I loved this book! This was my first Denise Hunter book and I'm excited to read more of her books. This is a heartwarming story that was hard to put down. Highly recommend!

In this story, we meet Lauren, a city girl who is working at a rustic resort in New Hampshire as a temporary manager. When the story begins, we know that she and the son of the owners, Jonah, have fallen in love--but then a tragic accident takes Lauren's memory of the summer and their romance. The story follows Jonah's attempts to win Lauren back and her resistance to regaining her memories. I am normally a huge fan of Denise Hunter books, and I did enjoy this story, but I found it hard to follow because it went back and forth between the present day and the past. There were also parts of the story that seemed disjointed, such as the sudden addition into the story line that Jonah is not actually a biological son of the owners. I think part of the reason I had trouble following was I had received an early review e-book and the formatting was a bit rough and there were errors throughout. I think I would have had an easier time had I read an actual hard copy. That being said, I still think this story is worth reading, and fans of Denise Hunter will enjoy this sweet story.

Fantastic book! Lauren has had an accident and now forgets falling in love with Jonah when Jonah was about to propose marriage. Such a creative and intersting storyline. I was more heartbroken for Jonah honestly. He was so patient and tried so hard to make things right again. Lauren seemed to only want the life she remembered and didn't want to remember loving Jonah. These characters were exceptional and this book took me on quite the emotional journey. This heartfelt, entertaining and heartwarming story with incredible writing draws you in, keeps you invested and interested until the very end. This is a must read!

I will happily sit in the minority section for this book. The premise of the book was fine - its been done before, and that's okay. But I found the characters to be too saccharine sweet and irritating - there were far too many "honeys" and "sweethearts" for my liking. I really struggled with the fact that Lauren didn't WANT to get her memory back - who has zero interest in looking at past text conversations, or photos on her phone, or memorabilia to help recall four months of memories that you've lost? She just treated Jonah so horribly that even after she realized how nasty she was behaving, I was already done with her. I'm just grateful i was a relatively quick read and I didn't waste a ton of time on this one.

If you’re a Denise Hunter fan like me, you may be thinking that Hunter has had a heroine with amnesia before. It’s true, but this story is quite different from her previous amnesia story. My favorite character was Jonah. He’s gentle with Lauren because he loves her and wants her to be happy even if it means he loses her forever. Thankfully, Hunter gives readers a glimpse of their lives before the accident; otherwise, I’m not sure how people would feel about Lauren. But it is a romance, so those of us who read that genre know in the end all will turn out well. The Landry family are great supporting characters that model what a good family should be. Ultimately, this book is about finding where we belong. I don’t think anyone can question that Hunter is a great storyteller. Thanks to Thomas Nelson, I was able to read the novel in advance, but as with all Hunter books, I pre-ordered the paperback.

Before We Were Us is a Christian romance story by Denise Hunter. What looks to be a perfect future at the beginning is quickly turned on a dime as the saying goes. Quite an interesting concept that is well developed in this story. While Lauren Wentworth does not have complete amnesia after the fall she lost some important memories. She falls from the ladder while at Pinehaven Lodges where she is temporary manager. However, it is the last few months that are erased from her memory. Months that were significant in her life because it involved a new relationship and a new outlook on her future.

Jonah is not ready to give up but will try whatever is needed to help Laura remember him and the two of them together. Still her interest seems to be going in other directions with other people. The story becomes a mystery as to whether she will remember and choose Jonah or move on another direction, making this an intriguing page turner.

An interesting premise for me. A couple who started out at odds and not really caring for each other slowly falling in love but suddenly in one quick moment, it's all taken away when the woman falls off a ladder and loses her memory of ever falling in love with the man. She wakes up in the hospital wondering why this man is looking so concerned because all she remembers of him is how much she was at odds with him! She suddenly finds out that it's actually 7 months later and she has no recollection of those months! Jonah and Lauren had very different reactions for me. I connected with Jonah and his "plight" right away. He was just about to propose to Lauren when she fell off the ladder so now, he's lost the love of his life and she's treating him like a stranger! Throughout the rest of the story, he does all he can to be patient, kind and supportive. His family is the same! Lauren has had a tumultuous life, and they've treated her like one of them. However, I did not care of Lauren's character at all. If I were in her place, I would have done all I could to get my memory back. She did absolutely nothing! Medical professionals, friends, Jonah and his family all offer ways to get her memory back, but she doesn't want to try any of those things - who does what? That was so unrealistic to me and made me dislike Lauren, so I didn't connect with her character at all. At first, I couldn't wait for her to marry Jonah but then I couldn't understand why he kept trying to get her back! She was rude and uncaring how she treated people. All she cared about was her dream job. In the end, I gave this story 4 stars because I loved the other characters in the book and the setting.

What a cute and charming small town romance! Pretty sure this was a similar plot of a Channing Tatum and Rachel McAadam's movie and I was here for it!

