A marriage built on secrets, a passion neither expected, and two worlds determined to keep them apart. Brit Andrews is a new-to-me author, and Before, the prequel to her A Hybrid Theory series, was an enjoyable introduction to her paranormal world.
Title: Before : A Hybrid Theory Story
Author(s): Brit Andrews
Published by Britiney on October 31, 2026
Pages: 369
Genre(s): Paranormal
Source: Author
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon
Heat Level:
Be careful with your secrets...
Freddie Miller has a secret to die for and if she wants to remain living she has a choice to make. But she doesn’t see marrying a vampire prince as a viable option. Not until he convinces her to choose him. But was it really a choice when the other options were death or imprisonment? To the public it’s a whirlwind romance with the man who saved her. In reality it’s an arranged marriage of convenience that was his parents’ idea.
You have to be willing to do anything to keep it...
The plans are set, the invitations have gone out, the dress has been made and this all started with a death. But how far would you go to keep your secrets? For a vampire witch hybrid who has never lived amongst vampires it isn’t so easy. She will give her life to the vampires and they will keep her safe. And nobody will ever find out what really happened that night.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Meet Freddie Miller, a vampire/witch hybrid with a well-hidden secret. When a vampire attacks her, that secret comes to light, leaving her with three options: marry Cannon Harrington, a pureblood vampire prince, or face imprisonment or death. Not much of a choice if you ask me!
After some convincing on Cannon’s part, Freddie agrees to marry him. However, marrying into the Harrington family comes with its fair share of obstacles. Not everyone welcomes her, and her hybrid status makes her an outsider on both sides. Vampires and witches are sworn enemies, with vampires viewing her as more of a witch and witches seeing her as more of a vampire. Talk about being caught between two worlds!
To outsiders, Freddie and Cannon’s relationship has all the earmarks of a whirlwind romance. However, beneath the surface, their relationship is laden with secrets. Freddie must navigate the bigotry she faces from both sides while adjusting to life among vampires. It certainly isn’t an easy transition.
Initially, Freddie came across as insecure, but as I learned more about her past and what she had endured, I began to understand her actions. Perhaps she wasn’t insecure after all. She was simply being cautious and trying to avoid a repeat of the past.
The highlight of Before for me was Freddie and Cannon’s relationship. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve and seeing Freddie grow along the way. Cannon, being a pureblood vampire, is considerably older than Freddie. He promises to protect her, and throughout the story, we see him stand by that promise. I enjoyed seeing the way he looked out for her, especially when she faces hostility from those around her.
One thing I would have liked was a more in-depth look at the reasons behind Freddie and Cannon’s arranged marriage. I felt there was room to explore that aspect of the story a little further.
The ending doesn’t quite provide closure to Freddie and Cannon’s story. Instead, it opens the door to the next book, which has already been published. While I would have loved a little more resolution, it certainly left me curious about what comes next.
Since this was my first visit to Brit Andrews’ world, I’m happy to say it won’t be my last. Before: A Hybrid Theory Story gave me an interesting introduction to the characters, the supernatural politics, and the complicated relationship between vampires and witches. More importantly, I’m eager to continue my journey with Freddie and Cannon and see where their story takes them.
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When I’m not reading, I enjoy cooking, listening to music, and watching television.
- Before : A Hybrid Theory Story: Brit Andrews - November 9, 2026
- Monday’s Not Coming : Tiffany D. Jackson - November 3, 2026
- His Guilty Pleasure: Carrie Ann Ryan - November 2, 2026
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