Before We Were Us definitely made it to my top favorites list for this year. This is a spin on a second chance romance and I'm here for it. Denise Hunter ripped my heart apart and slowly pieced it back together. This is one that will stick with me for a long time coming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Before We Were Us! This story would make a wonderful Hallmark movie (with more depth). A beautiful story of enemies to friends to dating to hopefully an engagement, when an accident happens leaving the beautiful college graduate with a degree in hospitality without her memory of the last few months. All she can remember is the enemies part.

There is nothing Jonah Landry wants more is to run his family's beautiful, rustic resort in New Hampshire with his enemies to girlfriend, to soon to be fiance, until the accident happens.

Lauren Wentworth had an extremely difficult childhood after her mother abandoned her and she went from one foster home to another. A high school teacher influenced her to turn her life around and make something of herself which she has been doing ever since. She worked hard to pull herself out of the difficulties of the past and get a degree in hospitality.

Jonah and his sacrificial love for Lauren brought tears to my eyes, especially when he wants the best for her, even if it's not him. I love how the story uses flashbacks to give the reader details of how Jonah and Lauren started as enemies and how they became friends, and their sweet romance. He remembers everything and she doesn't. I really enjoyed this story and how Lauren needs to figure things out on her own, and Jonah lets her do that.

I enjoyed the storyline, characters, setting, the surprises, the dog, the light faith thread, and the sweet friendship of Jonah and Lauren after they got off to a rough start.

Denise Hunter fans will love her latest!

Thank you to the publisher Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Another wonderful book by Denise Hunter. It is a good clean romance that was hard to put down. I will definitely read from this author again. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Very good story. Lauren wanted to be an event planner and she was promised a job at the first of the year but she needed some experience first. She went to work at a very small resort and worked for Jonah who she clashed with immediately. Gradually, they fell in love. On the day he was planning to propose, she fell from a ladder and lost all memory of him and their love. She remembered him as her ill tempored boss, but didn't want anythin to do with him. He was heartbroken, but understood and hoped she would get her memory back. They started working together again and became friends. She went back to Boston and got her dream job but it didn't take long for her to realize she loved him still (or again). The story had some sweet parts, some romance, some tales of foster care and a wonderful HEA

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Before We Were Us is a beautiful story that pushes the boundaries of love, patience, and the limitations we sometimes put on ourselves. The New England setting made the perfect backdrop for Jonah and Lauren’s second chance romance (with a twist). This novel takes readers into the deeper layers of true love and the definition of family. Another great hit from Denise Hunter.

Denise Hunter never disappoints. She had written another novel about temporary traumatic amnesia a while ago but this book definitely has a different feel to it. I loved Jonah and his steadfast, unwavering, sacrificial love for Lauren. Lauren was quite prickly for most of the book but, given her ugly past and her unrelenting climb out of helplessness, this was to be expected. Just like Jonah, I admired Lauren's determination, grit, drive, work ethic, and incredible creativity. I fell in love with Pinehaven resort and the beauty of New Hampshire, as well as Jonah's lovely parents and younger sister. The story had chapters of flashback to give the readers a detailed backstory of how Jonah and Lauren started as enemies and fell in love. Their friendship and subsequent romance were sweet, tender, thoughtful, and delightful.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading Before We Were Us, set in a small town in New Hampshire. Lauren’s mother abandoned her when she was young, which led to Lauren growing up in different families in the foster care system and not feeling like she belonged anywhere. Her childhood experiences made her fiercely independent and slow to trust.

Jonah’s family own the lakeside cabins and resort where Lauren is working while she waits for her dream job to start at a corporate events management company in Boston.

The story opens with Jonah and Lauren madly in love and planning their future life together. Lauren’s accident steals her memories of her relationship with Jonah and she’s confused when he behaves like he’s her doting boyfriend.

I love how the amnesia trope plays out in the story. We experience the depth of emotions and angst as Lauren deals with the consequences of her head injury and Jonah struggles with being rejected by the woman he loves. The story isn’t predictable and I kept turning the page all the way through to the satisfying and romantic story ending.

