Synopsis:
Shelley’s life practically ended three years ago when she was widowed. Since the terrible day when her husband Max was killed, she has been bereft, adrift. Finding out that Max left her a substantial estate made it unnecessary for her to attempt to resume working in order to support herself, but did not lessen her grief.
One evening a young man named Paolo rings her doorbell. He bears an uncanny resemblance to Max and makes an unbelievable, crazy claim: Paolo insists that Max was his grandfather and even produces a series of photographs taken over the years that undeniably demonstrate that, even as Paolo grew, Max never aged. Paolo also claims that his “Nonno” is not dead at all, but operating a cafe in the Philippines — where he is serving his phenomenal, trademark baked eggs and cheese that Max prepared for her each Sunday morning. Paola shows Shelley the website for “The Shell” and she cannot deny that the man in the photograph posted there looks exactly like Max.
So Shelley and Paolo book the next flight to the Philippines so that they can confront the proprietor, determine if he really is, in fact, Max and, if so, get some answers. En route, Shelley tells Paolo the story of how she met and fell in love with Max after happening upon a yellow flyer advertising his business, “The Slight Detour.” In his old VW bus, complete with disco ball, Max led Shelley and an eclectic group of other strangers around Europe to locales not included on any other sight-seeing tours, regaling them with stories of adventure, enchantment, bloody battles, and secluded islands dating from the late eighteenth century all the way back to the first century. Along the way, Max and Shelley fell deeply in love and when he asked her to marry him, they promised each other only “now.” Was Max harboring a secret reason for not pledging to be with Shelley until death parted them? Could he possibly be the man who raised Paolo? And if he is alive and living in the Philippines, why did he stage his own death and leave Shelley to mourn him?
Review:
It is hard to fully describe Before Ever After without spoiling the many surprises that await readers. Sotto tells the story of Shelley and Max’s romance from several different vantage points. In the present, a grieving Shelley is confronted unexpectedly by Paolo and in the face of fairly convincing evidence that Max is still alive, propelled into action to discover the truth about the husband she has been mourning for three years. During the long flight to the Philippines, she explains to Paolo how she came to take “A Slight Detour” with Max, as Paolo verifies and confirms some of their shared experiences with and perceptions of the man he knew as his grandfather. Shelley’s description is a detailed exploration of the stories Max related to his tour group as they visited the various destinations to which he led them. Thus, the narration alternates between the present, the time she spent on the tour with Max and other members of the group, and across the centuries in which Max’s tales of adventure transpired.
As a reader, my favorite kind of fantasy is the kind that’s woven into everyday life – the kind that makes me look around and wonder “what if?” That’s the goal I had for Before Ever After. I wanted to create something magical enough to stretch your imagination, but not too far that it would snap.
~ Author Samantha Sotto
Sotto’s prose is lush, her descriptions vivid, and Max’s stories come alive no matter the setting. She obviously researched the locales discussed and their histories meticulously in order to create so many fanciful stories, all of which have an air of authenticity mixed with some elements of magic and fantasy. Despite the journeys back through time, however, Sotto never loses focus on the heart of the book — the profound love that Shelley and Max felt for each other almost from the moment they met. Like all believable romances, they have a few false starts, insecurities on both sides, and times of pure joy from simply being in each other’s presence. Max’s reticence to fully commit to Shelley propels the story forward, as readers attempt to piece together the mystery that is at the story’s core.
Shelley is even more cautious. A compulsive list-maker, she periodically reminds herself of her “to do” list pertaining to relationships: “Meet. Date. Run.” Yet she finds she cannot run from Max, even though she is determined not to end up like the mother she adores, but who has smothered her with obsessive attention ever since Shelley’s father died when Shelley was very young. Her mother never loved again and never got over her father’s death. Her ongoing sorrow and loneliness has deeply impacted Shelley’s perception of love and marriage. When she meets Max, Shelley is afraid to love completely and devastatingly, even though as the story opens, she has, ironically, come to an emotional point that is exactly like the one in which her mother has been stuck for so many years.
