To start off: this book has a lot of disturbing things happen near the beginning. There is heavy domestic violence and child abuse (not sexual). But that only sets the stage for the story, it is mentioned a few times throughout, but the story is about the relationship between Gabriel, an 11 year old boy and Rowan, the young woman who “saves” him.

This story shows that FAMILY is not who you share a bloodline with but rather it’s who you share love, trust, faith and bonds with. The road that Rowan and Gabriel travel is not all rainbows and unicorns. It has lots of detours, hills and valleys and even a tornado.

This is both character driven and plot driven. Besides Rowan and Gabriel, there is an interesting relationship between Rowan and her sister, which evolves. And there are interesting secondary characters, all well developed.

It is a book that drew me in quickly in the beginning. The narrative is relatively simple and easy to follow. The reader is kept wondering what will happen but it is not really suspenseful. Hard to explain. It is a compelling read and a page turner. It's heart wrenching at times. The journey of Rowan and Gabriel is unique and well told. And, a satisfying ending.

I loved the interview with the author at the end. She explained her writing process and how the story developed. The interview wrapped everything up nicely.

I think this book would appeal to those who liked Catherine Ryan Hyde's Just a Regular Boy. Similar but different. Both are heartwarming and heart wrenching.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

I almost had some anxiety when it came to opening this cover. It’s a heavy topic. I’m not gonna beat around the bush and tell you that it’s light and flowery because it’s not.

However, it’s not as dark as I thought it would be. The author did an amazing job telling this critical story, and she tried to keep it as light as possible.

Abuse of any kind is usually swept under the rug. We want to pretend that it doesn’t exist. But it does exist in both adults and in children. Before You Found Me was written with a huge amount of compassion and love, and I can feel the author has a passion for getting the story out to the masses.

With that said, there are some very tough sections where you are reading descriptions that are seriously intense. It is heartbreaking and disgusting to see that humans can have such evil traits in them.

But as I said, before, Beyfuss does try to lighten the story with love, a depth of emotion and resilience, bravery, and tenderness. It’s an amazing story once you see past some of the more brutal images she lays out.

Anyone going through any type of abuse is a warrior! They’re so brave and I think this author is very brave for bringing the story to light.

Definitely trigger warnings on this, but if you are able to look past some of the intense moments, and look at the compassion and the humanity she brings through the character development, you’ll be blown away by the story.

Uncomfortable and brutal in many ways but tempered with deep understanding and love.

How far would you go to save a child who isn't even yours? This novel explores the unlikely bond that develops between two abuse survivors and takes a deep dive into personal sacrifice, morality, and the healing powers of family―both blood and found. Rowan McNamara doesn't open the door to her new life―she's thrown through it. Following an explosive argument with her abusive fiancé, Rowan runs. With no family except for her estranged sister, Celia, Rowan takes refuge in an idyllic New England town.

There, she meets Gabriel, the eleven-year-old son of her neighbor, Lee. Lee is welcoming, friendly, and a little too helpful. But Gabriel is a mystery: withdrawn, often bruised, and only willing to speak to Rowan through his basement window. When she discovers that Lee has kept Gabriel imprisoned for the past three years, Rowan is desperate to save him. Fueled by outrage and empathy, she abducts Gabriel and flees to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma, determined to raise him as her own.

Uncomfortable and brutal in many ways but tempered with deep understanding and love. This novel discusses the trauma, coping, and healing of both Rowen and Gabriel, as they attempt to navigate a new and confusing life, deal with the repercussions of their actions, and figure out exactly what they are to one another. It portrays the fear they live in every single day. Initially, they live in perpetual fear of being caught by the police, by Rowen's abuser, and by Gabriel's father. As the story progresses, so do the main characters, and you get a stunningly accurate inside look at the strength and healing of two survivors who discover what it really means to be family. I recommend this novel.

After another argument with her abusive boyfriend leaves here in the hospital, Rowan runs the first chance she gets. Holed up in a friend’s home, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the neighbor’s son. Gabriel is small, quiet and never comes outside. Soon after talking to him, Rowan is horrified to learn his father beats him and keeps him locked in the basement. When it comes time for Rowan to move on, she can’t bear to leave Gabriel behind. She abducts him herself, fuelded by anger and empathy for the little boy. As they begin their new life together, they battle the constant fear of being caught, people not understanding their situation and the trauma of having both been abused. But they never give up hope.

Sometimes you just need a story that will leave you feeling good after you’ve finished it and that’s exactly what this one was. Filled with complex characters and a lot of heart, Brooke Beyfuss writes with such preciscion to detail that it’s impossible to not feel like you are in Rowan and Gabriel’s world. My heart hurt for them, cheered for them and hoped against hope that they would get their happily ever after.

TW: abuse, childhood trauma

This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly!

