This one was a 4.5 star read for me.

This one was a pure delight and I absolutely loved the romance in it between Jonah and Lauren. The only reason I didn't say five stars was because the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was a great story and the amnesia storyline was handled well. It didn't feel too cheesy and was really enjoyable to watch Lauren find a different path to the life she had decided on right before her fall.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

this was such a unique love story. This book shows two people who at first don't like each other. but as time goes on their feelings slowly start to change for each other and they fall madly in love. Until the main character hits her head and can't remember any of the last 4 months (aka the time they spent falling in love with each other) what she does remember is when she didn't like him. so when she finds out they were in love, she's understandably confused. this was a lovely story. it showed how deep his feelings were for her and how deep their love was for each other.

I happily received a copy of this novel, and I so so wanted to finish this book in time, which I normally do, but I wasn't able to finish this for the time this book was given me :( (*internally crying*). Even though I can't write a full review yet because of that until I am able to finish it in another way, (I mean, I do really want to purchase it one day and read further, because I'm intrigued!!), I do am going to say that the pages which I was able to read (around 100 pages), the book felt very sweet, heart-warming, cosy and charming. I actually couldn't stop reading. It reminded me a bit of a Hallmark movie, but in a better and more deep emotional way, if that makes any sense. -`♡´-

Throughout this novel, we follow a couple: Lauren and Jonah. They work at Jonah's family resort of cabins in rural New Hampshire. Lauren has a dangerous fall from a ladder and ends up in the hospital forgetting the last several months in which she was starting to get feelings for Jonah and eventually dating him. The thing that she remembers of her time with him, is her arriving at the resort and not liking him at all when she fist meets him. And, frustratingly, she doesn't remember them falling in love. And so, the novel goes back and forth in time between the present and them falling in love over the summer.

The concept of the story intrigued me very much as well as the setting of the book. The characters felt real, layered, and human. In the beginning, I wasn't so sure yet if I would feel myself caring for them so much, especially because I felt like Lauren was quite harsh on Jonah. I felt quite sad for him. And even though I am not entirely feeling a connection with her yet, I do am starting to feel for their situation and I am rooting for them to rekindle their love for one another and that Lauren gets her memories back. (Jonah is such a sweetheart! He's so caring throughout it all!) The writing style is wonderfully pleasing and beautifully written and creates a very warm feeling. The author truly has a way with telling and showing a story. I also really liked the dual time line, that we get to see the time before and after Lauren's accident. I was immersed in the story. So, overall, I'm starting to really like this book and feeling myself beginning to care for the characters and wishing them the best, and I can't wait to read further. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and author, for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review. ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡
ps. once i own a copy of the book, and have finished reading, i will write an update and full review!!

This is a delightful escape into charming small-town New Hampshire, where city girl Lauren finds more than she bargained for during a summer job at a family-owned resort. As she waits for her dream job opportunity in Boston, she unexpectedly falls hard and fast for Noah, who is also the resort owner’s son. But when an accident leaves her with amnesia, Lauren's feelings for Noah are anything but romantic, so he has to find a way to win her heart all over again. This heartwarming, closed-door romance is an emotional story. To me, it's all about second chances and bravely facing the challenges in our past. I thought the amnesia subplot was skillfully written and I felt like I was experiencing the picturesque setting in real life. Before We Were Us is a must-read with a happy ending! Loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

This is a really good book. I enjoyed it so much! This book is a love story about Lauren and Jonah who meet at Jonah's family's rustic resort when Lauren comes to work for them for 9 months before she starts her dream job in Boston. When they first meet, they can't stand each other. Then, over time, they fall in love. Lauren is involved in an accident and her memories are lost to her. She doesn't remember falling in love with Jonah. She only remembers before they fell in love when they didn't like each other. Jonah is crushed. Unbeknownst to Lauren, the accident happened on the day Jonah was going to propose marriage. Lauren finishes her time at the resort then moves to Boston for her dream job. A lot of things happen after she leaves. Will Lauren's memory come back? Will Lauren and Jonah get back together? Read this book to find out. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Jonah and Lauren's love faces a heartbreaking test when an accident erases Lauren's memories of their relationship, leaving her only with memories of when they disliked each other. The story explores the emotional complexities of love, loss, and rediscovery as Jonah supports Lauren, even if it means letting her go. Their journey, filled with pain and hope, showcases how love can endure despite the challenges of change and forgotten memories.

Overall, Before We Were Us has a fantastic premise. Despite the sometimes odd pacing and rushed scenes, Hunter delivers a couple you care for deeply. This was heartfelt and sweet with many unexpected twists.

Love conquers all! Including amnesia that makes the person who hated you then fell in love with you hate you again.

WOW. This book was so creative. Such a fun idea and a really great book. The writing was sweet, the romance was great. I loved the flashbacks that showed their love story the first time around even as they were on this second journey together. The female MC was so hard to like at times because it was CLEAR that this guy was trying to be there for you and she had zero intention of giving him a chance. But as the backstory unfolded, it was understandable why she was a little guarded. I still think she should have tried harder. But I loved how Denise Hunter drew us into their emotions and showed their faith coming in handy in the hard moments of life. Great book that kept you guessing until a VERY SATISFYING conclusion.

