This story takes you on an emotional journey through the complexities of love and loss. After Lauren suffers a fall that wipes out the memory of several important summer months, the gap between the past and present becomes almost unbearable. Jonah, heartbroken by the loss of those memories, chooses to support her, even if it means letting her go to follow her dreams.

The relationship between Jonah and Lauren is portrayed with a tenderness that makes their pain and hope feel very real. As Jonah quietly supports Lauren in rediscovering herself, and as she slowly lets him back into her life as a friend, the story captures how love can endure through change and time.

The narrative blends moments of sadness with glimpses of hope, showing that love sometimes means letting go. This story stays with you long after you finish it, highlighting the strength that comes from putting someone else’s happiness first.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Not only did Kim Churchill do a great job as a narrator, but the story was good as well. I had never read a book by Denise Hunter, but this one was good, if you are looking for a book with romance but hot a lot of spice, then this one is perfect for you. It's a nice quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Hunter and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this book.

I always love Denise Hunter and her writing, but this might be my favorite one!! It was just SO beautiful! I loved the characters and the sweet journey they went on. So good! Highly recommend.

Before We Were Us

Y’all are going to love this one. This is the sweetest, most charming, heartwarming small town romance. This is the perfect cozy fall read!

This follows the story of Jonah and his beloved Lauren. Right before Jonah asks Lauren a very important question, she had an accident and loses her memory of their love story.

This story has the sweetest characters and I have no doubt that you will fall in love with them like I did.

I am sincerely thankful to author, Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. The author captures you from the first sentence and doesn’t let you go until the end. FMC has an accident and can’t remember falling in love with the MMC. You get flashbacks of how they fell in love. So good. So sweet.

The narrator was fantastic!

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this sweet and heartwarming book. I really enjoyed the two main characters Jonah and Lauren throughout the whole book, although at times I did not like Lauren. It was really refreshing listening to their story without sex and violence that are in so many recently released books. The narrator did a fantastic job of holding my attention and keeping me engaged and entertained that I couldn't stop listening and finished it in a weekend. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a clean believable romance story.

Before We Were Us was a great listen. I highly enjoyed it and recommend it to women’s fiction lovers.

Contains an audiobook review.

I have read only a handful of Denise Hunter books, and I don't usually read book blurbs. Somehow I happened to see this one and glanced at the synopsis. I was immediately hooked when I got the impression that amnesia was featured in this story. For some reason, I love books that have amnesia as an element. I am so glad I found this book.

I thought that the amnesia element was very well done and the story flowed well. The flashbacks that were included helped show how the relationship between all of the characters had progressed. The story was well written and kept my attention from beginning to end.

The audiobook is narrated by a female narrator. I have only heard her read romcoms before but thought she did an excellent job in this contemporary story. I wasn't distracted by having her read other books, and she was able to get me immersed in this one.

Sincere thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced audio copy of this book. I'm happily and voluntarily leaving an honest review and look forward to recommending it to friends.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

Audio Version via Netgalley
I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narration was spot on with 5 stars. This was an emotional enemies to lovers with amnesia thrown in. I was so anxious to find out if she gets her memory back. I loved the way this was written with some twists and dual time lines. The epilogue is the cherry on top!!
I look forward to more by Denise Hunter.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Before We Were Us, in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful book! I loved it! I had all the feels listening to this novel. The narrator did an amazing job! This book was so sweet and sad, the characters fit so well together.

I loved the setting of this story. I don't usually consider the seasons much when I read, but it played an important part in this story, and I enjoyed it!

I don't think I have ever cried so much for a male character. The emotional pain he was experiencing was heartbreaking for me, too.

I love when a romance novel can incorporate more than one trope, and this one did. I love these characters and recommend this book!

I received this eARC from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

When Lauren first comes to work at the New Hampshire resort in the spring, she intends to only stay for the year. Then she's set to take her dream job in Boston. Her first encounters with Jonah, the son of the owners, are not pleasant. But, as the story begins, it's near the end of summer and it seems Jonah is about to propose to Lauren. But then, Lauren falls from a ladder and loses all memory of the past several months. She refuses to believe that Jonah is her boyfriend! The rejection hits Jonah hard, and Lauren can't wait to finish her job and move back to Boston. Is this how it will end? Well, you have to read the book to find out! But, I will say that I enjoyed this book--there is great insight into how each of them deals with this big change. The narration was also helpful in making the characters seem real. A big thumbs-up to this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

This was such a great book and was full of emotion. It was a HEA, but it didn’t appear as if things were headed that way. I was pretty aggravated with the FMC and I’d like to imagine things would have moved a bit smoother if this were a true story. But it was not and drama is way more interesting in fiction. Having said that, I highly recommend this cute romance/second-chance romance.

