Reviews

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

lezapal's review

4.0

It takes a while to really get going, but the last third of the book makes it completely worthwhile. It's a sweet but different light read.

goofyariel's review

mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.0

tifscatku's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

chloerebecca974's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

brittmgonz's review

emotional hopeful reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

hollyberrybooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lisawreading's review against another edition

3.0

Before I Met You is a split-narrative work of fiction, telling the connected stories of Arlette in the 1920s and Betty in the 1990s. As Betty digs into a mystery surrounding Arlette's hidden past, we see both characters as young women in London, each trying to find her own way and find some meaning in life. While I found myself absorbed in the book as a whole, I was much more interested in the Arlette sections -- and since Betty is the focus for much more of the story, this became problematic after a while. Still, I did enjoy the book overall and found the unraveling of Arlette's secrets quite compelling. See my review at Bookshelf Fantasies for more details.

Note: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

asangtani's review

3.0

The mystery wasn't the same style as her usual books so I didn't like it as much as her usual books.

kenzbaldwin's review

5.0

Not a typical book from this author. BUT as someone who loves stories from 1920’s socialites...I loved it. Yes..some parts were predictable but....it was still a mystery.

terig's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0