In the Spring, Laura arrives at the Pinehaven Lodges as temporary manager to help the inn over the summer and into the fall. Her boss in Boston wants her to prove herself and if she does a good job at the lodges, she has a new job waiting for her back in the city. Jonah is the son of the owners and doesn’t want someone to come in and thinks he should be the one to take over but his parents want him to finish school before he takes over permanently. On principle, he doesn't like Lauren at first and she doesn't like him much either but as they spend more time together they have a whirlwind summer romance. Lauren decides to decline the job offer in the city and stay with Jonah at the cabins. But at the end of the summer, Lauren falls off a ladder and hits her head which causes amnesia. She can't remember anything from their summer together and all she remembered about Jonah is that she doesn't like him.

Jonah is heartbroken but vows to give her space and time and hopes that she regains her memories but as time goes on and her memories haven't returned, Jonah decides to start over and try to make her fall in love with him all over again. The only hiccup is that Lauren thinks she is going back to the city at the end of the year and just as they start to grow closer, she finds out she declined the job and Jonah knew about it and didn't tell her.

This was a cute Hallmark style small town romance. I enjoyed the flashback chapters as it showed the initial love story between the two and then in the present day you could see how Jonah tried to get her to fall for him again and the sweet things he did for her. He was so gentle and patient with her even when he was struggling himself.

I didn’t feel like she stated her feelings that well after she got amnesia. I didn’t pick up on any lingering feelings or how he made her feel when they were close to each other. She seemed indifferent towards him like he was more of a puzzle she wanted to figure out and not a man she fell in love with. Then one flashback memory made her realize she loved him? It kinda came outta nowhere to me. I would have liked to do more buildup on her end. She gave me whiplash with how she flipped so quickly.

This book was quick, easy and predictable but sometimes you just need a romance that reminds you that men are charming and cute. And sometimes those men can be your perceived archnemesis. A good summer read makes you rediscover love and swoon at second chances.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sharing a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Romance
Troupe: Enemies to lovers, amnesia, forced proximity, Second chance romance

Denise Hunter returns with a delightful romance with two threads. One tells what happened when Lauren takes a 9 month job at a small town resort. With definite plans to return to Boston in December, Lauren has no intention of letting the handsome but irritating Jonah (son of the resort owners) enter her world. The other thread begins in early September when Lauren falls from a ladder, sustains a concussion, leaving her with no memory of the months April through the day of her fall. I will say no more, but remember this is a romance and romances novels must have a bit of a bumpy ride from the moment of meeting to romantic bliss. Could a memory loss lead to more than one bumpy ride? Grab a copy of BEFORE WE WERE US and enjoy.

This may be my favorite Denise Hunter novel! At the beginning I was like “the hero and heroine are in love, actually they are like star-crossed lovers in love. Where’s the story?” Then the heroine has a fall resulting in a concussion that made her forget she had fallen in love with a guy she used to hate. The premise made the story that much better—though I felt sorry for Jonah because he’d already worked hard to get her to fall for him, once, now he had to do it all over again. And Lauren was SO determined to return to Boston and her dream job, she fought her feelings hard. It was such a sweet story with such strong conflict that I really wondered if Jonah would get his HEA.

Denise Hunter's Before We Were Us is a heartwarming and engaging novel that explores themes of love, memory, and personal growth through the lens of a compelling romantic drama. In this touching story, Hunter delves into the complexities of relationships and the profound impact of memory on our perceptions of those we love.

The plot centers around Lauren, who suffers a head injury and experiences amnesia, erasing the last few months of her life from her memory. This loss of recollection is particularly poignant as it includes her recent and turbulent feelings towards Jonah, her partner. When Lauren wakes up, her last memory of Jonah is one of disdain, creating a chasm between their past and present selves. Jonah's journey to win back Lauren's trust and affection forms the heart of the novel.

Hunter excels in creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and well-paced. The story unfolds with sensitivity and depth, capturing the nuances of how memory and emotion intertwine. The characters are exceptionally well-developed; Jonah and Lauren are portrayed with genuine complexity, making them relatable and endearing. Their struggles and triumphs are depicted with authenticity, allowing readers to invest deeply in their journey.

Jonah's character is particularly notable for his patience and unwavering dedication. His efforts to rebuild their relationship, despite the hurdles posed by Lauren's amnesia and her lingering negative feelings, demonstrate a profound commitment that adds layers to his character. Lauren's internal conflict and gradual rediscovery of her feelings are portrayed with nuance, reflecting her growth and the healing power of love.

Hunter's writing is fluid and engaging, with a narrative style that draws readers into the emotional landscape of the characters. The dialogues are natural, and the pacing ensures that the story maintains its momentum without feeling rushed or drawn out.

Overall, Before We Were Us is a solid read that combines a compelling premise with well-crafted characters and an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Denise Hunter has delivered a novel that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile addition to any reader's collection. If you're a fan of romance that explores the intricacies of relationships and personal transformation, this book is definitely worth picking up.

This was a beautiful story about sacrificial love, trust, patience and above all faith.

I loved how the author took the reader from present to past to fill us in on the lost memories of Lauren. I loved seeing how Lauren and Jonah’s relationship grew and felt the loss with Jonah when Lauren forgot her memories but did not even want to remember.