Loved this book! The story was so sweet. I loved the dual timeline as the stories came to the accident. The way it came together in the end was so good. I couldn’t hold back the tears! Great read! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it!

Loved this book and the pace. This was the perfect fall romance book set in New Hampshire. The entire time I was reading this story it reminded me of a Hallmark movie or Gilmore Girls. Lauren is a fiery and type A go getter while Jonah is the rugged ranch type whose family owns the rustic resort. The pace of this book was great, the characters were well written, and I am glad that it ended with a happily ever after.

What a fun story! Imagine the evening you are planning to propose to the love of your life she falls and hits her head. At the hospital you realize she remembers you but has lost the memory of the entire span of your relationship and before your relationship started you were far from friends.

This felt like it took place right after the end of a small-town whirlwind romance novel. Genuinely when I first started reading I said wait is this a sequel? Haha that being said despite feeling like it was at the end of a romance novel and what could happen after the happily ever after in a book it felt real and emotional. To imagine yourself and your loved one not remembering each other or your relationship and asking yourself how do I replicate this amazing thing that already is so rare was amazing. At first I was wishing I knew what made them fall in love and the moments that really impacted them so they could replicate them but then I realized it felt like we were experiencing it like the female main character who lost her memory. So it made it special that they just wanted to fall in love again naturally verse trying to recreate moments.

Despite the wrap that many romances get these characters had depth and I found myself really understanding the thought process of the characters. They talk about abandonment issues, traumatic upbringings and family dynamics that made a lot of decisions the character makes make sense. Sometimes it doesn't seem realistic when they make certain decisions but it was very clear with more reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a contemporary romance with depth and heartwarming characters. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

Before We Were Us is a sweet Christian romance! Lauren and Jonah have spent a summer falling in love. Things are about to turn serious in their relationship when Lauren suffers an accident leaving her with partial amnesia! She forgets the last couple of months and her romance with Jonah. The book flashes back to their past as they fell in love while in the present they are both dealing with the fallout of her memory loss. The romance was adorable and the plot was really intriguing! I would highly recommend this book as I enjoyed it very much! This was my first Denise Hunter read and I can’t wait to try more! I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

This book, the storyline and the narrator are all a 10/10.
Lauren and Jonah are headed for a happily ever after until a freak accident takes away Lauren's memory, and with it their chance at happiness?
Set in New Hampshire at a peaceful family resort, Jonah is working toward his dream of running the family business. It's been his dream for as long as he can remember but that plan comes to an abrupt halt when his parents hire a temporary manager while Jonah completes business school.
In walks Lauren. She is the exact the type of woman he is trying to avoid and what makes it worse, she's really good at her job.
This second chance romance isn't your typical romance as we see Lauren and Jonah's love be suddenly taken away with a freak accident. Denise has the reader hoping right along with Jonah as we wait to see if Lauren will regain her memories of the love they once shared before she needs to make a decision about her future.

Before we were us is a sweet Christian romance that weaves the faith of the characters delicately throughout their experience.
Thank you to Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the chance to listen to this early. I've loved getting to meet Jonah, Lauren and Graham. All thoughts and reflections are my own.

I listened to the audio along with the book and it was great. The narrator did a splendid job.

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.

Really enjoyed this book. Lauren takes a manager position running a lodge and falls in love with her boss, but after a fall she has no recollection of the last few months of her falling in love with him. This story travels back in time and in the present to let readers follow their relationship.

Such a beautiful story. When an accident happens and Lauren ends up with amnesia, she has to learn how to love Jonah again. Jonah the ever patient man who is takes with winning her heart a second time or set her free to what she thinks she wants. I laughed and cried and just enjoyed this story.

