3.75 stars (rounded up). The story of Lauren and Jonah was so sweet and a really unique concept for contemporary romance that I have not read before. With Lauren losing all of her memory of the summer, the dual timeline goes from the time of her lost memories to the present day throughout the duration of the book. I really enjoyed the dual timelines as well as the dual POV to give the reader the whole picture of what each character was experiencing/feeling.

I listened to this book on audiobook and was hooked from the very beginning due to the high intensity of Lauren's accident happening right away. The narrator was very easy to listen to and I enjoyed consuming it audibly.

I was certain I was going to rate this book around 4.5 stars until I reached the last third of the book. Unfortunately, I felt like pace was off and it left the readers with some plot holes in order to reach the "happily ever after". Overall, this was a very enjoyable listen that was perfect for end of summer due to the timing that the book takes place!

If you ever watched or read The Vow, you will surely want to read this book. I was so hooked by this story. I listened to the audiobook version and was just taken in from the beginning and my heart was so invested in the romance. I think the narrator did a great job with both POVs and I did not want to stope listening, it easily drew me in.
Jonah was so patient and man, my heart went out to him after Lauren's accident and loss of memories. I liked that while this was reminiscent of The Vow, it still felt original and had it's own twist on the amnesia trope. Lauren fought against remembering Jonah which broke my heart, but I liked that she had to re fall in love with him all over again and the way she softened to him once more. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to before and then the current time. The ending made me smile and I am really happy I listened to this book. I recommend this story and audiobook.
I received an advance listening copy of this novel from Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📚 Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrated by: Kim Churchill
📕 Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
📖 Read: August 2024
✨ Rating: ⭐️

‧₊˚✧ 𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑺 ✧˚₊‧
ꕥ Enemies to Lovers
ꕥ Small Town
ꕥ Amnesia

Fair warning, this is going to be harsh, so buckle up.

This book made me physically angry. I really should have just stopped. I hated Lauren. She was an absolute b*tch! She was mean, rude and downright SELFISH!!!! When she implied that Jonah manipulated her into giving up her “dream job”, I was done!!! C U Next Tuesday sweet heart!!! 🤬🤬🤬 Poor Jonah deserved so much better.

I also could have done without the flash back chapters. They were pointless and at times confusing. I found myself skipping through these chapters just to get to the end.

I feel like we were robbed of any kind of relationship between Jonah and Lauren. I waited the entire book for her to realize how amazing Jonah was and when she finally did pull her head out of her ass, all we got was a quick epilogue of how they were doing. The ending was a happy one, but I was not satisfied in the least.

As far as the audio goes, I’m sure Kim Churchill was a lovely narrator, but I sped this sucker up to chipmunk speed just to get through it.

I’m sorry to say that this one definitely was not for me and I would not recommend this at all!

𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴: 𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥.𝘢𝘯𝘥.𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨/

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Denise Hunter for this audiobook. This is my voluntary, honest review.

What an interesting approach to a romance! I’ve never read anything like it and, wow, just upped the angst factor so much and had my emotions tied up in knots so that I was completely invested in the outcome. I mean, I knew there had to be a happily ever after, but what was that going to look like?! Rabid reading (well, listening in my case) ensued in order to find out!

So, the very first chapter reads like the happily ever after epilogue of a traditional romance. Jonah and Lauren are crazy in love and soooooo sweet together, I was already swooning. Then…bam! (and I mean that quite literally) Lauren falls from a ladder, conks her head, and loses several months worth of her memories. Like the falling in love with Jonah months!

She wakes up in the hospital thinking it’s April when it’s actually Labor Day weekend. And back in April, Jonah was the enemy. I mean she really didn’t like Jonah and with good reason because he was quite the brooding grump. And, oh my heart hurt, because, of course Jonah is still madly in love with Lauren, only she can’t stand him! So, an enemy-to-more/second chance romance! I think Denise Hunter invented a new trope!

And this is a bit of a dual timeline novel too, because Hunter takes us back to the falling-in-love-the-first-time moments through Jonah’s memories. All, while he is trying to win Lauren’s heart for a second time! Oh. My. Stars! This was soooooo good. Beautifully written, incredibly crafted. And that ending! Unexpected!

