I am unwell after reading this book. It was hard to 'read' giving detailed descriptions of how a couple grows apart. I was sad, mad, frustrated, laughed, and ultimately cried. Growing apart to grow together.

This is the first book I have read by this author! This book was beautifully written, romantic, and heartbreaking all in one. I laughed and cried. Literal gut punch and all in my feels. True definition of emotional roller coaster with ups and downs and in-betweens. Noone goes into a marriage and thinks about divorce happening. Sometimes the love escapes each other, and they are left with nothing else but to leave and try new things. The incredible growth amongst the characters drew me in. The flashbacks from when everything was amazing, and everyone was happy. Books that give a glimpse into real-life relationships and situationships really make me stop and gather my thoughts. Really reminds you to stop and smell the flowers. The grass aint always greener on the other side. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of love, care and watering to make things grow again. Absolutely never take life for granted. Just a pure stunning read.

I really enjoyed this. This is a great romantic read that was REAL. Like I felt as if the relationship between Dani & Alex is something that could actually happen in the real world. Carlino does a great job at ripping your heart out and then putting it back together piece by piece.

This book hit so close to home as I just went through a divorce after 27 years. Although not an initial fan of the two main characters, I quickly saw myself in parts of them and really connected with them as they found their new normal.

4.5 stars

I chose to listen to this on audio so as not to mess up the pages of my signed paperback with tear stains which I know always happens when I read Renee's work.

I loved so many aspects of this story. It was real. Showing the ups and downs of Marriage, raising a family, divorce , finding yourself again, finding love again and unfortunately the fact that time is only borrowed.

Renee weaves another tale that will pull on your heart strings, make you laugh and leave you wishing that everyone got an HEA.

If you have read any previous works from this author I am sure you have an idea of what to expect. I was waiting for the twist but honestly didn't expect it.

Wonderful narration brought the story to life. I actually found myself pausing while listening because I was so invested in Alex and Dani's story.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024, and it was such a delight!
 
A couple on the brink of divorce has to decide if they’ll let go of their love forever or fight for the life they’ve created with one another.
 
Dani is such a lovable character, as is Alex, and I just adore the way he has always been so in love with her. While this story was really emotional and heartbreaking at times, it also warmed my heart in the best ways.
 
If you enjoyed “After I Do” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I guarantee you’ll like this!
 
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!

I had a friend recommend me this book because she really enjoyed it and it brought her out of her reading slump. So I knew I had to give it a try.

I really enjoyed this book. It isn’t my normal read but it was really good! I’m so glad I read outside of my comfort zone!

LOVE. One of my favorite authors and this was soooo good. I cannot wait for the author's next one. This one had it all - plot, characters, and feelings. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher.

Read this is if you want to be broken down...and slowly but surely put back together. As with the previous books I have read by her, Renee Carlino took me on a full rollercoaster ride of emotions. Divorce. Seconds chances. Rediscovering yourself. Love. Pain. It's all there. 4 stars.

Renee Carlino; just put a dagger through my heart why don’t you! Every book from you hurts more than the last, and THAT is why I love your books so much. This was a tearjerker and it caused me pain, but I love it.

Ugh wow I really don’t like the direction this book went in. I loved this author’s previous book “Before We Were Strangers” so I was looking forward to picking this up. The writing was good and it had strong, well developed characters. It also took place in the area of Los Angeles I grew up in, so that was a nice surprise. I just really didn’t enjoy the plot, especially the ending. It’s also supposed to be a second chance romance but I honestly don’t think these characters should’ve gotten back together? Overall it held my attention? But I’m disappointed and I don’t think I recommend.

Thanks netgalley and publisher for a chance to read this book.
I couldn’t put this book down but it was also very sad at the same time.

After twenty two years together. Danielle and Alex are getting a divorce. They have two teenage boys and they currently can’t stand each other.

They decide to split time between their house and an apartment.

This book was very honest and raw. I highly recommend it if you love Renee carlino’s books.

I will be thinking about this book for weeks. What a beautiful way to tell a heart wrenching story. I basically spent the last three chapters sobbing uncontrollably. It’s been a while since I read something that made me feel so deeply. From cover to cover This Used to Be Us was perfection and teaches readers that HEAs don’t necessarily need to be perfect. There is beauty and strength in showing the messy parts of love too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing and Renée Carlino for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

This is my third book by this author and it was utterly impossible for me to put down. I was so grateful to receive an ARC from @dialpress but I also listened to some of this on audio and that worked out well because I wouldn't have been able to see the words through my tears in some parts of this story. I want to keep some of the plot a bit vague to avoid any spoilers for this one, but here's a bit of what it's about and why I was so moved by it:

- this is a story of a couple with 2 boys going through a divorce
- If you enjoyed a book like Kennedy Ryan's Before I Let Go that really gets into the nitty-gritty of how a relationship begins and heads toward an ending, you might enjoy this book
- The characters are lovingly handled, intimately described, and so very relatable. I particularly loved the female main character, Dani.
- This book is honest, gripping, heart wrenching, hopeful, inspirational (we do only have one life!), loving, tender, and special.
- there are some trigger warnings that I'd be happy to share but don't want to spoil anything so feel free to DM me!!

Long story short: this felt very worth my time even if it broke my heart too. It has been a while since I connected so viscerally to the characters in a book despite different life circumstances. I'm so grateful to my friend Jenna for reading this one shortly after me so that I had someone to discuss it with!!

I hate that waited so long to read this. I binged the whole thing in a day and it was absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. THIS is the adult romance i want and need where people communicate and have actual problems to sort out. i love how honest the characters were with eachother because instead of avoiding conflict, they went for it head on.

AMAZING!
gimme 14 of them.

this book was realistically beautiful.
i think every middle aged woman should read this one.
very rarely do authors get these types of books right but renee carlino absolutely killed it.

Ugh-This book started off strong. But, WHAT was the ending?! I was so bummed by it. The story follows Alex and Dani, a couple that have been together for twenty years. Their marriage has finally reached it's breaking point and the couple decide to divorce. To make things easier for everyone, they rent an apartment that they take turns staying at when one parent isn't with the kids in order to keep their children in the childhood home.

Listen, first of all Dani annoyed the heck out of me! WHY ARE YOU CRYING so much? Literally this chick cried constantly. Alex was just a jerk. Neither of them communicated well at all. Idk- I was a bit disappointed in this one. The end was just-abrupt!

I wasn’t ready for the heartbreak this story brings. It really unleashed a whirlwind of emotions for me. This is far from a light read; it's intense and be sure to check for any trigger warnings. And yes, you'll need a Costco-sized box of tissues.

This isn’t your typical love story. It's about losing yourself during a divorce and then rediscovering who you are beyond the roles of parent or spouse and understanding what initially drew you to each other. I found the characters incredibly relatable, as if I were witnessing someone I knew navigating this complex dynamic. Renee Carlino masterfully guides you through a profound emotional journey, making each feeling resonate deeply with every page. I only wish we could have seen more of Dani and Alex's younger selves and their initial romance. We got occasional glimpses, but their love story was so enchanting that I wanted more. Their passion was magnetic, even as they worked through their new reality post-divorce.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.

My expectations were different based on other Carlino books that I have read. I can appreciate the realness and the raw truth that comes from two people when their marriage is falling apart. But this was just plain sad and depressing. I would have loved more flashbacks to temper the present day disgust these two characters felt for each other. Tough to get through for me.