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Before I Met You
Before I Met You: A Novel | Lisa Jewell
Jazz Age London, a passionate and forbidden interracial romance, and the unbreakable bond between a bright young woman and her eccentric grandmother come together brilliantly in this gem of a novel, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, Twenties Girl, and The Chaperone. After her grandmother Arlettes death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. She had forfeited university, parties, boyfriends, summer jobsall the usual preoccupations of a woman her agein order to care for Arlette in their dilapidated, albeit charming home on the English island of Guernsey. Her will included a beneficiary unknown to Betty and her family, a woman named Clara Pickle who presumably could be found at a London address. Now, having landed on a rather shabby street corner in 90s Soho, Betty is determined to find the mysterious Clara. Shes ready for whatever life has to throw her way. Or so she thinks . . . In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette De La Mare is starting her new life in a time of postwar change. Beautiful and charismatic, she is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But two years after her arrival in London, tragedy strikes and she flees back to her childhood home and remains there for the rest of her life. As Betty navigates the ups and downs of city life and begins working as a nanny for a rock star tabloid magnet, her search for Clara leads her to a mana stranger to Betty, but someone who meant the world to her grandmother. Will the secrets of Arlettes past help Betty find her own way to happiness in the present? A rich detective story and a captivating look at London then and now, Before I Met You is an unforgettable novel about two very different women, separated by seventy years, but united by big hearts and even bigger dreams.
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Emma_PK
Pickpick

I really enjoyed the interplay of the two storylines of the female protagonists. The mystery of Arlette's beneficiary that runs through the plot unravelled in a clever and enjoyable way. I liked the inclusion of the varied backgrounds of changing post-war Britian. Would have liked a few more chapters to allow some aspects of the secondary characters to be more developed. But a very enjoyable read.

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NatalieR
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Pickpick

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat as the story alternated between Betty‘s life in 1995 and Arlette‘s time in London in the early 1920‘s. This novel is full of secrets, romantic relationships, curiosity, and life development. There are many moments of excitement and hope while also moments of sadness and devastation. The ending was very satisfying and left me feeling sad the story was over.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💜💜 7mo
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bookaholic1
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Pickpick

#34
Very Enjoyable!!

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Arvena
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Mehso-so

Not the usual Lisa Jewell book. The heroines were unlikable, the story seemed too far fetched, very slow unraveling of the mystery.
Overall, this was an ok read, but nothing special.

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fictionaddictbooks
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Almost done with it...

Yuki_Onna Nice quote, although I don't necessarily agree with it ✈ 3y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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fictionaddictbooks
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This book...is it me or there's just nothing to look forward to in this book. I've been reading it for almost two months now and there seems to be no end in sight. It doesn't excite me at all. I wish it would come to an end already.

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fictionaddictbooks
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The picture and quote I put up here 'bout 2 months ago was ugly. So I decided to do another.😘😘😘

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fictionaddictbooks
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Books don't judge you. They're ever welcoming and always ready to entertain you or teach you something.😘😘😘

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Eggs
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46 likes1 comment
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fictionaddictbooks
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Picture credit @awesomelibrarians on instagram

Yuki_Onna Oh yes, how accurate! 😅😁💛 3y
7 likes1 comment
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fictionaddictbooks
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Very true

Yuki_Onna Oh yes... So true. 3y
3 likes1 comment
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fictionaddictbooks
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Very true.

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Eggs
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Bailedbailed

I usually enjoy Lisa Jewell!! This was a dud 🙁 I was attracted to the dual timeline but I couldn‘t care about the characters

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oh no!! Sometimes a book just doesn't click. 4y
68 likes1 comment
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Victoriahoperose
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Mehso-so

This was not my favorite by Lisa Jewell. I normally love all of her stuff, but this one just felt really slow and hard to get into for me. I felt like it was missing the spark that she usually has in her writing.

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Madison91
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Pickpick

This is sweet and depressing. If you‘re following me for the reviews of a psychological thriller type, or a good whodunnit. This is not it. But it‘s still a sweet story.

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BritanyA
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Panpan

⭐️⭐️: Least favorite of Jewell‘s so far

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thevilraggydoll
Pickpick

Split between the time frames of the 1990‘s and the 1920‘s this book was destined to pique my interest. The book took a little while to get into but then was unputdownable. Having re-read the earlier chapters I only wish there had been more about Arlette in her later years, perhaps dropping some references to the past. Otherwise thoroughly enjoyable.

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tonyahoswalt
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Pickpick

Listened to the audio while working. Really enjoyed this one. Liked Betty for the most part, and loved Arlette(spelling?)The time spent with her was magical!

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MMFinck
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Pickpick

I loved Arlette‘s storyline!!

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EadieB
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Pickpick

Finished audio during drive to beach house. Betty narration 1995 and Arlette, Betty‘s grandmother, narration from 1920. They live on Island of Guernsey but both moved to London during the late teen years. The story is about what happens to them in London during the 90‘s Britpop era and the 20‘s Jazz Age. Arlette left an inheritance for her son and Betty but also for a Clara Pickle. But who is Clara? Betty will find out while living in London.

EadieB #beforeimetyou #lisajewell Book does have a slow start but then does pick up and then goes gangbuster to the end! (edited) 6y
Birdsong28 My favourite Lisa Jewell 📚📖 6y
brittanyreads 1990s & 1920s?! I‘m so in!! 6y
EadieB @BBL4nkensh1p 👍 Enjoy! 6y
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kstadt929
Mehso-so

Alright, so there was some time I considered bailing on this one...some of the story line was not to my taste and it seemed like not much was happening for a long chunk. But I‘m so glad I powered through! It was not one of my favorites and I feel it could have been shorter, but it still turned out to be an enjoyable read @JoScho

JoScho Thanks for the tag 😊 7y
5 likes1 comment
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kstadt929

Okay Littens, has anyone else read this one?? I really want to bail because it has been rough making it as far as I have with still more than half to go...but I‘m curious to find out about Clara Pickle. Does it get any better??

JoScho I haven‘t read it yet and have seen more good reviews than bad ones if that helps 😊 7y
kstadt929 Thanks @JoScho ! I have a hard time bailing on books and always try to push through so I haven‘t stopped yet 😁 7y
JoScho I have it on hold at the library. I look forward to seeing what you think when you finish it. 7y
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kstadt929
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The picture on this cover caught my eye at the library...I had to start it tonight even though I‘m in the middle of a few other books. Let‘s hope it is “unputdownable” like the cover says 😋 Here goes nothing!

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toria963
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I loved this book I liked the back n forth of past and present

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