Before We Were Strangers
A Love Story
-
-
4.4 • 111 Ratings
-
-
- $4.99
-
- $4.99
Publisher Description
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.
To the Green-eyed Lovebird:
We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.
You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.
We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.
Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…
I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.
After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?
M
Customer Reviews
Before We Were Strangers
I started reading this book on Sunday afternoon and I finished the book by midnight. I haven’t read anything extrodinary like this for a long time. And literally this book illustrates the bittersweet of romance novel. By the last couple of chapters I was tearing, I couldn’t stop reading the book. Like the saying, some books you read and some books you enjoy. But some books just swallow you up, heart and soul. All you see is the descriptions and conversations being play in your head like a movie. Once the book is finshed you realised that you just experienced emotional trauma at the hand of a paperback. Renée Carlino has done a fantastic job to write this story and captured the reader emotions.
Perfection
My new all time favourite book. Loved it from start to finish. I found myself putting it down and walking away purely because I didn't want it to end and now that it has I feel as though it's crawled inside me and will remain there forever. Absolute perfection.
A beautiful love story
This is the first book we've read by Renee Carlino and it certainly won't be our last. Before We Were Strangers is a beautiful romantic story of friendship and the love of two people who are perfect for each other but met at the wrong stage of their lives. Carlino will draw you in and keep you captivated by the emotions from her characters. For 15 years Matt and Grace have never been far from each other's thoughts. Their story starts in the present with the most written in the past to fill us back in before returning to the present.
Matt’s life hasn't been fulfilled after disconnecting from the love of his life, working as an established photographer and a failed marriage. Over the last 15 years, Matt has fulfilled his career dreams but left his heart aching for the one that got away. Seeing Grace again for the first time in so long has brought those feelings to the surface, that one glance of her from the subway is a sign, with no leads to track her down he takes a chance on Craig’s list.
“Time passes, life goes on, places change, people change. And still, I couldn’t get Grace off my mind after seeing her… Fifteen years is too long to be holding on to a few heart-pounding moments from college.”
In the past Matt and Grace become fast friends in their last year of college. Matt is studying photography and Grace is a cello music major. Their friendship is quirky and fun and will warm your heart. From breakfast dinners, random photo shoots and concerts, their close friendship develops into something more. They friendship becomes more and soon their love for eachother is infatuating and magical. With neither wanted to come to turns with how much they both turley mean to each other, then having the face decisions of their. Come graduation their new found relationship becomes an emotional tug of war with what is the right decision for their futures, and their hearts. With Matt taking an internship with National Geographics for the summer and Grace given an opportunity to travel with an orchestra for 18 months, their dreams are being fulfilled but their life together is going down a separate path. Their love for one another is strong and their are determination to stay together they know they can’t be selfish and choose their love over their dreams.
“The past doesn't belong to anyone, and the future is just a fantasy, never guaranteed. But the present is ours to own. The only way we can realize that fantasy is to embrace the now.”
When both Matt and Grace spot each other 15 years later, a missed chance is all it takes for them to know that their connection is still simmering beneath the surface. With both having gone through so much in that time, they are both in for a huge shock when they reconnect in the most amazing, emotional and life affirming way.
Life and love don't always go in the same direction, miscommunication can be the downfall for a long distance relationship. Matt and Grace’s journey of life together, separately and reconnecting is a heartfelt journey that will continue to warm your heart. We look forward to reading more by Renee Carlino.