who added emotional depth to an already compelling story. Once again I'm left in awe of Ms. Scott's storytelling and encourage everyone to read one of her books if you haven't already....and this is a great place to start!

I don’t think that I was even remotely prepared to love Jessica Scott’s Before I Fall as much as I did. I read it in a sitting, because even in those moments where I needed to step away, I wanted to get back to this book as quickly as could so that I could get back inside this story. Jessica Scott has given us two characters in Beth and Noah, who might have seemed ordinary at first glance, but within these pages, you know that they were every ounce of extraordinary.

Were it not for the fact that she just didn’t have time for it, Beth Lamont could have been a successful juggler. She was a student, TA, tutor, waitress, as well as a case manager and caregiver for her father – it kept Beth very busy and with even less time for a relationship. But Noah was completely unexpected and a welcome respite from everything that she has going on in her life.

Noah had returned from his final tour in Iraq and was fulfilling a promise to get his degree, which is where he and Beth connect. Immediately, Noah had my heart – he’s really was a good guy who bore not only his own burdens, but those of his unit and the amazing girl that he fell for. As we get to delve further into Noah’s life, we know that all is not right in his world and that he brought home a trunk full of issues, both physical and emotional that he wasn’t ready to fully address. In spite of this, he was able to share a part of his heart with Beth and work his way towards a recovery.

Jessica Scott did such an amazing job with this story, to where a day later I am still thinking about it. What she has done is to give her readers a better understanding of what not only returning service men and women experience when it comes to their medical and psychological treatment from the VA Hospital system, but what their families/caregivers must go through as well. With her own military service, Jessica Scott has an insider’s view of not only the medical treatment, but what the re-entry into life stateside is like for them. Because both wars have gone on for nearly 14 years, it is easy for us as civilian to forget. This book gives voice to both to the returning soldiers and their families/caregivers. When you read this book, pay very close attention to every facet of this story – because you know that it informed by some level of reality.

That all said, at its very heart, Before I Fall is a warts and all love story. As the reader, you feel that connection between Beth and Noah – you want them to succeed both individually and as a couple. This book is just so well done – 1) I need to read more of Jessica Scott’s work and 2) I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

I don’t always assign ratings to my reviews – I will just say that this book had such an impact on me personally and I hope that endorsement speaks to you in some small way. ~~~Five Stars that are polished until they shine like diamonds

Thoughts: I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this Before I Fall by Jessica Scott – particularly since New Adult is a bit of a hit or miss genre for me. There were quite a few things that kept me compelled to keep reading this one, however – one of them being the down-to-earth, but oh-so-admirable characters. I loved Beth’s dedication to her father, who is a wartime vet who is constant pain – yet due to a ‘label’ they smack on him, he falls in a category where he can only get limited help from the VA – which leaves them struggling more often than not. Then there is Noah – again, an ex-military soldier who she winds up meeting at college and is asked to tutor – who suffers from PTSD (something that too many of our military are struggling with these days). I admired the author’s attempt at tackling these hard topics – PTSD, addiction, etc.

However, as with most New Adult I think there is just a shade too much of naivety to it – most addiction is not so easy to kick as all that, most PTSD is a little more extreme than that – it all seemed a little like a watered down version when it comes to these issues. However, that seems part and parcel with this genre, and that’s part of my issue when reading New Adult – there are moments of utter realism and then moments of immaturity and it’s difficult sometimes to find the balance, although that was less of an issue with this one than in most. Still, it was ‘real’ enough when it came to the everyday, in and out struggles of life and a healthcare system that all but finds excuses to turn people away and pretty much say, “Fend for yourself” that it was easy enough to overlook. All in all, I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to trying out more books by this author.

Rate: A-/B+
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

Jessica Scott is an author that I have enjoyed many times. She takes the reality of war and the life after and turns them into stories that enlighten her readers, giving them insights to what the military life entails. Before I Fall is the perfect example of this.

