Then something interesting happened, a couple of well-established authors that I love, released books in the NA genre. I guess I felt like there was a certain amount of security in reading their attempts at NA. So much of the NA genre is entrenched in the first person POV and at times, that can be very annoying (to me). I'm not up for the woe is me, self -introspective inner monologue.
That being said, Before I Fall is first person POV and so not annoying. In fact, it's the opposite of annoying. I mean, come on, it's JESSICA SCOTT, people. If she is writing it, it's going to be spot on.
Ms. Scott always manages to deftly combine the reality of military life and it's challenges and how it impacts a person on every level. On top of that she always writes one hell of a love story and I LOVE that. After I've read one of her books, I feel like I've been informed on an important and timely issue. This book is about fathers and daughters, warriors and caregivers, friends and lovers. There are so many soldiers/veterans coming home needing care RIGHT NOW and it's such a huge and heavy responsibility being taken up by family members and loved ones.
In Before I Fall, Beth has such an incredible load on her shoulders. Her father suffers from back pain and is basically addicted to pain pills because frankly, that's the only way that he can cope until the VA can fit him in. ( The dichotomy of addiction vs. dependency) What happens when the meds are gone and the next available VA appointment is in two weeks? Your choices are to medicate with alcohol and/or go to the ER. This book really brings home the reality of how messed up the VA system is. On top of taking care of her father, Beth works and goes to school and barely makes ends meet. The girl just needs to catch a break somehow because she barely keeping her head above water.
Enter Noah. Ohhh Noah. He has a lot on his plate too, coming home and trying to resume a somewhat normal life while coping with his own demons from his deployment. Even with his own problems, Noah is an escape for Beth. She doesn't have to take care of him and he makes an effort to make her life easier. It's like she can actually take a breath and experience life on her own terms for a little bit.
"Are you okay?"
Genuine concern in his words, Noah is nothing like a former soldier to be- nothing like my dad's friends before he got hurt. They used to come to the house and drink and play cards and talk endless amounts of trash. If not for that stupid bravado, my dad might not have gone on his last Airborne jump. He might not have destroyed his back trying to prove he was still high speed and low drag.
Noah is nothing like the men my father used to call friends. There is no arrogant bravado, no need to cross the line between hoah and stupid. He is... he is just a good guy.
In a nutshell, this is another incredible book by Ms. Scott. This is book #1 in the Falling series and I CANNOT wait to read more!
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This review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews