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More Than Before
Ari’s life hasn’t gone as expected. Can she find the energy to rebuild?
A year after her divorce, Ari’s struggling to find her footing. When she’s tasked with organizing her annual getaway with her childhood friends—women she’s become increasingly disconnected from—she wonders if she’s up for the challenge. But Camp Waawaate might just be the escape she needs.
From the moment they arrive, the cracks in her friendships are impossible to ignore, and Ari feels more alone than ever. Until she meets Lor, a charming Irishman working at the camp. With his easy humor and thoughtful presence, Lor makes Ari question everything she thought she knew about herself and what she deserves.
As days at the camp turn into unexpected nights, Ari begins to see glimmers of hope in places she’d long stopped looking—in friendship, in love, and in herself. But when the getaway ends, will she have the courage to carry these changes back into the real world? Or is this new version of Ari destined to remain a fleeting summer memory?
Heartfelt and uplifting, More Than Before is a story of rediscovery, second chances, and the transformative power of love—even when it’s unexpected.
A year after her divorce, Ari’s struggling to find her footing. When she’s tasked with organizing her annual getaway with her childhood friends—women she’s become increasingly disconnected from—she wonders if she’s up for the challenge. But Camp Waawaate might just be the escape she needs.
From the moment they arrive, the cracks in her friendships are impossible to ignore, and Ari feels more alone than ever. Until she meets Lor, a charming Irishman working at the camp. With his easy humor and thoughtful presence, Lor makes Ari question everything she thought she knew about herself and what she deserves.
As days at the camp turn into unexpected nights, Ari begins to see glimmers of hope in places she’d long stopped looking—in friendship, in love, and in herself. But when the getaway ends, will she have the courage to carry these changes back into the real world? Or is this new version of Ari destined to remain a fleeting summer memory?
Heartfelt and uplifting, More Than Before is a story of rediscovery, second chances, and the transformative power of love—even when it’s unexpected.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2,387 people want to read
About the author
Leah Omar
10 books64 followersLeah Omar is an author from Minnesota, and as long as she could remember, has been an avid reader and writer. Her debut novel, A Labor of Love, lived in her mind for years before she put pen to paper. Leah is a lover of all romance novels but set out to create compelling stories that tackle the complexities of relationships.
Leah has a bachelor’s of art in communications and English literature and a master’s degree in business administration. She now calls Minneapolis home, which she shares with her husband and two children. In her free time, Leah enjoys traveling the world and learning about different cultures, reading and writing, and spending time with those she loves best.
As a writer, Leah is devoted to giving her readers contemporary love stories that make us remember that we have more similarities than differences, and that love can conquer all. She loves to interact with readers, so feel free to reach out.
Leah has a bachelor’s of art in communications and English literature and a master’s degree in business administration. She now calls Minneapolis home, which she shares with her husband and two children. In her free time, Leah enjoys traveling the world and learning about different cultures, reading and writing, and spending time with those she loves best.
As a writer, Leah is devoted to giving her readers contemporary love stories that make us remember that we have more similarities than differences, and that love can conquer all. She loves to interact with readers, so feel free to reach out.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 1, 2025
Recently divorced Ari and her college friends have had a gathering of the girls every year until lately. It's been two years and she has planned for them to meet up and share a cabin at a camp that she went to with her family as a girl. There will be activities, time to reconnect, it will be fun. Right? When Ari arrives early at the camp to get things ready, she meets Lor. He's from Ireland and has the accent to prove it. He is helping his sister run the camp for the summer. There is an almost instant connection between them, but Ari is there to be with her friends, not have a summer romance. Right?
I really loved this book. While there was a fun romance, I was more impressed with the storyline involving Ari and her girlfriends. Their friendship was going through a rough patch. They had all grown and changed from when they first met. Sometimes when this happens, the friendship changes as well and not always for the best. Ari knew they needed this time together and I loved how these friends reconnected by doing camp activities like kayaking, camping, campfires, camp contests, and more. They found out that the friends they thought they didn't know anymore were still people they loved. They learned that they could still support one another through tough times because they had experienced their own tough times. I also loved how Ari came to love herself again and gained the confidence to put herself out there and demand to be seen by her employer and people who had taken her for granted for too long. I recommend this book if you want to read about friendships and a second chance at romance after divorce. You won't be disappointed.
My sincere thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read her book and give my unbiased opinion of it in this reveiw. I look forward to what she has coming up next.
I really loved this book. While there was a fun romance, I was more impressed with the storyline involving Ari and her girlfriends. Their friendship was going through a rough patch. They had all grown and changed from when they first met. Sometimes when this happens, the friendship changes as well and not always for the best. Ari knew they needed this time together and I loved how these friends reconnected by doing camp activities like kayaking, camping, campfires, camp contests, and more. They found out that the friends they thought they didn't know anymore were still people they loved. They learned that they could still support one another through tough times because they had experienced their own tough times. I also loved how Ari came to love herself again and gained the confidence to put herself out there and demand to be seen by her employer and people who had taken her for granted for too long. I recommend this book if you want to read about friendships and a second chance at romance after divorce. You won't be disappointed.
My sincere thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read her book and give my unbiased opinion of it in this reveiw. I look forward to what she has coming up next.
April 23, 2025
If you need a great romance read, Leah Omar’s books always are perfection. Her characters come alive and I devour each book as soon as I get my hands on it. But I do have to admit that it isn’t the romance that got me on this book. While the romance is an integral and wonderful part of the story. I believe that every woman needs a group of friends like the Beavs. The women aren’t perfect, but they have stood by each other over the years. They are all very unique and different from one another, yet have a bond of friendship which is incredibly strong. I am lucky enough to actually have two friend groups like the Beavs. Friends that I would travel across country in a heartbeat for and I can’t wait for the next books in the series as we get to know each one of these ladies deeper.
April 15, 2025
A poignant tale of self-discovery, More Than Before follows Ari's journey to Tanzania, addressing themes of love, loss, and cultural disparities. Leah Omar's narrative is both heartfelt and thought-provoking, offering readers a unique and emotional experience.
What I loved the most was the realistic and somewhat resilient relationship between Ari and her friends. As you grow up, you see that people change, but if you care enough to accompay the other, they'll be with/for you when you most need it. It is important to know how to love and trust yourself and those you care about. This journey was fantastic. Truly recommend it ♥
What I loved the most was the realistic and somewhat resilient relationship between Ari and her friends. As you grow up, you see that people change, but if you care enough to accompay the other, they'll be with/for you when you most need it. It is important to know how to love and trust yourself and those you care about. This journey was fantastic. Truly recommend it ♥
March 28, 2025
Leah Omar is a smart writer with heart. More Than Before is a superbly well-written book with outstanding character development and world building. You’ll move into the lives of the characters and deeply care about what happens to them. If you want a page-turner for the beach that will leave you feeling thoughtful about your own life and warm towards the world, this is for you. I can’t wait to read more.
March 29, 2025
Being from MN, this book was fun to read about The possibilities of what might happen when you escape up north. Ari's second chance romance is a lot more strange than my trips to camp have been and it's fun to get lost in her live story. Plus, her friendships are so powerful and remind me of the value of having string women around you to lean on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
This was probably my favorite book by Leah Omar so far. The characters were older, more mature, and had lived more life. I enjoyed that. Lor was also probably my favorite book boyfriend. I love how layered this story was, and how much life the heroine, Ari, had lived, before getting to the point in the book. I would highly recommend this book to any lovers of contemporary romance stories.
March 28, 2025
This was the perfect read as I sat on a beach. I found myself cheering for the characters and I can’t wait to read the next book focused on Bryce.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews