Before Ever After - by Samantha Sotto (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A young widow embarks on a globe-spanning quest to discover the truth about her late husband in the dazzling first novel, full of heart and magical realism, from the bestselling author of Water Moon.

"A highly original and engaging mix of romance, mystery, and magic that will challenge everything you think you know about happily ever after."--Jill Smolinski, author of The Next Thing on My List

Three years after her husband Max's death, Shelley feels no more adjusted to being a widow than she did that first terrible day. That is, until the doorbell rings. Standing on her front step is a young man who looks so much like Max that he could be his long-lost relation. He introduces himself as Paolo, an Italian editor of American coffee table books, and shows Shelley some childhood photos. Paolo tells her that his grandfather, who looks just like Max, though he seemingly hasn't aged a day, is Max. Her Max. And he is alive and well.

As outrageous as Paolo's claims seem--how could her husband be alive? And how does he look identical in those photographs from decades ago?--Shelley desperately wants to know the truth. She and Paolo jet across the globe to track Max down--if it is really Max. Along the way, Shelley begins to piece together the story of who her husband was. As she and Paolo get closer to the truth, Shelley discovers that not all stories end where they are supposed to.

Review Quotes

"I was floored by the gutsy scope of this highly unusual love story. Before Ever After is one of those books that challenges the natural laws of fiction writing, and Samantha Sotto pulls it off in a frisky and highly entertaining way."--Anne Fortier, New York Times bestselling author of Juliet

"I was absolutely enchanted by Before Ever After. It's a highly original and engaging mix of romance, mystery, and magic that will challenge everything you think you know about happily ever after."--Jill Smolinski, author of The Next Thing on My List

"A smartly written romance, mystery and historical adventure all wrapped up in a page-turner that will have you guessing until the very end."--Adena Halpern, author of The Ten Best Days of My Life

"Exquisitely written and inventively told, Before Ever After is a beautiful, moving--and quite fun--exploration of what you think you know about your own life."--Melissa Senate, author of The Love Goddess' Cooking School

"In Samantha Sotto's high spirited debut, a young widow travels to a remote and distant island to answer the question, what price do we pay for eternal love. It is a mesmerizing journey transcending time and continents, all to remind that there are many ways to live on forever and to immortalize a marriage. Note to readers: Curl up with jasmine tea and savor the warm, rich writing, as delectable as the recipes for love found within every enchanting page."--Saralee Rosenberg, author of Claire Voyant

About the Author

SAMANTHA SOTTO fell in love with Europe's cobbled streets and damp castles when she moved to the Netherlands as a teenager. Since then, she has spent nights huddled next to her backpack on a Greek beach, honeymooned in Paris, and attended business meetings in Dusseldorf in the pleasant company of a corporate credit card. Before Ever After was inspired by her experiences living, studying, and traveling through Europe. She is the author of Love and Gravity and Before Ever After.