Before Ever After

Where to begin? When I picked this book up, I wanted something lite, maybe a little fluffy. I wanted a story that would hold my attention, but I didn't have to work at.

The story of a widow didn't really appeal to me, but good reviews and the promise of historical events had me curious.

The beginning was slow. I thought the character was haute. I know now I just wasn't used to her writing style. The beginning was choppy and characters stereotyped. It wasn't until meeting Paulo that the story picked up. Readers are drawn into the story of how Max and Shelley meet. The book isn't without its cheesy Nicolas Sparks romance moments, but there is enough mystery, history, humor and heart to even it out. The history was my v favorite. I honestly didn't feel much for any of the characters until a certain hospital trip. Then the pace changed.

I flew through the second half. I wondered about it throughout the day. it messed with my sleep schedule. I know it's not real, but by the end the journey through the book has me hoping somewhere it's real. real but not real. the stories from history weigh on the soul. the last one in particular. I have a real passion for ancient Greece & Rome. Reading that last story was like a dagger to everything I've learned.

if this book does one thing right, it's that it brings emotion to history. all stories are connected somehow. it doesn't matter if they lived today or a thousand years ago. family matters.

I'd recommend this book. It's a quick read. you need to read awhile before it gets going. really, until Paolo shows up, it's snooze fest. I wouldn't call this a classic, or a favorite, but I'd recommend this book. it seems to have something to offer everyone.