This felt like a nostalgic movie, and I soaked it all in. Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

I enjoyed this story. I’ve always liked the amnesia trope, can add a fun dynamic to a story. I like Jonah and Lauren. I thought the first half was good, but I would have liked to see Jonah spend more time together and fall in love in the present more. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I thought it was well written. A good story, likable characters and charming small town charm.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a sweet, contemporary romance set in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire. I am a huge fan of Ms. Hunter and have enjoyed her clean, wholesome romance novels for a while now. I was drawn to this book based solely on the setting and the cover. My grandparents lived their whole lives in the mountains of NH and we would return every summer to traipse through the woods and the pond with our cousins. So I came for the setting, stayed for the storyline and romance.

Synopsis: Seven months ago, Lauren Wentworth travelled to rural New Hampshire to become temporary manager of Pinehaven Lodges, a rustic family-owned resort. While there, she fell in love with the owner's son Jonah, the Landry family, and her position at the resort. Now she's happier than ever. But when Lauren takes a fall from a ladder and wakes up in the hospital, she only recalls her first couple months at the resort. She remembers her adversarial relationship with Jonah and her major crush on small-town doctor, Carson. However, according to everyone around her, she's madly love with Jonah and has given up the dream job awaiting her in Boston. Jonah is heartbroken at her memory loss and determined to help Lauren remember the feelings they have for one another. But Lauren isn't sure she wants to remember falling in love with someone she didn't even like or giving up her dream career for a rustic resort in Podunk, New Hampshire.

My thoughts: If you enjoy close-knit families, beautiful settings, clean romance, faith-filled, feel-good stories then this one is for you. I highly recommend Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a wonderfully written story about love, amnesia, and remembering love that made Lauren change her life plans.
This was a story that made me fall in love with a couple and a setting. Highly recommended!!

I absolutely love Denise Hunter’s stories. She’s one of my go-to romance authors whenever I need a feel-good love story. I always know her books will be clean, no language or spice, and her romances are consistently sweet, charming, and heartwarming. They truly feel like a warm hug to the heart.

This particular story reminded me a bit of The Vow, even though I haven’t read the book, only seen the movie. It has a similar emotional premise with an enemies-to-lovers twist. Lauren and Jonah don’t exactly get along at first due to some complicated history. But as the story unfolds, they form a friendship that slowly blossoms into something deeper—until an accident changes everything. After a fall, Lauren loses her recent memories, including the progress she’s made with Jonah. Essentially, Jonah has to win her heart all over again, and it’s both heartbreaking and beautiful to watch.

This is a tender, emotional story filled with themes of found family, second chances, faith, healing, and love. Both Lauren and Jonah carry past trauma and are navigating their own journeys toward healing. I loved learning more about their backstories and watching their connection grow. Jonah’s patience and kindness in the face of such a difficult situation made him an especially endearing character, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

The small-town setting adds a cozy, comforting backdrop to the story, and I enjoyed the side characters, especially Jonah’s supportive family and Lauren’s loyal friend. It’s the kind of book that pairs perfectly with the changing seasons, especially that transition from summer to fall or during the crisp autumn months.

This was a compelling, feel-good story that managed to be both emotional and uplifting. With its charm, sweetness, and heartfelt moments, it’s one I’ll definitely be recommending.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

A romance set in New Hampshire. Lauren can’t wait for her dream job at Glitter, but in order to get there she has to work the summer at a resort first. She loves Gucci and everything high end. This resort is in the boonies. How will she survive until the end of the year?
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I appreciate getting the chance to read this book, but it just wasn't for me. Maybe I'm not the target audience, but the story felt formulaic and flat to me. The characters frustrated me and the nonlinear narrative felt a little disjointed, in my opinion. The setting was lovely, though, and I enjoyed the descriptions of that, along with the rescue dog's story.

The miscommunication/amnesia trope was soooo painful in this one! I felt so bad for Jonah the entire time, but it was so sweet to see the way he supported and waited for Lauren to come back around. Before We Were Us felt very Hallmarky in a cute way, with the small town fall vibes, trying to save the family business but she's wanting to go back to the big city. From that stand point it didn't feel very original, but it was still very sweet and cute. Not my favorite of Hunter's, but an enjoyable fall read!

This novel takes a different spin on what I would call a Hallmark classic love story. From the very beginning, you’re hooked—expecting a sweet, heartwarming romance. But then, this book hits you with something unexpected: a tearjerker. And not just any tearjerker, but one that will make you rethink the meaning of love, loss, and resilience.

I was completely captivated by the beginning, thinking I had found the perfect love story to return to over and over. The chemistry between the Lauren and Jonah seemed effortless, the perfect setup for a feel-good, timeless romance. But the author doesn't let you settle into that fairy-tale comfort. After a tragic accident, everything changes, and the couple is put to the ultimate test. The emotional toll is real and raw, and it felt like I was on a rollercoaster of feelings.

This book truly explores the complexity of relationships in a way I wasn’t expecting. It’s not just about the highs of love, but also about how love can survive through the deepest lows. The struggles and hardships they face after the accident had me in tears more than once. It’s a powerful reminder that love is not always easy or straightforward, but it can be the thing that helps us heal and keep going.

Prepare to be whisked away to a beautiful setting—somewhere you’ll wish you could visit yourself. The author does a fantastic job of creating vivid imagery that pulls you into the world of the characters. But make sure to have tissues on hand, because you’re going to need them. The emotional journey in this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my DRC!

A heartfelt exploration of love, family, and second chances, brimming with emotional depth. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson fiction and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Things I liked:
* Quick and easy read.
* Enjoyed the overall story and topic - a woman gets amnesia after a concussion and forgets several key months of her life.
* This mostly takes place during the fall - so it would make a nice fall read.
* Always enjoy a happy ending!

