This is a heartwarming and romantic tale that will captivate readers who adore stories of second chances, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love, making it a perfect fit for fans of uplifting and emotional romance novels.

This was a beautifully written story. It had a great balance of heart, emotion and faith. I genuinely enjoyed the journey through all the ups and downs and appreciated how it all came together.

Before We Were Us, by Denise Hunter, is a heartwarming story that is very enjoyable to read. The story has wonderful characters. Lauren took the position as the Landry resort as a stepping stone toward her dream job, but something changed her mind. After a terrifying accident, she has no memory of changing her mind. As Jonah works to help her regain her memory, hurts for her and what could have been.

This is an enjoyable story to read. I loved the characters and felt so sorry for Lauren and especially Jonah as he sat along the sidelines and watched her struggle to regain her memory. I found his mother to be a fun character as she forces them to spent time together and hopes for the relationship to return. This is such a sad yet heartwarming story to read. I especially found the changed Lauren made to the resort and how the family accepted them interesting.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Can you imagine losing parts of your memory? Not just any memories but specifically a timeframe with significant importance, like the person you are in love with...

Jonah is ready to propose to Lauren when a fall erases the whirlwind romance and love she feels. She only remembers the early days of their relationship which got off to a volatile start. And the memory that her current job at the lodge is temporary before she returns to the big city and her dream job.

While the heartbreak was palpable, it was softened with the rekindling of feelings and the love that was below the surface. Jonah was so patient and kind, loving Lauren enough to let her go follow her dream.

Kind of predictable, buy still enjoyable!

3.5 stars

Oh I loved this story! Such a unique story line for amnesia. It held my attention all the way through the book. I listened to the audiobook as well and the narrator was easy to listen to for hours. Such a good book! I am so glad I was allowed to read it.

Denise Hunter is a go-to author for me when I'm looking for a book that will tug on my heart. Before We Were Us is just such a book, and it tugged hard!

Lauren Wentworth put herself through college and earned a hospitality degree. She took that degree to the Landry family's Pinehaven Lodge in rural New Hampshire for the summer before starting her job in big-city Boston. The job meant to prove herself to her dream job became so much more when she fell in love with Jonah Landry, his family, and the possibilities she sees in the job she is doing. When she falls from a ladder suffering a head injury, she loses four months of her memory. In those four months she and Jonah went from adversaries to friends to in love, and she pulled her name from contention at Glitter, her dream job. All she remembers when she wakes up in the ER is that Jonah doesn't like her much, and she got the job at Glitter. As the "end" of her job at Pinehaven approaches, will she ever recover the memories of the love she and Jonah shared?

Jonah Landry didn't see much to like in Lauren when she first arrived at Pinehaven. She was a know-it-all, snooty, and on-her-way-up to a glamorous job in Boston when she came to them, but she had no idea what Pinehaven needed to survive. As they work side-by-side, he begins to see glimpses of a different Lauren, one who isn't quite as self-assured, and what he sees, he likes. She's willing to tackle any job they give her and she admits her mistakes when she makes them. When they're stranded together in a storm, they begin to see each other differently. Lauren's fall happens just as Jonah is gearing up to propose to her and suddenly, she thinks she only has a month to go before she heads to the city. Can he convince her that their love is real, and she voluntarily gave up the city to stay with him?

I listened to this one on my NetGalley Shelf app, and, while I enjoyed the story (which I read along with, partly to see how closely the narration matched what I was reading) it felt like the narration "flattened" out some of the emotion I was reading in the actual text. Generally, I love listening to books because I can usually do something else while I'm "reading." I still loved the book, but I felt the narration knocked it down a star for me. As always, though, I can highly recommend the book itself. I felt like that had all the emotion I expect from a Denise Hunter book.

Before We Were Us is a wholesome and lighthearted read. I loved the setting of a woodsy resort in New Hampshire and would love to be whisked away there in real life. I have been a fan of Denise Hunter for a while and have always enjoyed her books. They are a nice feel-good hallmark story.

The book description lead me to believe there would be a little more conflict or turmoil given Lauren's "crush" on Dr. Carson. Given the way the book is described I thought it would be a much larger plot in the story. However, this is basically non-existent and no more than a fleeting thought.