Sotto’s wise and restrained exploration of Shelley and Max’s fears and the choices they must both make is made more remarkable because Before Ever After is her first published novel. She writes with an authority and compassion for her characters that is normally only demonstrated by a more seasoned novelist. To keep things interesting, she surrounds her two protagonists with a compelling assortment of supporting characters whose own journeys are as touchingly poignant as Max and Shelley’s. Before Ever After is sure to please readers who favor many different genres, including fantasy, historical fiction, and, of course, romance. It is a stunningly eloquent, fanciful, and emotionally moving story about what it means to choose love — and all that flows from that choice.
Enter to Win a Copy of Before Ever After
One lucky reader, selected at random, will receive a copy of Before Ever After, generously provided by the author.
To enter, simply post a comment! Be sure to include your email address (for notification and delivery purposes). The book can only be shipped to a United States or Canadian address (no P.O. box).
53 Comments
Thank you for the giveaway!
Why would Max stage his own death? This really sounds like a good mystery with a bit of supernatural elements.
therainhouse17(at)gmail(dot)com
Zoe
I would love to win this.
This looked absolutely so cute!
This book sounds very intriguing. THanks for the giveaway.
thanks for this great giveaway. It would be an interesting book to enjoy.
I’ve heard a lot about this author, would love to read her book, thank you for the chance! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
I have had my eyes on this book for awhile! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I’ve been wanting to read this book!
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the great giveaway!
entering for the book giveaway
thanks
Thanks, I love romance!
Lissette_125 at hotmail dot com
I really want to read this one. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Survivorluvr33ATgmailDOTcom
I agree with Zoe! I have so many questions after reading this review! This is definitely on my to-read list. Thanks for the opportunity!
-Carly Waid
carlymartellowaid(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win! jesterbuny(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to win this book for my Aunt who is in the US! 🙂
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
This book sounds like just the right mix of mystery, travel and possibly a love story mixed in. Sounds great.
riverboat38(at)hotmail(dot)com
Count me in please 🙂 Thanks
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
This seems like a fascinating book–would love to win!
would love to read
Pingback: Samantha Sotto, author of Before Ever After, on tour August 2011 | TLC Book Tours
This one sounds like a beautiful and thought-provoking read. Thanks for being a part of the tour.
I would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
Please enter me in the draw! I’d love to read this!
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds so intriguing!
It looks like an interesting love story.
I am so excited to read this book. I just saw the author’s blub on Read it Forward. I would love to win a free copy~
sounds so interesting! would love to win this!
I would love to win a copy of this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
What a unique story! I’d love to read (and win) this.
I want to read this book so bad. I just can’t wait to get my hands on it.
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
Reminds me a bit of a short lived TV show I fell in love with only for it to end after 8 episodes. I’d love to read this.
Thank you for the lovely review!
*Waves to all the awesome folks in the comment box* Good luck, guys! 😀
The story sounds interesting and I would like to read it 🙂
Thanks for the chance!
insanityisnormal(at)gmail(dot)com
Great giveaway! Would love to read this!
shanaelyse@gmail.com
This book sounds amazing! I would love to win it!
lindseyaylward@yahoo.com
I would be so thrilled to win a copy of Before Ever After.
babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
Love the giveaway:)
I like the premise of this novel, thanks!
Thanks for the opportunity to win. Sounds like a good book.
jeryl.marcus@gmail.com
how intriguing! looking forward to this read for sure!
blstef1 at mts dot net
Yet another great sounding book I’ve never heard of prior to reading about in your blog. Thanks for the great giveaways.
I think this book sounds wonderful! You have a great blog!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. It sounds good. 🙂
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I loved your review. This book sounds so good. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
This sounds like something I would really like reading! Thanks for the chance!
amysbooksnyarn{at}gmail{dot}com
Sounds like an interesting read!
the title alone plus the book cover design makes me want a copy of this book so badly, not to mention the plot and that the author is a filipino! i want this book!!!
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