Jonah was a strong hero, but had his uncertainties due to his past, but was also not afraid to be vulnerable. The love he had for Lauren was very strong and my heart broke with him throughout this experience.

Yes, there is a happy ending, and a very good one, but you need to go get the book and read it.

This is one of my favourite books I have read by this author.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Before We Were Us is a very well written romance. I loved the plot with it’s well developed characters and beautiful setting. Denise Hunter has written another winner..

Lauren Wentworth, after graduating from college, takes a job at a resort in New Hampshire. She meets the owner's son, Jonah, and they get off to a rocky start, but as the summer moves forward, they begin to fall in love. At the end of summer, Lauren was going to convert the barn into a wedding venue, and when she was coming down from the loft, she fell and hit her head. She has a concussion and has lost her memory of the summer she just had. She remembers everything before, and says she will stay on until she is supposed to leave the end of the year. A lot happens between now and the end of the year. Not to give anything away, Jonah gives Lauren, a special gift at the end of the story, and it was such a unique gift.
They go through a lot, it was nice how they handled everything that was happening to them, and when you read the book, you will discover where it leads them to in their journey of life.
I received an ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.

Another great story from Denise Hunter. This one drew me in and held my attention from the very first chapter.
Lauren is deciding to give up a big city job for doing a makeover of a rustic resort. Of course, it's in a town where Jonah is and these two have a past they aren't sure they can get over. After awhile, they renew their feelings for each other until......an accident leaves Lauren with a memory problem and she can't remember the last four months. Will her memories of the last summer, finally come back to her and will she remember how wonderful Jonah is? You'll have to read the story to find out.
Emotional, heartwarming, sweet romance, friendships and beautifully written scenery makes this such a great story that I enjoyed.
I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book.

Denise Hunter is the queen of contemporary romance. Her books never fail to captivate with endearing characters and expertly crafted plots teeming with tension and romance. In Before We Were Us, Hunter engulfs her readers in a story of love found, only to be seemingly lost forever. This book is a journey of discovery, of personal growth, and of second chances. Truly, it is the perfect fall read! Hunter is not an author to miss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

"Once upon a time, before we were us . . . we were just two lonely people in search of one another.”

This work might be a little darker and more angsty than anything I can previously recall from Denise Hunter, especially after her last book, which was so different from this one. In this tale, we get dropped into a pivotal moment in Lauren and Jonah's relationship that ends in tragedy. Their relationship is no longer the same, and the reader struggles while suffering alongside them.

75% of this story is hard to read because there is so much angst. Between the terrible childhood drama and fallout from a TBI, Lauren is mean, defensive, and skittish. Thank goodness for Jonah, who is head over heels in love with her. This man defines "for better or for worse." When he has to deal with the worst, he does it so gracefully, but it breaks your heart. I appreciate that the story doesn't wrap up in a perfect bow because it really wouldn't honor the difficult path the reader has been on to get to the ending. It is satisfying and realistic, however.

There is a smattering of dual timelines throughout the story, although the story takes place over less than a year. The transitions aren't always seamless, but the flashbacks are necessary to follow the way the book begins. The story is entirely in the third person, but we do get to understand more about the characters' minds in the flashbacks.

The beautiful descriptions of the resort and the seasons have me craving a fall trip to New England. Am I planning my next vacation to a New Hampshire lake town... quite possibly!

I’m such a big fan of Hunter.
Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a wonderfully written love story.
Once again Denise Hunter has written a beautiful story that captured my attention from the very beginning.
The characters are engaging and well written.
Her writing was amazing. She left me wanting more!

Before We Were Us is a sweet, heartwarming romance that started out between Jonah and Lauren on the wrong foot with an instant dislike for different reasons on each other's part. But they became friends and more as they got to know each until a fall steals Lauren's memory from the prior months, except for the dislike part. She is only there at Jonah's family's rustic resort for a short time while she works her internship and is then off to her dream job, so she really doesn't want to remember. Jonah was so sweet and patient with Lauren, only wanting her to remember the happy times that they had. Both have past hurts that hinder healing, but they are good for each other. If she could only remember. This has a lovely setting and wonderful characters with a great plot that keep me invested in the story.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Thank you NetGalley, HaperCollins Christian publishing and Denise Hunter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to get the ebook and audio book. I read the first 25%, listened to about 50% and read the rest.

Lauren has overcome a lot and is extremely focused on her career and securing her dream job. She just needs to get through a 9 month temporary position at a small family run rustic resort.

Jonah has had his heart broken by someone leaving him for a job in the city. He and Lauren get off on the wrong foot and he keeps pushing her buttons. It takes months to get beyond their contentious relationship.

Fast forward to them being happy and Lauren loses her memories from the last several months in an accident. She has no idea why Jonah is “suddenly” being nice to her. Johan is devastated that the woman he loves not only doesn’t remember their love but essentially wants nothing to do with him.

I loved the dual timeline and how the story came together.

I enjoyed this book and was so glad it didn’t go down the love triangle road I thought it was going down. It had me in my feelings but also had some humor. I generally prefer at least a little spice but it wasn’t that noticeable that there wasn’t any.