Book Review: Before We Were Yours

รางวัลยอดเยี่ยม ประเภทวรรณกรรมเยาวชน ประจำปี 2544 "ส้มสีม่วง" เป็นรางวัลยอดเยี่ยม ประเภทวรรณกรรมเยาวชน ประจำปี 2544 "ส้มสีม่วง"

"Up until now, my life made sense. Up until now, I had been sheltered away from a world where murder was acceptable and debts were payment. Now, I was exposed to that world, and the lies, secrets and favours were my new currency. The rules were easy to follow and even easier to manipulate. But the last thing I expected was to be thrown in the deep end, fighting for everything I loved." Emiliana was moving on from what she lost, her safety, security, and the love. But what happens when her bodyguard comes back and shows her that the life her family had protected her from, is the life she fits into?

Kisah cinta Ana seperti roller coaster.... Secara mengejutkan, keluarga Ana tidak menyetujui hubungannya dengan Beni, padahal keduanya sudah berpacaran selama tujuh tahun. Tak kalah mengagetkan, Ana tiba-tiba dijodohkan dengan musuhnya dari masa lalu. Lalu bagaimana dengan kehidupan Ana selanjutnya? Siapakah jodoh yang akan menemaninya pada akhirnya?

Gabriella's life has always been complicated. Her father, the Don of the mafia, kept his business life separate from his family life. But Gabriella knew; the late night meetings, hushed conversations, his rivals ending up dead, and the occasional "business trips" that would leave her mother worried sick. Because of this, Gabriella chose to distance herself from her father's world. She attended college far from home, and even started a different life far from her father's shadows. But there's only so much you can do when you're seen as a weakness. Her worst fears finally become a reality, and her parents are killed in their living room, while she's on the verge of death. Someone's does save Gabriella, and she survives, but loses her sight in the process. Gabriella is grateful for this guardian angel, and years down the line, they get married, start a family, and love in perfect peace. But even the devil itself can disguise himself as an angel….. Gabriella has a shot to get her eyesight back, but that shot opens up a can of secrets that will ruin her perfect reality forever.

When a eighteen-year-old virgin decided to leave Louisiana, her home town for Texas, an alien town she was oblivious that the journey of her independence would become one of longing for a man's love and attention. With her love built on a misconception, she was unaware that Charles Jackson; the multi-billionaire, was an egocentric, cold-hearted, proud and unforgiving man who locked his heart to love, the aftermath of the brute conditions under which he grew up. But yet, Maureen Thompson was bent on earning her bosses attention at all cost. Though not pushy or... flirty, she developed partial-obsessive tendencies; one that kept her dwindling in the thoughts of having sex with him—even as a virgin! Forgoing his harsh countenance, overly exaggerated reactions, she envisions Charles in the portrait of cold-nineteenth century men that spew flavors of love to their lovers—indoor. But Charles Jackson, built in grace and glamor, could win a medal in egocentrism, rudeness malevolence, prudishness and of course, beauty! And yet, she judged his reactions to the plane crash wrongly, unaware that December had scared his heart. It appeared that the plane crash became memorable either through breaking hearts or eventually mending them. Be it the crash itself or the incidents after the crash, it changed people's lives and Maureen was not left out. In readiness to be true to her love, Maureen ignored warnings and hit the wrong target. Lurking in the shadows of her emotions and fated to be bewitched by perfect blue eyes that defies morality, she might discover that Charles Jackson, heir to Jackson Companies PLC and CEO of Westland Airlines was truly born of STONE and FROST. And worse, everything that she believed might just be a lie!

Kylie Cooper was Jonathan Sinclair's lover for three years. After they broke up, she became his executive assistant. Jonathan treated her coldly and mocked her with sarcasm. Kylie said, "You used me as a stand-in before. Now that she's back, please let me go." However, Jonathan was confused. "A stand-in? I've only ever loved you..."

He is a demi-god. He is powerful, He is fearless, He's ruthless, He's a cold-hearted being. He hated her family. He hated her; only his stance scared her, yet she still felt the butterfly in her stomach. She was supposed to hate him, but despite that, she loves him. "You mean nothing more than a servant." And you will only suffer for the rest of your life. "I will make sure you live in agony all the days of your life." He thundered in his most intimidating aura, forcefully holding her neck. "I am sorry; forgive me." She pleaded, and his emotions became worse. He hates to hear the words "sorry" and "forgiveness," but she wouldn't stop saying those two words, thinking it would ease his heart. Khalid an handsome, rich dude in his late twenties. He curly hair suit him more like a demi-god, he has pinks lips more like a woman, which makes girls crave for him. But he hate disrespecting girls. But the case of his wife is different, why is he so cold towards her. Will she find out the reason for his behaviour?

“True love stories never have endings.” Dean said softly. “Richard Bach.” I nodded. “You taught me that quote the night I kissed you for the first time.” He continued, his fingers weaving through loose hair around my face. “And I held on to that every day since.”

"Why aren't you ready for me?" His voice cut through the darkness, sharp as a blade. His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into soft flesh. "How often do I have to tell you about the rules?" "I'm sorry," I whispered, my throat tight. "I was sick again today, and work was—" "Excuses." He ripped away my underwear, the fabric tearing. "You smell like a kitchen maid. Disgusting." I bit my lip until I tasted blood, fighting back tears. Three years. Three years of being his unwanted wife, forced on him by his grandfather's deal. The old man's words still echoed: "You saved my life, child. Let me give you a good life in return." ***** Five years ago, Elena thought she’d left her nightmare behind. Forced into a loveless marriage with the ruthless Nikolai Ashford, she endured his cold accusations and cruel indifference. But when their toxic relationship threatened the life of her unborn child, she vanished, reinventing herself as Mia Thompson—a confident heiress with a powerful empire of her own. Now, Mia’s carefully rebuilt world is crumbling. One of her twins is gravely ill, and the only hope for survival lies in Nikolai, the man who shattered her heart. Returning to his world isn’t just a desperate gamble to save her child—it’s a chance to exact the revenge she’s dreamed of for years.

"All I've ever wanted to do was travel the world, experience new cultures and find myself amongst the museums and tourist spots. Unfortunately, my father has other plans for me. Being the only heir to take over the family business, I have no choice in the matter." From Italy to New York, the fashion scene is vast but her heart longs for more and when a green eyed stranger is forced into her life, her perspective soon changes. From family secrets, hidden histories and car chases, Emiliana uncovers much more than she bargained for. Her bodyguard is her only salvation but is he harboring secrets of his own?