This story is more Young Adult than some of her others. While her other books have dealt more with adult characters, Before I Fall is the story of two young adults. Both Beth and Noah are dealing with the after effects of military life, although in different ways. They are both victims of circumstances beyond their control.

Beth, due to father, has had to grow up quickly and deal with things that most people would fold under the pressure of. The strength that she shows while dealing with the VA, college, work, and Noah is enough to push anyone over the edge. Yet, she manages to hold strong and learn so much about herself and the love of others. While dealing with all of this, she manages to find herself and find out what she really deserves out of life.

Noah, home from war, is dealing with his own demons. He knows that he does not have it all under control. He tries to be strong to support Beth with her life, yet knows that he is just covering his truth. The support that he has from his professor, Beth, and his military friends is amazing. Without that support he would not be able to function without that.

Jessica Scott has done it again. The love, the characters, and the story are all exactly what I have come to expect from Jessica. This is a story that is real. It is the story of the life of many military families after they have served their time. It is eye opening, heart wrenching, and amazing. I definitely recommend everyone to check out all of Jessica’s book, including Before I Fall.

4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Angela and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
Everyone knows military life is not all sunshine and glory. Especially the aftermath. Coming back from any war not only leave soldiers broken but affecting everyone around them. Before I Fall gives readers a glimpse of what life after a war can be.

Beth has been taking care of her Dad for quite some time while working and going to school. Unfortunately, her dad who is a veteran with medical issues is not getting the help he needs leaving Beth in a very bad predicament. To help with some medical bills, she has to take an extra job tutoring where she will meet Noah. A veteran who is trying to get his life back to normal. But like many soldiers of the war, he is nothing but unscathed. It will take a whole lot more to get any kind of normalcy if that’s even possible for someone like him.

My heart broke for Beth, her dad, and Noah. They are in a bad situation where support was almost to nothing. It was frustrating to see the struggles they had to go through financially, physically and emotionally. It was a long haul before they got their happy-ending but it worth the hardships.

Being a fan of Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series, I can’t help but to be excited about this new one. Just like Scott’s previous books, Before I Fall consists of realistic characters with realistically tragic issues. But giving them a promise of hope and chance at finding their happy-endings. It’s a great read. I highly recommend not only for the love story, but for a story that will keep you thankful and grounded

*ARC provided by publisher

I loved this book. I usually find it difficult to like NA books because they are so angsty, but this one had me hooked almost from the beginning. Jessica Scott usually writes adult romances and non-fictions so her branching out was quite daring and impressive. She can now add writing NA to her long list of successes.
In this story we find Beth trying to take care of her father who was wounded serving in the Military. He is barely able to move around let alone help around the house or hold down a job. He takes huge amounts of pills to help with the pain and when he can't get them he drinks large amounts of alcohol.
Beth is working two jobs and in Grad school. She has absolutely no time for anything fun let alone time to date until she's sees something in Noah.
Noah is trying to fit back into civilian life after being in the Military, but he is dealing with pain from injuries that he suffered from an attack that killed most of his friends. PTSD has become his norm and the only way to keep it under control is by taking a lot of medication.
If Beth finds out the truth she will never be able to see him past the medication. He is so much like her father in that regard that the kindest thing to do is just walk away from her and their relationship.
I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books in this series.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Jessica Scott knows how to write a story! In this book you get to know and love two characters..Beth and Noah. You can tell by the writing that Jessica has put real life emotions into this book.
Beth's character is written as strong and brave and she has so much on her plate that she does not have time for a man. The way that her character is put together in BIF makes you fall in love with her and feel sorry for her instantly. I also love her no nonsense attitude and the fact that she is 100 percent brave in the face of any turmoil.
Noah on the other hand has his own demons...a soldier himself his character is written from experience from a passion deep within a writers soul that can only be written from first or second hand experience...I gather from Jessica Scott's bio that there might be some real life emotion and experiences written in this book. The fact that a writer has the the bravery to put pen to paper and release it into the world, I loved the book even more because of it!
The story line flows smoothly and the characters develop so richly that you can't help but fall in love with them falling in love.
I love everything about this book except that I wanted more...more epilogue, more Noah and Beth, more about her father. Don't get me wrong it ended in the best way possible. I just knew I was going to have a book hangover and didn't want this book to end. Great Job Jessica Scott!

