“I asked Peter if the story was true. He said yes. That’s… rough.” - Kate Marlowe, editor
Nothing before her
Novel
She’s trapped by expectations – he’s trapped in an empty marriage.
A girl from the past – a man stuck in the present.
And a love that changes everything – only it might be too late.
But… “Sometimes, we have to give up our principles to live our dreams.”
A brutally honest, yet compelling romantic novel about burnout, longing, and irreversible choices.
And a burning love that hides secrets — some unspoken, others unknown.
“I asked Peter if the story was true. He said yes. That’s… rough.”
— Kate Marlowe, editor
Many of you have been asking if there will be an audiobook of the novel — but Peter said we should only do it if
every single character gets their own unique voice.
There are thirty-four of them. So… yes, we might be here for a while.
The good news is: the work is already underway.
I’ll keep you posted as things progress.
Kate
Blog
KATE – May 2, 2025
Dear lovers of romance,
We’re proud to announce that Peter Radley’s novel Nothing Before Her is now available in the Apple Book Store. You’ll find a free sample under the “Novel” tab, and a few behind-the-scenes secrets here on the blog.
Enjoy the story – we sure enjoyed making it.
PETER – April 28, 2025
The book is finished. I’m happy. Really. There’s still plenty of work to do with publishing and promotion, but I already have new ideas swirling. I asked Kate if she’d be my permanent editor. She said yes. This is going to be fun – unless I strangle her over one of her smart remarks.
KATE – April 24, 2025
Peter pushed me into the swimming pool today. Still drying off.
PETER – April 23, 2025
I’ve noticed that Kate has this subtle way of pitching her ideas as if they were mine. Classic editorial jiu-jitsu.
Tomorrow I’ll come up with an elegant little revenge plan.
KATE – April 11, 2025
I asked Peter if the story was true.
He said yes.
That’s… rough.
PETER – April 10, 2025
When I finished the manuscript, I put it away for a while. Just reopened it now for edits – and it hit me harder than I expected. That’s what you get for writing a novel based on a true story. Kate must be having a rough time with me lately.
KATE – March 29, 2025
Okay, fine. That section was whiny. If anyone wants proof, I’ll show it – but only in secret. Peter doesn’t need to know. He’d be mortified.
PETER – March 29, 2025
Kate deleted three whole pages today. I told her how hard I worked on that section, and she said, “Yeah, I could tell… it was pure whining.” Fantastic. Maybe we should delete the whole thing and publish a blank book with a white cover.
KATE – March 20, 2025
Note to self: never ask an author what their favorite part of their book is. Life’s too short.
PETER – March 19, 2025
Kate asked me which part of the book is my favorite. I tried to keep it short – “all of it.” Each scene matters,
each for a different reason. Some are tender, some painful, some a little wicked.
And maybe that’s why I’m a bit overprotective when a cheeky little editor pokes her red pen where
it hurts.
KATE – March 8, 2025
I received the manuscript from Peter a week ago - he handed it over as if the Fort Knox alarm codes were written in it. I was a bit worried, to be honest. But this book… it’s good. Funny, moving, disarmingly honest. Editing this is going to be a pleasure.
PETER – March 1, 2025
Today I met Kate for the first time – she’ll be editing my book. Sweet girl, but there’s something sharp and buzzing about her. I think she might be a workaholic. Not that I mind. I’m not the type to sit around with a manuscript forever either. I asked her not to tear the whole thing apart. She didn’t laugh out loud, but I have the feeling she’s going to do whatever she thinks is right anyway.
Scenes
A lot of you mentioned how cinematic the novel feels.
Well then, here come a few frames – from “Peter’s movie.”
“Why did you come today?”
“Because... I can’t fall in love with a screen.”
“Can I do anything?”
“Run.”
“You can still say no…”
“That ship’s already sailed…”
“Right now, I am the sea.
Don’t mess this up.”
“I want to wear it. While I’m gone.
To protect me. Will you help me put it on?”
“Your conclusion is missing one tiny detail. Me.”
“Like a strong, young falcon with wings stretched wide, who needs to soar because that’s what she was born for. Falcon Girl…”