I loved the farm like setting of this book. This book brought out so many emotion .. The 2 main characters had such great love for each other until an unfortunate event happened… Testing how far one town will work to help restore the love between 2 people … A very heart felt read .. Can’t wait to read more from this author…

I love Denise Hunter and usually love everything by her. Did not love this book.

The premise of the novel was great.

The characters were not as great as I'm used to. The female lead was okay. I really liked her in the beginning and closer to the end less so. The male lead, didn't appeal to me.

I didn't feel like she fell in love with him the second time around. She felt sympathy for him and guilty that she forgot him but I didn't get the fall back in love.

His "problem" that I suppose was to mirror her own with their family background didn't make sense. He is biologically related and therefore his grandparents started the Lodge so his feelings towards everything is illogical unless I missed something (trying not to give away spoilers).

A beautiful story of love lost and found again.... all with the same person! After a blow to the head on the day her boyfriend planned to propose to her, Lauren loses all of her short term memories, meaning that as far as she remembers, she and Jonah HATE each other. Jonah has to win the woman he loves all over again, or risk losing her to circumstances and to the man she had a crush on months prior. I love that with this author, I can always trust that it will have a sweet, happy ending. Highly recommend for lovers of sweet, inspirational romances.

Another beautiful story by Denise Hunter that did not disappoint! She has a wonderful gift for addressing difficult scenarios and topics in a way that is so realistic but grace-filled and tender. This story was definitely reminiscent of The Vow (which I am also aware was based on the true story of a Christian couple), in that we are introduced to a young couple who are very much in love and full of hope for the future on the very evening that the Jonah plans to propose. These plans are interrupted when Lauren takes a nasty spill from a ladder and suffers a traumatic head injury, resulting in the loss of all short term memory- so her entire relationship with Jonah of the previous months. She only remembers things from when she first arrived in that small town, when her dreams and aspirations were very different, she had a crush on another man, and most importantly perhaps- that she and Jonah HATED each other. As she recovers from her injury, Jonah must win her over again. As with any of this author's books, I adored the story, the characters and the development of said characters. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a clean, inspirational, faith-filled romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Even though one can assume a happy outcome in a Denise Hunter story, the skill of this brilliant writer takes us on a journey where we can discover that outcome with our own heart and mind. The story of Laura Wentworth and her empty life that is filled by the Landry family, and particularly by Jonah is a beautiful and heartfelt story that stays with you. As Laura is changed by love she suffers a traumatic brain injury in a fall, and can't remember months of her life. Her love for Jonah is erased in her mind, and opportunities in her career motivate her non-interest in re-establishing a relationship. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed this book, despite the tears that fell often. An enemy to lovers, but throw in a fall that causes an entire summer to be erased from memory. Lauren is sent to the country to help revitalize a family-run resort. There she meets Jonah, the owner's son, who she truly can't stand. Until she really gets to know him. When she falls from a ladder, she can't remember anything from her time at the resort, except her dislike of Jonah. Jonah, however, is heartbroken, trying to slowly show Lauren how amazing their relationship was. Told in alternating timelines, we get a peak at the days prior to the fall, and the days after (months). The heartache is real, the frustration can be felt through the pages and the chemistry between Lauren and Jonah is realistic and well written. Just a truly well done read.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. After Lauren falls from a ladder and suffers a traumatic brain injury, she has no memory of her relationship with Jonah and the life they have running a rustic resort. I loved this storyline and the characters. even the dog Graham. Totally recommend this book.

Before We Were Us is a traditional Denis Hunter romance with all the Hallmark movie feels. I liked that it was a standalone novel and enjoyed the enemies to loves trope.
Jonah's family owns a beautiful lodge on the East Coast that needs new life and Lauren Wentworth is the person to do that. She plans on managing the lodge for one season before moving on to great, bigger job in the city. Jonah sees that she is a city girl, but with time she learns to love her new life and Jonah learns to love her. When she gets amnesia, she awakens and only remembers the Jonah she disliked and is excited to go back to the city.
I enjoyed the story and loved the New Hampshire setting as a fall story. I especially loved that Laruen found the family she never had in Jonah's family. Hunter's fans will still enjoy book as a fall read and won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers, but all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for the gifted book!

4.5 Stars

Title: Before We Were Us
Author: Denise Hunter
Pub date: September 10, 2024

I really enjoyed this romance and flew through the book in less than a day!

