Ugh wanted to like this book more as I love Renee. However I just didn’t love the characters and didn’t care much happened. Then when I started to care didn’t love the depressing curveball that was thrown. So the book was just overall sad

I wanted to like this book so bad but it reminds me too much of a different book I read that surrounds the idea of divorce. I thought the book was well written, I just don’t think the divorce topic is for me (maybe because I’m newly engaged)

I love Renee Carlino's writing, characters, and the way she shows love between them. Such a beautiful but sad story. Ending was heartbreaking.

If there’s one book I’m convinced each person needs to read to come up with their own opinion, it would be this one.

Granted, I feel that way about every book, since everyone has their own preferences, but this book has me feeling torn in too many ways to make a decision even for myself.

I found myself distracted while reading because the characters typically seemed stunted in how they interacted with one another as well as with others. This extended from just dialogue to also inner thoughts, and at first I thought it was a stylistic choice between the two newly divorced main characters, but eventually it felt that way with nearly every interaction they had.

I also went into this book figuring it would be a second chance marriage romance. I assumed that meant they’d get divorced and realize how much they missed one another, only to come back to one another by the end. And to some degree, this happens, but not before they throw themselves at other people—people they don’t even necessarily like—along the way. These interactions truly bothered me and made me realize I wasn’t really rooting for or liking either of the characters.

I picked up this book because I absolutely LOVED Renée Carlino’s SWEAR ON THIS LIFE. I have others by her I’m excited to read as well, and I was hoping this would also be one of the ones I devoured…but unfortunately, it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I finished it, but I had a bad taste in my mouth as I did. And also? As many other reviews have noted…even if you find the course of the relationship and divorce realistic and enjoyable to read, you might be royally pissed by around the 91% mark of the book when everything gets thrown upside down.

“I actually really like you, which I think is just as important as loving you.”

It’s important to note that this is not a romance novel. This is a women’s fiction novel. So don’t go expecting a happily ever after, or you’ll be sorely disappointed.

I loved the relationship Renée crafted for both Dani and Alex—the profound, heartfelt, deep love they shared for 22 years. I wanted more of that story, personally. I wanted their love story. Not their lost story. But this was beautiful in its own way, too.

“I guess we had to get a little lost to find each other again.”

CW: loss of a parent, divorce, miscarriages (off page, but discussed), fatal illness

I delayed reading this because I saw reviews complaining about the ending compared to the quality of the rest of the book. Now I get it. I had a hard time liking the characters to begin with and I found the whole story quite depressing. And the end, tbh, blew. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

This Used to Be Us by Renée Carlino is a wonderful book about love, divorce and the joy of rediscovery; it touched my heart. I smiled often, laughed out loud and cried- may want a tissue or two handy. It is a celebration of life, family, the strength of the human spirit, grace and love. Thank you to NetGalley, the Dial Press and Renée Carlino for the opportunity to read an ARC of This Used to Be Us; my review reflects my honest opinion. 4.5 stars.

Renee Carlino does this to me EVERY TIME! She sucks me in and then plays with my heart. In the case of Alex and Danielle, we follow a two decades long love story. Sure there's a divorce thrown in there (and it's a significant part of their journey) but throughout it all, what you see is love despite all of the frustration, annoyance, and hurt feelings of it all. I liked how we got to see it all--all the love and all of the things that make marriages so difficult. We saw the goodness in them and the not so good things about them, which made for fully developed characters. Neither Alex or Danielle were wholly good or bad, just regular, flawed humans that got to the point where they didn't *think* they loved each other anymore. Tricks on them, they really did love each other, they just couldn't stand each other sometimes and they beauty of this book is that we get to see why. We see how the small things become really annoying things they can't get past. We see the real and perceived burdens they each felt. And we get to see what happens when you don't communicate well...and we see it all through flashbacks and present day events.

As Renee Carlino is known to do, she reels you in, gives you hope, and then hurts your heart. This Used to Be Us is no different. The ending was just so bittersweet...and that's all I'll say about that. It's been way too long since we've had a new read from Renee Carlino and I hope this means she's back in writing mode and working on something new for us.

