Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story

What a beautifully crafted and well told story from start to finish. Renee Carlino, your writing is genius and an inspiration to those of us who feel the need to put our stories to paper. Each character comes to life so completely and perfectly, well done! I was laughing and sobbing in equal parts as I rode the rollercoaster of this story. Thank you!

Woah! This book captivated me from start to finish!
You'll be on a roller coaster of emotions! Your heart will soar, hurt, ache so much through out this story!

You'll fall in love with these amazing characters and just want so much for there to be a HEA.

Wow! Is all I can say! I enjoyed this story so much!

Renee Carlino has quickly made her way onto my favorite authors ever list. Her writing style is captivating and I find it hard to put her books down after I start them. This book is easily my absolute favorite that I've read so far. If you're looking for a deeply emotional, sweet, and captivating love story, this is the book for you.

Wow, just WOW! This is the succinct love story of two people destined to be together. The author shies away from the minutea of their daily lives and concentrates on the major influences and occurrences over the fifteen year time period. A powerful story of loves ability to break, heal and endure. Just lovely.

Loved, loved!!! Like the other Renée Carlino books, I had big expectations and I was not disappointed. This book is REALLY GOOD! I was not in a good place in my life, romantically speaking, and it ended up making me feel so much better. Loved how the story went, how the character developed and mostly, loved the ending and the big twist before it ended. I 100% recommend it!

When Renée Carlino releases a new book, the date gets circled in red on my calendar and I drop everything I am doing to read it. I have fallen head over heels in love with every couple she has created, so naturally I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on When We Were Strangers. Carlino certainly rose to the occasion with a beautiful story that I absolutely adored. This book is the type that reminds me why I love to read. It was a captivating and unique tale brimming with emotion. Nothing could have stopped me from reading this one start to finish in one night.

There is something special about second-chance romances, and Matt’s and Grace’s story was one of the best ones I have ever read. Circumstances caused them to drift apart 15 years ago, and after all that time fate has brought them together again through a chance encounter. Carlino skillfully weaves the stories of their past and present together in a way that makes you giddy with excitement about what is to come. We see a young and ambitious Matt and Grace juxtaposed with an older, wiser pair who made mistakes along the way but never forgot about each other.

This story had many moments when I swear my heart skipped a beat. Matt was lost before he saw Grace again after all of those years, and I was immediately rooting for him to find his way back to her. Watching them fall in love when they were in college was heartwarming and simply a joy to see. The connection between the couple was palpable, and it was much more than just young love. They belonged together, which made it so devastating their careers ripped them apart. My heart absolutely ached watching these two people follow different paths.

There were many layers to Matt and Grace, and their history was complicated. Even though they obviously loved one another, were they still in love? Fifteen years is a long time, and much had changed in both of their lives. It was joy to watch them come together and get to know each other all over again. I absolutely loved the way in which the story progressed and how real it all felt. The beauty of their relationship for me was how deeply it was rooted in friendship. There was such beauty in the way they loved each other. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

This story was incredibly rich with both detail and emotion. Carlino never fails to paint a vivid picture that makes the reader feel as if he or she is a part of the book. Matt’s and Grace’s story was truly a journey filled with ups and downs. There were moments when I laughed and times when I cried. The premise of this book is different and compelling. If the intriguing synopsis was not enough to entice you into reading it, please take my recommendation and purchase a copy of When We Were Strangers when it releases. You will not regret it.

*An advance copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.*

I really loved this story, such great chemistry and emotions from the characters. It's one of those stories where you don't want to stop reading, it pulled me in from the beginning. Renee's stories have such heart and realness to them. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

After reading the blurb I was intrigued. The result? Before We Were Strangers is one of the best books I've bought/read so far this year. I've never picked up anything by Renee Carlino before and definitely need to rectify that fact.

Warning: Tears may fall whilst reading.

I had never read this author before. Got this recommendation from a list of must reads and was not disappointed. The book was an easy and enjoyable read with an original passionate storyline. Every thing else I want to say is a spoiler so I will just say - read and enjoy.

I suffered a true book hangover after reading this amazing love story. Matt and Grace are as real of people as fictional characters can get and yet they find a way to be completely charming flaws and all. This book paints a realistic picture of college life all while romanticizing it as well. This was my first Renee Carlino book and it won't be my last.

Renee Carlino is a talented writer. The characters in this book have depth, personality, and I genuinely feel as though I connect with them. This is my first Renee Carlino novel and I absolutely loved it! I laughed, I cried, and stayed up until 3:06 am just to finish it. I couldn't put it down!

Wow what a beautiful story! So well written, such an amazing journey for two people. Absolutely loved it. You could feel all of the emotions within these two. One of my favourite books this year! Can't wait for Tati's book! ( hope there is 1)!