Even though Denise Hunter has written over 40 novels and had 3 turned into Hallmark movies, this was my first time reading her work! It definitely won't be my last!

Jonah and Lauren are totally in love and ready to start the rest of their lives together when Lauren has a fall that causes her to lose total memory of their time spent together. All she can remember of him are the times BEFORE they were in love and he's left devastated at the thought that she'll never remember her love for him or be able to fall in love with him all over again.

As Katherine Center would say, it shouldn't be a spoiler to say that a couple in a romance novel will fall in love, and I knew they would, but watching them get there in this story was truly heartfelt and adorable. The romance in this one felt real and believable which is super important to me when reading romance.

I thought the story flowed well and I never wanted to put it down. I read the whole thing almost without stopping!

I'd definitely recommend picking this one up!

Spice level: kissing only

One thing I always know when I sit down with a Denise Hunter Novel is that I am in for an enjoyable read. Before We Were Us did not disappoint. She has always provided me with stories that fill my heart and give me warm fuzzies. I enjoy books that can do that to me. I admit I’m a sucker for a good love story. I prefer the ones that are not the typical love story and Denise’s books are not typical. There is always something a little different about them.

This book has a main character named Lauren that suffers a fall and loses about 4 months of her memories. Her then boyfriend Jonah can’t forget the time they spent together and Lauren doesn’t want to remember. She is by nature a go-getter and has big plans for her life. She is not about to give them up for just any man! Would you?

I loved the ride this story took me on. It is a good clean romance and I found myself rooting for Jonah and their love story. His parents and sister are all characters that you learn to care for as they run the small rustic resort where Lauren is working for the summer. Her being there is a condition of her dream job in the big city.

Denise Hunter writes clean romances and if that is in your wheelhouse, you will definitely want to put this one on your nightstand. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Netgalley, #ThomasNelson. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I don't usually read Christian fiction or contemporary romance. This was also a first one for me by this author.

I enjoyed the book. It didn't wow me but it was good. Good enough to warrant a five star rating. I could not put less as I found nothing wrong with the book except that it was one I could put down and come back to multiple times. It's well written and all of the characters are likable. It did give me feelings and that is always a plus. I had sad and happy tears with this book. Sad when things went bad and so happy with the way it all worked out. This is a sweet story. A love story. A story with hope. Also amnesia...

Lauren and Jonah have a beautiful story and how he presents that to her later was the best. They are so in love but only after a rocky start. Of course there is the rocky start. But when an accident befalls Lauren and she forgets things then it's not so great. She can't remember ever liking Jonah much less being in love with him.

Can Jonah win Lauren's love back? Will she leave and stay gone? What is to happen between these two? It's a love story with a few ups and downs. Big moves and returns. Finding a lost soul along the way and maybe having a relationship with said lost person. I can't say more than that. I won't give anything away. That is where forgiveness comes in though.

Thank you #NetGalley, #ThomasNelsonFiction for this arc.

Five stars.

"His bruised heart gave a pitiful thump. Sure, she couldn't recall what they'd had before, but it hurt just the same. Surely there was some part of her, deep down, that remembered the love they'd shared. He couldn't imagine all those amazing feelings and wonderful memories being completely eradicated as hers apparently had. It was impossible not to take it personally."

Jonah found the love of his life. But after a head injury, Lauren no longer remembers him. At least not the falling in love part. 4 months of her memories are gone. In her mind, Jonah is obnoxious and wearisome. His only option ...trying to get her to fall in love again.

This is a sweet stand-alone contemporary romance. Jonah demonstrates such unconditional love. I wasn't sure about Lauren at first. But the characters and storyline gradually drew me in to the point that I couldn't stop reading. I highly enjoyed this book.

I was able to read an early copy through @netgalley I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars.

This was a simple and sweet romance about Lauren, a Bostonian who moves to rural New England to take a job at a seasonal resort and falls for the owner's son, Jonah. Just as they are about to get engaged, however, Lauren falls off a ladder and experiences retrograde amnesia, being unable to recall the past several months, including her love for Jonah. Can he make her fall in love again before she is set to return to the city and exit his life permanently?