Kim Churchill did a fantastic job narrating Lauren and Jonah’s story. She captured their personalities and emotions perfectly. I really enjoyed my listening time and would definitely recommend the audio edition of ‘Before We Were Us.’

P.S. If you are as love triangle phobic as I am, have no fear, that tease in the synopsis really doesn’t have any bite. You can read easy on that angst score…though there are plenty of other tumultuous dilemmas you can stew over.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Before We Were Us AUDIO by Denise Hunter is a moving enemies to friends to lovers story, twice. Lauren Wentworth had been “blackmailed” with the promise of her dream job if she would go and manage this remote New Hampshire resort for the next nine months. She was not enthralled but really wanted that job so she agreed. The first thing that happened was she got splashed by muddy water. Some intro. But as she settled in she came to love the place and Jonah, the son of the owners. On the very day he was going to propose, she fell off a ladder and hit her head. While the tests showed no injury, when she woke up she had no memory of the past four months, including falling in love with Jonah. The next few months proved to be challenging for everyone.

This was a nice twist on a contemporary romance. At its core is the old adage: if you love something, set it free… They said her memory could return in a day, a week, a month, or never… She had forgotten she loved him but he could never forget he loved her. He did his best to be a good friend, even when he showed up at her cabin to help pack her car, his heart breaking. This was a lovely story, full of feels, not spicy, but heartfelt. I love reading romance and especially love one with a new twist. This was it. Thanks Lauren Wentworth for a lovely book!

Kin Churchill was the reader and kept a steady pace even when hearts were breaking. She voiced all the characters and kept the book moving. She did a great job!

I was invited to listen to Before We Were Us by Harper Collins Christian Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing #DeniseHunter #KimChurchill #BeforeWeWereUs

Jonah is going to propose tonight. He has only known Lauren for a few months, but he loves her and knows it is right. But before their date, Lauren falls off of a ladder. When she regains consciousness in the hospital, she thinks it is April. Except it is September. She doesn't remember their relationship at all. And she doesn't seem to want to regain her memory. Jonah is heartbroken because he remembers everything and knows they are perfect for each other.

I really enjoyed this one. It is heartbreaking at times, but you really get to understand both Jonah and Lauren. I was frustrated with Lauren's obstinance at times, but her background explains why she would be cautious.

This is tagged and marketed as Christian Fiction. That tag always makes me nervous. Thankfully, it is limited to mention of praying. A few mentions of church. It is not force feeding religion to you- which is the type of Christian Fiction I do not enjoy.

Kim Churchill narrates the audiobook. The narration is well done.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this audiobook.

I enjoyed the story of Lauren and Jonah. First, I couldn't imagine my loved one not remembering who I am, but Jonah kept pushing forward and was willing to accept whatever his and Lauren's fate may be.

The book was to the point, easy to follow and impossible to stop listening too.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. I loved the writing style. This book had me hooked from page one. This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last!!

Lauren gets her first post college job at a small town resort, however she has her sights set on being offered her dream job by the end of summer. When she has a serious fall that leads to months of amnesia, she can’t remember what changed in the past few months that would lead her to give up on the dream job. Jonah, the resort owner’s son, claims to be her boyfriend- but she doesn’t remember that either. And after their rough start when Lauren first arrived at the resort, she finds it hard to believe. Jonah is determined to help Lauren remember all that changed, their relationship depends on it.

This is a hallmark scenario and setting. A charming small town resort with their hometown boy falling in love with the girl there to help his family’s business. I thought there was going to be something more sinister in the storyline, whether it be Jonah mis- guiding the remembrance, the mom’s role in their relationship, or the crush on the local doctor. But all the side-story lines ended up more innocent than I expected. Instead it’s just a testament of love for your significant other regardless of a challenging health condition.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Releases on Sept 10, 2024.

Title: Before We Were Us
Author: Denise Hunter
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: Kim Churchill
Publisher: HarperCollins Christians Publishing/Thomas Nelson Fiction
Genres: Women’s Fiction, and Romance
Audiobook Release Date: September 10, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pages 304

Lauren Wentworth and Jonah Landry are both working at Jonah's family resort ‘The Pinehaven Lodge’ in rural New Hampshire.
Jonah is healing from a break up and Lauren recently graduated college with a Hospitality degree and is training to be an event planner – she has a job lined up in Boston.
At first these two have nothing in common in fact they don’t even like each other.
In September Lauren had a dangerous fall which resulted in in a concussion as well as remember loss. She does not remember what happened that summer but does remember arriving at the resort and having a so-so start with Jonah She doesn't remember that they fell in love ~ thus the title “Before We Were Us’.

