Review: Before You Break by Christina Lee

 Before You Break (Between Breaths #2) by Christina Lee

A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…
The star catcher of the college baseball team 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 the 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.

Publishes in US: February 18th 2014 by Intermix (Penguin)
Genre: NA Contemp
Source: Penguin via Netgalley
Series? Yes, but don't need to read first to understand this one.
Between Breaths #2 companion to
All of You by Christina Lee--read my review here

Whisper to Me (Between Breaths, #3) Expected publication: May 20th 2014

Lee, Christina *

Buy it: Goodreads**Amazon**Barnes&Noble**Google Books**iBooks

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook 

      I wanted to read Before you break because I loved Avery and Bennett's story in . I would have wanted to read it anyways because of the synopsis. Suicide is a issue dear to my heart because of my dad, and reading about it, especially about a suicide prevention hotline gets my attention immediately. I know that if it is written well, then I will identify with the characters because they are someone who is depressed and thought about it like me, or they have lost someone close to them and have to deal with the guilt, loss, pain, being misunderstood, and that gaping hole the person left. 

    Before You Break was well written in that aspect. Ella lost her brother Christopher and felt a lot of guilt about if she could have done something differently, and what would have happened if he got more help, felt more loved, and a number of other things. But she has turned the tragedy into her life passion, she took the steps she needed to deal with her grief and found a way to channel it by studying to become a psychologist and volunteering at the suicide prevention hotline. 

    The story with the anonymous caller (and you will figure out things before they do, but it actually works out very well and I like how that story line turned out) really touched something with Ella. She felt like she was hearing things that Christopher would have said or done, and she just wanted him to know that he was a good person, and it is amazing how he touched her and how she was able to help him. 

     Quinn is amazing. I was drawn to him because of the respect he had, and the control. That he didn't seem to fit right in and that was a good thing. The proper way that he treated Ella when Joel was nothing but a douche that needed to be smacked. I know that he was dealing with a lot from his past, also guilt and pain but blaming himself and thinking he was a terrible person and didn't deserve to be happy. His story is so sad as well and I couldn't imagine carrying the burden that he did. And oh his parents, they really got under my skin. They needed to step up and quit worrying about politics and their public image and see how ostracized and how much their son was hurting, they were letting him slip away. I am so glad that he had that sliver of hope though, and that he found Ella and through her the beginning of healing. 

    They had some undeniable chemistry, and I loved how it was taking it slow. Also that they had an emotional connection and could easily talk to each other. They also had things in common, like video games, something besides making out (although I love those types of scenes, for it to be realistic you need some other common interests besides the physical attraction). They saw something in the other person that made them feel more comfortable and brought out the best in them, but also that they could bring whatever to the table and they would still be accepted and loved. 

    This book has a somewhat high level of profanity if that isn't your thing. GD is thrown around some as well as Avery and Ella's style of talking to each other which you know already if you read the first book. That aside I love how real their friendship is. That they know each other and aren't afraid to speak the truth in order to help the other have what they deserve and see things more clearly. 

    So, my dear friends who are burnt out on NA, while this does have some unique aspects (the hotline, the anonymous caller) while I loved this story hard core, it may not be your cup of tea because there are the two that are from a darker past who find healing in the other and the good in themselves, and of course the sexual progression is much the same--although hot, steamy and amazing for me. Just the disclaimer. 

    I think that the ending was realistic and hopeful and it gave me the answers that I wanted and things wrapped up. Although I'd love more time in their heads and I can't wait to see how they are doing along with Avery and Bennett through the eyes of Rachel in the next book.  

     

Bottom Line: Sexy story of a couple in different stages of healing from their pasts as they fall hard for each other.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you been impacted by suicide?