Before Ever After is a novel that appeals to readers on so many levels. The lover of suspense will find that turning the page adds to, rather than diminishes the mystery. Those who are intrigued by European history will find tidbits that will whet their interest even more. Those who like to dig deeper into a character's psyche will not come away empty-handed. In fact, it is a credit to the author that she has fleshed out the main characters to such an extent that the reader can truly understand what makes them tick. There is a bit of philosophical thought thrown in, too, that would make you re-think the concepts of time and "forever after."
All those layers have been built on this love story that is unlike any other I have ever read. And even if it were just the most basic of love stories, I would still have found so much pleasure reading it - because Samantha Sotto is a wordsmith who paints pictures with her words.