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Before Dawn
"Going into this book, my first impression of Max, the main character, wasn’t entirely favorable. I found her to be a somewhat shallow person who was making all the wrong choices, like running after a man who obviously doesn’t love her like he should and forcing herself to become his ideal woman.
But after a while, as the story progressed, her character became more layered, and I began to see her more as a struggling young woman who wants to be loved, and less like an airhead willingly diving into the deep end.
As Max continued to struggle with toxic beauty standards, and had to face racist stigmatism, I began to really feel for her as a character. One tragedy after another brought out the deeper sides of Max, and she became someone that I wanted to hug and tell her that it was all going to be okay. But Max proves herself as a fighter, and I cheered her on until the end.
The story itself is well thought out, with all of the embarrassing and humorous and heartbreaking moments that make life seemingly random. Murphy does a good job of spinning her plot around realistic life moments, making the book seem a little more like a memoir and less like fiction. That is skill that I greatly admire as a fellow writer.
There are so many good messages packed into Before Dawn, like embracing true beauty, toxic relationships, mental health, and racism, all sprinkled through the book artfully. Murphy is a true master of the craft.
Overall, Before Dawn is an engrossing read that goes beyond its genre of chicklit and becomes a story of rising from the ashes and facing the consequences of one’s own choices."
-Yakira Goldsberry
"Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy is a beautifully written contemporary fiction novel about relationships and a person's journey to come to terms with their own self.
This book had an exceptionally well-written story and was full of emotionally complex as well as mature characters that were multi-layered. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the protagonist, Max's, journey to find herself through the curve balls that life throws at her. Another thing that I really liked in this book was the cultural background of the main lead and its significance in the story in forming her character's belief system and decision-making.
Overall I was really impressed with the depth and the emotional maturity that was explored in this book and would strongly recommend it to all women literature and contemporary fiction readers."
-Heena Pardeshi
“Don't go into this expecting something light or mildly intriguing. This book will surprise you. It will make you reflect on how you view yourself and how much you value others' opinion. It will give you plenty to think about without you even noticing that you are doing it. This is my first book by Laura Murphy and I will certainly be checking out her other work. I hope you do too. Her writing style is very gripping and her characters are relatable with their problems and reactions. It feels like something anyone might live through, and that's great for a reader.”
-Michelle Albertini
"It's been a long time since I met a character like her (Max), who feels real, who presents us with the reality of the lives of many women...The plot of this book is so strong, painful, beautiful; there were several moments that made me cry. It’s a book that touches on topics such as mental health and gender violence but it’s definitely one of those stories that remain engraved in your heart and soul , because simply once you finish reading it, you start to think if everything that happened was good or not, if those decisions that the characters made were positive or negative, because the truth is that I did think about all that. I was so shocked by everything what this book achieved in me AND WHAT it made me feel."
-Daniela Vega
"Each and every one of the characters is distinct and correctly served their function in the narrative. I was completely engrossed in the novel from beginning to end because of its easygoing pace. I admired the author's ingenious strategy for revealing the tidbits of information about the characters and the tale."
-Maruf Alahi
"It's a story of her life through the many struggles she faced. She is a deeply flawed character, but she learns and grows. Her arc from being just a mistress to having finally her HEA is inspiring. It's the kind of story that doesn't sugarcoat the struggles or hardship and hides the flaws in characters, but somehow you can help but love them anyway."
-Anie
"Before Dawn is a one of a kind work that tells the tale of a headstrong biracial woman who discoverers the value of family after experiencing loss, love and the power of an authentic Italian meal to feed the body and spirit...The author blending of Italian and English highlights Max’s journey to deal with her duality in a way that enhances her life. Murphy also uses description of Max’s love of name brand clothing to paint the mindset of the main character
Before Dawn tells a tale not often told and is a work that deserves a read."
-LaToya Hankins
"I really enjoyed the plot of the book, along with character introduction and development...And the way this was written allows for us (the readers) to overall, watch Max grow more and more as a person. These are the types of books that enjoy."