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this story
In fact ~
I love the characters.
I love the title
I love the setting
I love the narrator Kim Churchill – she is amazing – her voice is so pleasant I could not put this down.
This was my first Denise Hunter but certainly not my last!

I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Christians Publishing/Thomas Nelson Fiction for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 10, 2024.

I thought “Before we were Us“ was a very engaging novel. The characters were sufficiently developed, and the storyline was unique enough that I found it quite entertaining.

My only critique was that I thought that the actions of the main female character in the book were a little bit irritating at times and that the main conflict of the book resolved itself a little bit too easily..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I had the pleasure of listening to Before We Were Us written by Denise Hunter and narrated by Kim Churchill. Kim Churchill does an excellent job narrating the story, adding a lot of feeling to her narration. I enjoyed listening to Ms. Churchill.

Lauren Wentworth moves to a small town that is literally out in the middle of nowhere to work in a rustic resort. Her first day in the small town, she finds herself stranded and without cell service. This town is not where Lauren saw herself after finishing college, but, alas, she has to put in her time before the bigtime job in the big city becomes available.

Upon meeting Jonah Landry, Lauren is not impressed. Likewise, Jonah is not impressed. The two can barely tolerate each other. Jonah is about to inherit the family's resort business but has to finish his college degree first and must put up with Lauren until that time.

Over the spring and beginning of summer, the two find that maybe the other is not so bad, and they actually might have feelings for each other. The two begin helping each other and Jonah supports Lauren's visions for the rustic resort.

Then Lauren has a traumatic brain injury. Everything changes. Lauren is back to hating Jonah, and Jonah is left broken hearted. Jonah tries to support Lauren as she heals, but she wants nothing to do with Jonah. Despite this, Jonah tries to win over Lauren and ends up completely broken when Lauren chooses to return to the big city.

Can Jonah win over big city, Lauren, not once, but twice?

This is a sweet story. Both characters have traumas from their past. This book is about resilience. I enjoyed this very PG book. It was easy to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the advance listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

At the age of 5, Lauren Wentworth was abandoned by her mother, propelling her into a tumultuous journey through a series of foster homes - some providing solace, while others inflicted nightmares. Despite the adversities she encountered, or perhaps because of them, she emerged as a resolute and ambitious individual. A transformative moment at a glamorous party during her teenage years ignited her passion for organizing events, prompting her to pursue a degree in hospitality management. Her aspiration to work at Glitter, her dream job, was within reach, but she was first assigned a temporary managerial position at a charming resort by the proprietor.

Upon her arrival, Lauren's clash with the owner's son, Jonah, was immediate, inadvertently triggering his past emotional wounds. Jonah, grappling with his own abandonment traumas stemming from the loss of his mother and former girlfriend, found himself inexplicably drawn to Lauren despite his initial hesitations. Their bond blossomed into a summer romance, only to be abruptly halted when a fall erased Lauren's recent memories, including their love story, rendering her distant and detached.

This touching narrative intertwines themes of love, loss, and resilience, featuring well-crafted characters against the backdrop of picturesque scenery. The intricate plot and vivid imagery combine to create a compelling and heartening story.

Before We Were Us
Denise Hunter
Lauren Wentworth made her way to rural New Hampshire where she procure the temporary position of manager of Pinehaven Lodges. She had graduated with a hospitality degree just seven months previously. She and Jonah, the owners son and Lauren feel deeply in love. She loved his family and she loved her position at the rustic resort. She has decided the rural life with Jonah is life she wants. Then she fell.
Lauren was on a ladder one second and the next she was waking up in the hospital. She can’t remember the last few months. She recalls the first couple of months at the resort when she and Jonah relationship was antagonistic. She rememebers having a crush on the local doctor, Carson, who is already in a relationship. Everyone keeps telling her she is madly in love with Jonah and has decided to stay in the rural town rather than pursue her dream in Boston. It just doesn’t make sense to her. How could sh have made such decisions in a matter of a few months.
Despite the pain Jonah was suffering at her memory loss, he was determined to help her in any way possible, especially to remember their deep feelings for each other.
What a touching love story. The time line moves through the past 4 months and the present, off and on. My heart ached for Jonah through out this tale. It was difficult to like Lauren. She was rude to Jonah and I had to keep reminding myself she had amnesia. This is a sweet story and one readers will cherish.
Thank you NetGalley for the review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Fiction for the ARC

This was a beautiful novel about love and trust. After an accident our fmc has lost the memory of several months of her life. She can't remember her relationship with her boyfriend, only the animosity between them when she first moved to the city. Our mmc is naturally distraught over this and that he's lost his fiancee.