I recommend Before We Were Us to contemporary romance readers who like second chances amnesia stories with a twist on the enemies to love trope and a light faith element in the story.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sinopsis en español:

Ella no puede recordar. Él no puede olvidar.

Cuando Lauren Wentworth se despierta en el hospital después de caerse de una escalera, tiene más preguntas que respuestas. Muchísimas más. Sabe dónde está: en la naturaleza de New Hampshire. Pero aparentemente ha perdido los últimos cuatro meses de su vida. ¿De verdad está pensando en renunciar a su trabajo soñado en la gran ciudad por un puesto en un resort rústico? ¿Y cómo su némesis número uno se convirtió en su adorado novio?

Jonah Landry queda destrozado al enterarse de que Lauren ha olvidado todo el verano que pasaron juntos. Aterrado por perderla para siempre, decide ayudarla a recordar su profunda conexión mientras ella termina con su obligación en el resort. Pero pronto se hace evidente que Lauren no quiere recordar haberse enamorado de él ni replantearse todo el curso de su carrera. Quiere fingir que el verano nunca sucedió y seguir adelante con su vida. Sin él.

Mientras Lauren vuelve a la rutina habitual de trabajar en el resort con Jonah, se siente aliviada de que sus recuerdos no hayan regresado y sigue decidida a su futuro en la gran ciudad. Pero a medida que el otoño da paso al invierno, comienza a ver destellos del Jonah que había olvidado. ¿Podrá resistirse al amor constante de este hombre paciente? ¿O su corazón está destinado a su propia caída libre?


Reseña:

Es una historia tierna.

Tanto Lauren como Jonah tienen sus povs, los capítulos están tanto en el presente como en el pasado. Me gusto lo de ambos tiempo porque se puede apreciar como fue su cambio de odiarse a amigos a enamorarse, y luego el sufrimiento de él porque lo olvido y no saber si debería luchar por ella o dejarla cumplir sus deseos. Por el otro lado vemos que es lo que motiva a Lauren a no querer enamorarse y no querer intentar recordar.

This cozy read gave me the warm fuzzies and had me hoping for a Hallmark adaptation.

Lauren and Jonah are a couple in love, until a fall from a ladder causes Lauren to lose months of her memories, forgetting the days of their courtship. She is set to leave the small town where they fell in love soon for a job, and Jonah can only desperately hope that her memories return in time.

The setting of fall in New Hampshire was everything I needed right now, with the lush descriptions of the beautiful lakeside cabins and the sounds of leaves beneath their feet. It was all giving fall, perfect for my current mood! I loved the storyline and the way the pieces fell into place, loved seeing the flashbacks to Lauren and Jonah falling for each other in a very enemies to lovers / insta love kind of way, and loved Jonah’s family. No hint of spice here, the door is firmly closed for the entirety of this sweet and wholesome read. It would truly make an absolutely delightful Hallmark movie, with the heartwarming sentiments, elements of forgiveness, and deep relationships.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

“Before We Were Us” by Denise Hunter was a sweet and beautiful story about Jonah and Lauren love story and how they came together. I loved the different writing story of going back-and-forth between past and present time. It kind of gives you perspective as Lauren losses her memory of the past 4 month due to an injury. Beautiful sentimental ending to their love story.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Denise Hunter for an eARC copy of “Before We Were Us”.

This book makes me so happy! Definitely one of Hunter's best (and that's saying something).

When I started reading it, I panicked for a mo' that I'd done my usual: start book 2 or 3 in a series without having read book 1. It felt like I came into the middle of a story already happening (which, granted, is true); I also hadn't read the back-cover copy in a hot minute, which would have clued me in as to what the plot and conflict might be. LOL. So there's that.

Once I figured that out, I was hooked on both the characters and the story. Even when the MCs annoyed me a bit, it fit in with the story and how they might be feeling/reacting to plot events. And everyone needs a Jonah Landry in their lives, truly. #swoon

Fans of Hunter's other books, especially the Riverbend Gap and Bluebell Inn Romance series, will undoubtedly enjoy this read.