-Zoe
"From the first line in Before Dawn you know trouble is about to go down. It sets the tone for the whole book but that was being 20 something is like. When the story opens biracial teen Max is living her best life...Yes, Max is flawed but that's what makes her a dynamic character. There are internal conflicts that makes her layered. Then there're the themes that ring true: microaggressions, racism, identity- It's told in first person so you can experience Max's emotional pain...Readers who enjoy diversity, mental health, and family relationships will find something wonderful in Before Dawn."
-Andrea Smith
"Laura F. Murphy is gifted af when it comes to describing the inner turmoil of the characters in their stories - I found myself going on this ride with Max, hoping that she'd get it together. The ending was a little unexpected, yet realistic. Definitely would recommend - well done!"
- K. McCoy
"The book centers around Max, a strong protagonist that is trying to figure out who she is and navigate through life. She ends up involved with an older coworker of hers and through this relationship she is able to learn a lot about herself and her identity. One thing I really loved about this book was the diversity of the characters. Our main character, Max, is biracial and grows up in an Italian family...Without spoiling anything, I will say that I definitely enjoyed the story and was very taken aback by one of the plot twists in here! If you have followed my book reviews, you know that I typically have issues getting through books that bore me. I can genuinely say I was never bored while reading this. The characters, setting, and plot made this book very enjoyable and kept me interested throughout the entirety of the book. If you are looking for a heartfelt, family/friends-centered book with heavy character development and an original plot- this is definitely the book you need to read."
-Bella Rose
"The prologue starts off strong, leaving you wanting more. Murphy has a strong sense of her characters, giving each of them a very distinctive voice... Murphy also succeeded in creating a very strong sense of family with these characters, which was very heartwarming."
-Kristin
"If you’re looking for drama and chaos, Before Dawn is packed to the brim with it. I was not prepared for where the story was going to take me, but it was quite the trip, regardless... Overall, though this was at times frustrating and heartbreaking, it was an enjoyable read. The characters are relatable and the family ties and subplots are engaging."
-Raven Jordan
"The story begins with Max, a girl of 18 struggling to find her way and understand what love is. At times, I became frustrated with her disturbing pattern of bad choices, but I was drawn into the story by surprise twists. Max’s journey is a reminder that we need to forgive ourselves before we can forgive others."
-Gail
"...it was actually pretty gripping. Max is gritty and unapologetically struggling through immense waves of grief and trauma, and the author really treats that with the dose of reality it deserves. ...She works through issues in many of her familial relationships and has to work to figure out what kind of a person she wants to be. I appreciated her voice and her flaws, to be honest. There’s a very quiet vulnerability that peeks through, and it’s really very nice."
-The Smut Report
"I was immediately drawn into Max's life. I found myself rooting for her to stand up for herself... My rating for Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy is five stars. Maximiliana's story seems like it could happen in the real world. Mrs. Murphy does such a fantastic job that I sometimes felt like I was in New York with Max and Ru. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an excellent coming-of-age book."
-Jennifer
"The prologue drew me straight into this book, just a few intense pages with a cliff-hanger question at the end, so no choice but to dive straight into the main tale, where we are introduced to the main character, 23 year old adopted Max... A complex story which deals with relationships, mental health, racism and bias. Plenty of twists in this tale."
-Claire P.
"This is a very well-written book. These characters are well-developed, and the writing is deep and thoughtful. I was frustrated by Max’s lack of self-esteem, but it was understandable. This book focuses on the importance of family and the acceptance of self. It’s a good book."
-Nancy
"Highly engaging with compelling characters and realistic situations…Max is a fascinating young woman, managing to feel both African American and Italian without fully settling into either space despite the love surrounding her, and it’s her journey to finding herself and her place that will have the reader rooting for her to find happiness…I also loved how easy to read this is without missing a beat. I flew through this one, but never felt like I missed anything. It was so much fun to read and Max was a wonderful and complex young woman to get to know. I loved how real the characters and the story felt. Definitely an early contender for my favorite women’s fiction read of 2024 since it missed my post for 2023."
