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Before I Go: A Novel
 
 
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4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)


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Editorial Reviews

Review
"...Highly Recommend." -- Midwest Book Review

"Before I Go, Riley Weston's first novel, is sure to invite comparisons to Nicholas Sparks, in particular, A Walk to Remember." -- YA Books Central

"I would have adored this book at the age of 14, and I loved it at 30-something! It's simply and beautifully written and evokes a lot of emotion." -- Litchicks

"The focus on the mother/daughter relationship and bond between Madison and Jackson make this book a potential award winner." -- Teenreads.com

"This is a wonderful debut novel and is a heart-touching read in the same style as Lurene McDaniel's and Nicholas Sparks's novels." -- Teens Read Too

A poignant love story that is an amazing tale of life and love. I couldn't put it down. -- Kary McHoul, 20th Century Fox

Before I Go is a brilliant first novel from a writer who is sure to publish many other great books. -- TCM Reviews

Before I Go is a timeless story that teenagers will connect to as well as adults. -- Christine Peters, producer, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”

Every book club must read this amazing novel! We laughed, we cried...there wasn't a dry eye in the place by the time we got to the last page together. Every mother, daughter, sister and friend should read this book. It reaches in a grabs your heart and doesn't let go even long after you're finished with the last page! I LOVED IT!!! -- Tonya Terry, News Anchor & Creator of Book Bunch Book Club. WSFA - NBC Montgomery, AL

This was one of the most powerfully written books I've read in a long time. My top ten for 2006. -- Armchair Interviews

Product Description
Madison has been ice skating as long as she's been walking. Jack has been her best friend since she was six years old and now at sixteen, Madison is completely oblivious to his deep feelings for her. When tragedy strikes unexpectedly and she is told she doesn't have much time left, Madison is forced to look at her life differently. Only after she opens her heart entirely does she understand the magnitude of the sacrifices her family made, realize the depths of Jack's love and know in her heart that she was blessed in every way. "Before I Go" has been called a brilliant novel, breaking your heart in a beautiful way and an amazing story of life, love and loss.

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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 408 pages
  • Publisher: Campfire Press; First Edition edition (November 1, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0977954323
  • ISBN-13: 978-0977954322
  • Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #415,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
5 star:
 (15)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Iced Dreams, September 19, 2006
An excellent debut from Riley Weston, telling the story of a mother and daughter brought together by an Olympic ice-skating dream. A sports themed novel with a difference, the story revolves around the two extremely strong female characters, mother and daughter, coach and protégé, both strong willed and ambitious. Annie once had an Olympic dream of her own, but now lives to see her daughter Madison on the podium with the five rings.

Driving both herself and Madison relentlessly, Annie schedules multiple practice sessions every day at the local rink, beginning before daybreak and again into the night. Between her working hours as a nurse and Madison's school curriculum, the stress is telling on them both, but neither even considers giving up. Madison's success is all that matters, and even though this means that Annie's relationship with her husband is strained and the finances of the family are in bad shape, she will stop at nothing to realize their mutual dream.

Because of this schedule, Madison has no time for friends or extra-curricular activities, but she does have one person other than her parents whom she can count on, and that's Jack, her childhood friend and confidante. Things finally start coming together when Madison wins the qualifying tournament for the Olympics, but the celebration is cut short when unforeseen circumstances cause everything to unravel.

Family ties and friendships are sorely tested as Madison faces life without skating, and Annie and Jack bend over backwards to accommodate her every wish, only to be rebuffed and closed out as Madison retreats into herself. Only when Madison finally understands the extent of her mother's sacrifice and the true nature of Jack's feelings for her does she finally realize how lucky she really is.

This tear jerker covers life, love and loss, and especially the special bond that exists between mother and daughter.

Rated: 4.5 stars


Amanda Richards, September 19, 2006
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, October 27, 2006
For Madison and her mother, ice skating has been their life. Madison started figure skating when she was three, and now, at sixteen, she is well on her way to her Olympic dream, thanks to coaching from her mother, a former ice star. Their skater-coach, daughter-mother relationship has been through it all, from heated disagreements to tough decisions, but nevertheless they are a winning duo headed for success.

Shine as Madison does on ice, she isn't popular at school and doesn't fit in well with the cliques. Her only friend is Jackson, her lifelong buddy who does fit in very well with the group and is a popular athlete at school. Their friendship is priceless, but Madison doesn't even know the extent of Jackson's feelings for her.

Then when Madison's strange dizzy spells turn into their worse fears, Madison just may have to say goodbye to the ice and to everyone she loves.

Although a little rusty, this is a wonderful debut novel from author/screenwriter Riley Weston. I greatly enjoyed this emotional novel with the complex, loving bonds between the characters and the different struggles they all faced in the end. Overall, it was a heart-touching read in the same style as Lurene McDaniels and Nicholas Sparks's novels.

Reviewed by: Safia Abdul
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tears and Laughs until the final page... incredible, June 17, 2007
By CHay (USA) - See all my reviews
What starts out to be the story of a figure skating champion and her coach on their way to glory, becomes a beautiful and awakening tale of real friendship and love. Before I Go is the account of Maddison Henry. She is a girl with big dreams that are nearly within her reach, but then reality comes crashes in and pulls her out of the clouds. Priorities are rearranged... No more Olympics- how about living to see tomorrow?
Be prepared for many tears... it's a real heart-breaker. This love story is a definite must read for teens and adults alike.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars blown away
This is one of the greatest books I've ever read. I laughed. I cried. I feel like I just lost someone I knew, feel like I went on a journey with a family friend. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mom of two

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst Book I Read in 2008
I kind of hated it and as I got through the 400 freaking pages, I hated it even more. (Spoilers Below...)

First of all, this book is long. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chiclet

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorry, but...
Oh man, I really wanted to love this book. A mother/daughter tearjerker about figure skating? I had no qualms about buying this one in hardcover. Read more
Published 23 months ago by A Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely Wonderful Book!!
Every once in a while a book comes along that moves you in a way that words simply can't describe. Before I Go is THAT book, the one that reaches into your soul, touches and... Read more
Published 23 months ago by A lover of great books

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Especially great from a brand new author. It will have you crying, laughing, and always wanting more.
Published 23 months ago by busy reader

3.0 out of 5 stars Sappy and Sad...
OK...very predictable from the start. But, I found that once I got into it, it was hard to put down! Get the tissues ready for the ending. Read more
Published on July 5, 2007 by Beach Girl

2.0 out of 5 stars Insipid dreck for the romance novel crowd
From the first page you'll know what will happen when you finally trudge your way through the next unspeakably rediculous 403 pages. Read more
Published on July 2, 2007 by Fiona Milkweed

5.0 out of 5 stars Before I go....
Wow. I picked up this book yesterday with the mentality of it begin 300 pages filled with boring ice skating garbage. I was so wrong...this was such a wonderful book. Read more
Published on March 28, 2007 by sunshinekt

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Group says Sheer Brilliance!!!
Before I Go is the most amazing book I have ever read. I'm in a book group and we recently had the pleasure of reading this outstanding debut novel. Read more
Published on February 14, 2007 by book group fan

5.0 out of 5 stars A deeply emotional and moving debut novel
Almost before she could walk, Madison knew she wanted to skate. And it's in her blood; her mother, Annie, was a talented ice skater growing up as well. Read more
Published on January 12, 2007 by Teenreads.com

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