Review: Before You Break by Christina Lee

Before You Break

(Between Breathes # 2)

By: Christina Lee

Pub. Date: February 18, 2014

Publisher: Intermix (Penguin)

Pages: 226

Source: Netgalley

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.

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin. 

Before You Break is a much heavier novel then it's companion, All of You. The characters were dealing with pain, guilt and sadness caused by suicide and death. Ella, who is still trying to deal with the suicide of her brother works at a suicide hotline. One of her callers is a guy named Daniel, who ends up hanging up on her. It doesn't take long to learn that Daniel is Daniel Quinn, and frat brother to Ella's boyfriend. Quinn is dealing with the guilt of his best friend from high school and lives everyday for his friend.

In many new adult books today, it's always the girl that needs saving and it's the big, strong guy that helps her through it. I loved that in Before You Break, it was the big, strong guy that was the one who needed saving. Ella and Quinn had an amazing connection. Not only did they have hot scenes together, but they had this beautiful emotional connection as well. I loved reading their scenes together and watching Quinn deal with what happened.  

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was beautifully written and I can't wait to read what Christina Lee has in store for us next.