Jonah had plans and within minutes those plans are changed. Lauren suffers a traumatic brain injury and loses the past four months.
This was a heartbreaking story. I felt so sad for Jonah and a bit upset with Lauren. It’s a good story that will have you reaching for some tissues as it goes on. You won’t be able to put it down!

Before We Were Us is an Interesting title and a wonderful book by Denise Hunter . Her books are also ones that I want to read!

The blurb: She can't remember. He can't forget.

Lauren had the world at her feet. Newly graduated, Working at her dream job in the city and looking to her future position as a project manager after a summer as a temporary manager at a rustic cabin resort. She will be headed back to her new position with a wealth of experience, a new fur baby (Graham) and affirmation that her people skills have been appreciated by the owners and guests at the resort. With only a few weeks to go completing this assignment, a bad fall from a ladder stops everything.

Lauren has lost her memory of the last months at the resort. She doesn't remember falling in love with Jonah. In the hospital, she remembers she had a crush on the handsome intern, Carson, but nothing else. Carson encourages her to let the memory come back on its own. Jonah struggles, with this loss. She doesn't remember falling in love with the owners of the resort and yes, their son Jonah. And Jonah knows it all but how does he help the woman he loves? And does he really know all the story?

How she processes and moves forward, remembering the romance, the story draws you in. And even if you expect that happy ending, how does it unfold?

For an ARC of this book by Denise Hunger and a copy from Netgalley, this is my honest review.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a lovely book that takes an unusual take on love. Ms Hunter is a favorite author of mine and I’ve read quite a lot of her novels. She consistently writes sweet romance with happily ever after endings. This novel has all the things people look for in a good Hallmark movie. I actually think it would make a great movie. However, the characters were hard to connect with and this made the novel not one of my favorites. Solid read overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I’m alway excited to hear when Denise Hunter has a new book coming out. Before There Was Us is one I was looking forward to reading. There were parts after Lauren lost her memory and four months of her life that I thought she doesn’t deserve Jonah. He was so understanding and kind and she was downright rude to him. I understand her upbringing played a part in her trust issues but I wanted to like her more because of what she’d been through but at times she just seemed mean. She did redeem herself and I’m glad it ended the way it did.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc and getting to read this story early.

Readers who like second chance stories will enjoy this sweet story. Lauren only needs to have completed this successful job at a quaint little campground before landing her dream job. But things go awry when she instantly dislikes the owners’ son. Lauren reminds Jonah of his ex-girlfriend so their “friendship’ is off to a rocky start but soon they fall in love. When Lauren suffers an injury things dramatically change. How will they mend their relationship? Or is it too late? Sweet, enjoyable story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley and Denise Hunter!

Oh my gosh I did not see the first twist coming! Do you believe in fate? True Love? You will definitely love this story! I was hooked right away with Jonah and the resort. Lauren was perfect even though it was just a summer thing. Then in the blink of an eye the summer was gone. This is such a well written story with lots of twists, turns, ups and downs. Well done! I highly recommend this book.

This was a cute story with a beautiful setting. I am a sucker for close knit family run businesses so this really delivered.

I loved the dual time aspect of this book of before and after her fall. It was interesting to see the parallels.

Amnesia would be incredibly hard to deal with but there were times I felt that Lauren could have done better and her reluctance to try annoyed me.

I was thankful that eventually she came around and opened herself up.

I loved the glimpses into their childhoods. I liked that they had commonalities that helped them relate to each other.

Overall very cute.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I was looking forward to read this because I was curious to see how the author would put a new spin on the classic “amnesia” story line. I liked the enemies to lovers component because it made the amnesia more of a problem!

Before We Were Us was a unique romance that will make many readers happy; it just didn't turn out to be my cup of tea. I liked the concept of the story, and I don't necessarily have any problems with the book's execution. This could be a good choice if you are a romance reader who loves tension and drama. It was a little too much tension for my liking as a reader.

This is a sweet book, as usual from Denise! I really enjoyed the dual timelines as their love story was told and unfolded along with the memories lost due to an accident. It was very interesting to have questions linger as a reader along right along with Lauren. I adored Jonah's patience and how he loved Lauren well no matter what. An enjoyable read for fall!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the chance to read this newest release from Denise Hunter.
Alternating between present and past timelines, a couple must reexamine their relationship when one of them suffers an accident that causes memory loss. It is a great premise that is a very enjoyable, engaging, romantic, "clean" read! If you like Hallmark movies and need a sweet escape pick this one up!

An achingly beautiful story about love lost and found.

Jonah and Lauren are deeply in love and looking towards a life together forever. That is, until an accident leaves Lauren with no memories of their love - only the memories of when they first met and despised each other.

I think this might be my favorite Denise Hunter book yet.

Jonah was such a wonderful MMC. He was hardworking, devoted to his family, thoughtful, and only wanted what was best for Lauren. My heart ached for him, having to navigate through loving a woman who didn't remember him as anything more than someone who rubbed her the wrong way.

I loved Lauren as a FMC. She was passionate and hard-working, always striving for her dreams. She had a lot of baggage, not just relating to her accident, and she grew so much throughout the book.

I loved the setting in New Hampshire. It gave me all the cozy fall feels.

This book literally had me smiling and crying throughout. And the part where the title of the book comes into play...so good! Highly, highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.