First off, thank you NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of listening to this beautifully told story on audio.
I’ve never read a Denise Hunter novel, and this was the best introduction to her story telling. I’ll admit that it was definitely giving The Vow vibes, but I’m so thankful she made this scenario all its own.
Lauren and Jonah are the epitome of meant to be. But a nearly tragic fall causes her to lose the memory of the last 4 months of her life, the exact time it took for her and Jonah to fall madly in love, and now she can’t remember. And he can’t forget. But what sets this story apart is his faith and his patience. And the fact that very specific memories start to come back, but not the ones he or she expect will bring them back to the start. On the contrary, his great love for her and allowing her the space and time, allows her to fall back in love with him all over again.
Denise really keeps you on your toes because you don’t want it to be another of the same story, which it’s absolutely not. Such a fantastic read. As a hopeless romantic, I genuinely hurt when Jonah hurt and celebrated with Lauren when that tug of needing “home” again started to take root.

Oh I loved this story! Such a unique story line for amnesia. It held my attention all the way through the book. Such a good book and was glad to have read it. Hunter is one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint in this latest release

The audiobook narrator was easy to listen for hours.

WOW! I was hooked from the beginning with this one! And although it was fairly predictable throughout, it was still very angsty and tugged at my heartstrings. I absolutely fell for the MMC and there's a valuable lesson in learning to truly love someone. This story is told in third-person POV from primarily alternating dual perspectives and I listened to the audio version which was had great narration. The story is clean (no swearing, kissing only without the "spice" but all the emotion). The ending caught me by surprise which, as an avid reader, pushed this book to a 5 star read/listen! I'm really looking forward to reading more by this author! *I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author/publishing company in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Aw, this was sweet! I liked that it was set in New Hampshire in the autumn. It made it feel very cosy.

Before We Were Us tells the story of a couple who is very much a case of enemies to lovers. An unexpected accident causes the woman to lose her memory shortly before the man is planning to purpose. Even worse, her only memories end at the enemy stage. Will her happy memories return? Will he win her back? Read it to find out!

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook!

Before We Were Us, by Denise Hunter, is a well plotted story relating the repercussions to one’s life after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. Lauren Wentworth is working as manager of the family owned lakeside Pinehaven Resort in Pinehaven, New Hampshire. Having had dreams of working for the elite corporate event planning company in Boston, Glitter, when Lauren is offered a paid internship by the company owner working at the resort to get management experience after owner Tom Landry suffers a heart attack.

Lauren quickly takes the opportunity given her expecting a fancy resort. When Lauren arrives at the resort, however, she finds more of a family fishing camp. She tries to make the most of it with Glitter in her sights at the end of the year. While Tom and Tammy are lovely, and their daughter Meg is delightful, their son Jonah is an enigma that rather brings out the hate at first sight reaction until it doesn’t.

On the day Jonah plans to propose at a fancy dinner, they first go to the old barn on the property that they are renovating as an event space. Taking in the view below the old loft affords, Lauren and Jonah are already making future plans. That is until a misstep on the loft ladder finds Lauren crumpled on the barn floor unresponsive. With a quick 911 call it still seems like forever before emergency services arrives and transports Lauren, accompanied by Jonah, to the hospital. However, when Lauren finally awakes it is determined that she has lost the last several months of memory and remembers nothing of her relationship with Jonah and is still in the time before they were together. From there, the story evolves to tell what happens as Lauren returns to the resort as well as how she plans to leave at the beginning of the year.

This is another well written and heartfelt story by Denise Hunter. With wonderful characters, a lovely, well described setting, and a focus on the seriousness of head injuries, this is one more must read from this author. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

What a beautiful story! I could not put it down! Lauren Wentworth takes a job at a restricted resort to gain experience needed for her dream job. One day she takes a spill from a ladder and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the entire summer. Her nemesis, Jonah, is there acting like a love sick boyfriend and she is at a loss as to how that happened or if it is real. Meanwhile, Jonah is patient, kind and heartbroken. He gives her space. The two continue working together and her memories remain hidden.
As her time to leave approaches, can he stand to let her go and can she bear to leave? His family and the whole package of “home” calls to her, It is something she longs for. Can she measure what she has with Jonah against the dream job of a lifetime in Boston? Will her past guide her or will her heart?
The audiobook narration was very well done by Kim Churchill. She brought the story to life and gave the characters their own voices. I think I loved the audiobook more because of her voice. Great job!
I would like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the privilege to review and ARC of this audio publication.

This was a phenomenal love story with so many layers. The char@caters are expertly crafted and the story draws you in from start to finish.
I give it 5/5 ⭐️s.

