This book has been on my TBR list since 2019, and after several attempts, I can't seem to get into it. Sorry!

Jack and Ellie have a seemingly perfect life - three kids, happy in their careers, wonderful life in a suburban town. Very quickly, some actions of their past have come to haunt them. Jack has a person from is past who suddenly appears that uncovers a decades old secret. Their sixteen year old daughter, Sydney is entering the teenage years when she begins to act out and then Ellie find out surprising news that could change the rest of their lives as a family.

I loved this book as it told a good, engaging story, depicting challenges that face many families (just maybe not all at once). It was a quick, easy read for me.

I wanted to like this one but unfortunately I couldn’t get into the story. I found it hard to connect with the characters and almost a little too predictable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a rather slow story to be honest. Fans of contemporary will probably like this. But I am A new approacher to contemporary books so it’s disappointing it couldn’t grasp me.

A beautiful and heartfelt story of two parents having to learn to reconnect after years have zoomed by from having children and they sorts of disconnected from each other. I honestly Can understand. I’m sure many in here are all reminiscing of the old days a bit hard to see where it is going. Definitely an adult story.

This is a family drama told in alternating perspectives. Jack and Ellie have three kids and Jack is contacted by a young woman claiming to be his daughter. At the same time, their daughter Sydney takes up with an older college boy. Lots of drama.

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. It was so sweet, fun, and I loved it! I was very invested in the characters and their stories. This is a must read for those who enjoy rom coms and I will be recommending it to my friends. I hope to see future books from this author in the future. Thanks again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book/

First Came Us was an interesting and ultimately heartfelt family drama. Jack and Ellie Miller have a picture perfect life: Jack, a successful Yale University Professor, his wife Ellie owner of a very busy yoga studio, and their three kids. Without warning, a young woman shows up in Jack’s office disrupting his life, unexpected news finds Ellie re-evaluating her life, and 16 year old Sydney develops a relationship with a college student after lying about her age. As life starts to spiral downhill, they have to rely on each others’ love to make their family whole again.

This was such a realistic view of a family working through a disruption, growing apart, and trying to find their way back to each other. While my heart broke at times, I loved the character development and hopefulness.

I struggled a little with this one. It was a nice quick read...however a little too easy and ended a little too nicely. I really disliked Jack as a character towards the end of the book. Not for me I'm afraid.

Ugh sometimes I am such an idiot. I mean I really just do stupid things. Take a few seconds and tell me if you’ve done this one too.

So what do you think about independently published books? The thing is, I never really thought about them. Really, I mean they were just books that some no-name published themselves, and other than a quick glance, I never even gave them a second thought. Until now. Have you noticed how many people are independently publishing their books? I mean even big named authors and people we all know are jumping into this game. It doesn’t even need a second thought anymore to pick up an inde book, you just do it on first thought with no reservations.

This is where my stupidity comes into play.
Here I am reviewing books online as a hobby, and working with some great PR people who ask me to read and review for them. OF COURSE. So without a doubt I am willing to read First Came Us by Rachel Cullen. This will be my first book from her, I am told she has 3 previous novels that have done well.

Commence reading.

This book is awesome. Told in 3 different points of view from the main characters, we learn a lot about family, love, and keeping secrets. When Jack, Ellie and their daughter Sydney each run into their own individual problems, ones they prefer to keep to themselves, they become so self absorbed that they start to miss the important things going on around them. Of course things start to crumble and Sydney starts down a path of destruction. As the secrets are revealed, this family suddenly learns that they need to come together, or else everything they built together may just fall apart.

Rachel Cullen sucks you in immediately with this book and you feel like you are right inside these characters minds. Each and every one of them are relatable and I felt like I was right there living in that house. The family drama could have been my own! I read this one in one sitting, and the storyline kept me turning the pages. What an enjoyable read. Rachel Cullen’s writing is smooth and inviting and I will definitely keep reading her books.  4 Stars from me.

Look at that! Really, honestly and truly, I just said that about an independently published book. Think….. how many amazing authors and books have I missed out on by not considering picking up a book that is independently published? Could I really have been that stupid? Yes, it appears I can. God what an idiot. I know for certain I won’t allow myself to ever be so close-minded again. How many of you can say to yourself you’ve done the same?

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Thank you Rachel Cullen and Kate Rock Book Tours for my copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

The writing style of this novel felt incredibly juvenile to me, and would have benefited from a stronger editing session. The characters did not feel genuine.

First Came Us by Rachel Cullen is just the type of book I love-a great character driven, family drama. Jack is an economics professor at Yale who has a visitor from the past he wasn’t aware of; Ellie has a visitor from the present and future who she’s not sure is welcome or wanted, and who makes her remember a visitor from the past; and Sydney is navigating her present circumstances as a “cool nerd” as she struggles with school and relationships. I really enjoyed these characters and their stories.