The story is told in two timelines, one after the accident and one before. In both timelines we see the couple befriending each other, building trust and falling in love. I thought the story was emotional and deep. I really liked how our mmc didn't want to push our fmc. He let her have space even when it pained him. The fmc was scared to fall in love with our mmc again because she didn't want to give up her job ambitions.

I was interested the entire time and in both timelines. I thought both the mcs and the side characters were well-fleshed out and played their role well. A fascinating and moving story.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing/Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me the opportunity to listen and review an early copy of this novel (audiobook). All of the thoughts and the opinions expressed are my own.

Lauren Wentworth is in love with her boss, Jonah Landry. On the day he is going to propose, she has a fall that takes her memory of the whole summer. When she wakes up she has no memory of being in love with Jonah or making the decision to stay in New Hampshire. This story is about how they navigate this situation and the outcome.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like that Mrs. Hunter did unexpected things with the amnesia trope. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters as well as the dynamic between the other characters and the main characters. I only wish there would have been a bit more of a move toward faith. Faith was mentioned in passing, but I believe that this story had room for so much more.

The narrator of this book did a great job keeping my attention. I was able to follow with no problems. The shift between Lauren and Jonah was no problem to follow.

If you are looking for a good clean contemporary romance with echoes of faith, I recommend this book. If you want something that is more faith filled then this would not be the book for you.

I’ve read many novels by this author but this is my favourite. It is her BEST work, in my opinion. From the gorgeous autumn cover to the epilogue that makes your heart feel like it will stretch right out of your body, this book is a must-read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Kim Churchill, is fantastic! I had never heard her before but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an audiobook with her name attached to it.

This novel has joy and heartbreak, beauty and ugliness, tears and laughter, emptiness and fullness, strengths and weaknesses, low valleys and mountain-top moments. And she does it all with the reader feeling fully invested and immersed in the characters and community.

They are not perfect characters with a Cinderella story. There are flaws. There are missteps. There are moments you want to scream in utter frustration, cry in despair, and cheer with jubilance. And swoon??? Oh, YES, there is heart-palpitating swoon that is so full of depth and meaning.

There are so many layers to this story and it keeps you reading as you peel them back one by one. I would love to see this become a series (hint-hint!!!) because I love the people and community of Pinehaven. I am, therefore, firmly invested in what comes next:
- Jonah’s sister?
- The handsome doctor returning home?
- Lauren’s best friend visits or takes a job there? (Maybe her AND the doctor!)

Two or three more books would be juuuuust right! After all, that stunning barn venue is just waiting expectantly, in all its splendor, to be the amazingly romantic setting for endless weddings to come!

*** HUGE thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson (publisher) for an advanced copy of the audiobook. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words. #BeforeWeWereUs #DeniseHunter

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an early audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I struggled a bit with the exposition of this one. It felt like I had missed something, but was grateful when the flashbacks kicked in. It definitely got better as the story went on, but I still didn’t see much chemistry between the MCs. Ultimately not for me, but it’s a decent, sweet story. Definite Hallmark movie vibes, so if that’s your thing, be sure to check it out! 🩷

This book was beautiful 😭. The ending had me crying like a baby. *insert loud blowing of nose and wiping of eyes*

Absolutely loved the narrators and could not stop listening to this book. The voices matched the ones in my head perfectly, and they conveyed the emotions of the book so well! Bravo!

I loved Kim Churchill’s narration of Before We Were Us, by Denise Hunter she did a wonderful job telling this story of love facing tragedy. I will definitely be looking for other books she narrates. This story was written so beautifully and it was easy to become fully invested in the characters. I recommend this quick read for the beach or a rainy day. A timeless love story of country boy meets city girl with a twist.