Stay focused. Get a job. Save her father’s life.

Beth Lamont knows far too much about the harsh realities of life her gilded classmates have only read about in class. She’ll do whatever it takes to take care of her father, even if that means tutoring a guy like Noah - a guy who represents everything she hates about the war, soldiers and what the Army has done to her family.
Noah Warren doesn’t know how to be a student. All he knows is war. But he’s going to college now to fulfill a promise and he doesn’t break his promises. Except he doesn’t count on his tutor being drop dead gorgeous and distracting as hell. One look at Beth threatens to unravel the careful lies Noah has constructed around him.
Can Beth and Noah find love and happiness? Not without a struggle.
"Before I Fall" had real complex issues to deal with. It was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. This book gives needed insight into what happens when people go to war. How being a veteran affects them physically and emotionally. I found Beth to be a strong, believable character. Beth and Noah have a real relationship with real problems. (Instead of petty problems common in YA novels.) They fight to find happiness. This book is what true love is about.

Five Stars for this great emotional story. When I read the synopsis of the story of a Veteran entering back into civilian life starting college and being tutored- automatically I always think of a Veteran being so much older. We tend to forget how young many soldiers are and the impact war has on their young minds. Things that we couldn't imagine and wouldn't understand. This was well written and opens your eyes to the struggles many Veterans young and old have to deal with in every day life after they leave the military. It opens your eyes to how families struggle along side the loved one. Beth- a young college student who struggles financially and emotionally to take care of her disabled father doesn't have time for herself between going to school and taking care of her father who was injured in the military. When asked by her stats teacher to tutor a young Veteran-Noah who is pursuing his next step in life after his time was up in the military- needing the money she accepts. The two of them have a connection that can't be denied after always feeling lost. They both have secrets they fear will tear them apart. This story was truly amazing and I look forward to reading more of Jessica's books.

Copy via Netgalley
Stand alone with HEA
3.5 stars

Before I Fall is a story that deals with what happens when soldiers come home. We all like to think everything is perfect but the reality is there are problems that need to taken care of. Sadly in many cases, they don't get the proper help. Beth has to deal with things when her father is injured. She has been dealing with the red tape and run around of the VA and medical beauracry since she was sixteen years. She is exhausted physically and mentally. It's a vicious circle of pain and pills. When she meets Noah she lets him in. Little does she know, he is in a similar boat health wise. I felt the romance was secondary to the day to day struggles of Beth's life. They were together but Noah's secrets was an unknown barrier. He struggle was heartbreaking to read about. I loved the the author kept it real in the end. Noah wasn't miraculously cured of his addiction. She let us know that was a day to day struggle. The trust would have to be rebuilt.
On a side note; I loved her friend Abby and look forward to reading her story.

I loved Beth from the very beginning. She was such a strong, giving person. I admired her determination and will to succeed. I wasn't sure about Noah when Beth first met him but I soon learned that he had a strength as well in the care he invested in others in his life. Yes there are some very tough issues for both of them, I can't imagine what I would do in either of their situations but I was drawn in from their first face to face meeting.

I loved the instant connection between Beth and Noah, even though they were both terrified of what that might mean in the long run. I kept my fingers crossed the whole time that they could get passed their fears and challenges because I knew they could be an amazing couple. The twists and turns in their story are well worth it in the end. I can't wait to read more in this series.

I have read all of Jessica Scott's Coming Home series and loved the characters in that series as well. I enjoy Jessica Scott's writing and have recommended her to several of my friends. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.