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haley_is_reading's review against another edition
4.5
Are you fucking joking me??????? I sobbed for the last 20 minutes of this book. Full tears streaming down my face. This was heartbreaking. I didn't love them fighting constantly and then they fell back in love and then THAT?! The saddest part is it happens all the time. The world is cruel. The book fantastic but I will never recover.
bdholloway256's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Who doesn’t love a good break up story? This Used To Be Us is an emotional roller coaster ride that will have you feeling all of the feels. This was my first book by Renee Carlino & I immediately fell in love with her unmatched storytelling ability. It was such a breath of fresh air to see main characters in their 40s & I think this will make this story appealing & very relatable for a wide audience. Be warned though - this one will guarantee a good cry. I can’t recommend this book enough!!
Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an ARC copy of this book.
sairro10's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.5
wiggieswife's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
This Used to Be Us is my 4th Renée Carlino book. I’ve loved every book of hers that I’ve read and this book was honestly no exception. However, at times because of the subject matter, it was really hard for me to read. It was raw and real and honest and heart wrenching. I loved it!
A huge thank you to Random House, Renée Carlino, and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange of my honest review.
A huge thank you to Random House, Renée Carlino, and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange of my honest review.
dibenallie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jillians_libraryfines's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I don’t think this author could write a book I didn’t love—even when it breaks my heart. Every book has resonated with me and has made me ugly cry. I love all of her music references in the stories. She just writes beautifully and I will always auto-buy any book she writes.
I absolutely loved Alex and Dani’s story. Their love story was just beautiful—the good and the bad. Their banter was my favorite part. This story was raw and felt very real. It was witty, charming, happy, sad, funny—just pure perfection. The worst part about reading a book you love is that it ends. I am just not ready to let go of their story. All the characters were as if they were your own friends and family. I just adored this book.
I would highly recommend this book! This book is available on July 9, 2024! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!
I absolutely loved Alex and Dani’s story. Their love story was just beautiful—the good and the bad. Their banter was my favorite part. This story was raw and felt very real. It was witty, charming, happy, sad, funny—just pure perfection. The worst part about reading a book you love is that it ends. I am just not ready to let go of their story. All the characters were as if they were your own friends and family. I just adored this book.
I would highly recommend this book! This book is available on July 9, 2024! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!
danitingley's review
4.0
This is a book that was hard to put my feelings for into words at first. I’m a big fan of Renee Carlino, this had the familiar and comforting tone that made her an auto buy author for me almost instantly.
I just want to say, as a Danielle that almost exclusively goes by Dani and who has issues with thanksgiving, parts of this, even before The Twist* (more in this later), were a little jarring to me 😅
Also, marriage in trouble isn’t a genre I usually gravitate to as someone who’s been married <4 years with no kids yet, but I think that part of this story specifically was handled with care in every detail. I hated seeing these two apart and some of the things they did were hard to read, but it was all so real feeling. Alex and Dani are two people who belong together, which made them compelling and I caught myself thinking about them between reading often.
The Twist*, I went through a lot of emotions and continued to go through more emotions hours after I finished it. It’s not the ending I was expecting, hoping for or even want, if I’m being totally honest. The overall takeaways are powerful and beautiful, so I understand why the story went the way it did, but I felt kind of blindsided by it.
That being said, I’m going to think about this story for a long time, and I can see myself reading this at a different time in my life and rating it 5 stars.
I just want to say, as a Danielle that almost exclusively goes by Dani and who has issues with thanksgiving, parts of this, even before The Twist* (more in this later), were a little jarring to me 😅
Also, marriage in trouble isn’t a genre I usually gravitate to as someone who’s been married <4 years with no kids yet, but I think that part of this story specifically was handled with care in every detail. I hated seeing these two apart and some of the things they did were hard to read, but it was all so real feeling. Alex and Dani are two people who belong together, which made them compelling and I caught myself thinking about them between reading often.
The Twist*, I went through a lot of emotions and continued to go through more emotions hours after I finished it. It’s not the ending I was expecting, hoping for or even want, if I’m being totally honest. The overall takeaways are powerful and beautiful, so I understand why the story went the way it did, but I felt kind of blindsided by it.
That being said, I’m going to think about this story for a long time, and I can see myself reading this at a different time in my life and rating it 5 stars.
thenovelgnome's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
itsallaboutbooksandmacarons's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Finally holding the book I'd eagerly awaited, I was drawn into a captivating tale of a couple navigating the complexities of a long-term relationship. In one night, I devoured the pages, feeling an uncanny connection to the characters who, despite their shared interests, found themselves unable to stand each other. The portrayal of their journey, complete with family dynamics and the delicate dance of adjusting even in separation, resonated profoundly.
Amidst the heartfelt narrative, moments of genuine laughter peppered the storyline, offering a welcomed relief. Yet, the overarching theme delved into the profound reflections of a relationship weathered by over two decades. The authenticity struck a chord, and I found myself both smiling and shedding a tear at the poignant finale.
The author masterfully weaves intricate details that make the story immersive, igniting a wish for life's simplicity, even as the narrative insists otherwise. This captivating tale, rich with reflections on love's endurance and the intricate dance of family dynamics, has left an indelible mark on my heart. A story that will surely stay with me forever, inviting contemplation on the beauty of human connections.
"You dont have to keep up, you just need to stay in the right place. A place I can always find you. That's what home is."
"You are My Times New Roman. The original, bold and classic."
Amidst the heartfelt narrative, moments of genuine laughter peppered the storyline, offering a welcomed relief. Yet, the overarching theme delved into the profound reflections of a relationship weathered by over two decades. The authenticity struck a chord, and I found myself both smiling and shedding a tear at the poignant finale.
The author masterfully weaves intricate details that make the story immersive, igniting a wish for life's simplicity, even as the narrative insists otherwise. This captivating tale, rich with reflections on love's endurance and the intricate dance of family dynamics, has left an indelible mark on my heart. A story that will surely stay with me forever, inviting contemplation on the beauty of human connections.
"You dont have to keep up, you just need to stay in the right place. A place I can always find you. That's what home is."
"You are My Times New Roman. The original, bold and classic."