Recommend if you're in the mood for:
*Idyllic New Hampshire lake region setting
*Clean romance
*Opposites attract
*Mother issues
*Adoption/foster care arcs

My criticism as a neuropsychologist that retrograde amnesia is not the norm after a concussion, so I did not find that aspect of the book, upon which the entire novel hinged, believable. Also, I'm not big on Christian romance, but this was not over-the-top in that regard.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for advanced copies to review in exchange for my opinion.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter is a contemporary romance (clean). We are introduced to the couple madly in love with each other just before Lauren Wentworth falls from a ladder and hits her head. Jonah Landry heard it happen and rushed to get Lauren help. After being examined and scanned, he was able to see her again, but she acted like he was an awful person. Confused as he was going to propose to her they discover she has lost the whole summer of memories of them. She not only doesn’t love him, she doesn’t even like him.

The rest of the novel is both Jonah and Lauren work together at the resort Jonah’s family owns but she continues to try to ignore him and he is devastated that she no longer loves him. The novel is told in both viewpoints and allows the reader to see the story from both points of view. The ending, although hoped for, was not unexpected, but the journey was interesting to get to that point.

Before We Were Us takes place in New Hampshire at a summer resort with cottages on a bigger lake, which was what caught my attention. I enjoyed the book and found the story touching in places. Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter was a good read.

True Denise Hunter fashion. This book was as enjoyable as I wanted it to be. We all knew the ending but there were some great in between moments you don’t want to miss.

After reading some heavy books - like WWII fiction - my mind needs a happy book to read. I just finished reading two WWII books and this book was a perfect way to get me out of my sad mood. It's a light read with some great characters and a happily ever after ending -- who could ask for more?

Lauren was a big city girl from Boston who had just graduated from college with her hospitality degree. When she applied for a job at her dream job and was told that she would be hired but they opening wouldn't occur for 6 months. The company owner told her that there was a job opening at a small resort hotel in New Hampshire that would give her some additional experience. The family who owns the lodge are wonderful and welcoming except for their son Jonah and she tried to stay away from him as much as possible. When they began spending more time together, there were sparks that led to them falling in love. Jonah was ready to propose when something terrible happened. She fell off of a ladder and had a concussion. If that wasn't worrisome enough, she lost her memory of the last several months. She doesn't remember falling in love with Jonah and views him as her adversary like she did in her early days at the resort. Jonah is heartbroken and tries to help her regain her memories and the love they had for each other but Lauren is really stubborn and can't believe that she was ever in love with him. She also doesn't remember that she gave up her chance at her dream job so that she could stay at the resort. Jonah is upset when she tries to get her promised job in Boston back again but won't stand in the way of her happiness. Can Lauren regain her memories and love for Jonah or will she return to Boston? Will they get their happily ever after?

This was a fun book to read and I really enjoyed it and liked all of the characters - especially Jonah. This would make a perfect Hallmark movie!

When city girl Lauren Wentworth travelled to rural New Hampshire to become temporary manager of Pinehaven Lodges, little did she think that she would fall in love with the owner’s son, Jonah. However, seven moths later, just before Jonah proposes, she falls from a ladder and awakes to remembering only that she cannot stand Jonah. She does remember that she had a crush on Carson, the local doctor. Jonah is heartbroken at Lauren’s memory loss but is determined to support her in anyway possible. She seems intent on a life in the city, and does all that she can to push Jonah away.
This is definitely a sweet small-town romance, with Jonah being such a true gentleman. He truly loves Lauren and despite her, at times, quite abrasive nature, he sticks by her, which was so endearing. I also really loved Jonah’s family whose support for him as well as Lauren, was so sweet. Lauren wasn’t always the most likeable character but the author did explore the reasons for her manner. A good read.
This book I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers... If you're into this type of romance, this is definitely a bit of a different story! I can't say I've ever read a story quite like it. Frustration, patience, and love are 3 words I think of when I think of this story.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an E-ARC of Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. At times, it was slow and I think each character wasn't as fully developed. You knew what the ending was going to be, but it was fun to keep reading watching it unfold. It's an easy beach read that I recommend.

This was a beautiful story set in picturesque New Hampshire. The Pinehaven Resort on Lake Loon with its cabins and lodge sounded like a fun place to stay. I liked how this book felt like a Hallmark movie. Maybe someday it will be. The characters of Jonah and Lauren pulled me into their love story and it was a remarkable one full of love, angst, happiness, and sorrow.

The ending was so beautiful, perfect, and special. I really enjoyed reading this book about amnesia and the significance of the title. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.