Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 *Make sure to read books 1-5 in the Soul Screamers series before checking out this review! Definite spoilers ahead!* 
 Before I Wake picks up very shortly after where If I Die left off. Kaylee is dead, but she's had her soul reinstated, so to speak, so that she can be an extractor for the "reclamation department" of the afterlife. Her brand new job is to reclaim souls that have been stolen. But the afterlife isn't all it's cracked up to be. Eternal youth and beauty doesn't mean much when everyone around you will die, and life's simple pleasures have lost their luster. The only thing Kaylee truly enjoys is being with Tod. Tod is more of a lifeline for Kaylee than anyone even realizes. 
 "You're not lost, Kaylee. You can't ever be lost, because I'll always know where you are. And if I'm not there with you, I'm on my way, and nothing standing between us will be standing for very long." 
 Until Kaylee's first reclamation job, the most complicated things she's dealing with in her afterlife are: trying to gain forgiveness from Nash, trying to go back to school and act like everything is normal, and just trying not to lose herself in the silence when she's alone at night. But when her new boss, Madeline, shows up to send her on her first job, Kaylee gets a pretty huge surprise. Thane, the reaper who killed her mother and tried to kill her, is back from the Netherworld - and he wants Tod. 
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 What can I even say about Rachel Vincent and this series that hasn't already been said? I just love them! So so so much. I've loved it from the very beginning. I mean, can you marry a book series? If so, I have dibs on this one. Every time someone asks me my favorite series? Soul Screamers, without a doubt. This installment was no exception! 
 Let's start with the romance. Because, let's face it, Tod + Kaylee = amazing love! There is just an infinite trust between these two that Nash and Kaylee did not, and could not, ever have. Sorry to all the Nash fans out there, but Tod is my pick. 
 "I love you, Kaylee. More than I've ever loved anyone. More than I will ever love anyone. If I could freeze this moment in time and never have to let you go, I would do it without a second thought." 
 These two are just perfection together. This book explores their relationship a little more. They get more physical and cling to each other for dear life. Their chemistry is something out of this world. I really don't think it could be right any other way. 
 As for the other characters - we get to see a lot of our favorites, such as Emma, Nash and, yes, Sabine (am I the only one who likes her?!). We also get to see some older characters as well! I won't give away all the details, but trust me, you will be quite surprised! 
 Ms. Vincent delivered on the plot, as always. The stakes are high, and she is never afraid to kill off a character or two. With hellions being able to enter the human plane, the stakes are as high as they've ever been. Kaylee and her scooby gang are hard at work to protect themselves and one another, as well as figure out how and why the hellions are doing what they are. This book is full of plot twists and OMG moments. You will not be able to put it down, I promise you that! 
 I feel a sadness in my heart that only one book remains in this series. I can't tell you how sad I will be to see it end. I can't even think about it. It's way too depressing. 
 Overall, Before I Wake was a hit (did you really think I would say anything else?)! The characters, new and old, are amazing - even the evil ones. Vincent writes a wonderful villain, I will say that! This book focuses on Kaylee coming to terms with her afterlife. It focuses on her budding relationship with Tod. It focuses on the slow healing between Nash, Kaylee, and Tod. In this installment, staying strong and tough through even the most bleak of situations is everything. Rachel Vincent delivers on the romance. She delivers on the high stakes moments. She delivers on the plot twists and deals us a major, unforeseen blow in the end. You will not want to miss out on this installment in the Soul Screamers series. Get your tissues ready, because this one is an emotional roller coaster! 
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 Book source: Personal collection 
 Publisher: Harlequin TEEN