For fans of Sarah Dessen and Jennifer Niven comes a breathtakingly original contemporary YA novel about love, grief, art, and the tiny choices that change our lives. Emma blames herself when a freak accident at a pool party leaves Hunter, the town’s rising track star and her former boyfriend, paralyzed from the waist down. As she struggles with anxiety, loneliness and regret, she begins to obsessively paint portraits of legs and feet—Hunter’s legs and feet—and for the first time receives critical acclaim and notice for her artwork. But what started as therapeutic for Emma ends up deepening her guilt. Does creating meaningful art require retreating inward toward self-expression, or striving outward toward recognition—or can it somehow be both? Searching for one whole, authentic identity, Emma grapples with love, ambition, grief, homecoming, and—ultimately—redemption.
Before & After you & Me
$4.99Price
- PRAISE FOR BEFORE & AFTER YOU & ME “A creatively told tale of emotional and personal growth.” —Kirkus Reviews “If you want to get swept up in the novelty of first love and be struck by what comes after, grab a copy of this book and prepare to get completely lost in a compelling story of contrasts… looking back, I wish I could read it for the first time again.” —Callie Andrews, Pine Reads Review “Must read. With unique structure, vibrant prose, and minimal angst, Dallas Woodburn's Before & After You & Me is heart-felt with endearing characters.” —Sascha Darlington, Reedsy Discovery “Before and After You and Me is a gorgeously crafted story of first loves and first losses, and how we grow from our grief, through vulnerability, time, and creative expression. Woodburn's ingenious use of timelines and her powerful command of details puts her in league with the best of today's contemporary YA authors.” —Tara K. Ross, Fade to White “Before & After You & Me is a masterclass on alternating timelines. The story is woven together so intricately, the characters painted with such a deft hand, that it’s like watching the author piece together a puzzle of a beautiful and unexpected work of art, one unique piece at a time. Woodburn touches on the full range of complex emotions before and after a tragedy, and she concludes with such fierce hope and joy that it’s unforgettable. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.” —Jen Marie Hawkins, The Language of Cherries “An inspiring and heartwarming exploration of self-discovery and forgiveness, Dallas Woodburn reminds us of the transformative power of embracing our past and giving ourselves the space to heal and grow.” —Genalea Barker, Life After “…gut-wrenching, raw and real. If it’s possible for a book to break your heart and mend it at the same time, Dallas Woodburn’s story does just that. Lyrically written, the novel takes the reader on Emma’s inward journey as she struggles to piece her life back together after a tragic accident she blames on herself. The book isn’t written in chronological order but takes the reader back and forth between the “before”— the time leading up to the accident, and the “after,” where Emma must deal with the repercussions of her actions and decisions. Emma’s inner struggles are beautifully portrayed in a manner that is relatable and thought-provoking, while the story’s details that the author reveals bit by bit weave together like a colorful tapestry, leading to a satisfying ending that’s bittersweet but filled with hope. Highly recommended!" —Rebecca Bischoff, Hole in the Rock