I don't even know where to start because there is so much I enjoyed. I think Ana's story is relatable. Too often we push things down to move on only to realize later that isn't actual healing.

I appreciated that she was strong but vulnerable, I also appreciated Cooper was the same way.

Cooper's anger was justified and something I don't think we see enough of in books like this. It makes it more real. One can understand why someone does something but still be angry at them.

The footnotes were great, informative but not an overwhelming number of them.

Only disappointed Nolan didn't get more page time!

4.5 Stars
Before the Credits Roll was such a heartfelt, beautifully written romance that completely swept me away. I loved that this wasn't just a love story, but also a story about healing, finding your confidence again, and learning to take up space without apologizing for it.

Ana was such an easy character to root for. Watching her return to an industry that had left her burned out while confronting her anxiety and past wounds made her journey feel incredibly authentic. I appreciated that her growth was just as important as the romance.

And Cooper... I adored him. He was patient, attentive, supportive, and so clearly gone for Ana without ever trying to overshadow her. Their chemistry was undeniable, but what really sold me on their relationship was the quiet trust and admiration they built over years. The slow burn was absolutely worth the wait, and every moment they shared felt intentional.

I also loved the behind-the-scenes look at the film industry. It gave the story a unique backdrop and made the long hours, shared creative process, and emotional vulnerability between the characters feel even more intimate.

Overall, Before the Credits Roll is a tender, emotional slow-burn romance with mature characters, beautiful character growth, and a love story that feels earned every step of the way. If you love romances where emotional intimacy is just as swoon-worthy as the chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up

4.5 stars out of 5!

Thank you to NetGalley, Iolanda R. Santos, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the Arc! :)

Wow. The story that Iolanda created was...just wow. This slow burn romance was more than your typical trope. It had depth, heart, vulnerability, frustration, heartbreak, healing, redemption, and reconciliation.

I found myself immersed in Ana's story, in her struggle to reclaim and see herself the way that Cooper sees her so fully: the imposter syndrome, the people=pleasing tendencies, allowing another person's story of you to be what you hear in your head. It's what so many of us racialized women feel in the systems we encounter on a daily basis. And the trauma that she works through and heals from, unfortunately at the expense of her relationship with Cooper and his heart, were deeply developed and exemplified in the most real ways through her mental health presentation throughout the book. When Ana finally comes into her own, you're cheerleading for her so hard!

Cooper's love and faith in her was so important to ground the story and his own backstory, flushed out really well, gave us helpful insight into him without having his narrated POV. He felt like a realistic man in love, which is sometimes a hard balance to strike (as opposed to the reader feeling like the MMC is over the top and doesn't reflect reality). HIs feelings felt real and reflective of what a man who has the ability to feel deeply can look like.

From a technical standpoint, the pacing was well done and the author's description of film development within the plot didn't feel overwhelming (and I appreciated the footnotes for folks who want to know more about the industry). The incorporation of a playlist into a story can also be a hit or miss but the way Ana relates/resonates to music gave the story much more oomph. As a Canadian girlie, I loved the Toronto representation - knowing the city, I felt even more connected to the story. The bonus content was also appreciated!

All in all, I am still blown away by this book and will be returning to re-read it many times over the next several months! I cannot wait to read more from this author!!