Book review of The Time Before Us: A Bossy Bad Boy Billionaire Prequel Romance

Dive into Aria McDow's "The Time Before Us," a captivating prequel romance featuring the scorching billionaire Jackson Bradley. This standalone story reveals the heartbreaking beginnings of Jackson and college scholarship student, the narrator's, relationship. Their passionate connection is tested when a cruel bet shatters her trust, leaving her wounded and moving on. Years later, tragedy brings them back together, forcing them to confront the lingering emotions and regrets of their past. Experience the raw intensity of their first love and the devastating betrayal that nearly destroyed it, all leading to the hopeful, yet incomplete, ending that sets the stage for their full story in "Bossy Bad Boy Billionaire."

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4.8 / 18 ratings

Review The Time Before Us

"The Time Before Us" was a captivating whirlwind! As a prequel to "Bossy Bad Boy Billionaire," it cleverly sets the stage for the main romance while delivering a compelling story in its own right. I found myself completely engrossed in Hope and Jackson's college romance, even though I knew going in that their relationship wouldn't have a happily-ever-after just yet. The anticipation of seeing how their past would influence their future was a huge draw.

Hope, a plus-size scholarship student with big dreams, was a fantastic character. Her resilience and ambition, even in the face of Jackson's betrayal, were truly inspiring. She’s not your typical damsel in distress; she’s strong, independent, and incredibly relatable, making her easy to root for. While the whole "bet" storyline was a bit of a cliché, it served its purpose in creating the necessary conflict and showing just how immature Jackson was at the time.

Speaking of Jackson, oh boy. He's undeniably the quintessential "bad boy billionaire" in the making. While his actions in this book were infuriating – the betrayal was a major low point – I appreciated the author's honest portrayal of his flaws. He's not presented as some perfect, unattainable dreamboat; he's deeply flawed, making his eventual growth in the main story all the more interesting to anticipate. The author didn't shy away from showing the consequences of his actions, and that added a layer of realism to the narrative.

The pacing was excellent; the book is a quick, engaging read that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The writing style was easy to follow, and the emotional rollercoaster Hope experiences was palpable. I felt her hurt, her anger, and her lingering feelings for Jackson with such clarity. The narrative really captured the intensity of first love and the sting of betrayal, even if the ending left me wanting more (which is exactly what a good prequel should do!).

While some might find Jackson's behavior unforgivable, I think it was crucial to the overall arc of the story. It provided the necessary conflict to fuel the tension and make the eventual reconciliation in the next book that much more satisfying (I’m assuming, based on the descriptions!). The cliffhanger ending was effective, leaving me eager to dive into "Bossy Bad Boy Billionaire" to see how their story unfolds. If you enjoy contemporary romance with strong female leads and complex male characters, then "The Time Before Us" is definitely worth a read. It's a solid prequel that delivers on its promise of setting the stage for a captivating and emotional journey.

Information

• Dimensions: 6 x 0.26 x 9 inches
• Language: English
• Print length: 102
• Publication date: 2025

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