What a great story! It was very different from what I usually read, and I truly enjoyed the premise—soulmates travelling through time. It was so beautifully told. I loved it. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Lo Mah (Bookseller), Netgalley

Before We Were Born is one of those stories that never really leaves you. It stays with you, having taught you something you didn’t realise you needed to know. For me, I learned to appreciate what was before me more deeply than before, to cherish each moment with my loved ones and to let people know that they are appreciated; to be true to oneself and the path you want to take in life. Other positives to this story included the following: The author writes beautifully, infusing her work with a sense of love, fondness, and deep empathy. Some sections were so moving – emotionally – that I began to cry at their beauty. They really touched my heart and soul. The book was emotionally provocative. Certain chapters/scenes had me weeping, while others made me feel deeply frustrated by the lead character’s actions. The author’s writing style is deeply engaging and toys with your emotions in a masterful way. The lead characters have a surprising level of depth to them that closely resembles real human lives, emotions and thought processes. Inner conflict takes centre stage in this novel. We see the lead characters tortured by their lack of action and their stubbornness. FULL REVIEW: https://rainy-day-review.blogspot.com/2023/07/before-we-were-born-by-kathleen-ready.html ~ Rainy Day Review, Review

Before We Were Born is an enjoyable romance with a spiritual twist. ~ Aurealis Issue 159, Review

A fascinating, deftly written, memorable metaphysical novel, "Before We Were Born" by novelist Kathleen Ready Dayan is a unique and compelling read from the first page to last. With a special appeal to readers with an interest in reincarnation and occult fiction, "Before We Were Born" is recommended for community library collections. ~ Midwest Book Review, Review

Before We Were Born is a delightful and poignant story about what really does happen in the before or, in so many cases, before we were reborn back again into the life we have chosen for many and varied reasons. Kathleen Ready Dayan has used the concept of reincarnation as the basis for the storyline, wrapped in never-ending love, describing so beautifully through the lives of Joy and Jeremy so many of the emotions we have all experienced as we travel our own journeys. Beautiful, well written and heartfelt; keep a tissue box close as the final chapters are those that could be seriously considered as ‘tear jerking’ moments of reality. ~ Blue Wolf Reviews, Review

Engaging from the off, and incorporating moments of heartbreak, jubilation, love, desire, devastation, hope and oh-so much more, Before We Were Born is a free flowing, keenly intuitive read that if you do not have tears coursing down your face at its conclusion, you are not human, my friend! A novel chock full of past lives, soul mate connections, and a whole host of lessons written that we could do well to listen to here, in our every day, earth-tethered lives, Before We Were Born is a book that might just well answer a lot of back-burnered ponderance within the reader, whilst at the very same time be so emotive that you will soon find it very hard to put down. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=409 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I was drawn to this book by the front cover and it didn't disappoint. It is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that I loved. I really enjoyed it. The storyline was engaging and really pulls you into the Romance. ~ Michelle Coates (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is an absolutely wonderful romance story that transcends time. It is so rare for me to find a romantic story that completely draws me in but this one was gorgeous and totally unforgettable. Highly recommended. ~ Michelle Hood (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Elia and Kalli, Jeremy and Joy. The same people but in different worlds. Loosing each other, finding each other. An inseparable couple and their spiritual romance. Time traveling until they meet again. Great concept, well written, fast paced. Quite a wonderful journey. ~ Linda Druijff (Reviewer) , NetGalley