Thank you to #Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy.

First Came Us by Rachel Cullen is a quick read that explores what makes a marriage. Jack and Ellie Cullen appear to have the perfect marriage and family. But, nothing is as it seems. When a secret is uncovered, the foundation upon which this perfection is built upon comes tumbling down, and the resulting story is the aftermath. There are some elements of the story that could have been explored more, but the book is still engaging.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This story was an easy read but for some reason it didn't click with me and I did not enjoy it as much as I would have thought.

The first half of the story is so cute, so typical mom in midlife crisis mode.. but then it takes a turn

1) Jack's full name should be Jack-ass
2) What kid willingly changes high school for their senior year?
3) Things end a little too perfectly.. That's wrong - there isn't a happy wonderful, cue the sappy music ending - but its all wrapped up neatly in a bow. Actually - scratch that... the gift at the end definitely needs some strong violin music..

That being said - it was a super cute read and I'd be interested in seeing where their next chapter takes them...

This book and I did not mesh. I did not like the writing style and the characters felt very one dimensional to me. Most of all, there were three point of views and other than the situations given, there were times where I forgot which perspective I was reading about because all of the characters felt the same. The author attempted to tackle too much with this novel, and the way in which the problems were solved in the end just did not work.

First Came Us is a novel about Jack and Ellie, plus their three kids. They’ve been together forever, have a sixteen-year-old daughter Sydney, plus two younger children Max and Izzy. Jack is a successful econ professor at Yale and Ellie is a social worker turned yoga instructor/business owner. Their oldest daughter Sydney is brilliant, beautiful, and a soccer player – although her self-esteem is nill. Ellie and Jack get several enormous surprises in their lives and while they are wrapped up in their own angst, Sydney starts veering off the path of good/pure/smart/never gets into trouble/etc.

I really liked this book. I can’t say that I loved it, but it was good.

Why?

This book is raw and honest as far as the messiness and screw-ups regarding marriage and parenting? This book tackles difficult topics and asks difficult questions that we may or may not truly want to be answered. And all of the characters, although very flawed, were likable.

What did I not like?

In a word – dishonesty. This novel starts with a prologue outlining an early indiscretion and then, many years later, it seems as if all Ellie, Jack, and Sydney do is lie to one another. I understand that this is fiction and the dishonesty was a major aspect of the plot and lessons learned. But it has been a while since I’ve read something with so many justifications about lies or omissions. And I guess at my age, I’ve grown to not like that at all. It has a horrible effect on connecting with and becoming invested in the characters. If they lie to one another, then why should I believe their private thoughts and motivations?

Nevertheless, this is a good read that any busy, crazed mother can relate to. It’s about still trying to stay connected with your partner while also balancing the crazy train of motherhood and a career. It’s about screwing up, apologizing, and trying to move forward. And most importantly, it’s about love.

Was this the most memorable thing that I have read all year? No. But do I recommend it to fans of women’s fiction? Absolutely. This story is real, uncomfortable at times, will bring tears to your eyes, and a quick/easy read.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest review!

Ellie and Jack have everything figured out. when a few surprises come barreling their way into the mix. Some potentially damaging upheavals have them figuring out how to deal with their personal surprises and continue to be parents at the same time. It was interesting to see them each take a different approach to the issues, typical of their characters, and realistic at a male/female approach to life's struggles. Overall, a little more communication would have solved the majority of the problems, but then it would have made the already quick read even quicker. Each character is relatable, but Sydney's character is the most realistic of all. The book was highly enjoyable, but I would have preferred if each "surprise" was a little more expanded upon. It would have made for a longer book, but the resolution was too quick in my opinion. I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. If you are looking for quick read about family dynamics and how life always surprises you, check out this book.

This was a great, quick. light read with alternating perspectives for narration. At times it was a bit predictable, but as a wife, mom and career woman, this felt relatable. It had some different turns that I was not expecting, but it was a story a lot about family. It was about loss, love, growth and how we as a family handle what comes our way. I love how Cullen wrote about the characters and she made them interesting and likable. Overall a great, quick read that as parents, we can easily see ourselves through.

I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Jack and Ellie have been happily married for 18 years.
Everything seems to be going their way.
What happens when unexpected challenges come their way?
This is their journey in dealing with these unexpected challenges.
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!

Secrets, secrets, secrets! This was one of those books and stories that is enjoyable because you're not living it! I enjoyed the characters and felt that they were relatable, and I was able to connect with the story without having any background experience.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.