This was a quick on read that I enjoyed and was able to finish within a day. I really liked the plot and found the characters relatable.

Eve Ainsworth’s *Somebody I Used to Love* is an audiobook that delves into the raw and tangled emotions of grief, love, and self-discovery. It’s a beautifully tender exploration of what it means to let go of the past while trying to rebuild a future, told with the kind of honesty and vulnerability that makes every moment feel deeply personal.

The story follows Lucy, a woman navigating the aftermath of a loss that has left her life in pieces. As she begins to sort through the memories of her marriage, she confronts the bittersweet reality of what was, what might have been, and what is still to come. Ainsworth captures the complexity of love—its highs and lows, its joys and disappointments—with an authenticity that resonates. This is not a story of easy resolutions or tidy endings; it’s a portrait of a woman learning to live with the echoes of what she’s lost.

The narrator’s performance is a standout feature, bringing Lucy’s inner world to life with remarkable depth and sensitivity. Her voice carries the weight of grief and the flickers of hope with equal skill, drawing listeners into Lucy’s emotional journey. Subtle shifts in tone and pacing mirror Lucy’s state of mind, from moments of quiet introspection to the raw vulnerability of confronting her past. Supporting characters are given their own distinct voices, enriching the narrative and adding layers to Lucy’s story.

What makes *Somebody I Used to Love* so powerful is its unflinching honesty. Ainsworth doesn’t sugarcoat the messy, complicated feelings that come with grief and healing. Instead, she invites listeners to sit with those emotions, to feel the ache of loss and the tentative steps toward hope. The story is full of small, poignant moments—an old photograph, a familiar song—that speak to the way love lingers even in its absence.

The audiobook’s pacing is perfectly calibrated, allowing the story to unfold at a pace that feels natural and reflective. The production quality is impeccable, with clean audio and thoughtful pauses that give listeners time to absorb the story’s emotional weight. The narration feels intimate, as though Lucy is confiding in you directly, which only deepens the connection to her journey.

Ainsworth’s writing is lyrical yet grounded, capturing the quiet beauty of everyday life and the profound impact of love and loss. Themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of self-love are woven throughout, making the story not just an exploration of grief but also a celebration of growth and renewal. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means learning to carry the past with you in a way that doesn’t weigh you down.

*Somebody I Used to Love* is a deeply moving audiobook that will resonate with anyone who has loved and lost, or who is searching for a way to start over. It’s not just a story—it’s an emotional experience that will stay with you long after the final chapter. With its heartfelt narration and beautifully crafted prose, it’s a five-star listen that offers both solace and inspiration.

This was my first time reading something by this author and it definitely won't be my last.
It's a beautifully, heart wrenching story of love and forgiveness. The book brings forth so many emotions as you read, balancing both heartbreak and hope, beautifully depicted through raw and tender moments. Will is in a terrible accident and is in a medically induced coma. When he wakes up, he doesn't remember the last three years of his life. He calls out for his girlfriend Gem, except that he doesn't remember they are no longer together. Thus begins an emotional journey for Will where he rediscovers his past and has the opportunity to reconnect with Gem, his childhood sweetheart. But Gem has moved on and is building a new life for herself with another man. As she spends time with Will, she struggles between her new safe and comfortable life, and the pull she still feels to the past.
The story is gripping and emotional and will take you on an emotional roller coaster with twists and turns you won't see coming. The story is written in dual POV, so you are able to get both perspectives and gain more insight into both characters thoughts and emotional struggles. I couldn't help but become emotionally invested in the outcome. Truly a beautiful story!
I also listened to this as an audiobook and I thought the narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the characters and all their emotional turmoil to life.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Two nice characters in Gemma & Will. I liked the story and some of the revelations which cropped up in the later stages, but found it too slow.

Will has had a driving accident and is in hospital. It is now 2022, but he can recall incidents only till 2019. He does not even remember owning a car nor driving. He asks for Gemma his girlfriend at the time, and someone he has known since childhood. At that time, it felt like they were destined to spend their lives together. Now he is told that he has broken up with Gemma, and is engaged to Nicola. He finds this agonizing and asks Gemma “What happened? What did I do?”. Nicola finds this frustrating, and reminds him again and again that they are engaged. He learns also that Mattie, Nicola’s brother, is his boss at work. Gemma on the other hand now has Richard (a teacher like her) as her boyfriend.