I read Renee Carlino’s story Before We Were Strangers and absolutely loved it. There was no doubt that I was going to pick up this book as well. The story follows Dani and Alex who have finally decided to get divorced after 20 some years of marriage. The majority of this story follows how they navigate life, each other, and their family as a divorced couple. The story is about second chances and how they find their way back to one another. I was really enjoying the story until about the 90% mark. With three chapters left in the book, there is a huge twist and I felt like I was reading a completely different story. It changed the story and then the book was finished before I even knew it. I didn’t love or hate the twist at the end, but would have preferred to have the last 10% stretched out a little longer. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advance reader copy.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Renée Carlino did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

I am a big fan of Renee Carlino’s writing and this book felt long overdue. The title kind of gave me an idea what this story is about. It takes two to tango in love and the dead of a marriage. This story followed Dani and Alex who have been married for 22 years. Once madly in love now they can barely stand being around each other. The only thing they have in common now is the love for their two sons. They wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible for the boys while moving on with their life. Dani blossomed with her career and Alex is navigating a new relationship after decades of being married. When a family crisis happened, will it distant Dani and Alex forever or will it draw the back together?
This story is definitely not rainbow and sunshine – very little happy love story between these two. The majority of the book is about Dani and Alex reflecting on the last two decades, how they fell in love and mostly how they grew apart. There are a lot of blames to go around. No one is perfect. What I like is that this story is relatable, realistic, raw and emotional. Sure maybe not everyone is divorced but we can all relate at some level – we are individual and we do grow and change sometimes together, sometimes apart. The last part of the book threw me for a loop – I can see where the author was continuing the “realistic” theme but I just wish it didn’t end that way. Dani and Alex’s story is a real portray of love, lost, romance, heartbreak and how you can grow from it. Beautifully written.

I think I am not really a fan of marriage in crisis books for the most part... however I am a fan of Renee so I wanted to give this one a chance. Both main characters were pretty miserable for the first part of the book and it was difficult to enjoy because of that. I could have used some more stories about them falling in love in the first place to give me a reason to root for them. I was actually ok with the ending unlike a lot of readers. Not my fave of hers but thats largely because its not a trope I enjoy often.

I loved this book! Until the ending. Listen, I love imperfect messy characters which was the epitome of Dani and Alex with the trope of marriage in crises but the ending came out of left field and felt VERY rushed to tie up all the loose ends. Terribly unfortunate the book wasn't for me but I can see others loving it. I will always pick up a Renee Carlino book and looking forward to what she comes out with next.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful love story about the ups and downs of a marriage. I loved all the peeks into their lives before the divorce. The characters were relatable, and this was a unique take on a love story. We don’t always get a story about after the happily ever after.

✨ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞
💔 Second chance romances
💔 “This book will destroy you” type reads
💔 The author Colleen Hoover
💔 Dual POVs
💔 Books that make having tissues nearby a necessity
💔 MCs in their 40s
💔 Books about a marriage in crisis

So happy to have Renee back! I think this is her best yet!!! I absolutely loved every second of it!! Tears, laughter and love!

An entirely bingeable read that will leave you feeling understood, emotional and vulnerable.

Renee Carlino crafted an emotionally charged read that focuses on second chances, losing and finding yourself & your partner, loving life, falling back in love and the importance of the people in your life.

Dani and Alex were once disgustingly in love, the IT couple. Life, changes and loss have gotten in the way of that love and now they’re bitter, feeling alone in their marriage and constantly finding fault with each other. Their divorce is finalized, and an agreeable arrangement is made to split their time with their kids. In their newfound spaces there is time for reflection, rediscovery and dating. However, Dani and Alex are constantly reminded of each other, the memories they share and their love. Despite the years of therapists, and counselling they attempted- the finality, severity and space of a divorce was what made them realize how much they still loved each other and their own faults within their relationship.

