Alison G. Bailey

From the moment they meet, Brad and Mabry- two people trying to overcome mistakes of their past- know they have met the one person who will complete them. Can their new love survive their pasts?

Past Imperfect

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Present Perfect was an emotional roller coaster. I went to wanting to smack the main character to absolutely sobbing over the situation she was in. I was physically exhausted when I finished because of all the feels. I had an idea of what I was getting myself into when I began Past Imperfect and, while it wasn't necessarily the roller coaster ride that Present Perfect was, I still felt the feels. They were just a little different than the ones with Present Perfect.

Brad and Mabry were a powerful duo. They both had tumultuous pasts and were keeping secrets. They've both done things they're not proud of. Despite their attraction and their connection to the other, they're still both afraid to be completely honest with the other, which leads to some problems, as you can imagine. I think what impressed me most about these broken characters and their relationship with each other was the pure NEED between them. I'm not just talking physical need here, either. Yes, there was that lust. (My word was it hot!) But it was more than that.It was like they were each other's air. They were better together, stronger together. 

I adored Mabry, don't get me wrong. She was complex and interesting. She had problems, and I desperately wanted to help fix her. But Brad was, without a doubt, the star of this book for me. What we're shown here is a completely different side of Brad than we saw in Present Perfect. I suspected there was more to him than met the eye, but when I look back, I don't think I expected him to be quite like this. I love when an author shows me the softer, better side of a character I had issues with in a previous book. Bailey does that here with Brad. Fans of the first book will definitely appreciate his growth and, if you're like me, might get a little choked up at his reminiscing about Amanda. 

I loved every single thing about this book. It flowed well. The dual POV was fantastic. Both characters had a clear, distinct voice. I don't always love flashbacks in a story, but it really worked here. I felt like I got the full story of both characters. I want more of this series. I don't even care which characters it involves. Alison has earned a spot on my "auto-buy" author list. I'll be anxiously awaiting more form her in the future.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I had a feeling Brad from Present Perfect was going to get his own book, and I’m glad he did! He was a real douchebag in Present Perfect, but he makes a huge 180 after a tragic event and is a completely different person now. I was so excited to see how Alison G. Bailey would make me NOT hate Brad anymore, and wow, I so don’t hate Brad anymore. He’s sexy, he’s charming, he’s in love now, and he’s so, so sweet. His and Mabry’s story is gutting and heart-wrenching, and although I didn’t fall in love with it, it’s definitely worth reading for fans of the first book.

“I’m sorry, Mabry. If I had known you were going to be in my future, I would have been a better man in my past.”

Brad was an epic jerk in Present Perfect, and he continues to be throughout college, until one day his cruelness causes something terrible to happen, and makes him reevaluate the kind of person he is. And for the years since that tragic event to the present, he’s been trying to make up for everything bad he’s done–and though he knows he won’t be able to make up for everything, he’s still going to make sure he never reverts to how he was before ever again.

People have told her I’m a player, that I lie and cheat my way through life and use women. I used to be like that, but I’m not anymore. I’ve worked hard to make amends for the pain I’ve caused and move past the mistakes I’ve made. I wish others would stop trying to pigeonhole me to the past.

Right now, Brad is in love with Mabry, but she’s the one who’s putting the brakes on having a relationship. She wants to keep everything casual, but Brad wants more. It’s heartwarming to see Brad in such a different light–he’s much more mature, but he’s also still got his boyish, cocky personality in him too. But my heart went out to Brad, because what he really wants more than anything is for Mabry to admit she loves him. And OH MY GOSH! I had no idea how loving and sweet and HOT Brad can be! I melted quite a bit because of the things he says. Just–swoon! And seriously, Past Imperfect is one hot read.

“Do you think it’s possible to love someone before you’ve met them? Because I think I’ve loved you my entire life.”
“I do. I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.”

The book is told through both Brad and Mabry’s POVs, and they alternate between the present and the past. We’d have a scene from the present in one chapter and a scene from the past in the next, but to be honest, I wasn’t really a fan of this style. I was bouncing back and forth between the Brad from the past and the Brad in the present that I never really was able to love him. I liked him well enough, but I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself in his story. And I had a hard time liking Mabry as well. She’s had a hard life–her mother committed suicide, and her father checked out after this–but she seemed very weak to me. I wanted her to be stronger, to embrace her love for Brad, and while she does eventually do this, it took longer than I liked.

For fans of Present Perfect, you should read Brad’s story! I liked that we get to see hidden depths to Brad, and him in love is something you definitely shouldn’t miss. I was hoping I’d love the story more, but overall, Past Imperfect was a sweet, emotional romance I enjoyed reading.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.

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Past Imperfect

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