Synopsis
A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…
A college baseball star isn’t supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them–something that makes him want to open up.
Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working a suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.
Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him–or to stop herself from falling too far…
Raves for Christina Lee’s All of You
“Hot, sweet, emotional, page-turner, awesome.” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy
“This is one New Adult you don’t want to miss.” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A. L. Jackson
“Steamy, honest, and full of heart.” —Roni Loren, national bestselling author
Excerpt
At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.
“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.
“Sweet and salty—it’s a must-have for movie watching.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ll fall in love. You’ll never watch a movie without them again.”
“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.
“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’t want to be without them ever again.”
Quinn’s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’t forget.”
Speechless wasn’t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’t even move my lips to form any coherent words.
When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”
Lynne’s Thoughts
Having had personal experience with suicide, this novel made me nervous. Suicide is a topic often touched on in New Adult novels. Some of these novels, I’ve loved. Some of them, I’ve hated. There’s something about reading grief you’ve experienced that makes you either feel really known or really upset. Before You Break was a novel that made me feel known. Christina Lee gracefully scripts the grief and questioning that comes with suicide and depression. Ella’s grief felt so real. Her need to help others through that grief made her a completely relatable and strong character. I loved her. I would not have changed anything about her. Then there was Quinn. Sweet Quinn. It is rare that a male character who is so broken can still seem like such a good idea. By outside viewpoint, Quinn is damaged goods. Most people wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pool because he just screams complicated. But Christina made him so incredibly lovable and tender that you couldn’t help but love him. Ella was the perfect person to help heal him. I truly loved this book. It had such a different, almost deeper, feel than All Of You, and I loved it!
Tina’s Thoughts
When I finally got to sit down and read this book, I could not stop reading. It was such a beautiful coupling of tragedy and sorrow with hope and love. The guilt felt by Quinn was so raw and heart breaking. It was emotional watching him process through the pain and his past. This subject can be taboo and sometimes misrepresented in literature yet Christina did an incredible job of realism and ways to heal. Ella was such a strong woman who took in the grief around her and channelled it into making a positive life. She allowed her past to bring purpose and was one who brought realistic expectations and hope to the people around her. When Quinn and Ella are together it is combustible! The draw between them is so strong and they don’t even understand why for so long. It was such a well written book and unique in its approach. Make sure to go out and get this book! You will not be dissapointed!
About Christina