There was a hint at character depth but not deeply explored. Complex issues and triggers are therefore not strong themes within the book. It may make those topics more palatable for those looking to read as an escape. Jonah's previous relationship was heartbreaking and messy and then he jumps into a "relationship" with someone fairly similar. Lauren has a lot of resentment for her mother that is addressed but doesn't necessarily go into grave detail.

Lovely romance based in an idyllic summer resort in New Hampshire. I loved the sense of place given by all the details. I would have loved to get to know the characters personalities and quirks a little more, especially secondary characters like Meg and Tammy.

Before We Were Us
by Denise Hunter
5/5 stars

Lauren Wentworth, is a city girl who takes a job managing a cozy resort in New Hampshire while waiting for her dream career in Boston. She quickly bonds with Jonah, the owners' son, and dreams of transforming a barn into a wedding venue.

But when an accident causes her to lose memories of the past four months, including her relationship with Jonah, things get complicated. With only texts and photos to help her remember, the emotional stakes rise for both of them.

Denise’s writing captures the romance and charm of the resort beautifully. This is my second book by her, and I'm definitely going to read more!

I loved the farm like setting of this book. This book brought out so many emotion .. The 2 main characters had such great love for each other until an unfortunate event happened… Testing how far one town will work to help restore the love between 2 people … A very heart felt read .. Can’t wait to read more from this author…

I love Denise Hunter and usually love everything by her. Did not love this book.

The premise of the novel was great.

The characters were not as great as I'm used to. The female lead was okay. I really liked her in the beginning and closer to the end less so. The male lead, didn't appeal to me.

I didn't feel like she fell in love with him the second time around. She felt sympathy for him and guilty that she forgot him but I didn't get the fall back in love.

His "problem" that I suppose was to mirror her own with their family background didn't make sense. He is biologically related and therefore his grandparents started the Lodge so his feelings towards everything is illogical unless I missed something (trying not to give away spoilers).

A beautiful story of love lost and found again.... all with the same person! After a blow to the head on the day her boyfriend planned to propose to her, Lauren loses all of her short term memories, meaning that as far as she remembers, she and Jonah HATE each other. Jonah has to win the woman he loves all over again, or risk losing her to circumstances and to the man she had a crush on months prior. I love that with this author, I can always trust that it will have a sweet, happy ending. Highly recommend for lovers of sweet, inspirational romances.

Another beautiful story by Denise Hunter that did not disappoint! She has a wonderful gift for addressing difficult scenarios and topics in a way that is so realistic but grace-filled and tender. This story was definitely reminiscent of The Vow (which I am also aware was based on the true story of a Christian couple), in that we are introduced to a young couple who are very much in love and full of hope for the future on the very evening that the Jonah plans to propose. These plans are interrupted when Lauren takes a nasty spill from a ladder and suffers a traumatic head injury, resulting in the loss of all short term memory- so her entire relationship with Jonah of the previous months. She only remembers things from when she first arrived in that small town, when her dreams and aspirations were very different, she had a crush on another man, and most importantly perhaps- that she and Jonah HATED each other. As she recovers from her injury, Jonah must win her over again. As with any of this author's books, I adored the story, the characters and the development of said characters. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a clean, inspirational, faith-filled romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Even though one can assume a happy outcome in a Denise Hunter story, the skill of this brilliant writer takes us on a journey where we can discover that outcome with our own heart and mind. The story of Laura Wentworth and her empty life that is filled by the Landry family, and particularly by Jonah is a beautiful and heartfelt story that stays with you. As Laura is changed by love she suffers a traumatic brain injury in a fall, and can't remember months of her life. Her love for Jonah is erased in her mind, and opportunities in her career motivate her non-interest in re-establishing a relationship. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

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

I really enjoyed this book, despite the tears that fell often. An enemy to lovers, but throw in a fall that causes an entire summer to be erased from memory. Lauren is sent to the country to help revitalize a family-run resort. There she meets Jonah, the owner's son, who she truly can't stand. Until she really gets to know him. When she falls from a ladder, she can't remember anything from her time at the resort, except her dislike of Jonah. Jonah, however, is heartbroken, trying to slowly show Lauren how amazing their relationship was. Told in alternating timelines, we get a peak at the days prior to the fall, and the days after (months). The heartache is real, the frustration can be felt through the pages and the chemistry between Lauren and Jonah is realistic and well written. Just a truly well done read.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. After Lauren falls from a ladder and suffers a traumatic brain injury, she has no memory of her relationship with Jonah and the life they have running a rustic resort. I loved this storyline and the characters. even the dog Graham. Totally recommend this book.