Thankfully, Dani and Alex were able to come to this realization in time to face devastating news together. Through their struggle, resilience and love they were able to show their children how to overcome adversity, and live life to its fullest.

I will say I didn’t love the ending. It felt rushed in comparison to the rest of the book, but it was still very enjoyable.

Thank you @netgalley and @dialpress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This Used To Be Us is set to be published July 9/2024.

3.5⭐️
Renee Carlino always writes a story that moves you. This Used to be us is no different and puts you on an emotional roller coaster throughout the book. This story is a slow burn and the story felt like it dragged on longer than necessary, although when it came to the ending, I felt it was rushed.
This is about Dani and Alex who decide after 22 years of marriage to divorce and now have to learn to navigate their lives and raise their two boys. The story switches from past and present and is told from both Dani and Alex.
Thank you so much Netgalley , Random House and Renee Carlino for this ARC!

Renee Carlino writes books with heart and soul in them-the joyfulness, the sadness, and the anger. She translates emotion into a real feeling that you experience while reading. This is an exceptional novel telling the story of a married couple whose relationship has eroded over time and fallen into daily conflict and resentment. The beauty of the story is in the way they learn about themselves and of the love they once held dear.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group & NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 review rounded down.

This one will send you on the most emotional rollercoaster of a divorce between two people on the brink of destroying each other in every way. Being together for so long, 22 years, the marriage struggles to move forward due to the lack of true communication and their kids.

Be prepared to feel every emotion.

I didn’t like this as much because of the degrading way the couple acted towards each other. The lack of communication really stopped it from being a 4 star read for me.

ғɪɴᴀʟ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★/5
sᴜʙ ɢᴇɴʀᴇs/ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇs:
• marriage in
• second chance
• emotional

𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 (𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲):
I’m so lucky to have been sent an ARC of this book early in January thanks to Random House Publishing. It’s one of my highlights of this year✨.

This book reminded me how much I love Renée’s writing and her characters. Each story just keeps getting better and better and with every read I learn something new💕.

This story is so heart-rendering and an absolute tearjerker (Renée never fails to make me cry). The journey Danielle and Alex go through is so moving and unexpected, one that just keeps you wanting to know more💓. It’s utterly emotional and an experience of itself. I have no idea how I got through it but I survived the emotional turmoil I lived while reading it. Seriously, I COULD NOT STOP CRYING😭😭. Your girl woke up with big puffy red eyes the next morning.

Going straight to my top reads of 2024!🩷

Thank you to Random House, Dial Press, and NetGalley for early access to this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
Yesterday I posted a review for a book that made me smile and laugh. Today I'm continuing the emotional reads by posting one that made me CRY. Happy publication day to This Used to Be Us - an moving book that dives into a couple breaking up and divorcing after 22 years together.
I recently read the author’s Before We Were Strangers, after having it recommended to me by a number of students and fellow book lovers. If you enjoy emotional reads that really get you in the feels, I highly recommend this book, her first release in five years.
Music plays a big role in the book, and I found myself turning on music to keep me company while reading this on my couch with this box of tissues.
It’s easy for the reader to get sucked into Dani and Alex’s story, as this dual POV is beautifully written and feels extremely relatable. After some short vignettes from prior years, the book picks up in the present as the couple are in the midst of facilitating their break-up. At first it’s hard to see how the two could have gone from being as in-love as they were in the earlier clips to being as hurt and angry as they are. But isn't that what happens in life? It’s not always evident where things are going until it’s gotten to a point of no return. Plenty of background is filled in as the book continues, and it feels realistic as they work to move on to a place where each can feel happy alone but keep their two sons feeling loved by both. The best words to describe it are raw and vulnerable. I felt like I was right there with Dani and Alex, and the final few chapters caused me to really sob - I had quite the ugly cry
My recommendation - grab a box of tissues for this one. There are some heavy topics in this one - I was surprised no content guidance was included.
Content Warnings: Miscarriage and Terminal Illness
If you have any hesitations on picking this one up due to content, please reach out to me for further information.