A full circle of love, revenge, remorse, regret, and love again stuffed with sweet memories… A poignant book of love and love and life that is both uplifting and sad. A beautifully written story…

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Renee’s writing and storytelling is unlike the typical authors I read. It’s deep and rooted in reality and practicality and highlights all the raw issues that are typically skimmed over for lack of fun or escapism some read for.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read.

I’ve never read a Renee Carlino book before, but I will definitely be reading more now! This book had a lot of conflict between the two main characters. Navigating parenthood and coexistence during a bitter divorce. It was interesting to read and learn about their relationship pre marriage, during marriage, and post divorce.

I was happy and entertained the first 90% of the book. When I got to about 80%, I decided to finish the rest of the book in that same sitting. I was not expecting the ending! I finished the book in tears, it’s not often books have me weeping!


Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Such a sad love story. I really enjoyed this book, there are a few things I would’ve changed but overall I really enjoyed it. I love Renee Carlino’s writing so much.

What an rollercoaster of emotions
Instant auto buy author for me the beautiful heartfelt laughter tears the writing brings the characters !! This did not disappoint

2 ⭐️

I feel like this book just wasn’t for me.

It had so much potential to be deep, emotional, and to showcase two people trying to find themselves/work through trauma as adults…. And fell really short. All the emotional stuff is saved for tiny flashbacks (which were the best parts of the book), and the ending that felt too quick. I also don’t know that I ever really liked Dani and Alex, except for those tiny flashbacks and the ending. I definitely don’t really feel like I connected to them as characters ever either.

Thanks to Random House Publishing for the ARC copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Name of the publication/blog/outlet where your review will be published/posted - on my Instagram (@whatjoisreading) and Instagram

Run date for when the review will be posted/published - Goodreads review is up now. Will wait until after the publication date to post any sort of review on Instagram.

A link to your review, if available, so the publisher can share your review: links will be shared below.

Renee never fails to break my heart. This book was real and raw which I feel like we don’t always get in romance books. I love these characters and the journey we went on.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced E-Copy of This Used to be Us, in exchange for an honest review.

Renée Carlino once again delivers a poignant and unforgettable novel in 'This Used to Be Us.' This latest offering delves into the complexities of divorce as it unfolds through the lives of Alex and Danielle.


The story unfolds from alternating perspectives, giving readers an intimate glimpse into the inner turmoil and raw emotions of both parties. Alex and Danielle, once a couple deeply in love, now find themselves navigating the uncharted territory of divorce. With two young sons to consider, they decide to share an apartment, swapping custody on a weekly basis.

Carlino's writing is masterful, capturing the nuanced dynamics of a disintegrating marriage. She delves into the pain, anger, and confusion that accompany divorce, while also exploring the lingering hope and longing that can persist even after the relationship has ended.

The characters are beautifully drawn, with their flaws and vulnerabilities laid bare. Alex struggles to come to terms with the loss of his family, while Danielle grapples with guilt and the realization that she may have made a mistake. Their children, caught in the crossfire, endure their own emotional turmoil.

The story progresses at a steady pace, initially setting the scene with meticulous detail. As the narrative gains momentum, it becomes increasingly difficult to put the book down. Carlino's ability to evoke empathy and connection is truly remarkable.

The ending of the novel is both heartbreaking and cathartic. It leaves readers with a profound sense of loss and a lingering sense of hope for both Alex and Danielle.

Overall, 'This Used to Be Us' is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced the pain of divorce or who simply appreciates a well-crafted story about the complexities of human relationships. Carlino's ability to convey the rawness of emotion and the enduring power of love makes this novel an unforgettable literary experience.
This was a 4.75 Star read for me!

I’ve enjoyed other books by this author and this one was no exception. I loved the character development and had a great time following the relationship and plot. Will recommend!

Renee Carlino knows how to write a deep and honest story about love, marriage and family. I was
So invested in Dani and Alex and so emotional while reading it. This is one not to be missed. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to @thedialpress @randomhouse and @netgalley for this e-arc copy. All thoughts are my own.


Danielle and Alex were married young and have been so for 22 years. After all these years, they’ve grown apart and can’t stand each other. They have a shared apartment where they alternate their time, so their children can have a solid home.

In the apartment, both of them are reflecting on the past, and in doing so, they are rediscovering themselves.

As time passes, they find themselves being drawn back to each other. Maybe distance does make the heart grow fonder. Just as they’re figuring things out, a family crisis brings them firmly back.