Ok I absolutely fell in love with Brooke Beyfuss when I read After We Were Stolen so I was BEYOND excited to receive this. She has such a wonderful way of bringing characters to life and making you feel like you know them.
This story hit me right in the heart and made a home there. While I wish we could've had a little more meat to Rowan and Gabe's history and been shown more of them overcoming and growing through their past and present instead of being told, I still loved this. The author gives us such a wonderful look into the hearts of these people. I loved seeing relationships evolve and just fell in love with so many of these characters.

I might be biased but I love that so much of this took place in Oklahoma! As someone who has experienced them, the tornado scenes felt real, and the landscapes and seasons did too. We love an author who does their research!

While this story started in a dark, sad place, it evolved it so something so beautiful and heartwarming. Pick it up August 1st!

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted e-ARC!

Review on Instagram to be posted later this week

I so enjoyed this book! The storyline was very unique to me and I needed something different. Beyfuss' writing was cohesive and flowed well. There were also a lot of new words for me to save and learn, which I always enjoy in books.

Rowan's story is one of sacrifice, love, and doing what's best even when it's scary as hell and unconventional.

Gabriel, was given a second chance to have the life he deserved via an unlikely source and learned to stand up for himself.

Being broken doesn't necessarily mean you can't help others while you heal. It can give you access to additional tools or insights to help relate to others during their healing journey.

There are a few trigger warnings so be sure to check those before diving in.

This one just didn't work for me. I'm glad that it seems to be finding its audience among other NetGalley readers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

Before You Found Me
By Brooke Beyfuss
Pub Date: 01 Aug 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 5/5

Before You Found Me is Brooke Beyfuss' second release and I love It. It is an absolute thrill to read and I highly recommend it to all adult readers. This book was just as captivating and enthralling as her first book After We Were Stolen, proving Brooke Beyfuss is a master storyteller. With her vivid descriptions, Beyfuss transports readers directly into the world of her books. This allows them to experience her characters' emotions on an intimate level.

Synopsis:
As a result of being brutally injured by her fiance and hospitalized with debilitating injuries, Rowan is desperate to escape her oppressive past. Rowan finds solace and protection in a trusted friend's warm home.

In the neighboring house's basement window, Rowan meets Gabriel, a young boy who chats with her. Upon discovering he has also been abused, Rowan realizes that she is the only one who can help him.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Rowan embarks on a mission to rescue the boy and protect him from his abuser. She knows that the stakes are high and the risks even greater, but she is determined to do whatever it takes to save him.

It has been a pleasure to read Before You Found Me thanks to Brooke Beyfuss, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark. @Bookmarked mailed me a physical copy of this novel shortly after I received the ARC on NetGalley. I am so proud to own this book and will add it to my collection forever.

You can purchase Before You Found Me in paperback and ebook formats. Pre-order now to ensure your copy on the release date.

#BeforeYouFoundMe #BrookeBeyfuss #SourcebooksLandmark #gifted #netgalleyapprovals

This is my second time around with Brooke Beyfuss and she truly knocked it out of the park again! This was an emotionally gripping read and one of those books that you’ll be thinking about long after you finish.

Before You Found Me is a raw, emotional story by the extremely talented Brooke Beyfuss. It should be noted that there are trigger warnings regarding abuse, and child abuse that the author does note in the beginning.
This is the story of Rowan McNamara, who is thrust from her abusive almost marriage, where she barely survives. She has escaped to a quaint New England town with no family. It is there that she meets eleven-year-old Gabriel. Gabriel is also suffering tremendous abuse, and it is in that shared bond that they form an inseparable relationship.
Gabriel has been locked away in hiding in his father's basement for years. No one knows of his existence. Rowan uses this to abduct Gabriel and flee to another state to start a new life. While this book is heart-wrenching, it is also a story of survival and trust. I could not put this book down, and the characters stayed with me for quite some time.
Before You Found Me publishes in August. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

Second book I’ve read by this author and each time she blows me away. I highly recommend reading her books! They are so well written and keep you wanting more.

This was my first read by this author. I loved the cover and the name, but didn't read the blurb before reading the book, and honestly, it wasn't what I expected. The plot was riveting, but deeper and darker than I anticipated and then I like to read. Will I remember the story? Oh yes, definitely! Will this book do well? Without a doubt. I personally found that there was 'too much story' crammed into one story, and parts of the story gave me such mixed, sad and sick feelings. There were some parts of the story which I found unbelievable relating to Gabriel and Rowan's lives.

I want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this story, and for expressing my honest review.

I have one word to describe this book, Wonderful!! I was totally immersed into this story and loved every minute. Even the uncomfortable and Dad moments were fantastic. This is a truly great read about love, hope, trauma and healing.

