This was not the right book for me. It is the story of the end of a long marriage, and I felt that the re-hashing of all of the mistakes that Dani and Alex made created a heavy book. I wasn’t able to feel like I was rooting for either of them. I had not read a book by Renee Carlino before, but saw that her books came with lots of glowing reviews, so I gave this one a try. Ultimately, I found that it was a character-driven, slice-of-life story, and while lots of readers like this, it was not a good fit for me. Also, spoiler alert: the ending is way too sad. But, I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

After 22 years of marriage and two children, Dani & Alex are getting a divorce. They once thought their love was a once in a lifetime kind of love but it all falls apart. They decide to get a nesting apartment to trade places so the transition is easier with their children. Once they have time to themselves they begin to look back on how they fell in love and where it all went wrong. They get to find themselves again and begin to notice more things about each other. They try to move on and begin dating and working on their careers but begin to really miss things about their relationship. Sometimes second chances just might be worth it.

Sometimes you get so caught up in life that you forget to slow down and really appreciate each other for the little things. Resentment can add up and can make you forget about what truly matters. You get to see both Alex and Dani’s side of the story and at times you can’t decide if your frustrated with them and just want them back together or if you just want them to move on so they can be happy separately.

I usually devour books that have pulled me in like this one but I found myself taking my time because I didn’t want it to end. This was my first Renee Carlino book and I look forward to reading more by this author. I can’t recommend this book enough but I mean it when I say you need tissues handy.


Thank you Random House Publishing Group for my ARC of This Used to Be Us. This title will be released on July 9, 2024.

I loved this book until the 90% mark. LOVED. It was a unique premise and I loved reading about characters that were in their 40s and actually acted like they were in their 40s. There was a perfect blend of what was going on in their lives currently (a married couple that is navigating through an amicable divorce) and their past (how they met, key events that occurred throughout their lives).

It was clear that this was a couple that loved each other and their two sons. Both Dani and Alex were flawed characters, and that's what made this so believable - they weren't perfect and neither pretended to be. They recognized that they each made mistakes in their marriage and they could look at those and even if they didn't fix them, they could see them.

Dani and Alex decide that the kids are going to stay in the house and they are going to get an apartment that they will share on the days they aren't with the kids (a "nesting apartment"). They handle everything like adults which was just refreshing.

And then. No spoilers... but then. The last 10 percent of the book. Why? What was the purpose?

Ugh. Renee Carlino... I love your books. I love your writing. I DID NOT love the ending of this one.

I don't even know where to start with This Used to Be Us...it was so many things. From the very beginning, I felt like the words on the page could have (or maybe even did at some point) come out of my mouth. It was so painfully real it *almost* made it difficult to read. I loved switching back and forth between Dani and Alex, and I feel like Carlino did such a good job of writing from both points of view. The last 100 pages or so really picked up for me, as I was truly invested in the characters and needed to find out what their ending would be! I suppose in some ways it was predictable and in others a complete shock for me. I feel like anyone who's married needs to read this book, and I plan on making my husband read it. Now waiting for it to be turned into a movie or TV series....

Wow. This book reminded me of why I will eagerly read anything Renee Carlino writes! She has a knack for making me care deeply about the characters. This always leads to smiles and tears while I devour her writing. Families and relationships aren't perfect or easy - this book handles different stages of delicate moments throughout those relationships beautifully. Bravo, Renee, you did it again.

Renee Carlino knows how to bend the heart strings! So glad to be offered an ARC by NetGalley. It was worth the wait for this author’s latest work!! Can’t wait for her next novel, again!

Dani and Alex have been married for 22 years but now they can't stand being around each other and file for divorce. They get a nesting apartment to share while the other one is with the boys, to make the transition smoother. This was a really raw look at divorce and how sometimes it takes losing something to realize how important it was in the first place. I really like the dual point of view in this novel. At times I was frustrated with both of the main characters, but I think the author wanted it that way. There was also really beautiful moments as well as they looked inside at themselves and realized how they made mistakes and remember why the loved each other in the first place. It is a heart wrenching book of second chances. The ending was way to rushed for me, but other than that it was a solid read. There is some language and mature content.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the advance read copy

Dani and Alex had it all, great careers, wonderful kids, a nice house, and their dog, Louie Louie. But somewhere along the way, everything they loved about each other seemed to now be causing them turmoil.