Where do I even begin with Before We Were Strangers, the day it dropped to my kindle I dove in, I devoured the story of Matt and Grace so very quickly, with tears in my eyes I turned the last page with a quiet reverence because I had just finished what was arguably one of my favourite books, I attempted to write a review then and there but no words I found did it justice, there were not enough superlatives to describe it's sheer beauty, no words that were eloquent enough to hold a candle to this enigmatic story about two people who were perfect for each but at the wrong point in their lives.

Time changes people, we go from carefree and full of dreams and plans for the future to not always living the reality we expected, Matt and Grace were wise for their years and yet held a youthful exuberance and sense of wonder as they took in the world around them, their creative passions no doubt adding to this, in college Grace is a talented cellist, with an ear for music and natural ability that is obvious to anyone who hears her play, she knows all to well the life of a struggling musician, financially barely scraping by, this young woman is captivating from the outset, Grace is complex, nuanced, she's intriguing and beguiling and she demands you to look at her, to see what lies beneath the face she wears for the world, Grace owned me, heart and soul in Before We Were Strangers, her strength and courage, her conviction, her resilience, I was enchanted by her every thought, by every word that fell from her lips, the more I read the more I wanted from her.

Matt's voice began as one of quiet acceptance, his voice conjured this feeling that once upon a time his life was filled with joy and wonder, with simple pleasures and a sense of adventure, the wistful tone of his voice in the present day led me to believe this was no longer the case, that despite excelling in his chosen career as a photographer, a career that had seen many highs, that age and responsibilities wearied him, changed him, the passion no longer burned in his eyes, Matt intrigued me because I knew with absolute certainty that Before We Were Strangers was more than just young lovers drifting apart, the blurb hints at it, we get a sense there's a bigger story there, but what sealed my fate as I swan dived into this story for the second time, feeling every emotional responses wrenched from me all over again, was just how much these characters spoke to me on a deeper level, within the first chapters they were ingrained in my psyche, they were tying chains to my heart, begging me without words to love them, to listen to their story, to experience their world.

Before We Were Strangers enveloped my senses, took hold of my heart branded itself on my soul, Carlino has a way with words where time becomes inconsequential when reading, hours slip by like minutes, every time I begin one of her books I settle in knowing with certainty that I'm about to experience something special, I turn the pages with a hunger and desperation that few other author's match, I sit there awed as I turn the last page declaring that she has just written her best work yet and then I do it all over again, Carlino has this uncanny ability to draw me in so completely that I experience her words like I'm living the story, she doesn't write books, she gives you a world outside if your own to experience, and with each book I read I'm left with a thirst for more, more characters to love, more stories to lose myself in, more words to cherish. I often refer to Carlino as the pied piper, her words have the ability to transcend time and space, I lose myself in what she creates and to be honest I never want to find my way back again, I want to draw out every possible moment with these characters because I don't want to say goodbye to them, I want their memory branded on my mind, I want the ink from the pages to seep into my soul and stay there marking me permanently. The story of Matt and Grace has seared itself on my heart, and after living in their world twice now, I don't think I'll ever want to let them go.

I think everyone has those moments of the "what it's" but its probably rare that its still experienced..that 2nd chance at love. I loved the story of Matt and Grace, give this read a chance..great lazy day read!

I literally could not put it down, start to finish. I loved every moment of the story. My heart fluttered for Matt and Grace’s lovable relationship, then my heart ached for their heartbreak and loss. I laughed, cried, and was left wanting MORE.
Can’t wait to see what else Renee has in store!

I loved this book ! I felt like the characters and the story stayed with me for a few days after I finished the book. I was so brokenhearted for Matt. What a great guy. Matt and Grace were just victims of bad timing. I would definitely recommend this book.

Loved this book! The little twist towards the end was predictable but it was ok because of the rest of the story. Great writing that made me finish the book in one day, I will absolutely seek out this author's work in the future.

First off, every Renee Carlino book I've read has been done in one sitting, they are that good. This one is no exception, simply brilliant. I thought the timing was impeccably written, I loved the highs and lows, all strategically placed perfectly. Top shelf for me.

I loved EVERYTHING about this book. Renee Carlino is one of my go-to authors. I've been following her ever since I read Sweet Thing. Her writing reminds me of Tiffany DeBartolo. In other words, she's amazing!

Renee did such a beautiful job showcasing young, passionate love. This book took me back to college when I fell deeply in love with the love of my life. Thank you Renee for writing such a breezy love story that will stay in my mind for a long time to come!

Renee each book you write leaves me breathless. Matt and Graces love story made me laugh and cry at the same time. This love story is about finding your true soul mate. If you love to read about the passion of the heart this book is for you.