154 reviews for:

Before We Were Us

Denise Hunter

3.71 AVERAGE

alyssakameyfiction's review

5.0

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I was completely captured by this Denise Hunter charmer! I was so invested in these characters, almost from the start, I was sucked in before I even knew what was happening. And then, I had to keep going because I couldn’t stand not knowing how things would ever work out. What a premise this book has! You’d think the forgotten memories trope would feel contrived but it absolutely doesn’t. Lauren only loses four months due to her head injury- but they were four months that completely changed her life. I loved how Hunter dealt with this trope- nothing was how I (or Lauren, for that matter) expected things to turn out. A lot of faulty assumptions were made, corrected with a lovely plot twist! There’s so much I want to say but I refuse to give spoilers!

And can I just say Jonah is seriously such a sweetheart? Oh, my heart probably broke about 6 or 7 times just hurting for him. It’s been awhile since I’ve cried reading, but my emotions were just so invested, I cried with Jonah, I cried with Lauren, and I regret nothing. I couldn’t WAIT to get to the happily ever after, and now I sit in a puddle of happiness called a book coma, wishing for more.

Contains detailed kisses, the sweetest man ever, and no spice. Prayer from characters and church attendance mentioned, but not a lot of faith content. Lauren had a pretty lousy childhood, discussed in detail.

I was given a complementary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

jordansbookbanter's review against another edition

3.0

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I had the oportunity to listen to the audio version of this book through NetGalley. The narrator did a lovely job bringing these characters to life. The story was cute and the setting was idyllic. It felt a bit long for what little happened but was still enjoyable. I only rated this book a 3 because of the predictability combined with how frustrating I found the FMC. While I understood her reasoning for her decisions, her refusal to process her trauma left me wanting.

kristenflebotte's review

3.0

hopeful inspiring

mpaigewilliams's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kelreads's review

3.5

emotional medium-paced

marniebooklover's review

4.0

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This tale snagged my attention right from the start! My heart did somersaults for Jonah and Lauren, but Jonah especially had me in a serious tissue crisis. I can't imagine a more gut-wrenching ordeal for a couple, and Hunter spun their story with such authenticity it practically leapt off the page. This was my first dance with her writing, and I'm eagerly anticipating more!

amydawn77's review

2.0

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This is every hallmark movie I've ever seen, and it was so predictable. Maybe I'm just jaded.

callieriff's review

4.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

peypey28's review

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

xhollyj's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A