I've read a few Renée Carlino books in the past and adored them, so I figured this was a no-brainer. Boy, was I wrong...

Right off the bat, every character in this book was unlikable, especially the MC's (but I imagine that was the point). The story really just trudged along as the couple goes further down the road to resentment with each other and acted like children. I'm a product of divorce, so I know this happens, but man, it was just dragged out and sometimes hard to push through.

At about 90% through, I figured it would end a certain way, but Carlino had other plans and pulled out such a heartbreaking twist. Normally, I would be all for that, but the characters had all been through such nightmares already. It really just felt unneeded (especially since it made me overly emotional).

I did finish the book, but I almost felt like I wasn't the target demographic, and that's why I couldn't love it. I won't rule out any of her future novels, but this one was only 2.5/5 for me (rounded to 3 on GR).

Read this if you like:
•second chance romances
•marriage in crisis
•emotional romance

Getting divorced after a 22 year marriage and all that comes with that. This book was a slow burn and I do feel like the book wrapped up too quickly in 3 short chapters. If you love an emotional romance, this one is for you!

Thank you Dial Press for eARC!

Good book that has a solid story in its pages. I liked the way the author laid the story out for the reader.

Thank you to Dial Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Renee Carlino is one of my top authors, and her books are always a must-read. This Used to Be Us did not disappoint me! It was full of dual perspectives and emotional roller coasters, which are Carlino's bread and butter.

Alex and Danielle have gone through many challenges together, but for some reason, a build-up of many leads to a divorce. The two are at each other's throats until they finally call it quits, but they have the boys to think about within all the mess of things. Without truly being able to step away, the two are given space to reflect on the years that they were together.

Carlino pulled at my heartstrings because she made each of the characters so real and relatable. Relationships are not easy, and sometimes, you can get lost along the way. However, There's always a chance to find your way back to each other in some way or another if you want it enough.

Dani and Alex’s story had me both laughing and sobbing. This book chronicles their divorce, including how it impacts their sons and friends/family. I loved the dual POV and some tropes (like miscommunication) didn’t annoy me as much. It was so incredibly relatable in many ways, and the ending was both beautiful and tragic. I will say it can be triggering for anyone who has experience loss; it definitely was for me.

I'm such a HUGE fan of Renee Carlino's past work so I couldn't help but request this and pray that I actually get approved. Now combine Renee and second chance romance and what you have is a great book! Dani and Alex have been married for twenty years and their marriage is falling apart. Instead of working on their issues, the pair come to the decision to share a nesting apartment which avoids raising their two sons in a broken home. During this time, the pair reflect on how their marriage fell apart. This book will make you feel every emotion possible. I loved the dual POV because you're not just getting a one sided perspective on why their marriage fell apart. You get both sides of the story and where they differ. Just a beautiful story. Trying to avoid spoilers but I do suggest that everyone give this raw and emotional story a try.

This author always knows how to break my heart!!! I have to admit, it’s not uplifting and I almost stopped reading, but then I kept going and got invested. It was so darn sad, but I really enjoyed Dani and Alex’s story 😭

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback for my e advance copy in exchange for my honest review

Publish date: July 9, 2024

Before We Were Strangers is one of my favorite romance books. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of This Used to Be Us. Renee Carlino knows how to write romance with raw emotions. I didn't want to put this down! She has a way of making the characters authentic and relatable.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! It made me appreciate my husband so much more and shows you what it means to have your person. The ending made me sob while holding my newborn and truly made me appreciate my children and the life I have. Wonderful 5 star read!

not so thankful to netgalley for the early copy of this one - this book was good but also traumatizing.

Thank you NetGalley for this book! I absolutely loved this story. I was not expecting the ending it had me in TEARS but it truly was an amazing story and I loved everything about it. It showed how short life can be and to cherish your loved ones. Immediate 5 stars!!!

Renee Carlino is really such a stellar author, and while this wasn't the easiest book to read due to the heavy emotions, it's very well-written. You may need tissues, I know I did, as you journey through the ups and downs of a marriage in crisis. I think this will be received well by our patrons so we will be purchasing for the collection.

As of today this is my favorite book of the year.


This story follows Dani and alex. Through love, loss, heartbreak, and giving yourself a second chance these characters go on an unbelievable journey to find what is really important in the end.

I have laughed, gasped, sobbed my way through this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the privilege of reading a Renee Carlino book