This was surprisingly good. I don't usually read romance, but the reincarnation aspect is what appealed to me. I hope this finds an audience. ~ Paul V (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Usually I don’t read romance books, but the synopsis on this one left me intrigued, and let me tell you, it has all, a love that transcends time, pain, suffering, death, rebirth and above all hope in a future where we can be ourselves and happy, death is not the end, is basically the message of this book, after all dying is just like being born. The book starts before our main characters chose their next body to being born and their promise to find each other in their next life, but knowing that keeping the memories of their time in their beautiful garden of white flowers is next to impossible, and then goes through their childhood and all the things that changed their life forever, how some things keep their life grounded or made them apart or even bring them together aside the circumstances. Yeah you wont get spoilers from me, but this book touched me in may ways, for you to have an idea, I woke up some time before my alarm so I grabbed my kindle and I resumed reading, and what I was reading was touching me so deeply I was weeping while trying to be silent and my husband felt me trembling and asked me if I was alright, and I just said to him, is this book I am reading… Many things happen, but this book is true to life, and for that reason I know I cant recommend it enough, even if like me you don’t usually read romance, try this one, this one is different, if you read romance, read it anyway, it will touch your heart, of that I am sure, just like it touched mine. Just a word of advice, when you’re 30% to the end of the book, keep some tissues around you, you’ll need it. ~ Marta Ribeiro (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. A love story, with a different twist. Joy and Jeremy are reincarnated soul mates. They are born in the 1970s, close to each other, but to very different families. Joy is loved, Jeremy, not so. They are however, inseparable when they are children. Both their worlds take a turn for the worst when they are separated when Jeremy is taken into care and moved far away from Joy and the ocean. They are reunited years later, but Joy has changed and after blocking out the idea of seeing Jeremy again, has taken a different path to her life. Still very much attached to each other, they try to recapture the bond they had before, but with tragic results. This is a very gripping book and well worth the read. ~ Sue Fernyhough (Educator) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is an absolutely fantastic read, the writing is incredible and instantly engages you, the storyline is compelling and the characters are really well developed and believable. I found the idea so fascinating and I cannot wait to read more by this author ~ Aria Harlow (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Elia and Kalli are soulmates who travel together through lifetimes. This time, in 1977, Kalli is reborn as Joy Sanders to a family who instantly adores her, but Elia, who chooses a mother based solely on her proximity to Kalli, fares less, fortunately. He is reincarnated as Jeremy Blake, born prematurely and affected by fetal alcohol syndrome. But he is keenly intuitive and can hear the voices of the spirits who guide him in his new life. Fiercely intelligent and strong-willed Joy becomes his closest childhood friend and protector. Together they form an unbreakable alliance. Big Thanks to NetGalley, and John Hunt Publishing Ltd for the advanced ebook for the honest review. The best book I have read in a few years. Brilliantly done. It did have me in tears at parts. A sweet, thought- FILLED story. ~ Edna Gadoury (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This was a new author for me . I never read anything from this author before but for the most part I really liked this book. I thought the whole story was amazing. I honestly didn’t want this book to end. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with on the next book they write. I usually judge a book from the cover because for me it shows if it’s going to be interesting or not and I loved the book. ~ Courtney C (Reviewer), NetGalley

Once you start reading be prepared for a few hours with your eyes and mind to be book bound till the end. ~ Amazon reader

Awesome well written story. It was truly a page turner. ~ Amazon reader

I don't read often as it takes a really amazing book to keep me interested. I could not put this book. down. I read it every moment I could and skipped my evening dvr shows to read it. It was so well written and gives you a better understanding of how things work before and after we are here on earth ~ Amazon reader

I was taken through so many emotions reading this book. I didn't want to put it down. There were times when I was a little ticked off on what was happening, but I kept reading. This book touched me on such a deep soul level that it's hard to explain. I have a lot going on in my life right now and this book helped me to feel better about some things and to remember where I should be coming from, a place of love. At the end of the book I just sat there with tears running down my face (warning this lasted for quite a while). It was a great emotional release. I felt like this book was written to me. I would highly recommend reading it. ~ Amazon reader

Our bookclub had a great discussion after reading this book. The characters evoked strong reactions from our members. The topic of life after death fascinates us all. This book gives us a comforting theory of what happens to our loved ones after passing. ~ Amazon reader

This authors writing style has a way of making the characters come to life. I Laughed, cried, felt anger and fear and did not want it to end. This book has me thinking about it long after reading the last page. ~ Amazon reader

I have read many books on reincarnation, spiritualism, channeling and related subjects. I love the idea of wrapping these concepts around a novel in which two souls find each other again and again. The concept gives me great comfort as well as hope in knowing that my own personal growth continues and does not have one finite period of time. I loved all of the characters and each one evoked emotions that made me feel a connection with them. ~ Amazon reader

GREAT READ! Could not put it down and you kept thinking about the characters long after your finish the book. ~ Amazon reader

I really enjoyed the love story - even aside from the reincarnation, if you aren't into that premise. Just as she did in LA Ice, Kathleen Dayan really brings life to her characters........she is becoming one of my new favorite authors. ~ Amazon reader

I could not put this book down. It really makes you think twice about life and life after death. I highly recommend this. ~

This a beautiful story of life, death and love. Anyone who's ever loved and lost will relate to emotions in this book, and the very realistic ways the story plays out. This is no cookie-cutter romance; instead, the author challenges the reader to look beyond his or her expectations by giving us a story that resonates with all aspects of life, pleasant and unpleasant. The ending will make you question everything you've ever believed, in the best way possible. ~ Goodreads

I laughed, I cried and I wondered about my life and the lives of people I've just met for the very first time, yet felt I've know them all my life. The trips these two souls took were so touching and their lives so amazing it makes me wonder what is next in my life. I could not put this book down, and yet, I really didn't want it to end, either. ~ Amazon reader

In a Garden White was a true delight to read. You will find yourself crying,laughing,and praying for the characters in the book. ~ Amazon reader

I was moved to tears several times while reading In a Garden White, but also found numerous moments of sheer joy and amazement--due to the captivating nature of the story and also the beauty of the language. ~ Amazon reader

Superb! Must Read! ~ The Paranormal Chronicles, Review

If you've ever wondered about past lives, soul mate connections, or lessons we are supposed to learn in this lifetime, this book answers those burning questions. My eyes were glued to the pages and I could not put it down. I felt every emotion as if I were experiencing the story deep within. I laughed, I sobbed and I felt healed. ~ Maureen Hancock, world renown spirit medium