The narration shuffles between the past (starting 2010) and the present time, (very) slowly piecing together the events leading to Will and Gemma’s separation. There are others who played a role and they learn about this over time. Will and Gemma are lovely characters; Richard, Nicola, friend Vi and Will’s brother are also developed well. The story takes quite long to get going, lingering for long on the present circumstance or the happy state of their relationship in the past. The ending has a touch of melancholy, but in this instance feels quite forced and needless. I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Rose Riley & Will Kirk was good (Rose especially was very good).

My rating: 3.25 / 5.

I would have liked this book very much if it had been more realistic. You're a grown-up, in an accident, having prolonged physical symptoms, and you don't get it checked out???? Really!!

I did like the friendship and romance part between Gem and Will. I liked Jack even though his page time was not too much, and I liked the ending. Yes, it was open-ended but made sense to me.

The narration was well done by Rose and Will Kirk.

#netgalley #SomebodyIUsedtoLove

When I picked up this book, I felt a rush of excitement because, for once, the "victim" who awakens from a coma with lost memories is a male character. This fresh twist on a familiar trope not only intrigued me but also set the stage for an engaging narrative. As I delved into the story, I found it to be a delightful experience, particularly because the roles were reversed; while the central figure recovering from their past is a man, the protagonist guiding the journey is a strong, complex female character. This dynamic added depth to the storyline, even if it was somewhat predictable.

The unexpected twists in the plot greatly enhanced my reading experience. Each revealed secret kept me eager to turn the pages, deepening the mystery and revealing more about the characters. I enjoyed piecing together the clues they were pursuing. The ending was satisfying, with the author skillfully tying up loose ends in a surprising yet logical way, providing a sense of closure often lacking in thrillers.

Overall, this novel is an outstanding and captivating read that consistently keeps the reader on their toes. I found myself completely absorbed, and I can confidently say it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I would highly recommend it to my fellow enthusiasts of the thriller genre. The writing style makes it accessible, light, and fast-paced, making it perfect for anyone looking for a gripping story that doesn't feel heavy.

Somebody I Used to Love by Eve Ainsworth and Narrated by Rose Riley and Will Kirk took me a few tries to get into. After reading some reviews, I felt like I needed to give it another go. The narrators were excellent.

The premise of the book was fantastic. I did not love Gem's mom and her storyline; however, it did help to make sense of a few things. I definitely felt for Gem, as she was in the dark about several things from her past.

There was a lot going on in the book, and I found myself rewinding a bit. This was not a knock it out of the park kind of book for me. But it was okay.

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

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator had good pace and pitch, which helped me to follow the story and stay engaged.

The story is a good chick-lit read mixed with the right amount of suspense and twist. I was fully invested right to the end to understand how why Will could have changed so much to wreck his wonderful relationship with Gem. He really was a character of two halves and it is clear that there were events behind his control which has shaped his fate.

The story really shows how much can change in a heart beat and how easy it is to take things for granted. I think this is a story which will keep you guessing right until the end.

I felt sorry for Will who was clearly a nice guy in the wrong place. Gem is a bit of a victim and there is lots of unnecessary self-blaming instead of some honest, blunt home truths being spoken. I wanted a happy ending, but Eve’s writing will keep you guessing to the end!

This was a bit of a slow burn for me and took me a while to get into the story for but then it all just clicked into place and I loved it

One of my favorites. I really enjoyed the story line and character development. The story was written with a different development than most take. It is a sweet story about love, loss and trying to find your way. Pick this one up!

Amnesia is my all time favorite trope and I don’t feel like I get to read it enough! This was an incredible audiobook with fantastic narrators! I was so bummed the book was over. Not because the story didn’t feel complete or that it was a sad ending but because it was an incredibly written book! I haven’t felt that way in so long!!

It started soo well made me guess about what happened between them, the characters were interesting it was a little difficult position both of them where put in, I loved the audiobook it was crazy the reasons why the things happened before the accident, it was stupid why they separated, the ending left me unsatisfied.
Expected much more from this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this audiobook.