This book is beautiful in its portrayal of human emotion. I was completely spellbound throughout. It is heartbreaking and compelling and you will be hard pressed to put it down for even a minute once you start it.

The author put a trigger warning in the beginning so you will be prepared for what is ahead. Even so, she does a great job choosing the right descriptive words to bring each moment to life, both the good and the bad.

After Rowan is brutally assaulted by her fiancé and hospitalized for severe injuries, she knows she can never return home. She drives hundreds of miles away to stay at a friend’s house. Once there, she meets a young boy who chats with her through a window. She discovers that he is also a victim of abuse and Rowan knows she is the only person who can save him. The clock is ticking for both of them. If they do this, they must do it right, and they must be vigilant or risk everything.

There are some joyful moments scattered throughout the sadness in this compelling work of fiction. It is a book that should be on your TBR, but wait to read it until you have a long stretch of empty time in front of you so you can immerse yourself with no interruptions.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this 5 star, completely addictive read. This is due to be published on August 1, 2023.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

Brooke Beyfuss has written a powerful novel about families: biological and chosen. She includes a trigger warning due to depiction of domestic violence and child abuse.

Rowan McNamara escapes from her abusive fiance, Ethan, after he is convicted of domestic violence. She goes to her friend, Laine's home, and meets Lee, the next door neighbor. She also meets his eleven year old son, Gabriel who is locked in the basement.

She rescues Gabriel and takes him to her family home in Oklahoma. There they try to overcome the fear of their abusers finding them. Rowan's older sister, Celia, objects to the situation, adding conflict to their already strained relationship.

Brooke Beyfuss shows how two survivors grow and develop a support system. She keeps the suspense simmering and the reader turning the pages.

I found myself rooting for the characters, and stayed up far too late reading to see what happened next. The characters lingered with me after I finished.

I purchased a copy of the book to donate to the local library so that others can enjoy it also.

Absolutely breathtaking. This novel is a true masterpiece that will touch your heart and leave you pondering long after you've turned the final page. The author skillfully weaves together complex themes of trauma, healing, love, and family into a deeply emotional and tender story that will leave you feeling both raw and uplifted. The characters are so vividly portrayed, with all their flaws and vulnerabilities, that you can't help but root for them and ache for their pain. The writing is exquisite, evocative, and powerful, drawing you into the story and making you feel like you're right there with the characters. This is a novel that will stay with you for a long time and one that I cannot recommend highly enough. A must-read for anyone who loves beautifully crafted, deeply moving fiction.

This is novel that has you sitting on the edge of your seat never knowing what is going to happen or what you would do if you were faced with the decisions that are made in this story. It is frightening in places, heartwarming in others. It deals with complex family issues and how different people deal with them. You find yourself questioning what makes a family.
Rowen meets Gabriel when she borrows her best friend’s house to hide from her very abusive fiancé. Gabriel is living in the basement of the house next door and she discovers the father is mortally abusive to the young boy. Rowen decides to run away with the boy 10 years younger than her and go to somewhere no one can find them. She knows this is wrong but also knows his father will kill him if she leaves him behind. The entire story is an emotional rollercoaster as the main characters bond to form a family. When I started reading this book I did not expect it to be so powerful but I found I could not wait to get back to reading it and find out where it was going. This will be a marvelous read for any bookclub and the discussions will be amazing. I did not love the topic but I loved, loved the book and highly recommend it. I look forward to her next book. Brooke is an amazing author.
I wish to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Before You Found Me" is a story about family and chosen family, abuse, rescue, and the after-effects of trauma. The characters are likable and you root for Rowan and Gabriel Rowan to make it. The book requires some suspension of belief, and at times it felt like I was reading more of a young adult novel. Recommended for fans of Brooke Beyfuss, and readers who like stories about rescue and resilience. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Not a bad book . Starts off quite well and the situation with Rowan and Gabriel is quite realistic. Later more mundane & with the best will in the world, I cannot believe that both of the main characters would not have more problems after what happened to them. The writing is OK, though some of the explanations are too unrealistic . Fortunate that Rowan was left a house and funds . The relationship with her sister did not always ring true either.
My conclusion is that although it was not a bad read, it could have been better
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a fantastic read! Before You Found Me is an emotionally charged, character driven novel that will stay with you long after you have finish reading! I really enjoyed Brooke Beyfuss’s debut novel (After We Were Stolen) and I was eager to read Before You Found Me, but wowzer, this gem is next level! The storyline is multilayered that will pull at every single one of your heartstrings and at the same time have you on the edge of your seat like epic domestic thrillers do! Before You Found Me is a 5+++ star novel that is absolutely one of my top reads of 2023! I highly recommend this book for a book club selection—I promise you will want to discuss this book inside and out! I am already looking forward to reading Brooke’s next book!