Before We Were Us is a traditional Denis Hunter romance with all the Hallmark movie feels. I liked that it was a standalone novel and enjoyed the enemies to loves trope.
Jonah's family owns a beautiful lodge on the East Coast that needs new life and Lauren Wentworth is the person to do that. She plans on managing the lodge for one season before moving on to great, bigger job in the city. Jonah sees that she is a city girl, but with time she learns to love her new life and Jonah learns to love her. When she gets amnesia, she awakens and only remembers the Jonah she disliked and is excited to go back to the city.
I enjoyed the story and loved the New Hampshire setting as a fall story. I especially loved that Laruen found the family she never had in Jonah's family. Hunter's fans will still enjoy book as a fall read and won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers, but all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for the gifted book!

4.5 Stars

Title: Before We Were Us
Author: Denise Hunter
Pub date: September 10, 2024

I really enjoyed this romance and flew through the book in less than a day!

Even though Denise Hunter has written over 40 novels and had 3 turned into Hallmark movies, this was my first time reading her work! It definitely won't be my last!

Jonah and Lauren are totally in love and ready to start the rest of their lives together when Lauren has a fall that causes her to lose total memory of their time spent together. All she can remember of him are the times BEFORE they were in love and he's left devastated at the thought that she'll never remember her love for him or be able to fall in love with him all over again.

As Katherine Center would say, it shouldn't be a spoiler to say that a couple in a romance novel will fall in love, and I knew they would, but watching them get there in this story was truly heartfelt and adorable. The romance in this one felt real and believable which is super important to me when reading romance.

I thought the story flowed well and I never wanted to put it down. I read the whole thing almost without stopping!

I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!

Spice level: kissing only

One thing I always know when I sit down with a Denise Hunter Novel is that I am in for an enjoyable read. Before We Were Us did not disappoint. She has always provided me with stories that fill my heart and give me warm fuzzies. I enjoy books that can do that to me. I admit I’m a sucker for a good love story. I prefer the ones that are not the typical love story and Denise’s books are not typical. There is always something a little different about them.

This book has a main character named Lauren that suffers a fall and loses about 4 months of her memories. Her then boyfriend Jonah can’t forget the time they spent together and Lauren doesn’t want to remember. She is by nature a go-getter and has big plans for her life. She is not about to give them up for just any man! Would you?

I loved the ride this story took me on. It is a good clean romance and I found myself rooting for Jonah and their love story. His parents and sister are all characters that you learn to care for as they run the small rustic resort where Lauren is working for the summer. Her being there is a condition of her dream job in the big city.

Denise Hunter writes clean romances and if that is in your wheelhouse, you will definitely want to put this one on your nightstand. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Netgalley, #ThomasNelson. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I don't usually read Christian fiction or contemporary romance. This was also a first one for me by this author.

I enjoyed the book. It didn't wow me but it was good. Good enough to warrant a five star rating. I could not put less as I found nothing wrong with the book except that it was one I could put down and come back to multiple times. It's well written and all of the characters are likable. It did give me feelings and that is always a plus. I had sad and happy tears with this book. Sad when things went bad and so happy with the way it all worked out. This is a sweet story. A love story. A story with hope. Also amnesia...

Lauren and Jonah have a beautiful story and how he presents that to her later was the best. They are so in love but only after a rocky start. Of course there is the rocky start. But when an accident befalls Lauren and she forgets things then it's not so great. She can't remember ever liking Jonah much less being in love with him.

Can Jonah win Lauren's love back? Will she leave and stay gone? What is to happen between these two? It's a love story with a few ups and downs. Big moves and returns. Finding a lost soul along the way and maybe having a relationship with said lost person. I can't say more than that. I won't give anything away. That is where forgiveness comes in though.

Thank you #NetGalley, #ThomasNelsonFiction for this arc.

Five stars.