Somebody I used to love - Eve Ainsworth

After Will wakes up from a car accident, he cannot remember the last 3 years. The woman standing by his bed is not the love of his life and he doesn’t recognize the life he seems to be living. Will can't help himself and calls Gem, the girl he doesn’t remember losing but she has moved on. He almost destroyed her but Will knows he has woken up as the man that wouldn’t hurt her again.

I loved this book. We get the book from the POV of Gem and Will, past and present. Will and Gem break up when Will’s personality changes and he gets a job for more money and does something awful to his brother. Will doesn’t remember any of that. The best for me, was finding out why he changed in the first place…. It was a MIND BLOWING TWIST!!

I really enjoyed it. It started a bit bumpy… I wasn’t sure I was going to love it but I truly did. I loved the past with Will and Gem. Friends then lovers and they have that passionate love that I swoon over. It was a real head scratch trying to figure out why they were apart. GET IT! I’m not joking.

4.5 stars

This was a bit of a slow burner for me and took me a while to get into the audio for but then it all just clicked into place and I loved it. I really adored the characters and the plot and it was extremely easy to listen to. The only thing I didn’t love is the cheating trope and I know a lot of people have strong views on this also.

We also know that I’m also an absolute sucker for an ending that isn’t all rainbows and butterflies and walking off into the sunset together. We’re a big fan of reality over here.

I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. The first chapter or two laid the groundwork for the book and didn't capture my attention the way the rest of the book did. The more I have reflected on this, the more I think it was due to the narrators and getting used to their style, which for me, I never latched onto. I greatly enjoyed the storyline of this book and how it differed from other books where memory loss is a big portion of the plot line. The time frame of the memory loss was believable for me, it made the story feel real, in that the character returns to life as of a certain moment, returning to his most idyllic time in his life. There are secrets in this book that made it all the more interesting as he attempts to recover his memory and learn what has happened in his life to divert it so far from what he wants and is. There is so much to unpack in this book as both main characters work through their collective past and current state in order to find their future. I really enjoyed the story, but feel I would have enjoyed it more if I read it versus listened to it due to the narration.

Somebody I Used to Love was a heartwarming story of love, loss, and learning to love again. It was a wonderful read.

This was a nicely paced, engaging read with an interesting plot line.
Will and Gemma have grown up together and their friendship has blossomed into romance. They’re star-crossed and fated to be together, until they’re not.
Will has woken up in hospital following a car accident that caused a brain injury. As a result, he’s lost the last three years’ worth of memories. He awakes to a lifestyle, fiancée and personality that he doesn’t recognise, and is heartbroken to find out that Gemma, the love of his life, is in another relationship.
This story is about Will’s journey to fill in the gaps, and whether he’s able to rebuild the bridges he’s burned over the last three years.
It was a great little listen, but in my opinion should have finished around three chapters earlier. I felt the final plot point was a bit of a stretch too far, considering everything Will had been working towards. To me it seems as though the story attempted to be a little too worthy, when it was working very nicely as a straightforward piece of chick-lit, thank you. Hence, four stars rather than five.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the chance to read an ARC. Somebody I Used to Love is out now.

I had issues listening to this on netgalley so I have read an in print version. I enjoyed the story and found the premise and characters charming.

I really enjoyed listening to this story

When Gem hears her ex boyfriend has been in a car accident, she reluctantly goes to see him, for his brother Jack. When she arrives at the hospital, she discovers Will has lost his memory and cannot remember the last 3 years. He thinks they’re still together. He has no clue, who the woman claiming to be his fiancé is and just wants Gem back.

Gem is thrown into turmoil, she has always loved Will and was devastated when they split up. She’s spent 3nyears putting her life back together and is happy with her new partner. Or is she?
In the story we flit between Gem and Wills stories, from what Will last remembers, to Gem's memories of the same period and life as it is now.

This was beautifully read by both narrators and I really enjoyed listening to it. In the end I was rooting for both Gem and Will and hope things turn out for them in the future

Wow poor Will. He wakes up in the hospital and within 5 mins his girlfriend is pushing him to remember her and having all the emotions. Meanwhile he is demanding his ex who he remembers being with but not breaking up with.
His poor girlfriend too. Do they not have good social workers at this hospital?
Anyway, I love this one. The narration is perfect! It is possible I love it for the narration. I might have put it down if not because I am not into sappy romances and this is a lot. It is a lot of emotions.