Wow! Before We Were Us tops my list of favorite Denise Hunter books! This tragic drama meets sweet romance hits all the right notes for a thoughtful but light summer story.
I love the way that Hunter brings out the best in these characters. She keeps the story moving with dramatic action but flashes back to more tender times, showing the evolution of their relationship and how they grew – not just together, but into more mature people – over the course of the summer. This ratchets up the stakes in their romance and will keep the pages turning – I couldn’t wait to find out what happened!
While I love romantic stories, it’s really the characters that are the draw for me here. Lauren and Jonah are both realistic people who have known heartache before. They’ve been burned in multiple ways and are leery about walking into a situation where they might get hurt – and who wouldn’t be? That the scenario is so relatable is what makes the story so exciting.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s set in gorgeous New Hampshire, either. At times the setting becomes almost like a minor character – and it’s one I love.
So if you’re a fan of sweet romance you’re going to want to grab Before We Were Us now. It’s the kind of story you’re going to love reading – and you’ll be pondering Lauren and Jonah’s situation long after you turn the last page.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What are your thoughts?