A very, very good read, and a perfect way to finish out the summer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's a story of love and what one is willing to consider giving up, even if it's the one you love. Told in alternating timelines: a) from first meeting to accident; b) from memory erasing accident to end of story. When all the one you love can remember about you is the negative, what are you going to do to help them remember your love? Are you willing to give them up so they can pursue what they think they want? The story isn't only about love but about trusting in God that everything will work out for the best, even if it's not what you want. I really enjoyed the story.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Denise Hunter never fails to deliver a Hallmark-style love story. This story features Lauren & Jonah. They’ve fallen in love & he’s ready to propose, but then she falls and has some amnesia and can’t remember their love story. She only remembers the time period when she couldn’t get along with him. My struggle with the story was the timeline in which it all happened. The amount of time they were together before she fell is so, so short. After the fall, she was so unkind to him, which really hurt my heart. What I loved, though, was Jonah’s devotion and steadfastness. He was patient and understanding with Lauren, never pushing her. My heart broke for him several times because he deserved true happiness and love. His character was so mature. I respect the way Hunter wrote him very much.

All in all, this was a cute book with a beautiful cover. Thank you to Thomas Nelson & NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Be sure to check it out when it releases in September!

Before We Were Us swept me away. I read this book on vacation in just over day. I've read a LOT of Denise Hunter stories and this might be my very favorite.

The premise is how a very happy couple is ripped apart by memory loss on the day a proposal was planned. The story then splits to when they first met and disliked each other instantly, through their relationship to the point of the memory loss. A second thread shows us the pain for both sides when Lauren can't remember ever liking Jonah, much less loving him.

I loved many things about the book. First of all the setting. There's something clever about the way the resort is part of the characterization in the book. With just a few deft statements, I placed myself on the jetty or at the fire pit eating s'mores. Both main characters had me pulling for them instantly. Jonah is easier to like because Lauren become defensive and guarded. But then I put myself in her shoes and understood her perspective.

The best part is the romance, or really double romance. Because very cleverly, Hunter allows us to see this couple fall in love twice under the same yet very different circumstances. If you like contemporary romances, this one is at the top of my highly recommended list.

I received a copy of Before We Were Us from the publisher via NetGalley. The joy of reading it is all my own

Before We Were Us
Denise Hunter
September 10, 2024

Lauren Wentworth was just graduating college searching for that perfect job. She blissfully discovered that one of her favorite businesses would be in need of a new manager for Glitter when the present one retired come January. After applying she was told the job would be hers but she needed the following months in a smaller hotel/inn to provide more experience. Her new boss set her up in a friend’s small lodge in rural New Hampshire. Not really knowing what her next location would be like, she accepted the position and drove from Boston. She will certainly miss all the glamour of Boston’s large city, her sweet apartment and wonderful places to shop. When she drove into the rough lane of the inn she started to realize what a huge contrast she was facing.
Before We Were Us will be published by Thomas Nelson on September 10, 2024. This latest novel by Hunter follows in her line of delightful romances. I was able to read and review Hunter’s latest novel via NetGalley.
Throughout the first months in Lauren’s journey, she found herself managing the lodge, cleaning up cabins, while working side by side with the owners and their adult children Meg and Jonah. It is such a fun ride. Her tour included all the learning experiences from the lowest position to suggestions for the expansion of the business. This is another excellent book by Hunter. The story has ups and downs for the protagonist. Readers come to wonder what could happen next. Truly this was another outstanding novel. Do enjoy!

I really liked this book. It gives you a glimpse into what regular people deal with in relationships and the struggles people sometimes face.

Oh my word, where to start? Denise Hunter has outdone herself…again. Her newest work, Before We Were Us, is a splendid story of heartbreak, love, loneliness and dreams of success. But family and home are what’s most important. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading it yet. It holds a uniqueness about it that’s still whirling and reeling in my mind. I would love to see this fabulous tale go to movie. Just saying…😁

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

A sweet romance with a twist. What happens when the woman you love has an accident and can’t remember that she loves you? Before We Were Us, by Denise Hunter, gives us an example of “love is patient, love is kind,.. love is not self-seeking….. it always protects, always hopes, always perseveres.” I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I have always been a huge fan of Denise Hunter, and this book just was incredible! She always amazes me with her beautiful writing. Highly recommend.