Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Updated: Sep 3, 2020

Renee Carlino has done it again with Before We Were Strangers. I adored her book Wish You Were Here (click the link for my review), and Before We Were Strangers is keeping that bar high. This book was a binge-worthy love story that will make you believe in second chances. The only reason I didn't give it 5-stars was because of how long it took to get me interested in the beginning, but it was well worth the wait, just like it was for the main characters.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4 Stars.

What is Before We Were Strangers about?

The story follows Matt and Grace, an aspiring photographer (Matt) and an ambitious musician (Grace), who have a whirlwind college romance. Their impending careers and separate futures tear the two apart until years later when an unexpected meeting on a train station startles them both. That glimpse into their past brings up unresolved feelings and secrets that neither could have imagined. It is a story of lost connections, second chances, and love that lasts a lifetime.

Why did I love this book?

At its bones, it is a beautiful love story. But what stood out to me was how well Carlino navigated juggling the past and present timelines. I often find stories that go back and forth in time problematic. This is mainly for one of two reasons, it ruins the flow and momentum of the story, or one timeline outshines the other. Before We Were Strangers did not fall into these traps. Carlino sandwiched the story, starting and ending with present-day and dug into the past for the greater middle chunk, and it worked SO WELL. As a reader, I got to dig into both timelines thoroughly and they each held their own.

A worthy shout out Carlino for her ability to write characters you can't help but fall in love with. Matt and Grace are no exception, they feel real and charming and are extremely well written.

If I enjoyed Before We Were Strangers, what should I read next?

If you did, then I would highly recommend any of the ones below to try next. They are all well written, engaging stories that have a killer romance storyline.