I listened to the audiobook version of Before We Were Us thanks to NetGalley. I love the different take on this romance novel. Lauren has a bad accident and loses her memory, forgetting her love for Jonah. Now he does everything he can to get her to remember even tho Lauren is hesitant. This is a very sweet and heartwarming story.

Wow. Easiest 5 star rating ever! I loved this book. I fell in love with all the characters. The beautifully described landscape of the Landry property has me wanting to schedule a vacation! The narrator was perfect and gave life to the characters! This book covers all the bases including love, loss, found family, resilience, faith, triumph, second chances. The epilog could not have been a more perfect way to end this book and the story of Jonah and Lauren.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this book. My reading was all my own and in no way reflected by receiving this book as a gift.

"He told me that the world is full of readers, some just haven't found the right book yet." This is a book for book lovers!

The story follows Emma, a widow whom is struggling to provide for her daughter. As a war is starting in England, children are being sent out of the cities into the country. Emma must decide to keep her daughter with her or to send her to safety.. The Booklover's Library gives Emma a job as a librarian and this creates a space for her to help others and make new friends as she navigates her journey.

ARC and ALC Review :

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


On the night Jonah is about to propose, his girlfriend Lauren takes an unexpected fall. Upon arriving at the hospital he learns that the injury she sustained is not physical, but mental. She is diagnosed with a concussion/ traumatic brain injury that resulted in memory loss. She has no recollection of the last four months or her relationship with Jonah. Will Lauren ever regain her memories, or will her love for Jonah disappear for good?

Denise Hunter’s Before We Were Us is a five star read perfect for fall!!! This contemporary novel is set at the rustic resort, Pinehaven Lodge. With the cozy New Hampshire backdrop readers are transported to small town living, with a delightful cast of side characters.

While I am not one who usually enjoys the amnesia trope, Hunter won me over. Utilizing flashbacks, she perfectly paints the picture of Lauren and Jonah’s relationship before the accident and after. It was wonderful to see the parallels between the first and second time they fell in love.

This book also features:
-found family
-opposites attract (city girl/ small town boy)
-enemies to more
- sprinkles of Christianity/ faith

I highly recommend reading or listening to this book. I had the pleasure of enjoying both formats and see the advantage of both. Kim Churchill does a fantastic job narrating the book and making the story come to life.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Netgalley, and Denise Hunter for allowing me to read/ listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not traditionally a romance enthusiast,this book had me reconsidering my stance on romance books.
I had so much fun reading this!
Lauren and Jonah are the main characters and as they go through the different trials in this book,they truly show how love can and should be.
This book is endearing and has fun and surprising twists. The plot is lovely with charming characters and a beautifully crafted setting.
I highly recommend reading this, I know I enjoyed it immensely.

Thank you NetGally for my copy of the book. My review is my own.

While this is my first book from the author, it will not be my last. The story immediately draws you and splits into a duel timeline. One timeline is after the accident and amnesia, the other is what happens in that summer time frame that went missing from her memories. It is beautifully woven together story of falling in love not once, but twice. And that in the end it is relationship and family that matters the most. Can't wait to pickup another book from the author!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I loved this sweet romance. It starts with the 2 main characters together and then there's a. accident. The story is told in third person.

Seven months ago Lauren Wentworth graduated with her degree in hospitality. She had her eye on her dream job, but the boss wanted her to have more experience. She travelled to rural New Hampshire to become temporary manager of Pinehaven Lodge, a rustic family-owned resort. When she arrived, she had an extremely adversarial relationship with the owners' son, Jonah. The more they worked together, that wall came down and they fell in love. He asked her to marry him, and she agreed, giving up the job in Boston and staying in New Hampshire. While working in the barn venue, she falls from a ladder and hits her head. When she comes to, the last five months are gone, and she only remembers the adversarial part of her relationship with Jonah. He is heartbroken and will do whatever she needs to get her memory back and make her happy, including letting her go. She calls Boston to check in and finds out that she forfeited the job, but they agree to give her one more chance. After talking to everyone around her, she finally believes that she fell in love with Jonah, but those feelings are gone. As she finishes out her year at the family lodge, can Johan get her to fall in love with him again.

