Before december
Before december is a young adult romance novel written by the Spanish author Joana Marcús. Initially, the story was only published on the social network of reading and writing Wattpad. However, the book has enjoyed such popularity among the public young —with approximately 131 million readings within the orange platform— that the publishing group Penguin Random House decided to publish it in physical form in 2021.
This title by Joana Marcús addresses some issues that involve human relations. Jenna, her protagonist, is a young woman whose decisions and actions have been relegated to the consideration of others throughout her life, without the opportunity for real growth that stems from her own experiences. Before december It is a book about characters, about bonds.
Synopsis of Before december
Far from home
Jennifer Brown —or Jenna, as her parents and friends often call her— embarks on a journey far from home to enter to the University. the young his future is not entirely clear: does not have true aspirations, dreams or concrete goals. However, you feel that you need to experience the novelty to make a decision. Then, his overprotective parents warn him that she will only have six months to choose a path (from July to December).
At the same time, Monty, her boyfriend, makes her a proposal that leaves Jenna a little upset.: from the day of your trip you will both have the opportunity to meet, go out and experiment with other people, as long as you do not fall in love with someone else. The girl, who has never been in a position to take a position on something so important, accepts. Despite her consent, she doesn't feel very sure about the plan.
In college
Jenna chooses to enroll in biology classes. Everything seems to be going well when Naya, one of her classmates, offers to join her group of friends. These people include: Jack Ross, Will, Naya's boyfriend, and Mike, Ross's brother. Little by little, through their multiple interactions, Jenna and Ross begin to bond more and more deeply, something that, of course, is against the rules imposed by Monty.
Ross is a film student who wants to specialize in short films. Jenna doesn't know anything about the world of movies, but she loves listening to him talk, as she finds him funny, intelligent and interesting. At the same time, he considers her adorable. While Jenna and Ross fall in love with each other, the relationship that the protagonist has with her official boyfriend is raised., Monty. The latter is described as someone violent, possessive and manipulative.
Overprotected and invisible
The only reason Jenna and Monty are dating has to do with the young woman's passive and naive personality, which has been fueled by her parents' upbringing. Jennifer Brown has never had parental or power figures that have fostered her self-esteemOn the contrary, Jenna is usually made invisible. Her opinions, feelings or fears are never taken into account.
An example of this behavior is the following: time after entering university, Mother Jenna contacts her to tell her that they won't be able to pay her tuition. This results in the young woman having to return home or find a way to pay for everything she needs herself. Likewise, the woman claims that if he is not going to visit her, it means that he does not really appreciate his family, which, coupled with the soft character of the girl, is a hard blow for her.
this same situation causes Naya and Ross to invite Jenna to live in their apartment so she can continue attending classes.
The breakup and romance
In contrast, the romance that develops between Jenna and Ross has no major shocks, it is tender and full of mutual respect. Later, the protagonist decides to end her courtship with Monty and give rise to a formal relationship with Ross.
At first everything fits perfectly, but the relaxed tone of the feelings of the main characters it doesn't last too long. This is precisely due to Jenna's family environment and the demands of her parents.
Likewise, there is one more fact in the debacle towards a love that could have worked, but did not. Ross is chosen to attend a French university to direct short films, but he decides to stay in his city., because he thinks that his whole life is there. Jenna is not comfortable with this decision, because she perceives that she is the only compelling reason why her boyfriend is reluctant to take such a long trip.
a bitter end
Jenna assumes that he hurts everyone around her, and she doesn't mean to hurt Ross, so she decides to leave him—an irony, because this decision devastates the boy. The young woman cannot bear the feeling that the person she loves abandons her dreams, so she decides to break up with him. in a cruel way Jenna explains to Ross that she returned with Monty, this, with the sole intention that the boy leave and live the future that he always wanted.
About the author, Joana Marcús
Joana Marcus
Joana Marcús Sastre was born in the year 2000, in Fornaluch, Spain. She was a young reader and writer, even though she somehow she hadn't found a book she really loved until she read it for the first time Harry Potterby JK Rowling. From then on she became fond of fantastic literature, and she had notebooks where she wrote her own stories.
One day, when he was only 11 years old, he discovered the social network Wattpad, where he dedicated himself to reading other fictions. When he was 13 years old, he decided to publish original material. Since then he started amassing a large following, but it wasn't until he posted Before december that became really famous within the platform.
Currently, she is one of the best-selling authors in youth literature, only behind the author of "The Boy Who Lived", her great inspiration.
Other books by Joana Marcús
Saga Months by your side
- after december (2022);
- Three months (2023);
- The lights of February (in process).
Fire Trilogy
- smoke cities (2022)
- cities of ashes (2022)
- cities of fire (2022)
Biology Songs for her
- the last note (2020);
- the first song (2022)
Bilogy Strangers
- Ethereal (2020);
- Everlasting (2021)
Bilogy Legends of Braemar
- the queen of thorns (2021);
- The king of shadows (2022)
self-conclusive
- irresistible proposal (2017);
- autumn evenings (2021)