The description of the book makes it seem like the doctor will play a semi-significant part in the story, and he does not. I think this could have been an area to help further develop the book and cause more angst. I was not a huge fan of Lauren either (FMC). She was mean to Jonah after the accident. Then again, I suppose if her reaction wasn’t the way it was, there may not be a story to tell.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

Topics include: romance, amnesia, parental abandonment

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a beautifully written contemporary romance that combines heartfelt emotion with a touch of mystery. The writing is warm and immersive, effortlessly pulling readers into the small-town charm of New Hampshire and the complicated dynamics between the two main characters. The pacing is spot-on, and Hunter’s ability to capture the nuances of both love and personal growth makes the story even more engaging.

This clean, charming romance is perfect for fans of second-chance love stories, with its heartfelt exploration of memory, love, and the courage to follow your heart.

This was such a great fall read! It was heartfelt, warming, and pure. It is considered a Christian fiction, but the religious aspect was very light. The premise of the story was something you would expect from a Nicholas Sparks book! You're rooting for the main characters to just get back together. It was an emotional roller coaster, and very sweet/ cozy book to read.
I highly recommend it as a palette cleanser, or if you're looking for a sweet romance to read. Thank you NetGalley, Denise Hunger and Thomas Nelson publishing for the eARC.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a heartfelt and emotional story about love, family, and second chances. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships feel authentic and deeply moving. The writing is engaging, with just the right balance of romance and drama. While some plot points are predictable, the emotional depth makes up for it. A solid 4 stars—warm, touching, and perfect for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction.

Freefalling for You is a heartwarming and charming amnesia romance that brings together the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city dreams. Lauren's journey of rediscovering love with Jonah, her former nemesis turned boyfriend, is both sweet and emotional. The pacing is well-balanced, and the chemistry between the characters is undeniable as Jonah patiently helps Lauren regain her memories. While the plot is familiar, the dynamic between the two leads is fresh and engaging, making it hard to put down. It’s a delightful read, though some might find the resolution a bit predictable. Nonetheless, it’s a cozy escape that will leave you smiling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing for the gifted copy of Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter. This story had a lot of heart and I found myself relating to the characters. It was a beautiful story about second chances and the ability to overcome struggles through love.

The book was fast paced and kept my attention. My only complaint is that it seemed to go too fast - I wanted more of a slow burn for the characters to learn their lessons along the way instead of it feeling rushed the last 20% of the book.

Overall I enjoyed this romance read and would recommend it.

I really enjoyed this story that follows a love story that follows second chance, amnesia as we follow a couple fall in love for second time. The push and pull of will her memories come back or will he be patient enough to stay? It was on the edge of my seat of hope. This actually went in a different direction in what I thought and that pleasantly surprised me.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a heartwarming and emotional story that explores love, memory, and second chances. The novel follows Lauren Wentworth, who wakes up in a hospital with a memory loss that erases the past four months of her life. As she tries to piece together the mystery of her forgotten time in New Hampshire, Lauren is shocked to find that her former nemesis, Jonah Landry, is now her boyfriend—and the one person who can help her recover her lost memories.

Jonah, devastated by Lauren's amnesia, is determined to help her remember their summer together, even though Lauren seems intent on moving on from both their relationship and the rustic resort life she’s embraced. As they work together, old feelings start to resurface, but Lauren struggles with the choice between the life she thought she wanted and the love she’s starting to remember.

Hunter skillfully blends romance and self-discovery in this touching tale of healing and reconciliation. The tension between Lauren’s amnesia and her growing emotional connection with Jonah makes for a compelling read. The slow-burn romance and themes of rediscovery tug at the heartstrings, while the beautiful New Hampshire setting adds an idyllic backdrop to the unfolding drama.

This book is perfect for fans of sweet, romantic reads with a touch of emotional depth. Before We Were Us is a lovely exploration of how love can heal, even when memories fade, and how sometimes, the most profound connections are the ones that change us forever.

Before We Were Us 🏠❤️‍🔥
By: Denise Hunter
Story: ✨ ✨ ✨ 3 /5
Narration: N/A

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an e-arc of “Before We Were Us”. Lauren and Jonah were living a perfect storybook romance. He was finishing up school to earn his degree and take over the family business. She turned down her dream job to stay in New Hampshire with the love of her life. And unbeknownst to Lauren, Jonah even has plans to propose very soon.

Then tragedy struck. After taking a terrible fall, Lauren loses the last four months of her memory. And included in that, is the moment Lauren told Jonah she would give up her own dreams to be with him.

The last interaction Lauren remembers having with Jonah wasn’t a pleasant one. And as a result, she believes Jonah is not the love of her life. Caught in between right or wrong, Jonah must decide if reminding Lauren about their relationship and the life they had planned is a good idea at all. She must be convinced because if not, the life he looked forward to may vanish. Is it possible to fall in love with someone not once, but twice? Find out in Before We Were Us.

For those who don't know me, my name is Chanel and I'm everyone's favorite self-proclaimed Book Tea Spiller.

What did I think of this book? See below for my Final Sip ☕️:

This book was very Sweet Home Alabama meets The Notebook in the best way. I really enjoyed the plot and for the most part how the story progressed throughout. That was until it got to the beginning of the end. I found my self whispering “slow down” as I clicked each page. It felt as if someone hit the ⏩ button out of nowhere. Overall, if you’re looking for a cozy love story, this one’s for you.

I received a ARC from Netgalley, and absolutely loved this book. It was a sweet romantic novel, and second chance at love. My chest hurt a few times during this book and some small tears. I recommend this standalone book for anyone who enjoys a clean romance story.
4.5 STARS!