I really enjoyed this story, although I am not a big fan of the amnesia trope. Denise Hunter does a good job with this story and made me love both Lauren and Jonah. He stole my heart and I was so sad for him, thinking that he had lost Lauren. She was career driven and very good at her job, but I wanted her to either get her memory back or fall in love all over again. Jonah was so sweet and patient with Lauren, only wanting her to remember the happy times that they had. I liked that both of them had issues and past hurts that affected their behaviour before they fell in love, and that is what Lauren remembers. I loved the setting of the family lodge in the woods of New Hampshire. I also enjoyed seeing Lauren work with the family to build up their business. Jonah's family were wonderful to Lauren and had welcomed her to their family. I enjoy Denise Hunter's writing and this was another winner. Kim Churchill does a great job with the narration on the audiobook and I really enjoyed listening to this one.

Swoony 50 First Date vibes (falling in love all over again) × drive/determined characters similar to The Wedding Planner × clean romance + loveable friends, family, guests, and pup = delightful read. ❤️

This is exactly what I needed! Sweet heartfelt little fall read. I loved this book so much. I feel head over heels with Jonah.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Before We Were Us" and all opinions expressed are my own. I listened to the audio book. Love that it is set in New Hampshire. I have been to many of the places talked about in the book since I live here. The White Mountains, Flume Gorge, Lake Region, Laconia Bike Week, Littleton, etc. Overall I really did enjoy this story. Love, loss, sadness, hope, romance, great characters and the perfect setting!

Denise Hunter’s *Before We Were Us* is a tender, emotionally rich audiobook that beautifully explores love, memory, and the challenges of rediscovering a connection you never meant to lose. With her signature charm and heartfelt storytelling, Hunter crafts a romance that is as poignant as it is uplifting, making this an irresistible listen for fans of small-town love stories with emotional depth.

The story begins with Lauren Wentworth waking up in a hospital, disoriented and missing four months of her life. She’s stunned to find herself in rural New Hampshire, contemplating a career move that seems wildly out of character—and even more shocked to discover that Jonah Landry, a man she once considered her nemesis, is now claiming to be her boyfriend. Hunter masterfully sets the stage for a tale of lost memories and second chances, pulling listeners into Lauren’s confusion and Jonah’s heartbreak as they navigate a love that one of them can’t remember.

Jonah is the kind of romantic hero that listeners will immediately root for: steadfast, patient, and quietly endearing. His determination to help Lauren recall their summer together is both touching and bittersweet, especially as Lauren makes it clear she’s not interested in remembering—or rekindling—their love. As the story unfolds, Jonah’s unwavering devotion becomes a beacon of hope in the face of Lauren’s resistance, making his journey all the more moving.

Lauren, meanwhile, is a wonderfully complex protagonist. Her struggle to reconcile the life she envisioned with the life she unknowingly began building is deeply relatable, and her reluctance to revisit the emotions she’s forgotten adds a layer of tension to her interactions with Jonah. Hunter writes Lauren’s internal conflict with sensitivity, capturing her fear of vulnerability and her gradual realization that the life she thought she wanted might not be the one she needs.

The audiobook’s pacing is perfectly measured, giving listeners time to savor the slow unraveling of Lauren’s forgotten summer and the quiet, persistent love Jonah offers. The resort setting, with its rustic charm and picturesque New Hampshire landscapes, serves as the ideal backdrop for a story of self-discovery and rekindled connection. Hunter’s vivid descriptions and immersive writing make it easy to picture the changing seasons and the cozy warmth of the resort, adding depth to the narrative.

The narrator’s performance is exceptional, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and emotional nuance. Lauren’s confusion and Jonah’s quiet heartbreak are conveyed with authenticity, drawing listeners deeper into their story. The narration enhances the emotional resonance of the audiobook, making every moment feel immediate and real.

What sets *Before We Were Us* apart is its exploration of love as an act of choice and patience. This isn’t just a story about remembering the past; it’s about deciding whether to embrace the future, even when it means letting go of old dreams. Hunter handles these themes with grace and tenderness, creating a romance that feels both heartfelt and earned.

Denise Hunter has crafted a captivating and deeply moving audiobook that will leave listeners with a full heart and a lingering smile. *Before We Were Us* is a beautiful testament to the power of steadfast love and the courage it takes to rewrite your story. Perfect for fans of heartfelt romance and small-town charm, this audiobook is a five-star listen that will stay with you long after the final chapter.