129 reviews for:

Before We Were Us

Denise Hunter

3.73 AVERAGE

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes

This novel takes a different spin on what I would call a Hallmark classic love story. From the very beginning, you’re hooked—expecting a sweet, heartwarming romance. But then, this book hits you with something unexpected: a tearjerker. And not just any tearjerker, but one that will make you rethink the meaning of love, loss, and resilience.

I was completely captivated by the beginning, thinking I had found the perfect love story to return to over and over. The chemistry between the Lauren and Jonah seemed effortless, the perfect setup for a feel-good, timeless romance. But the author doesn't let you settle into that fairy-tale comfort. After a tragic accident, everything changes, and the couple is put to the ultimate test. The emotional toll is real and raw, and it felt like I was on a rollercoaster of feelings.

This book truly explores the complexity of relationships in a way I wasn’t expecting. It’s not just about the highs of love, but also about how love can survive through the deepest lows. The struggles and hardships they face after the accident had me in tears more than once. It’s a powerful reminder that love is not always easy or straightforward, but it can be the thing that helps us heal and keep going.

Prepare to be whisked away to a beautiful setting—somewhere you’ll wish you could visit yourself. The author does a fantastic job of creating vivid imagery that pulls you into the world of the characters. But make sure to have tissues on hand, because you’re going to need them. The emotional journey in this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my DRC!
adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No