-Kat from The Lily Cafe
"Max’s story is an interesting one, and I cared about her fate as she stubbornly deals with everything that comes her way."
-Kristi
Before Dawn Features & Analyses:
Excerpt on Reading Is My Remedy:
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/2022/09/28/before-dawn-by-laura-f-murphy-excerpt/
Spotlight at Viviana MacKade's Websight:
Book in the Spotlight at Jill Piscitello's Webpage:
Book in the Spotlight: Before Dawn, by Laura F. Murphy – Jill Piscitello
Featured Novel on Chick-Lit Central:
Spotlight on Silver's Reviews:
Silver's Reviews: Spotlight of Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy (silversolara.blogspot.com)
Analysis on Smut Report:
Review: Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy (2022) – The Smut Report
Analysis on Lily's Cafe:
Book Review: Before Dawn by Laura Murphy – The Lily Cafe
Reckless Perfection
“This book perfectly captures the drama and troubles teen girls face daily as well more serious issues such as drug use and abusive relationships. I feel that teenagers will enjoy this book as many of them will be going through similar issues to the characters. The plot and storyline of "Reckless Perfection" is excellent and all the characters are well-developed and as a reader you begin to really feel for them.”
-Laura Carter
“I enjoyed getting to know each of these young ladies during their journey. Through their ups and downs and difficult times, I wanted to be there for them to help them face their problems. Even goat-headed Mercedez captured my heart; I wanted to help her through troubled times.”
-Joy Hannabass
“Has (Laura) embraced the cultural atmosphere with this tumultuous account of the private lives of urban teenagers, where adult accountability and guidance is disappointingly low. "Reckless Perfection" is a wonderful example of children raising children, children who are forced to grow up too quickly. The use of Spanish terminology and neighborhood colloquialisms adds the cultural realism that places this story in a genre all its own.”
-Lisa Combs
“Francois' story offers a window of insight into the lives of teens that is both entertaining and intriguing…Francois shows promise as a storyteller. She manages the cast of characters well, keeping the plot of each girl's story moving forward with unexpected twists that hold the reader's attention.”
-Melissa Brown Levine
Reckless Perfection Features:
Front Cover on University of Florida's The Independent Florida Alligator:
Chasing Ghosts, a Reckless Perfection Novel
“Chasing Ghosts is a perfect title because all of these young women are certainly chasing after something. Readers will want to follow the journey to the end to see who reaches their goal and who is laid to waste by the very thing they desire.”
-Literary Titan
“This is an interesting and fun-to-read story that makes one realize that young people are so vulnerable during these years and it takes strength, familial and peer support and a moral compass to successfully traverse the path to adulthood.”
-Debbi
“Francois’ writing style, with just the right amount of narration and description, creates an interesting, easy-to-read story. The plot holds the interest of the reader throughout the book with many twists and turns – not unlike the lives of modern-day adolescents. The reader will not predict the unforeseen ending. The plot is strong and engaging. The book will certainly be enjoyed by thoughtful older adolescents and young adults.”
-Deborah Lloyd
“Laura Francois wrote the story in a way that was engaging and interesting, so I could really tune in to what will happen to these girls’ lives, their struggles and everything. I am not sure this book is part of a series, but I hope that it is because I wanted to know more. It feels like their stories aren’t finished just yet.”
-Lorena Sanqui
“I very much enjoyed Chasing Ghosts. Author Laura Francois has done a great job in creating characters that her readers will truly be able to relate to, connect with and care about. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. The problems that the girls face are very realistic, and I am sure that many readers will have faced similar situations in their own lives. This is a great coming of age story, and young adult readers, especially young women, should absolutely give this book a chance. I am pleased to recommend Chasing Ghosts, and I look forward to reading more from the very promising author, Laura Francois, as soon as she releases her next work.”
-Chris Fischer
Chasing Ghosts Features:
Interview at Me and My Crazy Mind:
Chasing Ghosts | Me and My Crazy Mind (thecrazymind.com)
Interview with Nora Gouma:
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