This book isn’t labeled a romance for a reason! I think that while yes it does have some romance vibes, romance is not the focus of the book, the journey is. So, to me this is more of women’s fiction. This book ends in a way I wasn’t fully expecting and wow, just wow. I don’t want to say too much because it would be a spoiler, but if you’d like to discuss and have read this one – just message me. This book is an emotional journey that’s for sure. I was not only happy and sad, but also annoyed as heck at the characters, because yup you guess it – miscommunication. I think it would be a struggle to have a book focusing on a breakup without miscommunication. I really enjoyed this book and getting to know the characters. They were both messy and flawed and I hated certain parts about them, but that made them more real to me.

I think that this book is really going to resonate with readers who have been, or are, married. And, even more so for those married or in a long-term relationship for a while.

I can confidently say that I’ve never read a romance book quite like this one before. Dani and Alex’s story was written with so much emotion and compassion.

The first handful of chapters were written in the past tense, while the rest of the book was written in a pretty standard nonlinear timeline, with some flashbacks scattered throughout. The first person dual POV allowed me to feel like I was along for the ride with each character.

This book was messy — and I mean that in the best way possible. There were certain times when the characters (especially Dani) would do/say certain things that would make me wonder, “Why is Carlino making this character so self-deprecating?” But the further I got into the story, the more I realized how relatable the characters were. This also speaks volumes as to how much growth the characters experienced from the beginning of the story to the end.

I cannot wait to dive into Carlino’s backlist after reading this one. I also read and loved Before We Were Strangers, but now that I know that she’s such a dynamic author, I would absolutely consider myself a Renée Carlino fan.

I received an ARC ebook of this story thanks to NetGally. The book caught my attention within the first few pages and it was all that I could think about, I had to know how it would end. I really enjoyed the dual POV. Reading their journey really brought to attention things that happen when you have been married for a long time and the reader is able to easily connect with the chatacters. Highly recommend this book!

I’m so glad that I was given the opportunity to read this! I loved swear on this life so I jumped at the opportunity to read another Renee Carlino book. A ‘will they won’t they’ trope will always pull me in, but the entire book was so well developed that I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting. I couldn’t handle the ending but I need to get over my self. Overall this book was amazing,such a pleasure to read. I truly can’t say enough.

hank you NetGalley for letting me read this. when this book comes out, get your hands on it !!!! i have never been so emotional while reading a book. What a beautiful story.

It’s taken me a few weeks to really let this book sink in. It was heart-wrenchingly beautiful and I didn’t want it to end. Renée Carlino knows how to write complex and relatable characters.

This was a one of a kind second chance romance which made it memorable. I saw this described as an emotional romance and that is the perfect way to put it. This Used to be Us will make you feel everything in the best way.

I am a huge Renee Carlino fan so I dove into this immediately after getting approved. I flew through it, it was super easy to read and kept me entertained the entire time wondering what was going to happen next.
The premise is extremely unique and unlike anything I've ever read before. I typically like to read about young adults and people in their 20s and 30s because I feel that I can relate to them the most, so reading about more middle aged couple in the middle of a divorce threw me off at first just because its so foreign to me. However I came to really understand how a couple could get to that point in their lives, even after being madly in love at a previous time, and I think Carlino did an excellent job of conveying that.
I wish the ending wasn't so rushed, that made me rate this lower than I would have. Both the main characters were unlikeable at parts, but I think that was important and helped me not choose a side in the divorce. Overall a really unique read that kept me entertained, not going on the favorites shelf but I feel like I learned a lot about relationships and dynamics and just overall understand divorce better and how it comes so easily these days!

I am exhausted. This Used To Be Us has brought every emotion I can think of to the surface. I felt as if I was experiencing life with Dani and Alex. There were ups and downs and a twist I could never imagine that gutted me. And I wouldn't change a thing!

Renee Carlino writes amazing and beautiful stories. This one will certainly put you through your paces - in a great way. With full disclosure I must say that I bawled at the end. And I never cry!

I absolutely recommend This Used To Be Us!

5 stars

#AuthorReneeCarlino #ThisUsedToBeUs #Dani&Alex #drama #romance #emotional

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I had high hopes for it, as I had just finished another Renee Carlino book, so I was trying to ride that excitement into this one. That wasn't the case. This wasn't the typical book from the author, and I was frustrated with the characters the whole book. There were parts of their story I connected to and did get teary eyed, and that speaks to how well of a writer Carlino is. However, I debated on DNF'ing, but wanted to give it a chance considering I like the authors previous work. By the end, I wished I had because not only was it abrupt with no glimpse into the future, but the MCs went through their whole situations for it to end up like that?! Just no.

I appreciate the ARC opportunity and look forward to future releases from the author.

GOD. I haven’t cried over a book in and while and this one did me in. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL story of marriage, the trials, and redemption. Perfectly written. Well done. I cannot think of a single thing I’d change.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.