A review by googiereads
Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

"Orvin once told me that time is the currency of life. And I had lost so much of it. It was that idea of lost time that finally made me realize I needed to move on."

One-third of this book I enjoyed how they started their connection and relationship. It was soulful, with bits and pieces of music (Jeff Buckley, U2, etc.)  and New York. Pretty nostalgic. Like way before technology. As much as I miss the 90s, I realize the lack of technology can also make it hard to contact people. Frustrating but that's how it was. The second half of the book just broke my heart -- these missed chances, miscommunication, people in between -- I feel that regret they had over time lost.  When they started reconnecting, it felt a bit rushed but then  given how much time they've lost and the frustration of knowing  the chances/moments stolen from them, I understand the urgency.

The book started out in the present time with that fateful meeting after 15 years of no communication, then dipped into the past and their wonderful love story, then back to the present with the big question of what are they going to do now having found each other. I find it fitting that in the beginning (the fateful meeting), the characters talked about being lost:

 I became acutely aware of everyone around me carrying on, living life. I was static, standing on the platform, watching train after train go by, wishing I knew which one to be on  

When they met again, it was wonderful to see the process of them finding themselves and also finding closure/resolution to their story. I said the second half (present time) was just angsty and I feel so bad, mostly for Grace because Matty had moments I wanted to strangle him. But, the ending was just perfect, heartwarming, and satisfying. I felt truly happy for the future that started out parallel but intersected. A wonderful read if you like second-chance romance (I am not even into second chances but this held my attention and I read the book in one sitting)
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